For those of us who count ourselves as “Christians”, it might be good to remember that we are called to be as “salt and light”, which is significantly different than being salty, and like lightning (i.e. striking things and setting them aflame).
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I think it is noteworthy that the Apostle Paul doesn’t point to good theology, or sound doctrine, or partaking of the sacraments, or celebrating the Jewish feast days, or righteous acts, or spiritual giftedness, or even the fulfillment of the “Great Commission”, as the fruit of walking with God’s Spirit. Instead he says that it is the character of Christ (e.g. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) being revealed in us (Gal. 5:22). This reaffirms his teaching that those who belong to Christ are destined to be conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29), and that it is ultimately Christ being revealed within us that is the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).
Posted in Commentaries, Opinions, Thought for the Day / Quotes | Tagged fruit of the Spirit, good theology, sacraments, sound doctrine, the image of Christ | 1 Comment »
Eighteen years ago, I remember driving through an ice storm during a Level 3 Snow Emergency, in the middle of night. Your mom was in labor, and Mamaw was clinging to Katelyn in the backseat. Looking back, I had no real concept of how much our lives were about to change, and then you arrived.
I was amazed by the beautiful complexity of your being, and am even more so all these years later. From the beginning, you were anything but typical, and I knew that God had something special in mind when He created you. Even in your childhood, I’ve seen Him use the special gifts He’s given you, and I believe that they will only get stronger.
I know that the world has not always been kind to you, but never forget that this is not your home. I wish I could promise you that things will get easier, but it’s doubtful they will. Just know that God has made you strong, and that with HIm there isn’t anything that you cannot overcome.
You were always in a big hurry to grow up, and as of today, the world recognizes you as an adult. But remember what I told you, “You’ll know that you’re grown up when you can take care of yourself, and you’ll know that you’re a man when you can take care of someone else; because God never made a man to simply take care of himself”.
It’s hard to know that you’ll be leaving in just a matter of months, but you were born to fly, and I would never want to hold you back. Please know that wherever the road takes you, my prayers will go before you and that my heart will be with you.
You’ve never taken the easy road, so it’s not surprising that you’d become a Marine. I believe that you’re up to that challenge, and I’m proud of your strong desire to serve.
Though I was given the great privilege of being your dad, never forget that you have a Father that is greater than I. He loved you first, and He loves you best, and long after I’m gone, He will remain. Let His voice be loud in your ears, let His light illuminate your path, and let His heart beat in your chest. He will never leave you, nor forsake you.
I always knew that it was my job to guide you towards manhood, but I guess I hoped I might have a little more time. I’m so proud of the man you’ve become, and I believe that you are ready for what lies ahead. .
Happy Birthday Patrick! Know that I am here for you, and that I will always love you – Dad
Posted in Heart of "The Father", Parenting / Family, Personal, Tributes | Tagged becoming a man, eighteenth birthday, manhood, turning eighteen | Leave a Comment »
Trying to convince someone of something they refuse to believe is akin to throwing rocks at a closed door. All it does is damage the doorway.
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Despite all the negative things that can be said about the holiday season, there is still a wonderful opportunity for encouragement, healing, and renewal whenever families gather together. Sadly, this potential generally goes untapped in favor of opening old wounds, indulging our appetites, and maxing out our credit cards. It reminds me of something C.S. Lewis observed, “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.”
Posted in Christmas, Commentaries, Opinions, Thought for the Day / Quotes | Tagged C.S. Lewis, family gatherings, holiday season, opening old wounds | Leave a Comment »
There is a significant difference between getting the win and attaining victory. If the price of the win is our character, integrity and maybe even a bit of our humanity, I would suggest that we’ve missed “victory” all together. At the end of our lives, our winning percentage, or the number of trophies on our shelf, will not be the ultimate measure of our success. While we can rationalize that the ends somehow justify the means, the means we chose to gain those ends says everything about who we really are.
Posted in Commentaries, Opinions, Thought for the Day / Quotes | Tagged character, integrity, success in life, trophies, victory, winning, winning percentage | Leave a Comment »
I’ve noticed that it is on the mornings when I wake up with a little energy that I try to power through the day in my own strength, and that it is in those times when I feel like I have nothing in the tank that I reach out for God’s hand. So this morning, as I consider the meagerness of what I’ve found in my basket, I bring it before the Lord and pray that He would multiply these few loaves and fishes into whatever this day requires. Indeed, when I am weak, He is strong.
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Bjcorbin's Blog 
Thought for the Day – Hope
February 21, 2017 by bjcorbin
Hope can be both a powerful and precarious thing. When invested in the right things, it can be life sustaining; but when invested in the wrong things, it can become a seed for crushing disappointment.Rate this:
Posted in Commentaries, Thought for the Day / Quotes | Tagged disappointmen, hope, the power of hope | Leave a Comment »