Tag: Proverbs

Categories
Daily Post

Verbs of Quest

Last night I spent a little time talking with my small group about seeking God and the impact it has on our lives when we set time, large or small amounts, aside each day to listen and earnest seek after God.  Lot to check off a check list of prayers or rituals, but to continue to develop the relationship with Him.

Take a look at the verbs in this Proverbs.  Look at how intense each one is.  Notice the action and activity they express.

The Benefits of Wisdom

2 My child, listen to what I say,
and treasure my commands.
2 Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
3 Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.
4 Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
    and you will gain knowledge of God.  Proverbs 2:1-5

 

And now go back and look at the reward!  Make time for these verbs today, and each day as you buffet your body, and set out on a quest to really know God!

 

Categories
Daily Post

Sharpening

Yesterday I thought I would take a nice easy 20 minute swim so I could let my mind drift and think about some stuff. Otherwise, I have to concentrate too much on counting the laps.

About 8 laps in, well I don’t really know because I wasn’t counting Anyway, about 8 laps in, a guy sat down on the wall in the lane next to me, and the next time I pushed off that wall he started his swim- and matched me stroke for stroke. So much for the easy swim! For the next 15 minutes we swam mostly side by side, he eventually backed off the pace a little :)!
And I was glad! It was good to be pushed. It was good to be made to focus and to go even when I wanted to take the turn easy.

And so we should be each day with our mates.

Iron sharpens iron,

and one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17 ESV)

Categories
Daily Post

Attitude and Effort

I read an email this morning and noticed my immediate reaction contained more frustration about the content than was proper and I was quickly reminded of the quote yesterday about wasting 60 seconds of happiness.  I immediately reminded myself that really I can control my reaction to these sorts of things and they don’t have to steal my life from me.  As the soccer coach over at school says – “there are two things you can control your attitude and your effort”.

Anyway, I hope my moment of realization this morning will bring some lift to your day.

 Those who do not control themselves
       are like a city whose walls are broken down. Proverbs 25:28 NCV

Categories
Daily Post

16 and Life to Go

16!…  It’s hard to believe, but my oldest child turns sixteen today. I sure hope that I have been able to create an environment over that time where he was able to “listen.. to his father’s instruction” as Proverbs 1:8 admonishes  us all to do.

It’s prayer for him that as he continues to mature into manhood that he will seek the wisdom and instruction discussed in Proverbs 3.  ( I can’t believe I mentioned manhood and him in the same sentence.  I guess my AARP card will be coming soon!)

As for you guys.  As all of use continue to mature spiritually, it might be a good time to stop and see if we are listening to the corrections and instruction from our heavenly father.  There is wisdom there that will manifest itself in many great ways:

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere  James 3

Categories
Daily Post

Fixed and Fast

Last night I went out for a 4 mile run on the nice soft flat top of the local levee.  Since it’s so flat it can be an easy run or a fast run depending on how you feel.  I intended to do something sort of in the middle – quick but controlled.

I started my run a few blocks from the trail head and just as I approached the start of the levee another gentlemen started down the path.  Uh-no!  a rabbit.   So as I rounded the first turn and could see across the levee for quite a distance I noticed there were several runners and walkers out in front of me.  One by one, I placed my eyes on the back of the individual in front of me and ran them down.  As I approached the first mile, I noticed another runner in the distance, maybe 1/4 mile ahead, and sub consciously I fixed in on him.  I traveled through the first mile 15 seconds faster than I wanted, but I was feeling so fleet a foot and completely in control.  I continued ahead, slowly gaining on the object of my fixation.   I come along side the final runner with about a third of a mile to my turn around marker, the two-mile.  We arrived together at the two-mile mark more than 20 seconds faster than my intended pace and even faster than the first mile. Yes!

He was continuing down the path, so we parted ways and I turned around.  Since there were no returning runners in front of me, I had nothing to focus on but to gloat of my achievements!  And as you can guess, my time greatly reduced on the two miles back in.

This morning, I came across these great proverbs

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.

I could not help but be reminded of my trip across the levee last night.  As long as I had someone to focus on, to fix my gaze directly on, I was in the zone.  Moving efficiently and effectively towards the target – actually not even realizing the effort I was giving!  But as soon as I had no focus.  As soon as I could observe the grass, and the distance, and the birds, and get absorbing in myself gratifying thoughts, my efficiently was greatly reduced.

So it is with our spirits!  Make sure you are focused on the right thing today.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God Hebrews 12:2 NIV