Need wisdom? Just ask

After James 1:5-8 

Tests and trials in our lives,

what we call the bad times,

happen, driving us to seek

wisdom to know what to do.

How do we gain the wisdom

we need? It’s simple.

 

Just ask.

 

Ask in faith, ask without

doubt; doubt has no place

in your life because

you’ve left it behind

in your old life,

you dead life.

 

Just ask.

 

Wisdom will be poured,

a fountain, a fire hose, 

a river, a downpour,

because that’s who he is. 

 

Just ask.

 

Photograph by Artem Maltsev via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Friday Readings

 

“Spikenard,” poem by Laurence Housman – D.S. Martin at Kingdom Poets.

 

The Bible isn’t a smartphone – T.M. Suffield at Nuakh.

 

“My Soul, Repeat His Praise,” hymn by Isaac Watts – Anthony Esolen at Word & Song.

 

Glorious Defeat – poem by Seth Lewis.

When the bad times come

After James 1:1-4 

When the bad times come,

and they will come, as night

follows day, don’t quake,

don’t t collapse, don’t withdraw

into yourself. Instead, consider

the joy of the bad times,

for they serve a purpose.

 

The bad times are a test,

a test of faith. Don’t be

surprise at the idea

of a test, because a test

serves to strengthen,

forcing us to use muscles

and resources previously

ignored or discounted.

 

The testing of bad times

produces steadfastness,

perfecting and completing

your faith. You will learn

that you lack nothing.

 

Photograph by Anthony Tran via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Sunday Readings

 

Preach Like a Poet – Stephen Witmer at Desiring God.

 

The Abuja Affirmation: A Global Definition of Anglican Identity – Adam Carrington at Mere Orthodoxy.

Even the bad stuff

After Philippians 1:12-18

I didn’t expect to end up

like this, chains on my arms

and legs, and a dank, dark cell;

it’s not exactly what we’d call

entering the city in triumph. 

I must have missed 

the commemorative arch. And

the waiting – a prison cell

of its own, day by day,

waiting to be called and

heard. There is no king

but Caesar; indeed? 

Suffering becomes self-pity

becomes anger, until the day

the guard asks me to explain,

and I do. Then another guard

asks, and the prisoner 

in the next cell as well, 

silencing his own chains

to listen. Then I understand,

only then, that I am here

in this place, even this forgotten,

condemned place, to serve

a purpose, the help fulfill

a plan, and I am struck with

wonder that even the bad stuff

is the good stuff. 

Photograph by R. Martinez via Unsplash. Used with permission.