wisdom

Are We MORE than Golden in Christ? 

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The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3

I feel that I have been taking the downtime I need and needed this past winter – for many reasons – including the reason that if the ground rests, we should allow ourselves to rest a bit mentally too – and truly to rest my heart and to rest my stress. I have to say that I have really appreciated this down time – even if others see very little of it scoping out my activities day to day. Well, for me, this is downtime to sit and write and I am ever so much more blessed to do so…

And as spring approaches – we need to get more spring in our step – yes we do and “do Spring” – appreciate it – get out and walk or in the yard – break out of our winter shell. Spring, with it’s ups and downs of temperature and tumultuous weather patterns, finds that we also need to spring forth and remove ourselves from a cocoon of self-induced shelter. Honestly I mean that we DO need to take care of ourselves but we also need to get out more and reach more and simply be the people out there in the world that the Lord needs us to be – if not for us – for them – for those people who need to see someone be an encourager…  

In my down time this past few months – which is coupled by my incredibly blessed busy schedule of going everywhere, LOL, I have really taken more time to ponder and to simply watch “TV” – but good chosen TV – and movies – no longer do we use the flipper to look at channels and their offerings but we think of the artists we like – the topics we like – and yeah we get to choose more of our content-driven leisure time. I HIGHLY recommend a few shows recently: the HBO Billy Joel 2 part special, the HBO David Bowie’s last 5 years special, and movies that you catch up on during waiting for airplanes – like the George Clooney 2 recent samplings of “Good Night and Good Luck” and the movie of him as a movie start travelling – yeah it’s kinda like junk TV but not – it is more critically acclaimed and thought provoking – plus there is junk TV too – like Survivor which finally in episode 50 I am watching it side by side with my daughter at home…  nice…  and free stuff abounds too – on YouTube or PBS or wherever – you can find the endless podcasts of your favorite stars, things like “Finding your roots” and just funny clips – like I just rewatched the last 5 minutes of the Newhart finale where he wakes up in bed and it was all a dream and next to him is his wife from his first series – well, you have to watch it – I mean everyone’s tastes are so different.

And last nights indulgence of TV? THE OSCARS – no I never saw any of the movies except the one that had NO nominations – Wicked for Good – which makes no sense – that is the biggest theatrical release and not even a nod for costume design or casting??  ANYWAY – I appreciated a song from a movie that I HAD NOT watched – Kpop Demon Hunters is known for it’s teen appeal and without teens in my life I am happy to not have to stay up on recent movies – and yet this song was so fitting in my thought process – that we are “Golden” – that we are to remember ourselves being blessed and even golden or silver tarnished can be shined – we can shine – we can rise – we can spring into spring and just be better us… In the Oscar performance, and the original, we are to be hunters of the darkness and be back out in the light – and be GOLDEN!

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.  – Yes, Proverbs 17:3 speaks to me to us – to listen to the Lord and become even more GOLDEN and more than GOLDEN – to be the best we can be for HIM… The Kpop “Golden” lyrics are below and include: “We’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment – You know together we’re glowin’ – Oh, I’m done hidin’ now I’m shinin’ like I’m born to be – Oh, our time, no fears, no lies – That’s who we’re born to be – Waited so long to break these walls down – To wake up and feel like me – Put these patterns all in the past now – And finally live like the girl they all see…”

And there are even more reasons to be more than Golden and know our place as children of God – to know our future even through rough times – to know the wisdom God gives us to keep living strong – to know that He will right the rights – to know that He has and will overcome. We are more than golden in Christ.

OK – back to spring springing – keep shining, keep believing, and keep listening to God – ask for WISDOM – and serve Jesus by being a servant to others. Be more than Golden!

AMEN – enjoy the day!

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Zechariah 13:7 NKJV The Shepherd Savior – Says the Lord, “… But one-third shall be left in it:  I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”

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Proverbs 8 NKJV 

The Excellence of Wisdom

Does not wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?
She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,
Beside the way, where the paths meet.
She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors:
“To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.
O you simple ones, understand prudence,
And you fools, be of an understanding heart.
Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will come right things;
For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;
Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.
They are all plain to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.
Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;
For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion.
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, I have strength.
By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
By me princes rule, and nobles,
All the judges of the earth.
I love those who love me,
And those who seek me diligently will find me.
Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring riches and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,
And my revenue than choice silver.
I traverse the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.

“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.
I have been established from everlasting,
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no fountains abounding with water.
Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was brought forth;
While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields,
Or the primal dust of the world.
When He prepared the heavens, I was there,
When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,
When He established the clouds above,
When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,
When He assigned to the sea its limit,
So that the waters would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth,
Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And my delight was with the sons of men.

“Now therefore, listen to me, my children,
For blessed are those who keep my ways.
Hear instruction and be wise,
And do not disdain it.
Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors.
For whoever finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the Lord;
But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul;
All those who hate me love death.

———-

Kpop song “GOLDEN”

Oscars

Original

I was a ghost, I was alone, hah
Given the throne, I didn’t know how to believe
I was the queen that I’m meant to be
I lived two lives, tried to play both sides
But I couldn’t find my own place
Called a problem child ’cause I got too wild
But now that’s how I’m getting paid, kkeuteopsi on stage

I’m done hiding, now I’m shining like I’m born to be
We’re dreaming hard, we came so far, now I believe

We’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment
You know together we’re glowin’
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, up, up, up with our voices
Gonna be, gonna be golden

Oh, I’m done hidin’ now I’m shinin’ like I’m born to be
Oh, our time, no fears, no lies
That’s who we’re born to be

Waited so long to break these walls down
To wake up and feel like me
Put these patterns all in the past now
And finally live like the girl they all see

No more hiding, I’ll be shining like I’m born to be
‘Cause we are hunters, voices strong, and I know I believe

We’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment
You know together we’re glowing
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, up, up, up, with our voices
Gonna be, gonna be golden

Oh, I’m done hidin’, now I’m shining like I’m born to be
Oh, our time, no fears, no lies
That’s who we’re born to be

You know we’re gonna be, gonna be golden
We’re gonna be, gonna be
Born to be, born to be glowin’
You know that it’s our time, no fears, no lies
That’s who we’re born to be

Keep Warm – with LOVE

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I am not snowed in yet because it has not yet started to snow – but it is cold and I do plan to warm up today with a trip to a beautiful greenhouse conservatory around here – just the right warm up that I will appreciate…  Continuing my reading of my distant relative’s memoirs after WW2, when he was a forced laborer – it is tough to read their plight – it was COLD – and they were not taken care of more than slightly elevated slave labor – and yet my relative as a skilled worker was as careful as he could be – one to keep his head down but chin up in survival mode – he did escape after the Dresden bombings – went south on foot and by train/trams occasionally – made it home. He got help from friends, family and strangers.

But the story from the factory? and the people? wow!!! And being in survival mode is different for everyone – but in remembering how we make it though – we are to remember that others are travelling with us…  King Solomon in his Ecclesiastes poetry tells us that we are better together – and even best with God there too – that is the third in the threefold cord between friends.

The Value of a Friend – verses 9-12 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Let us stay warm today and bring warmth to others – bring the strength of the Lord into your situation too. Selfish toil will bring us nothing – as King Solomon states – but “vanity” and “grasping for the wind“… Even striving for popularity is also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

And so it is better to share what we have with a friend – and LOVE each other. 

Let us use COLD temperatures to remember to bring the warmth ourselves to invigorate us to keep moving and keep loving.

Amen

—

And remembering his “friends”, my relative in the labor camp learned of their fates after the war. May we continue to remember others…

Here are some snippets: 

“Back to the factory… The factory produced vices from the smallest to the largest and mainly dividing devices for various uses. I worked on a lathe, a circular grinder and I was also on the transport – a two-wheeled cart for transporting material from workshop to workshop.

“How it was there… Monday to Friday we worked 10 – 11 hours a day, on Saturday until 2 pm. Twenty of us lived and slept in one room in the camp. Our food was cooked from one pot, without meat, very poor. The pay for the work was very low. Bread was sent to us from home.

“…apart from me, there was “Mr. N.” , the oldest in the camp, he was almost fifty years old, then “K”, a house painter, a tanner “T”, who didn’t stay there long, injured his hand and couldn’t work and probably bought himself out of there – lard, meat for the Germans and was released. “M” – over forty years old, could sing songs beautifully, was blind in one eye, in his youth he used to go to the priest for pears. He was unlucky, after an air raid he found a suitcase full of fine women’s underwear on the street – he took it and, as a typical Ausländer [foreigner], was accused of looting, imprisoned and only in May did he reach home completely exhausted and died. “D” was also imprisoned – for Christmas he wanted to meet his wife at the border, he violated some regulation and was imprisoned in Litvínov, where there were already chemical plants at that time. There they tormented him with cold, etc., he returned after two months alive, but completely exhausted.”

——–

Here is the wisdom and start reality realization from King Solomon:

Ecclesiastes 4 – New King James Version
The Uselessness of Selfish Toil
Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun:

And look! The tears of the oppressed,
But they have no comforter—
On the side of their oppressors there is power,
But they have no comforter.
Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead,
More than the living who are still alive.
Yet, better than both is he who has never existed,
Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

The Vanity of Selfish Toil
Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind. 

The fool folds his hands
And consumes his own flesh.
Better a handful with quietness
Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:

There is one alone, without companion:
He has neither son nor brother.
Yet there is no end to all his labors,
Nor is his eye satisfied with riches.
But he never asks,
“For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?”
This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.

The Value of a Friend
Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Popularity Passes Away
Better a poor and wise youth
Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.
For he comes out of prison to be king,
Although he was born poor in his kingdom.
I saw all the living who walk under the sun;
They were with the second youth who stands in his place.
There was no end of all the people over whom he was made king;
Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him.
Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

March Lions are BOLD, Proverbs 28

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“The righteous are as bold as a lion.” Solomon’s observation in Proverbs 28:1b

(I am keeping with my theme of March Lions and Lambs for this stretch of writing…)

I watched the Oscars as mindless meaty media and had many munchies as it was as marathon-like as any movie, but longer. I didn’t see any movie except “Wicked” which was so good, and like life, the deep understanding of the characters and their history in that movie is necessary to gauge their wickedness or goodness, or simply their human-ness gone astray. The Broadway musical score, of course, is grandeur and catchy at its best. The performance and every musical score were crowd pleasers on the show.

I don’t see many movies – but I’ve liked comedian Conan O’Brien, the Oscars host, for years, so made sure to tune in… and I appreciated the witty humor, gags, the speeches even, the glamor yes, and that the people liked doing their craft of making movies to inspire, teach, and entertain. Politics and faith, war and peace, fashion and firefighting, it all fit in the show. 

Some folks play both good and evil characters, but mostly human ones who can make mistakes. THANK GOD, GOD LOOKS AT AND WEIGHS THE HEART (more wisdom from Solomon in Proverbs 21). Like the movies, people get type cast, but God is the one who leads the better plots. Follow Him.

And watching the Oscars was good for an “evening in” on a roar of chilly weather, on an early March night. Sunday is when my weekend brain is full, just decompression of a weekend and “time for myself”.

And yet this weekend was also a good time for me and the Lord, because click click click, I forced myself to sit down and I organized 2 whole chapters of my writing for print and pdf. It seems a process, but it’s my purpose and my pursuit of God’s Heart holds me in alignment of both writing and curating. Most of my writing is captured brain waves that flash then disappear from memory, maybe someone reads or needs it, but like last year’s Oscar’s and star-winners and movies, it’s gone from memory that quick. But SCRIPTURE remains – the wisdom and the freshness of it refreshed.

SO, the Lions in scripture roar the righteousness right into place. The Proverbs seem to be Lion roars of observation and wisdom from King Solomon both good yet flawed. King Solomon saw A LOT, ruled a long time, wrote extensively in God’s name and in his own processing. Human and wise, King Solomon would have seen the righteous and the wicked, both, and known how to use a Lion as symbol for each:

1) The Righteous are as bold as a Lion.

…

2) Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

…

It is up to us to be aware of the difference between good, righteous and evil, wicked. It is like a movie in some ways to discover and discern the characters of life, but behind the scenes and in front too, we are to know God weighs the heart. We need to be a March Lion of righteousness “righted” by God and “Marching” in His Way. We need to be wary of wicked lions chasing us. We need to remember that we can be bold IN God – and let Him score our lives.

Amen 

—

Proverbs 21:1-3, 29-31

In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

…

The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.

—-

Proverbs 28 NIV

The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.

Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.

A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.

Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.

Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back.

The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.

A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

To show partiality is not good – yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.

The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.

Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.

Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys.

The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.

Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

QTIP – Quit Taking It Personally – Guard Your Heart

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…attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings…   Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life...   Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

It was the very end of the multi-division presentation at work when they talked about the survey results that you may see and interpret within your group (small or site-wide) and they urged people to act upon them without getting upset if they were general or specific comments that seemed negative. We always need to be correct in our work ethics, but INSTEAD of the negative implications of getting upset,  consider these comments as OPPORTUNITIES for growth. Yes. The best acronym I heard – QTIP – “Quit Taking It Personally”… yes.. 

When we don’t think about situations and how we are personally affected, we are then able to think more broadly in helping. When we don’t ‘get our noses bent out of shape’, we can keep moving and be less shaken. And if it’s just a venting session, don’t you get steamed too…

I connected this QTIP “cute-tip” about not letting things bug you, not taking things personally, with a scripture right away – ‘Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it’… from wise Solomon.

TRUE, as your heart can sway and overspill, can corrupt your mind allowing it to get carried away, causing even more angst. 

A QTIP is USEFUL – I use them to grease my sewing machine. Useful for hygiene yes, as well as cleaning up little things, as a decorating tool paintbrush for improvement, and ELEGANTLY MADE and clean if we don’t let them overspill the clean container. 

Our hearts are needed that way too, USEFUL, could paint a picture of our lives, ELEGANT and hard-working, CLEAN if we keep them that way. And yet they are indescribable as fragile and strong at the same time.

In the wisdom of Solomon, GET WISDOM, and guard your heart… use the wisdom to ‘live long and prosper’…

And QTIP.

Amen

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Proverbs 4:18-27

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 

Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

—

Proverbs 4:5-13

“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life

Light in the Darkness – Proverbs 15

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All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

It’s not just food for the stomach, there’s food for the soul and a hungry heart to be satisfied. A merry heart heads Proverbs as well as the Lord’s wisdom. Us living on what God feeds us is a delight and good.  A merry heart has a continual feast – what a blessing!

I have travelled up to my alma mater to speak to the students and faculty and friends about my career journey success and how they can embark on their careers… blessed to share!!!

I believe in the sentiment Proverb: “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.” – to scale back the excess.  So this and to go feel the love… so to have herbs AND beef in a local flair sandwich was satisfying to the stomach as was the conversation to the soul…

I know all the activities today will be satisfying to the soul too… so excited to speak with everyone. 

Last night I stood up on the hill in fair darkness and saw the milky way a bit. I know it is there, and when it is darker in the light pollution, the lights in the sky are brightest and the stars so numerous… light in the dark. That’s us looking for God in our hearts – Light in the dark where we shut out the light pollution which is like evil blocking our view… 

Keep a clear view. Know God’s words and work for today. If: “The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.” – THEN I PRAY WE LOOK FOR GOD IN OUR LIVES – we hunger to LISTEN AND HEED. Slow the foolishness feeding frenzy and get to a quiet place. The more we look, the more we know. The more we hear, the more satisfied our souls. 

AMEN

…

Proverbs 15:13-18, 21-33

13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,

But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,

But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,

But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,

Than great treasure with trouble.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,

Than a fatted calf with hatred.

18 A wrathful man stirs up strife,

But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

. . .

21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,

But a man of understanding walks uprightly.

22 Without counsel, plans go awry,

But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,

And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

24 The way of life winds upward for the wise,

That he may turn away from hell below.

25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud,

But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,

But the words of the pure are pleasant.

27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,

But he who hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,

But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,

But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,

And a good report makes the bones healthy.

31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life

Will abide among the wise.

32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,

But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom,

And before honor is humility.

The Good Stuff God is Known For, Daniel 1

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Suitable for back to school talk – back to focus – back to God…

God is known for so many good things, miracles and such – and just good living – Daniel’s story tells of, in chapter 1, that devotion to God is a really good thing to have – and this devotion is obedience and understanding that God’s rules and plans are good for us. Even God’s vegetables…  really God is good.

Daniel and his friends are “recruited” really forced because this is the time of besiege of Jerusalem by Babylon – and Daniel and three others are being “trained” to serve in the King’s court – trained for 3 years – (that is unbelievable too – three years of what kind of training?) – but Daniel refuses to eat’s the kings table food (which was probably the best they could offer those days) – but God offered something better – and not just vegetables – He offered the wisdom to live. Daniel and his three other companions tapped into God’s wisdom. 

First – after refusing to eat – the guard made a plea with Daniel – look I am only doing my job – help me out here – well Daniel made an agreement for a trial basis to test things out – and only 10 days ate under God’s purposes – and guess what – not just eating but exercising too and learning and what not…  And they turned out to be the best of the best… and they didn’t have to be enchanters or magicians, just God’s people.

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

Yes, it took three years and yes it took work and yes it took wisdom to learn – most importantly it took the dedication to God to live the life that He wanted them to live – and the rest was gravy – no I am not talking about vegetable gravy…

The good stuff God is known for is His dedication to those dedicated to Him. The wisdom to know – and the means to work – even under the oppressive circumstances. 

I’m glad God is in control. Let’s listen to Him always.

Amen

—

Daniel 1

Daniel’s Training in Babylon

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.  And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.

Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”

Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

SKILLS

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A great conversation this week with a friend who is running a VBS that I will help with – a conversation about the fear of God – respectful fear – awesome fear – and yet fearful fear…  Well, I said about my sense with God and the fear of God – is that I fear God if I don’t use my SKILLS that He gave me for His Purposes first and foremost and then I fit the rest of “my” work into the day. I fear the Lord, in the sense that if I fall and fail to be the one that people (in a good way) look to – He won’t look as good – or Christians won’t look so faithful. But I even fear if I forget that when I do fail, that Jesus has me in the saved and forgiven category… 

Jesus saves, we use skills, and life continues…

A skill I know I have is to speak to people one by one and then in big crowds as if I am speaking to individuals – it is a personality trait as well as life training. And another skill I have is to “wing it”. And another skill I have is to write (seriously wonder how to use it best). And another skill is no skill at all – it is to smile.

A skill I don’t always use – that I should – is to keep my mouth shut and let it roll off my back. And a skill and learned experience – I also should use more – is to speak up and set things straight. And the crucial skill for us all – to make amends when we can. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.

Well, what are your skills? Where has the Lord led you to show witness to His Ways through you?

I’m still working on mine – aren’t we all! I will wing the rest of this life on the skills I have – yet the best “SKILL” for each of us is to hold onto the Lord and watch Him plan our days.

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Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (from Proverbs 16)

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In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (from Proverbs 16)

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Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. (from Proverbs 14)

Amen

excerpts from Proverbs 14 NIV

The wise woman builds her house,
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,
    but the lips of the wise protect them.

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
    but the folly of fools is deception.

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
    and the good rewarded for theirs.

The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,
    but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
    and for their children it will be a refuge.

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    turning a person from the snares of death.

A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.

Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.