This is rocking my world right now

51YZhSQhAjL._SX330_BO1,204,203,200_I’ve written about a book I picked up from Thriftsmart here in Nashville, a book by William Barclay in the Daily Bible Study Series- the Letter to the Hebrews. You can read that post here but as odd as it may be, I can’t help but write about it again.

Just in the past few days I came across inspiring words from Mr. Barclay. Of course, the true greatness is the actual book in Bible- Hebrews- but just check out these thoughts from the study book:

Finally, the writer to the Hebrews says that our Christian duty to each other is all the more pressing because the time is short. The Day is approaching. He is thinking of the Second Coming of Christ when things as we know them will be ended. The early Church lived in that expectation. Whether or not we still do, we must realize that no man knows when the summons to rise and go will come to him also. In the time we have it is our duty to do all the good we can to all the people we can in all the ways we can. 

I took the liberty to make bold the last sentence because, as the kids say, that line hits hard. I love it, and in a sense that is the simplicity and yet the impossible challenge of Christianity. For me, it’s most difficult when it comes to drivers like this and this. But we all have areas we struggle in, right? It’s like Needtobreathe sings in their song, “Who Am I?”… (scroll down for more about the Hebrews book!)

While I’m on this road you take my hand
Somehow you really love who I really am
I push you away, still you won’t let go
You grow your roses on my barren soul!

The next line in the book by William Barclay is this:

The appeal of the writer to the Hebrews is one that could be made to every man. In effect, he says: “Be what you were at your best.” If only we were always at our best, life would be very different. Christianity does not demand the impossible; but if we were always as honest, as kind, as courageous, as courteous as we can be, life would be transformed.

Rocking. My. World. Hope y’all are having a great week!

-Out of the Wilderness

Somebody was in a rush – DASHCAM footage

OK, before I totally bash this drive, I’ll admit (and I’m sure we’ve all done this…) I have narrowly squeaked by a yellow light as it turned red. Sometimes it’s a split second decision and we choose to go for it because we’re late or the seat is loaded with groceries that will spill everywhere if we slam on the brakes or we can’t take one more second in the car with whoever’s riding with you… it’s understandable.

But this driver I saw yesterday can’t use any of those excuses. In a busy intersection in downtown Nashville, at rush hour mind you, he decides he can’t wait a few more seconds so he just goes for it. This is not a yellow turning red. It’s a clear case of impatience, or he’s in a rush to get a pregnant woman to a hospital! That’s giving them a huge “benefit of the doubt,” and I’d be willing to make a large bet that wasn’t the case. So what worries you more: he blatantly drives through arrogantly? Or he absentmindedly drives through, totally unaware of what’s going on around him?

I’ll say that both worry me equally. If it was arrogance, though, that would really tick me off. Here’s the clip from yesterday, another great example of why I love having a dash cam. Check out out and let me know what you think in the comments below!

-Out of the Wilderness

Jack Brewer’s powerful message at the Republican National Convention, and why it matters…

“We are not as divided as our politics suggest.”

In a more eloquent way than I ever could, this message from Jack Brewer is a persuasive angle on why Donald Trump is a better choice for President. If you’re on the fence, I believe Mr. Brewer shows us the stark difference between the two choices, Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Or to say it a different way: hope vs. change. Here are is a post about a few differences in the two candidates on some major issues. But now, let’s listen to Mr. Brewer lay it out plainly…

I loved every part of this speech and really quickly, I’d like to show you below what he said about the Black Lives Matter website. It’s absolutely true that the organization wants to disrupt the foundational idea of a family…

BLM website

Curiously, there is not one mention of fathers in their long list of things they care about. Interesting. In his message, Jack Brewer also said this, something his mom always said…

“When the Lord starts blessin’, the Devil starts messin’.”

Isn’t that the truth? What are your thoughts on his speech? Feel free to comment below!

-Out of the Wilderness

Dang it, Kygo

I was all set on posing today’s thought on “what is so special about Kygo’s remix of Whitney Houston’s ‘Higher Love'”… but gosh darn it, I can’t help but be flabbergasted after checking out a snippet from his “making of” video.

My first thoughts, just from hearing it on the radio were, “But it’s Whitney. It’s all Whitney!” Same goes for “What’s Love Got to Do with It” by Tina Turner (and Kygo). He’s just adding a few things here and there… but it’s Tina. It’s all Tina!

After checking out the “making of” video posted by Tygo, I understand more about his artistry added into each of the songs. I mean, at the end of the day, it’s Whitney and Tina! But if Kygo puts out remixes that introduce these iconic singers to a new generation, then that’s awesome, and I’ll give a high-five to Mr. Kygo when I have the chance. Certainly the skills he’s shown with these two songs, along with the fame he already had, is being put to good use!

-Out of the Wilderness

Donald Trump cost me a date, so I wrote him a letter

Dear Donald Trump,

While I believe you are attempting to do good for our country, there is a person here in Tennessee that has been negatively affected by your accomplishments. And that person is me. You see, among other things, I like that you care for the unborn. I like that you care for the born. In fact, my appreciation for your preservation of our society is why I’m writing this today.

Recently I struck up a relationship with a pretty lady. Now, I’ll be the first to admit we weren’t exactly a match made in Heaven. Areas she and I disagreed on were mostly deal-breakers but early on we DID agree on something: to focus on what we had in common. This seems like what any two mature adults would do, knowing that if we were to bring up and only discuss the things we didn’t see eye-to-eye on, our relationship was doomed.

We talked about animals. We talked about music. I even said I like Taylor Swift. Then out of left field, she asked if I supported you, Mr. President. Knowing she held strong liberal beliefs I wanted to respond with something clever and lighthearted but couldn’t exactly come up with an answer that would keep the peace. So I simply said, “I do.” No two words could have destroyed her more than these. It’s as if I called her a dog-faced pony soldier, and meant it!

In the Bible (the book you held upside down once, you rascal!), one might propose that the overarching theme could be summed up in two words, “But God…” As hopeful as THOSE two words are, the two words I said were the exact opposite. Powerful in their lack of hope for our relationship turning into a “happily ever after” (like Noah and Allie’s did in The Notebook).

After the infamous, “I do,” the conversation was ending and it was ending fast. Clearly she knew in her heart of hearts that I was a racist, sexist, homophobic pig (I AM a white man, after all) and she didn’t want anything to do with it. The last nail in the coffin came after she asked me to share a few reasons why I support you. I think the third thing I mentioned was about your work preventing government funds from going to entities that perform abortions. By the way, did you know one person cannot have two blood types? I wrote a blog post about how this simple scientific fact supports life, not choice… in regards to abortion.

Anyway, after I brought up your work against abortion, you would’ve thought I just told her Cheez-It’s aren’t made with real cheese. Her patience with me had run out so she wished me well and it was over. I’ll give her credit for not wasting more time with someone that doesn’t believe exactly the same things she does.

I’ve never written to a President before so I’m not sure how to end this. I guess I’ll put it this way, sir… I’m STILL single. Of course, I rather have you in the White House than a mad woman in mine.

Sincerely,
BW