“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.”
Again, Solomon says some stuff…
Did you know that in Mexico, “stupid” is a very dirty word? And the Spanish translation is “Estupido”. So, if you slip up and say it in English, you haven’t fooled anyone.
Solomon seems to be doing a slow dance on my toes with this one. But I think that’s his point. I think he wants to correct and see if we’ll listen or not. Perhaps I don’t have to love correction… oh wait, is that the same as discipline? Can this be something I grow to love?
This takes me back to earlier chapters. Wisdom is a journey. Wisdom and Folly call out to me. Will I listen to Wisdom’s correction when Folly would be much, much easier to stomach?
10.11.2006
10.10.2006
Proverbs 11:22
“Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.”
First of all, doesn’t Solomon say some things out loud that we would shy away from?
When I read, “shows no discretion" , I immediately think of how a woman dresses, or how she presents herself. So this verse often helps me in my battle with lust. When I’m tempted to lust after a woman dressed rather scantily, I try to agree with Solomon about the woman offering herself up for the world to look at. It’s harder to lust after someone I just feel sorry for.
And now, raising a beautiful little girl (see picture below), how do I train her to go against all that’s popular, all that’s in style? It seems like our culture keeps pushing the envelope so far that discretion is no longer an option. And believe it or not, the objectification of women as sexual play things is even more pronounced in the Mexican culture.
Thoughts?
Also, when you read the above verse, and you hear “shows no discretion” , does something else come to mind?
First of all, doesn’t Solomon say some things out loud that we would shy away from?
When I read, “shows no discretion" , I immediately think of how a woman dresses, or how she presents herself. So this verse often helps me in my battle with lust. When I’m tempted to lust after a woman dressed rather scantily, I try to agree with Solomon about the woman offering herself up for the world to look at. It’s harder to lust after someone I just feel sorry for.
And now, raising a beautiful little girl (see picture below), how do I train her to go against all that’s popular, all that’s in style? It seems like our culture keeps pushing the envelope so far that discretion is no longer an option. And believe it or not, the objectification of women as sexual play things is even more pronounced in the Mexican culture.
Thoughts?
Also, when you read the above verse, and you hear “shows no discretion” , does something else come to mind?
This is Karsyn with Meloni Garcia. Some of you might remember Meloni from your trips to Mexico City as AIMers. She is the daughter of Gerardo and Carola Garcia. This picture was taken by Nancy Shroeder at Sophia's 15th birthday party. And I neglected to mention that Nancy also took the photos of the Quincy and Clark in their tuxedos. Thanks Nancy.
10.09.2006
Proverbs 10:11
“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.”
By how we speak, we either breathe life into the moment, into the hearts of those who hear, or we bring destruction and violence.
For a minute, don’t even consider your enemies. How about your kids? Your spouse? Your coworkers and friends? Are you a source of life to them? In this context, what choices can we make today to listen to the voice of Wisdom calling out to us, and not Folly?
And just for fun, whom do you know that breathes life into whatever situation? Tell us about them.
By how we speak, we either breathe life into the moment, into the hearts of those who hear, or we bring destruction and violence.
For a minute, don’t even consider your enemies. How about your kids? Your spouse? Your coworkers and friends? Are you a source of life to them? In this context, what choices can we make today to listen to the voice of Wisdom calling out to us, and not Folly?
And just for fun, whom do you know that breathes life into whatever situation? Tell us about them.
10.08.2006
Proverbs 9
I don’t know that we generally feel this way, but are we to understand, from Proverbs 9, that we are all “simple”? It appears that Wisdom and Folly call out to us (us simple ones 9:4,16). So, depending on which voice we’ve listen to, we’ve become who we are today. And by the by, don’t be offended at being simple. This is going to come in handy by the time we get to Proverbs 26.
On another note... Cards didn't win in 3 straight, but they do advance to the NLCS winning 3 games to 1 over the Padres. St. Louis heads to NY on Wednesday. Go Cards!
On another note... Cards didn't win in 3 straight, but they do advance to the NLCS winning 3 games to 1 over the Padres. St. Louis heads to NY on Wednesday. Go Cards!
10.07.2006
Proverbs 8
Pop quiz: #1. What color are the numbers on the front of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Jerseys?
#2. What does the Bible say is the first thing God created?
If your answers were blue and light, think again. If you bleed Dodger Blue (which I don’t) you know that their jerseys have red numbers on the front. And if you’ve read Proverbs 8, you know that wisdom was the first of all God’s creations (8:22).
Next time you are with a group of people and the Dodgers are on t.v., ask the people to shut their eyes and tell you what color are the numbers on the front of their jerseys. What does this have to do with anything? Well, sometimes wisdom is like that. It is usually obvious, but it still has to be sought after. What I love about Proverbs 8 is that it reminds us that wisdom is, in fact, attainable… if we just make the effort to look.
#2. What does the Bible say is the first thing God created?
If your answers were blue and light, think again. If you bleed Dodger Blue (which I don’t) you know that their jerseys have red numbers on the front. And if you’ve read Proverbs 8, you know that wisdom was the first of all God’s creations (8:22).
Next time you are with a group of people and the Dodgers are on t.v., ask the people to shut their eyes and tell you what color are the numbers on the front of their jerseys. What does this have to do with anything? Well, sometimes wisdom is like that. It is usually obvious, but it still has to be sought after. What I love about Proverbs 8 is that it reminds us that wisdom is, in fact, attainable… if we just make the effort to look.
Proverbs 7:24-25
“Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.”
Again, we have another chapter warning against adultery. And again, Solomon urges against beginning the journey down the road that will lead to adultery. He says, “do not let your heart turn to her ways”.
It is my heart Satan is after. If I protect against the actions, but forget to protect my heart, it appears I’ve already lost. Does this remind anyone else of Jesus’ teachings from the sermon on the Mount?
Again, we have another chapter warning against adultery. And again, Solomon urges against beginning the journey down the road that will lead to adultery. He says, “do not let your heart turn to her ways”.
It is my heart Satan is after. If I protect against the actions, but forget to protect my heart, it appears I’ve already lost. Does this remind anyone else of Jesus’ teachings from the sermon on the Mount?
10.06.2006
10.05.2006
Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him… (#7) a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.”
Despite what others do or say, regardless of how they speak about us or act toward us, be it out of ignorance or spite, let us never stir up dissension among our brothers. When we feel we have every right to spout off a snide remark to a friend we know feels the same as we do, when we know our cutting line will be witty and to the point and even well deserved, may we hold our tongue and keep from separating further those who are already parted. May we offer grace to those who won’t extend it to us.
Despite what others do or say, regardless of how they speak about us or act toward us, be it out of ignorance or spite, let us never stir up dissension among our brothers. When we feel we have every right to spout off a snide remark to a friend we know feels the same as we do, when we know our cutting line will be witty and to the point and even well deserved, may we hold our tongue and keep from separating further those who are already parted. May we offer grace to those who won’t extend it to us.
10.04.2006
Proverbs 5
Well, what do you say about this chapter, or the next few for that matter? Don’t commit adultery. Anything else? Surely someone has a deep insight to share with us.
Two quick notes... First, this is Solomon talking; the son of David and Bathsheba. I wonder if these are proverbs passed down to him, again, from his father (Proverbs 4:3-4). Or is this what he learned from watching his mom and dad and the progression of their lives? And second, isn’t it interesting that in v. 12, Solomon eludes to the lack of discipline and the spurning of correction as two things that lead us down the path towards adultery.
On another note... Sure, I said the Cards would win the NLDS in three games. But that was before I knew we'd send Jeff Weaver to the mound against David Wells in game 2. If you haven't been watching this year, Weaver is awful! However, he does have a better record on the road, so we'll see.
Two quick notes... First, this is Solomon talking; the son of David and Bathsheba. I wonder if these are proverbs passed down to him, again, from his father (Proverbs 4:3-4). Or is this what he learned from watching his mom and dad and the progression of their lives? And second, isn’t it interesting that in v. 12, Solomon eludes to the lack of discipline and the spurning of correction as two things that lead us down the path towards adultery.
On another note... Sure, I said the Cards would win the NLDS in three games. But that was before I knew we'd send Jeff Weaver to the mound against David Wells in game 2. If you haven't been watching this year, Weaver is awful! However, he does have a better record on the road, so we'll see.
10.03.2006
Proverbs 4:18
“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”
It starts out as a gleam of dawn and keeps growing brighter. The path of righteousness IS the journey.
Looking back at my journey with God, I can see major landmarks… major decisions along the way that began to define the journey. I remember praying over the decision to go to AIM. I didn’t know anyone who had done it, but it seemed like the direction God was pulling me to. I remember being asked to come back and work with AIM. I had other plans. Yet again, God was trying to direct my path. And I remember talking with Dennis Wilson about going to Russia for two months to serve the church there. It didn’t fit into to my plans at all! But God had something to show me along my journey. Each step seemed like an inconvenience. They didn’t go with the plans I had for my life. But with each decision, God opened new doors, provided new adventures, gave new life.
When you look back on your journey with God, what major sign posts stand out? Decisions? Events? People? Tragedies?
It starts out as a gleam of dawn and keeps growing brighter. The path of righteousness IS the journey.
Looking back at my journey with God, I can see major landmarks… major decisions along the way that began to define the journey. I remember praying over the decision to go to AIM. I didn’t know anyone who had done it, but it seemed like the direction God was pulling me to. I remember being asked to come back and work with AIM. I had other plans. Yet again, God was trying to direct my path. And I remember talking with Dennis Wilson about going to Russia for two months to serve the church there. It didn’t fit into to my plans at all! But God had something to show me along my journey. Each step seemed like an inconvenience. They didn’t go with the plans I had for my life. But with each decision, God opened new doors, provided new adventures, gave new life.
When you look back on your journey with God, what major sign posts stand out? Decisions? Events? People? Tragedies?
Proverbs 3:21-22
“My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.”
I don’t know why, but the phrase, “an ornament to grace your neck” stuck out at me this morning. For some reason it just made sense that wisdom is something that we see displayed in the lives of people, as if it were a necklace that you could not help but notice and admire. Faces began flooding my mind; subtle reminders of men and women who wear such a necklace.
Whose face are you picturing right now? Why?
On another note… The Cardinals and Padres play game one of the NLDS today at 3:00 Guadalajara time. (We are in the same time zone as Texas and Oklahoma.) Perhaps I’m blinded by loyalty, but I’m saying the Cards win in 3. If Duncan hits a homerun in the 1st, you’ll know I’m on to something.
I don’t know why, but the phrase, “an ornament to grace your neck” stuck out at me this morning. For some reason it just made sense that wisdom is something that we see displayed in the lives of people, as if it were a necklace that you could not help but notice and admire. Faces began flooding my mind; subtle reminders of men and women who wear such a necklace.
Whose face are you picturing right now? Why?
On another note… The Cardinals and Padres play game one of the NLDS today at 3:00 Guadalajara time. (We are in the same time zone as Texas and Oklahoma.) Perhaps I’m blinded by loyalty, but I’m saying the Cards win in 3. If Duncan hits a homerun in the 1st, you’ll know I’m on to something.
10.02.2006
Proverbs 2
Proverbs 2:1-5
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you… then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
Reading these verses causes me to evaluate the time I spend with my kids. Solomon offers his son the understanding of the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God. What am I purposefully offering Quincy, Karsyn and Clark?
Moms and dads, what is one thing that you’ve tried to do to encourage your children in their own search for God?
Those without kids, share something you’ve seen in others or experienced with your own parents that you would like to one day pass on to your children.
Or, think in terms of mentoring. Is there something you continually try to share with younger Christians?
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you… then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
Reading these verses causes me to evaluate the time I spend with my kids. Solomon offers his son the understanding of the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God. What am I purposefully offering Quincy, Karsyn and Clark?
Moms and dads, what is one thing that you’ve tried to do to encourage your children in their own search for God?
Those without kids, share something you’ve seen in others or experienced with your own parents that you would like to one day pass on to your children.
Or, think in terms of mentoring. Is there something you continually try to share with younger Christians?
10.01.2006
Proverbs 1
Proverbs 1
v.7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
Perhaps this is going to make for an awfully weak beginning to this blogging month, but I want to begin with a simple question. What is it about the fear of the Lord that makes it the beginning of knowledge?
v.7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
Perhaps this is going to make for an awfully weak beginning to this blogging month, but I want to begin with a simple question. What is it about the fear of the Lord that makes it the beginning of knowledge?
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