6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
ok, ok ok....he's getting a little redundant now! This verse caught my attention. Not for a learning, but a wondering. Does he believe in God? Does he really believe we all go to the same place? Maybe i'm reading wrong but i thought he was comparing a still born child to a person living a long life and saying they end up in the same place. thats not a guarantee though, unless he is just referring to the physical body.
anyway I don't really have a new take today.
knut
Friday, August 30, 2019
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Ecclesiastes 5
18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.
We are not here long, make the most of your situation and find enjoyment in hard work. Pretty simple to say, very difficult to do--for me. I'm not enjoying my current situation much, but really how bad can it be to live in the US and work for a solid company and make more money that I ever even considered. My lot is a pretty outstanding one as lots go I would say.
knut
We are not here long, make the most of your situation and find enjoyment in hard work. Pretty simple to say, very difficult to do--for me. I'm not enjoying my current situation much, but really how bad can it be to live in the US and work for a solid company and make more money that I ever even considered. My lot is a pretty outstanding one as lots go I would say.
knut
Monday, August 26, 2019
Ecclesiastes 4
I saw the tears of the oppressed—
and they have no comforter;
power was on the side of their oppressors—
and they have no comforter.
2 And I declared that the dead,
who had already died,
are happier than the living,
This is reminding me of a conversation I had with a friend on Friday night. She was asking me why a loving God would allow bad things to happen to good people. If he is all powerful, then why doesn't he make it all right?
I certainly don't have all the answers to questions like this. But, I think it has a lot to do with perspective. Is it our perspective or his? The second point is that we aren't supposed to be comfortable here. This isn't the end goal. All the justice isn't served here.
A little off on a tangent today. But, the first part of the chapter reminded me of a recent conv.
tp
and they have no comforter;
power was on the side of their oppressors—
and they have no comforter.
2 And I declared that the dead,
who had already died,
are happier than the living,
This is reminding me of a conversation I had with a friend on Friday night. She was asking me why a loving God would allow bad things to happen to good people. If he is all powerful, then why doesn't he make it all right?
I certainly don't have all the answers to questions like this. But, I think it has a lot to do with perspective. Is it our perspective or his? The second point is that we aren't supposed to be comfortable here. This isn't the end goal. All the justice isn't served here.
A little off on a tangent today. But, the first part of the chapter reminded me of a recent conv.
tp
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Ecclesiastes 3
13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.
22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?
I like these 2 verses. Solomon seems to be saying that there isn't joy in the human, or self accomplishment. The joy comes in the work to get there. Kind of a "life is about the journey, and not the destination" sort of thing. That makes sense to me. In Genesis, it says that God created man to WORK the garden. It doesn't say that God created man to make the garden beautiful.
How does that translate into my daily toil? Well, I guess that means I should give my best effort at work, and enjoy the relationships with those around me, and enjoy the ride. The accomplishment isn't really what will fill my heart up anyway. The problem is that the world values the "result" more than the process.
Am I crazy here? Don't answer that!
tp
22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?
I like these 2 verses. Solomon seems to be saying that there isn't joy in the human, or self accomplishment. The joy comes in the work to get there. Kind of a "life is about the journey, and not the destination" sort of thing. That makes sense to me. In Genesis, it says that God created man to WORK the garden. It doesn't say that God created man to make the garden beautiful.
How does that translate into my daily toil? Well, I guess that means I should give my best effort at work, and enjoy the relationships with those around me, and enjoy the ride. The accomplishment isn't really what will fill my heart up anyway. The problem is that the world values the "result" more than the process.
Am I crazy here? Don't answer that!
tp
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Ecclesiastes 2
18 18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;
the more knowledge, the more grief.
I wasn't sure where to take this today....as I was reading through it. Then I hit these last 2 lines. It reminds me of a sermon I heard from a speaker I really like. He was talking about how smart and educated we are now, compared to the people in Old Testament times. He said he believes we are educating ourselves out of a belief in God. We search for alternate answers to the things God should be credited with. I think there's a lot of truth to that sentiment. It reminds me of the verse where it talks about having faith like a child. To me that means blind belief and faith just because you know its true.
Sometimes ignorance is bliss! The more you know....the more responsibility you have!
tp
the more knowledge, the more grief.
I wasn't sure where to take this today....as I was reading through it. Then I hit these last 2 lines. It reminds me of a sermon I heard from a speaker I really like. He was talking about how smart and educated we are now, compared to the people in Old Testament times. He said he believes we are educating ourselves out of a belief in God. We search for alternate answers to the things God should be credited with. I think there's a lot of truth to that sentiment. It reminds me of the verse where it talks about having faith like a child. To me that means blind belief and faith just because you know its true.
Sometimes ignorance is bliss! The more you know....the more responsibility you have!
tp
Ecclesiastes 1
Everything Is Meaningless!
18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;
the more knowledge, the more grief.
Today is a real "uplifter!"
I think I understand Solomon's frustration here. What we do here on earth, outside of being the light and guiding others to the solution of Christ......is really pointless. In the end, it won't matter. I won't count toward anything. We can work really hard to build our minds or our bodies....and it just won't matter.
I sometimes feel this frustration.
But, I think we are supposed to look at this fact as a "free-ing" message and not a curse. Our futures aren't bound to our accomplishments. Our destiny is already bought and paid for. That should be liberating, and not a negative thought at all.
How's that for spinning a - into at +?
tp
Monday, August 19, 2019
Proverbs 31
30 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
I think this verse is universal. I can feel its truth as I age. My beauty has been fleeting....hahaha. This is just another example of not buying in to the lie of the world, and staying true to Creator.
6 6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine for those who are in anguish!
I take the meaning in this to be a little below the actual words. To me, it means to be careful not to do anything that might dull you of your responsibilities that God has given you. In this case, he is the king. In my case, I am the leader of a family, and an executive at GM. Those are my kingdoms. I need to exist in those places with clarity and focus.
tp
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
I think this verse is universal. I can feel its truth as I age. My beauty has been fleeting....hahaha. This is just another example of not buying in to the lie of the world, and staying true to Creator.
6 6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine for those who are in anguish!
I take the meaning in this to be a little below the actual words. To me, it means to be careful not to do anything that might dull you of your responsibilities that God has given you. In this case, he is the king. In my case, I am the leader of a family, and an executive at GM. Those are my kingdoms. I need to exist in those places with clarity and focus.
tp
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Proverbs 30
8 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
I really like this short paragraph. It says a lot about the author's heart. He just wants to be enabled to follow God, and he knows what his issues are. I think that speaks volumes of his wisdom. To me, he's saying.....please don't put me in a position where I can be tricked. Please don't make me suffer in need, but also don't give me so much that I don't lean on you to provide.
There is power in those 3 lines.
tp
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
I really like this short paragraph. It says a lot about the author's heart. He just wants to be enabled to follow God, and he knows what his issues are. I think that speaks volumes of his wisdom. To me, he's saying.....please don't put me in a position where I can be tricked. Please don't make me suffer in need, but also don't give me so much that I don't lean on you to provide.
There is power in those 3 lines.
tp
Monday, August 12, 2019
Proverbs 29
11 11 Fools give full vent to their rage,
but the wise bring calm in the end.
22 22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
Both of these verse make me think of Max. He has a hot temper. He can flash to anger so quickly. These would be good verses to share with him, to help him understand the reaction to that course of personality. Its not good, and never leads to a good, peaceful end.
Some of these "pearls" are starting to feel redundant. Is it just me? As I read through these each day.....they feel like I've read that exact one before. I really like the wisdom here. But, I get it.....Better to live on the corner of your roof than with a quarrelsome wife.....hahaha
tp
but the wise bring calm in the end.
22 22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
Both of these verse make me think of Max. He has a hot temper. He can flash to anger so quickly. These would be good verses to share with him, to help him understand the reaction to that course of personality. Its not good, and never leads to a good, peaceful end.
Some of these "pearls" are starting to feel redundant. Is it just me? As I read through these each day.....they feel like I've read that exact one before. I really like the wisdom here. But, I get it.....Better to live on the corner of your roof than with a quarrelsome wife.....hahaha
tp
Friday, August 9, 2019
Proverbs 28
19 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
No fantastic revelations today. I do like this verse. It tells me to keep focused on working hard. Don't chase the Publishers Clearing House.....hahaha Is that still a thing?
Because I don't have a job where I "work the land" or work do manual labor, I do like to work in the dirt on the weekends or evenings. Its strange. But, I like working the plants, pulling the weeds, mowing the lawn, and picking up the sticks. Its almost like I've turned into my grandpa!
tp
but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
No fantastic revelations today. I do like this verse. It tells me to keep focused on working hard. Don't chase the Publishers Clearing House.....hahaha Is that still a thing?
Because I don't have a job where I "work the land" or work do manual labor, I do like to work in the dirt on the weekends or evenings. Its strange. But, I like working the plants, pulling the weeds, mowing the lawn, and picking up the sticks. Its almost like I've turned into my grandpa!
tp
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Proverbs 27
17 17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
Hence, this blog!
But, I think this philosophy is true in a lot of respects. If we surround ourselves with good influence, good things will happen. If we surround ourselves with idiots, the fools we become. We are the average of the 5 people closest to us.
tp
so one person sharpens another.
Hence, this blog!
But, I think this philosophy is true in a lot of respects. If we surround ourselves with good influence, good things will happen. If we surround ourselves with idiots, the fools we become. We are the average of the 5 people closest to us.
tp
Monday, August 5, 2019
Proverbs 26
20 Without wood a fire goes out;
without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.
This section reminded me of our current political environment. There's no "letting go" of anything. Everything is amplified and the quarrel is flamed. This speaks to a completely different mindset. I like it. Maybe we can start a revolution........if we practice this well.
tp
without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.
This section reminded me of our current political environment. There's no "letting go" of anything. Everything is amplified and the quarrel is flamed. This speaks to a completely different mindset. I like it. Maybe we can start a revolution........if we practice this well.
tp
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Proverbs 25
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
we had this exact verse a couple of days ago! Weird!
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
I think this one is interesting. I'm a little surprised by it. I thought we were supposed to be searching deeply for God. Trying to understand him and his ways. I can easily get trapped down in a philosophical discussion about what happened before Genesis. What was the existence of God and evil before the creation. But, if I'm not reading too much into this verse.....its saying we shouldn't do that. Perhaps its one of those things that you need to be careful not to get lost in, to the point that you don't have your eyes fixed on the right thing. I do understand that mindset.
tp
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
we had this exact verse a couple of days ago! Weird!
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
I think this one is interesting. I'm a little surprised by it. I thought we were supposed to be searching deeply for God. Trying to understand him and his ways. I can easily get trapped down in a philosophical discussion about what happened before Genesis. What was the existence of God and evil before the creation. But, if I'm not reading too much into this verse.....its saying we shouldn't do that. Perhaps its one of those things that you need to be careful not to get lost in, to the point that you don't have your eyes fixed on the right thing. I do understand that mindset.
tp
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