Here is a nice Proverb of Power that I have been chewing on lately.

Proverbs 24:30-34 has a great principle for us concerning what happens when someone gets lazy and distracted from giving the proper care for their fields. I think this idea of a “field” or “vineyard” can be applied to any area of our life; work, family, soul care…the list goes on.

This principle here is a very important one indeed…but that isn’t what I have been chewing on.
I have been chewing on how this principle became a principle. Let me explain.

Solomon tells us that he passed by the “field of a sluggard” and the “vineyard of a man lacking sense”. We don’t know where he was going; we just know that he wasn’t going to this field and vineyard. We know that because he passed by it.
As Solomon passed by it, he tells us that the field was overgrown with thorns and covered with nettles and wall of the vineyard was broken down.

At this point, I think we see insight into what made Solomon such a wise man. He could have continued right along on his journey not giving this neglected field a second thought. But he didn’t do that.

Proverbs 24:32 says the following:
“Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.”
Verses 33-34 record the insight that Solomon gained as he saw, considered and was willing to receive instruction from this neglected field.

I think that this is what separates the wise from the unwise.
The wise take the time to stop and think on what they see…
and in humility, they receive instruction from what they have seen.
In other words, as the wise pass by life…they don’t let it pass by. They learn from it.

Marriage, work, parenting, soul care…there are positive and negative examples all around us. Let’s be like Solomon; stop, consider and receive.

Virginia Tech Updates

If you want to read past updates that have been written on the situation at Virginia Tech, you can access them under the archive section "April" on the right side of this page.

The Bradner clan is expanding again!

 

You might or might not have heard...but the Bradner clan is expanding again!

We just recently found out that the male majority in our household will be increasing as well! We are having another little man. I hope that Julia is o.k. with having yet another male in love with her...we already have three who fit that bill.

We feel so privileged to be entrusted to raise up godly men.

Lord willing, we will be welcoming Coleman (Cole) Jacob Bradner into our clan sometime in early September.
We have known all along that his middle name would be either Bryan or Jacob...of which we chose Jacob. This is after Matt's brother, Bryan Jacob Bradner. We are so excited to share with Coleman Jacob about how he is named after such an amazing brother and man.

Coleman then came on the screen one day as we were discussing an author (Robert Coleman) who has greatly influenced the way we think about our life and it's potential to make a difference in the world for Christ. As we talked through Coleman, we immediately loved it.
Think about it: When you hear "Coleman", you probably think camping gear. How much more manly can you get!

Please pray for this little man as you think of us.

4th West AJ Boys

 

Here is a picture from our last "spaghetti dinner" of the year. This picture is of some Campus Outreach staff along with a few of the boys from 4th West AJ dorm at Virginia Tech. Many of you might recall that dorm floor because it is where the tragic shooting struck first on April 16 at VT.

We have been fortunate to build some great relationships with guys on that hall throughout the year and look to continue many of them through the summer and into next fall.

Spoonful of Cinnamon

We host a Wednesday night "Spaghetti Dinner" for college students from Virginia Tech and Radford. A table of guys began to talk about different "urban legends" regarding food. It was said that you can't swallow a spoonful of cinnamon and keep it down...well, that one is true! Take a look at Evan (guy on right) and watch the cloud of cinnamon poof out his nose a few seconds after the cinnamon goes out. To his credit, he did have the wits about himself to run outside before getting rid of the rest of the cinnamon.