Happy Sunday, friends.
For the last couple of weeks, I have been explaining away my congestion, sore throat, and nasal pressure to allergies. Today I woke up with a 101.5 fever and feeling as if I was run over by a train. I got off the couch twice before 2 p.m. One time to go to urgent care and the second time to pick up my antibiotic for a “severe sinus infection.”
I don’t like going to the doctor. But this happens to me. I push it off, push it off, then fall off a cliff.
Anyways. I say all that to explain why this is being written late.
I watched a lot of Shark Tank today, and I have decided that I am quitting my job to invent something. I am also taking suggestions from people for ideas on what I should invent.
lol
Jes and I have been meditating on 1 Samuel these last couple of weeks. More specifically, the first five verses. They read
After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon. When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.”
According to mythology, Dagon was the father of Baal and was worshipped by the Assyrians and the Babylonians.
I sat down to draw for the first time in a long time this week.
These verses speak for themselves. I don’t feel like there is much to add to them other than the fact that the imagery of a pagan idol following before the Lord is powerful.
And history repeats itself.
There is one true living God who reigns above all else.
Dominion is His.
I firmly believe that the Lord is in the process of systematically bringing every other god to their knees before him.
🤓 Life Lessons Learned.
“What is one thing that you do to intentionally love your wife well?”
Asking for Holy Spirit to fill me every day. With Holy Spirit comes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. My wife throughout our marriage has asked me for one thing. Gentleness. Funny that that is a fruit of the Spirit. When I recognize I’m not walking in the fruits (all) I stop and pray for whatever is on me that is keeping me from walking in those to get off of me in the name of Jesus. I ask Holy Spirit to fill me and seal me.
-Josh Kingry
One way I intentionally love my wife is by being confident in my role as a husband and the spiritual leader for my family. When I’m held back by fear or timidity of failing in these areas, I’m not able to love her fully. Fear is the opposite of love, so I have to intentionally remind myself of this truth from 2 Timothy 1:7 often: that God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind.
-Cole Zander
What is one lesson the Lord has taught you in your finances? It could be a habit, a mindset, a tip, or a trick.
Some things the Lord has taught me when it comes to finances is to not worry, trust Him, and to be become one with my wife when making financial decisions. My wife and I talk through almost all purchases ensuring we are both making the best financial driven decision. We have talked with other couples who strongly dislike this as it makes them feel like they cannot spend anything on their own or that they always have to have approval to spend money. My wife and I however do not view it this way. We take the two heads are better than one approach and both appreciate the input from the other when making financial decisions or purchases.
-Jareb Leedom
There is a lot I have learned about money and finances over the last few years and I am still learning. I think as a man, husband and father, it is our responsibility to be the provider but understand that God the ultimate provider is key. He has opened up every door for the miscellaneous jobs I have had over the years but I still work very hard and try to do everything with excellence. Just because the Lord provides for us doesn’t mean it will be easy. We don’t need to stress about money but we are called to be wise about how we steward it
-Tanner Childs
🙌🏼 Worship Song
Stephanie Gretzinger released a new album, and it is fantastic.
They are prayer room songs. They probably wouldn’t be played in your church’s auditorium because they are more poetic than anthemic, and I love it.
Links 🔽
🎙️Weekly Podcast
This podcast is SO long. But it is worth it. Chew on it. Break it up.
Listen to it.
Links 🔽
💪🏼 Weekly Challenge
This is what I am learning this week, and I want to invite you into what is challenging me.
What I am being stretched in.
I often forget to invite God into my plans. I forget to ask his opinion of my great, unbelievable, inexplicably creative, world-changing ideas. 🙄
Or even if the revelation was from Him. I don’t include him in the attempted execution.
My challenge for you this week is the challenge I am struggling through as well.
I want to invite the Lord into everything that I do intentionally.
I am an ideas guy. But ideas have no legs unless the Lord carries them.
We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
-Proberbs 16:9
🙏🏼 Weekly Prayer
I find myself coming back to this prayer almost daily and so I don’t feel silly writing about it again.
I would say that weekly I have a conversation with a man or a couple about their struggles with conception or fertility.
The hurt and the heartbreak that comes along with that journey seem unbearable.
I am praying this week for families who are praying for babies.
I hope that this week’s edition of the Weekly Weapons Newsletter was beneficial to you in one way or another.
As this thing evolves, I would LOVE feedback or just responses.
You can email me at mitchparsonscreative@gmail.com
or leave a comment.
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Until next time.
PEACE✌🏻