Tag Archives: fool

by | April 1, 2021 · 5:50 pm

You Might Be a Fool If…

April 1st

Happy April Fools Day!…or, happy Atheists Day!…whichever you prefer.

You know, even though atheists think we are being smug and “snarky” by quoting Psalm 14:1, I believe the one who insists there is no God really is a fool.

But what I think matters little in the scheme of things. What matters is what God thinks.

That is why I came up with this list.

Defining a Fool

What is a fool?  Believe it or not, Scripture lists several characteristics of a foolish person. The following is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start.

So, why not do this Jeff Foxworthy-style?  

You might be a fool if…

  1. You are always right in your own eyes (Proverbs 12:15).
  2. You despise instruction (Proverbs 1:7; 15:5).
  3. You are unteachable (Proverbs 17:10; 23:9; 26:11)
  4. You’re always running your mouth, getting into trouble (Proverbs 18:6-7; 29:11).
  5. You are always trying to find yourself (Proverbs 18:2).
  6. You make fun of sin (Proverbs 14:9).
  7. You’re always meddling in other people’s business (Proverbs 20:3).
  8. You are a shame and a burden to your parents (Proverbs 17:25).
  9. You deny the obvious because the truth is inconvenient (Romans 1:18-22).
  10. You deny Jesus because you think the cross is foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Don’t be a fool.

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by | April 1, 2020 · 6:00 am

You Might Be a Fool If…

April 1st

Happy April Fools Day!…or, happy Atheists Day!…whichever you prefer.

You know, even though atheists think we are being smug and “snarky” by quoting Psalm 14:1, I believe the one who insists there is no God really is a fool.

But what I think matters little in the scheme of things. What matters is what God thinks.

That is why I came up with this list.

Defining a Fool

What is a fool?  Believe it or not, Scripture lists several characteristics of a foolish person. The following is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start.

So, why not do this Jeff Foxworthy-style?  

You might be a fool if…

  1. You are always right in your own eyes (Proverbs 12:15).
  2. You despise instruction (Proverbs 1:7; 15:5).
  3. You are unteachable (Proverbs 17:10; 23:9; 26:11)
  4. You’re always running your mouth, getting into trouble (Proverbs 18:6-7; 29:11).
  5. You are always trying to find yourself (Proverbs 18:2).
  6. You make fun of sin (Proverbs 14:9).
  7. You’re always meddling in other people’s business (Proverbs 20:3).
  8. You are a shame and a burden to your parents (Proverbs 17:25).
  9. You deny the obvious because the truth is inconvenient (Romans 1:18-22).
  10. You deny Jesus because you think the cross is foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Don’t be a fool.

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by | April 1, 2019 · 9:50 am

Defining a Fool

April Fools Day

So, happy April Fools Day!…or, happy Atheists Day!…whichever you prefer.

You know, even though atheists think we are being smug and “snarky” by quoting Psalm 14:1, I believe the one who thinks there is no God really is a fool. But what I think matters little in the scheme of things; what matters is what God thinks.

That is why I came up with this list.

What is a Fool?

What is a fool?  Believe it or not, Scripture lists several characteristics of a foolish person. The following is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start.

So, why not do this Jeff Foxworthy-style?  

You might be a fool if…

  1. You are always right in your own eyes (Proverbs 12:15).
  2. You despise instruction (Proverbs 1:7; 15:5).
  3. You are unteachable (Proverbs 17:10; 23:9; 26:11)
  4. You’re always running your mouth, getting into trouble (Proverbs 18:6-7; 29:11).
  5. You are always trying to find yourself (Proverbs 18:2).
  6. You make fun of sin (Proverbs 14:9).
  7. You’re always meddling in other people’s business (Proverbs 20:3).
  8. You are a shame and a burden to your parents (Proverbs 17:25).
  9. You deny the obvious because the truth is inconvenient (Romans 1:18-22).
  10. You deny Jesus because you think the cross is foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Don’t be a fool.

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by | April 1, 2017 · 7:30 am

Defining a Fool

April Fools Day

In 2012 I actually got to preach a sermon on April Fools Day. Since today is a Saturday, and I’m not a Seventh Day Adventist, I will have to wait a little longer for the opportunity to return. However, today’s post will give you a head’s up for what I will be preaching come Sunday morning April 2nd.

So, happy April Fools Day!…or, happy Atheists Day!…whichever you prefer.

You know, even though atheists think we are being smug and “snarky” by quoting Psalm 14:1, I believe the one who thinks there is no God really is a fool. But what I think matters little in the scheme of things. What matters to me is what God thinks. That is why I came up with a list.

What is a Fool?

What is a fool?  Believe it or not, Scripture lists several characteristics of a foolish person. The following is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start. So, why not do this Jeff Foxworthy-style?  

You might be a fool if…

  1. You are always right in your own eyes (Proverbs 12:15).
  2. You despise instruction (Proverbs 1:7; 15:5).
  3. You are unteachable (Proverbs 17:10; 23:9; 26:11)
  4. You’re always running your mouth, getting into trouble (Proverbs 18:6-7; 29:11).
  5. You are always trying to find yourself (Proverbs 18:2).
  6. You make fun of sin (Proverbs 14:9).
  7. You’re always meddling in other people’s business (Proverbs 20:3).
  8. You are a shame and a burden to your parents (Proverbs 17:25).
  9. You deny the obvious because the truth is inconvenient (Romans 1:18-22).
  10. You deny Jesus because you think the cross is foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Don’t be a fool.

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by | April 9, 2015 · 10:40 pm

A Perfect “Fool” Storm

I want to keep this simple, so no fancy fonts, no pictures, and no links. All I want to do is offer my personal opinion on the recent shooting of a black man by a white police officer in North Charleston, South Carolina.

Please, take this for what it’s worth from a preacher who’s just calling it as he sees it.

First, to shoot an unarmed man in the back is cowardly. More than that, it’s murder. After thinking about this for a while, I can’t come up with any logical reason for why police Officer Michael Thomas Slager unloaded round after round into the back of an unarmed, slow-moving, easily-caught 55 year-old. There is absolutely no excuse.

Secondly, what would cause a man to get out of a car and run from police? He didn’t want a ticket? He didn’t want to pay child support? He thought that by running he wouldn’t have to go to jail when he was eventually caught? He thought running would make him look innocent? I mean, seriously?

So, what we have here is a simple case of two fools coming together and exhibiting how foolish the two can be when BOTH act like idiots – a perfect “fool” storm.

If you think it’s justifiable to shoot a man in the back when he is running away from you, you are a fool. If you think it’s smart to get out of your car and run from armed policemen, like you think you can get away, you are a fool. I make no apology for saying so.

So, may justice be served, and may the family of Walter Scott find peace. But, for the love of God, I just pray that the race-baiters won’t get a foothold in North Charleston, because this wasn’t as much about race as it was about two men making foolish decisions which ended in tragedy.

The best way to heal this situation is to admit the truth, reach out in love, and seek to learn and apply godly wisdom. Otherwise, more foolish actions will lead to more perfect storms, more shipwrecked lives, and more pain.

Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. – Proverbs 9:6

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by | May 22, 2014 · 8:49 pm

Thursday Thoughts (Strange Sayings)

Howdy!

Hey, everybody! It seems like it has been forever since I last wrote anything. Hopefully you enjoyed the repeats I posted, but nothing is like writing something fresh.

However, I must admit something: when I read the blogs of others I get a little intimidated. Seriously, all it takes is reading some of the stuff to which I’m subscribed to make me want to turn off my computer and go eat Twinkies. At the very least I feel like I should be qualifying every post with disclaimer like, “The following post was written by a gifted toddler.”

So, let me apologize in advance.

A Strange Saying

Have you ever repeated a phrase, some axiom or expression, without ever stopping to think about what you were really saying? Consider the following:

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Really? Is that so? Is that an absolute statement, or just a generalization? Honestly, it doesn’t make much sense to me. Am I supposed to believe that as long as I survive something I will be stronger because of it?

Let’s consider some possibilities.

  • A 50-foot fall from a Ferris wheel. Would you really be stronger if you survived? I’d say a broken back might make it much less likely you’d be lifting heavier boxes.
  • An attack by a grizzly bear.  Let’s see, a crushed skull, deep gashes, missing body parts, and a limp: yep, that would make me stronger.
  • Nearly drowning after falling through the ice. Hmmm, I didn’t know that several minutes without oxygen was a good thing, but evidently it is – as long as you survive.

Warning

Seriously, a hard, over-the-top workout in the gym could kill you. However, with a little common sense and the help of a trainer, you could could become stronger than you were before.

The breakup of a relationship (like the supposed one in Kelly Clarkson’s song) could cause a lot of pain and sadness in the short-term, but strengthen character in the long-run. On the other hand, the results of poor judgment when entering into a relationship could result in life-long scars and emotional baggage destined to weaken future relationships.

But here’s the thing: what might not kill one person could still collaterally hurt others.

It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness. – Proverbs 17:12 NLT

A stronger fool is of little worth.

 

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by | April 1, 2012 · 9:55 pm

Defining a Fool

April Fools Day

Today was the first time I actually preached a sermon on April Fool’s Day. Can you guess what it was about? Can you guess what I discussed?

Even though atheists think we are being smug and “snarky” by quoting Psalm 14:1, I believe the one who thinks there is no God really is a fool. But what I think matters little in the scheme of things. What matters to me is what God thinks. That is why I came up with a list.

What is a Fool?

What is a fool?  Believe it or not, Scripture lists several characteristics of a foolish person. The following is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start. So, why not do this Jeff Foxworthy-style?  

You might be a fool if…

  1. You are always right in your own eyes (Pr 12:15).
  2. You despise instruction (Pr 1:7; 15:5).
  3. You are unteachable (Pr 17:10; 23:9; 26:11)
  4. You’re always running your mouth, getting into trouble (Pr 29:11; 18:6-7).
  5. You are always trying to find yourself (Pr 18:2).
  6. You make fun of sin (Pr 14:9).
  7. You’re always meddling in other people’s business (Pr 20:3).
  8. You are a shame and a burden to your parents (Pr 17:25).
  9. You deny the obvious because the truth is inconvenient (Ro 1:18-22).
  10. You deny Jesus because you think the cross is foolish (1 Cor 1:18).

Don’t be a fool.

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