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This title is a reference to one of my favorite illustrations I have shared on my blog before. Briefly, two men were digging a ditch; the first was grousing, complaining and mumbling while periodically glancing at his watch; the second was smiling, singing and rejoicing while he dug. A passer-by asked them what they were doing. The first one answered, disgust in his voice: “I’m just digging a damn ditch!” The second one looked up, and with joy and confidence he answered: “I’m building…

After last week’s look at the first half of Proverbs 31’s “virtuous woman,” I want to remind us of the foundation from which we always come—the kingdom of God and the gospel of the grace of God—both edges of the sword of the Word of God.  When we focus on the kingdom edge, as we are doing when we discuss a wife’s role in the family, the temptation is always to see this basic truth as a recipe to follow to be “good,” rather…

Jill and I both went to college when the most popular degree for women was Home Economics, followed closely by Education, viewed as preparation for teaching school, and Nursing, the ultimate “helping” profession. However, the goal of the vast majority of all the young women in college was to be wives and mothers whose profession was “homemaker.” That was “long ago and far away!” For a young woman, in 2023, to openly declare “homemaker” as a life-goal would be a rare instance indeed, although…

In the New Testament, particularly in the letters of Paul, the concept of the “renewal of our minds.” is mentioned several times (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 4:23; Colossians 3:10; etc.). This refers to a process through which the Lord is taking us all. We are learning to think—as Isaiah 55:8, 9 tells us—“God’s way” (by faith, through the cross) and not “man’s way” (according to our inherent, life-long addiction to trying to be “good” and not “evil”).  At various times, in particular…

Can you see it? Spiritual warriors in all walks of life, from ditch-diggers to CEOs, attacking every day, armed with only the weapons of love, and genuine interest and concern for everyone with whom they interact. They see their specific job as essential in the kingdom. They know they bring Jesus’ rule, by grace, according to the law of God—whether administering it or obeying it—into that vocation. Remember, as we discussed, it is FAITH that “substantiates,” or makes this hope or vision experiential in…

After writing the last few blog posts concerning what I believe to be the biblical idea of our rule over the earth, I catch myself beginning to think of how, even at my advanced, “approaching-senility” age of 84, I can find something to do to try to make that happen. I ought to, need to, and should do my part to fulfill that “Great Commission,” shouldn’t I? All addicts know what it means to “fall off the wagon”—abandon the rehab program they were carefully…

A couple of days ago I had a very encouraging conversation with a friend who is new to the concept we have been discussing of Jesus presently ruling from His Father’s right hand in Heaven, through us here on the earth. She excitedly told me how, unconsciously, she is finding herself talking to those out in the world, initiating the conversation and just focusing on them in a new way, not trying to “witness” to them at all. She saw it as the Lord…

We saw last week that Psalms 110 and Daniel 7:13, 14, 27 teach us prophetically that Jesus would arrive in Heaven, coming on the clouds, and He would go before the Ancient of Days. There He would be crowned King and receive God’s eternal Kingdom. David further prophesies in Psalm 110, referring to that same event, that Jesus would take HIs seat at his Father’s right hand at that time.  Remember, the context implies that this would occur at the Heaven-end of the Ascension.…

For the last two days I have been watching a very encouraging, streaming TV show called AmericaFest on Real America’s Voice network. As I was watching, it dawned on me that this is very much what I envision will be happening as the church begins to experience the power of the gospel-kingdom Word of God. I found myself clapping, shouting, even tearing up as some 11,000 people are gathering in Phoenix, Arizona for a four-day conference (December 17-20) sponsored by Turning Point, USA, an…

This blog posting is about to explode in me before I can get it out, just as was last week’s posting! What always turns me on is when a biblical truth that I had not previously understood “sets things in order” for me. Last week’s posting did that. According to the Greek meaning of the word for “to know,” knowing the gospel is something we can fully experience now.  On the other hand, the kingdom of God is a vision that we can discover now,…