Barnabas Piper's Blog, page 32

15 Proverbs For Social Media Users

Social media is a wonderful resource, an outlet for wit and wisdom, a means to connect with people one would never have met otherwise. It is a means to get news and share information wider and faster than ever before.

It is also where common sense and decency go to die. The same means that help me connect with new friends around the world and read real time updates of breaking news enable thoughtless people to spew hatred, lunacy, and general stupidity just as far just as fast.

How can we be sure we are using it in a wise and helpful way? Starting with some wisdom from God’s word is a good start, and no book has more practical wisdom than Proverbs. Here are 15 proverbs with direct application for how we should use social media.

1) Proverbs 10:19 – When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Restraint. Holding back. Minding your words. A good reminder for all of us who love to spout off.

2) Proverbs 11:2 – When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

In an atmosphere where our opinions deserves everyone’s ear and we can speak on any issue pride is ever present. And that means disgrace is too.

3) Proverbs 11:12 – Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Who lacks sense? He who belittles. Who shows understanding? The one who is silent. So simple, yet so difficult.

4) Proverbs 12:18 – There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Rash: thoughtless, unconsidered. How often do we fire off a post without thinking? And when we do it’s a stab to someone, either intentionally or otherwise. But there’s an alternative.

5) Proverbs 12:23 – A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

The more we post, the faster we post, the less prudent we are. We reveal our lack of knowledge and speak into what we ought not. It would be wiser to hold back.

6) Proverbs 14:29 – Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Do you really need to respond to that post? Do you need to do it now? Why don’t you sleep on it. Or at least take a lunch break.

7) Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

So you decided you must respond, huh? Well, do it like this. It will go better.

8) Proverbs 19:11 – Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

You know what’s not our glory? That biting, excoriation of a post. Swallow your anger. It tastes bitter but is good medicine.

9) Proverbs 22:24 – Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man.

It’s almost like Solomon was thinking of Facebook . . .

10) Proverbs 23:9 – Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.

Makes you wonder if you should post anything ever. If you do, don’t be surprised at the responses you receive.

11) Proverbs 26:4 – Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.

And when we receive those responses keep this in mind: arguing with an idiot just makes us one too.

12) Proverbs 26:17 – Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

Think of the dog as a pit bull. With foam coming out of it’s mouth. Off its leash. Best to just let it pass on by.

13) Proverbs 26:20 – For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

In this case, the wood is a house fire, already raging. It needs to be put out not have us pouring gasoline on it.

14) Proverbs 29:9 – If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

When you get in an argument with a social media fool (read: troll) he enjoys it and you will find no peace or satisfaction.

15) Proverbs 29:11 – A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Just because we can post it doesn’t mean we must. Ask “why?” then be sure you have a really good answer before posting

New Happy Rant – The Destin Sessions, Part 2: Any Given Sunday, Nerd Twitter, and the Blazer Ethos

In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas do what they always do and wander to and fro through a variety of topics. EXCEPT IT’S TOTALLY DIFFERENT because are gathered around a beautiful rattan table, in person, at a condo in Destin, Florida. They discuss:

Any Given Sunday as a smorgasbord of delightful trashTheological nerd twitterSounding Dumb vs. Sounding Boring (our fears)Theological catwalk struttingAl Pacino as preacherThe blazer and khaki ethosSubmergent churchSponsor

Be sure to check out Dwell Bible App. Dwell is a Bible listening app that we love! If you are looking for a convenient, fresh way of spending more time in God’s word Dwell is ideal. Go to https://dwellapp.io/happyrant to get 10% off your annual subscription or 33% off your lifetime subscription.

Get Your Coffee

We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.

Be sure to visit HappyRantPodcast.com where you can:Order your Redbud coffeeConnect with Ted, Ronnie, or Barnabas to speak for your church, organization, or eventSupport the podcast through our Patreon page . This helps us cover production and hosting costs so we can keep this thing rolling

To listen you can:

Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.

Episode #339

Vanity, Emptiness, Eternity, and Lasting Happiness

“The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (1:1)

These opening words of Ecclesiastes certainly don’t seem like a very promising beginning for this so-called paradigm for human happiness. Quite the opposite, actually. It feels more like a warning of woe than a promise of bliss. And in a sense it is.

These opening words function a bit like a “road closed” sign. They tell us to reconsider our direction and to take another way. There is an implied “or else” in these words: You’ve been pursuing happiness in the wrong way, running after fulfillment in the wrong things. Seek happiness in a different way or else… Solomon knew the human heart and our proclivity for replacing things of eternal value with things of temporal enjoyment. After all, he was the king bestowed with supernatural wisdom who still wandered away from the Lord after sex and political alliances and riches. This, he says, is vanity—a vapor.

A warning is where most of us need to start. We are so single-mindedly devoted to pursuing happiness in directions which won’t last that the only way to snap us out of our tunnel vision is for the Preacher to rhetorically grab us by the collar and give a hearty shake. We need our foolish expectations and false hopes set straight. So the Preacher wipes them away in a sentence (and then over and over again throughout the book), not to leave us hopeless but to reconstruct happiness in a manner that reflects the realities of mortal, broken earthly life and eternal, joyful life with God. What Ecclesiastes declares is not, Happiness is unattainable, but rather, Happiness is attainable only if understood and pursued rightly. Then it shows us how to (and not to) understand and pursue it.

View all Things in Light of Eternity

An inescapable theme of Ecclesiastes is that of mortality. We see this in the Preacher’s repeated use (26 times in only 12 chapters) of the term “under the sun,” a statement of duration, not geography. Just as the sun has always been used to measure times and seasons, here is being used to define our lifespan. Eventually our day will come to an end; our time under the sun will cease. In fact, everything comes to an end eventually. That is what the Preacher means when he calls all things “vanity.” It’s not that they’re meaningless or valueless, but that they will not last. From the get-go, the Preacher reframes our perspective to see all of life in light of death.

If this strikes you as uncomfortably morbid, that is precisely why Ecclesiastes is written this way. We hate facing the reality of death. We hate its certainty and its finality. We hate how it robs us of joys. But we cannot escape it, so we must face it. Time and again, Ecclesiastes reflects the bleakness and grief of loss: “How the wise dies just like the fool!” (1:16); “All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return” (3:20); “This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all” (9:3).

Yet we’re mistaken if we take the message of Ecclesiastes to be, Well, this life is all there is so enjoy it while you can because nothing else really matters. In fact, Ecclesiastes points an entirely different and better direction. Death, as Ecclesiastes makes clear, puts a necessary limitation on us so that, if we are paying attention, we don’t make eternal idols out of temporal experiences. And for followers of Jesus, death is not the end of happiness. In fact, it is the end of suffering and pain, and an entry into the presence of the Lord at whose right hand are pleasures forevermore. So rather than thinking of death as the thief of joy we are corrected to think of life in light of this invitation to perfect joy.

Value Things for what God Created them to Be

As you read Ecclesiastes and begin to see life in light of eternity, another shift begins to take place. The pieces of life we put our hopes in most often—relationships, work, wealth, health, etc—come into clearer focus. Some of them, those we have made too much of, recede to a place of less prominence. Others, those we have overlooked and been unappreciative of, begin to take on places of greater and more appropriate value.

God created innumerable good gifts and blessings for us, but we fail to enjoy them as we ought because we have placed far too much or far too little value on them. By attending to life with eternity in mind we are able to see and value them as God intends. We see this in Ecclesiastes 5:18 and 9:9:

“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.”

“Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.”

The same is true for circumstances of a negative sort too. Life is full of suffering and loss, and we are often overwhelmed by it to the point of despair. If we encounter suffering in light of eternity, though, we see it as God intended. It does not become less painful, but it does become less powerful—a “light and momentary affliction” as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:17.

Fear the Lord and be Grateful

Ecclesiastes ends with these words:
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
After twelve chapters of complexity and exhortation and reflection the Preacher boils the conclusion down to this: “Fear God and keep his commandments.”

In doing this, we will arrive at the genuine happiness. Consider, for example, God’s commands to rejoice and be thankful:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. (Psalm 107:1)

So to be grateful is to obey God’s commands—and to act in a manner worthy of a Holy God. What is more, fearing the Lord actually moves us into gratitude, because it acknowledges his rightful, holy place above all of life and all of time—and how little we’re entitled to and yet how much we have. By fearing we become grateful, by being grateful we obey God’s commands, and in both we find happiness.

Indeed, fearing the Lord is the lens through which to view the whole of Ecclesiastes. It is the tone, the foundation, and the outcome of the entire book. To view life with eternity in mind is to fear the Lord, because it acknowledges his infinity and the beauty of eternal life with him. To have right expectations is to fear the Lord, because it submits to his standards rather than creating our own. It also fuels our gratitude because we are able to enjoy life in the manner he intended with an eye toward the life he promises to all who follow him. These closing words of Ecclesiastes are rich with the promise of happiness.

Happiness Defined

What Ecclesiastes leaves a careful reader with is not a sense of ecstasy or bliss. It is not a book of excitement or thrills or giddiness. There are not even any of the “pinnacle passages” like you find elsewhere in Scripture. Ecclesiastes spends more time talking about unhappiness than happiness. And yet I find this little book to be foundational for human happiness. It does not take to the pinnacle of happiness; it sets a baseline. It is not a how-to book; it sets boundaries. It does not give ingenious strategies; it sets the rules. So if you haven’t read Ecclesiastes in a while, or maybe not ever, why not pick it up and give it a try?

Most people go through life looking for peak happiness, always seeking to increase the sensation and up the experience. Ecclesiastes wants no part in that and warns against it. Rather it defines happiness in a manner that is realistic and accessible. It offers a grounded version of happiness that can be held on to throughout the difficulties of life.

This side of heaven, what else can we ask for? In fact, we’ve already asked for it. We’ve sought it. We’ve chased it. And we’ve come up empty. Happiness is life’s most elusive feeling. But we’ve seen that it can become both a present and a lasting reality.

This is an excerpt from Hoping for Happiness. A biblical framework for living a grounded, hopeful, and genuinely happy life, this book helps us to throw off both the unrealistic expectations that end in disappointment and the guilty sense that Christians are not meant to have fun. 

New Happy Rant Sports Episode: NFL Free Agency

In this episode of the Happy Rant Sports Podcast Ted and Barnabas do what they always do and wander to and fro through a variety of sports topics:

NFL Free agent signings by divisionBelichick and receiversThe Jets are . . .sensible?The Raiders are . . .dumbWashington is . . .sneakyGet Your Coffee

We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.

Be sure to visit HappyRantPodcast.com where you can:Order your Redbud coffeeConnect with Ted, Ronnie, or Barnabas to speak for your church, organization, or eventSupport the podcast through our Patreon page . This helps us cover production and hosting costs so we can keep this thing rolling

To listen you can:

Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.

Episode #50

7 Rules For When You Meet a PK

I am a PK (pastor’s kid). With that comes a certain set of expectations, especially from people in the church or who know my parents. Since my dad is fairly well-known, the awareness and expectations are heightened, but really they’re the same for every PK in their individual context. Expectations make for awkward interactions and introductions. Any PK will know what I’m referring to. For the rest of you, here are seven simple rules to follow when you meet a PK.

1. Do not ask us “What is it like to be the son or daughter of ____?”

How are we supposed to answer that question? Could you easily describe being the child of your parents? Unless you’ve had multiple sets of parents you don’t really have a point of comparison which makes this a tricky one. Remember, PKs are normal people with a different upbringing than you. Please treat us that way. We think of our parents as parents, nothing more.

2. Do not quote our dads to us.

This is really and truly annoying because it comes across as one of two things. Either you are proving your piousness by being so aware of the utterances of the beloved pastor, or you are being condescending and holding our parents’ words over our heads. Three points for you for remembering the sermon! It is neither impressive nor appreciated.

3. Do not ask us anything personal you would not ask of anyone else.

If, perchance, you have gained some knowledge of a PK through a sermon illustration or book or hearsay, it is best to keep it to yourself. We don’t want to talk to you about prom dates, football games, fishing trips, car wrecks, or anything else if we don’t know you. To ask a question based on knowledge that you gained in an impersonal manner makes you look like either a stalker or a reporter. Both are creepy.

4. Do not ask us anything about our dads’ positions on anything.

“What does your dad think about ____?” is a question no PK wants to answer – not about politics, the roles of women in the church, predestination, the use of drums in the worship service, spiritual gifts, race, the latest Justin Bieber incident, or anything else. We have opinions and beliefs, though. And we like to converse. So you could ask us what we think, like a normal person.

5. Do not assume you can gain audience with the pastor through us.

That’s what the church secretary or the pastor’s assistant is for. Please let us be his children. We usually don’t have the ability to make a meeting happen, and we almost never want to. We don’t get paid enough.

6. Do not assume that we agree with all the utterances of our fathers.

I know it’s hard to believe that any child could grow up to disagree with her parents, shocking even, but it does happen. It is not kind or safe to assume that our parents’ positions are ours. And when you find out we don’t agree, please refrain from being shocked or offended. We’ll let you disagree with your parents if you let us do the same.

7. Get to know us.

This is a good rule for anyone, but it especially pertains to PKs. Just as you want people to value your opinions, personality, and character quirks, so do we. More often than not you will get a surprise. Wow, that PK actually has a sense of humor! Who knew PKs could be so fun? Wait, he said what? Leave your assumptions at the door and let us be us. You’ll probably like what you find.

This is an excerpt from my book, The Pastor’s Kid: What It’s Like and How You Can Help. If you prefer listening to reading you can get the audiobook too. 

New Happy Rant: The Destin Sessions, Part 1 – LaCroix, Beth Moore, and the End of a Steak Era

In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas do what they always do and wander to and fro through a variety of topics. EXCEPT IT’S TOTALLY DIFFERENT because they are gathered around a beautiful rattan table, in person, at a condo in Destin, Florida. They discuss:

Pastors narrating scriptureThe LaCroix experience and plebeian sodasMatt Chandler is out of the steak gameBeth Moore is out of the SBCSponsor

Be sure to check out Dwell Bible App. Dwell is a Bible listening app that we love! If you are looking for a convenient, fresh way of spending more time in God’s word Dwell is ideal. Go to https://dwellapp.io/happyrant to get 10% off your annual subscription or 33% off your lifetime subscription.

Get Your Coffee

We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.

Be sure to visit HappyRantPodcast.com where you can:Order your Redbud coffeeConnect with Ted, Ronnie, or Barnabas to speak for your church, organization, or eventSupport the podcast through our Patreon page . This helps us cover production and hosting costs so we can keep this thing rolling

To listen you can:

Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.

Episode #339

New Happy Rant: Regrets, We’ve Had a Few

In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas do what they always do and wander to and fro through a variety of topics:

Things we regretThings we wish we’d done differentlyThings we know God used, but we still screwed upSponsor

Be sure to check out Dwell Bible App. Dwell is a Bible listening app that we love! If you are looking for a convenient, fresh way of spending more time in God’s word Dwell is ideal. Go to https://dwellapp.io/happyrant to get 10% off your annual subscription or 33% off your lifetime subscription.

Get Your Coffee

We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.

Be sure to visit HappyRantPodcast.com where you can:Order your Redbud coffeeConnect with Ted, Ronnie, or Barnabas to speak for your church, organization, or eventSupport the podcast through our Patreon page . This helps us cover production and hosting costs so we can keep this thing rolling

To listen you can:

Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.

Episode #338

New Happy Rant: Pastors and Trophy Wives

In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas do what they always do and wander to and fro through a variety of topics.

A pastor calling out women for not looking good enoughThe general pressure on women to look a certain wayYouth pastors and awkward sex talksSeminary and sexuality teachingSponsor

Be sure to check out Dwell Bible App. Dwell is a Bible listening app that we love! If you are looking for a convenient, fresh way of spending more time in God’s word Dwell is ideal. Go to https://dwellapp.io/happyrant to get 10% off your annual subscription or 33% off your lifetime subscription.

Get Your Coffee

We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.

Be sure to visit HappyRantPodcast.com where you can:Order your Redbud coffeeConnect with Ted, Ronnie, or Barnabas to speak for your church, organization, or eventSupport the podcast through our Patreon page . This helps us cover production and hosting costs so we can keep this thing rolling

To listen you can:

Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.

Episode #337

New Happy Rant: DC Talk, Peaky Blinders, and Punching People into Salvation

In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Barnabas, and Ronnie do what they always do and wander to and fro through a variety of topics:

Morning radio personasRonnie knows nothing of DC TalkToby Mac as a Peaky BlinderToby Mac as an old skaterPunching people into salvationWorkshopping Books titles (inspired by funny baptist preachers)Sponsor

Be sure to check out Dwell Bible App. Dwell is a Bible listening app that we love! If you are looking for a convenient, fresh way of spending more time in God’s word Dwell is ideal. Go to https://dwellapp.io/happyrant to get 10% off your annual subscription or 33% off your lifetime subscription.

AND check out Mere Agency for all your church’s web development, design, and support needs. They have developed websites for Getty Music, The Village Church, Tim Challies, For the Church, and more. (They also designed and support this site!) If you mention the Happy Rant when you contact them you will get 20% off the monthly support fee henceforth and forever.

Get Your Coffee

We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.

Be sure to visit HappyRantPodcast.com where you can:Order your Redbud coffeeConnect with Ted, Ronnie, or Barnabas to speak for your church, organization, or eventSupport the podcast through our Patreon page . This helps us cover production and hosting costs so we can keep this thing rolling

To listen you can:

Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.

Episode #336

New Happy Rant: Crazy Biblical Teachings From Our Youth

In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas do what they always do and wander to and fro through a variety of topics:

Terrifying Eschatology, replete with white robes and guillotines“A Thief In the Night”Don’t be caught doing ___ When Jesus returnsMen are pigs and women are virtuous (but also temptresses)Burning our secular musicSponsor

Be sure to check out Dwell Bible App. Dwell is a Bible listening app that we love! If you are looking for a convenient, fresh way of spending more time in God’s word Dwell is ideal. Go to https://dwellapp.io/happyrant to get 10% off your annual subscription or 33% off your lifetime subscription.

AND check out Mere Agency for all your church’s web development, design, and support needs. They have developed websites for Getty Music, The Village Church, Tim Challies, For the Church, and more. (They also designed and support this site!) If you mention the Happy Rant when you contact them you will get 20% off the monthly support fee henceforth and forever.

Get Your Coffee

We’ve joined forces with Redbud Coffee, based out of Auburn IL, to bring you deliciously roasted and beautifully packaged coffee. Check out their variety of roasts and be sure to use the code HappyRant at checkout to get a 10% discount off your purchase.

Be sure to visit HappyRantPodcast.com where you can:Order your Redbud coffeeConnect with Ted, Ronnie, or Barnabas to speak for your church, organization, or eventSupport the podcast through our Patreon page . This helps us cover production and hosting costs so we can keep this thing rolling

To listen you can:

Subscribe in iTunes.Listen on Google PlayListen on StitcherListen via just about any podcast app/streaming service out thereLeave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).Listen using the player below.

Episode #335