#ICYMI Superheroes Don’t Do Hard Things

The way young people are exhorted to “follow their heart,” “dream big,” “reach for the stars,” and other clichés, one could easily get the idea that progress depends on people doing difficult or at least very hard things. People are essentially encouraged to do something “heroic” and thereby become heroes. Given the popularity of comic book movies, perhaps we can think about “superheroes” to rethink the mythology of doing hard things.

The idea of doing exceptional, amazing things certainly fires one’s imagination. But it is probably leading to disappointment, dissatisfaction, and nonproductivity in most cases. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5 ESV). “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 28:20 ESV).

Solomon Says at the Davenant Institute!

I am happy to see the good people at the Davenant Institute are finding value in my new book and even adding value by using it in teaching online!

In this video, Dale introduces the topic of the course, along with the book, “Solomon Says,” by Mark Horne, that he will be using to guide the class, and discusses the first two parts of the book: the Preface and Introduction.

I’ll be looking forward to the next installments!

Ephesians as Paul’s Handbook? Stray Thoughts

Readers of Solomon Says (Amazon) will notice that there is a lot of discussion of the New Testament in it for a book that is supposed to introduce Proverbs. That’s because reading Proverbs and meditating on it a bit changed the way I read the Gospels and especially the Epistles. I haven’t had time to list all the correlations but much of the material in the letters of Paul and Peter and James seems now like commentary on Proverbs or (this is probably closer to the original intent) applications of Proverbs.

Writing my book caused me to think about Christian living and human maturity in ways I hadn’t before. And while I think that is noticeable in my book, I might use this website to post some more direct reflections and questions on the subject.

These thoughts have especially triggered questions about Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. I did a bit of writing and teaching on that book of the Bible a few years ago and was reminded of it recently by friends.

Being Awake; Being Aware

The Theopolis Institute recently posted this clip by David Field. I found it intriguing since an important aspect of the wisdom of Proverbs involves the need to stay awake.

I argue in Solomon Says (Amazon) that staying awake covers not only literal consciousness in juxtaposition to literal sleep, but paying attention to your life as opposed to “sleep walking” into disaster.

Know well the condition of your flocks,
and give attention to your herds,
for riches do not last forever;
and does a crown endure to all generations?
When the grass is gone and the new growth appears
and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,
the lambs will provide your clothing,
and the goats the price of a field.
There will be enough goats’ milk for your food,
for the food of your household
and maintenance for your girls.
Proverbs 27:23–27 ESV

Solomon Says Out Loud: Online Audio

If you’re still on the fence about buying my book, as a weapon for your bunker in the virus apocalypse or for a more conventional reason, here are some audio resources to help you make up your mind.

First, there is my interview on the Redeemer Talk podcast:

Also, a couple of months ago, I was given the privilege to be the speaker at a Bible conference at Tri-City Covenant Church. This involved 4 lectures on a Saturday:

Then, Sunday, I taught Sunday school and preached a sermon.

The sermon text was Philippians 2:14. Unhappily, I forgot to turn on my microphone at first so the file has two minutes of silence at the beginning.

Eventually, I’ll convert this post to a page and add older audio links as well as keep it updated with new stuff.

Stay tuned!

Viral Anxiety Requires Infectious Wisdom

At the time I write this, many in the United States are under some kind of “lock-down” order. But, thanks to the internet, people are still able to communicate with each other. And people have differing opinions on which medical or scientific projection about our current pandemic is most likely to prove accurate. And they write to each other about them…

We might be doing so “under the influence,” if you will, of angst: “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad” (Proverbs 12:25 ESV).

Self-Control and the Distraction of Will Power

As I mention in my book (Amazon), self-control is one of “the fruit of the Spirit.”

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:19–23 ESV

The presence of “self-control” on this list can confuse readers. Fruit come from a tree without any perceivable effort. So, if these good works are flowering from a person, why does he need self-control? Far from being controlled, one would think that good works should simply “flow” from a self rather than require self-control.

Wisdom in the Plague Year

What does the Bible say about COVID-19. Nothing.

But the Bible does say a lot about thinking, deciding, and acting. There’s a few things to glean from Proverbs that may help you.

Proverbs as Antidote to “Toxic Masculinity”

In my book, Solomon Says (which can be ordered at Athanasius Press and at Amazon) I argue that Proverbs presents its ideal audience as young men.

Solomon mentions a kind of “toxic femininity” pretty early in Proverbs (2:16) but his focus is young men: “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck” (Proverbs 1:8–9 ESV). In Proverbs, the term of choice for a “toxic male” is a fool, closely followed by sluggard and simpleton.

Solomon Says is available for order!

It can be ordered at Athanasius Press and at Amazon!