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UNC meets weekly at the Atlanta Bread Company in Cumming GA. Each Friday, the morning’s opening talk is posted to the blog. Don’t forget, you can easily subscribe to our RSS feed.

Also, you can subscribe to our Podcast in iTunes. Start iTunes, enter the iTunes Store, and search for “UNC Friday Morning”.

Sound advice or advice that sounds good?

Sometimes we listen in the wrong direction.

We are like Rehoboam.  He’s the new king and he’s stepping to the podium for a press conference.

The nation is holding its breath.  The country’s future hangs in the balance and the people are unsure about the young king.

He has big shoes to fill.

His father was a skilled statesmen.  Now, the son is stepping into a crisis.

An adversary to the throne has arisen in the land.  His name is Jeroboam. The people like him, and he’s challenging the king’s policies.

Separate voices feed the king’s perspective as he ponders the peoples’ peeves.

The elders.  His dad’s advisers.  Experienced men with connection to the past.  They advise the king to answer softly.

His staff.  Young and ambitious peers who are tasting power for the first time.  They advise the king to answer harshly.

The elders give the king advice he didn’t want to follow.  His followers give the king advice he wants to hear.

Which will he choose?

Ever been there?

Ever been caught in the cross hairs of a decision between sound advice and advice that sounds good?

Have you ever resisted the voices of men who would speak wisdom into your path?

Rehoboam did.

And it cost him the kingdom.

God’s kingdom.

When we listen in the wrong direction, it costs us something…

Click the ‘play’ button below to listen.

(If you cannot see the audio controls below, click the title of this post to refresh. Flash Player is required, click here to download.)

UNC meets weekly at the Atlanta Bread Company in Cumming GA. Each Friday, the morning’s opening talk is posted to the blog. Don’t forget, you can easily subscribe to our RSS feed.

Also, you can subscribe to our Podcast in iTunes. Start iTunes, enter the iTunes Store, and search for “UNC Friday Morning”.

Half-hearted love…

…leaves a whole lot of hurt.   

Just ask that guy over there, the one being interviewed by E!

Look at him.  Reclining on his yacht.  Sipping tea from the hand of the blond in the thong.  The man has everything the world says is something.  

A lawyer on his left, a chef to his right, and a camera in his face.

“If you could give our listeners one piece of advice, what would it be?”

The man squints a far off gaze.  

His eyes are sad.  

He’s looking past his billions and his buildings, past  poetic creations and diplomatic coups…

To a time when he was young.

     …before his mind was divided.  

         …when his heart was fully fastened to God.

“When I was a boy in my father’s house…”

Solomon loved God as one among many.    

Do you?

If you think you can give God a part, then you will part with what you think you keep.  

You cannot trade with God.

Solomon tried to trade his trust for wisdom’s whims.

And though his passion found expression, his twilight poureddepression… into that empty space that once belonged to God.