I rationalize things, thoughts, actions – we all do that… it’s good to be a thinker, and even better it is good to be a pondered of God. What I DO understand is God wanting me to listen.

So much in life and how we live it totally falls into the MEANINGLESS category, like Solomon says in Ecclesiastes. It is also what David Byrne sang for the Talking Heads that makes sense here: “Stop Making Sense.” 

Ecclesiastes 4 and 5 goes a bit more into about how to live, with friends and brothers. And then the best advice: Fear God. Plus something that I do understand, something Solomon says makes all the sense to me: “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it.” YEAH ! (and thus I spend my quiet time with His Word each morning, and write to fulfill my promise to the Lord to process this way.  To proclaim, exclaim. To share Him. He would forgive me if I didn’t write, but I remember how my brain gets when I don’t, so I keep this promise, when I can. Rest in God’s Plan.)

Yesterday, I was laughingly blessed with my work brother, bursting into my office and in his EXPRESSIVE way, venting about stuff, a needed break not breakdown… The great business truth he stated in a drawing, is a triangle of words, you get to pick 2. Either “fast and good”, that’s an expensive project. “Fast and cheap” gives poor quality. “Good and cheap” means a long turn around time (TAT)… True in the world! Business savvy. Great example is my dripping ceiling experiment, especially this rainy morning, 2 years now but spent very little money – I’m going for good and cheap, but that takes a while. (Not bad just half cup dripping with solid rain this early morning). Another example is repairs to a local fallen overpass and major highway, a “temporary” repair: FAST and GOOD was like only 12 days but $25-30 MILLION dollars, wow! (!).

Let’s go back to Ecclesiastes, stop making sense of the world, but put trust in the God who made it and is keeping us in it, for some reason. Although I am loving the sound of this summer rain, we don’t really need it, but who are we to understand that? I know we are not in this world for our pleasure but God’s pleasure. He also wants and yearns for fellowship with us.  Two is better than one, a cord of three not easily broken. Two are you and a friend. Three is God with us. (Love that two also can be: you and God yourselves – we are never alone. God can fill us with ‘gladness of heart.’)

Another great friend came over last night, been a best friend years now, wow. It’s the 3rd time this summer we’ve seen each other. Blessed. Just living in an open life, lived, living and to live with a brother and friend, and freedom to be me – to be open with each other – chats of open dreams and fears – of sorrow and pain – of hopes and dreams. Blessed. A friend is a brother, not with less family baggage but someone who helps you carry yours… You carry each other’s… Blessed. 

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Well, let’s wrap up meaningless moments and pull out the scripture soothing truths – make the best of this world while you are in it... Fear God… Instead of walking alone, walk with the Lord, He knows the Way. He strengthens the cord. Listen to God, don’t talk over Him like a fool.

Absorb the sound of the earthly rain too – and know God’s reign – it’s never meaningless to listen to either of them and BE STILL…

Amen and Happy Friday. 

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Ecclesiastes 4:7-16, 5:1-7

Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:

There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business!

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Advancement Is Meaningless

Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Fulfill Your Vow to God

Chapter 5: Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.