Lord, Direct my thoughts and my dreams. Direct me to the path you have chosen. In Your Name I Pray, Amen
Proverbs 20:4,7,11,13,20,21
Again I am reminded to renew my integrity (or to find it) and to not be lazy. I must remain patient and diligent. I must not rush things. Blessings are not rushed, they are cultivated. My children are young now and they try my patience even on my best days. But I must remember that God entrusted them to me to raise up to love him and to be intelligent, productive, God-fearing members of society. It is my job to train them, to teach them right from wrong and all the life skills that they will need in their future. I am equipped with this knowledge and I know that God will continue to guide my hands when need be.
Showing posts with label Proverbs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Proverbs. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Proverbs 19
Lord, I come to you humble and alone. Even though my family is large, I have distanced myself from them. I ask for your guidance and instruction as I read your word. In Your Name I Pray, Amen.
Proverbs 19:1 "Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool."
This is something that I noticed in the last few chapters. God is really pressing the issue of integrity upon me. I must become a woman of integrity before I can move forward.
Proverbs 19:11 "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression."
We have a choice. We can make the choice to become angry or to remain calm.
Proverbs 19:15 "Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger."
Have you ever noticed how the less you move the more tired you feel? That's me. The longer I sit the more tired and listless I feel. As for being idle and hungry, does the term couch potato ring a bell? How many of these truths do we already know but we refuse to acknowledge?
Pray to the Lord for guidance and he will show you a multitude of things. Remember that those without wisdom are the ones who are quick to anger and who are ready to constantly put people down and belittle them. I am just as guilty as the next person. But I don't want to be that person any more and now I have the knowledge staring me in the face so I can no longer play dumb.
Proverbs 19:1 "Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool."
This is something that I noticed in the last few chapters. God is really pressing the issue of integrity upon me. I must become a woman of integrity before I can move forward.
Proverbs 19:11 "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression."
We have a choice. We can make the choice to become angry or to remain calm.
Proverbs 19:15 "Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger."
Have you ever noticed how the less you move the more tired you feel? That's me. The longer I sit the more tired and listless I feel. As for being idle and hungry, does the term couch potato ring a bell? How many of these truths do we already know but we refuse to acknowledge?
Pray to the Lord for guidance and he will show you a multitude of things. Remember that those without wisdom are the ones who are quick to anger and who are ready to constantly put people down and belittle them. I am just as guilty as the next person. But I don't want to be that person any more and now I have the knowledge staring me in the face so I can no longer play dumb.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Proverbs 18
Lord, I come to you humble. I am at your mercy and I know that you are the one that meets our needs. I pray many blessings and forgiveness on those that I feel anger toward. I know that I must forgive them for my sake if not forget what they do. I ask for you to teach me with your word. In Your Name I Pray, Amen.
Again I was overwhelmed with the number of verses that spoke to me. I shall simply list them. Proverbs 18:1-2,8-10,21
I am constantly asking for alone time, seeing as how I am the mom of 4 kids, I have come to realize recently that I am alone. Not in the physical form, but in the emotional form. I am not connected to my family. I often feel as if it is them against me. However, I still speak angrily and sometimes downright ugly even to my 1 year old. This is going to stop. I took a look at my behavior (after reading this proverb). I looked at me as if a stranger looking at my family. And do you know what? I was appalled. There is no other word for it. Ok, you can add shocked, hurt, disturbed. After studying over this past month I have come to learn that I must go to the Lord with my troubles, that no one can change my world except me and God, and that my words are weapons. You would think that as a writer I would know that already. But it has taken a good spiritual slap in the face to really get me to see it. The one word that has been plaguing my last few days of study is: integrity.
Integrity: steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code; completeness, unity
Have you ever examined your life through a stranger's eyes? It's a brand new experience.
Again I was overwhelmed with the number of verses that spoke to me. I shall simply list them. Proverbs 18:1-2,8-10,21
I am constantly asking for alone time, seeing as how I am the mom of 4 kids, I have come to realize recently that I am alone. Not in the physical form, but in the emotional form. I am not connected to my family. I often feel as if it is them against me. However, I still speak angrily and sometimes downright ugly even to my 1 year old. This is going to stop. I took a look at my behavior (after reading this proverb). I looked at me as if a stranger looking at my family. And do you know what? I was appalled. There is no other word for it. Ok, you can add shocked, hurt, disturbed. After studying over this past month I have come to learn that I must go to the Lord with my troubles, that no one can change my world except me and God, and that my words are weapons. You would think that as a writer I would know that already. But it has taken a good spiritual slap in the face to really get me to see it. The one word that has been plaguing my last few days of study is: integrity.
Integrity: steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code; completeness, unity
Have you ever examined your life through a stranger's eyes? It's a brand new experience.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Proverbs 15
Lord, Help me to be the woman you want me to be. Teach me the way that I need to change. I open my heart, my mind, and my soul to you. I want to become moldable and teachable so that I may change and therefore create change in the life that I lead. In Your Name I Pray, Amen
Proverbs 15:1-2 "A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh tongue stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness."
My take: Speaking in soft tones (not yelling) and choosing your words(not just speaking in anger) will help to keep the situation calm and help us to effectively communicate with others. If we yell and scream and say whatever we feel like then the person or persons that we're yelling at will only become angry with us and nothing gets solved.
Proverbs 15:4 "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. But perverseness in it breaks the spirit."
Proverbs 15:12-13 "A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness."
My take: If we speak with kindness, wisdom and a content heart then people will actually seek out our guidance. If we are rude, nasty and make judgemental or foolish comments then people will not want to be around us.
Proverbs 15:18 "A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention."
Proverbs 15:28 "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil."
My take: Someone (like me right now) who gets angry easily and then starts yelling and screaming like a crazy person only creates more anger and confusion and resentment. But those who have patience (like I am striving for right now) and chooses their words carefully will not only live in a more peaceful atmosphere, but they will be a leader for those around them.
These scriptures have been speaking to me a great deal. One of my biggest obstacles is my anger and temper. Once I can control that, then other aspects of my life will be a great deal easier.
Proverbs 15:1-2 "A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh tongue stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness."
My take: Speaking in soft tones (not yelling) and choosing your words(not just speaking in anger) will help to keep the situation calm and help us to effectively communicate with others. If we yell and scream and say whatever we feel like then the person or persons that we're yelling at will only become angry with us and nothing gets solved.
Proverbs 15:4 "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. But perverseness in it breaks the spirit."
Proverbs 15:12-13 "A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness."
My take: If we speak with kindness, wisdom and a content heart then people will actually seek out our guidance. If we are rude, nasty and make judgemental or foolish comments then people will not want to be around us.
Proverbs 15:18 "A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention."
Proverbs 15:28 "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil."
My take: Someone (like me right now) who gets angry easily and then starts yelling and screaming like a crazy person only creates more anger and confusion and resentment. But those who have patience (like I am striving for right now) and chooses their words carefully will not only live in a more peaceful atmosphere, but they will be a leader for those around them.
These scriptures have been speaking to me a great deal. One of my biggest obstacles is my anger and temper. Once I can control that, then other aspects of my life will be a great deal easier.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Proverbs 11
Lord, I come to you in humble obedience. I know that I am far from perfect. I know that as I grow closer to you I will stumble and fall and I must remember to look to you to help me up. Or to help me realize I'm okay and that I am stronger than I think I am when you are with me. In Your Name I Pray, Amen
I could not pick just one verse to help understand this Proverb. There were many that spoke to me in many different ways. So here are the ones that stood out more than the others. I find the same recurring voice that wisdom is to be sought after in order to have a fulfilling life.
Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes,then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom"
My take: do not be boastful with nothing to back it up. Remain quiet until you can speak with wisdom, however do not speak to impress, simply speak to share your wisdom with others.
Proverbs 11:12 "He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace"
My take: If you have wisdom then you know how to control your anger and hate and you do not have to vent them as you would if you are ignorant.
Proverbs 11:17 "The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh."
My take: if you are merciful and compassionate then you will have peace down to your soul. If you are mean and hateful then you will be troubled not only in your mind, but anger and such can affect you physically.
Proverbs 11:22 "As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion."
My take: the ring may be made of gold and may be beautiful, but it's still attached to a nasty pig, so a woman may be beautiful but if she had a loose mouth or loose habits then she is just as ugly as the pig.
I have a problem with many of these things. Especially the anger. These words speak straight to my heart, reminding me that no matter your outside, if your inside is ugly then you will be also. I have been so obsessed with trying to get my outside to look better that I have forgotten that what I really need to do is make my soul more beautiful. When my soul is beautiful then the outside will become so.
I could not pick just one verse to help understand this Proverb. There were many that spoke to me in many different ways. So here are the ones that stood out more than the others. I find the same recurring voice that wisdom is to be sought after in order to have a fulfilling life.
Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes,then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom"
My take: do not be boastful with nothing to back it up. Remain quiet until you can speak with wisdom, however do not speak to impress, simply speak to share your wisdom with others.
Proverbs 11:12 "He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace"
My take: If you have wisdom then you know how to control your anger and hate and you do not have to vent them as you would if you are ignorant.
Proverbs 11:17 "The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh."
My take: if you are merciful and compassionate then you will have peace down to your soul. If you are mean and hateful then you will be troubled not only in your mind, but anger and such can affect you physically.
Proverbs 11:22 "As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion."
My take: the ring may be made of gold and may be beautiful, but it's still attached to a nasty pig, so a woman may be beautiful but if she had a loose mouth or loose habits then she is just as ugly as the pig.
I have a problem with many of these things. Especially the anger. These words speak straight to my heart, reminding me that no matter your outside, if your inside is ugly then you will be also. I have been so obsessed with trying to get my outside to look better that I have forgotten that what I really need to do is make my soul more beautiful. When my soul is beautiful then the outside will become so.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Proverbs 10
Lord, Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and for the wisdom that you have bestowed upon me lately. I eagerly await your voice speaking to my heart. In Your Name I Pray, Amen.
Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins."
Proverbs 10:17 "He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray."
What I have taken from this chapter is that wisdom and knowledge will bring you life and prosperity. Being hateful and mean will only cause death and destruction. Staying calm, using kindness and speaking in love will go a long way to help keep life peaceful and keep those around you feeling loved and wanted.I have a lot of work to do in order to keep my mouth in check. I often, really often let anger control my words. It is a horrible thing. Using my new found wisdom I hope to pay better attention to what I am going to say when I get mad. I guess I'll go back to my other saying "Stop. Breath. Think." As in think before I speak.
Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins."
Proverbs 10:17 "He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray."
What I have taken from this chapter is that wisdom and knowledge will bring you life and prosperity. Being hateful and mean will only cause death and destruction. Staying calm, using kindness and speaking in love will go a long way to help keep life peaceful and keep those around you feeling loved and wanted.I have a lot of work to do in order to keep my mouth in check. I often, really often let anger control my words. It is a horrible thing. Using my new found wisdom I hope to pay better attention to what I am going to say when I get mad. I guess I'll go back to my other saying "Stop. Breath. Think." As in think before I speak.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Proverbs 9
Lord, Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see you. I want to hear you. I want to feel you in my heart and soul. I cry out to you with all of my being. Help me to know what you would have me to know. In Your Name I Pray, Amen.
Proverbs 9: 7-9 "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself. And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and her will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."
We need to look only at ourselves when it comes to wisdom and knowledge. A wise person doesn't point out the wicked or stupid things to those that do them. It only hurts us when we do. We must look at instruction as a way to become more wise and not as a way to remind us we are stupid. (Or that we still have so much to learn)
Wise women is not idle, she works at what she is good at and invites people to help them to understand how to use their knowledge. A foolish woman leads others astray. She doesn't seek wisdom, she's lazy, and she encourages others to be lazy and stupid. I'm sorry if that word offends some people, but come on ladies. If you wallow in your own lack of understanding and do nothing to educate yourself in some form or fashion then what other word is there? I'm not saying you have to be a scholar. Just strive to be the best at what you do. Whatever you choose to do in your life, find out the best way to do it. Challenge your mind daily.
Proverbs 9: 7-9 "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself. And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and her will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."
We need to look only at ourselves when it comes to wisdom and knowledge. A wise person doesn't point out the wicked or stupid things to those that do them. It only hurts us when we do. We must look at instruction as a way to become more wise and not as a way to remind us we are stupid. (Or that we still have so much to learn)
Wise women is not idle, she works at what she is good at and invites people to help them to understand how to use their knowledge. A foolish woman leads others astray. She doesn't seek wisdom, she's lazy, and she encourages others to be lazy and stupid. I'm sorry if that word offends some people, but come on ladies. If you wallow in your own lack of understanding and do nothing to educate yourself in some form or fashion then what other word is there? I'm not saying you have to be a scholar. Just strive to be the best at what you do. Whatever you choose to do in your life, find out the best way to do it. Challenge your mind daily.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Proverbs 8
Lord, Give me a clean heart, a pure mind, and a willing spirit. May I hear your voice above all others. I praise your holy name with all that I am. In Your Name I Pray, Amen.
Proverbs 8: 9-11 "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 rubied, And all the tings one may desire cannot be compared with her."
If you search for wisdom, you will find it. If you search your heart and your soul and you really look into yourself,look into the place where you and God meet, then you will know which direction that wisdom will lead you. Wisdom has been here from the beginning of time. With wisdom comes love and rewards. If you choose wisdom over sliver and gold then the silver and gold will come to you in greater amounts than if you had chosen the silver and gold to start with.
Proverbs 8: 9-11 "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 rubied, And all the tings one may desire cannot be compared with her."
If you search for wisdom, you will find it. If you search your heart and your soul and you really look into yourself,look into the place where you and God meet, then you will know which direction that wisdom will lead you. Wisdom has been here from the beginning of time. With wisdom comes love and rewards. If you choose wisdom over sliver and gold then the silver and gold will come to you in greater amounts than if you had chosen the silver and gold to start with.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Proverbs 7
Lord, I come to you in search of wisdom and love.I pray for an open heart, an open mind and an open spirit. I want to open myself to you and be receptive to your words and your will. In Your Name I Pray, Amen.
Proverbs 7:25-27 "So not let your heart turn aside to her ways, So not stray into her paths; For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death."
I have taken this two ways. One is literal, in that it is best to educate our children in sexual matters. You cannot escape the dangers of adultery. You must guard your heart and mind from those that would seek to lure you away from your spouse.
The second way I read this is to say that we must guard ourselves against any temptation. Sex, food, money, etc. can be our downfall. Whatever becomes our obsession and takes us away from our families and from our spiritual relationship from God. We must also educate our children on the dangers and lures of different temptation.
Proverbs 7:25-27 "So not let your heart turn aside to her ways, So not stray into her paths; For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death."
I have taken this two ways. One is literal, in that it is best to educate our children in sexual matters. You cannot escape the dangers of adultery. You must guard your heart and mind from those that would seek to lure you away from your spouse.
The second way I read this is to say that we must guard ourselves against any temptation. Sex, food, money, etc. can be our downfall. Whatever becomes our obsession and takes us away from our families and from our spiritual relationship from God. We must also educate our children on the dangers and lures of different temptation.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Proverbs 6
Lord, Give me a heart to receive your instruction and to understand your wisdom. In Your Name I Pray, Amen
Proverbs 6:16-19
"These six things the Lord hates,Yes, seven are an abomination to Him; A proud look, a lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren."
How many of us are guilty of any of these things? Raise your hands. Come on, you in the back too. We've all done one of these at one time or another. You've lied about how late you stayed out the night before or how much money you spent at the store the other day. How about being a Sunday Christian? Does your life show what you believe or do you just talk a good talk? I can talk about spirituality all day, but putting it into practice is a constant struggle. I must ask for help not only daily but sometimes hourly.
What I took away from Proverbs 6 as a whole was this: Your word is your bond, do not make a statement that you cannot follow through with. Laziness and idleness and failure to work show that you do not have God's wisdom and such lack of action will lead to poverty. In order to tell the character of a person, watch how they hold themselves, watch their body language. In the same respect, we must watch our own body language because it speaks volumes as to what type of person we are.
God hates anything that will hurt others, so before you speak or act think about how the other person will feel or react to your actions/words. Think of where they are coming from, why they might have said or did what they did, then react.
We cannot always control our environment, but we can control how we react to things. So the next time your three year old is spilling milk in the floor or raiding the refrigerator, don't yell, ask yourself why. Were you 'too busy' to get the little one something to drink? Are you 'busy' and it's lunch time? Was he/she just trying to help?
I think the best advice I have gotten about getting angry or frustrated came from the kids show "Blues Clues". They tell you to "Stop. Breath(take a deep breath). and Think." Now I don't always follow this thinking. Some days I don't follow it at all. But I believe it's something we should all strive for. Sometimes when I take my deep breath I say a little prayer "Lord help me through this". It's not muttered like a curse word, it's a heartfelt prayer. Amazingly I feel much more peaceful when I do say it.
Proverbs 6:16-19
"These six things the Lord hates,Yes, seven are an abomination to Him; A proud look, a lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren."
How many of us are guilty of any of these things? Raise your hands. Come on, you in the back too. We've all done one of these at one time or another. You've lied about how late you stayed out the night before or how much money you spent at the store the other day. How about being a Sunday Christian? Does your life show what you believe or do you just talk a good talk? I can talk about spirituality all day, but putting it into practice is a constant struggle. I must ask for help not only daily but sometimes hourly.
What I took away from Proverbs 6 as a whole was this: Your word is your bond, do not make a statement that you cannot follow through with. Laziness and idleness and failure to work show that you do not have God's wisdom and such lack of action will lead to poverty. In order to tell the character of a person, watch how they hold themselves, watch their body language. In the same respect, we must watch our own body language because it speaks volumes as to what type of person we are.
God hates anything that will hurt others, so before you speak or act think about how the other person will feel or react to your actions/words. Think of where they are coming from, why they might have said or did what they did, then react.
We cannot always control our environment, but we can control how we react to things. So the next time your three year old is spilling milk in the floor or raiding the refrigerator, don't yell, ask yourself why. Were you 'too busy' to get the little one something to drink? Are you 'busy' and it's lunch time? Was he/she just trying to help?
I think the best advice I have gotten about getting angry or frustrated came from the kids show "Blues Clues". They tell you to "Stop. Breath(take a deep breath). and Think." Now I don't always follow this thinking. Some days I don't follow it at all. But I believe it's something we should all strive for. Sometimes when I take my deep breath I say a little prayer "Lord help me through this". It's not muttered like a curse word, it's a heartfelt prayer. Amazingly I feel much more peaceful when I do say it.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Proverbs 5
Lord, Open my heart and my mind. Help me to praise you and accept your guidance. I pray that I can keep your wisdom with me at all times. In Your Name I Pray, Amen.
Proverbs 5: 1-2
"My son, pay attention to my wisdom; Lend your ear to my understanding, That you may preserve discretion, And your lips may keep knowledge."
This whole Proverb is about resisting temptation. Keep your eyes and ears on God, do not give into temptation. The other man or lady may look attractive but they are someone you really don't know well and they will lead to your downfall. The other life may look better to you, as in being single instead of toughing it out in your marriage. It too will lead to your downfall. The grass always looks greener on the other side but it is an illusion. Because when you reach the other side, the side you started on will look greener. Stay the course with your family and lean on God's instruction. He will help us to tend the fields we live in and to nourish them so that our fields will be greener than any possible temptation around us.
I confess that there are times when I want to run away from my life. To leave everyone and everything I know behind. And then I realize that what I really want is a happier, more peaceful life with those I love. I can't get that by running away. I can only get that through hard work and through change. Changing me into a more peaceful and loving person so that those around me will become the same. Whatever spirit we send out is what is reflected to us. So if we send out anger and discourse then that is all that we will know. If we send out love, patience and kindness then we will receive it ten fold.
Proverbs 5: 1-2
"My son, pay attention to my wisdom; Lend your ear to my understanding, That you may preserve discretion, And your lips may keep knowledge."
This whole Proverb is about resisting temptation. Keep your eyes and ears on God, do not give into temptation. The other man or lady may look attractive but they are someone you really don't know well and they will lead to your downfall. The other life may look better to you, as in being single instead of toughing it out in your marriage. It too will lead to your downfall. The grass always looks greener on the other side but it is an illusion. Because when you reach the other side, the side you started on will look greener. Stay the course with your family and lean on God's instruction. He will help us to tend the fields we live in and to nourish them so that our fields will be greener than any possible temptation around us.
I confess that there are times when I want to run away from my life. To leave everyone and everything I know behind. And then I realize that what I really want is a happier, more peaceful life with those I love. I can't get that by running away. I can only get that through hard work and through change. Changing me into a more peaceful and loving person so that those around me will become the same. Whatever spirit we send out is what is reflected to us. So if we send out anger and discourse then that is all that we will know. If we send out love, patience and kindness then we will receive it ten fold.
Proverbs 4
Lord, open my heart and my mind, I invite you in to do some housecleaning. My heart has been filled with cement and my mind has been filled with trash and anger. My soul has become weakened because of the state of my heart, mind and body. I come to you asking you to clean out the cobwebs in my heart, to declutter my mind and to help me to resist the junk that I keep putting into my body in an effort to feed my soul. I come to you with a spirit of openness in hopes that you my free me from these bonds of anger and chaos. In Your Name I Pray, Amen
Proverbs 4: 42-25
"Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you."
Keep wisdom in your heart. Speak only kind words, keep curse words from your mouth, keep your eyes on your purpose, your goals, your life. These are the words that came to me as I read Proverbs 4. I believe the best thing we can do to change ourselves is to become open vessels, to remember what our goals and purposes are and to actively apply them to our lives.
I must remember that my children are people and that no matter what my other goals are, I am their and therefore it is my job to teach them life skills, life lessons, manners, discipline, how to read, how to count, how to treat other people and much more. It is my job to make them into productive members of society.
I must also remember that the old saying "Do as I say not as I do." is only that, a saying.
Children copy what they see and they rarely listen. So if I want them to be kind and compassionate then I must show them the same. If I want them to be responsible then so must I be. So perhaps we should determine what type of people we want our children to be and then strive to be that type of person ourselves.
I'm sure that I'm not the only one with the selfish tendencies. :)
I believe that if we begin to instruct our children, truly selflessly then our time will multiply so that we will have time for ourselves and our children will be happier. Try this experiment. Instead of surfing the net during the baby's nap (or whatever else you do in your "free" time) try doing the chore that you're putting off. When you're done check out the clock. I'll bet you have time left over.
Proverbs 4: 42-25
"Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you."
Keep wisdom in your heart. Speak only kind words, keep curse words from your mouth, keep your eyes on your purpose, your goals, your life. These are the words that came to me as I read Proverbs 4. I believe the best thing we can do to change ourselves is to become open vessels, to remember what our goals and purposes are and to actively apply them to our lives.
I must remember that my children are people and that no matter what my other goals are, I am their and therefore it is my job to teach them life skills, life lessons, manners, discipline, how to read, how to count, how to treat other people and much more. It is my job to make them into productive members of society.
I must also remember that the old saying "Do as I say not as I do." is only that, a saying.
Children copy what they see and they rarely listen. So if I want them to be kind and compassionate then I must show them the same. If I want them to be responsible then so must I be. So perhaps we should determine what type of people we want our children to be and then strive to be that type of person ourselves.
I'm sure that I'm not the only one with the selfish tendencies. :)
I believe that if we begin to instruct our children, truly selflessly then our time will multiply so that we will have time for ourselves and our children will be happier. Try this experiment. Instead of surfing the net during the baby's nap (or whatever else you do in your "free" time) try doing the chore that you're putting off. When you're done check out the clock. I'll bet you have time left over.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Proverbs 1
Proverbs 1:5
"A wise man will hear and increase learning, ans a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,"
I believe that this best sums up Proverbs 1. That we must constantly seek knowledge and understanding. We must seek knowledge not only from the Bible and other books, but from people, from our ourselves, our husbands and our children. We must seek to understand them, to know them as people and not just extensions of ourselves. We must seek not only to co-exist with them but to create a community within our home. God gave us families to learn how to co-operate and live as communities. We must relearn these skills not only to teach our children, but to remind ourselves. Some of us were never taught these skills to start with, we must study and learn them in order to teach our families.
"A wise man will hear and increase learning, ans a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,"
I believe that this best sums up Proverbs 1. That we must constantly seek knowledge and understanding. We must seek knowledge not only from the Bible and other books, but from people, from our ourselves, our husbands and our children. We must seek to understand them, to know them as people and not just extensions of ourselves. We must seek not only to co-exist with them but to create a community within our home. God gave us families to learn how to co-operate and live as communities. We must relearn these skills not only to teach our children, but to remind ourselves. Some of us were never taught these skills to start with, we must study and learn them in order to teach our families.
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