Wisdom

BLOGGING Wisdom

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on Monday, February 2, 2026

There are so many changes going on in this season of my life as I type this blog.

The one I want to share with you now is that I am changing my website and blog platform, and hope you will follow me to the new site.

I started my website which included a blog while writing my book Blackberry Wisdom. That was such a great season of learning by experimenting, and I am thankful for the season of creating that content.

But after five years now I realize that I am not designed to be a full time author. I really didn’t think I ever wanted to be, but I certainly enjoyed creating the content creation and sharing not only the books but the online content as well. The website platform costs me money, and it is a bit difficult for me to customize in an simple way. Soooooo

To make my life a bit easier I am transitioning my blog from WordPress to Blogger, and my web site from WordPress go Google.

? What does this mean for you ?

I am asking if you have enjoyed my content and would like to continue to see new posts as I have the creative sparks flare, to link to my new blog at blackberrywisdom.blogspot.com

Then subscribe at the new location as this one will be unavailable soon.

Thank you to everyone who has been with me on the book writing journey! The next season will see more creativity, and I am excited to see how that chapter will unfold!

Follow me to blackberrywisdom.blogspot.com

Follow the pastor, and the fake Elvis/cook guy to the new platform now!

Bible Inspiration Positive Attitude Prayer Wisdom

Share Jesus – a response to Charlie Kirk

on Sunday, September 14, 2025

Like a lot of folks over the past week, I was disturbed to see the assassination of Charlie Kirk. He had such a wonderful mind and activist for being positive in this corrupt world.

I can’t say I followed Charlie closely, but I was definitely aware of his work. Recently, I spent some time listening to him interact with college students and political figures. One thing that really stood out to me was how knowledgeable he was. He once mentioned that he reads 100 books a year! That is impressive in my book……

I come to appreciate his knowledge of history that formed America as well as how the Bible and Christianity influenced our country’s formation. I also realized his Bible knowledge was both personal and well rounded. It is sad so see such a great mind taken from us too soon.

Then I heard some say that the evil forces that took his life did not darken his message, but only will make it brighter.  I thought yes – sign me up for that.  Not from a political activist, but a Jesus activist.

Now don’t get me wrong, I believe that as Christians we are taught in the Bible to be a positive influence in the world. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Paul urges Timothy and others to pray for all.  He specifically says to pray for kings and those in authority.  Why?  Because it pleases God for all to be saved.  We have to share the Gospel to everyone so that we may lead a tranquil life.

My plea is that we emulate some of the qualities I saw in Charlie, so that through our lives we can point everyone we encounter toward the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

I thought of this scale when thinking about the characteristics I saw in Charlie that influenced people to Jesus.  On a scale of zero to 10, a lost person will not display the following Biblical characteristics, and Jesus lived a perfect life to emulate our goal of a 10.

Now we will never get to a 10, but our goal is to continually become more like Jesus.

In our fantastic Sunday School group we completed and discussed the character list below.  Take time to read through each one and evaluate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10.  Are you emulating these characteristics of Jesus that Charlie displayed so well?  If you determine that you might be a 4 on a certain character trait – what do you need to do to move yourself to a 5? This is a lifetime pursuit to be more like Jesus and to make Him know to everyone we can.

Our goal here is to determine where we are currently, and determine steps needed to share Jesus better to a world in need.

2 Timothy 1:7     Confidence    How confident are you to share the Gospel with someone who needs to hear the Good News?

1 Peter 3:15        Prepared / Engaging  The Bible says to always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you.  Not your necessarily your Bible knowledge, but what Jesus has done for you.

Proverbs 1:7       Knowledgeable   How well do you know the Bible?  What does it take for you to know more?

Proverbs 9:10     Wise   Wisdom is having knowledge and knowing what to properly do with it – what actions to take.

2 Timothy 4:2       Bold     Do we stand up for Jesus when the situation dictates or do we just keep silent?

Ephesians 6:12       Know your enemy     Our enemy is not the flesh, but the evil world powers of darkness.  Know how to properly defend against our enemy.

James 4:10              Humble     Probably the most important characteristic for a Christian. Be humble before God, and He will care for you.

Do you have any other characteristics you think we should emulate as a way to lead others to Jesus?

To improve any one of these characteristics in you – simply read the scripture, and pray God will show you what you need to do. Keep reading and praying until He provides direction. Then do it!

Bible Disciple Wisdom

How to Prepare Your Personal Testimony for Evangelism

on Sunday, June 22, 2025

In our Sunday School class we have been teaching on Evangelism and Missions that comes from the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus told His disciples to make disciples, and detailed two specific periods in a person’s life – from birth to a conversion, and then the conversion till death.

Jesus said to make disciples by first sharing the Gospel till that person repents and accepts Jesus as their Savior. Then we are to teach them everything Jesus commanded which will make us more Christ like.

This week we specifically talked about personal Evangelism and how we sometimes need to share our testimony for an unbeliever to better understand their need for a Savior. I believe in today’s world we do not share our testimonies enough. And why would that be – either we are not associating with lost people, or we are not prepared to share the greatest thing that could happen to us on this earth.

So our goal was to better prepare ourselves by understanding how to write your testimony.

Testimony – means to bear witness

-Legal – your experience, knowledge or observation of a specific event or situation

-Spiritual – a personal account of what God has done in your life.

I believe there are at least seven reasons to share your testimony.

  • Your story is unique. Your story doesn’t have to be dramatic – it should just detail how God has changed your life. Focus on the facts you think are important to your audience.
  • God tells us to share. In 1 Peter 3:15-16 Peter says to always be ready to share why you have the hope of Jesus within you. It is not our Pastor’s job to share our own story of salvation – it is ours.
  • It creates humbleness and transparency in the church. When we share our story we realize we have a common thread – we all are dependent on God.
  • You become a resource for others. There is something about your unique story that might just help someone else with a struggle they are having. They just need to hear of someone else who has walked through that valley or can lean on each other when we are in valleys of life.
  • Sharing your testimony provides courage – to you and the hearer.
  • An unbeliever can argue the validity of the Bible, but they can’t argue how God made a change in your life by sharing your own testimony.
  • It glorifies God. see 1 Peter 4:11

We can share our testimonies from three stages of preparedness:

Un Prepared | Semi Prepared | Prepared

Our testimony should have three phases in our lives. One aspect we might want to spend more time on than the others – depending on your audience and acceptable amount of time to share. Typically prepare for 2 to 3 minutes, and you can always adjust your time from there.

Before – who were you before God saved you? What was your life like? How did you act and who were your influences.

Conversion or Salvation experience – what experience did you have accepting Jesus as your savior? Where were you? What made you repent of your sins? Who helped you through this process?

After – what changes has God made in your life since you accepted Him as your Savior? What habits are different? How are you maturing as a disciple of Jesus?

What aspects would you add to help prepare your testimony?

How would you encourage others to prepare and share their testimony?

What encouragement do you need to prepare and share your testimony?

Bible Prayer Wisdom

Good Soil: Overcoming The Weeds of Life

on Thursday, March 20, 2025

Each year, as winter fades into spring, I’m always amazed by the new weeds that emerge. As I walk through my yard, assessing what needs mending or tidying up, I can’t help but notice how nature quietly reshapes itself, with weeds sprouting in places they hadn’t before. This small ritual reminds me that change is happening everywhere, not just in my own backyard. It is also my reminder that I have to fight weeds.


A few weeks ago my pastor (Nick Wright) preached a sermon on the Parable of the Sower as found in Matthew 13.


In that parable that Jesus told we see four types of ground in which the Word of God is being spread. In one way the four types of soil today represent four types of people and how they accept and live in the Word of God.


Path – the heart of these people are hard. They want nothing to do with God or His goodness.
Rocky soil – initially these people are excited about God, but because the Word does not take root it will wither away.
Thorns – these people have good soil in which the Word of God can take root, but the thorns and weeds that are around them soak up more nutrients and keep them from flourishing.
Good soil – there are people who receive God’s Word, apply it to their lives and produce much fruit.

As followers of Jesus I believe we all want to be characterized by having good soil, and I believe we try to varying degrees to live that way. But I see too often that I become entangled in the thorns or weeds.
I want to live for Jesus each and every day. I want to consume His Word and spend much time in prayer. I want to be so on fire for Jesus that it is contagious to others. I want to help others understand the greatness of God that I have come to know so far in my life.


But then there are weeds.


That takes my mind back to the weeds that are starting to show themselves in my yard. I have to get out in the yard and start to identify the weeds that will take nutrients away from the plants that I want to grow healthy.


And that is how I also need to adjust my lifestyle as a disciple of Jesus. I need to take a good assessment of the weeds that are taking my time and energy away from following Jesus. I have them, and they somehow sneak in on me. On a regular basis I need to make some adjustments so I can flourish the way pleases Jesus.

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Bible Disciple Prayer Wisdom

I Am Being Blessed – how are you doing?

on Sunday, November 24, 2024

As we approach Thanksgiving Day I wanted to share something that I hope will help season your conversations with family and friends that you don’t get to see very often.

How many times do you run into someone you haven’t seen in a while and ask – “how are you doing?”

What is the most common response? Good

Their response is usually the same – good. So out of obligation you return the same – “how are you doing?”

AND they will respond with the same ole drab – good. They might even slightly pepper the conversation something like “thanks for asking.

And the conversation is over.

I want to submit that if you know Jesus as your Savior you take those conversations and turn them in to a juicy moment to brag on God for your blessings or show your dependence upon God.

I believe you can do both by responding with one sentence:

“The Lord is really blessing me right now.”

whoa – can somebody walk away from that response? Well, they can and if so that is ok – you have already bragged on Jesus. Mission accomplished.

BUT, if that person wants to know why. What is this hope in you? Why do you feel blessed by God? Have at least three examples of how you are seeing God’s blessings or how you are depending on God for how things will turn out.

Have those three examples in your head, and really focus telling each story giving God the glory for the blessing, or as your hope for the outcome. Weave the name of Jesus into these stories. Tell them in such a way that Jesus is glorified and proud that you are bragging on Him!

Remember if you are saved from sin then God’s blessings are:

  • An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Ephesians 1:6)
  • An inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5)
  • A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9)
  • A hope that can never be disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18-19)
  • A joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11)
  • A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13)
  • A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27)
  • A salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9)

I AM BLESSED! I hope that you can say that you are as well.

If you want to hear one of my three blessing stories – bump into me sometime. I hope that I am prepared to share with you the Hope that is in me!

Bible Disciple Prayer Wisdom

Contributing Member of a Local Church

on Wednesday, October 9, 2024

I have had the opportunity to preach recently at Little Flat Creek Baptist Church in Corryton! This past Sunday my message was titled – Loving God by being a member of a local church. I felt it was important to preach on how important church membership is to a disciple of Jesus.

My sermon series is from my definition of a disciple of Jesus.

Disciple of Jesus: A student of Jesus, that increasingly loves God, increasingly loves my neighbors, and intentionally helps others do the same.

This message was explaining one way in which we increase or love for God by being a member of His church and a local church congregation!

The text came from 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 where Paul describes the body of Christ (the church) to the human body. Most of the hearers of Paul’s words at the time truly understood this illustration as they placed high value on the human body and all of it’s capabilities.

No one part of the body is more important than the other – each part is important to the health and well being of the body. Similar to how each member is important to the health and well being of the local church.

I believe we need to be CONTRIBUTORS to a local church, not a CONSUMER. The differences are these:

I believe we should be involved in a local church by serving where we are gifted. Also when we attend a worship service I believe there are 10 things each of us can do to CONTRIBUTE to the worship service.

  • Pray before you go
  • Invite somebody to sit with you
  • Listen to praise music on the drive
  • Get there early
  • Bring your copy of God’s Word – your Bible
  • Take notes
  • Talk to others (listen to their stories)
  • Sing loudly and focus your singing to Jesus
  • Ask to serve where needed
  • Live out the sermon when you leave

I believe should be humbly submit to being a contributor to the local church in which you serve.

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Wisdom

Cough Syrup

on Thursday, October 3, 2024

I believe I have found a concoction that is great to help with coughs.

First, let me say, I am not a doctor or make no medical claims, just someone who likes to use natural remedies for my own healthy lifestyle.

I have used elderberry during the cold and flu season for many years, but this year I have made my own syrup to help with my coughs during the cold and flu season.

Homemade cough syrup

I purchased the elderberry because mine has not matured enough yet. Echinacea root came from my yard, and I am drying the leaves for tea later. I cut cherry bark from a tree we cut down at church.

I started with elderberry, echinacea root, and cherry bark. Then added 3 cups of spring water, and let that simmer for about five hours.

Then strained the liquid and added one cup of local honey, and stirred it well. I poured that into one pint jar and two 1/2 pint jars.

Ingredients:

1 cup dried elderberries

¼ cup echinacea root

¼ cup wild cherry bark

3 cups spring water

1 cup honey

This tastes really good and my daughter said it helped her 1 year old son this past week. I figure it should last through the winter by storing in the refrigerator and using as needed.

Adventure Bible Wisdom

Names of Jesus

on Tuesday, November 28, 2023

In preparation for Christmas I will be posting different names for Jesus on Facebook.

I did some research and found 27 different names for Jesus from both the old and new Testament. Some were prophecies about Him, others described Him and some names He told others who He was.

Each name is interesting and show the different aspects of the complexity of Jesus.

Each name also points to the uniqueness of His birth that we celebrate at Christmas.

Join me at the Blackberry Wisdom Facebook page daily to see each of His names with the scripture reference as we prepare for our Christmas celebration!

He is worthy!

His name is JESUS !!!

Adventure Disciple Inspiration Positive Attitude Wisdom

Love Blessed Me Today

on Tuesday, September 19, 2023

It is not often that I am speechless, but today was one of those days.

My family has been through a very difficult death in the family. Those who know my family understand the situation, for others just know it has been a very difficult death that we have been dealing with.

I teach the young adult Sunday School class at my church. I love investing into these young adults who have energy but have not experienced enough life yet to be full of wisdom. I thrive off their energy and enthusiasm – they put up with my corny jokes.

Our lesson this past week came from 1 Peter 4:8-10 where Peter is telling Christians to love each other deeply. I said for us we can take that in one of two ways – love the same people more deeply, or love more people deeply. We agreed that Peter meant that to be an AND statement – love more deeply the people you are to love and love more people deeply.

I likened this to our favorite dessert. My favorite dessert is blackberry cobbler. I asked would you like more helpings of your favorite dessert, or have more access to your favorite dessert. Of course the answer was YES! We want more and more often! The same way it is with love – we need to love more and more often.

So today I get a call from one of the group members and he asks if I am going to be home. I say sure and he says he is stopping by with a little something for me. I don’t think much of it because I was busy at work and other things I had going on.

Then around 4:30 this guy calls and says he is in my driveway, so I come downstairs to meet him. We exchange a quick hug and he gives me a silver container and says here – my family made this for you.

I was almost driven to tears when I opened it and saw it was a blackberry cobbler – MY FAVORITE!

I was just blown away that this guy remembered what I said (I really didn’t mean for anyone to bring me a cobbler), and actually followed through with it!

The action of showing me love just overwhelmed me to be honest. I was blown away by the generosity to love on me when those who know me know our family has been hurting. This just brought such a joy to my heart because I know it was an action of Godly love being displayed to me! AND it was blackberry which wins every time!!!

blackberry cobbler

I write today to say thank you to that young man and his family for loving on me and my family in such a unique way that really brough joy to my heart. This was such a great demonstration of loving others more deeply that has challenged me to do the same, and now I challenge you.

Love others more deeply as Peter told us “Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others”.