“The day you die is better than the day you are born. It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now. It is better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool! Indeed, a fool’s laughter is quickly gone, like thorns crackling in a fire. This also is meaningless.
“…Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. Don’t be quick-tempered, for anger is the friend of fools. Don’t long for ‘the good old days,’ for you don’t know whether they were any better than today.
Being wise is as good as being rich; in fact, it is better. Wisdom or money can get you almost anything, but it’s important to know that only wisdom can save your life. Notice the way God does things; then fall into line. Don’t fight the ways of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked? Enjoy prosperity while you can. But when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. That way you will realize that nothing is certain in this life. In this meaningless life, I have seen everything, including the fact that some good people die young and some wicked people live on and on. So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either – don’t be a fool! Why should you die before your time? So try to walk a middle course – but those who fear God will succeed either way. A wise person is stronger than the ten leading citizens of a town! There is not a single person in all the earth who is always good and never sins…”
These words are from the seventh chapter of Ecclesiastes.
peace, dwight
Who is he? He must be broke.
Hi Dwight. I just wanted to say that I am really enjoying your Hermeneutics class at Mars Hill. The tender passion you exemplify as you lead is both tremendous and refreshing. These are good times.
Thank you.
Hi Dwight. I just wanted to say that I am really enjoying your Hermeneutics class at Mars Hill. The tender passion you exemplify as you lead is both tremendous and refreshing. These are good times.
Thank you.
Sorry. I did mean what I said, but I didn’t mean to say it twice. Oops.
Call me cofused, but what (if anything) does this have to do with Batman and Spiderman? Can we stay on topic people!
"who can straighten out what he has made crooked?" What a haunting question? It rebukes me.
I am confident The Spiderman can make the crooked way straight. Topic, people… let us keep on track, ‘else our path will remain crooked, then the super hero shows up and, ah, wait that would be good. Nevermind.
I am confident The Spiderman can make the crooked way straight. Topic, people… let us keep on track, ‘else our path will remain crooked, then the super hero shows up and, ah, wait that would be good. Nevermind.
Imagine if this book excluded community? What would keep us from depression? The starkness of longing for wisdom without others to long with us is a desolate consideration. To stand alone in this is impossible. May I be so bold as to suggest that the writer of Ecclesiastes agrees…or you do…you ended with "There is not a single person on earth who is always good and never sins", suggesting a humility that is part of wisdom which offers community through its humility. We are not apart, we are not above others, we are along side.
Thank you for your post.
dwight,
i met you at thai food right after the last day of the go conference…i’m 4’3 to ring some bells…anyways, i really would like more info on mhgs. i am interested in what is going on there…i coordinated the go conference from the ffmc standpoint and would like to know more of what mhgs is all about. i have heard nothing but good things about it.
thanks,
jen
p.s. cool blog…i want to start one. what software did you use?
Run away. As fast as you can.