“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” – The Old Testament, Proverbs 29:11
This verse is very straightforward. While anger can be justified, indeed even God gets angry, giving full vent to that anger without showing restraint is a very foolish thing to do. If you are a wise man, you are very slow to anger, and it takes a great deal to set you off. And even if you do get set off, keeping yourself under control is the embodiment of wisdom.
Do you remember the story of the Amish who visited a child murderer’s family and prayed with and for them after the Amish School Shooting, literally hours after he had murdered their children? That, is the embodiment of this verse. And the embodiment of Godly love. They had every right to be angry and to hate. And they admitted to being angry. But they also had Biblical wisdom, and knew that God forgives and God loves. He calls us to love even when there is no clear reason to love. You love, and that love trumps your anger, because it is a commandment from God to love our fellow man. It does not say to love them only when they are doing right, or doing what you approve of. Quite the opposite in fact. Judgment is God’s, our commandment is to Love.
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – The Old Testament, Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
I was watching an amazing movie the other day (for the first time) that you’ve probably heard of, called “The Shawshank Redemption”. It is one of those movies that I have heard a lot about, but never paid attention. A friend showed it to me, and it was one of the most beautiful movies I’ve ever seen.
As the credits rolled and tears filled my eyes at the final triumphant scene, this verse came to mind. In my estimation, the main character of the film, had faith. While Morgan Freeman’s character had hope. There is a huge difference between the two. Faith is the most powerful thing, and gives you the ability to accomplish the impossible, even when the impossible is seemingly, just that, an impossibility.
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” – The Old Testament, Proverbs 19:11
I absolutely love the way the Bible puts this, from the NIV. “It is to his glory to overlook an offense.”
That is the way that one should conduct their life. Take no offense from anyone, no matter what it is that they do. And be proud of the fact that your strength in Christ and your knowledge of Biblical Wisdom, gives you the ability to overlook offenses; something that the world will often not even attempt to do. But instead will revel in getting revenge, keeping a grudge, and answering an offense with an offense equal to the person who slighted them. (Secular rap culture, I’m looking at you!)
This is an amazing verse, and a very wise one indeed.
Absolutely awe-inspiring words from someone who walked the walk and carried his cross.
“Like Anybody I Would Like To Live A Long Life. Longevity Has Its Place. But I’m Not Concerned About That Now. I Just Want To Do God’s Will. And He’s Allowed Me To Go Up To the Mountain. And I’ve Looked Over. And I’ve Seen the Promised Land.” Celebrate MLK’s inspiring Spirit of God with this amazing quote.
The pulse of Christ pumped through this man in so many powerful ways. His thinking was profound beyond human understanding. That’s because he yielded his life to the guide of the Holy Spirit, allowing God to speak through him and change the world. This quote gives me shivers.
If you’ve ever seen the last speech that MLK ever gave, the Holy Spirit was literally dripping off this man. According to interviews with a guy who was with MLK the day he was assassinated, he told people that MLK was the giddiest he had ever seen him. In fact he said Martin Luthor King was actually playful. So playful in fact that he started a pillow fight! This was completely unlike MLK, who was usually stoic and serious. He said this was manifest evidence to him that MLK was divinely inspired and knew that it was his last day on Earth. And even in the midst of that impending doom, he had the joy of Christ. A joy only the peace of God brings. This is from first-hand accounts. You can believe whatever you want to believe, but its clear to people who were there that God flowed through Martin Luthor King Jr. in powerful, powerful ways.
Badass intro, eh? One of the best on the album (and that’s high praise!). Relentless Intolerance is one of the most overtly Christian songs from Demon Hunter, outright and with no mincing of words, condemning those who believe The Bible is an outdated book for an outdated faith with no place in this world. Instead of working our way forwards by embracing the truth of the Word of God, we are working our way backwards by embracing that which damns the soul. True to the name, this is a heavy song with a very cool driving beat to it that I absolutely love. Relentless Intolerance also features an amazing sung chorus that is extremely singable and will definitely have you humming along. This song, along with “The Science of Lies”, are two of my favorite songs on The Triptych album that are often overlooked IMHO, and both complement each other well; working like two sides of the same coin in terms of subject matter. “Believe the Words that stand the test of time / Not the slurs of the youth” Damn straight!
Lyrics:
These eyes, they will gaze and reflect
And gauge every thought I reject
No sway of stance in changing times
Just a narrow mind commanding respect
We stand on the words of the wise
And languish every call to despise
We know the hollow wound of their lies
No reformed edition
Never losing vision
Now into forever
Only getting better
Ways of now, spiral down
How much more we allow
Keeping sight of the vow we made
Holding fast to the hope
So when we stand in the line of wrath
The true and righteous will know
The foundation that we used to uphold
Now regarded as the madness of old
Every alteration made to the standard of truth
Is a nail in the coffin we hold
We embody everything they despise
Because they see us through degenerate eyes
So when they cast you down as intolerant filth
Stand firm, never bow to the lies
No reformed edition
Never losing vision
Now into forever
Only getting better
Ways of now, spiral down
How much more we allow
Keeping sight of the vow we made
Holding fast to the hope
So when we stand in the line of wrath
The true and righteous will know
See the scorn inside my eyes
Keeping sight of the vow we made
Holding fast to the hope
So when we stand in the line of wrath
The true and righteous will know
About Demon Hunter Month
January 2013 is dedicated to the Christian metal band Demon Hunter, arguably my favorite band; and will feature songs from their entire catalog featured daily throughout the month, one a day. Whether you like metal, believe in God or not, check these songs out as you may be pleasantly surprised and hopefully you will discover some new-to-your-ears music to enjoy. Demon Hunter’s sound is extremely diverse, not all songs feature screams and growls, some are slow, sung ballads; others are heartfelt, all are deep with powerful lyrics that will make you think and ponder, as the sound takes you away.
I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas Eve! I hope everyone has a good time this year celebrating with their loved ones. Enjoy this awesome piece of Godly art!
Corrie Ten Boom, “Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.” (via Pastor Benny Hinn)
That quote is from someone who knows real tragedy unlike anything we can imagine. Yesterday, we got closer to being able to imagine what true evil and true horror is; in stark, terrifying, real terms. Except few of us experienced that pain in a direct, real way, as the people and young children who were viciously murdered in cold blood at an elementary school in Connecticut were strangers to us.
These words from Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom is proof positive that strength comes from God and God alone. Even when demonic evil taking place all around you and involves the very people you know and love. Even during those dark hours, Jesus is the answer, and in Him alone is where comfort, grace, mercy, forgiveness, peace and the strength that surpasses all mortal understanding reside.
Here is an amazing real interview with Corrie ten Boom herself, speaking in her own words, on forgiveness and how to overcome hardship and tragedy, from someone who survived a Nazi Concentration Camp and still maintained her faith in Jesus Christ and the love of God that confounds the unbeliever.
The Truth of Christ makes you like Neo. No foe can withstand the power of the Lord.
Psalm 91:1-2
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!
This Bible verse from the Old Testament says it all. With God on your side, who can be against you? What foe can defeat the Creator? None. He is your fortress, your refuge, and the one who protects, provides and in whom you can trust.
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” -Philippians 2:3 – The Bible, New Testament.
Anyone who has read the Bible knows that the value of humility is one of its strongest teachings. Humility is also one of the hardest values to practice, as it is essentially the opposite of how most people naturally react, speak, act and think.
But humility is what we should ALL aspire to. Just as Christ Himself, the Master and Creator of all things, willingly brought Himself down to the level of a humble servant. The Master became the Servant, washing the feet of those who, in the natural worldly order of things, should have been serving the Master.
An absolutely amazing photo. Joy comes from the heart, not from external circumstances.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4
This is a truly amazing verse. It really boggles the mind when you think about how opposed to the natural order of things it is. Trials and Tribulations do not bring one joy, in the world. They bring suffering, complaining, bitching, if you will.
That is not how God would have us see things. Quite the opposite in fact. And that is what true maturity is.
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