Pr. 25:15b [The Message]

Gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.

A soft tongue can break the bone (the hardness in attitude of the listener).

My neighbor was a feisty fellow. Mention politics or religion and he was in your face. He passed recently, and I really miss him. Yes, we had our share of tense discussions in the past, but I was respectful and even-toned to him. We started getting along great. Thankfully, my verbal gentleness and respect so to speak “broke the hard bone” of his attitude towards me.

The virtuous woman has the “law of kindness” in her tongue. [Pr. 31:26b]

Pr. 25:11 [The Message]

The right word at the right time
    is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,

When someone passes away we send flowers and write meaningful words to express our sentiments about the deceased. It’s an important window of opportunity whereby thoughtful words and remembrances are critical. If words are important, this is one of those times.

A former teacher from Trinity passed just days ago. Today I will attend her visitation and take the opportunity to give her family an expression of how important and impacting she was when she taught at Trinity. Stephanie Trolinger, Rest in Peace in Heaven.

Pr. 24:11, 12 [The Message]

God is watching every struggle that men have. When someone is perishing and we are present, we should put aside our inclination to preserve our self and jump in and HELP.

Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abides alone,but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. [Jn. 12:24]

Pr. 23:22, 23 [The Message]

Buy truth—don’t sell it for love or money;
    buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight.

The government schools (public education) have recently made the biggest leap in progressive (???) curriculum with their emphasis on gender reassignment and anti-Constitution liberal brain-washing. Godly families are fleeing their indoctrination camps in record numbers. Private Christian schools likewise have seen program-stretching enrollment spikes like never before. Instead of being force-fed new age hoaxes, the children are singing worship songs to God and memorizing Bible verses. Yes, parents … and grandparents … are footing the bill, but the above scripture validates the investment.

Best investment we will ever make!

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.