(Proverbs 30:19 KJV) The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
Heights, snakes, ships, women. What do they have in common? Phobia. The only one that comes immediately to mind is acrophobia. I am sure that there are technical names for the others. They all generate fear in some people yet they are also objects that generate awe and wonder.
Today, as I write, I am in a vacation condo, looking out over a golf course with a mist still resisting the heat and the mountains just begin to sneak out of the fog. Yesterday I was watching bumper to bumper freeway traffic. I am able to enjoy both, the freeway because the congestion was on the other side. Life is full of experiences that can generate a range of responses. Sometimes we get to chose, sometimes it is out of our hands. It is easy to praise God for the mist and mountains. It is a stretch to find glory in traffic, but it is worth the effort.
So? Look the for lessons in the day. Traffic can make us slow down and think or get frustrated and shut God out. Practice wise application.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Monday, June 29, 2015
Bottom Up
(Proverbs 29:2 KJV) When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
If you pay any attention to the mood of the public you will see that when some people “rejoice” (8055), others will “mourn” (groan NASB) (584). This verse focuses on the type of leader. I think the we also need to consider the type of follower. Just as leaders come in different flavors, such as “righteous” (6662) and “wicked” (7563), so also do people in the general population. When morality triumphs, the righteous celebrate. At the same time the evil swing into action to undermine what is taking place.
We need to be aware that the battle between good and evil takes place on the street level as well as the places of power. One of the realities I have heard expressed is that people get the kind of government they deserve. On one level that is scary but on another level it brings to mind how God would have spared Sodom if they could have found just a few righteous people.
So? Be salt. Flavor your part of the world with the savor of righteousness. Allow God to be the rewarder and punisher.
If you pay any attention to the mood of the public you will see that when some people “rejoice” (8055), others will “mourn” (groan NASB) (584). This verse focuses on the type of leader. I think the we also need to consider the type of follower. Just as leaders come in different flavors, such as “righteous” (6662) and “wicked” (7563), so also do people in the general population. When morality triumphs, the righteous celebrate. At the same time the evil swing into action to undermine what is taking place.
We need to be aware that the battle between good and evil takes place on the street level as well as the places of power. One of the realities I have heard expressed is that people get the kind of government they deserve. On one level that is scary but on another level it brings to mind how God would have spared Sodom if they could have found just a few righteous people.
So? Be salt. Flavor your part of the world with the savor of righteousness. Allow God to be the rewarder and punisher.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
A Better Reality
(Proverbs 28:6 KJV) Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Are you after the “better” (2896a) in life? Do you feel like going for the better is a sellout, that we should always be after the best? It is interesting that neither the KJV or the NASB use the English word “best” in Proverbs but “better” is fairly frequent. This is explained by the reality that most of our choices are between shades of gray and not black and white. Our final goal is the best but our daily decisions are usually just the better.
The “best” would be “rich” (6223) and walk in “uprightness” (integrity NASB) (8537) but that isn’t the option being discussed here. Most of us don’t have the choice to be rich but we daily face the choice to walk upright and righteous.
So? If I want a taco but the only food available is McDonald’s, I have to make a choice of what is available. Today may be like that for me. I hope it isn’t for you.
Are you after the “better” (2896a) in life? Do you feel like going for the better is a sellout, that we should always be after the best? It is interesting that neither the KJV or the NASB use the English word “best” in Proverbs but “better” is fairly frequent. This is explained by the reality that most of our choices are between shades of gray and not black and white. Our final goal is the best but our daily decisions are usually just the better.
The “best” would be “rich” (6223) and walk in “uprightness” (integrity NASB) (8537) but that isn’t the option being discussed here. Most of us don’t have the choice to be rich but we daily face the choice to walk upright and righteous.
So? If I want a taco but the only food available is McDonald’s, I have to make a choice of what is available. Today may be like that for me. I hope it isn’t for you.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Spreading the Joy
(Proverbs 27:14 KJV) He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
I miss having the kids around. One of the joys of life was to walk into their room early in the morning and sing them a happy song when all they wanted to do was sleep. It is a good thing they were not reading Proverbs at the time or they would have quoted this to me. They have forgiven me, or at least I think they have.
One of the fruits of the spirit and part of the definition of love is kindness. Part of kindness is being sensitive to the emotional states of others. I would say moods but I am not sure we need to be all that sensitive to moody people. There are events and physical touches that can effect how people are seeing the world. The loss of a pet to a child can darken life. The loss of the child to a parent does not encourage happy thoughts. The pain of illness or even recovery might make it hard for people to smile.
So? If someone isn’t enjoying your song, tone it down. Try to see if there is a more loving, and spiritual, way in which you can deal with them. I know I need this. I hope you don’t.
I miss having the kids around. One of the joys of life was to walk into their room early in the morning and sing them a happy song when all they wanted to do was sleep. It is a good thing they were not reading Proverbs at the time or they would have quoted this to me. They have forgiven me, or at least I think they have.
One of the fruits of the spirit and part of the definition of love is kindness. Part of kindness is being sensitive to the emotional states of others. I would say moods but I am not sure we need to be all that sensitive to moody people. There are events and physical touches that can effect how people are seeing the world. The loss of a pet to a child can darken life. The loss of the child to a parent does not encourage happy thoughts. The pain of illness or even recovery might make it hard for people to smile.
So? If someone isn’t enjoying your song, tone it down. Try to see if there is a more loving, and spiritual, way in which you can deal with them. I know I need this. I hope you don’t.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Butt in, or Butt Out?
(Proverbs 26:17 KJV) He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
When should we meddle and when should we pass by? This is a real question because there are other places in Proverbs where it points out that we should rebuke, teach and counsel. The English translations have the idea of a conflict that does not concern you. I can’t find how that is justified in the Hebrew but it appears in one form or another in the English.
I would possibly tie this together with how wisdom is wasted on fools and how people who won’t listen won’t learn. We need to ask ourselves if we are wasting our time by sticking our nose in the situation. Years ago we were working with a battered wife. She was totally against doing anything about the situation. We made many suggestions and offered many types of help. We could not even go to court because she would not press charges. There came a point where we needed to stop meddling.
So? Sometimes you can only learn the hard way. Sometimes we need to take risks and find out later we should have stayed out. Be assured that there is a time to pull back and a time not to get involved.
When should we meddle and when should we pass by? This is a real question because there are other places in Proverbs where it points out that we should rebuke, teach and counsel. The English translations have the idea of a conflict that does not concern you. I can’t find how that is justified in the Hebrew but it appears in one form or another in the English.
I would possibly tie this together with how wisdom is wasted on fools and how people who won’t listen won’t learn. We need to ask ourselves if we are wasting our time by sticking our nose in the situation. Years ago we were working with a battered wife. She was totally against doing anything about the situation. We made many suggestions and offered many types of help. We could not even go to court because she would not press charges. There came a point where we needed to stop meddling.
So? Sometimes you can only learn the hard way. Sometimes we need to take risks and find out later we should have stayed out. Be assured that there is a time to pull back and a time not to get involved.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
A Burden of Wisdom
(Proverbs 25:12 KJV) As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
I don’t want to be a “reprover” (3198). A reprover sets people straight by telling them where they have gone crooked. Some would say it is the job of the preacher.
So? Correcting others is necessary but not to be taken lightly. It requires constant contact with the word. It requires study and prayer. It requires risk but it is required.
I don’t want to be a “reprover” (3198). A reprover sets people straight by telling them where they have gone crooked. Some would say it is the job of the preacher.
(2 Timothy 4:2 KJV) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.Jesus points out the it is everyone’s job,
(Matthew 18:15 KJV) Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.The key is to be “wise” (2450). While I am sure I can point out plenty of flaws in other people, I am not so secure in my wisdom. Because of that I often let things go when I should speak.
So? Correcting others is necessary but not to be taken lightly. It requires constant contact with the word. It requires study and prayer. It requires risk but it is required.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
So, What’s New
(Proverbs 24:21 KJV) My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
This is a verse that keeps nudging my mind as I get older and watch the trends that keep coming and going. I see it in education, where I work. We are always being presented with a new and life changing technique to educate students. It makes me wonder how children were ever able to learn without the gurus and curriculum writers that suck up the tax money that was intended to help. I digress.
There is a saying, “Variety is the spice of life”. That is true. Small “change” (8132) in routine can make the day fresh. When I read through Proverbs monthly I find that routine becomes hypnotizing so I read different translations or start at different places in the chapter. But variety, or change, is only the spice. I might try a new vegetable but I will not become a vegetarian because the “experts” say it is healthier. I might change the herbs I put in my soup but I doubt if I will leave out the salt and pepper.
So? Always start with the basics. Always be rooted in truth. Beware of the inclination to conform to the latest attempt to avoid boredom. Be eternal, not cool.
This is a verse that keeps nudging my mind as I get older and watch the trends that keep coming and going. I see it in education, where I work. We are always being presented with a new and life changing technique to educate students. It makes me wonder how children were ever able to learn without the gurus and curriculum writers that suck up the tax money that was intended to help. I digress.
There is a saying, “Variety is the spice of life”. That is true. Small “change” (8132) in routine can make the day fresh. When I read through Proverbs monthly I find that routine becomes hypnotizing so I read different translations or start at different places in the chapter. But variety, or change, is only the spice. I might try a new vegetable but I will not become a vegetarian because the “experts” say it is healthier. I might change the herbs I put in my soup but I doubt if I will leave out the salt and pepper.
So? Always start with the basics. Always be rooted in truth. Beware of the inclination to conform to the latest attempt to avoid boredom. Be eternal, not cool.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)