Proverbs 10:1: A Screaming Child

A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother. Proverbs 10:1

Wise: ethically and religiously; of the mind

Glad: cause to rejoice

Foolish: stupid, he hates knowledge, it is his sport to do mischief

Grief: afflict, cause grief, grieve, sorrowful, vex

Attitudes and actions have an effect on others. 

Often we think that we that our attitudes and actions will only effect us personally. Yet, that is not the case. Each action causes a reaction in others. Whether is be parents, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or any others that are in the vicinity—they are either blessed or grieved. 

Really? What I do effects others? 

Yes, really.

Don't believe me? Just think of the last time you were shopping and a little kid started screaming. You immediately bristled. You looked around to see where the parent was and if anyone was taking care of the situation. You began to make judgements as to why the kid was screaming, and what you would do if that was your child. Your posture changed. You became upset and uncomfortable. You started to become angry. You became agitated and grumpy. Am I right? 

The same is true for adults. Our attitudes and actions do effect others. We may not find ourselves in the middle of a store screaming, but we may find ourselves acting foolishly and ignoring God's wisdom. And when we act foolishly, we become that screaming child—and those around us are effected. 

How do we make sure that our attitudes and actions are wise? Start at the beginning—the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), will translate into wise attitudes and actions. 

So, are you a screaming child? Or are you acting wisely? 

Gushing out of me, Causing me to SCREAM!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 90. Here is what I learned.

·Fill [Satisfy] us with your ·love [loyalty] every morning. Then we will sing and rejoice all our ·lives [days]. Psalm 90:14 (EXB)

Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we’ll skip and dance all the day long. Psalm 90:14 (MSG)

Satisfy: Fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) -- have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), saturate.

Morning: figurative of bright joy after night of distress.

Your lovingkindness: favor, good deed, kindly, mercy in redemption from enemies and troubles.

Sing: o shout (usually for joy) -- aloud for joy, cry out, be joyful (greatly, make to) rejoice, (cause to) shout (for joy), (cause to) sing (aloud, for joy, out), triumph. 

Rejoice (be glad): cheer up, be make glad, have, make joyful, be make merry, cause to, make to rejoice, to brighten up.

All: enough, every one, as many as, whole.

Days: age, always, continually, daily, birth, each, today, season

I like that word “satisfy”. To be saturated So soaked, that I’m “dripping” with God’s lovingkindness. God has given me—in such abundance—lovingkindness, mercy, graciousness that I can’t contain it—it oozes out from me, and not just in a little trickle, it gushes out! 

The past few weeks, my pain has been “gushing” out of me. Between slipping on the ice and twisting my back to the surgery for the spinal stimulator trial, the pain level has been severe. No matter what I do I’m saturated in pain. 

Even afflictions are welcome when we see them to be his, though the way that he would choose, and the way that this prayer entreats, be only mercy, "Satisfy us early with thy mercy." - John Donne.

Yet, greater than my pain, is God’s lovingkindness and goodness. Knowing that God is fully aware, and has allowed the pain to fulfill His purpose allows me to shout...no make that SCREAM with triumphant joy. Understanding that God is loving and gracious, I know that He only allows what is necessary  to fulfil His will and draw me into a closer and deeper relationship with Him. 

So soaked in God’s lovingkindness that I’m “dripping”! When God’s mercy and grace are gushing out of me, causing me to SCREAM with Triumphant Joy, now that creates a positive day! 

Change of Perspective

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 13. Here is what I learned.

Ever have one of the days, months, weeks, when life becomes overwhelming? When you wonder, “if God loves me, why does He let this ‘bad’ stuff happen to me?” Feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders and you are caring it alone? 

This is how David felt in Psalm 13:1-4 (EXB).

1 How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long must I worry [or bear pain; hold counsels] and feel sad [hold sorrow] in my heart all day? How long will my enemy ·win [rise up] over me?

3 Lord, look at me. Answer me, my God; tell me [light up my eyes], or I will die [sleep the sleep of death].

4 Otherwise my enemy will say, “I have won [finished him off]!” Those against me [My foes] will rejoice that I’ve been defeated [shaken; moved].

To be honest, I’ve have days like this. Chronic pain and headaches can become overwhelming, especially when it becomes my focus. And there are times the pain is screaming so loud, that I can’t focus on anything else. 

Forgotten. Alone. Fearful. Hurting. Unheard. All are emotions that are very real and can rob us of hope. 

Thankfully, Psalm 13 doesn’t end with despair and hopelessness. David gives us the “remedy” for those overwhelming times in our lives.

5 I trust [have confidence] in your love [loyalty; covenant love]. My heart is happy [rejoices] because ·you saved me [of your victory/salvation].

6 I sing to the Lord because he has taken care of [been good to] me.

Psalm 13:5, 6 (EXB)

David was overwhelmed with hopelessness, so He turned His attention to the source of hope—God. David turned his attention and thoughts to the one “constant” in his life—God. David changed his attention from his situation and feelings to the facts about God Almighty. 

Facts:

1. God’s love is unconditional.
2. God keeps His promises.
3. God is salvation.  
4. God has proven Himself in the past—has taken care and been good to me. If He’s done it before, He can do it again. 

On those days I feel overwhelmed by pain, life, emotions, I need to stop and re-focus on the facts of God. Changing my perspective begins with a change of focus from emotions to facts. But just any random facts; rather facts about God Almighty! 

To create a positive day, I must change my perspective from me to God. Then and only then, can I rise above my situation and enjoy a positive hope-filled day!