"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above riches....Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD shall be praised."
Proverbs 31:10, 29-30
Mother's Day is just around the corner, so we turn to the favorite text of preachers for sermons on that day – Proverbs 31. King Lemuel gives a list of what constitutes an excellent wife and mother. (May I suggest it is also a good check-list of a good husband.) Note that charm and beauty are not at the top of the list. These are not always indicative of a person's character. Rather, he paints a picture of a virtuous woman. She is strong, able, industrious, efficient, generous, upright, faithful, valiant, and a person of integrity. In short – the godly woman is worthy of praise. May God give us more people like this.
Today's Thought: Charm and beauty are passing but virtue endures.
Have a virtuous day. Love you.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- Life's Ingredients
"Two things I request of You (deprive me not before I die):
Remove falsehood and lies from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches —
feed me with the food allotted to me;
lest I be full and deny You, and say "Who is the LORD";
or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God."
Proverbs 30:7-9
If I could ask God for just two things in life, what would they be? Agur, the son of Jakeh, had his priorities straight. He asked for truth and contentment. Truth gives a solid foundation for living, and contentment brings happiness. What more could I ask for?
Today's Thought: Truth and Contentment are the ingredients for a rich life.
Have a real and contented day. Love you.
Remove falsehood and lies from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches —
feed me with the food allotted to me;
lest I be full and deny You, and say "Who is the LORD";
or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God."
Proverbs 30:7-9
If I could ask God for just two things in life, what would they be? Agur, the son of Jakeh, had his priorities straight. He asked for truth and contentment. Truth gives a solid foundation for living, and contentment brings happiness. What more could I ask for?
Today's Thought: Truth and Contentment are the ingredients for a rich life.
Have a real and contented day. Love you.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- Venting
"A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back."
Proverbs 29:11
I don't have to say everything I feel. Popular advise is to vent anger to get it out of your system. But it's like Mt. St. Helens. When it blew, it caused all kinds of damage and harm to the surrounding area and even people far away. The volcano may have felt better, but it caused carnage around it as the blast, the lava and the ash cloud destroyed everything in its way. God's way is self-control. There are techniques to release anger so it doesn't fester in the person. One way is to "tell it to Jesus."
Today's Thought: The wise person controls his emotions rather than losing control of them.
Have a self-controlled day. Love you.
Proverbs 29:11
I don't have to say everything I feel. Popular advise is to vent anger to get it out of your system. But it's like Mt. St. Helens. When it blew, it caused all kinds of damage and harm to the surrounding area and even people far away. The volcano may have felt better, but it caused carnage around it as the blast, the lava and the ash cloud destroyed everything in its way. God's way is self-control. There are techniques to release anger so it doesn't fester in the person. One way is to "tell it to Jesus."
Today's Thought: The wise person controls his emotions rather than losing control of them.
Have a self-controlled day. Love you.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- The Groaning Season
"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2
Say the word "groan" out loud, and you can feel the weight and oppression expressed by the word. The Children of Israel were in this state under the Pharaohs of Egypt. As slaves, they were misused and abused. But "God heard their groaning" (Exodus 2:24) and sent a deliverer. Americans are presently in a "groaning" season. As Christians, we have the hope that "weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).
Today's Thought: Though we groan under the weight of the present, we can rejoice in the hope of the future.
Have a rejoicing day. Love you.
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2
Say the word "groan" out loud, and you can feel the weight and oppression expressed by the word. The Children of Israel were in this state under the Pharaohs of Egypt. As slaves, they were misused and abused. But "God heard their groaning" (Exodus 2:24) and sent a deliverer. Americans are presently in a "groaning" season. As Christians, we have the hope that "weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).
Today's Thought: Though we groan under the weight of the present, we can rejoice in the hope of the future.
Have a rejoicing day. Love you.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- Facts or Emotions?
"He who trust his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered."
Proverbs 28:26
The fool lives by his emotions – what feels good – without regard for the facts. It is like the person that is making a poor choice for a marriage partner, who, when confronted with the facts, responds, "But I love him (her)." A person who is controlled by the heart is oblivious to the warning signs. But the Bible warns us that "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9). The heart is powerful, but it alone is not the most dependable judge of right and wrong. The wise person looks at the facts when making a decision.
Today's Thought: Emotions alone are not a dependable basis for making decisions.
Have a wise day. Love you.
Proverbs 28:26
The fool lives by his emotions – what feels good – without regard for the facts. It is like the person that is making a poor choice for a marriage partner, who, when confronted with the facts, responds, "But I love him (her)." A person who is controlled by the heart is oblivious to the warning signs. But the Bible warns us that "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9). The heart is powerful, but it alone is not the most dependable judge of right and wrong. The wise person looks at the facts when making a decision.
Today's Thought: Emotions alone are not a dependable basis for making decisions.
Have a wise day. Love you.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Dad's Rambling -- A Tender Heart
"Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity."
Proverbs 28:14
What does it mean to have a reverent heart? The Hebrew word is usually translated "fear" or "awe." But I think the meaning here is to be "tender." There is a technique of interpretation that is helpful in understanding Hebrew poetry called Parallelism, which compares or contrasts the couplets of a verse. Here, "reverent" is contrasted to "hard," as in a stubborn or obstinate heart. A soft and sensitive heart will bring blessing, but a rebellious heart will bring hard times. So, "Be tenderhearted" (Ephesians 4:32; I Peter 3:8). Stay tender; avoid developing a hard heart.
Today's Thought: A tender heart is to be treasured.
Have a tender-hearted day. Love you.
Proverbs 28:14
What does it mean to have a reverent heart? The Hebrew word is usually translated "fear" or "awe." But I think the meaning here is to be "tender." There is a technique of interpretation that is helpful in understanding Hebrew poetry called Parallelism, which compares or contrasts the couplets of a verse. Here, "reverent" is contrasted to "hard," as in a stubborn or obstinate heart. A soft and sensitive heart will bring blessing, but a rebellious heart will bring hard times. So, "Be tenderhearted" (Ephesians 4:32; I Peter 3:8). Stay tender; avoid developing a hard heart.
Today's Thought: A tender heart is to be treasured.
Have a tender-hearted day. Love you.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- Diligence
"Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations."
Proverbs 27:23-24
Stewardship of God's blessings requires diligence. Things do not just take care of themselves or last forever. A Law Of Thermodynamics teaches us that everything is naturally in a state of decay or disintegration. Just as a house or a car will collapse into a heap without attention, so anything in this world will deteriorate if it does not receive proper care. This law applies to marriage, friendships, my body and mind, ministry, or my relationship with God. Wise people are diligent to take care of what they have.
Today's Thought: Stewardship requires diligence.
Have a diligent day. Love you.
Proverbs 27:23-24
Stewardship of God's blessings requires diligence. Things do not just take care of themselves or last forever. A Law Of Thermodynamics teaches us that everything is naturally in a state of decay or disintegration. Just as a house or a car will collapse into a heap without attention, so anything in this world will deteriorate if it does not receive proper care. This law applies to marriage, friendships, my body and mind, ministry, or my relationship with God. Wise people are diligent to take care of what they have.
Today's Thought: Stewardship requires diligence.
Have a diligent day. Love you.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- Revelations of the Heart
"As in water face reflects face, so a man's heart reveals the man."
Proverbs 27:19
The true reflection of a person is what is in the heart. To really know a person, I need to know where his heart is centered. Is it in godly things, or worldly? Does he serve himself or others? Looking past the external allows me to really know him. Thankfully, though man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart (I Samuel 16:7; Hebrews 4:12).
Today's Thought: The intent of the heart reveals the true person.
Have a revealing day. Love you.
Proverbs 27:19
The true reflection of a person is what is in the heart. To really know a person, I need to know where his heart is centered. Is it in godly things, or worldly? Does he serve himself or others? Looking past the external allows me to really know him. Thankfully, though man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart (I Samuel 16:7; Hebrews 4:12).
Today's Thought: The intent of the heart reveals the true person.
Have a revealing day. Love you.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- Looking Forward
"A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished."
Proverbs 27:12
A wise person prepares for the future; the fool lives as though there is no tomorrow. The wise puts money away for economic down-turns; the fool maxes out his credit cards. The wise slows down for rough roads; the fool speeds down the road of life oblivious to the pot-holes. The wise prepares to meet God; the fool thinks there is no future accountability. Woe to the fool.
Today's Thought: The wise man keeps his eyes open so he can prepare for the future.'
Have a forward looking day. Love you.
Proverbs 27:12
A wise person prepares for the future; the fool lives as though there is no tomorrow. The wise puts money away for economic down-turns; the fool maxes out his credit cards. The wise slows down for rough roads; the fool speeds down the road of life oblivious to the pot-holes. The wise prepares to meet God; the fool thinks there is no future accountability. Woe to the fool.
Today's Thought: The wise man keeps his eyes open so he can prepare for the future.'
Have a forward looking day. Love you.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- Sweet and Bitter
"A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet."
Proverbs 27:7
A contented life is a thing to be treasured. The danger is expressed in another old saying, "Familiarity breeds contempt." This is the danger – getting so satisfied that there is no wonder nor awe. Life becomes ho-hum and loses its sparkle. So I look for excitement in areas that seem sweet but are really bitter. It happens in marriages, in churches, and in jobs. I am satisfied with Jesus in my heart, but may I never lose the wonder of my salvation, lest I desire some new thing that will end up bitter.
Today's Thought: Beware lest the sweet become so commonplace that the bitter allures.
Have an awe-some day. Love you.
Proverbs 27:7
A contented life is a thing to be treasured. The danger is expressed in another old saying, "Familiarity breeds contempt." This is the danger – getting so satisfied that there is no wonder nor awe. Life becomes ho-hum and loses its sparkle. So I look for excitement in areas that seem sweet but are really bitter. It happens in marriages, in churches, and in jobs. I am satisfied with Jesus in my heart, but may I never lose the wonder of my salvation, lest I desire some new thing that will end up bitter.
Today's Thought: Beware lest the sweet become so commonplace that the bitter allures.
Have an awe-some day. Love you.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- Wounds
"Open rebuke is better than love concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
Proverbs 27:5-6
Wounds can be caused by surgery – an act of love to remove a disease – or by an attack (not to mention the wounds I cause to myself). Love wants the best for another person even if it means wounding that person. If someone sees my blind spots and does not help me correct them, is that person a true friend? So why is it so hard for me to receive correction? The hair bristles on my neck and I go into defensive mode. If I could only learn to receive rebuke as an act of love, it would make me a better person.
Today's Thought: Speaking the truth with a caring spirit is an act of love.
Have a loving day. Love you.
Proverbs 27:5-6
Wounds can be caused by surgery – an act of love to remove a disease – or by an attack (not to mention the wounds I cause to myself). Love wants the best for another person even if it means wounding that person. If someone sees my blind spots and does not help me correct them, is that person a true friend? So why is it so hard for me to receive correction? The hair bristles on my neck and I go into defensive mode. If I could only learn to receive rebuke as an act of love, it would make me a better person.
Today's Thought: Speaking the truth with a caring spirit is an act of love.
Have a loving day. Love you.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- The Dogfight
"He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears."
Proverbs 26:17
What?????? After cogitating on this, I think it means that a person who interferes in other peoples' wars is bound to get bit – probably by both parties. To be sure, intervention is necessary when someone is being physically hurt. But to use another metaphor, if I stick my nose where it does not belong, it is bound to get smashed. As Bill Gothard taught, it is wise not to take up another person's offense.
Today's Thought: Keep your nose out of other peoples' fights.
Have a neutral day. Love you.
Proverbs 26:17
What?????? After cogitating on this, I think it means that a person who interferes in other peoples' wars is bound to get bit – probably by both parties. To be sure, intervention is necessary when someone is being physically hurt. But to use another metaphor, if I stick my nose where it does not belong, it is bound to get smashed. As Bill Gothard taught, it is wise not to take up another person's offense.
Today's Thought: Keep your nose out of other peoples' fights.
Have a neutral day. Love you.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- Learning from Mistakes
"As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly."
Proverbs 26:4
I think history is so important because if we don't remember the mistakes of the past, we are bound to repeat them. A fool does not learn from his mistakes but repeats them with the same results. Our present political leaders are an example. They think they can negotiate with nations who have shown they have no moral compunctions nor honor (like Russia, North Korea, etc.). Have we forgotten how we tried to appease Hitler before WWII? We are headed for trouble if we think we can expect nations which have no godly base to be faithful to treaties. On a personal level, I need to remember my own mistakes and learn from them. Otherwise, I will surely repeat them.
Today's Thought: The fool repeats his mistakes over and over again.
Have a remembering day. Love you.
Proverbs 26:4
I think history is so important because if we don't remember the mistakes of the past, we are bound to repeat them. A fool does not learn from his mistakes but repeats them with the same results. Our present political leaders are an example. They think they can negotiate with nations who have shown they have no moral compunctions nor honor (like Russia, North Korea, etc.). Have we forgotten how we tried to appease Hitler before WWII? We are headed for trouble if we think we can expect nations which have no godly base to be faithful to treaties. On a personal level, I need to remember my own mistakes and learn from them. Otherwise, I will surely repeat them.
Today's Thought: The fool repeats his mistakes over and over again.
Have a remembering day. Love you.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- Sweet and Sour
"It is not good to eat much honey; so to seek one's own glory is not glory."
Proverbs 25:27
Honey is good, but too much of it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. So it is with bragging. Hearing of a person's accomplishments is good, but the arrogant bragger leaves a bad taste. If the only thing a person can talk about is "me," he needs to broaden his world. He is only displaying his own insecurities. Tooting one's own horn sounds more like a fog horn than a trumpet.
Today's Thought: Giving myself praise is not as sweet as when it comes from someone else.
Have a honey of a day. Love you.
Proverbs 25:27
Honey is good, but too much of it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. So it is with bragging. Hearing of a person's accomplishments is good, but the arrogant bragger leaves a bad taste. If the only thing a person can talk about is "me," he needs to broaden his world. He is only displaying his own insecurities. Tooting one's own horn sounds more like a fog horn than a trumpet.
Today's Thought: Giving myself praise is not as sweet as when it comes from someone else.
Have a honey of a day. Love you.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Dad's Ramblings --
"If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you."
Proverbs 25:21-22
This proverb is quoted in Romans 12:20. In that context, Paul counsels that anger that seeks vengeance should be put aside. Here's the issue: If I have anger toward someone, I am allowing that person to control me. The way to regain control of my own emotions is to be proactive and do something good for that person. The reward is freedom from the bondage of anger.
Today's Thought: The reward of doing good to my enemy is a free spirit.
Have a rewarding day. Love you.
Proverbs 25:21-22
This proverb is quoted in Romans 12:20. In that context, Paul counsels that anger that seeks vengeance should be put aside. Here's the issue: If I have anger toward someone, I am allowing that person to control me. The way to regain control of my own emotions is to be proactive and do something good for that person. The reward is freedom from the bondage of anger.
Today's Thought: The reward of doing good to my enemy is a free spirit.
Have a rewarding day. Love you.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- Weeping and Rejoicing
"Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather; and like vinegar and soda, is one who sings songs to the heavy heart."
Proverbs 25:20
Vinegar and Soda were my dad's favorite remedy for heartburn. I can still see effervescence (another of my dad's favorite words) in the glass when the chemicals reacted to each other. There is a negative reaction when the joyful person tries to cheer up the sad person with lightness. Sad people do not need a comedian. Comics are wonderful but are out of place at a funeral service. Empathy weeps with those who weep and rejoices with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). Learning how to respond to people is a lifelong lesson.
Today's Thought: The caring person weeps with those who weep.
Have a compassionate day. Love you.
Proverbs 25:20
Vinegar and Soda were my dad's favorite remedy for heartburn. I can still see effervescence (another of my dad's favorite words) in the glass when the chemicals reacted to each other. There is a negative reaction when the joyful person tries to cheer up the sad person with lightness. Sad people do not need a comedian. Comics are wonderful but are out of place at a funeral service. Empathy weeps with those who weep and rejoices with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). Learning how to respond to people is a lifelong lesson.
Today's Thought: The caring person weeps with those who weep.
Have a compassionate day. Love you.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Dad's Rambling -- Adversity Tests Character
"If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small."
Proverbs 24:10
It's an old saying but true: the mettle of a person is shown by difficult times. Scripture says that the fire of judgment will prove whether my works are gold, silver, and precious stones, or wood, hay, and straw (I Cor. 3:12-13). So it is in this life. Character is proven by adversity.
Today's Thought: The fire of adversity tests the character of a person.
Have a strong day. Love you.
Proverbs 24:10
It's an old saying but true: the mettle of a person is shown by difficult times. Scripture says that the fire of judgment will prove whether my works are gold, silver, and precious stones, or wood, hay, and straw (I Cor. 3:12-13). So it is in this life. Character is proven by adversity.
Today's Thought: The fire of adversity tests the character of a person.
Have a strong day. Love you.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- Hereafter
"Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the LORD all the days; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off."
Proverbs 23:17-18
The message of Easter is that there is a "hereafter." Our lives are not centered in the here and now. It's like the old story of a missionary couple who had spent their lives in service to the LORD in Africa, but were returning home by ship to retire. Also on the ship was a famous government dignitary. When the ship docked, there was a band to play, newsmen to take pictures, and other celebrities to meet the statesman. But there was no one to welcome the missionaries home. The missionaries were dejected because they had spent their lives for the Gospel, yet no one noticed nor appreciated their sacrifice. Then they heard God speak to their hearts, "You're not home yet." We should not be envious of the sinner who gets his praise how, because the day of reward for zealousness for God's kingdom will be when we get "home."
Today's Thought: The Christian will receive his reward for zealousness when he gets "home."
Have a hope-filled day. Love you.
Proverbs 23:17-18
The message of Easter is that there is a "hereafter." Our lives are not centered in the here and now. It's like the old story of a missionary couple who had spent their lives in service to the LORD in Africa, but were returning home by ship to retire. Also on the ship was a famous government dignitary. When the ship docked, there was a band to play, newsmen to take pictures, and other celebrities to meet the statesman. But there was no one to welcome the missionaries home. The missionaries were dejected because they had spent their lives for the Gospel, yet no one noticed nor appreciated their sacrifice. Then they heard God speak to their hearts, "You're not home yet." We should not be envious of the sinner who gets his praise how, because the day of reward for zealousness for God's kingdom will be when we get "home."
Today's Thought: The Christian will receive his reward for zealousness when he gets "home."
Have a hope-filled day. Love you.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter!!!
IT'S RESURRECTION
DAY!!!!
The Curse of Death has been rolled away,
And the redeemed of all the ages say,
"HALLELUJAH!
THE SAVIOR
LIVES."
The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. Get started.
DAY!!!!
The Curse of Death has been rolled away,
And the redeemed of all the ages say,
"HALLELUJAH!
THE SAVIOR
LIVES."
The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. Get started.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- Ancient Landmarks
"Do not remove the ancient landmarks which your fathers have set."
Proverbs 22:28
In Jewish law and culture, it was important that the boundaries of ownership of the land be retained through the centuries. The land that was conquered after the Exodus – the Promised Land – was divided by the forefathers among the families and was kept as the family inheritance. The landmarks of the boundaries could have been a hedge or a pile of stones or some other marker. Even if the land was sold or taken in payment for a debt, every 50 years – the Year of Jubilee – it would be returned to the original family ownership (see Leviticus 25:10; 27:24). Unscrupulous people would try to move the boundaries that the forefathers had set. Today, many want to discard the moral boundaries which have been established and accepted by our forefathers. The markers for those boundaries are set in God's Word. We have a duty to protect those landmarks so that future generations will know where the boundaries are. We must not let them go, but proclaim them and reclaim the land.
Today's Thought: Boundaries that are set in God's Word determine our heritage and are to be protected.
Have a landmark day. Love you.
Proverbs 22:28
In Jewish law and culture, it was important that the boundaries of ownership of the land be retained through the centuries. The land that was conquered after the Exodus – the Promised Land – was divided by the forefathers among the families and was kept as the family inheritance. The landmarks of the boundaries could have been a hedge or a pile of stones or some other marker. Even if the land was sold or taken in payment for a debt, every 50 years – the Year of Jubilee – it would be returned to the original family ownership (see Leviticus 25:10; 27:24). Unscrupulous people would try to move the boundaries that the forefathers had set. Today, many want to discard the moral boundaries which have been established and accepted by our forefathers. The markers for those boundaries are set in God's Word. We have a duty to protect those landmarks so that future generations will know where the boundaries are. We must not let them go, but proclaim them and reclaim the land.
Today's Thought: Boundaries that are set in God's Word determine our heritage and are to be protected.
Have a landmark day. Love you.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Dad's Ramblings -- The Generous Eye
"He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor."
Proverbs 22:9
I am a conservative by nature as a prudent steward of the resources God has entrusted to me. But I do not want to be a miser, grasping tightly to material things. I understand that the hand that is open to give is also open to receive. "Give and it shall be given unto you...running over" (Luke 6:38).
Today's Thought: Generosity is the key to financial freedom.
Have a generous day. Love you.
Proverbs 22:9
I am a conservative by nature as a prudent steward of the resources God has entrusted to me. But I do not want to be a miser, grasping tightly to material things. I understand that the hand that is open to give is also open to receive. "Give and it shall be given unto you...running over" (Luke 6:38).
Today's Thought: Generosity is the key to financial freedom.
Have a generous day. Love you.
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