Friends

Lately the Lord has put on my heart the meaning of the word friend and the actions of a friend. Over a month ago I ran into an old high school friend at a funeral. We used to be best buds in high school. I left and went off to college and ran into her once when I returned home. As a matter of fact, she is the one who introduced me to my ex-husband, some 36 years ago. Oh my Lord, I am old. So I got to thinking about the people I thought were friends over the years. I have one friend who have been a friend since the fourth grade and one friend I’ve had since first grade that share the same date of birth as I. I still keep in touch with these two people. My mom was funny about us having friends period, and now I sort of understand why.

About 30 years ago, I became friends with a co-worker and their new family. That friend had gone through a divorce from an abusive alcoholic, so they were still attending Al-Anon meetings as a former spouse of an alcoholic. One day, that friend gave me a book titled One Day At A Time In Al- Anon.  I didn’t see the need for that book, because I’ve never been an alcoholic. You know I love to read, period.

I came across the book the other day and began reading it again, this time more so, reading with the Holy Spirit.

Knock! Knock! I ran across that old friend and their spouse last year while out shopping at Lowe’s. They were the most loving people. I asked them how they were doing and they said in unison “living in Christ, one day at a time…”  I shared this experience to say that some friendships are only for a moment and there are some people that God places in our lives for a reason, even if temporarily.

 

And then…there are those that we thought were friends, but find out otherwise. For those people, I have learned that we can move on and forgive when we have a heart like Jesus. We can continue to pray for them and love them from afar, yet be there for them when they need help. 

We as humans have a difficult time rekindling failed friendships without bringing up, you did this or you said that. People will not admit to their deceit and try to blame it on others while at the same time having others believe awful things about you. When you discern people treating you distantly, it is usually because of the ills of a badly chosen friends lip service.  I’ve seen and heard stories of such things going on in the church. (sad) Therefore I believe that being around such people can interfere with one having a heart like Jesus. As Christians, we do not need distractions that will take us away from God.

Sometimes, we use work, family, and even church duties as an excuse for not making time for those we consider a friend. Everything is rush, people stop communicating, demeanor changes, or they say “I don’t have time” or “let me get back to you later” and later never comes. Sigh!

I’ve learned that even those who call themselves friends in Jesus can turn out to be the wrong friends because of deceitful webs weaved and travelling gossip tendencies. Now that is really sad! I have discovered that permanent friends like Elijah and Elisha’s friendship are a very rare relationship. I have also discovered that you do not fry green tomatoes using Jiffy cornbread mix when you are out of cornmeal.  😛

 

Now, let us take a look at the word and then I shall share a few scriptures I think relative to the actions of having and being a friend.

Friend- noun: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations : a person who acts as a supporter of a cause, organization, or country by giving financial or other help:

 

Proverbs 27 Be ATTENTIVE to verses; 3-6, 9-10, 17,and 23(this one’s the booger we need to apply in friendships!) (TYHS)

John 15:11-15 –I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Job 2:11-13- When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

Exodus 33:11 –The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

(Friend Application – “face to face, as one speaks to a friend” not back to back, learn to communicate. We all get hurt feelings.)

Meanwhile, back at the friend cave let us pray: Psalm 141:4 -“Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.” In Jesus name, Amen.

Excerpt from  One Day At A Time In Al- Anon-Jan 5

This day I will concentrate on the inner meaning of the Commandment “Thous shalt love they neighbor as thyself.” I will accept myself, for that is the primary condition under which the good in me can grow. Unless I am at peace with the child of God I am, I cannot love and help neighbor. Regrets are vain. They interfere with the good I could do today, the making of the better person I want to be tomorrow. “Today I pray for wisdom to build a better tomorrow on the mistakes and experiences of yesterday.”

In Jesus, may you remember that you will always have a friend if you do what He commands.

Extra Reading Credit

I Love You

Love Covers a Multitude of Sins

Existential Nihilism and God’s Never Ending Story

I was reading a book and came across this word, nihilism; I don’t know everything, so I had to look it up. Isn’t that wisdom? Then my mind drifted off to a movie I watched ages ago- The NeverEnding Story, therefore incoming thoughts. (TYHS)

Movie Summary- The boy Bastian misses his mother, who has died, and is bullied at school by three bullies. One day, he is running away from the three boys and hides in a bookstore, where the owner shows him a book that he has never read called “The NeverEnding Story”. Bastian does not resist and shoplifts the book, leaving a note telling that he will return the book after he reads it. He goes to the school attic and anxiously reads the book that tells the story of the magic kingdom of Fantasia that is doomed to destruction, unless the boy Atreyu can save it. But he needs the help of an Earthling boy to avoid that The Nothing destroys his world.

 

Courtesy of Wiki, Webster, and Roget

Existential nihilism is the philosophical theory that life has no intrinsic meaning or value. With respect to the universe, existential nihilism posits that a single human or even the entire human species is insignificant, without purpose and unlikely to change in the totality of existence. According to the theory, each individual is an isolated being born into the universe, barred from knowing “why”, yet compelled to invent meaning. The inherent meaninglessness of life is largely explored in the philosophical school of existentialism, where one can potentially create his or her own subjective “meaning” or “purpose”. Of all types of nihilism, existential nihilism gets the most literary and philosophical attention.

The idea that meaning and values are without foundation is a form of nihilism and the existential response to that idea is noting that meaning is not “a matter of contemplative theory,” but instead, “a consequence of engagement and commitment.”

nihilism, n. 1. Nothingness; nihility. 2. The doctrine that nothing can be known; scepticism as to all knowledge and all reality. [1913 Webster]

Roget Thesaurus – inexistence, nonexistence, nonsubsistence, nonentity, nil, negativeness, nullity, nihility, nihilism, tabula rasa, blank, abeyance, absence, no such thing, nonbeing, nothingness, oblivion,

 

Wow! Then I thought about the words of King Solomon. Ecclesiastes 3

And then, I thought about the words of God. Hold on to your nose! With the help of the Holy Spirit, I am going to drown this “philosophical theory that life has no intrinsic (basic) meaning or value.”

In the Beginning- Gen 1:26-28

Intrinsic Meaning of Life Breakdown-

• Made in the image and likeness of God

• Have dominion over every living thing, the fish of the sea; fowl of the air; cattle; over all the earth; every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth

• Be fruitful, multiply, replenish and subdue the earth

Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

John 3:16- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life

Read (note verses 6-8) Hebrews 2

 

Now, as far as I know, neither humans, nor animals can live on any other planet without having supplied oxygen from earth. He/she/it cannot walk around, nor live in space without wearing protective clothing or head gear, right? There is no space sustenance available to those who travel out in space unless one purpose is to live off of dust, heat, and the cold. Any sustenance needed for them to live a certain period of time, comes from and is sent from earth. Did God say men have dominion in space? Now, swim back up and read Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7 again.

Back to the movie- It is my opinion that “The Nothing” in the movie was a strong force of wind destroying whatever was in its way. But here is what I found on Wikia: The Nothing

When watching the movie I wondered why they called the wind “The Nothing.” I suppose it was because it was unseen, only the damage it caused could be seen. What was “The Nothing’s purpose? I suppose it was to destroy a kingdom of its original existence. But then, it was only a movie. However, according to God’s word, this earthly kingdom is doomed to destruction. This earthly kingdom has fallen out of alignment with God’s original will and purpose for mankind.  (Reference- Book of Revelation and News Headlines)

Man exists because of God. We did not evolve from slime, monkeys, or troglodytes. I see an intrinsic meaning or value in those verses alone. If you do not understand or see, please ask the Holy Spirit for clarity. I admit, sometimes I do not understand why the Holy Spirit sends messages to me via certain words, until after I have spent time with Him. Last April, the words “In the beginning” tugged at my heart, so I had a tire cover made as a reminder of who I am to God. I am significant in His heart. He did not create things and people without a purpose. Even mankind creates gadgets and beliefs to suit their purpose.

 

 

True, some of us have to search deep to know what the human purpose is. My soul has innumerable worth to God- for when I die this fleshly death, my soul returns to Him for a reason. That’s no fantasy.

However, fantasy is indeed a never ending story which many live in atheism. For those who believe in and on the word of God know that “The idea that meaning and values are without foundation…” is a drowning ship.

Everything and everyone has a purpose and the foundation of that purpose is God.

In the beginning ….Genesis 1:1 ; Genesis 1:26-28 and John 1:1( Sink 1)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.(John 14:6) (Sink 2)

According to God each individual is NOT “an isolated being born into the universe, barred from knowing “why”, yet compelled to invent meaning.” John 3:16 proves you are not insignificant.(Sink 3) Theory drowned! (TYHS)

 

 

I could go on, but will end it here. How and why do you get up every morning? Can you really imagine the world continuing as it is, knowing and believing God’s plan of salvation and eternal life for humankind? It really is a never ending story about God’s grace and mercy.

Lessons From King David- Psalm 37

 

Psalm 37 KJV

A friend of mine had an interesting and encouraging idea. My friend thinks that we should go through the book of Psalms and handwrite them as we study them. We were in agreement, that a lot of children and young adults have forgotten how to use pencil and paper because of video games and computers.  I handwrite mostly everything, because the Holy Spirit doesn’t carry a computer at all times when He is consulting with me.

 

Beneath My Gene Tree

 

So this evening I sat outside lounging, reading and writing from Psalm 37 as I enjoyed my backyard and seeing God’s work.  The more I soaked into the Lord’s presence, the more I noticed that David was sharing some great advice along with its promises from God. He remembered his sins (mistakes) while learning from them. I want to highlight something important mentioned in verses 23-24 about Our Heavenly Father :The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

Beautiful Sky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tis the lessons:

1. Fret not thyself because of evildoers (vs. 1)
2. Neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity (vs. 1)
3. Trust in the Lord, and do good (vs. 3)
4.  Delight thyself also in the Lord (vs. 4)
5. Commit thy way unto the Lord (vs. 5)
6. Trust also in Him (vs. 5)
7. Rest in the Lord (vs.7)
8. Wait patiently for Him (vs. 7)
9. Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way (vs.7)
10. Cease from anger (vs. 8) 
11. Forsake wrath (vs. 8)
12. Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (vs. 8)
13. Depart from evil, and do good (vs. 27)
14. Wait on the Lord, and keep His way (vs. 34)
15. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright (vs. 37)

Life Lesson Quote

Plain and Simple – God’s Message Is!

Great Saturday Morning Beloved Ones! I’m not sure why this song (lyrics below) was laid on my heart this morning. For some reason I started humming it as I was walking out the church doors as I was leaving our  Pray Without Ceasing Ministry at church. Lord have mercy!  The Holy Spirit have some simply fun messages for me. I’m sure there is a message here, outside of my life being “pretty plain”- and just now I  received a message.(TYHS) The video shows a little girl wanting to fit in. We all need a place to fit in. The message is really plain and simple- God wants His people to love one another, to be worthy of fitting in His kingdom. No excuses! See below and shout!  😛

Romans 1:17-20 –For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,  since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.  

 

No Rain

By Blind Melon

All I can say is that my life is pretty plain,
I like watchin’ the puddles gather rain
And all I can do is just pour some tea for two
And speak my point of view but it’s not sane
It’s not sane

I just want someone to say to me, oh, oh, oh
I’ll always be there when you wake, yeah
Ya know I’d like to keep my cheeks dry today
So stay with me and I’ll have it made

And I don’t understand why sleep all day
And I start to complain that there’s no rain
And all I can do is read a book to stay awake,
And it rips my life away but it’s a great escape
Escape, escape, escape

All I can say is that my life is pretty plain,
Ya don’t like my point of view,
Ya think that I’m insane
It’s not sane, it’s not sane

I just want someone to say to me, oh, oh, oh
I’ll always be there when you wake, yeah
Ya know I’d like to keep my cheeks dry today

So stay with me and I’ll have it made
I really wanna really gonna have it made

I’ll have it made, I’ll have it made
Oh oh oh

 

Persecuted for ________ Sake? Matthew 5:10-12

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Think Time!

1. I often feel or have been persecuted by others for my/some sake; therefore the kingdom of heaven is mine. True or False
2. I have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake; therefore the kingdom of heaven is mine. True or False

We hear stories about being persecuted from the pulpit, in our homes, on our jobs, and from talking to people. What we don’t hone in on most of the time are the words “for righteousness’ sake” and  “my sake” , which Jesus clearly stated. He did NOT say for any other reason that “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

I was reading about persecution during my bible study and discovered that there are four types; “physical, social, mental, and spiritual” per Bakers-Evangelical-dictionary. Here’s a snippet and the link for further reading.

The Nature of Persecution

Both the Old Testament and New Testament give examples of physical, social, mental, and spiritual persecution. Physical persecution includes taking another’s life ( Gen 4 , Cain murdering Abel) or maiming the body ( Exod 22 , 23 ). Social persecution (sometimes called discrimination) consists of making individuals or group outcasts. An example of extreme mental and spiritual persecution is seen when Peter and John were threatened not to preach the gospel (Acts 5:28 Acts 5:40). Another example I’d like to add, is when they tell you at work “You can’t talk about God in the workplace, everyone is not a Christian.”

http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/persecution.html (please read)

Some have experienced at least 3 of the 4 types of persecutions mentioned; some have experienced all 4, not necessarily for righteousness’ sake. What exactly does it mean to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake? Let us set all that other self- righteous persecution stuff to the side for a moment.

Hear ye! Hear ye!

It means…

 If you are living a GODLY life, then YOU will suffer persecution. People that you have known forever-family and friends, people that you work with, people that you attend church with, and people that you just meet will be lost relationships if they perceive you as being a God fearing upright person. (Mark 13:11-13; Luke 21: 12-16; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 11-13 )

People of the world just can’t deal with the Jesus in you and God being the head of your life. Worldly people are unforgiving and unapologetic. They can beat a spider at spinning a tangled web of deceit and hide in broad daylight behind many vices. They are good at making others that follow Jesus appear as the lost one. Be not deceived beloved when you KNOW who you are in Christ Jesus.  Self righteous people will say w/o blinking their blinded eyes “ the bible is just stories written by men…” and then they will point out a verse or two and claim it in the same breath, yet reject the whole Gospel of Christ. I’ve been told that on several occasions when defending my belief in God’s word. Righteous people are to remove the dust(worldly people- the wicked and the proud) from our sandaled life.  

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”-Malachi 4:1-2

TRUTH– Life is a tare and wheat movie awaiting its ending credits. I’ve learned that as Christians, WE must suffer such in order to be stored in His barn as wheat. (Matthew 13:24-30)

AND

Sigh!-There is evil fused with good in our churches that many with seeing eyes are lending blind eyes to. Does faking blindness put the church in a righteous standing with God? Nope. You have to ask yourself, why does the church allow evil within its walls without confronting it? I’ll tell you why- fear of being persecuted for self-sake, i.e., man-made by-laws, losing members and money.  The church, THE BODY OF CHRIST can not stand in silence when evil is operating within its walls.  The task of the church is to abide IN Jesus so that He abides IN the church. The church could learn a lesson or two about the righteousness of Jesus. According to John 15:1-7,18-21, Jesus said 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”…….“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.”

Additional Reading- 1 Peter 3:8-18 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5,11-13

Wisdom Note

The persecuted strongest weapon is to,

“… Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:44)

THEREFORE

 ^“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

 

This post concludes my study of the Beatitudes. Thanks for stopping in. 😛

Hungry and Thirsty – Who Fills You Up? Matthew 5:6

 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

What are the first things to come to mind when one is hungry and thirsty? Food and water….right? As Christians do we look beyond the food and water? Don’t forget air. Sure! These are the basic sustenance’s needed to survive for the animal and human kingdom. In the plant kingdom, THOSE individuals thirst for water, sun, shade, and air to live. However their basic sustenance is water and dirt.  Aren’t we all simply complicated? Think about that question, will ya! Also think about the symptoms of hunger and thirst. I didn’t want to overload the blog with my thoughts, so you’ll have to think on your own.  

Think! Think!

Slide with me here! There comes a time when we need to look past the seen. We as Christians need to look spiritually at our basic needs and review in our mind and heart, if those needs are being met. To be spiritually hungry and thirsty gives us Christians, the opportunity to focus on righteousness in order for us to truly be filled. (TYHS) What can fill you up? Who fills you up?

Now that I’ve stated my little knowledge of kingdoms, let us move to a real word focus. THRIVE (TYHS)  You got it, dictionary and knowledge time.

Thrive (IV) – : to grow or develop successfully: to flourish or succeed; to gain in wealth or possessions: prosper: to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances

***********************************************************************************************************************

Basic Plant Requirements (http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/requirements.html) Anyone interested in gardening has one question in mind when choosing a new plant: Will it thrive in my garden? Many factors come into play to determine whether or not a plant will perform well for you. Each kind of plant has its own needs and requirements. Some plants, like the dandelion, are tolerant of a wide variety of conditions, while others, such as the pink lady slipper orchid, have very exacting requirements. Before you spend the time, effort, and money attempting to grow a new plant in your garden, it is best to do some research to learn something about the conditions that the plant needs to grow properly. Water-Different plants have different water needs. Some tolerate drought during the summer but need winter rains. Others need a consistent supply of moisture to grow well.   Careful attention to the need for supplemental water can help you select plants that need a minimum of irrigation to perform well in your garden. If you have poorly drained, chronically wet soil, you can select lovely garden plants that naturally grow in bogs, fens, and other wet places. ***********************************************************************************************************************

My Thoughts Office

As I sit here on my back porch watching bees, butterflies, wasps, and even a few ants, I began wondering about what fills them up. Bengal spray….ha ha ha, to keep them away from me as I write this blog. It is nice and windy out. I fill (not feel) blessed. 😛

 

 

 

 

Gene Tree

 

 

Here’s a pic of my beautiful oak tree I planted nine years ago in honor of my firstborn’s 25th birthday. I was admiring the wind blowing its limbs and leaves-swaying back and forth. Beautiful! It is astounding to me, how God moves. Then I thought, wow, I have never done anything to it except plant it, add fertilizer dirt (food) and left it alone 9 years ago. It appears to have thrived very well in its environment without my help. You do know WHO is responsible for it thriving, right? Our Lord, God, the Giver of life.

 

 

 

 

Were you attentive to the underlined statement above ‘Each kind of plant has its own needs and requirements’?

What about this statement? Before you spend the time, effort, and money attempting to grow a new plant in your garden, it is best to do some research to learn something about the conditions that the plant needs to grow properly. 

We should consider and research what “factors come into play to determine whether or not” WHAT “will perform well for” us to help us hunger and thirst after righteousness. In our researching, we must RESEARCH the holy word of God and His will.

Point Break -In order to THRIVE, period- We, as God’s children should be Hungry and Thirsty for Righteousness. We must STRIVE and SLIDE in every direction that will lead us to righteousness. Those were my thoughts when I read this verse. AND these lyrics popped into my head, seems fitting for this section:

Fantastic Voyage

 Hey, come on, come along take a ride
There’s a party over there, that ain’t no jive
It’s live, live, it’s all the way live
Don’t even have to walk, don’t even have to drive
Just slide, slide, slippity slide (and STRIVE)
Just forget about your troubles and your nine to five (and sail on the Fantastic Voyage with God)

Take heart time to research the basic needs of the human kingdom and you will find that EVERY need begins with God and His provisions. Fancifully, we have been planted on this earth for a reason. If you are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, then indeed you will be filled. Now, surrender to God so that you can hunger and thirst for Him.  Go grab that Holy Bible, a cool glass of lemonade with honey and a piece of bread. (TYHS)

Now, I’ll end this wonderful post and head back inside. Dark clouds are approaching yonder thar West!  Enjoy!

May the Spirit of God lead you and fill you up!

Listen to another one of my favorite all time worship songs- I Surrender

Breathe and let Jesus in. He IS your fill of sustenance.

Folly’s Antidote – Ecclesiastes 10

Let us take a look at the word folly, shall we?

Folly-n-the lack of good sense or judgment: a foolish act or idea: foolish behavior; Synonyms: absurdity, asininity, bêtise, craziness, fatuity, foolery, foppery, idiocy, irrationality, imbecility, inanity, insanity, lunacy, stupidity

If we were to be honest with self, can we agree that more than once in our lives we have experienced folly in our personal lives? I know that I have experienced many instances of lacking sense, behaving foolishly and just plain irrational when things didn’t go as I thought they should or just so stressed or angered  that led to making wrong decisions.

WE HAVE ALL HAD WHAT THEY CALL A “KEEPING IT REAL” MOMENT.

Sometimes folly just happens because of inexperience and/or no training of manners and matters. We just say or do things not becoming of our Lord because we lack experience or training in what He expects of us. Have you been there? (NIV Verse 13-14) “At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness— and fools multiply words. No one knows what is coming— who can tell someone else what will happen after them?” I am sure this happens to all, but some of us won’t admit it to self. Since God knows, I don’t see any sense in hiding the truth about self from self. It’s a stage that we all go through. Sometimes when you ask a true friend about your behavior and there is a silence that speaks louder than any words uttered, that’s a good sign that something needs to change about your behavior. And then there are those who feel the need to yap about something until they prove THEIR point, they seem to be using the drug of choice known as folly.

Please read Chapter 10 and let the Holy Spirit show you the importance of wisdom because tis true according to verse 1 that

 “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” (KJV)

“As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.”(NIV)

 

 

Here’s the thing about folly. No matter how glorious or fantastic your life may be going, or how others perceive you as one of good character, one slip on the folly drug and you no longer are looked upon as one of good character by others. Folks have a hard time seeing the true actions of your heart. Even more importantly when you examine self, you have to be conscious of what your heart, not character says to God. Are others to judge? Are you to judge?

We all have experienced and will experience negative behaviors-character flaws in our lives associated with folly for whatever reason. We are to become wise and learn from our mistakes. Sometimes this takes a lot of practice.Verse one in this chapter speaks louder than an atomic bomb.

Once the smallest stench is found among the strongest of pleasant smells, the stench takes over. You will have to work hard to get rid of  a little stench, correct? In verse 10 Solomon agrees with me. He says that “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.” How does one go about obtaining “skill” that “will bring success?” What is the definition of skill?

Skill –n- the ability to do something that comes from training, experience, or practice 

How do we get rid of the dead flies and the stench?  I’m glad you asked. Dearest flowers, we, as the people of God need to focus on becoming more skillful and knowledgeable of what He requires, lack folly, and become less concerned about proving a point to show whose right or wrong. To do this, we must “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

With Him directing your paths you too will find that the ANTIDOTE for FOLLY is WISDOM. Wisdom helps us to get rid of stench and the dead flies just waiting to stink us up. Wisdom helps us to give off a more pleasing aroma to God. 

Courtesy of Pinterest.Com

 

 

“He that reads and grows no wiser-seldom suspects his own deficiency, but complains of hard words and obscure sentences, and asks why books are written which cannot be understood.” ― Samuel Johnson

 

I Love You

What… All Humans Have The Same Destiny? Ecclesiastes 9

(1-2) For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

(11-12) I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

Allow me to place a short focus on the above verses.

Is it comprehensible for us to believe that all humans have the same destiny? For most, it’s kind of sad to think that no matter what we have done under the sun- all have the same destiny. In the human race we find that some humans think that one race is better than the other, another’s financial status is better than the other, and another’s position in life is better than the other, But–Old Solomon has opened some eyes in the way things actually were then, now, and in the future regardless of who you are, where you are, and what you do in this life. Our Maker rules from beginning to end. (TYHS)

Knowing the wisdom in this boils down to what Solomon said. Wisdom that is of the utmost importance is found in verse 1 and 2-Pull out your binoculars so that you can see this:

 

 

 

 

“…All this…are in the hand of God….All that is before them. All things come alike to All…”

 

courtesy- intrumpet.com

Let me share a few examples of this statement to help your belief or non-belief:

• Noah- Genesis 6-9, told to take his family on a cruise
• Abraham- Genesis 12, told to remove himself from his father’s home at the age of seventy -five
• Joseph – Genesis 37-50       hatefully removed from his father’s presence because of favoritism
• Ishmael – Genesis 16, 17:20, 21:13, removed from his father because of stepmother’s jealousy
• Jonah- the Book of Jonah, redirected in his tracks to reach his destiny (“in the hand of God”)

There seemed to be a pattern of people being removed from their earthly fathers with the exception of Jonah, (the bible doesn’t say he was told to leave Amittai, his father. It just states he was the son of Amittai) to reach their destiny per God’s Will. Oh well! Dig more into that later.

Now we skip to my lou my darlings on to verses 11 and 12. In the examples given, can we agree that these verses ring true for the human race. Regardless of their Talladega 500 race status, personal battles, riches, and favor; all of these people and more have died their earthly death not knowing their time because of time and chance happening to all. For those who are still living, our time and chance will come for us to die of an earthly death. Same destiny! We don’t know when it is coming, just as we do not know the day or hour of Christ’s return. (Matthew 25:13)

The main purpose of this chapter for me is and for all ARE to become wise in KNOWING that this world, its troubles, and its people, – ALL “are in the hand of God.”

If you haven’t at this time, I urge you to choose at this very moment, who you will serve as did Joshua. (Joshua 24:15) Choose wisely. Choose Jesus! Indeed, as we look at our lives and the lives of others, it is true that regardless of life events, all humans have the same destiny.

Courtesy- godfirstneverything

Enjoy the Quotes!

“The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God” ~ John F. Kennedy

“There seem to be but three ways for a nation to acquire wealth. The first is by war, as the Romans did, in plundering their conquered neighbors. This is robbery. The second by commerce, which is generally cheating. The third by agriculture, the only honest way, wherein man receives a real increase of the seed thrown into the ground, in a kind of continual miracle, wrought by the hand of God in his favor, as a reward for his innocent life and his virtuous industry.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

“None know how often the hand of god is seen in a wilderness but them that rove it for a man’s life.” ~ Thomas Cole  

“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” God (Ezekiel 18:4)

I Love You

Wisdom: She Sees and Hears – Ecclesiastes 7

Flying With Thoughts

You will find in most bibles the title The Value of Practical Wisdom under Ecclesiastes 7. Practical? I had a talk with the Holy Spirit about that word. In Proverbs 8:14 (KJV) having “sound wisdom” is mentioned. After all, wisdom is wisdom right? Owls never look happy and they look like winged cats?

My heart led me to ponder if there were more types of wisdom. Just as Solomon applied his heart to know, to search and seek out wisdom, I’ve learned this is the best way to research things. Use the Heart application. Lo, I found more types on the net. According to giveshare.org,  “There are four types of wisdom: First, there was the perfect wisdom that was with God “in the beginning” as He created the worlds. The second type of wisdom is the wisdom of the world. It is according to the laws and principles of man. Third is the “wisdom of Solomon” given for man. Fourth is the wisdom of God for man.” Ok, pondering done. Now I’m not too concerned about the types of wisdom. I’d rather explore what she looks like and what she gives to us. I’m so visual!

The deeper I get into His word, the more I find just how numerical God is. Most of us have four wisdom teeth when or if they come in. Hmm? Why an owl is a “wise old owl” instead of just wise owl?

Owls are gifted with huge eyes that are said to be one of the best in terms of night vision. Their eyes are said to be laser-sharp making them very effective against their prey during night time. Owls also have large ears with tufts that are very sensitive when it comes to hearing. Their hearing ability is considered crucial to their survival against possible predators like snakes. With laser-like vision and impeccable hearing abilities, owls are often considered very wise as they can easily catch prey and protect themselves from danger at night. With these abilities, owls are then likened to the wise elders of the previous generations. (Courtesy of http://www.knowswhy.com/why-are-owls-considered-wise/)

(TYHS) Do you see it? Like the owl, there are two things that are crucial to our “survival against possible predators like snakes” here as given to us throughout the Holy Bible. The ability to spiritually See and Hear! Two things we need to use as a defense “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”(Ephesians 6:12) I pray that you too understand the importance of spiritually being able to see and hear, “For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense. But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.” (vs 12) Whoa, the Holy Spirit walked us right into that verse!

With that being said, let us take a look at some characteristics of one who (Hoo! Hoo!) has Practical Wisdom per Solomon:

Is patient in spirit	Does not wish to relive the past
Is not overly righteous	Is not overly wise
Is not overly wicked	Does not take to heart everything that people say
Is not foolish	Fears God
Has more strength than ten rulers of a city	Knows that God made man upright
Has a wise heart	Knows that men are scheme seekers
Is slow to anger	Knows the wickedness of folly
Knows when a woman’s heart is a snare and a net	Considers the work of God
Avoids things that can destroy self	Knows that a just man does not exist on this earth that does good and does not sin
Admits that in their lifetime, they have cursed others in their heart	Knows the capabilities of their adversaries

And might I remind self and others that these characteristics are dependent upon us being able to spiritually see and hear. Practical wisdom is something that needs to be applied daily in our lives.

Enjoy this quote:

Three passions have governed my life:

The longings for love, the search for knowledge,

And unbearable pity for the suffering of [humankind].

Love brings ecstasy and relieves loneliness.

In the union of love I have seen -In a mystic miniature the prefiguring vision

Of the heavens that saints and poets have imagined.

With equal passion I have sought knowledge.

I have wished to understand the hearts of [people].

 I have wished to know why the stars shine.

Love and knowledge led upwards to the heavens,

But always pity brought me back to earth;

Cries of pain reverberated in my heart

Of children in famine, of victims tortured

And of old people left helpless.

I long to alleviate the evil, but I cannot,

 And I too suffer.

This has been my life; I found it worth living.

– Bertrand Russell

It’s Open Season For Spiritual Highway Robbery -Ecclesiastes 6

Ecclesiastes 6 – Read Here

Take a moment to read over the verses with the Spirit of God as your interpreter.  Keep in mind the following words:

highway robbery (n) : the practice of charging a price that is very high and usually unfair for something; syns.- fleecing, gouging, extortion, overcharging

Life Is a Highway (Tom Cochrane)- Partial Lyrics

Life’s like a road that you travel on
When there’s one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind

There’s no load I can’t hold
Road so rough this I know
I’ll be there when the light comes in
Tell ’em we’re survivors

1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

Solomon has given another deep insight on what is common among men. If we look deeper with a spiritual sense of things going on around us and in our lives, spiritual highway robbery is a good description. I’m going to take you even deeper. (TYHS) We are all on a spiritual highway. Some of us are content with driving like a raisin under the sun basking in our own glory. Some are  driving eagerly to get over the sun to bask in God’s glory. If most of us were to take a look back on the roads and paths we have driven, most of us would be able to pinpoint the times we have been robbed or robbed others spiritually under the sun.

As he mentioned there are “many things that increase vanity” which speaks volumes about where we place our priorities and stash our treasures along our highway.  Yes, we have this in common regardless of our race. Wherever these things are, there within lies an open season opportunity for a spiritual fleecing. Speaking of that, have any of you seen the old movie Open Season? It’s a neat movie. I’ve kept videos on hand for years for the grandkids visits since I don’t watch regular television programs. You may be able to watch it on youtube. Here is a summary of the movie.  Pay attention to the underlined words. 😛

Courtesy of sonypictures.com

In Sony Pictures Animation’s first feature film, the animated action adventure comedy Open Season, the odd are about to get even. Boog (Martin Lawrence), a domesticated grizzly bear with no survival skills, has his perfect world turned upside down when he meets Elliot (Ashton Kutcher) a scrawny, fast-talking mule deer. When Elliot convinces Boog to leave his cushy home in a park ranger’s garage to try a taste of the great outdoors, things quickly spiral out of control. Relocated to the forest with open season only three days away, Boog and Elliot must acclimate in a hurry. They must join forces to unite the woodland creatures and take the forest back!

When the grandkids and I finished watching the movie, we had the same thoughts.  Why do people feel the need to remove animals from their natural environment – cage and put them on display?  Why do zoo animals look sad? Why do some animals just lay there?  I often tell them that one day, God will put some of us back in our natural environment where there will be no need or want for neither animals nor humans to be caged.

Beloved, have you been spiritually robbed of your natural environment?  What high prices have you paid for the “wandering of the desire” to have this or that, to be here or there, to eat this or that, to build this or that? Thy Kingdom will come. Those who are worthy to live in the Kingdom of Heaven will be free indeed. Free to enjoy the riches, wealth, and honour that God gives and have no worries about a stranger in the midst to take it all away. Spiritual highway robbery will be passé.

 

Be encouraged my dear loves, that there is ONE who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun.(verse 12) There will be no more open seasons for spiritual highway robbery. All evil diseases will end and “That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.”(verse 10)  The key is for us all to become spiritually sober. (TYHS) Oh but Talkative One, how can we do this to avoid spiritual highway robbery?  One simple piece of advice here it is:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God” during this Open Season For Spiritual Highway Robbery “and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

I Love You

Highway Photo – Courtesy of Earthshots.org