Welcome

However you found yourself here, I’m so glad you came. Let me take a minute to try and explain a bit about Proverbs 9:9 Ministries and what you can expect during your visit.

Proverbs 9:9 states: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” I am not asking you to blindly accept anything you read here. Jesus tells Thomas, “because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) Hence the name Doubting Thomas. Rather than chastising Thomas, Jesus is pronouncing a blessing on those that can believe as an act of faith. However, we live in a society with competing cultures and often contradictory world views. It can be hard to discern what we should believe – or why. Instead what I am offering is an honest, transparent look at scripture. A chance to learn what scripture really says and what that means to us.

The author of the book of Malachi (the last book of the Old Testament – go to Matthew, stop at the cross, hang a left) identifies himself simply as Malachi. He gives no indication of where he’s from or who his family is. Nothing. In fact, the name Malachi itself means messenger. It is very likely that he (or she) intentionally did not give a name, preferring to be identified only as a messenger of God, and thereby put the emphasis on the message. That is what I want to create, a place where we can focus on the message: His intent, His desire for our lives.

Here we will discuss religion, doctrine, spirituality, and a relationship with Jesus (and yes, those are 4 very different things). We will also discuss politics, civics, and who we are meant to be as a Christian Nation – not to the exclusion of other faiths, but in terms of our character and nature within the context of a pluralistic society. Make no mistake, there is only one way to salvation, and that is through faith and belief in Jesus Christ. However, salvation must be a willful choice, not forced or faked. This is what I want: our focus to be on the message, not the messenger. The message is meant to be practical, in the trenches, hands dirty, real-life answers on how we are expected to live in the fullness of Christ’s promise and power in a world gone mad with scorched earth politics, an anything goes culture, and the ever present threats of global warming, terrorism, and COVID – oh my!   

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord  (Isaiah 1:16-18a, emphasis mine)

What I hope to achieve is to open a dialogue, to have a discussion and an exchange of ideas. We have fallen into the trap of believing that we can’t have a meaningful conversation with someone that holds a different belief or point of view. Unfortunately when conflict cannot be resolved with words, force – violence – is usually the only option that remains. If you disagree with me (as I am sure that many of you will) that’s fine. Tell me why. Persuade me with your logic, passion, and conviction and let’s leave the name calling and insults to the generation of politicians and activists that have failed this country. 

So if you have a question – ask. And I pray that I learn twice as much from this endeavor as I teach.

Soli Deo Gloria (to the glory of God alone)