Tag Archive - Wisdom

The Best Advice For Finding True Wisdom: Reverence For God

October 17, 2011 in Soul Food with 2 Comments

wisdom... all of the answers are out there...

Wisdom … knowledge… insight…

wisdom is something that will give me understanding, a sense of direction, or guide me to taking a specific (and positive :) ) action.

I’ve prayed many times for God to lead me in making decisions, asking Him to give me knowledge… basically, for wisdom. He will always answer prayers, although sometimes not exactly in the way and time that we desire. On one occasion I prayed long and hard to God for answers… and He delivered in a powerful way… here’s some of what He gave me:

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom,
and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds victory in store for the upright,
He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for He guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair – every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.” Proverbs 2:1-11 (NIV)

This verse is loaded with knowledge and understanding… it all goes together… you may selectively take and use just part of it… however, the verse is tied together with LOTS of “ands” so I would encourage you to think of it completely, and in its full meaning.

I prayed for wisdom and He delivered… He gave me more… much much more… it started with this powerful verse, Proverbs Chapter 2.

I trusted in Him, and gave Him Reverence (my love and respect)… and He delivered… in His perfect time and way.

I don’t know where you are with your spiritual journey but I do know this portion of Proverbs Chapter 2 can be applied to just about any situation… with faith… trusting and honoring God.

The Best Advice For Finding True Wisdom: Reverence For God brings true wisdom.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse about Wisdom?

Why Stepping Out In Faith Is Like Herding Cats

June 29, 2011 in Breathing Deep with 2 Comments

these cats are cooperating... for now

Francis Chan is someone who inspires me. I wrote about two of Chan’s books in the post “Hey Look, It’s CHAN.” His accomplishments included founding Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California and the Eternity Bible College. He also sits on the board of directors of Children’s Hunger Fund and World Impact. Chan’s writing remains very popular, and he is an active public speaker. He has a new book coming out next week. I personally find Chan’s inspiring as he relates his take on God and draws in lukewarm Christians with a flair.

Chan goes on to lead by example in what must have been the craziest challenge that God could give him…

he felt called by God to take a leap of faith…

without further direction from God at the time he was led to stepped down from his leadership at Cornerstone last year.

I’m using Chan as my example but have seen more and more people who are taking a leap in faith…

While I have no clue whether Chan has a cat…

or even likes cats…

Stepping out in faith is just like herding cats because when we step out in faith we…

  • place every shred of our existence in the hands of our Maker in the ultimate act of faith (If you have ever tried to herd cats you know that they seldom cooperate… this must be exactly how God must feel at times with us too whenever we resist following Him)
  • feel completely naked (yes, cats run around naked all day long!)
  • are leaving our comfort zone for uncharted territory (if you are a cat herder you already know to expect the unexpected)
  • may be asked to do something that is unpredictable and at times may even seem “out of character” (most cats have a personality… one that is all their own… completely predictable… until you start herding them!)
  • are asked to do something that takes guts (cat guts have many uses… if you didn’t know it tennis rackets were strung with cat gut before synthetic became the norm)

Herding Cats Steeping Out In Faith can personally be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever encounter.

I’m not suggesting that everyone go out and leave their church or quit their job our whatever… unless that’s what God is leading you to do!

If you’re not sure where God may be leading you I would suggest praying about it… and looking for the answers in the Bible… He will lead the way!

Is God calling you to step out in faith?

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.

Growing Better by Wandering Around

March 25, 2011 in Soul Food with 0 Comments

 
 

 

Sometimes it seems like God lets go of me and I simply wander around. Whether I wander off, or if God lets me explore the wilderness on my own, I have figured one thing out: I need this time to grow. Sometimes I learn the same lesson that I should have already committed to memory, but needed a refresher… other times I may pick up on something totally different, and new.

The story of the ancient Israelites is one worth sharing here. A timeless example and testimony that parallels many of our trials and temptations, really the very people of our world today. One that might make us wonder: is history actually repeating itself, or could this have been a premonition for us to take heed, a premonition of our time…

The people of Israel had become separated from God. Sent to Egypt and captivity under deteriorating conditions, the patriarchal descendants of Abraham had become separated from God, ignoring Him. The Israelites asked God repeatedly, day after day, year after year, to deliver them from the Pharaoh ruler of Egypt and to the promised land of milk and honey.

Continue Reading…

Geology LITE: Bimini Road

May 25, 2010 in Geology with 0 Comments

The mythical road to Atlantis?

It’s a northeast/southwest trending, underwater limestone, or “beachrock” feature located off the coast of Bimini in The Bahamas. The Road is approximately ½ mile long and consists of rectangular to subrectangular blocks. Would be really fun to go diving there one day.

The techno geekity geek geek of it:

The mineralogy of beachrocks is mainly high-magnesium calcite or aragonite. The main processes involved in the cementation are : supersaturation with CaCO3 through direct evaporation of seawater (Scoffin, 1970), groundwater CO2 degassing in the vadose zone (Hanor, 1978), mixing of marine and meteoric water fluxes (Schmalz, 1971) and precipitation of micritic calcium carbonate as a byproduct of microbiological activity (Neumeier, 1999).

Pretty heavy for LITE.

I’m down with that.

What are these scientists getting at? That the Bimini Road feature was formed by natural processes.

But wait…

There really is a place called Atlantis. It’s on Paradise Island, in the Bahamas. And in addition to THE Bimini Road geologic feature, there’s a restaurant at Atlantis by the same name. They have the most tasty conch fritters. Be prepared to run an additional 3-mile loop after eating there. It’s worth it!

From Paul, Colossians 2:3… My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

What do you think of this road that we travel?

The Elusive Buried Treasure…

March 10, 2010 in Soul Food with 1 Comment

Think back to one of those “ahhh haaa moments”… when you continually stumbled on the same stepping stone in life, eluded by THE ONE THING that you wanted or thought you needed most… when all of a sudden the lights came on and you declared – “GADZOOKS!!! – I’ve finally figured it out.” Or, maybe it still is eluding you to this day…

Whatever “IT” is for you, and IT’S a little different for each of us, figuring it out is transforming.

We have no clue why this “IT” has eluded us for so very long but all of a sudden, when we figure it out, it becomes crystal clear. It’s like finding your buried treasure. To give you a great example, lots of folks will tell you when you’re single that love will find you when you’re not looking for it. Or, here’s another popular one, that I may not enjoy my work but I’m making A TON of money, so one day I’ll have this big huge pile of money and be really wealthy so I can retire and enjoy myself.

Hmmmm, well, here’s what I’m thinkin’…

To me, finding your IT is all about FOCUS, and FAITH… if “it” is eluding me, my focus is simply in the wrong place. So if I’m looking around for IT, whether “it’s” money, happiness, my soulmate, a job, more time to do what I enjoy, or whatever, and if my focus on IT is out of perspective, then I simply need to adjust my perspective, and have FAITH, being content in any and all circumstances. I know, easier said than done sometimes…  but remember… “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” -Matthew  6:19-21.

I think that part of the wisdom here too is that if we are content with the simple things in life, our blessings are given more freely and the walk is much more enjoyable. And, the bottom line is that whatever it is that eludes us, what we’re really seeking most is HAPPINESS, and that true joy, peace and happiness only comes from Him. So just focus on Him, and not IT, and you’ll be happy!!

Please share your thoughts on IT, finding IT, figuring IT out, or what IT is for you…