Ecc. 2 [The Message]

(The song is yet to come. Couldn’t pull it all together yet. Stay tuned.)

Solomon openly acknowledges that he “Did it all” in his quest for the meaning and fulfillment of life. He spared no expense in pursuing the ultimate life of pleasure and accomplishment. In effect he is saying, “I did it. You don’t have to. Here is the result; It’s all smoke and vanity!”

The Apostle Paul also comes to the same conclusion. He called it all “dung” [Phil. 3:8] and gladly traded it in for what he found in Christ, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” [Col. 2:3]

4:00 a.m., Sept. 15, 2023

Dennis Jernigan said he was a song-receiver, not a song writer. Me too.

This morning at c.4:00 a.m. I was in a dream whereby I was about to lead worship (I did it for nearly 30 years) at a church. The pianist (whom I knew) and I were taking the cover off the piano when this began coming to me. I knew it was fresh manna from the Lord and could be used that morning. So, I woke up and wrote it down. (You should do the same when you receive from the Lord.)

Thank You, thank you Lord; I have been restored. I’ve been changed by Your sweet love. Thank You, thank you Lord.

Thank You for the Blood; thank You for the Blood. I’ve been cleansed from all my sin. Thank You for the Blood.

Thank You for the stripes. Thank You for the stripes. I was healed when You were beaten. Thank You for Your stripes.

Thank You for the Word; thank You for the Word. It’s my daily Bead to eat. Thank You for Your Word.

Thank the Holy Ghost; thank the Holy Ghost. I will follow every day. Thank Your Holy Ghost.

Thank You for the Church. I’m a living stone. I now take my rightful place. Thank You for Your Church.

Thank You for the Hope; I will live for aye. Your New Heaven and New Earth will always be my home.

Selah.

I hope to find someone at the church today to help me with the chords and maybe a recording. If I can get it done, I will try to include it on tomorrow’s tcsdevos post.

Ecc. 1 [The Message]

Solomon was one sad individual. Here he was the “wisest, richest, most powerful” king in the world. To hear his summation of life in this book is really depressing. We wonder if King David did a lousy job in raising him. (Vanity – all is vanity)

The point: if you want your kids to turn out good, don’t give them EVERYTHING!

Pr. 31:28, 29 [The Message, KJV]

 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Interestingly, Eugene Peterson links verse 29 to 28 as being a compliment paid to the wife from the husband. I’ve never looked at it that way, but I buy it.

In essence, a husband who praises his wife is raising the ceiling on her performance and function. He says, “Honey, U Da Bes!”

I know from experience that it works MUCH BETTER than criticism.

Phil. 4:4 (The Message)

I’m very proud of my grandson Caleb. He’s working on a master’s degree in social work. When I read the following verse, I thought of him.

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

Kudos to Caleb and anyone in a profession that helps people. It’s more rewarding to help others than it is to be helping yourself all the time!

Pr. 30,31 [The Message]

“Speak up for the people who have no voice,
    for the rights of all the misfits.
Speak out for justice!
    Stand up for the poor and destitute!”

What person has less voice than the unborn? Respectfully “Speak out.”

We had a missionary from Budapest Hungary Sunday morning who is targeting the gypsy population there. They seem to be societal misfits. He appears to be doing what he can. Bravo for him!

I have a poor friend named Curtis who has a severe speech impediment. I am trying to stand up for him.

They’re all around us … misfits – poor – destitute … Don’t worry, if you ask God, He will point them out.

Is. 46:4 [The Message]

“Listen to me, family of Jacob, everyone that’s left of the family of Israel. I’ve been carrying you on my back from the day you were born, And I’ll keep on carrying you when you’re old. I’ll be there, bearing you when you’re old and gray. I’ve done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you.

Patty and I are both 75 now. I wont bore you with how much the medical industry has invoiced me through the years … actually very little since we are on Medicare and have an excellent supplement plan through Anthem. I did some figuring the other day and concluded that my cancer medication (Revlimid) has totaled 2.6 million dollars since I have been taking it. (Nov. 2012)

I am grateful for the Lord’s promise to “bear me” as I age. It really comforts me. He TRULY has been carrying me my whole life. He will do it for you too.

Pr. 30:8, 9 [The Message]

Give me enough food to live on,
    neither too much nor too little.
If I’m too full, I might get independent,
    saying, ‘God? Who needs him?’
If I’m poor, I might steal
    and dishonor the name of my God.”

How much is enough? How much is too much? It seems that in our society, accumulation of wealth and material items are a worthy goal. I’m not bashing folks who have a comfortable standard of living. At some time, we all ask ourselves the question, “Do I REALLY need this or that?” We can thank God for what He’s blessed us with. Realize that at some point the “stuff” will need to be eliminated. Moderation will reduce the stress of the maintenance “stuff” requires.

When my siblings and I recently dealt with dispensing of Mom and Dad’s stuff, I’m so glad it was a do-able task.

Pr. 29:14 [The Message]

Who are the poor? Is it just that they don’t have as much money? Is it what part of town they live in? Is it their ethnic origin that’s looked down upon? Is it the holes in their clothes or their lack of bathing? Generally they lack money. They don’t have a platform of advantage to speak from. They have needs.

Dealing with the poor appropriately requires good leadership.

Leadership gains authority and respect
    when the voiceless poor are treated fairly. [v. 14]

Lot of city leaders whining right now about their problem with the poor. They are losing respect BIG TIME.

Pr. 29 [The Message]

There are several references to “sage” in the Message translation of this chapter. The general definition of the term is:

1. a profoundly wise person; a person famed for wisdom.
2. someone venerated for the possession of wisdom, judgment, and experience.

It’s the name of the catering service at TCS. It’s probably in reference to the European culinary herb, but a simple combination of the meanings is enchanting.

Solomon’s references to the person known as a sage is highlighting their wisdom and effect on others.

A gang of cynics can upset a whole city;
    a group of sages can calm everyone down.

A fool lets it all hang out;
    a sage quietly mulls it over.

The King James uses the term “Wise man” where Peterson colorfully uses “Sage.”