Ulysses Pastor author’s first book

“Roaring Lions, Cracking Rocks and other Gems from Proverbs”

Pastor Warren Baldwin has been a student of “Proverbs” for years, and he recently completed his first book about his passion. Roaring Lions, Cracking Rocks and Other Gems from Proverbs is more than a summary of Proverbs; most of the book has been drawn from his personal experiences and how they relate to Proverbs.

Even the title of the book comes from two particular experiences which Pastor Baldwin shares. Each chapter is very short, and may be read as a devotional. Pastor Baldwin wanted a title other than “Devotions from Proverbs” because the term “devotions” is frequently a turn-off for male readers. He finds Proverbs so exciting that he wanted an exciting title for the book.

It took about 2 years for him to complete the book, and he has the first draft of the next book already written. He hinted that the title may be something like, “Charging Grizzlies……”

One of the things which excites Pastor Warren about Proverbs is how they almost always have hidden meanings in addition to the surface story and how they frequently lead to another Proverb. He shared how virtually every activity and event in his life can be explained through one or more of the Proverbs.

Roaring Lions, Cracking Rocks, and other Gems from Proverbs brings the ancient proverbs into contemporary focus by applying their truths to modern situations. Marriage, parenting, friendship, work, money, and other topics are brought under the scrutiny of this ancient wisdom. Each chapter in this thought-provoking must-have is a short essay on a specific proverb that makes God’s word come alive with fresh relevance. The short, rapid style and the piercing truths of Proverbs penetrate the readers’ hearts, challenging them to align their lives with the wisdom they proclaim. Each chapter is a short essay on a specific proverb that makes God’s Word come alive with fresh relevance.

Proverbs are short, pithy sayings that arrest our interest and demand our attention. They are catchy and memorable, making them easy to transport to new situations. Proverbs can spark lively conversation or intense
debate.

For over two thousand years the book of Proverbs has provided wise counsel and spiritual direction for God’s people. The piercing truths of Proverbs penetrate the readers’ hearts, challenging them to align their lives with the wisdom the proverbs proclaim.

Proverbs are all around us, even in the secular world. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” “A dollar saved is a dollar earned.” “The early bird gets the worm.” Such witticisms take years of accumulated wisdom and experience and condense them into short, catchy sayings. These sayings can be memorized and applied to future settings that reflect similar elements. Such truisms become the truth and guiding lights of our lives. Thomas Long, author of Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible writes, “The question is not, will people live by proverbs, but what kind of proverbs will they cherish?”

Like the secular sayings, the biblical proverbs reflect wisdom and experience, but they offer the added ingredient of divine influence and personality. One purpose of Proverbs is to promote a relationship with God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (3:5) The real aim of Proverbs is not to equip us with witty sayings to help us function more professionally in the world; it is to promote godly character so that we can enjoy virtuous relationships with God and people.

Proverbs function by stirring our imagination. “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” (27:6) Is this saying true? Our minds rush to situations in life where a friend hurt our feelings by telling us an uncomfortable truth about ourselves. After the pain of the unwelcome comments faded, we were able to assess their truthfulness and possibly conclude, “My friend was right. I was out of line. I need to conduct myself with more discipline and dignity in the future.” Then, our minds may rush to compliments and flattery an “enemy” showered upon us, only to realize later their emptiness. They were not intended to encourage us but to secure some selfish aim for the one offering the praise.

A proverb stirs our imagination by drawing our minds backwards to situations that reflect the meaning of the saying. Our own experience in life confirms it’s truthfulness. Secondly, a proverb pushes our thinking forward to future situations, arming us with insight into appropriate thinking and behavior.

Here is an example. Proverbs 15:17 says, “Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.” Pastor Warren says, “This proverb pushes my mind back to the Vermont farmhouse I grew up in. Our kitchen was small and square shaped and wouldn’t accommodate a typical dining room table. So, we used a square-shaped picnic table complete with wooden benches and the occasional splinter. But, no one minded, not even company. Our home was the gathering spot for family activities and dinner here was the central event of the day. Around the family picnic table my siblings and I learned about history, our family roots, sex and marriage, philosophy of life, and even how to treat a little sister.” “Better a meal of vegetables where there is love ...”

Pastor Warren continues, “Many more special meals from the past flood my mind. Bill and Shirley shared their table with me when I was interviewing in Ulysses, KS. My fellow members at the church in Ulysses make our Wednesday meals of pancakes and sausages or ham and beans a feast of friendship and fellowship.” “Better a meal of tacos where there is love ...”

Pastor Baldwin has been pastor of the Church of Christ in Ulysses, KS for twelve years.  He and his wife, Cheryl, have three children, Wes, Jenny and Kristen. Warren attended Freed-Hardeman university, Harding Graduate School and Abilene Christian University. He and Cheryl have ministered for thirty years with churches in Florida, Wyoming and Kansas. He also serves as an adjunct professor for Harding University. The Baldwins enjoy sports, Bible camps and traveling.

Roaring Lions, Cracking Rocks and Gems from Proverbs is available at The Ulysses Church of Christ, The Christian Book House in Dodge City, Hastings and several locations in Ulysses. The book is also available at his website: www.warrentbaldwin.com.  Pastor Baldwin can be reached by phone at 620-353-0372 or email: bald@pld.com. He also has a blog where you can keep up with him: warrenbaldwin.blogspot.com. He will gladly share his excitement about Proverbs with area churches, civic groups, secular organizations, church retreats, Bible camps etc.