For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

The prophesy of Jeremiah 29:11, was given corporately (not individually) to the Israelite nation of Judah facing God’s fatherly discipline in the form of 70 years of Babylonian exile. It is often misused to say “I know my new job is gonna be great because, Jer 29:11!” or, “can’t wait for college, Jeremiah 29:11.” It’s a stretch. 

But what is the proper use of this text of Scripture? Here’s one author’s offers an explanation: 

The riches and greatest fulfillment of this prophecy is to be realized in a spiritual way. This promise ought to bring a great sense of joy to the believer who longs for the “future hope” of experiencing eternal life with God, a restoration that will be experienced in the fullest sense. It is there where we will experience prosperity and protection in abundance, as we are “gathered back” to him….But this doesn’t mean that everything about it (prophecy of Jer 29:11) is reserved for our future in heaven. I would also argue that a whole host of blessing and prosperity can come to us in the here and now. But these are primarily spiritual blessings like reconciliation, forgiveness, peace with God, fellowship in the church, and love. Blessings like the fruit of the Spirit, answers to prayer, and joy in worship. (The Most Misused Verses In The Bible, By: Eric J. Bargerhuff, PhD)

Here are a couple of related posts as well:

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/stop-taking-jeremiah-2911-out-context

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/stop-taking-jeremiah-2911-out-context

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2014/07/09/a-book-j-i-packer-suggests-you-read-three-times/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+between2worlds+%28Between+Two+Worlds%29

Wanted to share an excerpt from a great book I’ve been reading, Bringing Up Girls, by Dr. James Dobson. As a dad of 3 girls I need all the help I can get, but I’d recommend this book for anybody with girls in their life, which is all of us.

The following really spoke to the importance of communication and listening to our girls. Something a lot of us men struggle with. Not only because we are made different as males, but because the increasing demands on our time. See below:

“It is impossible to overstate the importance of talking in the lives of girls and women. Though estimates vary, it appears, that males use about seven thousand words per day; and females, twenty thousand. Women not only talk more, but their enjoyment in conversation is far more intense. Connecting through talking activates the pleasure centers of a girl’s brain, providing a huge emotional reward for her. It is why teen girls are obsessed with text messaging…It also explains why one of the most common sources of disappointment women express about married life is that the guys won’t talk to them. Show me a husband who keeps his thoughts to himself, and I will show you a frustrated wife…Little and not so little girls need to talk too, especially about what they are feeling. Let me speak directly to the busy mom and dad who are too exhausted at the end of the day to get your kids talking, either at the dinner table or in those intimate few minutes before bedtime: you may be making a serious mistake. You need to know what your children are thinking, and they need the pleasure of telling you about it…There will come a time when they will be talking primarily to their peers, and the missed opportunities for understanding and intimacy today will be costly down the road.

This is why we should engage our kids in activities that encourage conversation, including eating together as a family, playing table games, inviting friends with kids to dinner, cooking together, building things, adopting a lovable dog or cat, cultivating mutual interests, or learning a sport such as skiing or tennis as a family. Remember how your daughter is made, and seek invitations into that private world. You won’t regret it” (Dr. James Dobson, Bringing Up Girls, p. 33-35)

…be transformed by the renewal of your mind… Romans 12:2

Here are a couple of great books on the subject of spiritual disciplines that can aid in the renewal of our mind:

Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life, by: Donald S. Whitney

The Disciplines of Grace, by: Jerry Bridges

Either of these would be GREAT choices for summer reading!

Long before I was a student of the Bible I was a student of theology (some good and some bad) from country music.  I had a preoccupation with jukeboxes from about age 5, especially the ones at the Dairy Queen and the Bowling Alley, places the adults in my life spent quite a bit of time. I was probably about 6 years old when I first heard ‘Lord I Hope This Day Is Good’ By: Don Williams. Ya’ll have probably heard me talk about this song in a sermon or in passing reference or just heard me whistling it. Clearly this song has made an impression. For me, it’s encouraging. Maybe it’ll encourage you today.

Looking for a great daily devotional? Here is one available online for FREE: http://utmost.org