Proverbs 1:24-27: Wisdom shouted. Did you listen?

Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Proverbs 1:24-27 (NKJV)

Wisdom did all she could to get your attention—but Wisdom was ignored. 

Called: shouted 

Refused: be recusant (deny to submit one's self to an authority or follow a set of rules)

Stretched out: extend; of wisdom's appeal

Regarded: incline, attend, gave attention

Disdained: neglect, let alone

Counsel: advice

Would: be willing, consent

None: zero

Rebuke: chiding, correction

Now the result is—

 

Laugh: usually in contempt, derision

Calamity: distress, under which one bends, burden

Mock: deride, have in derision

Terror: dread, terrifying

Comes: arrives

Storm: devastating storm

Destruction: calamity, oppression

Whirlwind: storm-wind—that makes an end; of ruin

Distress: adversary, specifically of travail

Anguish: pressure, distress, troublous

Why do we think that after multiple opportunities to accept Wisdom, which we've ignored, that she would be willing to continue to hand around waiting for us to listen. There comes a point and time when Wisdom says, "You didn't listen, and now you find yourself in trouble. So be it." 

Listen. Hear. Take note of what lies ahead. And if you ignore Wisdom—you'll end up just where Wisdom said you would, in trouble. 

Hindsight is always 20/20. Looking back we see mistakes and wrong choices we made. Wisdom is doing all she can to help us make the right choices so that we don't have to learn the hard way! Wisdom knows all about right and wrong choices. If one just LISTENS and HEARS what Wisdom is saying, calamity, distress, and anguish can be avoided. 

To be able to hear and listen to Wisdom, a heart must first be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when one has a reverence for God, then the ears are open to hear what Wisdom has to say, and the desire to listen and obey is strongest. 

Wisdom shouted. Did you listen? If you ignored her, you will now hear her laughing as anguish comes upon you. 

Rest Contented

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 11 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 8. Here is what I learned.

I am already in the soft embrace of the Eternal, so why do you beckon me to leave, saying, “Fly like a bird to the mountains. Psalm 11:1 (VOICE)

I’ve already run for dear life straight to the arms of God. So why would I run away now? Psalm 11:1 (MSG)

I ·trust in the Lord for protection [find refuge in the Lord]. So why do you say to me, “·Fly [Flee] like a bird to your mountain. Psalm 11:1 (EXB)

Safety. Embrace. Happy. 

Yesterday, Max, my parakeet, accompanied me to my Doctor’s appointment. Throughout the office visit, Max sat on my shoulder talking and chatting. The Staff and Doctor went in and out of the door, and Max stayed contented on my shoulder. Why would he fly away, knowing that he was safe and secure on my shoulder? 

Throughout the office visit, Max talked and chatted. His favorite word was “happy”. My Doctored enjoyed Max’s visit, which was evident by her laughter. 

Max was so content and felt at ease on my shoulder, so much so, that he settled down and cleaned his feathers, walked around on my shoulder and chatted happily. Max’s actions displayed his contentment and security. 

I can think of no better place to be than in the arms of God. But there is a difference of being in the arms of God and fighting to be released, to resting and being content in the arms of God. 

Resting contented in the arms of God. I have to say that the past few months, I’ve been doing some fighting to get out of God’s soft embrace. Oh, I didn’t want to leave His embrace, but I was not content on where He “had placed me”. More pain, having to take more medications, struggling with the ‘whys’ of it all.... but thankfully, God didn’t let me break free of His embrace. Resting contented in the arms of God, knowing full well that He knows what He is doing and He has a well designed plan. I’m to simply rest and accept God’s hug. 

To create a positive day, I need to stop struggling and rest contented in the safe and secure arms of God. 

A Laugh and a Reason to Shout!

Was up very early today, 3 am... so I went "Treasure Hunting" through the Psalms.

Here is my Treasure for today! This passage made me LAUGH! And then made me SHOUT, "God is GREAT!"

Read it and let me know if you laughed. Just picturing vs 26! Love how David is so "real" with God. Sounds like something a "kid" would "wish", but isn't that how we all often feel? Reading through the Psalms has enhanced my prayer life, as I learn to be "real" with God. He knows my thoughts anyway... I might as well talk them over with Him. 

After I got done laughing, I had to focus on verse 28.... do I say "over and over, and over... God is GREAT"? Again, it reminds me of a little kid who likes the sound of something and continually repeats it. I should "like the sound of "God is GREAT!" that I WANT to SHOUT it over..... and over..... and over... and over.... and never get tired of SHOUTING it or repeating it. 

Psalm 35:23-28 (MSG)

Please get up—wake up! Tend to my case.

My God, my Lord—my life is on the line.

Do what you think is right, God, my God,

but don’t make me pay for their good time.

Don’t let them say to themselves,

“Ha-ha, we got what we wanted.”

Don’t let them say,

“We’ve chewed him up and spit him out.”

Let those who are being hilarious

at my expense

Be made to look ridiculous.

Make them wear donkey’s ears;

Pin them with the donkey’s tail,

who made themselves so high and mighty!

But those who want

the best for me,

Let them have the last word—a glad shout!—

and say, over and over and over,

“God is great—everything works

together for good for his servant.”

I’ll tell the world how great and good you are,

I’ll shout Hallelujah all day, every day.

Just KNOWING the FACT that God is GREAT, adds a wonderful positive aspect to my day! 

God's Gift of Laughter!

But let me run loose and free,  

celebrating God’s great work, 

every bone in my body laughing, singing,

“God, there’s no one like you."

 Psalm 35:9, 10 (MSG)

Today did not go as I had planned.
However, it was not a surprise to God.
And He knew that I'd needed a special blessing today!

Today, during a treatment for my pain, we hit a nerve, literally, and it flared up my sciatic pain quite severely. We changed treatments to help settle down the flare. This is not what I had planned for today. I was trying to keep my pain level as low as possible, so that I would be the "best I can be" for Sunday's activity.
However, we did learn something today when we "hit the nerve", it allowed us to pinpoint where a majority of my pain is generating. And that could prove to be very helpful for the treatment I'm receiving on Monday. God's timing is perfect. 

Although, I was "pleased" with the new information, that didn't help with the intense pain. I arrived home, checking my mail as I made my way to my apartment. I tossed the mail on the shelf, the mail would wait until later... looked like junk mail anyway. As I lay on the Daybed trying my tricks to lower my pain, I had to stop and take comfort that this was not a surprise to God. After resting for a bit, I got up and decided to read through the mail. Opened one envelope and found a check for $14.22. At first, I thought it was junk....then I read the letter and started laughing! 

God knew that I needed a GOOD LAUGH today! And I had to stop and think of God's great sense of humor. The check is LEGITIMATE. Come to learn, a company was reviewing what I had paid for my pain medications and I had overpaid. But what I thought was so funny was the DATE I had overpaid the $14.22....was November 27, 2007... YES, FIVE years ago!! 

I laughed. God continues to supply my needs in the MOST creative ways. And once again, I was reminded that God is not limited by TIME! On a day I was feeling a bit low, God knew that I needed to laugh. So, He sent me a gift via a FIVE year old overpayment. God does have a great sense of humor!

Creating a positive day can be done even on the "not so good days" when I take the time to accept God's blessings...especially when He sends them in very creative and unconventional ways!

Max Provides MORE Laughs!

Max continues to make me laugh and smile. The other night we were watching the NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Max enjoyed watching the Race—on TV this week—from his perch. 

Here are two videos of Max's reaction to the Race. 

In this one, Max tells what he thinks of RACING: 

In this one, Max tells what he thinks of CAUTIONS: 

Laughter sure helps anyone create a positive day! And Max provides many reasons to laugh.

Laughs Supplied by God!

Nine years ago this past April, God gave me a very special birthday gift, Max, my parakeet. God knew that this little guy would provide much laughter. Last night was one of those nights that I couldn't help but laugh as Max's antics. 

I enjoy NASCAR. Last night I was watching the Sprint Cup Series Race on "RaceBuddy" and listening to PRN Radio online. Since I don't have cable, I couldn't watch the race on TV, but was glad to have free access to the action. 

When the race started, Max flew to my shoulder and watched the race on the computer with me. He seemed intent on the action. As soon as the first caution came out, Max flew to his cage to eat a snack! He was back on my shoulder just before the race "went green". It was so funny! There weren't many cautions last night, but the few times the yellow flag was thrown, Max went to his cage for snack.

At one point during the race, guess Max wanted a "closer look at the track". He flew to the MacBook and.... well I was able to capture this shot! 

Max decided the view from my shoulder was better, and shortly after the picture was taken, he flew back to me—where he remained until the checkered flag.

The only thing that I can't tell is who his favorite driver is. At one point during the race when Dale Jr's name was mentioned Max did say "happy". But I wasn't sure if Max was just "happy" watching the race, or if he likes Dale Jr. Maybe Max will let me know his favorite driver by the end of this Season. 

Creating a positive day, is about enjoying the special things God provides to make me laugh. And I'm so thankful that God gave me a little bird who provides many reasons to laugh!

Max Makes Me Laugh

When I returned from the laundry room today, I found Max enjoying a TV program! It made me laugh! He was so focused on the show.

I am so thankful when God sends those "you can't help but laugh" moments my way. Laughter is good medicine!

"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter

and your lips with shouts of joy."

Job 8:21

It's those unexpected moments

that make us laugh

that help create a positive day!

To enlarge the pictures, click on each image. Use your back button to return to this page.

Max watching a TV program.

Max very focused on the show.

He didn't want to miss a minute of the show!

What makes you smile?

I was reading a comic and started laughing. Later in the day, I thought of that comic again, and couldn't help but smile. This got me thinking. What makes me smile? Some days it doesn't take much. A funny comic, a joke, an email or note from a friend, a TV show, or Max doing something cute.
No matter what makes me smile or laugh, I always feel better afterward. If I laugh early in the day, it seems I laugh at more things throughout the day. I guess because I enjoyed laughing so much, I'm looking for things to make me laugh, so I can enjoy laughing again! Sounds silly, but it's true! Laughing in the morning, puts me in a "laughing frame of mind".
Different things make each of us smile, but we all smile at something. What would happen if instead of passing along the gossip and negative news at the water cooler and through emails, we passed along smiles and laughter? Think for a moment how you feel after you laugh or smile. Now think of giving that same feeling to others. If we all felt that good, the people with whom we interact would be happy, and kinder.
So the next time you smile or laugh, pass it on! Creating a positive day...is done one smile at a time!

To get you started:
A little girl while holding her stomach, approached her Mom saying, "Mommy my stomach hurts." Her Mom replied, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something into it!"
Later that day when the Pastor came over for dinner. The Pastor started to feel bad, holding his head, he said, "I have a terrible headache!" The little girl looked up at the Pastor giving her sweetest smile that only a child can give. Then she said, "Your head hurts, because it's empty. You have to put something in it!"

If you smiled, you've just started creating a positive day!