SNS 030: An Informed Choice, Psalm 2, Psalm Tuesday

After our last conversation, it took Old Man Tom a few days to get back by the house. But as old as he is, his memory is tack sharp. Indeed, it was he who reminded me that he had wanted to follow up and share what our last conversation had inspired. 

He started off by saying, “Good morning, Charles. Hey, have you heard the rumor about the butter?”

“The butter? No.”

“Oh, I’m not going to spread it.” Now, I may have grimaced just a little bit. Because he began to laugh even louder.   

Once he stopped laughing, he said, “Do you remember how we left off our last conversation?”

“Oh, yeah. But I’m not going to spread it.”

Ok, that’s what I wish I had said. What I actually said was, “Um, you said that there was something that your thoughts on being perfect brought to mind. Correct?”

“You remember!”

I simply smiled; well, no sense in telling him just how barely I remembered. And then, I said, “Tom, come on in, brother, and I’ll put the coffee on. 

Now, if you haven’t met Old Tom just yet, despite his being full of such ‘quaint’ jokes, he is a man with uncommon clarity of thought. You might say he is a man blessed with more common sense than many a drug store has pills. Also, as he is usually a man of few words, I find it is generally well worth the listen when he does say something. So, I was genuinely interested in hearing him out. 

You can view the full transcript of this episode on its homepage on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/the-sns-podcast/107

If you don't mind, let me know what you think about this, in the comment box found on the same page.

If you get something out of what I do and want to say, "Thank you."
Buy me a virtual coffee: 

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Links to:

Our book (available as a paperback or an e-book):
Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation:

To learn more about it on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/about-our-book

Located on Amazon,
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The other day, as I was sweeping off my front porch, Old Man Tom came by and asked me something that caught me slightly off guard. He started simply enough by saying, “Good morning, Charles.” 

 But it is what he said next that caught me off-guard. He said, “Did you know the earth is 70% water?”

“Had no idea.”

“It is. And as importantly, all that is uncarbonated.”

I stared at him for a moment. Then hesitantly asked, “And?”

“Well, technically, then, it is flat.”

I had to ask. Sometimes, there is not enough coffee in the whole world.

And I am not sure what he found funnier, his joke or my reaction. Either way, he was laughing so hard that it was a good 20 minutes before he could say anything else.  

Finally, he said, “Ok, I also have a serious question for you. May I?”

“A question, not a joke.”

“Yes.”

“Sure, what is it.”

“Has anyone ever called you perfect?” 

I had to ask.

“Well, I was once called a perfect goofball, does that count?”

He laughed some more, shook his head, and said, “No. No, it doesn’t.”

Now, if you haven’t met Old Tom just yet, for all his dad jokes, he is a man with uncommon clarity of thought. You might say he is a man blessed with more common sense than a drug store has pills. Also, as he is usually a man of few words, I have found that it is usually well worth the listen when he does have something to say. 

Knowing this, I said, “Tom, this is going to take at least a full pot of coffee to talk about, isn’t it?”

He smiled big and said, “Oh yeah, at least one.”

I said, “All right, come on in, Tom, and I’ll put the coffee on.”

You can view the full transcript of this episode on its homepage on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/the-sns-podcast/106

If you don't mind, let me know what you think about this, in the comment box found on the same page.

If you get something out of what I do and want to say, "Thank you."
Buy me a virtual coffee: 

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Links to:

Our book (available as a paperback or an e-book):
Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation:

To learn more about it on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/about-our-book

Located on Amazon,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999636820


My website:
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My Podcast:
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The other day, I was speaking with Old Man Tom. Old Man Tom, that’s what everybody calls him anyway. Nobody really knows why. Personally, I think it’s because he’s older than dirt. But whatever the reason, he is a very sage individual, having more common sense than a drug store has pills. 

Anyway, on that particular day, the first thing he said was, “Charles, I’ve had an epiphany about how I clean house.”

“An epiphany about cleaning house?”

“Oh yeah. It comes from the saying, “From dust you came, and to dust, you will return.”

“I’m familiar with the saying, but what has this to do with cleaning your house?”

“Well, this is why I don’t dust. It might be someone I know.”

I laughed at that one. 

 I said, “I got to give you credit for that one, Tom. That was actually a good one. Care for some coffee?”

He said, “Yes, please. Then I’ll have a question for you.”

How did I know? “Ok,” I said, “what’s the question?”

“As the wise philosopher once said, ‘Coffee first, questions second.’”

“Don’t know who this wise… person is, but I’ll second that. Coffee first, then we talk. Come on in, and I’ll put some on. So, what’s the question we’re going to talk about?”

“Jesus said that narrow is the gate and restricted is the way that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). He also said that he came to give an abundance of life to those who believe in him (John 10:10). My question is, how does this work? How can the narrow gate and the restricted, difficult path lead to an abundance of life?”

“French Roast.”

“What?”

“French Roast - this is definitely a French Roast type of question. And believe it or not, this will be my first coffee of the day.”

“First of the day? Well then,” he said with a smile, “it is fortunate for you that I came by with my epiphany, is it not?”

Sometimes, it’s best to remain silent and just make the coffee, which is what I did.

You can view the full transcript of this episode on its homepage on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/the-sns-podcast/105

If you don't mind, let me know what you think about this, in the comment box found on the same page.

If you get something out of what I do and want to say, "Thank you."
Buy me a virtual coffee: 

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Links to:

Our book (available as a paperback or an e-book):
Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation:

To learn more about it on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/about-our-book

Located on Amazon,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999636820


My website:
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The other day, a good friend of mine stopped by, Old Man Tom. Old Man Tom, that’s what everybody calls him. Though, I genuinely don't know why that is. Whether that is because he’s a wise old soul or, simply put, he’s just older than dirt. I like to think it’s because he’s older than dirt. But whatever the reason, he is very sage, having more common sense than a drug store has pills. 

 Anyway, he came by and said, “Good morning, Charles.”

“Morning, Tom.” 

“Charles, as I was drinking coffee this morning, I felt the need to offer you some encouragement. Never let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do. Just look at Beethoven; everyone told him he would never be a musician just because he was deaf. But did he listen?”

“Well, it was a good morning.” He was way too pleased with himself.

After his laughter subsided, he said, “Seriously though, I do have a question for you?”

“A question, not another joke?”

“Oh, yes. A question.”

“Ok.”

“What do you think sin is?” 

“I’d prefer a joke.”

“You’re developing a sense of humor! Excellent.”

“No…..”
            “Anyway, this is what has been on my mind this morning. And it couldn’t hurt to simply talk about it over coffee, could it?”

“You, Tom, are a very unique individual.”  

“Yes, I am. How about that cup of coffee? It will help you ease into this.” 

“All right, all right, come on in; I’ll put some on.”

You can view the full transcript of this episode on its homepage on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/the-sns-podcast/104

If you don't mind, let me know what you think about this, in the comment box found on the same page.

If you get something out of what I do and want to say, "Thank you."
Buy me a virtual coffee: 

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Links to:

Our book (available as a paperback or an e-book):
Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation:

To learn more about it on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/about-our-book

Located on Amazon,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999636820


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The other day, I was speaking with Old Man Tom, a good friend of mine; Old Man Tom, that’s what everybody calls him anyway. Though, I truly don't know why that is. Whether that is because he’s a wise old soul or, simply put, because he is older than dirt. I like to think it’s cause he’s older than dirt. But whatever the reason, he is a very sage individual, having more common sense than a drug store has pills. I’m telling ya.

Anyway, he came by the other day and asked me a question; he said, “Hey Charles,” because that’s what everybody calls me, Charles. He says, “Hey Charles, how would you explain Christianity in just a sentence or two?” Then, without missing a beat or waiting for my reply, he answered his own question. “I would say that following Jesus is about living a whole life from our whole life. Isn’t that an interesting thought?” 

Well, indeed it was. It was so interesting to me that I asked Tom if he wouldn’t mind taking the time to explain it to me.

He said, “Well, you know, I might be persuaded to do that for a very good cup of coffee.” 

Fortunately, I just happened to have some excellent coffee stashed in the kitchen. I said, “Come on in, Tom; I’ll put some on.” 

Do come on in and listen to this wonderful story.

You can view the full transcript of this episode on its homepage on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/the-sns-podcast/103

If you don't mind, let me know what you think about this, in the comment box found on the same page.

If you get something out of what I do and want to say, "Thank you."
Buy me a virtual coffee: 

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CharlesYerkes   

Links to:

Our book (available as a paperback or an e-book):
Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation:

To learn more about it on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/about-our-book

Located on Amazon,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999636820


My website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/

My Podcast:
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This past week I have had cause to get angry at work. Now, the ins and outs of why are not crucial to our chat. For we all know what it’s like to get mad at work, right? But the anger itself is what is of interest. Because it brought to mind an age-old question; is getting angry a sin? Is it a sign of weak faith? This is what we are going to chat about in this episode.

Now, my name is Charles, Charles Yerkes, and this is the first episode of our new Coffee-side Chat series here on the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. As we have been sharing over the past three weeks, the Psalm Tuesday series is taking a small break. This is because I still need to complete work on the remaining Psalms to continue that series. It will come back from vacation once work on those psalms is done. However, this podcast is still for those who want a deeper faith and not an aggressively mediocre one. The Coffee-side Chat gets its name from… well, because there is a cup of coffee sitting beside me, this very instant, and we are currently chatting. Well, technically, I’m chatting; you’re listening. But let’s not get hung up on technicalities just yet. There will be time for that later.

Also, before we begin, I am proud to say that this podcast is sponsored by our book, Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation. This book is a collection of the first 72 Psalms, presenting them in a manner that helps reveal the prayerfulness of the Psalms. That is exciting! I’ve provided a couple of links in the show notes for this episode. One to my website where you can learn more about this book and another to where it is located on Amazon.com, just for your convenience. So, go ahead and collect your copy today. 

But for now, grab yourself some coffee and let the chat begin.

If you don't mind, let me know what you think about this? You can do this in the comment box here:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/the-sns-podcast/102

Scripture Passages referenced:
Mark 3:5; 10:14; John 11:33,38 ~ Jesus got angry.
James 1:19, 20 ~ Be slow to anger because your anger will not accomplish what God desires.
Ephesians 4:26 ~ Be angry but sin not.
Ephesians 4:31 ~ Get rid of bitterness, wrath, anger.
James 1:5 ~ Ask God for wisdom and he will amply give it.
 

If you get something out of what I do and want to say, "Thank you."
Buy me a virtual coffee: 

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Links to:

Our book (available as a paperback or an e-book):
Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation:

To learn more about it on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/about-our-book

Located on Amazon,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999636820


My website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/

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Can I just say that once again, the Psalms have turned what I have thought about asking for God’s blessing on its head? Here, the psalmist asks God to bless the king so that others may also become blessed. Also, this gives a whole new perspective to something that two other psalms say. For instance, in Psalm 1…. Well, tell you what, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s first hear the psalm; then, we can chat. 

Also, before beginning, this podcast is sponsored by our book, Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation. This book collects the Psalms heard on the Psalm Tuesday episodes. And it presents them in a manner that helps reveal the prayerfulness of the Psalms. That is exciting! I’ve provided a couple of links in the show notes for this episode. One to my website where you can learn more about this book and another to where it is located on Amazon.com, just for your convenience. So, go ahead and collect your copy today. 

Also, there is a special and cool announcement at the end of this episode. I don’t want to make it now because I know you want to get into the Psalm. 

So, for now, my name is Charles, and this is Psalm Tuesday here on the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. This podcast is for those who want a deeper faith and not an aggressively mediocre one. Psalm Tuesday is a series in which we will listen to a psalm being read in a manner that honors its original use as part of a worship service. Here in episode #101, we are listening to Psalm 72. 

So, grab yourself some coffee, and let’s get started.

If you don't mind, let me know what you think about this? You can do this in the comment box here:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/the-sns-podcast/101

Scripture Passages referenced:
Psalm 72
Psalm 1:2,3 ~ The one who meditates on God will be successful.
Psalm 4: 6 ~ Ask for a blessing that others may see.
Covenant with God: Too many to list. Search in Old Testament.

If you get something out of what I do and want to say, "Thank you."
Buy me a virtual coffee: 

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Links to:

Our book (available as a paperback or an e-book):
Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation:

To learn more about it on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/about-our-book

Located on Amazon,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999636820


My website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/

My Podcast:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/podcast-home-page

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Can I just say that, once again, I have been pleasantly surprised to find in the Psalms a most excellent example of a teaching of Jesus? Yes, a teaching of Jesus and one from James. The teaching of Jesus is that of having troubles in this world but to be of good cheer found in John 16:33. And the one from James is that trials should be considered pure joy as they help produce perseverance, which brings about spiritual maturity and complete faith, which is found in James1:2. Where do I find this here? Well, in this psalm…. Tell you what, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s first hear the psalm; then, we can chat. 

Also, before beginning, this podcast is sponsored by our book, Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation. This book collects the Psalms heard on the Psalm Tuesday episodes. And it presents them in a manner that helps reveal the prayerfulness of the Psalms. That is exciting! I’ve provided a couple of links in the show notes for this episode. One to my website where you can learn more about this book and another to where it is located on Amazon.com, just for your convenience. So, go ahead and collect your copy today. 

Also, there is a special and cool announcement at the end of this episode. I don’t want to make it now because I know you want to get into the Psalm. 

So, for now, my name is Charles, and this is Psalm Tuesday here on the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. This podcast is for those who want a deeper faith and not an aggressively mediocre one. Psalm Tuesday is a series in which we will listen to a psalm being read in a manner that honors its original use as part of a worship service. Here in episode #100, we are listening to Psalm 71.

So, grab yourself some coffee, and let’s get started.

If you don't mind, let me know what you think about this? You can do this in the comment box here:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/the-sns-podcast/100

Scripture Passages referenced:
Psalm 71
John 16:33 ~ We will have tribulations in the world but be of good cheer.
James 1:2 ~ Consider the various trials pure joy. For it produces perseverance. Which leads to maturity and completeness.

If you get something out of what I do and want to say, "Thank you."
Buy me a virtual coffee: 

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CharlesYerkes   

Links to:

Our book (available as a paperback or an e-book):
Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation:

To learn more about it on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/about-our-book

Located on Amazon,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999636820


My website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/

My Podcast:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/podcast-home-page

Follow me on:

Gab:
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Can I just say that I never considered pain and sorrow to be a part of a worship service before? Yet, here, the psalmist is very honest about his pain, sorrow, and despair, and still, this Psalm is contained in the prayer book of the Bible. Now, let’s keep perspective, the pain and sorrow are not being celebrated but the Psalmist’s response to them is a profound act of faith and worship. Now, well…. Tell you what, before delving into this, let’s listen to the Psalm, and then we’ll talk about what you heard.  

Also, before beginning, this podcast is sponsored by our book, Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation. This book collects the Psalms heard on the Psalm Tuesday episodes. And it presents them in a manner that helps reveal the prayerfulness of the Psalms. That is exciting! I’ve provided a couple of links in the show notes for this episode. One to my website where you can learn more about this book and another to where it is located on Amazon.com, just for your convenience. So, go ahead and collect your copy today. 

Also, there is a special and cool announcement at the end of this episode. I don’t want to make it now because I know you want to get into the Psalm. 

So, for now, my name is Charles, and this is Psalm Tuesday here on the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. This podcast is for those who want a deeper faith and not an aggressively mediocre one. Psalm Tuesday is a series in which we will listen to a psalm being read in a manner that honors its original use as part of a worship service. Here in episode #99, we are listening to Psalm 70. 

So, grab yourself some coffee, and let’s get started.

If you don't mind, let me know what you think about this? You can do this in the comment box here:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/the-sns-podcast/099

Scripture Passages referenced:
Psalm 70
Psalm 23 ~ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
John 16:33 ~ We will have tribulations in the world.
John 14:27 ~ We will have the peace of Jesus.
Philippians 4:7  ~ It is a peace which passes all understanding.

If you get something out of what I do and want to say, "Thank you."
Buy me a virtual coffee: 

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CharlesYerkes   

Links to:

Our book (available as a paperback or an e-book):
Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation:

To learn more about it on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/about-our-book

Located on Amazon,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999636820


My website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/

My Podcast:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/podcast-home-page

Follow me on:

Gab:
https://gab.com/cyerkes

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Can I just say that this Psalm contains so much that wants to be spoken about; that it has been difficult deciding what to talk about? For instance, there is the topic of Christians encountering despair and how to deal with it. There is also the topic of just how gritty and realistic Scripture can be in portraying hard times and difficult emotions. So much to talk about and so little time. So, to choose just one topic, the one thing that stood out a little more than the others is the response to all this grit, emotion, and reality that God values the most, the one that pleases him more than mere religious ritual. Tell you what, before delving into this, let’s listen to the Psalm, and then we’ll talk about what you heard.  

Also, before beginning, this podcast is sponsored by our book, Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation. This book collects the Psalms heard on the Psalm Tuesday episodes. And it presents them in a manner that helps reveal the prayerfulness of the Psalms. That is exciting! I’ve provided a couple of links in the show notes for this episode. One to my website where you can learn more about this book and another to where it is located on Amazon.com, and one more, to its location on Barnes and Noble.com, just for your convenience. So, go ahead and collect your copy today. 

And now, my name is Charles, and this is Psalm Tuesday here on the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. This podcast is for those who want a deeper faith and not an aggressively mediocre one. Psalm Tuesday is a series in which we will listen to a psalm being read in a manner that honors its original use as part of a worship service. Here in episode #98, we are listening to Psalm 69. 

So, grab yourself some coffee, and let’s get started.

If you don't mind, let me know what you think about this? You can do this in the comment box here:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/the-sns-podcast/098

Scripture Passages referenced:
Psalm 69

If you get something out of what I do and want to say, "Thank you."
Buy me a virtual coffee: 

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CharlesYerkes   

Links to:

Our book (available as a paperback or an e-book):
Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation:

To learn more about it on my website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/about-our-book

Located on Amazon,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999636820


My website:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/

My Podcast:
https://www.simplenotshallow.com/podcast-home-page

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