Happy Saturday, dudes. Today is my grandmother's funeral. She sure lived her life according to Proverbs. She was an especially hard worker...
27 Finish your outdoor work
and get your fields ready;
after that, build your house.
I will miss her.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Proverbs 22
Man, this chapter is full of good stuff. One piece that sticks out...
16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
As I consider making loans to peeps on prosper.com, I wonder if it is moral to earn 35% off somebody. Is Solly warning us against taking advantage of the unfortunate poor or the foolish poor? Is there a difference?
16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
As I consider making loans to peeps on prosper.com, I wonder if it is moral to earn 35% off somebody. Is Solly warning us against taking advantage of the unfortunate poor or the foolish poor? Is there a difference?
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Proverbs 19
Friday, May 9, 2008
Proverbs 9
Hmmm. Wisdom offers food and drink...Folly offers food and drink...
Unfortunately I'm naive enough not to know the difference sometimes.
Housekeeping note: Can one of you guys log in and post the links while I'm gone Sat. to Sat.? Rawk on.
Unfortunately I'm naive enough not to know the difference sometimes.
Housekeeping note: Can one of you guys log in and post the links while I'm gone Sat. to Sat.? Rawk on.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Proverbs 8
C.S. Lewis argues that humans instinctively have a moral standard. I agree. And I'm starting to think that wisdom is that moral standard. Proverbs 8 tells us that it was specifically created by God at the beginning of the beginning ("...From the beginning, (AH)from the earliest times of the earth." vs. 23).
So, that said, wisdom, having been installed in humans before birth, isn't some nebulous idea that floats around like a ghost. We don't have to search for it. We've had it since birth. It is knowing right from wrong. Now, our job is to refine and practice our understanding of it through life experience and the teachings of others.
I knew there was a difference b/n wisdom and a list of things to do or not do, but didn't really have a handle on it. I'm gratified that God expects us to understand His standards rather than memorize a set of rules. How could we ever remember all the "rules" for wisdom?
So, that said, wisdom, having been installed in humans before birth, isn't some nebulous idea that floats around like a ghost. We don't have to search for it. We've had it since birth. It is knowing right from wrong. Now, our job is to refine and practice our understanding of it through life experience and the teachings of others.
I knew there was a difference b/n wisdom and a list of things to do or not do, but didn't really have a handle on it. I'm gratified that God expects us to understand His standards rather than memorize a set of rules. How could we ever remember all the "rules" for wisdom?
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Proverbs 7
This one is easy to glaze over. ("There he goes w/ that adultery stuff again.") But I think God's intent, through Solly, really is to "write it on the tablets of our hearts" b/c in that moment when Megan Fox offers to show us around her trailer, I can't imagine how difficult it would be to stop and think w/ my brain instead of w/ my head.
It just has to be ingrained in our psyche so that a Solomon Siren is blaring in our heads not just during obviously immoral moments, but in the little things that lead to sin. Our moral compass needs to instinctively recognize where we're heading.
It just has to be ingrained in our psyche so that a Solomon Siren is blaring in our heads not just during obviously immoral moments, but in the little things that lead to sin. Our moral compass needs to instinctively recognize where we're heading.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Proverbs 6
The part that always gets me...
10"(H)A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest"--
11(I)Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man.
I'm not the type who is all fired up and ready to go in the morning. Even at 2:30 in the afternoon I have trouble. That's just enough time to get something started but not be able to finish it, so I usually pad my time with something that isn't really going to help grow our company. I have to work on that.
10"(H)A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest"--
11(I)Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man.
I'm not the type who is all fired up and ready to go in the morning. Even at 2:30 in the afternoon I have trouble. That's just enough time to get something started but not be able to finish it, so I usually pad my time with something that isn't really going to help grow our company. I have to work on that.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Proverbs Cinco
This one was pretty short and sweet.
I liked the comparison b/n adultery and using another man's well considering how important a well was to a family back then.
I liked the comparison b/n adultery and using another man's well considering how important a well was to a family back then.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Proverbs 4
23Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For (AM)from it flow the springs of life.
Andy has used that verse in sermons before. It pops in my head all the time. There is so much crap around us that could make us bitter and hard-hearted. We just have to be conscious of that all the time.
For (AM)from it flow the springs of life.
Andy has used that verse in sermons before. It pops in my head all the time. There is so much crap around us that could make us bitter and hard-hearted. We just have to be conscious of that all the time.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Proverbs 3
Sulhoff's thoughts:
Not in Proverbs, but works for our puposes...
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Heb. 10:24
5(I)Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And (J)do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways (K)acknowledge Him,
And He will (L)make your paths straight.
(What a classic.) Thinking this morning about a client who needs help making a big decision, I kept going through the pros and cons in my head and decided it was really a no brainer--he should go for it. He asked me to think and pray about it, but to me it's an easy decision so why pray about it? Wrong. I have to keep myself from "leaning on my own understaning." Just b/c something makes logical sense, it doesn't mean it's part of God's plan.
One thing from Prov. 2 yesterday that popped into my head: 2:16 It will also save you from the adulteress... An adulteress may not necessarily be the hottie next door neighbor inviting you in for lemonade. Fat slobs in expensive suits on the 54th floor of a Manhattan ad company can be adulteresses, too. They may not want any "action" but they know what sells. Unfortunately what sells is also a stumbling block for every hetero male.
Not in Proverbs, but works for our puposes...
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Heb. 10:24
5(I)Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And (J)do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways (K)acknowledge Him,
And He will (L)make your paths straight.
(What a classic.) Thinking this morning about a client who needs help making a big decision, I kept going through the pros and cons in my head and decided it was really a no brainer--he should go for it. He asked me to think and pray about it, but to me it's an easy decision so why pray about it? Wrong. I have to keep myself from "leaning on my own understaning." Just b/c something makes logical sense, it doesn't mean it's part of God's plan.
One thing from Prov. 2 yesterday that popped into my head: 2:16 It will also save you from the adulteress... An adulteress may not necessarily be the hottie next door neighbor inviting you in for lemonade. Fat slobs in expensive suits on the 54th floor of a Manhattan ad company can be adulteresses, too. They may not want any "action" but they know what sells. Unfortunately what sells is also a stumbling block for every hetero male.
Proverbs 2
Brian's thoughts.
I thought this:
8Guarding the paths of justice,
And He (I)preserves the way of His godly ones.
9Then you will discern (J)righteousness and justice
And equity and every (K)good course.
Was interesting. The ability to discern righteousness and justice. The word discern is not one I would have put in that phrase.
Vaughn's thoughts.
Sorry guys. Just a really crappy day. I read chapters 1 and 2, but my hard heart isn't getting a lot out of it right now. Just a couple things...c1v3 - for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life - nothing worth having is easy and requires discipline. And the opposite...c1v22 - how long will you simple ones love your simple ways?...v23 - if you had responded to my rebuke I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. And c2, all the benefits...all Kind of speaks to me not making time for God.
Sulhoff's thoguhts.
True. And I like the fact that God gives us the ability to "discern" for ourselves. We don't have to have blind faith that our teachers are teaching us Truth like Catholics did before Martin Luther.
I thought this:
8Guarding the paths of justice,
And He (I)preserves the way of His godly ones.
9Then you will discern (J)righteousness and justice
And equity and every (K)good course.
Was interesting. The ability to discern righteousness and justice. The word discern is not one I would have put in that phrase.
Vaughn's thoughts.
Sorry guys. Just a really crappy day. I read chapters 1 and 2, but my hard heart isn't getting a lot out of it right now. Just a couple things...c1v3 - for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life - nothing worth having is easy and requires discipline. And the opposite...c1v22 - how long will you simple ones love your simple ways?...v23 - if you had responded to my rebuke I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. And c2, all the benefits...all Kind of speaks to me not making time for God.
Sulhoff's thoguhts.
True. And I like the fact that God gives us the ability to "discern" for ourselves. We don't have to have blind faith that our teachers are teaching us Truth like Catholics did before Martin Luther.
Proverbs 1
What stuck out.
a. God doesn't have patience for those who ignore and/or reject Him (20-27).
b. Foolishness has consequences...don't I know it. (28-33)
c. Don't plot a plan to bring someone down. You may end up getting trapped instead. (8-9)
a. God doesn't have patience for those who ignore and/or reject Him (20-27).
b. Foolishness has consequences...don't I know it. (28-33)
c. Don't plot a plan to bring someone down. You may end up getting trapped instead. (8-9)
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