Ecclesiastes 7

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
    but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

I felt like I was reading a Proverb today, even went back up to the top to make sure I was in the right section.  As I read this verse today I thought I probably do learn more about myself if difficult times than I do when all is going well.  

More importantly, when can you have a greater impact for God's kingdom?  Contributing to the good times people are having or being there for them--investing in them, when they are in a struggle?  I think the latter, not that you can't in good times too but it seems like its easier to show you care for someone when they are in the midst of a challenge and it can open doors to sharing your faith with them.

knut

Ecclesiastes 6

hhhhhhmmmmmmmmm......
I switched over this morning, to the message version of the good book.  And what is this chapter called, in the message?....., "Things are Bad"

I can feel the futility in the authors voice.  As he wrestles with the seemingly pointlessness of life, and its unfairness.  For me, the point to life isn't fairness, or equality, or reward for appropriate work.  Its the glory of God.  Maybe God is looking for the people that will try to bring a reflection of him, into the otherwise void, pointless existence of life. 
Some people speculate that Solomon wrote Ecc., due to the "wise" references in the beginning.  If that's true, I can kinda see the point to these writings.  He had EVERYTHING!, and yet he sees that it doesn't really mean anything in the end.  He is still bound by the same sinful nature, and will wind up in the ground just like the pauper that undoubetly lived in the kingdom.  The key here for me is;  if God is showering me with gifts and blessings....the only REAL thing to do (or lasting effect I can have) is to use it for HIS benefit and glory.....not mine.

whoa!  I blacked out for a second there.  Did I write anything that made sense up there?

Ecclesiastes 5

¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. 

nothing struck me too hard today.  don't talk to much, do what you say your going to do, possessions are fleeting.  As long as you don't get priorities out of order its good to be happy with your work and any wealth and possession God has gifted us with.  As I type this I just got my take away, job/wealth is a gift not something I did or earned--be thankful not prideful.

knut

Ecclesiastes 4

12 Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

I read a post on this chapter from a friend at church and he talked about accountability partners and how it keeps him strong.  It made me think about our partnership on this chapter a day and how much stronger my commitment is to doing this everyday because of having accountability with you.

I remember when we first started this, I think you even used those words holding each other accountable to make sure we followed through which I think was necessary early on.  Now it has just become a part of my daily life that I look forward to, maybe not a 3 strand cord but strong than my single strand.  thanks bro!

knut

Ecclesiastes 3

¹³ That each of them may eat and drink,and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 

This is another difficult chapter in a series of downers.  I think Solomon is searching for the meaning of life and struggling with whether or not anything he does matters, a question I have wrestled with at times.

I take away that we are looking through a lens that is like a pin hole in a piece of paper, we can't begin to imagine how good things will be in the end when we are with God in heaven.  The verse I chose says to me make the most of everyday and every situation i find myself in the daily toil is a gift from God.

knut

Ecclesiastes 2

More Debbie Downer here!

¹⁰ I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
    I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
    and this was the reward for all my toil.
¹¹ Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
    and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
    nothing was gained under the sun.

My take on this is as follows:
Even though its only touched upon in the last paragraph of this chapter, to me we need to keep our focus on God and eternity.  The intent of the writing here is to say that whatever it is that we accomplish on this earth, and gather up.....it just doesn't matter in the large scheme of things.  Our houses, jobs, toys, career, status, and anything else that is rooted in this world, will pass away and be meaningless, just like the wind.
Its something VERY important for us to remember in our "consumer minded", western mentality.

peace

Ecclesiastes 1

This one is a bit of a "downer".  I understand the thought here.  He is saying, no matter what happens in life....there will still be an ending of death.  And the rest of the world will continue on when you die.  Its an interesting twist on the types of things we've been reading about lately.  I'm hoping in the next couple of chapters, the author turns it a little bit, to something that talks about the need to make use of our time here, to further God's kingdom....we'll see.  So far, the first chapter could be summed up with one word "FUTILITY"

that's it.  short and sweet
have fun out east.  I've been following your wife facebook posts.  It looks like fun!

Proverbs 31

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

This is a perfect discription of my loverly bride.  A good woman is hard to find.  The difference it makes in life, to me, is not even measurable.

tp out

Proverbs 30

⁵ “Every word of God is flawless;
    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
I like this theme that we have seen several times lately in our reading, of God being our place of refuge.  He should be the source of our lifes anchor.  I feel like I have it backwards sometimes.  I live in this world and try to remind myself of God presence, and of what he wants of me.....instead of taking refuge in God, and not being swayed or influenced by the wicked world that I'm living in.

I remember learning to drive on the highway when I was 14ish.  I remember the first time vividly.  I was trying to keep the car in between the lines, by looking just in front of the car.  I was jerking the car back and forth, and it was rough.  My dad said, "look way up ahead".  "Look where you're going, not where you are"
I think that applies here.  I need to continually remind myself what I should be focussing on, and it will help me stay on the right path.  And everything will go much smoother.

Whoa!, went of into story land there for a second.
Have a good weekend!

Proverbs 29

¹⁵ A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
    but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.

¹⁷ Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
    they will bring you the delights you desire.

I like these 2 today.  Its a good reminder that our kids need us to be their parents first, and their friends second:  Not the other way around. 

I'm getting  burned out on reading thru these Proverbs, I'm glad the end is near.  Its not that it isn't good stuff, but I'm needing a little more story/context.

you dig?

Proverbs 28

¹⁴ Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
    but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
This one caught my attention today.  We've been working our way thru a study, in our small group, that is meant to help understand the things that are keeping us from having a healthy relationship with God.  It's been really good.   The study works hard to show God in a "loving father" sort of way.  But this verse reminds me of the respectful fear that we need to have for God.  He deserves it! 

²⁶ Those who trust in themselves are fools,
    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
Going along with the verse from above.  sort of.........if I'm not trusting him for everything, then I'm missing the boat.  If I'm not trusting him, then I'm trusting in myself, and that's where I get into trouble.

I'm going to try to rely on him for everything today.  I will consider/pray about every decision I have to make today, and we'll see what happens.

rock on!

Proverbs 27

27 

27 Do not boast about tomorrow,

    for you do not know what a day may bring.

² Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
    an outsider, and not your own lips.

¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.

¹⁹ As water reflects the face,
    so one’s life reflects the heart

Several caught my attention today.

I try to live with v1 in mind not to be scared but just to value each day.  I was reminded last week about this someone on my team woke up in the morning fine and found out in the evening that their dad had Stage IV cancer which they had no inkling about before told.

v2 I also try to keep this one in mind because I think I sometimes have a pride that I want people to know that I did something well.  I don't think I come right out an praise myself but I may say something that helps someone down the path of noticing how great I think I am so they give me some praise.  My the same token, it makes me realize I should give praise more freely.  I often notice things but maybe don't let someone know how great I think they are or how much I appreciate what they do.

v17 I get sharpened and encouraged by reading your thoughts and comments on our blog.  I look forward to seeing what you came up with each day and the things you notice that I don't.

v19 I want my life to reflect my heart for God.  I'm not sure it is always apparent to others but I want it to be.  In the footnotes it said or others reflect your heart back to you.  That could be telling, you get back what you put in to others.

have a great day

Knut

Proverbs 26

²⁰ Without wood a fire goes out;
    without a gossip a quarrel dies down.

I've been working on this with Max and Ben.  Trying to get them to understand that when the insults start flying, or the trash talking starts....the best way to end it is to say nothing.  Or even go the other way, and agree with the insults that are being hurled at them.  As soon as you say one thing, it escalates the situation to the next level.
"You can catch more flies with honey, than you can with vinegar"

Proverbs 25

¹⁶ If you find honey, eat just enough—
    too much of it, and you will vomit.
¹⁷ Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
    too much of you, and they will hate you.

I don't even know what to write about this one......except that it makes me laugh.
Hilarious how "you" is compared to "honey"
it might be reallyl good......but too much is gonna be a bad thing.

I'm not sure how to apply this to my daily life.  I don't spend lots of time at anyones house.
But, I still like it.

tp out
have a great weekend!

hey! you had a really nice post a couple of days ago, and I totally missed it.  In my catching up,  I saw it.  I feel very lucky to have you as a friend in my life.  When you look back at how life happens, it seems like a 1 in a million chance that things would bring you to this exact spot.  But, I really think its all apart of God's plan.  He knew I needed you, and you needed me.

Proverbs 24

26  An honest answer
    is like a kiss on the lips.

He may not have intended this, but for me today this strikes me as good coaching for me to be a better manager at work.  I need to be completely honest and transparent with feedback I give my employees.  If I hold back something I'm thinking I'm not being completely honest and while I may think I'm doing it to prevent dragging them down unnecessarily I am not helping them develop.  Honesty will feel good to them if delivered with true concern for their development, not directed to make them feel bad.

I think I have work on the mind this morning.
knut 

Proverbs 23

24 The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.

I am sharing what Tom wrote in his blog because I thought his parenting principles were so simple and full of impact

========================= I never expected my children to be perfect. I have had people ask me how I raised great kids. I always struggle to answer those questions because I feel like the outcome is far more about God grace and about their own wise choices than it is about parenting. There is no secret formula nor are there guarantees or sure outcomes. I only had a few guiding principles I attempted to follow…

• Rather than trying to get them to go to church, I tried to model for them an active faith.
• Rather than telling them “no” all the time, I tried to find healthy ways to tell them “yes.”
• Rather than fearing the worst in them, I tried to trust the best in them.
• Rather than holding them back out of fear of what they might do, I tried to release them with faith that they would do the things that they should do.
• Rather than trying to love them with lots of things, I tried to love them with time, affection & attention.

==============================

I've never be so introspect to have formalized principles like Tom did, but I'm might try and make sure I'm implementing some of his like the healthy yes and loving them with time, affection and attention.

knut

Proverbs 21-22

6 Start children off on the way they should go,
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it.


I wish I had read this one 14 years ago.  I think we are starting our kids off in the right direction, but I also think there is more we could and can do to make sure we have them aimed squarely on God.

This is both reassuring and scary, get them going right and they will stay with God but if you don't start them off right how much harder is it for them to get on the right path?  

knut

Proverbs 19-20

3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool is quick to quarrel.


Some days I just need to keep my mouth shut versus arguing about something trivial.  Happens at work and at home.  I tell the kids not to do it but don't always listen to my own advice.

short and sweet today, have a good one.
knut

Proverbs 18

18 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
    they go down to the inmost parts.

so many of these verses talk about the damage we can do with our words and how speaking without thinking is dangerous.  This verse talks about the dangers of listening in on gossip and how participating in it gets deep inside us.  the tongue is pretty powerful I need to be mindful of what I say matters.

²² He who finds a wife finds what is good
    and receives favor from the Lord.

I have definitely been bless by Gina and I know you have by Kim, this speaks directly to that.

²⁴ One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Since Thanksgiving weekend 1975 I've had a friend like a brother.  

Never would I have guessed that day I was sledding down Mayfair Street at my new home in Waterloo Iowa when I met a lady who said 'I have a boy your age', that I would be sitting at my keyboard on this thing called the internet doing a bible study at 5:30am in Grimes Iowa with her boy who lives in Michigan nearly 38 years later.  I'm glad I met that lady...and her boy.

brother out

Proverbs 18

² Fools find no pleasure in understanding
    but delight in airing their own opinions.

This is one made me laugh a little bit.   I know these are supposed to be deep philosophical truths....and most of them hit me that way.  But, this one is amusing because of the people it brings to mind.  I'm sure you can think of a couple people that fit this bill.

That's it.  Short for a Friday.
I can't wait to finish Proverbs.  I'm finding them difficult.  I think the saying are good.  But, there isn't anything cohesive about the reading.  Its tough.  Maybe we start doing 2 chapters a day for a while, to knock it out.

have a good weekend.
tp