NOTE TO SELF--and anyone else interested

DAY 31 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE!  # ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 31-- IT'S NOT JUST FOR WOMEN! There seems to be an indelible female identity for Proverbs 31. Actually, the first nine verses chapter 31 contain revolutionary and practical instructions for compassion, leadership and advocacy. I've meditated on these passages for years and I still have more to learn. And, for those young single men praying for a Proverbs 31 future wife? A word of caution. These verses dep ict the lifetime of a woman--not her daily activities.  Today, for me, verse 8 is especially relevant. With both my handsome husband and dear mother in various stages of recuperation, I found I was and am their voice. In this busy, complicated, sometimes overwhelming medical world, sometimes the patient's voice is lost. It means an incredible investment of my time--spending nights in the hospital with little sleep, making numerous phone calls--but I found ample opportunitie...

DAY 30 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE!  # ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 30--This verse contains years of lessons for us. Depending upon the season of our life--childhood, adulthood, and everything in between--honoring our parents has varying levels of active responsibility. We can examine what is a blessing and what is a curse to our parents. Let the LORD show you what He wants you to work on. As a child it's all about honoring our parents and all they try to teach us. As adults it's about honoring our parents for what they've done--and may still be able to offer in our life. However, as we discussed on Day 23, even if our parents weren't the best and our childhood troubled, we're still commanded by GOD to honor them. As our parents age and become more dependent upon others, we do have a responsibility to them that's more active. It becomes a new way of honoring and blessing them. Giving our parents the gift of honor is our choice--obey...

DAY 29 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE!  # ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 29--There's an old term for someone who only says what they think you want to hear: Yes-Man. If a leader surrounds themselves with Yes-Men, then wisdom will walk out the door and eventually that individual will fall. Whether we're leaders, or teachers, or pilots, or doctors, or parents, or employers, or anyone who deals with people, we need folks around us who will tell us the truth. It would be nice if they spoke in love, or at lease diplomatically, but the counsel they give must never be a lie.  For flattery is a lie. Agreeing when inside we disagree is a lie. Manipulation is a lie. When we need to know the truth, and we seek truth, it will set us free (John 8:32). May we surround ourselves with Truth-Men(Women), my friends. Proverbs 29:12--If a ruler listens to lies, all his servants will be wicked. Tree of Life Bible Society   Tree of Life Version - TLV # tlvb...

DAY 28 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE!  # ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 28--Thank you for allowing me to share my personal wisdom journey with you this past week. While the situation is not over, the seriousness of the situation is not there. As you can see, sometimes life "allows" us to take the time to meditate and be introspective about what GOD shows us, and other times we grab whatever time we can and cherish GOD's very real interaction with us. When an unexpected medical crises like this happens, it can be a challenge to not be overwhelmed by the crashing waves of emotion. If I had to trust in my own wisdom and strengths, I would sink pretty quickly. Wisdom, faith, and the prayers of the saints become GOD's raft to ride the waves until we finally have calmer seas. So when people asked how I was doing, I said I was just riding the waves. I could see myself holding tight to the raft--grateful I wasn't having to tread water in the rough...

DAY 27 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE!  # ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 27--[sorry for the delay, my friends] Do you have those sweet friends who are ointment and perfume? A few years ago I spoke at a women's retreat about the types of friendships. How to have healthy relationships, how to spot unhealthy ones. How to be a better friend and how to cultivate a Godly sisterhood. Living real-time in the Proverbs has reminded me of the preciousness of friends. I thought about reviewing those types of relationships in this blog, but honestly, it feels too clinical, academic. This week especially, they reached out to me. Most were not physically present, but all of them were ointment and perfume.  Whether a hug, encouraging word, prayers, texts, or phone calls I was able to weather through. The long-time friends knew how to make me smile and laugh. Others shared their compassion like a warm cup of coffee. Others took me for a meal, giving me a...

DAY 26 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE!  # ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 26--Sometimes I feel that tug. The sting of the whip. Or the rod on my backside. I think I have it all together, and GOD reminds me that whatever I have "together," is only by His grace. When I feel the sting, it's not always Him disciplining me, but the repercussions of my pride and prideful decisions. Even if He does discipline me, I know that I clearly need it. And that He loves me. And that I need to pay attention to the lesson. Today, I feel the bridle tugging and am in that familiar mode of seeking Him and His will. Am I the only one out there? May we live by His grace and not our own devices, my friends. Proverbs 26:3--A whip for a horse, a bridle for a donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.  Tree of Life Bible Society   Tree of Life Version - TLV # tlvbible   # tlvproverbs

DAY 25 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE!  # ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 25--Good news. We all like good news. I am realizing that when things are great, running smoothly, we can overlook the "little" good news. I tend to prioritize and rank the good news based on what I think is important. How about when things aren't going so well? I sure crave a little bit of good news. Any bit is appreciated. Should I do that? And how about loved ones' good news, when we're in a dry spell? How do we feel when something really good happens for them  and not us? Are we able to be thankful for them--especially if it doesn't benefit us? That may be a bit more challenging. I know it is for me. When we set our heart and mind on wisdom and gratitude, we can see the blessings and good news all around us. We don't rank our gratitude by the size of the blessing. They all speak of GOD's love and the amazing intricacies of His work in all of our lives. We ...

DAY 24  IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE! #ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 24--As I sit in the hospital room, with the hospital smells, and hospital noises, and hospital food (actually, it's not too bad), this verse reminds me of contentment.  Its reminder created an interesting phenomenon in me this morning.  It made me pause.  Breathe.  Look around me: At my mom resting comfortably after a sponge bath and fresh slinky nighties.  Beautiful flowers my hubby and I purchased at the adorable gift shop.  Sunshine through the windows and this moment to just be. I can be content right here, right now.  Would I love to be home? Of course. I miss sleeping with my husband, snug and warm. I miss my mom padding around the house excited about what GOD showed her in the Word. I miss cooking for my family. And, I miss taking showers and fresh clothes. I think when we have a life and home built by GOD's wisdom, it doesn't matter where our...

DAY 23 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE!  # ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 23--Please forgive me, my new friends. There are pros and cons to living the Proverbs in real time. The pros are the exciting and relevant insights and blessings we hear from our Heavenly Daddy each day--for that day, that sacred moment. It's fresh and alive and wonderful. The con is that sometimes life can throw us a curve. We don't have more than a few moments to partake of that holy time. We must grab it while we can. That happened to me on Monday morning.  My mom took ill and I've been living in a hospital room with her since that time. Wh ile I've continued reading, with a bit of journaling my thoughts, I haven't really prepared the devotional for you, my friends. Today, I've meditated a bit more on yesterday's proverb and also, today's (which will follow), as it has truly been relevant to what has been happening these last few days. As I've sat n...

DAY 22 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE!  # ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 22--Let's jump in with verse 1. One of the fruits of prudence is a good name.  When people hear our name, what do they think of? Our parents? Our children? Honesty? Integrity? Graciousness? Loyalty? Godliness? Compassion? Our name carries our history--the good and bad. The poor decisions we make--especially when they affect others--attach themselves to our name. I guess it's important to remember that when our decisions or actions affect others, we need to be especially careful. Seeking wise counsel. Arriving on time. Meeting our obligations and commitments. Seemingly small blips on our radar could actually impact others significantly. This is not about people-pleasing, this is about our being aware that many of our actions have repercussions. And those repercussions clothe our name. We're blessed that GOD forgives us. But, humanity doesn't always forgive. Our Heaven...

DAY 21 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE!  # ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 21--Three weeks in. How are you doing? Has the LORD shown you insights into your heart? He has sure done that for me--everyday. Some aren't so fun, but, oh how liberating to know He'll never give up on us. That's why I love, verse 2 and why I chose the iceberg graphic.  We all know the story of the Titanic, but did you know over 25 ships have sunk as a result of running into icebergs. Five ships since the Titanic. One as recently as 2007. Fortunately, no one perished in that sinking. With all our sophisticated technology you'd think those sorts of accidents could be avoided. But, icebergs are deceptive. About 90% of the iceberg is submerged. And the longer it floats, the more ice it can accumulate.  Are we like icebergs?  Is what we are on the surface nothing compared to what's hidden inside us?  Is our thought-life concealed behind a mask of appropriateness? D...

DAY 20 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE!  # ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 20--Day 20! Have you been able to read a chapter or portion of a chapter each day? I would love to hear your stories. Today's chapter deals with a treasure chest of wisdom. Discretion. Job security. Prudence. Diplomacy. Loyalty. Integrity. Even wisdom about sneaking food. You may feel a bit overwhelmed with all the information before you. Where do you focus? What's most important--for today?  Remember to watch   for memories that suddenly spring up, or pictures and scenes that form in your mind, or a feeling of conviction and strong emotion. Those are all good things. GOD is speaking to you. Even if it feels uncomfortable, know that you're about to do something difficult and amazing because He loves you! He wants you whole and in love with Him and life. For me, today, a bit of emotion bubbled up over verse 19. The Babbler. There are two types of babblers. The talkers and the ...

DAY 19 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE!  # ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 19--Today's chapter has several verses directed toward families and how to have peace in the home. Love that.  It also gives us valuable insights into justice and prudence (Love that word!). There are verses that illustrate how important both integrity and loyalty are to our lives.  This chapter also gives us insight into GOD's heart concerning the poor and wealthy--that sometimes our perception is off-center to His way of see ing things. But, today, verse 2 really struck me. It's about the pros and cons of zeal. Don't we love an enthusiastic person? They are the spiritual cheerleaders of the Body of Messiah. They can see the dream and its potential and oh, how it excites them.  That zeal can motivate us to persevere on a tough project or push us to begin one. The downside of a zealous person is they don't always think things through. They can rush right by important...

DAY 18 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE!  # ProverbsChallenge Proverbs 18--This chapter has much to offer us today. What is GOD showing you? I've been thinking a lot about relationships lately, and this chapter has much to say about them. From family to friends to business associates, today's verses give such wise counsel. We can have a lot of friends and acquaintances--it's nice to have folks who want to be around us, isn't it? But, we need to be careful who we allow into our "inner circle." Before we ever repose deep trust with someone, their character needs to be vetted by the Holy Spirit and us. This is not to say that those dear friends or family won't hurt or offend us. We're humans and that just happens. It builds character in each of us. Those in our inner circle must have an hones heart. What is their motivation and intent. Do they seek to see us succeed? Do they seek our well-being? Do they see us as GOD sees us? Those ...