Morning Musing: Proverbs 3:13-15

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”‬‬ (ESV – Read the chapter

Ronald Reagan is famous for saying many things. He had a gift for being quotable. He also had a gracious sense of humor and a winning smile when he said something to pick at his political opponents and their ideas. This combination simultaneously thrilled his supporters and infuriated his critics. One of his more memorable lines was this: “The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant; it’s that they know so much that just isn’t so.” 

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Morning Musing: Proverbs 22:24-25

“Don’t make friends with an angry person, and don’t be a companion of a hot-tempered one, or you will learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter)

You’ve probably heard before the idea that bad company corrupts good character. Paul said that. Your parents probably quoted it when you were hanging out with a crowd they didn’t like. You may have said it to your kids. The fact is, the friends you keep will determine the direction and quality of your life. So, what kind of friends are you keeping? 

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Morning Musing: Proverbs 22:15

“Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.”  (ESV)

We live in a culture that worships youth.  We fight the signs of aging (there are apparently seven of them).  We resist the pull of the years.  We celebrate youth movements.  We look for the young people to come and save us.  If a movement or idea is sparked by young people it is automatically assumed to be good and wise.  We are told to let children be themselves.  The truth, though, is that while it is good the humanity of young people is recognized and defended more than it used to be, most of this cultural moment is foolish to the highest degree. Read the rest…

Morning Musing: Proverbs 1:5

“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.” (ESV)

I read a devotion a few weeks ago on the book of Proverbs from Tim Keller that I appreciated greatly.  He made this observation: You can have knowledge without wisdom.  Many people do.  But you cannot have wisdom without knowledge.  Wisdom comes only from the careful application of diligent learning. Read the rest…

Morning Musings: Proverbs 3:9-10

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”  (ESV)

As much as many would like and have even tried to argue this is the case, one of the things the Bible does not teach is a kind of tit-for-tat giving arrangement whereby every time we give something, God gives back to us in equal amounts.  Any preacher or teacher who has said otherwise is a snake oil salesman in disguise.  But… Read the rest…