Proverbs 9

Today I chose Proverbs 9:8 which reads: "Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you." Have you ever tried to inform or correct someone and have them argue with you no matter how wrong they were? If you have ever had to deal with a teenager I am sure you know what I mean. This speaks to the first part of this verse. When someone is truly interested in the truth or having the right information you get a completely different response. They either say they never thought of it that way or thank you for your input. They appreciate it. This speaks to the second part of this verse.

Proverbs 8

Today I chose Proverbs 8:18 which reads: "With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity." This chapter depicts wisdom as someone or something speaking to mankind. Encouraging mankind to seek wisdom. If you think of the great leaders of the past or the great inventors of the past they all have one thing in common. They were wise. This is not to say that someone without a formal education could not do great things. They can but they need to have wisdom. So basically this scripture is promising us that when we find wisdom we will also find riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.

Proverbs 7

Today I chose Proverbs 7:21 which reads: "With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk." This chapter of Proverbs tells a story of a young man with a wisdom who is seduced by an adulterous woman. But I think this goes even deeper than that. When we think of times when we were tempted and led astray to do something we know we shouldn't (and I'm not just talking sex) but it was presented in a very attractive or seductive manner. It can be the words of someone else for it can be our own self talk convincing us. We can see many things on TV that are seductive and using sex to sell things. If we are constantly bombarded by these things it can wear down our resistance. This is why we must be wise in what we view and listen to.

Proverbs 6

Today I chose Proverbs 6:23 which reads: "For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life," While the context of this is when it comes to avoiding immorality and adultery, this one statement applies to all of God's teachings. What does a light do? It illuminates and can light the way on your path. So by following God's commands and discipline we find the way to life. Not just for life after we die but a fuller life as we live.

Proverbs 5

Today I chose Proverbs 5:21 which reads:

"For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths."

Basically, God is watching so act accordingly. Before you do something ask yourself if this action I am about to take brings honor to God. This chapter of Proverbs is dealing mostly with adultery. I don't know the statistics to give you an exact number but both pornography and extramarital affairs are at all-time highs. To the point where it is breaking up marriages. How wise the Proverbs were about avoiding adultery.

I Want To Believe

Today I went to the movies to see The X-Files: I Want To Believe. It was a great movie for any diehard X-Files fan. Everyone I have spoken to who is a fan enjoyed the movie but everyone else thought it was mediocre. I know how us fans hate spoilers so I will not give any. I would call this movie the goodb we never got. If you are an X-Files fan I would definitely go see this movie. I want so bad to discuss some of the things but I will wait until it is no longer in theaters so others can get the same enjoyment I got from the movie.

Proverbs 4

Today I chose Proverbs 4:14-15 which reads: "Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way." Some people think it is okay to get close to evil or skirt the edge. An example would be what we watch on television. If you watch nothing but violent programming you become numb to it and it becomes a normal thing. If you watch nothing but sexual or sensual programming eventually you will want to do the same things they are doing on the screen. The and of verse above says "turn from it and go on your way." Good advice. Being in the presence of evil or sin eventually brings us down to that level.

Proverbs 3

Today I chose Proverbs 3:19 which reads: "By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;" I have recently been watching shows on the history Channel and Discovery Channel all about the earth, the planets and the universe. The more I watched the more amazed I am by God's creations. Our planet is in the perfect spot. Any bit closer to the sun and we would burn up. And a bit further away from the sun we would freeze to death. I do not know how a person can look at that fact and at the grandeur of the universe and say it all happened by accident with a big bang. Don't get me wrong the Big Bang could have happened with God's hand directing things. Any other planet in our galaxy would not be suitable for our life.

Proverbs 2

Today I chose Proverbs 2:10 which reads: "For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul." Not much I can say on this one. The verses leading up to this one are talking about looking for wisdom and knowledge and the fact that if we do this God will give it to you. I have found in my own personal experience that the more I learn the more I enjoy learning. This is true of my learning of a God and of my learning about things that interest me like history and electronics and how things work. If we study God's word enough we will start to act from the heart but in a wise way. Finding the truth about the matter becomes a pleasant task.

Proverbs 1

Three Sundays ago the pastor at our church gave us each the assignment of reading one chapter of Proverbs a day. After each reading we were to take one verse that spoke to us and look at it several times that day. I am behind...No, I have not even started. Better late than never so I thought I would do this assignment starting today and post my picks on the blog with a brief explanation of what I got out of that day's verse. So here goes with Proverbs 1. I chose Proverbs 1:7 which reads: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." I know most people may read fear to mean to be afraid of God but usually the word fear in the Bible has more of a meaning of awe and reverence. So to be truly wise when it comes to spiritual knowledge you must first start with respect for God. In the context of the Bible wisdom is defined as discovering and applying God's truth to our lives. Even if we are not talking about the Bible I am sure we all know foolish people who get themselves into trouble by not heeding wise advice. Or people who have no respect for the law and lead a life of crime. If more people would heed the word of the Bible they would find that their life is less troublesome. When it says fools despise wisdom and discipline it is true. I have known several people who are actually proud of the things they do even if they are illegal. When they finally get caught they wonder what happened. Then they go right back out and do the same type of thing over and over. Even if you are a person who does not believe in God or is not a Christian you have to realize that most of our laws started with the 10 Commandments. We would all agree that these are wise things to follow in a civilized society. I think my thoughts may have been a little scattered with this one so will try to be a little more clear and concise with future posts.

The Dark Knight (slight spoiler)

I went to see Dark Knight yesterday after church. In one word, AWESOME! I could not believe that a movie would sell out at 1 In the afternoon on a Sunday. No wonder it broke a box office record For opening weekend ticket sales. When we got to the theater every seat where we usually sit for wheelchairs was taken. No place for me to sit and be with my family. Then as my eyes adjusted I realized there was a ramp instead of stairs to get down to the lower area (a.k.a. The break your neck to see section). So I sat front row center but fortunately with the tilt Mechanism of my chair I was completely comfortable.

The movie was able to keep my attention the whole time. I am not one to give spoilers so I will not give any movie details or comment on my favorite scenes. I will say this though, just as I thought they were wrapping things up they go into more scenes and end up having enough for two movies. I like movies like this because for the price you pay to get in you need to feel you got your money's worth.

In part of the plot the Joker was able to get normally upstanding Citizens to do things they normally wouldn't by preying on them at moments of weakness. When they were having extremely hard times in their life. I really saw that as a representation of how the devil works. At our most difficult moments, at our weakest points he is right there trying to tempt us. Doesn't mean he has to win but those are the moments when we have to be the strongest.

Even if you don't agree with that the movie has a lot to say about how humans can change and literally turn on each other when the chips are down. It was a great movie and I would recommend it to anyone. Unless you have young kids who shouldn't be seen all the violence.