Good morning! We are going from higher than average to lower than average temps by tomorrow. The cold front blew in late yesterday. I waited until today to roast a turkey breast to warm up the house.
Hopeful that NJ’s friend had a peaceful night and feels love that conquers fear today at the new facility.
Good morning. It is the time of year to be deceived about the temperatures outdoors. I have some very sad looking flowers, but others are so resilient. The varieties created by God are so amazing.
Thank you, Peter! Have a great time at camp, and please bring back some knowledge to share and edify us.
Kathaleena, the difference in hardness of flowers is amazing. Some look fragile yet hang in there. I have been trying to get many photos on walks since most will soon be gone.
Morning! Happy Camping and blessed fellowship Peter!
The morning started out sunshiny but alas the clouds have moved in. Cooler this morning with high mid 70’s this afternoon…that will be a high temp from here on out.
I have some stubborn petunias blossoming and I rescued my last two knockout roses from the deer…this shall all too soon be blanketed under snow!
The sun finally made an appearance. I gathered some squash, cucumbers, yellow hots, and tomatoes for Miguel’s mother. He tries to make a weekly visit. We included a bouquet of freshly pucked flowers and another of blooming spearmint.
I begin my last run of full time work tonight. It will run through the 19th. I am moving to prn so that I can keep our medical insurance.
Came across this article recently and it underscored something that I have seen as well, and I would guess that many of you have, too. Just as people who claim to be humble, many who claim to have the gift of discernment or be discerning (which is related, but not quite the same) often seem to lack what they claim to have. What they claim to “discern” just happens to go along with what they already strongly believe anyway.
~ “The True Gift of Discernment Humbly Displays the Fruit of the Spirit“
“While Scripture is clear there is a gift of discernment of spirits, I also believe that some people dangerously assert that gift in order to assure themselves and others they are right while others are wrong. […]
The Danger of a Critical Spirit Unfortunately, what some call a spirit of discernment might simply be a critical spirit. It becomes easy to take the spiritual high ground—judge and condemn and label and categorize people—because the “gift” entitles them to do so. Hence, the Bible’s warnings against unrighteously judging and condemning somehow don’t apply to them. Honestly (and I hate to say this), I have rarely met someone who says they have the gift of discernment who does not display a critical spirit. On the other hand, I can think of a number of people who I believe do have the gift of discernment, but they humbly demonstrate that discernment, rather than talking about it. Somebody with the gift of helps or mercy does not have to tell us they have it because their gifting is obvious through their actions and words.
All of us should examine our motives before confronting others and sharing our opinions. None of us get a pass from Scripture’s injunction to guard our hearts, be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to anger, and to not assume our motives for our judgments are always right (cf., Proverbs 4:23, James 1:19).
The person who thinks they have the gift of discernment may or may not think in biblical terms. When others don’t listen, it’s their fault for not recognizing that special gift. The “gifted” one just knows they are right and it’s their duty to straighten other people out. Ironically, what such a person lacks is true discernment. And sometimes what they possess is not so much discernment as the blindness and lack of self-awareness that goes with pride. But true wisdom and discernment are humble: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13).” ~
To share a view or opinion does not equate a critical spirit in all situations. Dialogue iron sharpening iron is actually a very good thing. Yes there are haughty people inside and outside of the church but one need to observe to read the heart. There are oh so many scriptures teaching us to seek wisdom and discernment making us wise as serpents gentle as doves.
NJ – The article was specifically referring to people who claim to have Christian discernment, or the “gift of discernment” (which is a little different from regular discernment). There is a tendency among them to think that this makes their opinions on various subjects superior to people with whom they disagree. They pull out their “discernment card,” so to speak, insinuating, or even insisting, that the other person lacks discernment for not agreeing with them.
(In case it isn’t clear, when I say “There is a tendency among them. . .” the “them” I am referring to are those who claim to have discernment and use that claim to prove that their view is right. This is not referring to people who actually do have the gift but use it in humility and gentleness.)
As Randy Alcorn puts it above: “Honestly (and I hate to say this), I have rarely met someone who says they have the gift of discernment who does not display a critical spirit. On the other hand, I can think of a number of people who I believe do have the gift of discernment, but they humbly demonstrate that discernment, rather than talking about it. Somebody with the gift of helps or mercy does not have to tell us they have it because their gifting is obvious through their actions and words.”
Wandering Views 
Good morning! We are going from higher than average to lower than average temps by tomorrow. The cold front blew in late yesterday. I waited until today to roast a turkey breast to warm up the house.
Hopeful that NJ’s friend had a peaceful night and feels love that conquers fear today at the new facility.
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Extra! Extra! See the Friday Funnies a day early!
(Mrs L and I are leaving for a Bible camp today and won’t be where we can get Internet til Sunday. Have a great weekend!
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Good morning. It is the time of year to be deceived about the temperatures outdoors. I have some very sad looking flowers, but others are so resilient. The varieties created by God are so amazing.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Peter! Have a great time at camp, and please bring back some knowledge to share and edify us.
Kathaleena, the difference in hardness of flowers is amazing. Some look fragile yet hang in there. I have been trying to get many photos on walks since most will soon be gone.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Morning! Happy Camping and blessed fellowship Peter!
The morning started out sunshiny but alas the clouds have moved in. Cooler this morning with high mid 70’s this afternoon…that will be a high temp from here on out.
I have some stubborn petunias blossoming and I rescued my last two knockout roses from the deer…this shall all too soon be blanketed under snow!
LikeLiked by 3 people
The sun finally made an appearance. I gathered some squash, cucumbers, yellow hots, and tomatoes for Miguel’s mother. He tries to make a weekly visit. We included a bouquet of freshly pucked flowers and another of blooming spearmint.
I begin my last run of full time work tonight. It will run through the 19th. I am moving to prn so that I can keep our medical insurance.
Many changes coming. I hope I am ready for them.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Came across this article recently and it underscored something that I have seen as well, and I would guess that many of you have, too. Just as people who claim to be humble, many who claim to have the gift of discernment or be discerning (which is related, but not quite the same) often seem to lack what they claim to have. What they claim to “discern” just happens to go along with what they already strongly believe anyway.
~ “The True Gift of Discernment Humbly Displays the Fruit of the Spirit“
“While Scripture is clear there is a gift of discernment of spirits, I also believe that some people dangerously assert that gift in order to assure themselves and others they are right while others are wrong. […]
The Danger of a Critical Spirit
Unfortunately, what some call a spirit of discernment might simply be a critical spirit. It becomes easy to take the spiritual high ground—judge and condemn and label and categorize people—because the “gift” entitles them to do so. Hence, the Bible’s warnings against unrighteously judging and condemning somehow don’t apply to them. Honestly (and I hate to say this), I have rarely met someone who says they have the gift of discernment who does not display a critical spirit. On the other hand, I can think of a number of people who I believe do have the gift of discernment, but they humbly demonstrate that discernment, rather than talking about it. Somebody with the gift of helps or mercy does not have to tell us they have it because their gifting is obvious through their actions and words.
All of us should examine our motives before confronting others and sharing our opinions. None of us get a pass from Scripture’s injunction to guard our hearts, be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to anger, and to not assume our motives for our judgments are always right (cf., Proverbs 4:23, James 1:19).
The person who thinks they have the gift of discernment may or may not think in biblical terms. When others don’t listen, it’s their fault for not recognizing that special gift. The “gifted” one just knows they are right and it’s their duty to straighten other people out. Ironically, what such a person lacks is true discernment. And sometimes what they possess is not so much discernment as the blindness and lack of self-awareness that goes with pride. But true wisdom and discernment are humble: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13).” ~
https://www.epm.org/resources/2025/Sep/19/true-gift-discernment-humble/
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To share a view or opinion does not equate a critical spirit in all situations. Dialogue iron sharpening iron is actually a very good thing. Yes there are haughty people inside and outside of the church but one need to observe to read the heart.
There are oh so many scriptures teaching us to seek wisdom and discernment making us wise as serpents gentle as doves.
LikeLiked by 3 people
NJ – The article was specifically referring to people who claim to have Christian discernment, or the “gift of discernment” (which is a little different from regular discernment). There is a tendency among them to think that this makes their opinions on various subjects superior to people with whom they disagree. They pull out their “discernment card,” so to speak, insinuating, or even insisting, that the other person lacks discernment for not agreeing with them.
(In case it isn’t clear, when I say “There is a tendency among them. . .” the “them” I am referring to are those who claim to have discernment and use that claim to prove that their view is right. This is not referring to people who actually do have the gift but use it in humility and gentleness.)
As Randy Alcorn puts it above: “Honestly (and I hate to say this), I have rarely met someone who says they have the gift of discernment who does not display a critical spirit. On the other hand, I can think of a number of people who I believe do have the gift of discernment, but they humbly demonstrate that discernment, rather than talking about it. Somebody with the gift of helps or mercy does not have to tell us they have it because their gifting is obvious through their actions and words.”
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Yes, definitely, I agree that we all should seek to be wise and discerning, with all humility.
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Just to reiterate, I also included: “This is not referring to people who actually do have the gift but use it in humility and gentleness.”
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On the prayer thread, I mentioned that dementia can be so cruel.
Part of the tragedy is that it is cruel not only to the one with dementia, but to their loved ones as well.
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