Proverb to Ponder

I've never been so excited to see the end of a month.  This has been challenging.  I'm really glad to be finishing it up.

Okay - I can't resist this one. Many times as I read about the Proverbs 31 woman, I feel inadequate, less than and just all around not good enough. Tonight as I read, verse after verse I had thoughts like - I wish, or working on that, or maybe someday. Of course, if God wills - someone might rise up and call me blessed. Only by God's grace and mercy. But as I read this verse:

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

I can't help but think - this has been the headliner of my resume for the past year. A certain member of my family finds herself thirsty often, and sometimes it is dark. I provide her food and deliver it (mostly) with a smile on my face, whenever she needs it.

I'm hoping for this one tomorrow. Please Lord, I need this.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

This is one of my life goals:

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

And if I only get one wish - It would probably be this:

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

Thanks for enduring my ponderings. From here on out, I'll try to be more deep and focused. Beth and I are working hard, so I'm sure I'll have something to share from the life of Paul sooner than later.

Till then - Think about this one. As Resurrection Sunday draws near - Biblegateway.com is really pulling out the good stuff.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”- Isaiah 53:5-6

Studying Scripture

If I had unlimited time and funds, I would go to seminary.  Not because I wanna be a preacher, but because I love God's Word and would love to understand it at that level. 

Since time and funds are an issue, I would love your suggestions for studying Scripture.  Is there a commentary that you love?  Some other tip or resource that would help me to really dig in, in the comfort of my own home?

I love Beth Moore and her fantastic in depth studies.  I think I'm on my 5th, right now.  She does exactly what I would do, if I knew where and how to do it.  There are certain verses that I would like to be able to understand in the original language, compare key words with how they are used elsewhere, and have a better understanding of the original cultural climate they were written in.

Acts 17:11
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

I was in a church, many years ago, that tweaked things to suit their (his - the pastor's) liking.  I would really like to have the capability to do what the Bereans did.  If you have any suggestions for examining the Scriptures, I would greatly appreciate them!  Thanks.

If you have a problem you need help solving, head on over to We Are THAT Family for the reverse edition of Works For Me Wednesday .

Did you hear the news? And a Proverb to Ponder

If you didn't see my last post, you should click here.. Or perhaps, just scroll down...

And for the pondering....

30:8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.

9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the LORD ?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

I've probably said this close to 30 times in the last month, but this is one of my favorites!!

I have an announcement.....

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No, I'm not pregnant.
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I FOUND MY WEDDING RING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's actually a pretty great story.  One of my besties was over for an evening of hanging out.  I thought for sure she would want to play Scrabble.  For some reason, I thought she liked that game.  

She doesn't.  

I was a little bummed.  I had been looking forward to whopping someone besides Frank at Scrabble. 

 "We could play cards."  She offered.  

"I've got Yahtzee..."  I said.  

"I could play some Yahtzee." She replies.  

So I go to Fetch the Yahtzee.  I have two of them, and one was perched at the top of my closet.  The other (I got my grandma's when she passed away.) was on a lower shelf though I almost missed it, as it was behind some other stuff.  So as not to over exert myself, I got the box that was on the lower shelf.  I got back up to the kitchen table, opened the box and..... 

 YAHTZEE!

My wedding ring was in the Yahtzee box.  

Yes.  I'm serious.

What on earth was it doing in there? It's a valid question you ask.  My sister and I played Yahtzee less than a week before Christmas.  In fact, I bet it was the 22nd or 23rd.  We played on the couch in the living room where the wood burning stove is.  I'm assuming I got hot and took off my ring.  My fingers always swell when I'm warm.  Now.  Why I thought it would be a good idea to put it in the Yahtzee box?  Yeah, I'm not too sure about the answer to that one.

I may have said the following to my ring while playing Yahtzee.

"I thought I'd never see you again!"

Brings new meaning to Yahtzee!

Proverb to Ponder

But first, one of the best verses in the whole Bible is Biblegateway's Verse of the day today:

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”- 2 Corinthians 5:21

Hallelujah!

29:20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

This, along with gentleness, is an ongoing battle I fight. I blew it again this weekend and am reminded that even when it seems I have come a long long way, there is still a long long way to go. I have to be so vigilant when it comes to my tone, and airing my frustrations.

Father, I pray that you would give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that I would know you better. As I know you better, Father, I pray I would become more like your Son. I especially pray that I would be gentle and loving and kind with my words, both what I say and how I say it. Lord, I've never found my human efforts to be effective in transformational change. I'm relying on You and Your power, Father. I ask for it in Jesus name. Amen

Proverb to Ponder

28:26 He who trusts in himself is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

Isn't this a constant struggle? It seems I need to be reminded of it continually.

Proverb to Ponder

27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.