The Heart
The Heart
Proverbs 4
My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body. Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life, verses 20-23
This proverb is Solomon reciting the instructions given him by his Father, David. I'm drawn to the passage referring to the heart. I read that in the Hebrew language, the term heart goes beyond a reference to the emotions. The heart is the center of thinking and reason, emotions and will. That’s pretty much the total package. The whole inner being.
Solomon is calling us to dance the Texas two-step: Read more
The Cause
The view from our apartment in Houston.
The Cause
Proverbs 3
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up and the skies drip with dew. My son, let them not vanish from your sight; keep sound wisdom and discretion. So, they will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck. Proverbs 3:19-22
Parents teach the principles of cause and effect continuously. “You left your half-eaten Popsicle on the dining room table and now, look what happened?” With our children, we probably spend a lot more time pointing out the negative results of cause and effect than we proactively nurture the positive side.
My grandson Ryker,age 6, loves the garden club at his school. Gardening is filled with the positive principles of cause and effect. Plant these tomato seeds, water the right amount and tomatoes will grow. Not carrots, or beets, but tomatoes. Easy to understand and very predictable. Read more
The Effect
I was the guest of a dear friend at a small hunting lodge in the back woods of Georgia this past week. What a refreshing weekend!
The Effect
Proverbs 3
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, so you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.
God is so good to us in that He doesn’t just tell us what to do, He gives commandments that come with blessings. How blessed we are that our God is a Benevolent Sovereign. He is the perfect balance of Strength and Kindness; Truth and Grace; Power and Gentleness; He is far above us in Majestic Glory and He is right next to us in intimate affection. What a God we love and serve!
As a parent, I used to give my daughters commands. If they asked why, I would say “because I said so.” It was a one-side command. Read more
Take it to Heart
My daughters, Beri and Brooke, and grandsons, Nate and Ryker!
Take it to Heart
Proverbs 3
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, write them (with a permanent marker) on your heart; So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Do we confuse knowledge with information? When I find myself in certain social settings, it becomes apparent that I rarely watch or read the daily news. I am often uniformed. I’m not proud of it and some good-meaning Christians will consider me negligent. I accept their critique; but I don’t plan on changing my habits and daily schedule, at this time. Read more
It’s Simple
It’s Simple
Proverbs
In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, ‘Ask what I shall give you.’ Solomon said to God, ‘You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place. Now, O Lord God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people for who can rule this people of Yours? 2 Chronicles 1:8-10
God plays the magic genie and offers to grant Solomon whatever he wants. Solomon refers to God’s lovingkindness which is a particular reference to God’s faithfulness to fulfill His covenant with David. In the Davidic covenant, God promised David a son that would rule after him as the next step in God’s ultimate promise to David; that from his heirs, the Messiah would come. And that his kingdom would last forever. Read more
It’s Simple
It’s Simple
Proverbs
In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, ‘Ask what I shall give you.’ Solomon said to God, ‘You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place. Now, O Lord God, You promise to my father David is fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people for who can rule this people of Yours? 2 Chronicles 1:8-10
God plays the magic genie and offers to grant Solomon whatever he wants. Solomon refers to God’s lovingkindness which is a particular reference of God’s faithfulness to fulfill His covenant with David. In the Davidic covenant, God promised David a son that rule after him as the next step in God’s ultimate promise to David that from his heirs, the Messiah would come. And that his kingdom would last forever. Read more