Tag Archive - Proverbs

My Greatest Sin

June 15, 2011 in Breathing Deep with 0 Comments

Writing down what our sins are may not always be something we’re comfortable with. However, if you keep a personal journal it may be helpful to jot them down as writing can help you reflect on them. I recently tried to think about mine, keeping in mind to make sure I’ve:

  • confessed my sins to God
  • asked God for forgiveness
  • offered my sincere apology to the people who I have committed sin against, and sought out their forgiveness
  • repented, trying to see my sins in God’s way, and sought to experience true change.

I believe that I’ve done this, and am very thankful for the body of believers that have stood by me and helped me through this process.

As I’m thinking about this I also tried to identify a core issue…

… is there something going on that I can say is central to all of my sins?

… is there a common thread?

"Chief, this is 86, I think I'm on to something here!"

Sure enough I did find a common thread, and found enlightenment in the Bible…

the common thread for me is all of my sins can be summarized as doing something foolish. I’m referring to this as my greatest sin. Yep, I needed to “Get Smart.”

The book of Proverbs offers us wisdom that is useful to understanding our sins, as well as helping us avoid the pitfalls of falling into sin as we head on down the road:

“The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young -
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance -
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Proverbs 1: 1-7

Do you feel you’ve done what you need to do to follow through with your sins?

How can we encourage each other to keep from committing sins?

When A Dream Is Just A Dream

May 23, 2011 in Soul Food with 0 Comments

 

Do you like to dream?

When I was younger I wanted to be an astronaut. It was a big dream, and one that I was convinced was a part of my destiny. Being an astronaut (so far) hasn’t been a reality. I am still fascinated with outer space… and think of exploring God’s creation beyond our planet as an extension of a part of my destiny as a geologist. So I guess you could say that I am, so to speak, living that dream to some degree.

I’m thinkin’ using our imagination is a gift and a part of creativity…

but to have a dream and not live it can also be one of the biggest mistakes we can make.

How do we know when a dream is just dreamy?

There are times in life when we are asked by God to take a chance and live a dream…

and there are times when it’s incredibly obvious that changing course is the next move.

Proverbs 16:9 says: In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

How do we stay on track with God’s perfect plan for each of us… and live The Dream that He intends for us?

What I’m finding out along the way is that there are plenty of clues to staying on the path… if we choose to pay attention to them. Keep in mind, there are plenty of other influences, obstacles, and detours along the way too.

The greatest obstacle for living a dream for me is indecision… for a dream is nothing more than a dream if we don’t take action. I am notorious for putting off decisions, and have made a conscious effort to overcome doing this… and it’s working!

How do we discern when there’s a decision to be made, or a choice between two paths?

and how do we follow God’s lead, and live out Proverbs 16:9?

Here are two ideas:

  • If you believe, and you ask God to lead you… He will… it may not always be in your way… or time… but it will always be perfect, according to His plan.
  • The other key here is found in the big book… The Bible. It’s filled with timeless, useful wisdom.

That’s it !! Plain and simple.

What is your dream?

Are you living it?

Are you following God’s lead, and perfect plan?

Or is your dream simply passing you by?

Please leave your comments or thoughts by clicking here.

The Wellspring Of Life

May 10, 2011 in Breathing Deep with 2 Comments

A flowing artesian well

A flowing artesian well, or spring, is relatively uncommon in nature. It is a situation where water flows freely from a well at land surface, forced out of the well due to the pressure that it experiences under confining conditions. At any given location, the hydrostatic pressure that results in a free-flowing well can change through time. This change could result in a more abundant overflow… or, conversely, in the well running dry.

The quality of the water within an aquifer, or “underground river,” can also vary… sometimes pure and clean, and, under different conditions… it can be clouded, tainted or even have a foul odor.

I remember when bottled water first came on the market. The image of the water from that bottle was one of the purest forms of H2O we could imagine… and the image of this succulent fluid for which our body thirsts, no, demands, for our continued existence. It naturally bubbled up out of the ground, when under artesian conditions, and was crystal clear and refreshing. The visual image is still fresh in my mind: The water company buying the land and constructing the bottling plant right there, wherever on the planet the wellspring, and its water, were found. Then packaged and shipped globally to us to cherish, and consume.

Good to the last drop (or was that coffee?).

The Word of God found in the Bible provides a plethora of visual images. The foundation for “The Wellspring Of Life” is built on one short verse… “Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

The condition of our heart seems to define us… who we are, our attitude, and our spirit. This muscle in our chest just seems to operate on auto-pilot… it keeps on ticking as we sleep, when much of the rest of our body is shut down, or at rest. But when our heart shuts down, we’re done. Or, shall I say, our body is done… and so, I guess, we are done in this life.

In that respect our heart very much defines our life here on earth, which, in turn, defines our existence in the afterlife… and on into eternity. And while this heart of ours just ticks along in our chest, and we don’t have much control over that from one tick to the next, we do feed our heart and nurture it in a variety of ways.

“Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23, The Amplified Bible version.

How can and should we take care of our heart in every way… physically, emotionally and spiritually? That’s what I believe Proverbs 4:23 says is the most important thing that we do.

Love is the substance, the very essence, of the living waters that flow from our hearts, or, shall I say, that should flow from our hearts. We’re imperfect humans, and are known to express feelings other than love at times. Some of our challenges, issues and struggles sink into our heart, where they fester… if we let them. Our Heavenly Father uses these experiences for our growth… for GREATER THINGS… if that’s our choice to follow Him.

The love and joy that God puts in our hearts is as pure as anything we can hope to experience this side of Heaven.

Tapping into this love and joy… it’s ours if we want it, ask for it, and intentionally pursue it.

It’s our ticket to Greater Things, even overcoming a painful past that can scar, rip apart and otherwise ruin our hearts. And that’s at the heart of the matter… it’s up to each of us to make this choice to a more healthy heart, and a more fulfilling life… one that overflows with the vibrant life of an artesian well or spring, generously flowing from our hearts to breathe the love of God to everyone else we encounter…

What positive change could you make today so more love may flow from your heart?

Mowgli and the Mack Truck

August 5, 2010 in Soul Food with 0 Comments

I got plowed by a Mack Truck when I was a little boy. At the tender age of 5, while cautiously walking Running a couple of short blocks from school, I carelessly ran right in front of a Mack Truck. Fortunately, the truck driver saw me, slammed on his breaks, and came to a screeching halt just as we made contact. I was knocked to the ground, barely scratched but completely terrified (as was my mom who came running out of our home to see what all the commotion was about).

Needless to say I have been much more cautious about crossing the street ever since then and am proud to say I haven’t been hit by another Mack Truck since. I guess I do still live on the edge whenever I run, especially crossing Southside Boulevard. And The Running of the Bulls is on my bucket list. That’s probably about as intelligent as running in front of a Mack Truck.

My point here is that I learned a valuable lesson from the Mack Truck incident…

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” Proverbs 1:5

And I’ve been able to learn sosososo much from my plethora of other life experiences too. Not to worry, the book is coming. It reads like fiction, that crazy!! Hoping it might sell like Blue Like Jazz :-)

Do you have a life experience that you could say you’ve learned a valuable lesson from?

carpe diem

May 24, 2010 in Soul Food with 0 Comments

… or Seize the Day.

That’s what I feel like on Monday mornings. The sun comes up and I’m full of life and energy.

Ready to have at it.

A man with a plan, though most days for me don’t turn out as I planned. I go with the flow, no longer getting hung up on the minor details. Work blends with life and it’s taken in stride.

Keep on moving and trying to do good.

With A LOT of help from my friends.

And leaning on Him.

Through the calm and through the storm, He’s there to watch over me.

And He never lets go of me.

It’s all about attitude and optimism.

“Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.” Proverbs 4:25

and don’t look back.

Make the most of every single day!

Happy Monday :-)

B.T.B.D.

May 11, 2010 in Breathing Deep with 0 Comments

My daughters came up with this one a few years back… their theory is: All of dad’s relationships end with a big trip. It’s the Big Trip Big Dump, or B.T.B.D. for short.

They can rattle off the list of women and the corresponding trips. The list isn’t THAT long, but I’m not going there… And I’ve been on both sides of this, the dumper and the dumpee.

From my point of view they’re only partially correct. Some of these relationships did in fact end with a trip. There is one time where we actually went on the Big Trip that was planned well in advance, and I nicely let her know ahead of time I really wanted to go and enjoy the adventure, but unfortunately when we got back that we’d be splitting up. And we did. We went on the Big Trip… and… you know… We both agree to this day that it is a great memory. When we see each other there are hugs and laughs.

Not too long ago I received a very strong message from God… to guard my heart. It came in His perfect time and way. And was delivered on the same Sunday that I awoke to the most incredible feeling of peace and comfort from the Holy Spirit that I’ve ever experienced. Immediately following the most challenging week in my life… He delivered and took care of me. God’s Mercy. He demonstrated His power and love to me through one of my greatest weaknesses.

“Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23. There it was,  written all over the sermon notes handed to me on the same Sunday at a Church that I didn’t normally attend. But it was as if God wrote this message just for me, and the Pastor delivered a message that sank in deep. Really deep.

My Bible sums up this and the next three verses as follows:

“Our heart – our feelings of love and desire – dictates to a great extent how we live because we always find time to do what we enjoy. Solomon teaches us to guard our heart above all else, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will keep us on the right path. Make sure your affections push you in the right direction. Put boundaries on your desires: don’t go after everything you see. Look straight ahead, keep your eyes fixed on your goal, and don’t get sidetracked on detours that lead to sin.”

When I share some of the stories of my past with good friends the response is the same, over and over again: “I’m surprised that you’re still dating!” I haven’t built a wall (well, maybe just a small one…). But it’s hard for me to live with a wall. My personality is one of a very giving and caring person, and I enjoy being close to other people. My heart feels healthy and is full of love. I believe that living in The Word is what guarding my heart is all about. Establishing safe boundaries. And sticking with them.

Big Trips… YES. Detours… Let’s pass.

What do you think about Guarding Your Heart?

Got the Message

March 29, 2010 in Soul Food with 2 Comments

we just finished a 3-part series at Church about a text message we’ve all received… this text can make a huge difference in the way we view most things in life… if we’ll do one simple thing: READ IT!!

text:_

it’s about reading The Word, a message from God that is very personal, relevant, provides immediate information, and is from someone you know. Andy Stanley once again conveys this message in a way that brings it home where we can relate to it.

I learned how the Old Testament is laid out, and for the first time how to put it into a chronological order. The message includes an outline of how to put the Bible into your daily routine, by scheduling a time, choosing a place, and having a plan. It also touches on some of the highlights, the 10 Commandments, the story of Jesus found in the Gospel, and the Book of Proverbs – full of wisdom by the richest man who ever lived, King Solomon.

Here’s one of my favorite Bible verses… Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will set your path straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?