Taken from Marcus Ardern's website - Not my own work
Observations on the Life of a Fool
There are other passages than the book of proverbs that record some telling insights about the life of a fool. For example: silly intellectuals lost in the delusion of self admiration and conceits pronounce themselves to be wise men indeed (Romans 1:22).
Also the atheist fool talks to himself in his own heart affirming a statement of his faith in atheism (Psalm 14:1). He has a vested interest that his sins will not be accounted for , having done away in philosophy with both the judge and judgment day, to leave him free to follow his own course. However if the truth has different facts in store his idea or affirmation will be revealed as the foolishness it truly is.
It seems clear to me, in the Scriptures that there is a certain type of person who may be described as a fool. However, it also true that Jesus told us not to judge each other as fools, or we will be in danger of punishment.
This being said we can look at our own lives and see whether we are being foolish, and we can discern whether the other person is foolish or a fool. Discernment and correct assessment does not necessarily lead to us offering condemnation to the other person. It is just that we recognize who we are dealing with and acting accordingly. One of the great gifts given as an evidence of working by The Holy Spirit is the ability to recognize what spirit we are dealing with (1 Corinthians 12:10).
Also the Scriptures are able to make us “wise unto salvation” that means having the wisdom that points to Salvation in the faith in Jesus Christ, or reveals its true nature (2 Timothy 3:15).
King David says in Psalm 119 verse 24 “Thy testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” and in verse 128 “Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” For this reason, I think it is good for me to share what I believe the Book of Proverbs teaches concerning foolishness…remembering that Scripture is Gods’ word and is Truth.
The Foolish one and the scoffer and willfully simple one: Are you one of these? Do you have a well earned reputation for high mindedness scoffing and speaking with contempt of others? If you mock and scoff God Himself will scoff at YOU (3:34) and if you live foolishly it will be on display in your life (3:35).
1.
The simpleton loves being shallow and silly. The mocker thinks his scoffing is delightful for himself. Its his way of enjoying himself. Is this you? (1:22)
2.
The foolish one feels prosperous and complacent, but it is his silly self assurance that makes him ignore what will kill him (1:32-33)
3.
The scoffer hates those who offer him advice and correct the errors of his ways. Do you resent those who rebuke you when you deserve it? (9:8) It’s unsafe to rebuke him.
4.
The winking, prating fool will suddenly fall. That one who signals contemptuously with his eyes and lets his mouth run away with him. (10:8-10) see also 10:19
5.
The silly talker has a rod of punishment coming for his own back (10:13)
6.
The foolish person allows himself to become hateful and spreads slander and lies about others (10:18)
7.
When a fool creates mischievous trouble he enjoys it like a sport. It is fun for him (10:23)
8.
An oafish one does not value and highly esteem the feedback that reveals his errors. He grows angry with it (12:1)
9.
The willfully simple person likes the company or wants to follow vain persons or things instead of working (12:11)
10.
The fool is sure he is right (12:15)
11.
When a fool is irritated he lets it be known at once, he does not conceal anything or practice emotional controls (Holy Ghost self control 12:16) he flares up
12.
From within his heart full of foolishness his mouth talks…(12:13
13.
His foolishness is on display in his life (13:16)
14.
He resents his father’s instruction and will not listen (13:1 and 15:5)
15.
If you had walked with wise men you would have been wise but because you walked with the foolish it is destruction you inherit (13:20)
16.
That scoffing one who lacks understanding doesn’t find wisdom if he looks for it, because his scoffing cuts him off from it…(14:6)
17.
A fool loves to joke about the things God calls sin. His humour celebrates things that disgust God. Fools mock at sin. (14:9)
18.
The willfully simple are easily taken in. they are gullible (14:15)
19.
Anger makes you choose silly foolish courses (14:17)
20.
Folly is like a silly crown for a fool (14:24)
21.
The fools mouth is like a tap pouring out with stupidity (15:2)
22.
He does not have the heart to spread good knowledge and does not speak wisdom from the heart (15:7)
23.
His food is foolishness. His mouth feeds on folly (15:14 and 21 he enjoys it.)
24.
His foolishness will bring discipline upon him (16:22)
25.
The foolish one hardly notices when he receives the due results of his errors, the blows that he deserves well (17:10)
26.
Why should the fool waste his money investing in education he chooses to ignore? (17:16)
27.
He rushes into ill considered agreements to go guarantor, making obligations for himself he has not thought carefully through (17:18)
28.
A fool causes his father grief instead of joy (17:21)
29.
The fool is busy day dreaming about far off things instead of considering what is under his nose close at hand (17:24)
30.
If the fool shuts up, he may seem wise (17:28)
31.
The fool loves picking quick quarrels and depicting others as in need of punishment. (18:6)
32.
It is his own mouth that destroys him (18:7)
33.
He is opinionated because he has begun inquiries with his mind already made up with his preconceptions (18:13) this is shameful for him and foolish behaviour.
34.
Delightful life does not suit him, it doesn’t really belong to a person like him (19:10)
35.
God has already provided waiting judgments for the mockers and scoffers. Fitting punishments for the fools (19:29 & 26:3)
36.
Fools love to meddle in other peoples affairs, they love to involve themselves in things that are not at all their business (20:3)
37.
Remove and get rid of the scornful person and peace will reign again (22:10)
38.
A child can remain in foolishness if the parent is not faithful to bring correction (22:15)
39.
No sense instructing the fool because he places no value on your instruction (23:9)
40.
Planning folly in your thoughts is sin and being a scoffer makes you repulsive to other persons (24:9)
41.
There is a nasty heavy presence with the provoked fool (27:3) heavier than a stone. Weightier than sand
42.
If you are wise and contend with the fool he will either try to make a joke of it or grow into a rage losing his temper with you (29:9-11)
43.
Scorners set the town alight but wisdom can quench the angers created (29:8)
I would suggest you often review this list as you inspect your own actions, looking up the scriptures indicated in The Book of Proverbs in your Bible and also look at the list of observations on the wise man.
Thank you for reading this. I believe it will be helpful if you follow it.
© 2009 Marcus Ardern
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Observations on the life of a wise man - Marcus Ardern
Copied from Marcus Ardern's webpage. This is not my own work! But I really love it!
Observations on the life of a wise man
The bible gives us in the book of Proverbs a portrait of the wise man in comparison to the fool. It becomes clear in life as one looks back that there have been times when one has played the fool, lived foolishly and made foolish decisions that released less than salubrious conditions into our lives. Relationships can be lost or damaged. Reputations can be damaged or one became a pariah among former friends…it makes no sense to wreck the happiness of your own future by continuing in foolishness until we actually qualify for the summary label of being The Fool…
No doubt you would not like to be known as a fool. Even worse if the label is accurate. Solomon himself with all his clever insights and Godly wisdom later admitted he had acted foolishly and given in to sin even though he knew better and had warned others away from it. Knowledge is no protection if it remains unapplied…the word must be made flesh. We must embody the nobler path we know and fortunately God gives insights as it is written in Psalm 16 “Thou wilt show me” (the path of life).
So now we look into the book of proverbs to see the characteristics or outward observable signs of a wise man or woman. Instead of quoting a particular translation I have presented what I believe the verse points to in meaning. You may follow the references in a king James Bible or other translation. I suggest you accept nothing you feel remains unproven by the Bible itself.(acts seventeen verse eleven)
One observation I make after years of careful consideration of the church of believers I have seen in many locations around the globe: many leaders and believers excuse and allow themselves attitudes and beliefs about behaviours that run directly contrary to what Holy Scripture advises. Sooner or later the fruit arrives into the life and result is trouble. The Good News is that God has given us a Person as a Saviour: The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and that He has made available Truth that sets us free. To reject Gods word is to reject salvation, because The Way of Salvation is itself rejected. You cannot experience right results if you are living wrongly and without repentance. Faith and Obedience to The Gospel is the wisest course. Ultimately it confirms itself as enlightened self interest. The testimony of God is true, so I believe that to reject his testimony is to not know what is false such a man or woman lacks insight and ability to discern distinctions so their assessments, judgments and choices become blurred or downright wrong (blindness or short sightedness, see 2 Peter 1:9).
Here is that look into proverbs:
1.
The wise one listens well and learns (1:5)
2.
The wise one becomes discrete and prudent in life matters and choices (2:10-11)
3.
Being wise brings honourable reputation (3:34-35)
4.
Honestly seeking for and cherishing wisdom yields good dividends! You succeed in finding it and along with that its results: righteousness, a rich and enriched life and glory (8:17-21)
5.
Wisdom gives you extra days (9:11)
6.
Wisdom makes you become teachable instead of chattering and garrulous (10:8)
7.
If you possess real wisdom it makes you eager to learn more and preserve the knowledge. (10:14)
8.
If you have grown in understanding you will know how to hold your peace (11:2)
9.
Less prudent people will end up as your subordinates (11:29)
10.
Real wisdom inspires commendations from others (12:8)
11.
Wisdom is indicated when a man is genuinely interested in learning (12:15)
12.
The wise one does not blab everything he knows even though he may have a veritable fountain of wisdom present to fuel his lips (12:23)
13.
A wise son is willing to really hear his father’s corrections (13:1)
14.
Being well instructed brings favour into your life (13:15)
15.
Wise companions bring wisdom into your life, it is learned from company just as foolishness is (13:20)
16.
A wise woman helps her own house grow and flourish richly (14:1)
17.
Wise speech preserves lives (14:3)
18.
It is easier to learn when you have become a person with understanding (14:6)
19.
Ability to scan and discern (comprehend)the likely outcomes of your choices is “your wisdom”.(14:8)
20.
Right proper reverence is natural to a wise person (the reverence for truth that enables you to take note of and avoid dangers) (14:16)
21.
It is cautious prudence that confers glorious knowledge upon you to be admired. (14:18)
22.
Hidden reservoirs of knowledge are within the heart of a truly wise person, even if they are silent about it (14:33)
23.
A wise person considers how to communicate wisdom effectively to the hearer so that it can be received correctly…(15:2)
24.
Openness to receiving an instructing reproof follows on from having learned to be prudent instead of rash or hasty. (15:5)
25.
The wise person does not enjoy stupidity but walks carefully, discretely, wisely.(15:21)
26.
Living by wise choices will give you very good things. (16:20)
27.
If you are wise, others will report your prudence and good judgment. (16:21)
28.
Wisdom within is revealed by the words of your lips. (16:23)
29.
If you have real wisdom you will deal in a focused way with matters that need immediate attention, under your nose (17:24)
30.
If you are wise, you won’t say much. If you really know, you will be controlled and cool (17:27)
31.
It is wisdom not to allow angers to suddenly rise up nor to draw attentions to wrongs suffered. It is the honourable way to proceed (19:11)
32.
The wise man does not give way to a life of drunkenness which clouds his mind (20:1)
33.
Real wisdom brings treasurable things into your life and teaches you how to conserve them so that the treasure remains in the house instead of being foolishly wasted in premature consumption (21:20)
34.
Wisdom teaches you strategies for dealing with tricky and self confident people who think themselves immune within their protections , like a fortressed city (21:22)
35.
Behaving wisely makes you the offspring that brings joy to your parents (23:24-25)
36.
The wise person builds upon, adds to, his strengths multiplies his powers by becoming strengthened with good advice (24:5)
37.
It is very rewarding to live a wise life and as a result your hopes will not turn out to be futile dreaming (24:14)
38.
The wise one does not act in a rash, ill considered way, but looks for or recognizes possible danger ahead then avoids bad consequences by acting wisely (27:12. also 1:17)
39.
A good source of understanding is to keep hungry for the things of God and for God Himself (28:5)
40.
The wise person stills his anger, restrains himself, until the appropriate time (29:11)
As Malcolm Muggeridge has said “a thing is often best understood by examining its opposites.”
So perhaps you may like to also look at my article on the observations of the fool, also from proverbs. Examine you own behaviours for your own sakes and for the sakes of those around you, and for The Lords sake.
© 2009 Marcus Ardern
Observations on the life of a wise man
The bible gives us in the book of Proverbs a portrait of the wise man in comparison to the fool. It becomes clear in life as one looks back that there have been times when one has played the fool, lived foolishly and made foolish decisions that released less than salubrious conditions into our lives. Relationships can be lost or damaged. Reputations can be damaged or one became a pariah among former friends…it makes no sense to wreck the happiness of your own future by continuing in foolishness until we actually qualify for the summary label of being The Fool…
No doubt you would not like to be known as a fool. Even worse if the label is accurate. Solomon himself with all his clever insights and Godly wisdom later admitted he had acted foolishly and given in to sin even though he knew better and had warned others away from it. Knowledge is no protection if it remains unapplied…the word must be made flesh. We must embody the nobler path we know and fortunately God gives insights as it is written in Psalm 16 “Thou wilt show me” (the path of life).
So now we look into the book of proverbs to see the characteristics or outward observable signs of a wise man or woman. Instead of quoting a particular translation I have presented what I believe the verse points to in meaning. You may follow the references in a king James Bible or other translation. I suggest you accept nothing you feel remains unproven by the Bible itself.(acts seventeen verse eleven)
One observation I make after years of careful consideration of the church of believers I have seen in many locations around the globe: many leaders and believers excuse and allow themselves attitudes and beliefs about behaviours that run directly contrary to what Holy Scripture advises. Sooner or later the fruit arrives into the life and result is trouble. The Good News is that God has given us a Person as a Saviour: The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and that He has made available Truth that sets us free. To reject Gods word is to reject salvation, because The Way of Salvation is itself rejected. You cannot experience right results if you are living wrongly and without repentance. Faith and Obedience to The Gospel is the wisest course. Ultimately it confirms itself as enlightened self interest. The testimony of God is true, so I believe that to reject his testimony is to not know what is false such a man or woman lacks insight and ability to discern distinctions so their assessments, judgments and choices become blurred or downright wrong (blindness or short sightedness, see 2 Peter 1:9).
Here is that look into proverbs:
1.
The wise one listens well and learns (1:5)
2.
The wise one becomes discrete and prudent in life matters and choices (2:10-11)
3.
Being wise brings honourable reputation (3:34-35)
4.
Honestly seeking for and cherishing wisdom yields good dividends! You succeed in finding it and along with that its results: righteousness, a rich and enriched life and glory (8:17-21)
5.
Wisdom gives you extra days (9:11)
6.
Wisdom makes you become teachable instead of chattering and garrulous (10:8)
7.
If you possess real wisdom it makes you eager to learn more and preserve the knowledge. (10:14)
8.
If you have grown in understanding you will know how to hold your peace (11:2)
9.
Less prudent people will end up as your subordinates (11:29)
10.
Real wisdom inspires commendations from others (12:8)
11.
Wisdom is indicated when a man is genuinely interested in learning (12:15)
12.
The wise one does not blab everything he knows even though he may have a veritable fountain of wisdom present to fuel his lips (12:23)
13.
A wise son is willing to really hear his father’s corrections (13:1)
14.
Being well instructed brings favour into your life (13:15)
15.
Wise companions bring wisdom into your life, it is learned from company just as foolishness is (13:20)
16.
A wise woman helps her own house grow and flourish richly (14:1)
17.
Wise speech preserves lives (14:3)
18.
It is easier to learn when you have become a person with understanding (14:6)
19.
Ability to scan and discern (comprehend)the likely outcomes of your choices is “your wisdom”.(14:8)
20.
Right proper reverence is natural to a wise person (the reverence for truth that enables you to take note of and avoid dangers) (14:16)
21.
It is cautious prudence that confers glorious knowledge upon you to be admired. (14:18)
22.
Hidden reservoirs of knowledge are within the heart of a truly wise person, even if they are silent about it (14:33)
23.
A wise person considers how to communicate wisdom effectively to the hearer so that it can be received correctly…(15:2)
24.
Openness to receiving an instructing reproof follows on from having learned to be prudent instead of rash or hasty. (15:5)
25.
The wise person does not enjoy stupidity but walks carefully, discretely, wisely.(15:21)
26.
Living by wise choices will give you very good things. (16:20)
27.
If you are wise, others will report your prudence and good judgment. (16:21)
28.
Wisdom within is revealed by the words of your lips. (16:23)
29.
If you have real wisdom you will deal in a focused way with matters that need immediate attention, under your nose (17:24)
30.
If you are wise, you won’t say much. If you really know, you will be controlled and cool (17:27)
31.
It is wisdom not to allow angers to suddenly rise up nor to draw attentions to wrongs suffered. It is the honourable way to proceed (19:11)
32.
The wise man does not give way to a life of drunkenness which clouds his mind (20:1)
33.
Real wisdom brings treasurable things into your life and teaches you how to conserve them so that the treasure remains in the house instead of being foolishly wasted in premature consumption (21:20)
34.
Wisdom teaches you strategies for dealing with tricky and self confident people who think themselves immune within their protections , like a fortressed city (21:22)
35.
Behaving wisely makes you the offspring that brings joy to your parents (23:24-25)
36.
The wise person builds upon, adds to, his strengths multiplies his powers by becoming strengthened with good advice (24:5)
37.
It is very rewarding to live a wise life and as a result your hopes will not turn out to be futile dreaming (24:14)
38.
The wise one does not act in a rash, ill considered way, but looks for or recognizes possible danger ahead then avoids bad consequences by acting wisely (27:12. also 1:17)
39.
A good source of understanding is to keep hungry for the things of God and for God Himself (28:5)
40.
The wise person stills his anger, restrains himself, until the appropriate time (29:11)
As Malcolm Muggeridge has said “a thing is often best understood by examining its opposites.”
So perhaps you may like to also look at my article on the observations of the fool, also from proverbs. Examine you own behaviours for your own sakes and for the sakes of those around you, and for The Lords sake.
© 2009 Marcus Ardern
Monday, September 20, 2010
I Wish I Had A Girl Arm
Monday night. Indoor soccer night. I love playing indoor footy.
But tonight, disaster struck. I turned up to play and there was only five minutes of the game to go! I was extremely late! I had checked my season draw and read the wrong time. I was gutted. So I ran on and played those five minutes, but it just didn't cut it.
Let me fill you in on the source of my confusion.
That inconsiderate earthquake had caused the building that I play in to be closed for a week. This caused the draw to be mixed up. A new draw was produced and distributed. The original draw was now wrong and the new draw was right. I had the wrong draw. According to MY draw, I turned up on time. According to the (new) REAL draw. I was late.
Life's like this. If we do things when we want to, according to OUR plan, to OUR timetable, then we will miss out in the game of life. We may turn up late. Or too early. And wonder why life is unfair and nothing good ever happens. We miss out on the action because, instead of going with the real timetable, we blindly go ahead in our self-deceived state, hoping things will work the way we want.
The only way to get in on the action is to accept that there is a bigger, REAL timetable that is often different from OUR timetable. In other words, God's timing is different from our timing. The world doesn't revolve around us and follow our desires. We are not God!
The choice is simple, although never easy to make. Relax, be patient and do things in God's timing, OR make God do things in YOUR timing...
There's only ever gonna be one person who wins that arm wrestle! And the funny thing is that if you let yourself lose, you are actually winning, because God is on your side, working it all out for you anyway! Just in an infinitely better way...
If I had turned up at the REAL time, I may have scored several goals and had an amazing game, but coz I turned up at MY time, I only saw a glimpse of what might have been. I don't want my life to be like that:)
But tonight, disaster struck. I turned up to play and there was only five minutes of the game to go! I was extremely late! I had checked my season draw and read the wrong time. I was gutted. So I ran on and played those five minutes, but it just didn't cut it.
Let me fill you in on the source of my confusion.
That inconsiderate earthquake had caused the building that I play in to be closed for a week. This caused the draw to be mixed up. A new draw was produced and distributed. The original draw was now wrong and the new draw was right. I had the wrong draw. According to MY draw, I turned up on time. According to the (new) REAL draw. I was late.
Life's like this. If we do things when we want to, according to OUR plan, to OUR timetable, then we will miss out in the game of life. We may turn up late. Or too early. And wonder why life is unfair and nothing good ever happens. We miss out on the action because, instead of going with the real timetable, we blindly go ahead in our self-deceived state, hoping things will work the way we want.
The only way to get in on the action is to accept that there is a bigger, REAL timetable that is often different from OUR timetable. In other words, God's timing is different from our timing. The world doesn't revolve around us and follow our desires. We are not God!
The choice is simple, although never easy to make. Relax, be patient and do things in God's timing, OR make God do things in YOUR timing...
There's only ever gonna be one person who wins that arm wrestle! And the funny thing is that if you let yourself lose, you are actually winning, because God is on your side, working it all out for you anyway! Just in an infinitely better way...
If I had turned up at the REAL time, I may have scored several goals and had an amazing game, but coz I turned up at MY time, I only saw a glimpse of what might have been. I don't want my life to be like that:)
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Grace Makes Your World A Better Place
I love watching rugby league, especially the NRL playoffs. Sadly the Warriors are no longer with us. R.I.P.
In the game last night, the Wests Tigers defeated the Canberra Raiders 26-24. The Raiders missed an easy kick on full time which would have tied the game. Exciting stuff!
During the game, some Raiders supporters were holding a sign which said "In Croker We Trust".
Croker was their kicker. Who missed the important kick. In hindsight, it seems a bit unwise to have put your trust in someone who ultimately let you down doesn't it!
Now, i'm not taking their level of trust too seriously, it was a sign at a sports ground! but it does highlight a couple of important questions.
Firstly, who do you trust your life to? God? Your family? Friends? Tv? Money?... Think about that...
Secondly, do you trust people in your life, and if so, how much? "Everyone is trustworthy somewhere in their lives, but nobody is trustworthy everywhere in their lives". I.e There is good in everyone, yet no one is perfect. For example, Croker can be trusted to play a great game of league, but he can't be trusted to make 100% of his kicks for his entire career! We all make the mistake of judging people as either "good" or "bad". I like them or I don't. But in fact, that is a very unhealthy way to conduct our relationships. Only God is completely trustworthy, and only the devil is completely untrustworthy. Everyone else is somewhere in between!
So when someone lets you down, just relax! Cut them some slack, (also, you may have let them down before and not realised). And if someone you know seems to be just awesome, they will probably let you down one day in the future, so don't put them on a pedestal and worship them!
Our human tendency is to swing between the extremes, but wisdom is reasonable, easily reasoned with, and knows when a healthy balance is needed.
We shouldn't trust everyone completely. Conversely, we shouldn't shut down and trust no one. Trust is a risk, and you choose how much you are willing to risk, how much trust have they earned? We will all get hurt, that is life, but what you do when that happens will shape your life. Often, the best thing to do is to talk to the person who has hurt you, and tell them what they need to do to earn your trust back. If they get an attitude and want a fight etc, then you know you can't trust them yet! But if they apologise and sincerely want your trust in them to be restored, then your relationship can be healed.
No one is perfect, and love covers a multitude of sins. Trust still needs to be earned though. That is simple wisdom 101.
We are saved by grace and our relationships are saved by showing eachother grace.
Ooh I like that! Seems like a good place to end:)
In the game last night, the Wests Tigers defeated the Canberra Raiders 26-24. The Raiders missed an easy kick on full time which would have tied the game. Exciting stuff!
During the game, some Raiders supporters were holding a sign which said "In Croker We Trust".
Croker was their kicker. Who missed the important kick. In hindsight, it seems a bit unwise to have put your trust in someone who ultimately let you down doesn't it!
Now, i'm not taking their level of trust too seriously, it was a sign at a sports ground! but it does highlight a couple of important questions.
Firstly, who do you trust your life to? God? Your family? Friends? Tv? Money?... Think about that...
Secondly, do you trust people in your life, and if so, how much? "Everyone is trustworthy somewhere in their lives, but nobody is trustworthy everywhere in their lives". I.e There is good in everyone, yet no one is perfect. For example, Croker can be trusted to play a great game of league, but he can't be trusted to make 100% of his kicks for his entire career! We all make the mistake of judging people as either "good" or "bad". I like them or I don't. But in fact, that is a very unhealthy way to conduct our relationships. Only God is completely trustworthy, and only the devil is completely untrustworthy. Everyone else is somewhere in between!
So when someone lets you down, just relax! Cut them some slack, (also, you may have let them down before and not realised). And if someone you know seems to be just awesome, they will probably let you down one day in the future, so don't put them on a pedestal and worship them!
Our human tendency is to swing between the extremes, but wisdom is reasonable, easily reasoned with, and knows when a healthy balance is needed.
We shouldn't trust everyone completely. Conversely, we shouldn't shut down and trust no one. Trust is a risk, and you choose how much you are willing to risk, how much trust have they earned? We will all get hurt, that is life, but what you do when that happens will shape your life. Often, the best thing to do is to talk to the person who has hurt you, and tell them what they need to do to earn your trust back. If they get an attitude and want a fight etc, then you know you can't trust them yet! But if they apologise and sincerely want your trust in them to be restored, then your relationship can be healed.
No one is perfect, and love covers a multitude of sins. Trust still needs to be earned though. That is simple wisdom 101.
We are saved by grace and our relationships are saved by showing eachother grace.
Ooh I like that! Seems like a good place to end:)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Paved With Good Intentions
You may know that my day job is as a landscaper. I've been doing it for about four years, and am now a "qualified" tradesman. I've still got a lot to learn though! At the moment, I am doing some paving. Should take about three weeks, unless I do some long days to finish it quicker. Might do that!
For the uninitiated, when paving, you mix up mortar (sand, cement and water) and then put the pavers on top of that, making sure that they are flat, or sloping to allow water to drain off, without any edges sticking up to trip on.
Bored yet?!
SO... anyway... It's important to get the consistency of the mortar right. Too dry and it will be impossible to use. Too wet and it won't support the weight of the paver, it will just be sloppy. But the right balance is very rewarding and makes the job much easier and enjoyable.
Too much water also makes the mortar weaker. I don't know why. And I don't NEED to know why! All I need to know is not to put too much water in the mix. Maybe one day I will read some boring article... (other than this one) and it will tell me the chemistry etc, but for now, all I need to know is not to put too much water in.
Life is a bit like that. God is a bit like that. We all know what we should do, what right and wrong is etc... so let's just do it. If I didn't start paving until I knew every single detail about it, then I would be a very ineffective employee, giving my company /boss a bad reputation. I would be dead weight, worse than that, I would be a complete nuisance!
I know enough to do a great paving job, and then everyone is happy! I know enough to do what I get paid to do. So I just do it.
In life we all know enough to just get on and do it, and to be really effective at it. The problem comes when we want to know everything before we do anything. We should just use what we know already and get on with it. More knowledge will come as life goes on. Don't hide behind your intellect, waiting until you get every single answer to every single question that you have. You'll be long dead before you ever understand a fraction of what you want to know!
For the uninitiated, when paving, you mix up mortar (sand, cement and water) and then put the pavers on top of that, making sure that they are flat, or sloping to allow water to drain off, without any edges sticking up to trip on.
Bored yet?!
SO... anyway... It's important to get the consistency of the mortar right. Too dry and it will be impossible to use. Too wet and it won't support the weight of the paver, it will just be sloppy. But the right balance is very rewarding and makes the job much easier and enjoyable.
Too much water also makes the mortar weaker. I don't know why. And I don't NEED to know why! All I need to know is not to put too much water in the mix. Maybe one day I will read some boring article... (other than this one) and it will tell me the chemistry etc, but for now, all I need to know is not to put too much water in.
Life is a bit like that. God is a bit like that. We all know what we should do, what right and wrong is etc... so let's just do it. If I didn't start paving until I knew every single detail about it, then I would be a very ineffective employee, giving my company /boss a bad reputation. I would be dead weight, worse than that, I would be a complete nuisance!
I know enough to do a great paving job, and then everyone is happy! I know enough to do what I get paid to do. So I just do it.
In life we all know enough to just get on and do it, and to be really effective at it. The problem comes when we want to know everything before we do anything. We should just use what we know already and get on with it. More knowledge will come as life goes on. Don't hide behind your intellect, waiting until you get every single answer to every single question that you have. You'll be long dead before you ever understand a fraction of what you want to know!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Nice Blocks
Living through a major earthquake hasn't been the most enjoyable experience that i've been through. And I have got off relatively lightly when compared to those who have lost their homes and jobs etc. Thankfully, no one was killed in the earthquake!
While there has been all sorts of damage throughout our city, and wider region, a substantial amount of the damage has occurred to older brick buildings. Which made me think. Just like these buildings, our lives are made up of many "bricks". In life we build foundations and then slowly constuct our lives, piece by piece, brick by brick.
The problem with these buildings was that the mortar and reinforcing etc that was holding the bricks together gave way. It was not necessarily the bricks that were the problem. The problem was the stuff that was supposed to hold all of these parts together.
You can have all shapes, sizes, colours of bricks, and they can all be added together to build all different types of amazing buildings and structures, but none of these buildings will stand the test of time, or the earthquakes of life, if there is nothing holding them together.
We are no different. We each have different personalities, strengths, weaknesses, preferences, experiences, jobs, bodies, mindsets... that uniquely combine to form us as individuals. Just remember, you are unique, just like everyone else!
Do you trust the "mortar" that you have decided to use?
I see our beliefs, our worldview, God, gods or our own idols as that mortar. You may be relying on your own knowledge, or maybe some tarot cards, or maybe the government, or maybe "the universe". I personally dont trust the universe. When was the last time continuously changing gas, vacuum, rock, fire and various elements helped you out? It just doesn't make any logical sense... Oh dear... so sad...
It is my belief that the only 100% safe mortar of life is a guy called Jesus. If you put all of your trust in him to hold your life together and help you build an amazing life, then you will be on the right track! The Great Architect always uses the best materials, it would be foolish to create our own mortar when the best possible product is available. And it's FREE!!!
While there has been all sorts of damage throughout our city, and wider region, a substantial amount of the damage has occurred to older brick buildings. Which made me think. Just like these buildings, our lives are made up of many "bricks". In life we build foundations and then slowly constuct our lives, piece by piece, brick by brick.
The problem with these buildings was that the mortar and reinforcing etc that was holding the bricks together gave way. It was not necessarily the bricks that were the problem. The problem was the stuff that was supposed to hold all of these parts together.
You can have all shapes, sizes, colours of bricks, and they can all be added together to build all different types of amazing buildings and structures, but none of these buildings will stand the test of time, or the earthquakes of life, if there is nothing holding them together.
We are no different. We each have different personalities, strengths, weaknesses, preferences, experiences, jobs, bodies, mindsets... that uniquely combine to form us as individuals. Just remember, you are unique, just like everyone else!
Do you trust the "mortar" that you have decided to use?
I see our beliefs, our worldview, God, gods or our own idols as that mortar. You may be relying on your own knowledge, or maybe some tarot cards, or maybe the government, or maybe "the universe". I personally dont trust the universe. When was the last time continuously changing gas, vacuum, rock, fire and various elements helped you out? It just doesn't make any logical sense... Oh dear... so sad...
It is my belief that the only 100% safe mortar of life is a guy called Jesus. If you put all of your trust in him to hold your life together and help you build an amazing life, then you will be on the right track! The Great Architect always uses the best materials, it would be foolish to create our own mortar when the best possible product is available. And it's FREE!!!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Sticky Camel Situation
I was picking up sticks at work yesterday. Not the game. Tree prunings. I was thinking about sticks, and in particular, how many sticks could you put on a camel's back. You have probably heard the old saying "It is the final stick that breaks the camel’s back". There was nothing special about that particular stick, it was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. In fact, it was the cumulative effect of all the other ones added together that did the damage. The camel may have been collecting sticks on it's back for a while (mental picture of camel picking up sticks), and finally it's resolve comes to an end.
Sometimes in life there will be a person or event etc that causes us to get angry etc and we can easily blame that person but in reality it was our unwise decisions leading up to that event that really did the damage.
Maybe your husband or wife or sibling or best friend has upset you or made you angry, so you blame them, but in reality, the last few nights you have stayed up too late, or maybe you have been eating poorly and not exercising regularly and that has made you less able to deal with stress. My advice would be to look at your life instead and see if you have been making unwise lifestyle decisions etc instead of just blaming the person or event that has triggered your emotional event.
Maybe you have unhealthy thought patterns that cause you to "pick up sticks" when you see them lying around. You don't actually have to pick up these sticks. You aren't the boss of the world!. You can let someone else, God, carry those burdens. It makes life vastly more enjoyable if you can leave the sticks to God. If you do pick one up, because let's face it, we all naturally want to, just remember to pass it on as quick as you can, otherwise you will accumulate stuff in your life that you just don't need to have. Stress in our lives often occurs because we try to carry too much.
Lots of things happen in life that are unfair, unjust, just plain wrong! We cannot, and should not, try to right every one. Every time we take up a cause, no matter how right you are, stress is added to our lives. A camel cannot fight on every single hill, it must choose it's battles, it must not pick up a stick every time it sees one. God is our Vindicator, and all we have to do is tell him what we have seen and then TRUST HIM to deal with it. Stop trying to wrestle it back of Him. Just leave it!
Jesus was completely right in everything he did, and he still remained silent before his accusers. Because he knew that his Father would take care of it. We should be the same. Just chill out, stop defending yourself and move on.
So next time you are feeling tired or annoyed or whatever, don't blame that person or situation that seems to have caused it. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It may have been all of the other things you have been trying to carry that have caused the real problems. Jesus is waiting to carry your load if you want to GIVE IT to him, he won't steal it! The only responsiblity you have in this situation is to choose to GIVE it to Him. It's better to give than receive;)
Sometimes in life there will be a person or event etc that causes us to get angry etc and we can easily blame that person but in reality it was our unwise decisions leading up to that event that really did the damage.
Maybe your husband or wife or sibling or best friend has upset you or made you angry, so you blame them, but in reality, the last few nights you have stayed up too late, or maybe you have been eating poorly and not exercising regularly and that has made you less able to deal with stress. My advice would be to look at your life instead and see if you have been making unwise lifestyle decisions etc instead of just blaming the person or event that has triggered your emotional event.
Maybe you have unhealthy thought patterns that cause you to "pick up sticks" when you see them lying around. You don't actually have to pick up these sticks. You aren't the boss of the world!. You can let someone else, God, carry those burdens. It makes life vastly more enjoyable if you can leave the sticks to God. If you do pick one up, because let's face it, we all naturally want to, just remember to pass it on as quick as you can, otherwise you will accumulate stuff in your life that you just don't need to have. Stress in our lives often occurs because we try to carry too much.
Lots of things happen in life that are unfair, unjust, just plain wrong! We cannot, and should not, try to right every one. Every time we take up a cause, no matter how right you are, stress is added to our lives. A camel cannot fight on every single hill, it must choose it's battles, it must not pick up a stick every time it sees one. God is our Vindicator, and all we have to do is tell him what we have seen and then TRUST HIM to deal with it. Stop trying to wrestle it back of Him. Just leave it!
Jesus was completely right in everything he did, and he still remained silent before his accusers. Because he knew that his Father would take care of it. We should be the same. Just chill out, stop defending yourself and move on.
So next time you are feeling tired or annoyed or whatever, don't blame that person or situation that seems to have caused it. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It may have been all of the other things you have been trying to carry that have caused the real problems. Jesus is waiting to carry your load if you want to GIVE IT to him, he won't steal it! The only responsiblity you have in this situation is to choose to GIVE it to Him. It's better to give than receive;)
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