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From Daniel’s Den…

8 BILLION PEOPLE AND COUNTING

Posted on Dec 6, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

According to some estimates, the world’s population exceeded 8 billion in November of this year. Of further note is the fact that half of this number live in 7 countries, namely…China, India, United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Brazil. As the world’s population continues to grow, the response of Christians to Jesus’ charge and commission to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth” and to “make disciples of all nations” requires an intentional, focused, and cooperative effort.

LOOKING LIKE CHRISTMAS

Posted on Nov 29, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” was the opening statement for an invitation that I received recently via email. This familiar phrase has been circulating at least since 1951 when Meredith Willson penned the words to the popular song sung and recorded by a host of well-known musicians. Originally entitled “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas,” this song purports to offer insights into what Christmas looks like.

FIVE KERNELS OF CORN

Posted on Nov 22, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

‘Twas the year of the famine in Plymouth of old,

The ice and the snow from the thatched roofs had rolled;

Through the warm purple skies steered the geese o’er the seas,

And the woodpeckers tapped in the clocks of the trees;

And the boughs on the slopes to the south winds lay bare,

And dreaming of summer, the buds swelled in the air.

The pale Pilgrims welcomed each reddening morn;

There were left but for rations Five Kernels of Corn.

This first stanza of Hezekiah Butterworth’s well-known poem introduces early Thanksgiving “feasts” experienced by the Pilgrims following their arrival to the New World while also issuing a call for thankfulness in the midst of less-than-favorable circumstances. According to the legend of the five kernels of corn, food was in short supply during the first year or two the Pilgrims spent in their new home due to drought and bitter cold. The food supply was so low that daily rations consisted of only five kernels of corn. Despite the severe lack of food, however, thanksgiving was offered to God “for the abundance of the sea and the treasures of the sand.”

Although crops planted the following spring yielded much and the Pilgrims had plenty of food to sustain them, they embraced the custom of celebrating Thanksgiving each year by placing five kernels of corn at every plate as a reminder of the hardships they had endured and the blessings they enjoyed.

THE BATTLE FOR PURITY: YOUR TONGUE

Posted on Nov 15, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

Suppose you are part of an exercise group that walks or jogs along the same trails, pathways, or roads. Other joggers and walkers often follow the same similar route as your group. Even when the temperature drops below freezing you, your friends, or others continue meeting at the appointed time and completing the designated course. Because the temperatures are extremely frigid, however, all of the words that you and members of your group speak while exercising become frozen in mid-air.

THE BATTLE FOR PURITY IN RELATIONSHIPS: REMOVING OBSTACLES

Posted on Nov 8, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

An obstacle is defined as “an obstruction, hindrance, or impediment that interferes with or prevents action or progress.” Similarly, an obstacle is “a thing that blocks one’s way or prevents or hinders progress” or “something that blocks you so that movement, going forward, or action is prevented or made more difficult.”

As presented in earlier editions of From Daniel’s Den, Refraining from Criticism and Reinforcing Fellow Christians are necessary in order to make progress in the battle for purity in Christian relationships. In addition, Removing Obstacles is fundamental for “getting along” with others and for establishing and maintaining purity in one’s own life. To the Christians in Rome, Paul declared “It is better not to eat meat and drink wine or to do anything else that would cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves” (Romans 14:21-23).

THE BATTLE FOR PURITY: RELATIONSHIPS-REINFORCING FELLOW CHRISTIANS

Posted on Nov 1, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

Anyone who has been involved in constructing a house or building is probably familiar with rebar. Short for “reinforced bar,” rebar is used to reinforce and strengthen the concrete used in foundations, footings, columns, driveways, bridges, and in many other applications.

THE BATTLE FOR PURITY IN RELATIONSHIPS: REFRAINING FROM CRITICISM

Posted on Oct 24, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

Sitting in a large circle of youth on the gym floor at church, a 14-year-old boy wanted to give an appropriate response to the student minister’s question regarding abilities, talents, and observable gifts that contributed to the uniqueness of each young people that was present. One young man noted his athletic prowess, while musical ability was submitted by a couple of others. Academic excellence was offered by several students. Although agreement was voiced by the group with each response, the student minister refrained from comment.

THE BATTLE FOR PURITY: YOUR THOUGHTS

Posted on Oct 18, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

“The Battle for Purity: Your Thoughts”

“Search me, O God and know my heart;

Test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting”

(Psalm 139:23-24).

“Aw, it doesn’t matter so much what a person thinks as long as he doesn’t do anything illegal,”

argued an unthinking college student in an attempt to justify his habit of reading pornographic material. Our focal scriptures inform us that this student was wrong. One’s thoughts do matter and the battle for purity must encompass the area of our thoughts.

THE BATTLE FOR PURITY: YOU AND GOD

Posted on Oct 3, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

“Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.

Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer”

(Psalm 19:12-14)

In response to a question from his father regarding the different meanings of a traffic light’s three colors, the popular “theologian,” Dennis the Menace, correctly indicated that the red light meant “Stop!” and the green light permitted drivers to “Go!” When Dennis’ proud father asked about the yellow light, Dennis quickly added, “Yellow means hurry up, you might just make it.”

CHRISTIANS ARE INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE: DANGERS & DIVIDENDS

Posted on Sep 26, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

In his study of the Gospel of Matthew, Roland Q. Leavell labeled the focus of Jesus’ teaching in his “Sermon on the Mount” recorded in Chapters 5-7 as “The Way of Life in the Kingdom.” Within this Kingdom-life focus, Leavell presented the Beatitudes as “The Kingdom Way of Happiness” (Matthew 5:1-12) and Jesus’ subsequent teaching employing the metaphors of salt and light as “The Kingdom Way of Influence” (5:13-16). Leavell asserted, “Desire for happiness and desire for influence are innate in the human heart. The happy Christian is an influential Christian, and vice versa. Few things are as contagious as radiant Christian living. There is a clarion call for the influence of sincere Christianity”.

8 BILLION PEOPLE AND COUNTING

Posted on Dec 6, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

According to some estimates, the world’s population exceeded 8 billion in November of this year. Of further note is the fact that half of this number live in 7 countries, namely…China, India, United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Brazil. As the world’s population continues to grow, the response of Christians to Jesus’ charge and commission to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth” and to “make disciples of all nations” requires an intentional, focused, and cooperative effort.

LOOKING LIKE CHRISTMAS

Posted on Nov 29, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” was the opening statement for an invitation that I received recently via email. This familiar phrase has been circulating at least since 1951 when Meredith Willson penned the words to the popular song sung and recorded by a host of well-known musicians. Originally entitled “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas,” this song purports to offer insights into what Christmas looks like.

FIVE KERNELS OF CORN

Posted on Nov 22, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

‘Twas the year of the famine in Plymouth of old,

The ice and the snow from the thatched roofs had rolled;

Through the warm purple skies steered the geese o’er the seas,

And the woodpeckers tapped in the clocks of the trees;

And the boughs on the slopes to the south winds lay bare,

And dreaming of summer, the buds swelled in the air.

The pale Pilgrims welcomed each reddening morn;

There were left but for rations Five Kernels of Corn.

This first stanza of Hezekiah Butterworth’s well-known poem introduces early Thanksgiving “feasts” experienced by the Pilgrims following their arrival to the New World while also issuing a call for thankfulness in the midst of less-than-favorable circumstances. According to the legend of the five kernels of corn, food was in short supply during the first year or two the Pilgrims spent in their new home due to drought and bitter cold. The food supply was so low that daily rations consisted of only five kernels of corn. Despite the severe lack of food, however, thanksgiving was offered to God “for the abundance of the sea and the treasures of the sand.”

Although crops planted the following spring yielded much and the Pilgrims had plenty of food to sustain them, they embraced the custom of celebrating Thanksgiving each year by placing five kernels of corn at every plate as a reminder of the hardships they had endured and the blessings they enjoyed.

THE BATTLE FOR PURITY: YOUR TONGUE

Posted on Nov 15, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

Suppose you are part of an exercise group that walks or jogs along the same trails, pathways, or roads. Other joggers and walkers often follow the same similar route as your group. Even when the temperature drops below freezing you, your friends, or others continue meeting at the appointed time and completing the designated course. Because the temperatures are extremely frigid, however, all of the words that you and members of your group speak while exercising become frozen in mid-air.

THE BATTLE FOR PURITY IN RELATIONSHIPS: REMOVING OBSTACLES

Posted on Nov 8, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

An obstacle is defined as “an obstruction, hindrance, or impediment that interferes with or prevents action or progress.” Similarly, an obstacle is “a thing that blocks one’s way or prevents or hinders progress” or “something that blocks you so that movement, going forward, or action is prevented or made more difficult.”

As presented in earlier editions of From Daniel’s Den, Refraining from Criticism and Reinforcing Fellow Christians are necessary in order to make progress in the battle for purity in Christian relationships. In addition, Removing Obstacles is fundamental for “getting along” with others and for establishing and maintaining purity in one’s own life. To the Christians in Rome, Paul declared “It is better not to eat meat and drink wine or to do anything else that would cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves” (Romans 14:21-23).

THE BATTLE FOR PURITY: RELATIONSHIPS-REINFORCING FELLOW CHRISTIANS

Posted on Nov 1, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

Anyone who has been involved in constructing a house or building is probably familiar with rebar. Short for “reinforced bar,” rebar is used to reinforce and strengthen the concrete used in foundations, footings, columns, driveways, bridges, and in many other applications.

THE BATTLE FOR PURITY IN RELATIONSHIPS: REFRAINING FROM CRITICISM

Posted on Oct 24, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

Sitting in a large circle of youth on the gym floor at church, a 14-year-old boy wanted to give an appropriate response to the student minister’s question regarding abilities, talents, and observable gifts that contributed to the uniqueness of each young people that was present. One young man noted his athletic prowess, while musical ability was submitted by a couple of others. Academic excellence was offered by several students. Although agreement was voiced by the group with each response, the student minister refrained from comment.

THE BATTLE FOR PURITY: YOUR THOUGHTS

Posted on Oct 18, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

“The Battle for Purity: Your Thoughts”

“Search me, O God and know my heart;

Test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting”

(Psalm 139:23-24).

“Aw, it doesn’t matter so much what a person thinks as long as he doesn’t do anything illegal,”

argued an unthinking college student in an attempt to justify his habit of reading pornographic material. Our focal scriptures inform us that this student was wrong. One’s thoughts do matter and the battle for purity must encompass the area of our thoughts.

THE BATTLE FOR PURITY: YOU AND GOD

Posted on Oct 3, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

“Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.

Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer”

(Psalm 19:12-14)

In response to a question from his father regarding the different meanings of a traffic light’s three colors, the popular “theologian,” Dennis the Menace, correctly indicated that the red light meant “Stop!” and the green light permitted drivers to “Go!” When Dennis’ proud father asked about the yellow light, Dennis quickly added, “Yellow means hurry up, you might just make it.”

CHRISTIANS ARE INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE: DANGERS & DIVIDENDS

Posted on Sep 26, 2022 in From Daniel's Den, General |

In his study of the Gospel of Matthew, Roland Q. Leavell labeled the focus of Jesus’ teaching in his “Sermon on the Mount” recorded in Chapters 5-7 as “The Way of Life in the Kingdom.” Within this Kingdom-life focus, Leavell presented the Beatitudes as “The Kingdom Way of Happiness” (Matthew 5:1-12) and Jesus’ subsequent teaching employing the metaphors of salt and light as “The Kingdom Way of Influence” (5:13-16). Leavell asserted, “Desire for happiness and desire for influence are innate in the human heart. The happy Christian is an influential Christian, and vice versa. Few things are as contagious as radiant Christian living. There is a clarion call for the influence of sincere Christianity”.