A Christian Viewpoint

I watched groundhog day starring Bill Murray. The movies he makes can be a hit or a miss but never anything in-between. What one likes another hates. No middle ground.

I saw the movie a couple of years ago on tv. Though it was slow to start and it got a bit too repetitive, I found myself beginning to enjoy the movie. The struggle of coming to grips with his situation and how he adapted and finally won out was eventually enjoyable to watch. Not one of his best but certainly nowhere near his worse.

On groundhog day itself. Many years ago our family went to a park near here to see if we could spot a groundhog and observe what he would do. My younger brother though couldn’t leave things alone and tried to grab the groundhog. We never found out about the groundhog seeing his shadow because it bit my enthusiastic brother instead. I have no idea what that was supposed to mean. Sometimes weather “just bites”.

:hehe:

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 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… 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:

proverbs 17:28…

😉

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: -> 😀

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 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:

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.
🙂