Word of the Day - Ship

Mark 6:47-51 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

There is many a storm on the Jesus-way,
Many a storm I see,
When black is the cloud and the wind is loud
And the waves go over me.
But the Lord Himself is in my little ship
And the storm obeys His will;
At the word He hath said - "Be not afraid"
My heart and the sea grow still.

- Annie Johnson Flint -

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Word of the Day - Perish - Part 2

 

7. To be burst or ruined; as, the bottles shall perish. Luke 5.

8. To be wasted or rendered useless. Jer.9.

9. To be injured or tormented. 1 Cor.8.

10. To be lost eternally; to be sentenced to endless misery.

Webster's 1828 dictionary.

1. To die; to be destroyed; to be lost; to come to nothing.

2. To be in a perpetual state of decay.

3. To be lost eternally.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Fanny J. Crosby

Matthew 18:12-14 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

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Word of the Day - Perish - Part 1

PER'ISH, v.i.L. pereo, supposed to be compounded of per and eo, to go; literally, to depart wholly.

1. To die; to lose life in any manner; applied to animals. Men perish by disease or decay, by the sword, by drowning, by hunger or famine, &c.

2. To die; to wither and decay; applied to plants.

3. To waste away; as, a leg or an arm has perished.

4. To be in a state of decay or passing away.

5. To be destroyed; to come to nothing.

From Webster's 1828 dictionary.

1. To die; to be destroyed; to be lost; to come to nothing.

2. To be in a perpetual state of decay.

3.To be lost eternally. 

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language

Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

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Does It Matter Which Bible Translation You Prefer?

Psalm 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. 

John 6:67-68 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 

Brandon Staggs, the man speaking in this video, was a friend of my brothers' years ago. He also went to high school with my husband, although they didn't know each other very well, being in different grades. It is very curious how the Lord makes connections sometimes.

I used an NASB briefly before I came to understand the issues surrounding the textual controversy - thanks to my dad's teaching. I was about 15, I think, when I made the switch permanently. I have never regretted it, and as Brandon shows a few of the significant changes that have been made in modern versions of the Bible, know that what he says is true - there are many, many more. I hope to start addressing some of these soon on The Home Makers Corner, Lord willing.

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Brother Brandon is the creator of the Bible program Sword Searcher. I have used it for my writing needs for years now, and I use it for Facetime Bible study when I can. I recommend it if you are looking for a Bible program to have on your own computer, rather than using online Bible programs.

Word of the Day - Pleasure - Part 2

 

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 36:7-9 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

There is a land of pure delight,

Where saints immortal reign;

Infinite day excludes the night,

And pleasures banish pain.

Isaac Watts

Psalm 51:17-19 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Psalm 102:12-14 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.

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See Pleasure - Part 1.

Did You Meme That? -- Is That Biblical Humility?

 

Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

"Humility isn't a low estimation of oneself, but a high estimation of the greatness of God."
Wendy Speake

This quote comes from a Hollywood actress named Wendy Speake, who is also an alleged Bible teacher for women. I know little about her, but having looked at a few things on her site, I see the typical lack of the Bible she is supposed to love and teach. I also see another translation of the Bible that is not faithful to the truth. While it is true that sometimes good people will say or teach things that are off, in this case I'm not surprised at this quote after seeing the fluff and stuff on her web page. We will discuss this quote here apart from its original context because that is how I found it on social media. It was basically "clipped out" and started on its journey as a stand alone thought. I don't remember exactly where I found it being shared, but someone believes it enough to keep spreading it, so let's examine it - because words mean things.

According to this definition of humility, as it stands, we don't have to humble ourselves; we only have to think highly of the greatness of God.

Do you see what she has done there? She has left pride, ego, and self-conceit intact while claiming that we need only think very highly of God's greatness in order to have humility. We are apparently given permission to have whatever high and pompous opinion of ourselves we want, as long as we have a high estimation of the greatness of God. I am not at all sure that this is what she wanted to convey, but the original graphic with this quote is on her own website. What she wrote there seemed to point in another direction, but there is an uncertain sound.

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Word of the Day - Pleasure Part 1

There are two kinds of pleasure.

Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. 

Which do you choose?

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Word of the Day - Delight - Part 2

 

Delight

Part 2

 

Psalm 68:30 Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.

Psalm 109:16-17 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart. As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.

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Word of the Day - Delight (Part 1)

 

Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 16:2-3 O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

Psalm 37:4-5 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Thou lovely source of true delight,

Whom I unseen adore;

Unveil Thy beauties to my sight,

That I may love Thee more.

Thy glory o’er creation shines;

But in Thy sacred Word,

I read in fairer, brighter lines,

My bleeding, dying Lord.

’Tis here, whene’er my comforts droop,

And sins and sorrows rise,

Thy love with cheerful beams of hope,

My fainting heart supplies.

Anne Steele

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Word of the Day - Late

 

Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late,
to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

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Guest Post - No Doctrines Are Changed?

 

A discussion by Will Kinney on the subject of doctrines that are changed in other translations of the Bible, making them of none effect or outright making God a liar.

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[Edited. Used under permission granted to my dad, Stephen Van Nattan.]

I often hear those who criticize the King James Bible and defend the multiple modern versions say: "Well, no doctrines are changed in the different versions." But is this true?

There are presently well over 100 different English bible versions available to the general public and none of them agrees with the others in both text and meaning in hundreds of verses. This is easily proved and well noted by many atheist, Muslim and Bible basher sites on the internet.

Which of these different bibles is really the inspired, inerrant words of God? Or have the complete, pure, inerrant words of God been lost in the shuffle and God has failed to preserve His words as He promised? Is it true that "no doctrines are changed" in the various conflicting versions?

Some Christians say, "Well, only the originals were inspired." Since we don't have any of the originals and nobody knows what they really said, how can we then say the Bible is the inspired word of God? Shouldn't we say the bible WAS the inspired word of God?

I and thousands of other Christians believe God has kept His promises to preserve His words and He has done so in the King James Holy Bible. In general terms the overall state of textual evidence and ancient versions is overwhelmingly on the side of the King James Bible readings as opposed to such versions as the NASB, NIV, RSV, ESV, and ISV.

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Excerpts from Spurgeon's "Final Manifesto" - On the Word of God

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

From C.H. Spurgeon's Final Manifesto given to his students April 1891.

It is sadly common among ministers to add a word or subtract a word from the passage, or in some way debase the language of sacred writ...Our reverence for the Great Author of Scripture should forbid all mauling of His Words...

No alteration of Scripture can by any possibility be an improvement...Today it is still the self-same mighty Word of God that it was in the hands of our Lord Jesus...

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Did You Meme That? - A Good Life Ambition?

"My main ambition in life is to be on the devil's most wanted list."  

Attributed to Leonard Ravenhill.

Ambition - noun - "a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work...desire and determination to achieve success." [Source]

Main - adjective - "1. chief in size or importance." [Source]

Should our chief goal in life, the thing which we work towards the most, be to get on "the devil's most wanted list" (if such a thing even exists)? According to this quote it is apparently a worthy aim.

But, what saith the scriptures?

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

Notice that this is the one thing Paul does. It is, then, his "main ambition in life." It has nothing whatsoever to do with what the devil thinks of him and everything to do with Jesus Christ. 

Our goals in life should not be based upon anything so sorry as what Satan thinks of us. Instead of focusing on Jesus Christ, this thinking focuses on the devil and making him mad. What a lamentable aim that is. And, in thinking about it, I can see how that would please the devil rather than angering him because if we are basing our main ambitions and goals in life on getting his attention, we are not basing them on the glorious ambition of glorifying God and lifting up the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Jesus sent His disciples out to do works under His authority they came back rejoicing, but in something which He didn't approve.

Luke 10:17-20 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 

Notice that they were joyful and the apparent reason was that the devils were subject unto them through Jesus' name. This tendency of humans is not so surprising because the devil, being the prince of the power of the air, has typically kept mankind in bondage in many ways and exercises great power over people.

Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 

Hebrews 2:14-15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

So, it is not uncommon for Christians to get a big rush out of the fact that we now have power over Satan and his devils through Christ Jesus. 

However, consider the answer Jesus gave His disciples in Luke 10. First, He tells them that He saw Satan fall from heaven. This is likely referring to the time before the creation of the earth, or shortly afterwards, when Satan was cast out of heaven for his sin of pride and rebellion against God (see Isaiah 14). In any case, Christ goes on to say that He gives them His power over the enemy - Notwithstanding. This means "in spite of this," and then He goes on to say, "...in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."

Especially notice that He specifically commanded them not to rejoice in this power they had, even though it was through His name.

Now, what do you suppose Jesus Christ would think of making one's main ambition in life to "get on the devil's most wanted list"? He told His disciples while He was on this earth not to rejoice in the fact that He had given them power over the devils, but to rejoice that their names were written in heaven. I think that part of the reason for this is because this sense of their own importance and power are a direct route to walking in pride.

The fascination with the power over devils is one reason that certain groups make a big show out of "casting out devils" and various stunts intended to display their alleged power over Satan. It is very enticing stuff because it makes people feel very big and important, and even if they give lip service to Jesus Christ, they generally develop a sense of their own greatness when once they start down that path. It is also a temptation to become preoccupied with Satan and his works rather than keeping focused on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Many of them, though, are not really working in the power or Spirit of God. If they were they would be more interested in different things. It can easily become a source of pride to "prove" that we have God's power and that He is working through us by making a big display of it. (Perhaps the most extreme example of this is the groups that handle deadly snakes to "prove" they have God's power.) If we are really walking in the Spirit of God, we will be focused on following Christ's steps and rejoicing that our names are written in heaven as He told the disciples in Luke 10.

In John 15 Jesus clearly says that the Comforter will testify of Him. The Spirit's job is not to make a show of power over the devils, but to testify of Christ. John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 

Colossians 2:14-15 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 

It is Jesus who triumphed over the principalities and powers and made a show of them openly. The Holy Spirit testifies of these things. The mind of Christ is not to rejoice in overpowering the devil and making him hate us more. It is to rejoice that we now have salvation through His name (Acts 4:12) and that we can take unto us the whole armor of God (Eph. 6) and stand in His strength. All of this is because our names are written in heaven, and that blessing was purchased for us under the new testament (Heb. 9:15) in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Oh, why waste one's life trying to get on Satan's "most wanted list" when we can live every day and hour in the glory and joy of knowing complete salvation and assurance of heaven in the person of Jesus Christ, the friend of sinners, the Savior, the good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep, and the author and finisher of our faith! Truly, it is a very low ambition indeed compared with what we have to rejoice over!

If Mr. Ravenhill actually said this it lowers him in my estimation because from a biblical standpoint this should not be anyone's main ambition in life at all. We should be striving to follow Christ's steps as we read in 1 Peter 2:21, For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Of course, we will feel the attack of Satan on our lives from time to time, and in some situations this will be more fierce when we are pressing the battle into his territory in some way, but to attract his attentions should never be a motivating force or ambition in our lives. It seems to me to be unworthy of the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has given us and told us.

We all say foolish things at times, I know, but I sincerely hope that no one will be posting my foolish sayings with approval after I am dead and gone. I am sure that Mr. Ravenhill would not be glad to know that this unbiblical saying of his was being posted on social media by today's Christians.

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. 

When we post anything online as something we agree with and approve, it is as if we were saying it ourselves, and it is certainly the meditation of our hearts, at least for that moment. Let's strive to make these things that are acceptable in the sight of God, not just things that sound clever and powerful but are not faithful to the word of God.

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 

Words Mean Things - An "Attitude of Gratitude"?

Here's a new item I wrote earlier this year and thought I'd post in November since it fits the time of year here in the U.S. (and belatedly in Canada, perhaps). This is from the "Words Mean Things" section at The Home Maker's Corner.

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An "Attitude of Gratitude"?

Revelation 7:11-12 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Every once in awhile a Christian cliché comes along that ends up getting way overused in a general sense. There have been others over the years, particularly Christmas related ones. However, one that I remember from the 1980s was "What would Jesus do?"  It was conveniently shortened to WWJD and then plastered all over all kinds of merchandise that had nothing whatsoever to do with the question or with Jesus Christ. Thankfully, at some point it mostly died down of natural causes - mainly too much exposure.

A recent cliché or platitude that has been overused in some situations is the little phrase "attitude of gratitude." It is worked into different comments, devotionals, sermons and so forth. I suspect the reason for its overuse is that it is "catchy," it is a hook that tends to grab attention. I believe this is primarily because of the way it rhymes, rather than its depth of thought. At any rate, I have grown weary of hearing it.

I think there are several reasons why I find it bothersome:

The first is obvious. It is has been overused. Anything that is used too much can become tiresome. Even some scripture phrases and verses have had this happen, sad to say.

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Hard Questions - Should We Power Through?

Photo by Mike Van Nattan

1 Peter 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I am weary of hearing that we should just "power through it" or "push through".

Got pain or chronic illness? Power through.
Going through hard times? Power through.
Grieving? Power through.
Financially destroyed? Power through.
Depressed? Power through.

What an utterly hopeless answer.

I wonder what people really think we are, or what they think they are themselves. God clearly says that ...all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. He also tells us our life is but ...a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14) 

But, what about "powering through"?

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Did You Meme That? # 4 - Weak or Strong

"The weak fall, but the strong will remain and never go under." 

Attributed to Anne Frank

One of the problems with using quotes is that it is easy to take something out of its context and make it say something that perhaps the original author did not mean. I do not know the context of this quote by Anne Frank. I don't even know if she actually said it. But, in this stripped down form cut loose from its anchor of context, this statement is very misleading and worldly in its apparent meaning, regardless of what Anne may or may not have meant.

In the first place, even in the secular world it is a fact that sometimes the weak come out on top despite the fact that they are weak, and sometimes the strong fail despite the fact that they are strong. Solomon said it like this, "I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." Ecclesiastes 9:11

This is often how life is. Just because someone seems to be favored to come out on top because of their skill or experience or knowledge, it does not necessarily follow that they will come out on top. Also, many people who are weak, ignorant, foolish, etc. become highly successful in some area because of a fluke or by chance of birth or accident.

But, speaking from the point of view of those who fear God and follow His ways, there is even more to this.

King David wrote this:

Psalms 37:34-40  Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.  Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

As I hope you know, Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who lived under and was killed by the Nazis. She had much to think about in relation to being weak or strong. Sadly, I do not know that she ever came to a knowledge of true salvation in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. But, the thing is, that for those who trust in the Lord as their salvation, He will not only be our strength in times of trouble, but ultimately we will be delivered from the wicked, even if we die at their hands in this life, as Anne and her sister did. Because we are eternal and He gives us eternal life, whatever the apparent outcome on this earth, we will see the wicked pass away and our eternal end will be peace. The wicked, on the other hand, will come to destruction eventually, particularly in the horrible eternity that they will someday live.

The apostle Paul wrote this:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

It is through our very weakness that God is able to show Himself strong, both to us and to those around us. We may actually take pleasure in our weakness on Christ's account because He will be glorified in showing His strength through us. This is an amazing and wonderfully comforting thought.

The world we live in admires strong people, well people, successful people, rich people, influential people, and so on. But, the Lord wants to show the perfection of His power through our weakness and our lack.

In the context of this passage Paul is speaking of physical illness or ailment in particular, but he also includes other forms of suffering (other than those we inflict upon ourselves through sin). This should be something that we look to for comfort in dealing with the many and sometimes burdensome limitations that we struggle with in this life. Ultimately, they are opportunities for God to show His power through us. In thinking about what David wrote, we also see that through trusting in the Lord we can expect His deliverance in the end, even if it is not in this life.

Ephesians 6:10-13  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

We need to look to the Lord for the strength and power we need to stand in against the wiles of the devil. I see a lot of people getting confused about who their real enemies are. They are often looking an humans, government, organizations, "secret societies", etc. and thinking those are the enemy. The context of these verse indicates that those are not the enemy because they are "flesh and blood," and our enemies are all spiritual entities and powers. This is what we need to particularly remember. The power behind those people is the real power that is at work. They are merely dispensable pawns in a supernatural battle between the Lord God Almighty and the devil. We, on the other hand, are the beloved and treasured children of the Lord, joint heirs with Jesus Christ, and therefore we can count on Him to show His perfect strength through us, despite our weakness.

Does that not fill you with wonder? Why would God, the Creator of everything who has all power in heaven and earth, choose to show His inexhaustible strength through us? I don't know why. But He does.

Psalms 18:1  I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

Isaiah 40:28-31  Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Words Mean Things - Son of A Gun

by Andy Thomas?

Psalms 19:14  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

The expression "son of a gun" is fairly common in the U.S., I especially heard it when we lived in Arizona and perhaps other parts of the Southwest, which is not surprising as we'll see in a moment. Often it was used as an expression of surprise. Sometimes it may also be used as a sort of affectionate expression from a man to his friend or as a supposedly mild expletive of frustration.

There is some bit of disagreement as to where the expression originated but, from the sources I read, it is likely that the meaning I was told years ago is the correct meaning. Although many people who use it now don't realize it, it was originally a euphemism for "son of a b--." It would probably be more accurate to say that the "gun" refers to a rapist, rogue, or fornicating man and therefore may not necessarily be a slur on the woman so much as the man, unlike the other expression which is denouncing the woman's morals (rightly or wrongly, as the case may be).

In the British Royal Navy it was supposed to have referred to boys who were born on board ship; particularly ones whose fathers were of unknown identity. Apparently in the old days the British navy had a way of overlooking women accompanying men on board - either wives or prostitutes. This led to children being born on the ships whose parentage on their father's side was sometimes unclear. In these cases the "gun" referred to a soldier of unknown identity. It has also apparently been used to refer to the illegitimate children of servicemen (soldiers) in general.

Jump to the American West. I have been told that in the old days when the West was still very wild, "son of a gun" was used in a similar manner, but one indication I have heard is that the "gun" would refer to an outlaw type or perhaps a renegade cowboy. (In modern times "Gun for hire" would refer to the man as a murderer in a similar way - a "gun.") In these cases the women may not have been willing participants but were, in reality, raped.

Basically, what it comes down to is this: as Christians, we need to guard our tongues and the words we speak. I have heard Christians using this expression who very likely have no idea what it means or where it came from. Words do mean things, and sometimes they may mean things of which we are not aware and this could be a blot on our testimony. If you are using an expression of which you do not know the origin, I encourage you to do a little research on the internet. Type it into Google or your favorite search engine with the word "origin" or "definition" and it is likely you will learn at least something about it.

Colossians 4:6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Proverbs 15:26  The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

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sources:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/327900.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_a_gun
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/son%20of%20a%20gun