Archive for January, 2007

comment on proverbs 16:31

Friday, January 19th, 2007

proverbs 16:31 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, It is found in the way of righteousness.

55 years old and no grey hair on top of this head. Of course, there is no hair either. I guess I miss out on the Crown of Renown.

😀

In Canada…

Thursday, January 18th, 2007

In Canada you are “presumed” innocent until proven guilty.” It is a just and right position.

Equally though, you are “considered” guilty until proven innocent. How many people, when then hear of someone being charged with a crime, talk as if the person actually commited the act before the trial even begins. That a person can be detained until trial unless they make bail or are released on their own recognizance. This is a sad reflection on the first statement.

🙁

Bribes, In Canada?

Wednesday, January 17th, 2007

Bribes… Not in Canada… unless you call it a campaign contribution. Oh wait, someone did get into trouble because of a campaign contribution. Oh wait, they were using government money given for another purpose. Oh wait, the giving of that money was a bribe to keep Quebec in Confederation. Oh wait…

:crazy:

What did the Gommery Report finally decide anyways?

:confused:

Comment on proverbs 17:28

Wednesday, January 17th, 2007

proverbs 17:28…

😉

comment on proverbs 15:1

Monday, January 15th, 2007

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

My oh my, This is one little gem I put into practice the first time I read it. I have been using this verse in every instance where conflict could erupt. It has, without fail, kept me out of a few skuffles with those trying to prove themselves. It also helps to disarm those you have done a wrong to; you can quickly get to resolving the problem instead of taking positions. Yep, a real gem this one.

:crazy: -> :confused: -> 😀

comment on proverbs 11.11

Thursday, January 11th, 2007

Proverbs 11.11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

Let us hope that there are more voices calling forth a blessing on our city than those who would speak against it. Extend it to our politicians. Extend to the police and firefighters. Extend it to the city employees. Extend to your neighbours. Extend it to your family. Extend it to the poor on the street.

Not only to call forth a blessing but be the hands by which others are blessed. What a city we would have.

😉

Proverbs 10:22 & 25 – personal reflection

Wednesday, January 10th, 2007

Proverbs 10:22 The blessings of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

I don’t know how many times in the past I thought I got a blessing in my life only to find it turn to dust in my hands at some future date. Were they of God at all? Or perhaps my own weakness and sometimes foolishness corrupted the gift?

In 10:25 When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

I find myself after the whirlwind has passed that I am flat on the ground hanging onto the foundation stone by my finger tips. Is this why the blessing keeps slipping away. Is this the reason for sorrow?

I know this, I wouldn’t even be holding on by my fingertips if Jesus didn’t have a hand on my wrist keeping me from being swept away.

:confused:

Visit to the Dentist

Tuesday, January 9th, 2007

Ah, getting your teeth cleaned. You lay in the chair, arms on the arm rests, hands hanging limply over the ends. Calm, relaxed, this time it is going to be different. She starts up the cleaning device and places it against the first tooth. Body tenses as I vibrate out of the chair onto the floor.

Oh sorry, she says, I didn’t see the note saying don’t use the cleaning machine. She takes out the cleaning pick as I climb back into the chair.

Calm but not quite relaxed I sit while she flicks and scraps at some offending piece of plaque. With each flick a facial twitch. I can only hope that the twitch doesn’t become permanent.

Sssccraape, and I see an explosion of colours behind my closed eyelids. Ah, she says, we will have to let the dentist check that spot. I wipe away a tear from the corner of my eye.

In time she finishes the ordeal and I feel as though I ran a marathon. I am sure I lost five pounds sitting in the chair.

She smiles and says “see you again in four months”. I shudder… then smile… and I leave, knowing the joy of dental health care.

:rolleyes:

Comment on Proverbs 4

Friday, January 5th, 2007

Proverbs 4. At this point I read the line, “hear my son, and receive my sayings…” in verse 10. Chapter three and five call out to his son to gain wisdom. All of the opening of Proverbs calls out to his son to gain wisdom and understanding. The proverbs go on for many more chapters. His son, who succeeded Solomon, was named Rehoboam.

Rehoboam becomes king. His people petition him to make the tax burden lighter. The counsellors of Solomon say lighten the burden and the people will be yours. As a child he asks his friends for advice. Their counsel is increase the burden. The people return for an answer. Where is all the wisdom that his father Solomon passed on to his son? Nowhere to be seen. He answers the people roughly. The kingdom is torn apart and wars rise up between Judea and Samaria. Hundreds of thousands killed. All because wisdom was left to gather dust in some remote corner.

The consequences of a foolish answer sounded the clarion call to war and death followed. Fortunately our answers will not have the same breadth of consequence as those of that hapless king. Yet what trouble comes our way because we rush to answer or fail to gain wisdom. A smaller calamity in “the world” but our “world” can be totally devastated.

Guess we better heed the words of Solomon.
🙂

Comment on Proverbs 3

Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007

Once again in this chapter it talks about wisdom and referring wisdom to being feminine. Over the years while reading proverbs I always wondered if wisdom is the Holy Spirit. He (She?) is the Spirit of wisdom and truth. In the “Gospel of Thomas”, which isn’t a gospel but a list of sayings, the writer states plainly that the Holy Spirit is feminine. Now I have read most of the gospel of Thomas and find it weak and sometimes contrary to the our four gospels. At times I find myself, even recently, thinking this same thought; the Holy Spirit is the feminine side of God. So out comes the concordance and a search for “Holy Spirit”. Of all the mentions of the Holy Spirit I find only one reference to gender…

John 14:26“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

I guess with that in mind, the Holy Spirit is considered by John, to be masculine not feminine. Of course I do not read Greek and some geek who does could write and show me how wrong I am, that there are feminine and masculine references to words like they have in French. This poor boy, however will stick with John’s call. Gee, it was about time I cleared up that little confusion… so far.
🙂