Pr. 23:3 [The Message]

This is good advice for ME. This proverb equates gluttony with drunkenness. (v. 23)

I’ve always had a good appetite. I guess my eating quota from when I was a “growing boy” sort of stuck. The extra pounds started increasing when I was in my 50s. TODAY I am officially 75 and realize I have put on 100 pounds of unwanted weight. It’s much easier to put it on than take it off

I must take the writer’s advice and “bridle my appetite.”

Patty will love this post.

P.S. She’s making me her famous lasagna and upside down cake for my birthday dinner this evening. I will apply the bridle tomorrow.

Pr. 22:15 [The Message]

Young people are prone to foolishness and fads;
    the cure comes through tough-minded discipline.

Kenny Dallas, the football coach at Trinity Christian School, is tough minded. He demands tough work-outs of his players. They are usually better conditioned than their opponents. This conditioning shows up in the later portions of the game. Less-conditioned teams may have very talented athletes, but the Trinity boys are in tip-top shape. When others are bone-tired, Trinity’s boys still have pep in their tanks.

The most redeeming thing is that these young men are learning about hard work and experiencing the fruitful results it brings. These are valuable lessons in life they are learning that will mold them into excellent husbands, fathers, bosses and workers.

Pr. 22 [The Message]

I learned this song when I was in Sunday School several hundred years ago …

It’s possible that only grandparents can TRULY understand the value of the process and end result of child-bearing and raising. Their perspective is seasoned and appreciative. They watch how a child enters the world, watch him/her being raised, and are able to apply the necessary love and understanding when that child stumbles a bit. Above all, they embrace the VALUE of that child and will move heaven and earth to see them succeed.

They also understand that the child has overwhelming value while they are yet in the womb.

An interesting observance: I have yet to see a pro-abortion grandparent picketing and demonstrating. I don’t believe they exist.

Pr. 21:27 [The Message]

Religious performance by the wicked stinks; it’s even worse when they use it to get ahead.

How much do we do to look good as Christians to get ahead? There are churches in town who have members just going through the motions. How empty!

It’s healthy to stop and ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” For man’s approval, or God’s?

Pr. 20, 21 [The Message]

I once heard a speaker who had spent some time in the hereafter and came back. They related that the motives of the hearts of earth’s inhabitants ring louder in Heaven than their words do. After all, aren’t our words just the amplification of our thoughts?!

“Blessed are the Pure in Heart … those with pure motives …for they shall see God.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart (motives) be ACCEPTABLE in Thy sight, O Lord. [Ps. 19:14a]

Pr. 19 [The Message]

It’s usually better left unsaid. How many times do we wish we would have held our tongue rather than popping off about something. “Smart people know when to keep quiet. They forgive and forget when offended.” [v.11]

Yesterday Patty and I were driving out of our neighborhood. We have MANY 4-way stops, and I have ordained myself a 4-way stop judge, jury, and prosecutor when people roll through them. So, this GUY (not gal) rolls through his sign beating us to the anticipation. I pronounced judgement upon him and was immediately rebuked by my wife. She was 100 percent right. I should hold my tongue and forgive whomever executes their stop sign illegally. It also occurs to me that I am the guilty party sometimes.

Pr. 17, 18 [The Message]

Your words have the power to kill or give life. What will it be?

One of my greatest joys in life has been to encourage children. I’ve yet to meet a pre-schooler who doesn’t light up when you call them, “Big boy … big girl.” It’s like hitting paydirt when you get them to smile. When they excel at a task, commending them could possibly be setting them up for a lifetime of success.

My son-in-law often recalls how I complimented him on his basketball shot when he was in elementary school. Those words stuck with him, and he thereafter had the reputation as a deadly 3-point shooter.

My wife is a great cook. She would have far less motivation to create delicious meals if her husband was a critical complainer.

Remember what Thumper said.

Pr. 16 [The Message]

Who will we vote for? Who will win? We do our part in the election process of a democracy. So many different people with differing views will also cast their vote.

God is the ONE Who determines the outcome. His power is even greater than the corrupt political machines who control the candidates.

Prayer is better than voting.

Pr. 15 [The Message}

Communication skills are important. Nobody likes to be hollered at nor talked down to. The tone of the voice tells it all. A soft answer says “I am in charge of my emotions. I am in control of myself.” Soft answers also show respect. These ingredients all diffuse anger and tension.

People throw rationale out the window when they are angered or stressed. I guess their defense mechanisms have taken over. They are in pain.

Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [Matt. 11:28, 29]

Pr. 14 [The Message]

Hard work always pays off;
    mere talk puts no bread on the table.

Between the two of us, Patty is more the hard worker and me the smooth talker. I laugh because I’m retired and she is still working. I joke that she is supporting me.

Truth is, children develop their work ethic in the home. Patty grew up on a farm where they were expected to work and pitch in. Me, not so much. I like to talk. It doesn’t pay the bills.