Thursday, February 28, 2013

Proverbs 17

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.


I think this is very true.  I try to be this way at work everyday no matter what is going on and I think it makes a difference for me, but also for others I'm around.  Whenever someone asks me how its going I usually answer with an enthusiastic fantastic or fabulous and its funny how it sometimes sparks a fun up beat conversation with someone. 

I never thought it as biblical, just kind of noticed it helped me to be more positive.  Now this verse is going right to the heart which is a little deeper than my friendly greeting, I think its probably more important to maintain a truly cheerful heart than simply having a friendly hello at the ready for someone.  I can definitely see the truth in this verse.

knut

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Proverbs 16

1      To humans belong the plans of the heart,
    but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans. 
In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.



So we are allowed to have dreams and plans in our heart, its the way He made us.  But He also knows what is best for us, we should seek his 'answer' for what He knows is best for us in we do and and He will establish or make our plans succeed by guiding our every step. 


Plans come from our hearts, the more of Him that is in my heart the better the plan.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Proverbs 15

1  A gentle answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

I think I can use this one at work.  There is often tension between personalities in my new role.  All good people but passionate and coming from different perspectives.  Rather than responding to aggressive statements with my own cutting sarcasm maybe I can be more direct but at the same time soft in tone to prevent stirring up frustration and anger.

something to work on, and I will have plenty of opportunity.
knut

Monday, February 25, 2013

Proverbs 14

12  There is a way that appears to be right,
    but in the end it leads to death.


Don't fake it and follow God's direction without having His Spirit in your heart. It may look like you are going down the right path to everyone in this world through your good works, but it will lead to hell without having your heart given to God.


short and sweet today.
knut

Friday, February 22, 2013

Proverbs 13

I like it when I read something in the bible, and it reminds me of other places in the bible where we've ready similar things.  This chapter did that to me several times.  It gives me a sense that it all makes sense, and is all pointing us in the same direction.

here's a couple of verses that did that to me
From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
These made me remember the mantra of "be quick to listen and slow to speak"  Where did  we read that?   I would have to go back over our posts.  I remember that line made an impression on both of us.

24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
This is doosey to end the chapter.  I think sometimes people use this as an excuse to beat the chitlins......but, to me its saying that we need to be "parents" to our kids, and not try to be their "friends".  Even though its tough sometimes, and they don't like us for it, they need our discipline.

short and sweet today....its friday.

have a great weekend

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Provers 12

Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
    than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

16 Fools show their annoyance at once,
    but the prudent overlook an insult.


Those are the 2 verses that grabbed me today.  The first one made me think about how much debt our country is in....and how we try to so hard to have everything that we see around us.  I sometimes don't feel like I'm doing well, unless I have something that I see in someone else's house.  Isn't that crazy?  Where does that come from?  I know what's important and what's not.  Yet I continue to make questionable decisions with money that I may or may not have.  "Live below your means", a wise man once told me(Dad).

The second one struck a chord with me, and I read it several times....In a place as large as GM, there are bound to be people that rub you the wrong way, right?  At least that's what I tell myself.  There are people that just plain annoy me.  When I see em comin', I get annoyed just by the sight of them.  I may even duck into a cubicle, just to keep from the idle chatter about the weather.  That makes me feel pretty ugly to even type it.
I have a friend named Tim that is really good at being gracious to everyone.  I watch him with the "annoying" people, and I can't tell that he is struggling to stay with them in conversation at all.  I think that is a really good quality to have.
To me, what's being talked about here is grace.  God gives us an abundance of grace, everyday.  Far beyond the level we deserve.  We need to reflect that grace to the people around us.  If we don't act this way, we look just like everybody else.  We need to look like God (or at least a tiny reflection of him)

peace

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Proverbs 11

25  A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.


There are many short and sweet one liners in here to help me remember not gossip, be humble, have integrity.  Controlling the tongue is some that strikes me throughout the bible.

Today v25 hit me, generally when I hear generous the first thing I think of is giving up $$.  Over the years I have become much better at giving freely between growing in my faith and seeing how Gina works in terms of sharing generously.  I really like to give to help out friends or strangers, something as simple as leaving a big tip for a server in hopes it can brighten their evening a little.  I like to find ways to give anonymously, not so much so they don't know but more to help make sure my motives are not selfish in terms of recognition.

As I read today I just liked the thought of refreshing others and that generosity is so much more than giving $$.  This is where I'm probably not as generous as I would like to be, I'm pretty protective of my time but this tells me I should be generous with it or any other gifts God has given me to help refresh others and in turn I'll be refreshed.  Its funny because when I do take time to help others I do feel refreshed myself, yet I continue to guard my time--I'm not sure why.

knut

Monday, February 18, 2013

Proverbs 10



Lazy hands make for poverty,
    but diligent hands bring wealth.
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
    but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.


I've read this before and thought of it in terms of direction for myself not to sit around and do nothing but to try and be productive, slow and steady progress all the time on some project or work...kind of like an ant and the reward is God will provide for me and my family. 

I think its good to take it as instruction and not necessarily the wrong way to read these verses.  But as I reflect this morning, what if I think about this in terms of helping God harvest souls for eternity?  I feel like I may be in the summer part of my life, but I don't feel like I'm doing a ton of crop gathering.  I think I need to look for more opportunities to share my faith and help friends, family and acquaintances see God in my life and in turn if He isn't in theirs maybe a seed will be planted.  I'd like to be the prudent son.

knut out

Friday, February 15, 2013

Proverbs 9

7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. 
Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.


I wasn't getting much from this chapter, so I read my friend Tom's blog on this chapter and another friend Kevin posted v8:

"This verse is interesting in the context of Christian accountability. It can be difficult to discern when we should say something to someone else to hold them accountable and when to keep our mouths shut. This verse gives advice. Now the hard part, who is wise and who’s a mocker?"

I thought yeah I'm not supposed to be judging people so how will I know who is wise and who is the mocker?  Then it hit me, but I can use this piece of knowledge on myself.  How do I control myself?  Do I act like the mocker if someone gives me a piece of advice?  Do I let my pride take over and not listen or even worse attack their suggestions with defensive insults or do I act like a wise person and hear their thoughts and accept them as an opportunity to improve myself and love them like a wise person.

So my thought is use this verse to help be a barometer for myself, do I live like a wise person or a mocker?  I think generally wise, but I'm not so sure that I don't have some mocker hiding in me.  I can think of times Gina might make a comment that has lots of truth in it about my behavior and my response is to defend myself and maybe even make some retaliating remark against her.  I know it when I've done it, but it usually happens pretty quickly and I don't often apologize for my slip ups--seems pretty 'mocker' like.

I may be over thinking this verse today, but it was a thought that popped into my head.

knut

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Proverbs 8

WHAT??
not sure I followed that.  Is he referring to wisdom, as being there before God laid the foundations of creation?  I'm a little lost with this one.

I'm sure you'll come to the table with some great insight on this one

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Proverbs 7

27 Her house is a highway to the grave,
    leading down to the chambers of death.

So I guess he's saying we men are an easy target for a woman who wants to attract us so be on guard and don't take that path to death.  So far he's spent quite a bit of Proverbs telling us to be faithful, i think he means it.

My friend Tom had a funny observation--
First, history records that Solomon himself had 700 wives and 300 concubines. That means that the dude could sleep with a different woman every night for roughly three years before he’d have to see the same woman twice. It seems to me if that is your reality and you’re still warning your son about being tempted by a woman who is not your wife (or concubine), you’ve got issues. I’m just saying.

thanks again for your prayers, yesterday went as smooth as one could hope.
knut


Monday, February 11, 2013

Proverbs 6

16 There are six things the Lord hates,
    seven that are detestable to him:
17         haughty eyes,
        a lying tongue,
        hands that shed innocent blood,
18         a heart that devises wicked schemes,
        feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19         a false witness who pours out lies
        and a person who stirs up conflict in the community

The first part of this chapter didn't really seem to make sense to me, until I read the last protion.
thsoe are 6 principles that are good to think about.

The second portion is a little more straightforward.  It goes along with what we were talking about in chapter 5.  The "sharing" of the wives.
It seems to me that this chapter is focussed more on married women, and chapter 5 was talking about
women in general.  The one part that caught my attention in this one is;

26 For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread,
    but another man’s wife preys on your very life.
27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap
    without his clothes being burned?
28 Can a man walk on hot coals
    without his feet being scorched?
29 So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife;
    no one who touches her will go unpunished


sounds to me like the author is telling us there is greater evil involved if the worman is married.  I guess I get it.  There are more people involved, and you could likely bring down 4 people.   When dealing with a prostitute you are only bringing down yourself...but, it still seems a little strange.

anyway....have a good week.
I will be praying for you.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

prayer request

Tomorrow (Monday) we will be sharing with my new team at work that we will be engaging with a 3rd party service provider to work with us to redesign some of our processes which will impact their jobs.  I fully expect everyone will have a job when we are all done, but it may be different than today potentially even promotions for some.  That said it will be a time of uncertainty for them and they may doubt where we are taking them or if they will have a job.

My boss and one of my direct reports will handle the heavy lifting in sharing with the team of about 50 people and I will chime in with my support.  Given my relative newness to the group (started in Dec 1st) pray  for me that I will demonstrate my genuine concern for their well being and that they will receive the message and feel some level of peace that we aren't yanking them around.

thanks,
knut

Friday, February 8, 2013

Proverbs 5

I'm surprised you weren't all over this one this morning.

For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,
    and her speech is smoother than oil;
but in the end she is bitter as gall,
    sharp as a double-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death;
    her steps lead straight to the grave.
She gives no thought to the way of life;
    her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.

See.......its all their fault.  Stay away from the wiley temptresses! 
I would translate this into our day and age to include pornography....which seems to be so pervasive in our society.  And so widely accepted as mainstream.

The end of this chapter sounds like the song "Chasing waterfalls, by TLC"
15 Drink water from your own cistern,
    running water from your own well.
16 Should your springs overflow in the streets,
    your streams of water in the public squares?
17 Let them be yours alone,
    never to be shared with strangers.

I can't imagine wanting to share Kim......but, I know times were different back then.

I think the underlying message to this chapter, is just how slippery the sexual slope can be for men.  And you can make snap decisions that will effect you for the rest of your life, and if you choose "poorly" (like in Indiana Jone and the Last Crusade)  it'll haunt you for forever.
\
So, stop creepin', and be true to yer woman!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Proverbs 4

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

As we have gone through the first 4 chapters this feels like a setup the teaching to come.  Study the bible get it in your hear and you will gain wisdom and wisdom will protect and guide you.

This chapter continues to tell us to pursue wisdom but the verse I put above tells me that even with wisdom I need to be very intentional about where I am going in life to make sure I'm on the right path.  Studying his word and embedding it in my heart will help me discern what I path I should be on or if by chance I have made a bad choice and gotten off the path.

I've read Proverbs before but I feel like I probably blew past the first 4 chapters pretty quickly without giving them as much thought as I have this time. 

knut

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Proverbs 3

My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.

Both of these two lines talk about the bodily benefits of following God's direction.  Literally, your life will be prolonged!  I'd never really thought about that before.  But, I guess it makes sense.  If you aren't completely caught up in the craziness of this world, and are focussed on things that are more eternal, you won't be stressed out.  I like this idea of the wise, more quiet, more subdued peole being the ones that reap the rewards of a long prosperous life.  I see lots of examples where that isn't the case.  But, I like that idea.

tp

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Proverbs 2

10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 
11 Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.


This chapter is God's instruction for what I was feeling and noted in my comments yesterday, it feels very timely--get God's word in my heart and there are great benefits even while here on earth.  

There are a few people I know who really study the bible with intensity and it does seem to me there is a pleasant calmness about their soul.  There is a quiet confidence they have that probably comes from knowing in their heart how very safe they are at all times.  Your Dad is one of those people, I want to be like that myself.

have a great day,
Knut

Monday, February 4, 2013

Proverbs 1

In the previous post I charted all of our reading to date and marked our spot to come back to Psalm at some point.

Thought we could hit Proverbs



24 But since you refuse to listen when I call
    and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,...
28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
    they will look for me but will not find me,



I need to be in his word daily, but not just reading it.  I need to get it inside me and listen to his instruction and embed it in how I live.  Go to him in prayer all the time, not just when I'm desperate.  Why should I expect him to be there when I need him if I had him on ignore whenever i didnt think I need his guidance?

knut

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Reading list October 2011--January 2013

Book: Completed
Written by Moses 
1. Genesis 
2. Exodus 
3. Leviticus 
4. Numbers 
5. Deuteronomy  Oct-11
OT Narratives
6. Joshua  Oct-11
7. Judges Dec-11
8. Ruth Dec-11
9. 1 Samuel Feb-12
10. 2 Samuel Mar-12
11. 1 Kings
12. 2 Kings
13. 1 Chronicles
14. 2 Chronicles
15. Ezra
16. Nehemiah
17. Esther
Wisdom Literature
18. Job
19. Psalms Ch 1-32, Jan 2013
20. Proverbs
21. Ecclesiastes
22. Song of Songs
Major Prophets
23. Isaiah
24. Jeremiah
25. Lamentations
26. Ezekiel
27. Daniel
Minor Prophets
28. Hosea 
29. Joel
30. Amos
31. Obadiah
32. Jonah
33. Micah
34. Nahum
35. Habakkuk
36. Zephaniah
37. Haggai
38. Zechariah
39. Malachi 
NT Narratives
40. Matthew
41. Mark
42. Luke Jan-13
43. John
44. Acts
Epistles by Paul 
45. Romans  May-12
46. 1 Corinthians  May-12
47. 2 Corinthians  Jul-12
48. Galatians  Jul-12
49. Ephesians  Jul-12
50. Philippians  Aug-12
51. Colossians  Aug-12
52. 1 Thessalonians Sep-12
53. 2 Thessalonians  Sep-12
54. 1 Timothy  Sep-12
55. 2 Timothy  Sep-12
56. Titus  Sep-12
57. Philemon Sep-12
General Epistles 
58. Hebrews  Oct-12
59. James  Apr-12
60. 1 Peter  Nov-12
61. 2 Peter  Nov-12
62. 1 John  Nov-12
63. 2 John  Nov-12
64. 3 John  Nov-12
65. Jude Nov-12
Apocalyptic Epistle by John
66. Revelation

Friday, February 1, 2013

Psalm 31-32

I'm started to blur all of these chapters together a little bit.  They all sound very similar. 
This one sounds like a Johnny Cash song.  Doesn't it?  Sounds like he has had a good life, and is now frail and weak, and feeling very vulnerable.

When I kept silent,
    my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
For day and night
    your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
    as in the heat of summer.[d]
Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.

This is the one portion that caught my attention.  Bringing light to the ugly stuff that we do, takes all of its power away, to control us.  The more we push it down, and hide it......the more issues we have.  And, the less God will be willing to listen to us, and our prayers.

Have a great weekend
#1