NOTE TO SELF--and anyone else interested

WATCH as we close out 2018 and prepare for 2019. https://www.facebook.com/tlvbiblesociety/videos/2168507140132249/?notif_id=1546262963109993&notif_t=live_video_explicit

How does one "gird" and "invigorate?" T ODAY’S PROVERB: She girds herself with strength and invigorates her arms. Proverbs 31:17 The Woman of Valor’s list of credentials is pretty intimidating, don’t you think? For those new to these blogs, you may not know that this list is her resume—a lifetime of work—not just Tuesday’s To-Do list. Her commitment to her family and who she is as a daughter of the Creator of the Universe, is the qu intessential example of true wisdom. In other words, this is how true wisdom looks in the real world. In this proverb, the woman’s secret to strength is discovered—actually, it’s not much of a secret when we live the proverbs. In fact, it’s pretty simple: she seeks those things that encourage strength. After reading Proverbs daily for over 15 years, I know that reading is only the beginning. Living what GOD shows us are the simple, but challenging instructions He gives us so freely. I believe it means living a healthy life of...

Are you reading the "last chapter" without living the whole story? TODAY’S PROVERB: Who has gone up into heaven, and come down? Who has gathered the wind in the palm of His hand? Who has wrapped the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name and what is the name of His Son—if you know? Proverbs 30:4 As an author and a reader, I know that within each story there are “tells” of what is to come. The author doesn’t put these h ints in to spoil the mystery or climax reveal, but to show the reader that the answer was before them the whole time. Otherwise, the reader might feel cheated that the reveal came out of nowhere—it wasn’t logical or believable. This passage is one of GOD’s many tells. In this case, the tells of the coming Savior—the Messiah to the world. I love these passages in the Old Testament—the TANAKH. And I never tire of finding new ones that point to Jesus—Yeshua. What is always amazing is to realize that these tel...

Who says the battle is over? TODAY’S PROVERB: Bloodthirsty people hate a man of integrity and seek the soul of the upright. Proverbs 29:10 There are those who’ve been so long in the dark they hate the light—and anyone who resides in its warmth. Evil seeks any means to expand its territory. All it needs is fear and apathy—which is why it works to promote that “what’s the use” mentality. I was thinking, as believers, we tend to focus our attention on what’s left of our territory. We can live in a state of resignation that this is just the way of the world. But, really, we should live in a state of determination to see GOD’s Kingdom expand. There’s a powerful scene in the Lord of the Rings movie—the Return of the King —when the Orcs have overrun one of Gondor’s cities. They have their eyes on the palace and total domination. They don’t realize there are armies uniting to fight and their fate is doomed because mankind said, “No!” With all they have, they fight. The scene I membe...

How do we choose to give? TODAY’S PROVERB: One who gives to the poor will not lack, but one who shuts his eyes will have many curses. Proverbs 28:27 With the cacophony of voices in the media and social media, the images of poverty seem overwhelming. A pervasive sense of the impossibility of making a difference can keep us from doing anything. Or worse, we ignore the faces, the needs, the good works that need help. Either  way, the results are the same, we do nothing. So how do we know when and where to give? Scripture tells us to begin at home. Our family, our congregation, our neighborhood, our community, and our city. Then, we expand our world of giving to others. With thousands of charitable organizations, how do we choose? Pray. Pray for GOD’s discernment for us. Not for others—for us. If everyone gave to one ministry, thousands of other works would wither away. He has called us to the works He wants us to support. And that’s not necessarily the ones our friends and f...

Are you a morning or evening person? TODAY'S PROVERB: If someone blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. Proverbs 27:14 Morning vs. evening people. Yes, there really is such a thing. Today's proverb is helpful in maintaining a harmonious relationship with family, friends, and neighbors. Learning to be sensitive to our differences in sleeping and waking patterns is wise. I am a morning   person. I love my quiet time with the LORD before the sun rises, before my brain and the day kicks into high speed. For some, their time with the LORD is most meaningful as they wind down the day and prepare for bed late at night. Folks laugh at my hubby's and my early to bed--yes, we're one of those 8pm old-timers. But, we chuckle at their foggy brains and bedheads in the early mornings. I was thinking, just the fact that GOD has even made provisions and guidelines for different types of people He created is pretty amazing. He doe...

Can you spot a lie? TODAY'S PROVERB: Like silver glaze overlaying earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. Proverbs 26:23 Did you know you can cover just about anything with silver? Or gold for that matter. Just a can of Krylon and you can give anything the look of luxury. Why would people coat earthenware with silver as we have in this proverb? It was a way of deceiving folks into believing a chalice  was solid silver. A discerning person could tell if it was fake by the weight of the cup and how well it withstood a tight grip. Because they had seen the real thing and could spot a poor facsimile. Deception in this proverb are words covered in kindness or flattery or even a bit of knowledge, but in reality hide an evil intent. How many times has someone had a "silver glaze" that covered a strategic purpose to harm us? Made fun of us? Even sarcasm can at times be silver-glazed cruelty. Let's face it, in our quest for wisdom and a deeper relationship wi...

WATCH some insights into the Christmas story. Proverbs 25:2 https://www.facebook.com/tlvbiblesociety/videos/375652843183744/?comment_id=375665546515807&notif_id=1545744688820614&notif_t=mentions_comment

Do we still seek Him? TODAY'S PROVERB: It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out. Proverbs 25:2 Merry Christmas! Around 2 billion people worldwide celebrate Christmas every year. According to  History.com , it is one of the most celebrated holidays of the year in many countries, as it is now often celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike. Nine out of 10 people celebrate  Christmas in the United States. While most of the world celebrates Christmas on Dec. 25th, Orthodox Christians celebrate it on Jan. 7. The date of Yeshua's birth is not known, other scholars believe He may have been born around the Feast of Tabernacles. Others around Passover or the beginning of the Biblical year before Passover. Whether Jesus was born in the winter, spring, or fall, the fact that there are easily millions of families celebrating His birth today is still profound. Imagine being chosen to witness Jesus' arrival on this planet. Who d...

WATCH as we help with ways to think and behave during those rowdy, stressful holiday celebrations. Proverbs 24:17-18 https://www.facebook.com/tlvbiblesociety/videos/379734722784927/?comment_id=379751522783247&notif_id=1545658269652928&notif_t=mentions_comment

Living in the place of forgiveness? TODAY'S PROVERB: Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, or let your heart be glad when he stumbles, or ADONAI may see it as evil in His eyes, and turn His wrath away from him. Proverbs 24:17-18 As millions celebrate the birth of the Messiah to the world, there's a hope for good folks to pass on the peace they receive because of Him (Luke 2:14). We try to be more gracious and stay in the place of g ratitude. Interestingly enough, major crimes go down over the holidays, except for car break-ins. Once the new year begins, things seem to pretty much go back to normal. But, as followers of Jesus our hearts should reside in a place of gratitude, joy, and forgiveness all year long. That gratitude and happiness, by the way, should never be at the expense of others. Today's proverb speaks of the writer's warning to not take pleasure in those we're angry with when they stumble and fall. When someone who has mistreated us--or those we ca...

Are people watching us? TODAY'S PROVERB: My son, give your heart to me, and let your eyes observe my ways. Proverbs 23:26 Have you ever felt like you were being watched? Not in a creepy way, but that people were observing your behavior? Your life? Your testimony? It's one thing to live our life as authentically as we can, it's another thing to know others are watching. Waiters. Check-out clerks. Maintenance workers. So meone in the car next to us. One memorable moment for me was while in Jerusalem's Arab Quarter. An Arab restaurant owner had misinterpreted something one of our tour members had done. As my friends walked away, this man began ranting in Arabic and then in English that "there would never be peace between Jew and Arab." GOD gave me an unexpected boldness. My friends no longer around me, I began calmly and lovingly explaining what my friends had actually done. Then I said, "There will be peace because GOD wants peace." I ordered...

Do you recognize the thorns and snares? TODAY'S PROVERB: Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse, but one who guards his soul stays far from them. Proverbs 22:5 Have you ever been pricked by a thorn? Most likely it happened because the thorns weren't visible initially. Or we weren't paying attention to plants we knew had thorns. I can't count the number of times I reached for a rose and got the thorn. What a great analogy fo r guarding our soul. We must be vigilant and discerning about the temptations around us. Something--or someone--drawing our attention away from the safe path of GOD's wisdom. There may be a lovely "scent" or "flower" but hidden within its beauty is a thorn. Recognizing the thorns and snares in our life is the first step to avoiding them. When we pay attention we can avoid a lot of pain. Knowing which "flowers" or "scents" that draw us away and distract us helps us stay far from them no m...

WATCHING a Provoking moment! Great start to digging deeper. Proverbs 21:17 https://www.facebook.com/tlvbiblesociety/videos/401142853959196/?notif_id=1545312559954869&notif_t=live_video_explicit

What do we build on that true foundation? TODAY'S PROVERB: Whoever loves pleasure becomes poor. Whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich. Proverbs 21:17 What we love ahead of GOD cannot sustain us. When we love and seek Him first, all these other things will be added to our lives (Matthew 6:33).  Not just things, but the people who are important to us. As we're able to steward possessions, gifts, talents, and relationships GOD will  add to them. "In this case, moreover, what is required of stewards is to be found trustworthy." 1 Corinthians 4:2 "As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of the many-sided grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10 When we place things and even relationships above Him, we cripple ourselves emotionally and spiritually. It's like the foundation of a building. When we love GOD first, as our foundation, we can build an amazing life. Imagine building on top of people or things or gifts and talents-...

WATCH as we dig deeper into Proverbs 20:17, we remembered some silly impulsive "bread" stories. https://www.facebook.com/tlvbiblesociety/videos/vb.931611850198181/408061523067612/?type=2&theater

Are there little "frauds" in your life? TODAY'S PROVERB: Bread gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is filled with gravel. Proverbs 20:17 One of the funniest memories of my dad "talking spiritual" happened during one of the holiday get-togethers--probably Thanksgiving or Christmas. The event took place early one morning. My entry into my parents' kitchen was greeted with my mom grilling her kids and grandkids. She was attempting to find the hungry culprit who had eaten nearly all the breakfast treats. Dad stood by watching for a few minutes before he wrapped his arm around mom and smiled sheepishly. He said, "I guess that Proverb is really true. It tasted great while I was eating it last night, but I'm not feeling so great about it this morning." Every time I come across today's proverb I think of that humorous example. Although, for my mom, it wasn't very funny at the time. She had to scramble to put together...