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[RiverOL]

[td] Look Again, Harder This Time​ ​ ​

[td] . . . and they shall call his name Immanuel . . . God with us—Matthew 1:23​ ​ ​

[td] We men often feel alone. Even surrounded by family, friends, work colleagues, we can still feel very much alone. These feelings—not of loneliness, but alone-ness—are most acute, of course, in times of stress or struggle or suffering. You see, it’s when we’re most in need of help and companionship that we’re most apt to be convinced that no one’s going to help or no one’s going to understand . . . maybe not even God. Right? I mean, in those dark moments, it can feel like God’s just not there, or has turned away. In one of his dark moments, King David cried out: “I am cut off from your sight” (Psalm 31:22). The truth is, God is always there, in every moment, bright and dark. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). God doesn’t abandon us in dark moments, even when our sin causes the darkness. So we must learn to see him, even in those moments. One great way to learn is to look backwards, at dark moments from our pasts, moments when we felt alone, and look for him once more, a bit harder this time.​ ​ ​

[td] Okay, so what do we do? Spend some time in prayer. Close your eyes. Quiet your mind. Now, drawing upon everything you know about him, get a picture of Jesus. Think about his goodness—and his heart for the weary, the worried, the wicked, the down, the downtrodden. Think about his willingness to go into tough places and tough situations . . . to redeem them. Next, recall a moment from your past. Call to mind a picture of a time when you felt alone. Visualize the details. Remember how it felt. Now, bring the two pictures together and imagine how Jesus might have (actually) been at work in the moment you chose.​ ​ ​

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Three Days in Niagara Falls, New York​

Last updated on: September 11, 2025 at 7:55 pm by Beverly R. Green​

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Psalm 42:7 “Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.”​

Three Days in Niagara Falls, New York​

Every year, my husband gives me a short trip for my birthday. I don’t know if it’s because we have far too much stuff in our house to keep adding more “gifts,” if he knows school is about to start and I need one last boost of freedom, or if he just enjoys the adventure as much as I do and is glad for a reason to hit the road. This year he let me decide where I wanted to go. I was having eye problems and I couldn’t see a lot. I chose Niagara Falls (American side), because that would certainly be big enough for me to see.
I think he was a little disappointed that we could not go to the Canadian side (I have no passport). We have been told for years that “the Canadian side is so much better.” Still, it was not a long trip and neither of us had been there for many years. Let me just say, Niagara Falls, New York does not disappoint!
We stayed in a Hilton DoubleTree Hotel. At check-in we were offered very wonderful, warm, walnut and chocolate chip cookies. Good-bye diet! We enjoyed them in our room which was lovely with a view of the river (which, to me, was just a gray blur). The restaurant was excellent–we had dinner that evening, breakfast twice (off the menu with celebratory mimosas and bloody Marys!), and a late evening stop in the bar. The pool was a wonderful amenity that was perfect at the end of each of our three days.
The very best thing about that DoubleTree, though, was its location. It was just across the street from the walking trail that led to the entrance to Niagara Falls Park. We walked that quarter of a mile five times during our three days. It was spectacular! The calm river quickly became animated, roaring, white water as it raced to the falls (watch my video)!

Niagara Falls/Horseshoe Falls/ B. Green

Our first walk over was on a beautiful, sunny, late, Sunday afternoon, immediately after our arrival in town. It was a little crowded, but not bad. The pathways through the park were paved and marked with directions–very easy to navigate–and provided many, many opportunities for great photos! I was afraid that perhaps the falls would not seem as spectacular as they did on my previous visit (I was eight), but there was no reason to worry. I could only stare, amazed at this great wonder that God created. We crossed the bridge over Bridal Veil Falls, stood overlooking the American Falls, and then walked to the Horseshoe Falls, around Goat Island, and back to the hotel.

As striking as that first walk was, the real treat came the next morning. We are early risers. At 6:00 we had coffee, and by 6:30 we had dressed and tied up our sneakers to walk that path again. We passed a few runners–early birds like us; we passed a few birds–early birds like us, but when we approached the falls, it was as though that landscape was spread out for our eyes only.

Niagara Falls/B Green
As the sun rose higher, rainbows appeared … then a few more people. I have no words. We walked all the pathways around the island, found a few spots that were almost as stunning as the falls, then returned a little over two hours later, ready for breakfast. We repeated that the next two mornings. That morning walk every day was the best part of the trip.

Niagara Falls/B Green

Well, maybe the second best part. To be witness to the great majesty of Niagara Falls was an indescribable blessing. There is truly so much beauty on this great, green earth.

So, here’s the tourist-y stuff. There were not a great many restaurants other than chains, but we went to The Red Coach on my birthday. It was a-ma-zing! Other recommendations are:

Rainforest Cafe–Yes, it’s a chain, but we enjoyed it, too! The portions were huge!

Zaika’s Indian Cuisine–came highly recommended.

Maid of the Mist/B Green

Here are some activities that are available:
Tours of all kinds are offered, day or evening. Tours may include the Maid of the Mist, the Cave of the Winds, the observation tower, a light show after dark. We went on a 5.5 hour tour that included all four, plus a stop for shopping and ice cream. In addition, they picked us up at the hotel and brought us back afterward.
Aquarium of Niagara : great activity for the whole family!
Underground Railroad Museum : very educational and gave a different sense of the history of the area.
Fort Niagara : beautiful views and more interesting history.
Helicopter flight over the falls : for the daredevils!

All-in-all, we had a marvelous time and carried many beautiful moments home in our memories. It’s good to be reminded that with all its flaws, this world is still an amazing place!

Niagara Falls/B Green

Amos 5:2 “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”​

God bless you and reveal to you His majesty! ​

 

[RiverOL]

[td] Go Small to Go Big​ ​ ​

[td] So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone—Galatians 6:10​ ​ ​

[td] Once we’ve decided to do something, we men often like to “go big.” We think to ourselves: if we’re going to do this thing, let’s really do it. We can bring this kind of thinking, this “go big” mentality, to all kinds of work, even the work God calls us into—that is, the work of loving and serving others. Great things can result, of course. But the mentality can backfire, too—for example, when we set our ambitions too high, get overwhelmed, and can’t follow through. It’s interesting that, knowing us as he does, our King, Jesus Christ, suggests an opposite approach: “This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice” (Matthew 10:40-42 MSG). Start small! Why does something rise up in our hearts, against that approach? Well, it’s mostly because by “going big” we hope to grab a little glory for ourselves. We want others to see us and think well of us. And if we don’t “go big,” they might not actually see our accomplishments. But, Jesus reassures us: “You won’t lose out on a thing” (Matthew 10:42 MSG). We must trust his words and trust that God the Holy Spirit can do amazing things within even our smallest, most ordinary acts of love and service. And that’s plenty big for any of us.​ ​ ​

[td] Okay, so what do we do? Look around, today and tomorrow, for people in need. People are hurting, people right around you. “Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood” (Matthew 10:5-8 MSG). Pick one person and blow them away with some help.​ ​ ​

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Want Some Courage?​

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I press on toward the goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus—Philippians 3:14

In some respects, we know the men we’d like to become. For one, we’d like to be courageous for God, not simply surviving these lives, but living boldly in them. Well, we absolutely can (Romans 8:31-39). The thing is . . . it’s hard. We’re easily distracted—by our drives for achievement and advancement and accumulation. And we’re easily made afraid—that we’ll be embarrassed if we act boldly for God; that we’re not qualified to stand with him; or just that we’ve never done it before and don’t know how to start. Yes, it’s difficult becoming courageous and, actually, it’s meant to be.

God didn’t create two types of men—some cowardly and some courageous. No, he leaves the cowardice/courage decisions to us. That said, we cannot simply choose for courage and instantly become courageous any more than we can instantly become . . . say . . . orators or outdoorsmen. If we want to become either of those, we must practice. We must start small and fail and succeed; we must work and learn. So it is with courage. We become courageous men by practicing courage, by accumulating experiences, small at first, of actually being courageous.

So, there are two types of men, but it’s those willing to practice and those not, resigned instead to lives of safety. The good news, brother, is that becoming the former doesn’t require an inordinate amount of time or a major lifestyle change. It just takes a bit of resolve.​

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Okay, so what do we do?

Practice. Do something. Don’t overreach (and set yourself up for failure); but don’t reach too short either (and render your efforts pointless). Choose in the middle—something intimidating, but not overly. Here are some suggestions: face a phobia; spend time with someone the rest of the world avoids; serve in a way you’ve never served before.​

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[RiverOL]

[td] Blessed to Bless​ ​ ​

[td] Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap—Luke 6:38​ ​ ​

[td] Have you been blessed? [Pause for a moment to consider.] What’s your reaction to that question? Is it easy to see how and how much you’ve been blessed? Or is it difficult, especially with so many people around who’ve been blessed more? Well, make no mistake; all of us have been blessed (Genesis 1:28). I mean, do you have a job, some money, enough to eat, a safe place to live, family, some friends, a church, or an education? It may be in unique ways and in varying degrees, but we’ve all been blessed . . . abundantly. So how then should we think about these blessings? I mean, how can we reconcile the fact that we’ve been blessed with so much—so much more than countless men and women alive right now in other parts of this country and around the world? The only way to think about our blessings, brother, is to view them as means to bless others. And the only way to view ourselves, then, is blessed to bless others. You see, knowing what we do about God and about his intentions for us (Matthew 22:36-39), how could we ever conclude otherwise? How could we ever conclude that we’ve been blessed simply so that we may live in comfort and security and isolation? What kind of story would that be, anyway? No, we must view these blessings as personal invitations into God’s much greater story of blessing other people.​ ​ ​

[td] Okay, so what do we do? Take a few minutes to note the specific ways you’ve been blessed this year. Focus your mind on seeing the true blessings, especially the ones that you might have gotten used to and begun taking for granted. Write them down and spend some time in prayer, thanking God for what he’s given you.​ ​ ​

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[RiverOL]

How to Handle Your Child When They Have a Tantrum​

During a recent counseling session, Monica, 40, complained about her two-year daughter Abigail, crying too much and being unsure about how to handle her. This is a common concern of parents with young children whom I meet with for counseling.


Monica put it like this, “My husband Kyle and I disagree about what to do when Abbey cries. He thinks we should let her cry it out and I don’t agree. When we do, she just seems more agitated and it escalates. When I comfort her, she calms down quickly.”

In a recent article for the website Motherly, writer Sarah R. Moore provides a roadmap for how to handle your kids when they’re crying — and crying for attention. Many parents can relate to the temper tantrums and trying behavior exhibited by their children, particularly when they’re toddlers. And to be sure, friends, family and frequent online posts about this reality are in a frenzy to give parents advice.

Many young parents find themselves frustrated and searching for solutions when confronted with their children crying, but the conventional wisdom leaves something to be desired. Moore points out that these episodes are often characterized as “attention seeking” behavior, and that too often parents are counseled to ignore these kind of outbursts. However, Moore writes that “it may help to reframe them.”

Moore observes that parents are well served to keep in mind “that if a child is wanting more attention, regardless of the form that takes, it’s because they’re craving connection with their trusted adult—attention-seeking is attachment-seeking.” This behavior is not only “completely developmentally normal,” and “not a reflection of how ‘good’ or ‘bad’ a child is… Rather, it’s a reflection of what behavior their brain is capable of manifesting in that moment.”

When viewed through this more holistic and empathetic prism, a child’s tantrum is more about crying out for connection than crying. Instead of ignoring tantrums, Moore offers three straightforward strategies for avoiding a parenting style that may lead to more intense and frequent tantrums.

First, Moore notes that ignoring a crying child teaches them that “our love is conditional.” Because many kids are not “capable of hearing instruction or correction when they’re acting out.” Further, she suggests that you “connect before you correct,” instead of ignoring negative behavior. Creating a calm, “emotionally grounded” environment is far more productive that turning away during a tantrum.

Next, Moore notes that when “an adult physically or emotionally ignores a child who’s struggling, the child has no model of ways to better handle whatever they’re experiencing that’s causing the negative behavior.”


The bottom line is that children need context for their behavior and to ignore an outburst is to “miss an opportunity to help our kids’ brains grow.” By modeling “emotional regulation” parents can lead by example to teach kids that there are more appropriate ways to express their feelings.

Finally, Moore recognizes that behavior is a form of communication, and that tantrums are simply the expression of a need on the part of the child. She counsels parents to be mindful of that fact that “even when we don’t like the way a child is expressing what he or she wants, the underlying need that they’re trying to convey doesn’t magically go away if we ignore it.” I wholeheartedly agree with this statement and the premise behind it.

With this understanding informing parenting decisions, it’s easy to see that a resolution may be easier to achieve that we think. In summing up this strategy, Moore writes that “whatever it is, if we can find the root cause, it’s much more effective to address that than to pretend it’s not there—we risk sending the message to our child that their needs don’t matter.”

As a result of this advice from Sarah L. Moore, the next time I met with Monica and Kyle for a session, I advised that they follow the steps she advocates rather than allowing her to continue to tantrum and ignore her. Fortunately, they were able to find success with these strategies and Abigail’s tantrums lessened over time.

 

[RiverOL]

5 Books That Shaped My Rule of Life and Quiet Life Pursuit​

Later this week, I am headed to the beach to celebrate my wife, Katie McLain, and her birthday. One of the things I am most excited about, besides being with our family as we celebrate, is the chance to read. Our beach trip earlier in the year is often more packed with activity, but this one in the fall season is full of downtime and togetherness. Each year when we go to Ocean City, Maryland, for this trip, I look forward to time in a hammock overlooking the inlet and bay, just steps from the boardwalk and beach. It’s one of my favorite places to settle in with a book and let the slower pace of the shore reset me.



This year, most of my reading will be tied to my doctoral work at Kairos University, just like it was last year, because I am in a three-year program studying the practical and theological implications of the Lord’s Prayer. I also plan to do some thinking on my goals for my revised Rule of Life, something I do around this time each year. I have been working on some five year goals and what spiritual disciplines I plan to practice to sutain where I feel God calling me towards. In thinking about this upcoming trip, I was thinking about books that have mattered to me on developing a Rule of Life. These are some of the books that have shaped me recently in my pursuit of what Paul calls in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 a quiet life.

A Quiet Life as a Theme​

A few years ago, I began to take this verse seriously:

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” (1 Thess. 4:11–12, NIV)

This invitation to a quieter, simpler way has become something of a life theme for me. It stands in sharp contrast to the noise, speed, and consumerism of our culture—and even at times our churches. It is a life lived well with the stillness described in Psalm 46:10. To lead a quiet life is not about withdrawal, but about presence. It’s about cultivating habits that allow us to live attentively, faithfully, and generously in the world God has placed us.

Living with a Rule of Life​

Around the same time, I began living with a “Rule of Life.” It was a way of staying dedicatd to this new way of living for me, helping me to remember what to say “yes” too, and what to say “no” too. A Rule of Life is not a set of legalistic rules, but a prayerful framework of habits and practices that help us align our lives with Jesus. It’s like a trellis that supports a growing vine, it doesn’t cause the growth, but it gives shape and direction to what new way of being and committment we want to model in our lives.

For me, this daily rhythm has become a lifeline. A good Rule of Life helps sustain the kind of faithfulness Paul describes in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, that I feel called to. My Rule of Life steadies me when life feels chaotic, keeping us grounded in prayer, Scripture, and practices of love. I think it is important to have a Rule of Life, and it is something I often talk to guests about at Water Street Mission.

As Ken Shigematsu writes, “In order to thrive in our life with God we need a spiritual ecosystem that includes deliberate practice…. Having a set of deliberate practices also allows us to build on our strengths and shore up areas of weakness.” That is what a Rule of Life is all about.

Some Recent Favorites on Having A Rule of Life​

Here are a few books that have helped me think more deeply about what it means to lead a quiet life:

1. Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley. We become our habits, and our kids become us. Earley walks through ordinary family routines—waking, mealtime, bedtime, discipline, even screen time—and shows how these small moments are opportunities for spiritual formation. This book has helped me pay attention to how God’s love, care, grace, and presence can shape even the most ordinary parenting practices.
2. The Common Rule by Justin Whitmel Earley. If Habits of the Household looks at family life, The Common Rule looks at the broader patterns that shape all of us. Earley argues that habits form us more than we create them. In response to the chaos of modern life, he offers a practical “Rule of Life”—four daily and four weekly habits—that helps us resist the pull of busyness and live with love for God and neighbor.
3. God in My Everything by Ken Shigematsu. Spiritual formation isn’t just for monasteries or retreats—it happens in the everyday. Shigematsu helps us discover sustainable rhythms amidst work, family, and church. He shows how we can slow down and experience God in all of life, savoring the presence of Jesus in ways that leave us more thankful and more aware of his provision.
4. Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton. Prayer is both mysterious and necessary, yet for many it feels dull or confusing. Staton’s book helped renew my prayer life, reminding me that prayer is a sustaining gift, not a burden. Through practical teaching and powerful stories, he shows how prayer connects us deeply to God’s presence and power in everyday life.
5. A Personal Ministry Philosophy: One Key to Effective Leadership by J. Robert Clinton. Though more academic, this paper has shaped how I think about ministry. Clinton highlights the importance of a personal ministry philosophy—a set of values shaped by Scripture, self-awareness, and context—that grounds our leadership. It’s been invaluable for me as I think about ministry not just as a set of tasks, but as a lived philosophy flowing out of a quiet, faithful life.

As I pack books for the hammock and the shore, I am reminded that the quiet life is not about doing less but living more intentionally. I think these books can help you find intentionality, becuase they helped me. A good Rule of Life is about creating space for God to shape us through habits, rhythms, and practices that align our hearts with his.

How I plan a Rule of Life​

I plan my Rule of Life like a steward and a branch—entrusted with “talents” to invest (Matt. 25:14–30) and called to abide for lasting fruit (John 15). Each September I prayerfully sketch a one-year strategic vision with simple, measurable habits, then glance at the next five years out to see where God may be inviting growth. It is about realizing where I need to revise my practices and goals, or set new ones.

I often organize those habits across ten “capitals” (spiritual, relational, physical, intellectual, financial, vocational, sabbath, sexual, possessions, and place), naming the currency I will steward in each—faithfulness, trust, health, learning, generosity, craft, rest, intimacy, simplicity, rootedness. My weekly and daily rhythms follow a trellis of five practices—Silence & Solitude, Simplicity, Sabbath, Slowing, and Seeking (prayer)—so that I remain in the Vine rather than grind in my own strength. I use three questions to keep me honest: Where is the Spirit drawing my attention? What obedience is Jesus inviting now?

Who are the people the Father has placed around me to support it? Then I schedule 1–2 small routines per sphere (with start times and frequencies), review them on Sabbath, and share them with trusted friends for accountability. In short, I aim to invest what God has entrusted and to abide in Christ, so that a quiet, faithful life becomes both my ambition and my witness (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). Then I develop a Sunday through Saturday schedule in which I set what activities I will do each day, during what times, so I guard my time well.

An Encouragement to Explore​

Living with the right practices is at the core of the invitation of 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 . And it’s the invitation I keep returning to—whether in the busyness of ministry or the stillness of the beach. I hope you too will explore what a Rule of Life could mean for you. Even more, I hope you will pick up one of these books, or all of them, and explore this ancient and sacred spiritual practice even deeper. Then I hope you will find a good church community, like we have at River Corner Church, to help keep you accoutnable to what God is doing in and through your life.

 

[RiverOL]

[td] Failure is on the Menu​ ​ ​

[td] I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities—2 Corinthians 12:10​ ​ ​

[td] We men are often just wrong about failure. It seems we’ve all decided that if we ever experience failure, we're then failures. It’s not true. Failure is integral to human life, the way God designed it. Look at Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Peter—all experienced failure, because they were mere humans. Mere humans fail every so often . . . and it’s good that we do. Failure refines us. We mature through failures because we learn from them—much more than from successes. Through failures our character is formed (Romans 5:3-5). No man can become who he’s supposed to become without experiencing some failure in his life. Failure also fuels us . . . or, rather, the potential for failure. While we may not like failure, we like to face its potential. We like to be tested. It’s why we like competition. It’s why we like risk. It’s often the excitement of uncertain outcomes that drives us to learn from failures and improve, in the hope of avoiding more. But the potential for failure must be real. And when it is real, we will sometimes fail. The danger, of course, is in getting stuck—in the shame of failures past or the fear of failures future, or maybe both. When we do, failure defeats us: we live dull lives, devoid of daring. But we need not get stuck. We can, instead, reject the shame of failure and learn to deal with it—by acknowledging fault; confessing and repenting (if sin was involved); facing any consequences; allowing God to teach us what we need to learn . . . and then moving on.​ ​ ​

[td] Okay, so what do we do? What are one or two big risks you’d like to take in the coming weeks and months? Write them down, commit to them, and tell some friends about them—so they can spur you on.​ ​ ​

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[td] What Worked? What Didn't?​ ​ ​

[td] . . . he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come—2 Corinthians 5:17​ ​ ​

[td] God’s at work in us—every one of us—whether we can see it or not (Philippians 2:13). He’s working to transform our character into the character of his son, our King, Jesus Christ. And he’ll continue working until the work is complete (Philippians 1:6). Our job is to join him. Our job is to follow Jesus and work ourselves, in obedience, to increase the amount goodness and light in our lives . . . and to decrease the opposite: “. . . do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:14-16). Who among us doesn’t need more goodness and more light? That’s rhetorical, of course. And when’s a better time to increase our intentionality about increasing our holiness than at the beginning of a new year? That’s rhetorical too. So how do we? Well, we get intentional by looking at the choices we’ve been making—whom we’ve been spending time with, the practices we’ve been engaging in, the experiences we’ve been enjoying. We get intentional by taking time to reflect upon those choices . . . and upon their results. And we get intentional by deciding which relationships, which practices, which experiences we’d like more of, going forward, because they increase holiness—and which we’d like less of, because they don’t.​ ​ ​

[td] Okay, so what do we do? Consider the past twelve months. What was good? Who was good for you? What worked? What wasn’t so good? What didn’t work? Now, draw up (and commit to) a simple, practical, achievable plan for bringing more of what’s been good, and what’s worked for you, into the next twelve months . . . and less of what wasn’t and what didn’t.​ ​ ​

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[RiverOL]

The Difference Between Being Smart and Being Wise (And Why It Matters)​

Intelligence is frequently lauded above all else in our culture of quick facts, instant answers, and digital credentials. However, as Richard E. Simmons III notes in his writings and Christian mentorship, wisdom is a more profound quality that defines a flourishing life.


The Bible celebrates intelligence rather than condemning it. However, it also makes a clear distinction between intelligence and wisdom. Wisdom determines how to apply the knowledge that intelligence has gathered. True wisdom necessitates humility, surrender, and faith in a higher power, as Simmons demonstrates through his work in men’s Christian ministry. Understanding the Christian definition of wisdom is a potent starting point if you’re looking for purpose, clarity, and character.

10 Books That Help You Choose Wisdom Over Just Intelligence

10 Books That Help You Reorder Priorities and Live with Purpose​

1.​

Simmons challenges the misconception that intelligence or performance determines one’s identity. He challenges men to rethink success and seek the kind of wisdom that anchors the soul by using Scripture and Christian spiritual growth principles. This serves as a reminder to professionals who are chasing credentials but feel empty that character is more important than resume statistics.

Where to buy:

– RichardESimmons3.com

– Goodreads

– Amazon

“Richard E. Simmons’ book (The True Measure of a Man) is so full of common sense and practicality. It is especially poignant and meaningful at such a critical time in our country’ – Ben Crenshaw, two-time Masters Tournament champion

“The True Measure of a Man is a book I wish I had written” … – Bob Buford, author of Halftime and Finishing Well

“The True Measure of a Man is a book for every man of every faith or no faith at all” – Fred Barnes, Fox News commentator

2.​

Simmons examines what Proverbs refers to as the “beginning of wisdom”—the fear of the Lord—in this profoundly introspective book. He guides readers through the importance of making moral decisions and provides a road map for Christian teachings for life that transcends intelligence. A must-read for anyone curious about how to live a peaceful and discernible life.

Where to buy:

– RichardESimmons3.com


– Goodreads

– Amazon

3. ​

Lewis demonstrates how Christian belief influences day-to-day living by fusing theology and logic. He urges readers to not only understand doctrine but also to live it out in their decisions, morals, and compassion.

“Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.” — C.S. Lewis

Where to Buy:
– Amazon

4.​

Comer calls believers back to simplicity, introspection, and soul-deep living in response to the contemporary preoccupation with success and speed. This book echoes Gospel-centered living as it teaches that wisdom comes from unhurried communion with God.

Where to buy:

– Amazon

5.​

Brooks explores how wise people live for meaning rather than approval by distinguishing between “résumé virtues” and “eulogy virtues.” The themes are in line with the Christian perspective of success and long-term spiritual development, despite not being explicitly Christian.

Where to buy:

– Amazon

6.​

In a way that is applicable to readers in the modern era, Ryken breaks down the biblical wisdom literature. It’s an effective manual for comprehending how Christian discipleship provides answers to the most important questions in life.

Where to buy:

– Amazon

7.​

Our spiritual intake influences our minds in the same way that our physical diet does. As they pursue Christian spiritual growth, McCracken exhorts believers to savor Scripture, tradition, and beauty rather than just media.


Where to buy:

– Amazon

8.​

Guinness examines how living sensibly requires finding one’s purpose. This book reminds readers that wisdom involves understanding your purpose in life, which is a direct message to those looking for Christian books about calling.

Where to buy:

– Amazon

9.​

Part of Sproul’s Crucial Questions series, this concise booklet explores what the Bible says about wisdom and how it differs from mere knowledge. Sproul draws from Proverbs and other Wisdom Literature to show that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and results in a life aligned with God’s truth. It’s ideal for those seeking a solid biblical worldview in an age overwhelmed by information.

Where to buy:

– Amazon

10.​

Barton offers practical spiritual disciplines that foster quiet wisdom in a loud world. A wonderful resource for anyone wondering how to grow spiritually as a Christian man or woman through reflection and rest.

Where to buy:

– Amazon

Conclusion: Choose Wisdom — It’s Worth More Than Success​

According to Simmons, wisdom is about being teachable, modest, and grounded in reality rather than being the smartest person in the room. Others may be impressed by intelligence, but wisdom changes people’s lives. And in today’s noisy world, that’s more important than ever.

Let’s be a generation that seeks not just knowledge, but understanding. Not just cleverness, but courage. Not just faith-based leadership, but lives shaped by holy discernment.

Frequently Asked Questions​

What is the Christian definition of wisdom?
Wisdom is the ability to live rightly in alignment with God’s truth. It begins with the fear of the Lord and grows through Christian discipleship and Scripture.

Can you be smart but not wise?

Yes. Intelligence gathers information, but wisdom applies truth. The Bible warns that knowledge without humility can lead to pride or destruction.
What books help men grow in wisdom through faith?
Start with The True Measure of a Man and Wisdom: Life’s Great Treasure by Richard E. Simmons III, along with Mere Christianity and The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.

 

[RiverOL]

Joel Ansett: Healing and Hope, One Song at a Time​

Listening to a musical artist live is one of my favorite experiences. I recently saw Joel Ansett (check out his tour), and he was tremendous. Not just a musician, but a true storyteller, and he wove a journey with the purposeful intent for his listeners to find healing and hope. Maybe not every song for every person, but perhaps a line, a chord progression, or a thought that each person could connect with on a deeper level. The live show was more than just a thing to do, more than entertainment on a Saturday night, but rather an invitation to lament, find joy, and find hope.

Lament​

My wife accompanied me to the show, and in preparation, she started listening to Joel’s music. I asked her how it was going, and she replied, “he seems sad or depressed.” (Joel agrees with this!) But I would argue that his songs are sad because he was writing songs of lament. Lamenting is a holy practice, one found often in the Psalms. In simple terms, a lament recognizes that something is not as it should be. We all know life isn’t fair, but sometimes it is just so overwhelmingly agonizing that we need to stop and cry out. We can’t just keep smiling and pretend it is all going to be ok. Calling out the brokenness is a holy task because it reminds us that the world is not yet as it should be. God put lamenting in the Bible, so you can be sure that He doesn’t shy away when we have laments.

Healing​

Have you ever felt guilty for feeling sad? Didn’t Paul say we should give thanks in all circumstances, so how dare we offer a complaint? I have a plastic dumpster on fire with the “This is Fine Dog” sitting on it. Is that who we are supposed to be as Christians? When the whole world feels like it is on fire, we smile cheerily and pretend everything is fine. Or do we find healing through announcing our lament and allowing that recognition to drive us to more resounding cries for God? And, sure, part of healing is finding a place where we can participate in thanksgiving once again.

For me, Joel’s songs help in that process of finding lament and then finding thanksgiving. For example, “Lost for Now” is about a person experiencing the first sunset. How terrifying it is for us to lose something so key to our lives. Yet the end of the song is a reminder that in God’s hands, when we lose those good things, they are only gone for now. We can mourn our loss and then express our joy and thanksgiving to a God who makes all things new.


Grieving can be one of the most challenging experiences in the modern church. There are no words that heal deep wounds of loss and hurt. For me, and I would hazard to guess a lot of people, I find healing in music that helps to express the wound in my soul. Songs remind us that we are not alone and that we aren’t the only ones who have those types of feelings or thoughts. And often, songs express the deeper emotions that we may not even know how to express. Sitting in the church, letting Joel and Dan serenade and soothe our souls was tremendously healing.

Hope​

In his song, “If You Really Knew,” he sings, “You throw your arms out wide and I extend my hand.” I can’t think of a more moving picture of God’s love for us. I know me, know the most unlovable parts of me, and God does too. Yet God still pursues a relationship with us at every moment and turn. God loves you at your worst. You don’t have to clean yourself up or get it all right for God to agree to love you. He already loves you more than you can ever understand. When you go through tragedy, grief, and mourning, this is not a sign that God loves you less.

Or to put it another way, it is not God’s punishment because you deserve it. The world is broken by sin and death. Jesus wept. He knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, but he still wept. I think that one reason He cried was because He knew that His followers would suffer, as the world was not yet as it will be. Jesus’ tears were tears of lament.

Jesus doesn’t leave us there stuck in our brokenness in the broken world. He reminds us that though we may have trouble, He has overcome the world. If you have breath, then you have hope. God brings new mercies every day, and He is making all things new. You may not see all of the wrongs right, the hurts assuaged, or the injustice corrected tomorrow. But hope reminds us that one day you will.

One Song at a Time​

If I haven’t been clear enough, let me be blunt. If you enjoy songwriters who are storytellers, you should do everything you can to be at a Joel Ansett show. I have linked to several of his songs, but listening to them online pales in comparison to being in the room and hearing his heart. If you need a place where lamenting feels comfortable, don’t miss this tour. And if you do, I know you will find a song that will connect you to lament, healing, and hope.

 

[RiverOL]

Sacrifice Echoes Into Eternity​

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34: 18


Ours is not a culture that is comfortable with sadness. Sadness is awkward. It is unsettling. It ebbs and flows and takes its own shape. It beckons to be shared. It comes out in tears, and we don’t quite know what to do with those.

It was in the early spring when my daughter started training for her first ever marathon (the Chicago Marathon) and I was watching her get up early to run “short runs” of six or seven miles a day and then “long runs” which increased weekly until she made it to seventeen miles one Saturday evening.

A couple of times, I rode my bike alongside her on these longer runs (which we clocked in at over two hours). I peddled easily along as my daughter pushed herself one step at a time (in pain most of those steps). Clearly, she was investing a whole lot more than I was during those two hours.


As I accompanied her, I thought about my running days way back when…why I loved running (how you feel like a million bucks after about 1 1/2 miles) and why I eventually quit (I got tired of finding running partners only to have them quit on me a few months later).

Sacrifice Is Always Worth The Cost​

So for me, watching my daughter set a goal of running 26.2 miles (in one run) was amazing to me. Inside, I was cheering her on through every single run she went on.

She endured rain, wind, heat, humidity, potholes, hills and valleys, exhaustion, sickness, pain, pain, and more pain (as knee injuries stopped her in her tracks for over a month).

When it looked like she was finally able to resume running another obstacle hit hard. A friend died. The decision to run or not with her injury was no longer, “Will my body be able to handle running this distance?” It defaulted to a more important choice, sacrificing her hard-earned goal in favor of staying put and supporting her friend’s family.

I was never so proud of my daughter than when she told me it wasn’t even a hard decision to make. She knew she had to set aside her own dream for the sake of supporting someone she loved. I don’t think she realized it, but she had already won her race without even stepping foot on the Chicago race line. To my mind, she chose the best road to travel by stepping up to the moment and choosing to “walk” alongside her friend’s family during a time of great sorrow for them.

Choosing To Let Go Of A Dream​

She sacrificed every day for months to reach a dream she eventually decided wasn’t as valuable as being there for someone who needed her. Her dream might not have worked out as she’d sacrificed and hoped for…but I believe God worked through her to fulfill an even greater accomplishment as she submitted her plans to His bigger one. He always does.

Ever heard that old song with the catchy lyric, “Dream a little dream with me?” I wonder a lot about making grand plans, pursuing bold dreams, and going after what God has placed upon my heart to accomplish. I believe hope and dreams are the stuff of life. God created us to create. The more we use those gifts, the happier we are because in those lovely creative moments, we resemble our Creator. And I believe God smiles down on us.

Winning Looks Different Than We Might Expect​

Which begs me to consider what God desires of us when in the madcap pursuit of those same dreams obstacles enter our lives that force to us to choose between them. Stop signs halt us from every direction and we’re left with a job unfinished, a goal unreached, or a heart undone and broken with sadness. It seems to me that God wants us to exhibit the same zeal we put forth toward reaching our dreams as in the relinquishing of them. The more I recognize God’s absolute right to ownership over me and my dreams, the more comfort I draw knowing He orders my days for His glory and my very best.

Some Christians are known for saying, sometimes rather glibly I might add, the phrase, “Lord willing.” While I agree with that statement 100% percent, I have to ask myself how often I pray the prayer that never fails, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” and really mean it? Because if I truly believe that statement then I’m saying God knows more than I do about the path I should take and He has the right to move me into a different direction even if it’s mere seconds before I see my dream come to fruition. This willing submission is at the heart of my love for God. His will. His way. Always the right way.