Speak Words of Wisdom

PSALMS 37:23  - 31

  23   The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Isn't it reassuring to know that He is directing our steps? That He is in complete control, and even better, HE can take joy in our lifes journey?

  24    Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand.

How many times a day do I fail Him? How many times a day do I backslide, and yet He still loves me!

  25    I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

All that I am, all that I ever will be, all that I possess, is because of His grace and kindness.

  26    [He is] ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed [is] blessed.

Lendeth? Why this word? Because all that we have, all that we are, is given by His hand, and ultimately we belong to Him.

  27    Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

  28    For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

  29    The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

  30    The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

So let us speak wisdom! Let us judge ourselves that we be not judged. Do you see yourself here?

  31    The law of his God [is] in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

He has engraved His Word in my heart, and He has engraved my name in the palms of His hands.

Slow down, take a breath, and count to 10. Exhale slowly. Think about what you are getting ready to say. If we could just do that every day, how much better off would we be? How many arguments, hurt feelings, and tears could we avoid? 

Let's try a bit harder today, to say things how He would say them. Let's try to love others how Christ loves us. Let's live for others, as He died for us.

From Such Turn Away Part 2

I TIMOTHY 6:3 - 5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

We spent part 1 talking about those who divide us, and I want to take this post to talk about one of the reasons we withdraw ourselves from those described in topic Scripture. People who embody this Scripture are people I like to call "Energy Vampires."  I didn't coin the term, but it seems appropriate enough.

Who is an Energy Vampire? You've been around them plenty. It's that person who dwells in the negative aspects of life that when you leave their presence or hang up the phone, you feel mentally exhausted. Now, some people go through deep valleys, and they need our help, but I'm talking about the person who consistently is negative. The gossiper, the backbiter, those... well, those described in our Scripture. They criticize you and your loved ones and your passions, they do not consider your needs or desires, and they constantly complain.

We literally have to protect ourselves from these types of people because they leave us feeling drained, sluggish, and feeling like we have to build up our energy before we can accomplish our daily tasks. How do we defend ourselves? Here are a few tips!

#1 From such withdraw thyself!

#2 Learn how to limit your contact with these people (sorry, I only have 5 minutes to talk right now)

#3 Limit eye contact, and in depth conversations

#4 Don't allow yourself to be caught alone in a confined space with them, i.e. cars, elevators

#5 Practice walking away from these types, don't let them waste your time and energy

A Truer Gentleman I've Not Known

Words cannot adequately express the immense sadness I feel at the passing of our dear Brother Vincent Grillo. Born in Alife, Italy on May 7th, 1935, he was a man of passion and vigorous devotion.

He met his beloved wife Maria when he was 12 years old and she was five. Some unruly boys at the schoolyard in the village were pulling Maria's hair, and she had gone off to the garden to wipe her tears. Unbeknownst to her, the ink on her fingertips was smearing across her face as she wiped her eyes. Vincent came along, noticed her emotional state and began to wipe the tears from her face with his shirt tail. He was her knight in shining armor. And so began a fairy tale love that would last 60 years.

Brother Vincent Grillo and his beloved wife Maria
Photo by Laura Garrett, taken at the BCF Couples Banquet 2009

Brother Vincent was called to glory on July 12, 2009 in Lima, Ohio, following a short illness. He was preceded in death by his daughter Tonina Grillo, and is survived by his beloved wife Maria, son Franco (wife Amy), and his daughter Vittoria.

Brother Vincent impacted my life from the moment I met him. I'd just arrived home from the war in Iraq, and had not even begun to adjust to normal life. After my first Church service, Vincent made a beeline for me and wrapped his large, calloused hands around mine. He had been a soldier for his native Italy, and although he had not seen combat, there is a brotherhood amongst soldiers that spans borders and generations.

That day I made a soul to soul connection with Vincent that will forever impact me. I was incredibly wounded in my spirit from the dark face of war and he was instrumental in my healing. To my great regret our friendship would not include enough times of fellowship. Oftentimes we simply hugged each other in passing, and he would smile that dazzling grin, saying in that thick Italian accent, "God bless you Brother John."

He was a man who exhibted an incredible depth of sincerity, genuine humility, and incredible innocence. I marveled at the love of Christ which shined through him, and could only hope that he felt that same love reflected in me. He was nothing short of amazing. A tremendous man, whose passing from this world will be long lamented by those whose lives he touched. I simply cannot recall sorrowing over another persons death as I have Brother Vincents. The tears threaten to overwhelm me whenever I think of his glorious victory.

As we laid his body to rest just a few short hours ago, I could not help but think of the joy he is experiencing in that other dimension. Meeting his precious daughter Tonina, the prophet, and the Saints. I imagine that he has already turned his gaze back towards the river looking for his beloved Maria and the rest of us.

We're coming my brother.

From Such Turn Away Part 1

I TIMOTHY 6:3 - 5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Consenting to wholesome words is a defining characteristic of a godly man. Let's take a second to break this Scripture down into two parts: the uniter and the divider.

A godly man loves the truth. As we have been taught, truth, by definition, is exclusive. Truth is immutable, immovable, and irrevocable. God's Word is Truth. By telling us who to withdraw ourselves from the Scripture is telling us who we should gravitate towards. The wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His doctrine unite His disciples. They bring Life, and Life more abundantly.

Proverbs 16:27 - 28 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

The Divider is always present to destroy our fellowship with one another, and with Christ. Scripture warns us that these men do not understand the Word and as a result form theory instead of receiving revelation. Then they gather people around them to support their theories and endlessly attack those who do not agree.

I wonder... you brothers who preach against big Message Churches, while you mostly have smaller congregations; you say they must not be preaching the Word because the Word is too straight, and will cause people to leave; Scripture tells us here that the Word will unite people too; what about those African Churches with thousands of congregants? Are they off too? Or does your jealousy only extend to the borders of North America?