Last Saturday, Ben and I took our first bike trip that involved crossing the street! That may not seem so big to an accomplished bicycle rider such as yourself, but to a beginner, it is a milestone that tells the world that he now has the freedom to come and go at will! Ben is no longer confined to short trips around the park near our home; he has the freedom to move about the town, as long as he is accompanied by a parent, grandparent or aunt, that is. Andy, you're the only uncle, so you weren't included in the list, but you're free to take him out and about. No hard feelings, dude.
Anyway, we went to the library that morning, and Ben got his very own library card! He even got to check out some books on his own account, after a lecture from me about responsibility. That's what dad's do, they spoil the big moments! As we were about to leave, the librarian pointed out to us a table with food on it and told us that it was Bosnian cooking. We weren't going anywhere for a while!
There are many Bosnians in our town. I'm not sure what attracted them to Ankeny, but since I have eaten their cooking before, I must say that I'm glad they found our neck of the woods. Seriously, if you ever get a chance to try some Bosnian home cooking, sit down and enjoy the food and the company. You'll wonder why their country has been at war for so long and why they are so thin! And their coffee is superb! They buy green beans and roast them to their own liking, then hand-grind it and make it in a European manner that is so much better than the drip filter method so many Americans prefer out of (dare I say) laziness.
Meeting people from other cultures and countries without the advantages of America is a very eye-opening experience. When you see (and taste) the way they take what they have and make it something wonderful, it tells you just how cool it is to be in a family. Our culture is truly not one that celebrates the family any longer. If Ben had a taste for coffee, I'd start a ritual of preparing the Saturday morning brew with him. Since he doesn't like coffee at the tender age of 6, I'll have to find other family building rituals, such as a regular bike ride.
Quantity time is good. Quality time is better. Combine the two and you have something special!
This week we will visit some Psalms and Proverbs that weren't covered earlier. I know that some of these passages were written by people who were not named David or Solomon, but some of what we are reading was written by them. I have no idea why a chronological Bible would put them here, but like I said, I'm no theologian, so I'll just read them and act like I didn't notice. :-)
You know, these books of the Bible are a challenge for this project. There were times earlier when the census was taken and I wondered how I would be able to write a decent comment to add. Psalms and Proverbs is the polar opposite for me. What should I write about and the expense of not writing about something else? Next year, I plan to go back and give these books a little more time on my website. I am looking for some fresh perspective on any one of the Psalms and/or Proverbs, so if you have any insight to one or if you remember an excellent sermon or book you read about another, drop me a line and I'll make you a guest commentator! Who knows? I'm so flighty, I may decide to publish your words before the turn of the year. And of course, full credit will be given to the writer, including a link to your website, if you have one.
For the sake of the readers, I'll err on the side of underdoing it. Twice in here, I noticed comments about praise of yourself. In both places, it says that it is best to let others do this. I had a great boss at my former job and she really talked me up to others. She defended some of my ideas that needed to be improved rather than dismissed and would back any decision I made in regard to the employees. I had absolutely zero reason to boast for myself and life was good. Had I talked myself up, that would have grown resentment among the others and I would have been labeled a braggart. I'll agree with this lesson of wisdom wholeheartedly, not that God needs my stamp of approval.
Another Proverb that stands out is the one about voicing your love. It practically goes without saying that if you love and/or respect someone, you need to tell them! Love is a blessing from God that is never used up. Rather it multiplies as it is shared. The more you use it the more it multiplies. So if you love someone or if there's someone who could use some positive reinforcement in your life, don't hold back!
Have I mentioned recently how much I love my wife? She and my son are my world (second only to God, of course). I'm going to break down what she means to me compared to Proverbs 31. I do have full confidence in her and she often surprises me with a little gift here and there. She hasn't shown me much in the way of sewing skills, but she works diligently at her job and just as hard, if not harder, at finding the best bargains for us. She oversees much of the workings of our home and we are taken care of.
Whenever a friend of mine meets her, their respect for me improves. I can see it in their eyes and in the compliments I receive. The latter part about how the husband of a good wife praises her has just been shown here, but this is not the only place I try to show it. Tina is my one and only and my love for her has gone nowhere but up in the 6+ years we have been married. Tina, I love you!
This reading begins a plea from Israel to God, asking that they be allowed back into His good graces. They start by reminding us all that God had driven out the nations of the land they possessed. Care is given to remark that their arms and efforts were not enough to accomplish this, for God fought for them. As we know, they were later rejected by God due to their lapses of obedience and faith, but in this reading they seem to deny any wrongdoing, and I feel that their words were in error here.
A wise statement is made here. The wise and the foolish all die the same death and take none of their possessions with them. Others grab it up as soon as it becomes available. Don't be upset by this, for this is what anyone should expect if they trust only in themselves. Those that trust in God, though, will be plucked from the grave in salvation to be taken up with God, where paradise is an understatement.
God has and will forgive the sins of His elect. The writer of this set of Psalms is crying out to God to do just that. I believe that all of us could learn a valuable lesson in this reading about true repentance, myself included. Jesus is not a "Get out of Hell Free" card, you know. Those who love Him, obey His commands.
Much of this reading seems to be centered on the leaders of nations, but what is a home, but a nation comprised of a family? And what was Israel but a family that comprised a nation? Make the Lord your God and He will make your efforts magnificent! No effort you give is as powerful as the wave of his hand, so lean on Him constantly! I'm learning to pray about things that I would think petty a short time ago.
He is also our comfort from the pressures of life. The solid ground in this quagmire we call the world. When our best effort fails, He is there to help us meet His goals. When it seems like it's just not worth trying anymore, He is there telling you to stop trying and let Him take over. If the God of Heaven and Earth wants to take over your life, can you give me one reason to resist?
The perfect correction of God is expressed here, and it holds true "forever in both directions." The forty years of wandering after Israel was too timid to enter the Promised Land at the time God chose is mentioned here. Most of Israel had strayed from God, so they were not allowed His rest. Is that not true even today? If you reject the gifts from the Most High, isn't your life more complicated and isn't your promise after life even worse? True joy begins in the praise of God!
God's sovereignty is expressed here. Our nations are merely tenants and He is the landlord of all. Nations come and go, but the Landlord persists. His rules are unchanging and His decisions are just. He decides the fates of nations, of the land and water, of nature itself. Like a good shepherd, he uses his authority to see that we are all cared for. Every aspect of everything is directed by Him like an orchestra, to see that His creation is cared for. With all of this authority/responsibility, how much do you think you mean to him? Enough to sacrifice himself for your sake. Praise be to God!
Weekly LinkFrom the site: Every day our radio network broadcasts 560 hours of programming in 150 languages, to a potential listening audience of more than 2.5 billion people. FEBC's broadcasts are heard in many countries with limited access to Christian ministry, or where there is tremendous political and cultural opposition to the gospel. We invite you to learn more about this ministry and encourage you to become a partner with us as we bring "Christ to the world by radio." A few weeks ago, we had a visitor to our church who has been involved in this ministry for several decades. He spoke about how the word of God travels across unfriendly borders and into dense jungles through radio waves. Many people in countries unfriendly to Christianity or those who are unable to read are able to tune into this station on their radio and HAM systems and hear the word of the Lord. He had several stories to share of remote peoples who have been affected by this ministry. This is an organization I recommend as one to support, both financially and in your prayers. |
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