Ecc. 9:9

… with your wife – so says Solomon in this passage. Funny thing – he had hundreds of wives and concubines.

Patty and I have been married for nearly 56 years. We are together most of the time. Our greatest enjoyment comes when we are together WITH members of our family … such as last Saturday when we all watched the Ohio State Buckeyes play football.

Family, food, football. Life is GOOD.

(My Buckeyes won the game)

Ecc. 6:11; 7:1

I tend to use too many words, and some of them seem borderline inappropriate. I don’t mean them to be that. My filter must need a tune-up.

My daughter had a “talk” with me about it. She doesn’t want my name to lose any integrity. It was a supreme gesture of her love for me.

Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head. [Ps. 141:5]

Ecc. 6

Solomon implied that the ability to enjoy prosperity is a gift from God.

If you have done any traveling in the Third World (non industrialized) nations, you soon realize that the poorest in our nation actually have it pretty good.

We take it for granted to enjoy a good night’s sleep or unspoiled food. Let’s all be grateful for our many blessings.

Ecc. 4

“Gain is not godliness, but godliness with contentment IS great gain.” [1 Tim. 6:5,6]

What is the goal of our labor? Those who labor to become rich will never find true contentment.

The greatest riches we can experience come thru seeing our loved ones be fulfilled.

No amount of money can soothe the pain of losing a loved one such as did parents of the Minneapolis shooting tragedy yesterday. So sad.

Ecclesiastes 3

… will be judged”

It’s actually beneficial when our misdeeds are judged here and now. It gives us a chance to make them right.

There’s no sin Christ’s blood can’t cleanse when it’s confessed and repented of.

“Thank you, Jesus, for the Blood applied.” -Charity Gayle. (My favorite song right now)

Pr. 31

King Lemuel recorded the things his mother taught him in this Proverb.

Until a child grows up and leaves the nest, a mother is continually preparing her offspring for their adulthood. Their life becomes her report card. No wonder a mother grieves when they mess up their lives.

Their success is her crowning achievement.

Pr. 28:26

“A man is a fool to trust himself, but those who use God’s wisdom are safe.”

God’s help and His Wisdom are available thru His Word and prayer. Take advantage in every situation. You will find success.

Pr. 28:20

“The man who wants to do right will get a rich reward. But the man who wants to get rich quick will quickly fail.”

This is good advice for young people entering the job force. If lots of money is their goal, they need an adjustment to their focus.

“The blessing of the Lord makes you rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” [Pr. 10:22]

Pr. 28:1

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

We used to sing a church chorus that started,”Be bold, be strong, for the Lord Thy God is with thee.”

When you fear God, you need fear NO MAN.

Pr. 24:11

“Rescue those being led to death and save those who are about to be killed.”

Anti-abortion activism needs a rebirth. God challenged me about what “I” was willing to do about it. So, I participated in a sit-down demonstration at an abortion clinic, was arrested, and had a jury trial in 1988. (Bet you didn’t know I had a record.)