Proverbs 14

15 The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.

I like this verse for a couple of reasons:

1.  I think our blog is a part of us giving "thought" to this stuff.....talking it through.  Raising questions when it seems strange, and searching for answers! To me, that's the power of the journey, and walking it with a partner.

2.  I've talked about it before, but my young one isn't on the faith train.  But, he is a deep thinker.  He doesn't want to believe just because that's what we tell him.  He needs more.  So, this verse gives me a little hope that he can land in the second half of this verse through thought, experience, and investigation.

tp

Proverbs 13

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.


All of these verses are good.  They all hold some universal truth.  Great stuff to read and remind myself of.  
I copy/pasted the first verse, just because it's so opposite of our society.  Everyone is looking for instant gratification.  How can I get 10 million insta followers?  Not that its dishonest, but you know what I mean.  There is real value in saving and building and being generous.

The second verse is one that I try to convince Max of.  He doesn't subscribe yet.  He hangs out with some dudes that are squarely in the second line.  But, that is a concept that you learn and accept over time.  I can remember being there too.  Ben, on the other hand, has no time for the fools....at all!

tp

Proverbs 12

24 
24 Diligent hands will rule,
    but laziness ends in forced labor.

I feel like this is a lesson I want Luke to hear and learn.  He is one that will do anything I ask of him without fuss.  But he is also comfortable not doing anything until told.  I fear he is not developing the work ethic that will get him where he wants to go in life.  

This verse shows that irony.  Oddly the ones who appear to be always at work may in the end feel less at work than the ones who were lazy and at some point find themselves at the mercy of those who were always plugging along.

again not sure I'm pulling out the right message but this is what caught my eye.

knut

Proverbs 11

A kindhearted woman gains honor,
    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

These 3 verses go together for me.  I'm intrigued by the switch that happens between woman and men in the first one.  Its the second line that gets me.  Ruthless men gain only wealth.  In my current role, I have the option to be ruthless.  I can make or break people.  I can have people out the door in 1 day, if I choose.  And, in some cases, I will gain wealth by acting in that manner.  But this verse is a good warning.  

The next verse says that kindness towards other benefits me.  I like that.  That feels much better than the previous.

crazy take today.

tp

Proverbs 10

 9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

I need to lean on a verse like this at work.  Its not that others are walking such a crooked path but maybe they are making decisions that feel selfish or possibly sharing information that as leaders we have been told to hold in confidence.  I've felt burned in the past by be the rule follower and not looking as good as some peers with looser lips.  But in the long run if my decision are made with full integrity I can have confidence things will work out fine.  It can be tempting to take an easier out.  This verse can apply at least a little to not taking the easy out--if I align that with the crooked path.

maybe not what the point is but it helps me at work given the current situation I am in.

knut

Proverbs 9

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

I reread many times and wasn't getting hit with much. I did take away that just simply having that belief in God and his ultimate power over all things even without/before understanding how that is possible is a starting point.  Then over time, like we do with our study of His word together, we improve our understanding and grown in his wisdom.

all that said i'm feeling low on understanding and wisdom in this moment. ha
knut

Proverbs 8

“The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]
    before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
    at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

No great takes this morning.  This one was a little tough for me to read through, maintaining the understanding that the subject is all a "thing" (wisdom).  The verse I copy/pasted above makes it sound like wisdom is a person.....strange.

I think the underlying message is the importance of gaining and utilizing wisdom in our lives.  It keeps us out of trouble, if used properly.  The issue is trying to gain wisdom....which some of the earlier verses talked about.

Happy Father's Day!

tp

Proverbs 7

22 All at once he followed her    like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b]

This specific to men's weakness related to sex.  It always amazes me how so many rich and powerful men throw it all away for a fling with a new woman or even getting into trouble with prostitutes.  

But I think the lesson while directly speaking about this weakness and the distress implications can also apply to anything that can be a temptation to make poor choices.  The lesson being if you know you have a weakness don't put your self in the situation where your weakness is likely to cause you to make poor choices.

different spin
knut

Proverbs 6

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
    consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
    no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
    and gathers its food at harvest.

besides the obvious don't lust lesson I wasn't getting a ton from this proverb.  But something kept catching me about the ant.  It is amazing if you think about how they get after it.  They don't have a brain or at least nothing like us but they sure seem to know what they want and how to work to get it.

Maybe this fits into the idle hands are hands of the devil category.  Be like the ant, work your tail off to get ahead.  Don't wait for someone to tell you to do it, just find the work and get it done.  Its healthy to work hard.

not much today
knut

Proverbs 5

21 For your ways are in full view of the Lord,
    and he examines all your paths.

No matter if my thoughts are too myself or my actions/motives may not be obvious to others around me God knows exactly what's going through my head.  They sometimes say character is what you do when you think no one is watching.  The reality is there is never a time when God is not aware of all of me.

If I think that way does it change any of my actions or thoughts.  I'm not sure how to change my thoughts that is a tough one.  But maybe there changes I would make if I would really stop to think God is watching me right that moment.  Would I be proud or ashamed?  hmmm

knut

Proverbs 4

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
    pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.

I don't have a brilliant take today (like that ever happens....hahaha)
I really like how this reads.  I understand the feeling behind what is being said.  I have this same conversation weekly with my boys.  But, they don't seem to hold my opinion in such high value as the verse is talking about.  Its frustrating to have independent kids that want to experience things and make their own decisions and judgement, when it would be so much easier if they just did what I told 'em. =)

There is tremendous value in experience and wisdom.  I think as we get older, you start to understand that more and more.

The overall lesson in this is that we should be listening to our heavenly father.  He knows FAR better than we do.  Our way of doing life will only lead to pain.

tp

Proverbs 3

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name    in the sight of God and man.L

This one hit me that if we follow God's plan, it will not only benefit us in the eyes of the Creator...but also in the eyes of those around us.  I tend to think if I live a God focused life I will look like a freak.  But, this verse is saying the opposite.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

I had to copy/paste this one.  It is a life verse for me.  It says VOLUMES in 4 short lines.

Great stuff!

tp

Proverbs 2

Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
    from men whose words are perverse,
13 who have left the straight paths
    to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong
    and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked
    and who are devious in their ways.

This feels as relevant to me now as it must have back in the day.  Here is advice that has lasted the test of thousands of years.  It just goes to show you that people really haven't changed.  We are still walking down 2 paths.  1 is wide and has a ton of people on it....looking for their own glory.  The other is narrow, less traveled, and has people looking for the glory of God.

tp

Proverbs 1

10 My son, if sinful men entice you,
    do not give in to them.
11 If they say, “Come along with us;
    let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
    let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
    and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
    and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
    we will all share the loot”—
15 my son, do not go along with them,
    do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into evil,
    they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net
    where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
    they ambush only themselves!
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
    it takes away the life of those who get it.

I know this is a lot to copy/paste.  But, it feels like EXACTLY what I should be reading to my boys!  This is a great message for young people.  Don't let your friends get you into trouble.  When you are planning to make someone you know look bad.....remember that it will be you that ends up being hurt in the end.  It's really good advice.

tp

ps.  I also like the part about listening to your mother and your father.  haha