Moms.

"Though a mother stays home and keeps her house clean, it is still not a home unless she creates the right spirit in the house. It is the atmosphere created primarily by the mother that makes the home worthwhile."

-J. R. Bookhoff

"The common fallacy among women is that simply having children makes one a mother--which is as absurd as believing that having a piano makes one a musician."

-Sydney Harris

"The greatest lessons I ever learned were at my mother's knees."

-Abraham Lincoln

"No one is poor who had a godly mother."

-Abraham Lincoln

"A godly mother will point her children to God by the force of her example as much as by the power of her words."

-Anonymous

"Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her."

-Proverbs 31:28 NLT

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her."

-Proverbs 31:28 NKJV

Somewhere between the youthful energy of a teenager and the golden years of a woman's life, there lives a marvelous, miracle-working, and loving person known as "Mother."

A mother is a curious mixture of patience, kindness, understanding, discipline, industriousness, purity, grace, mercy, and love.

A mother can be at one and the same time, both "lovelorn counselor" to a heartsick daughter, "head football coach" to an athletic son, and "lead architect" with a six-year old and a pile of Legos.

A mother can sew the tiniest stitch in the material for that dainty prom dress and she is equally experienced in threading through the heaviest traffic with a mini-van or SUV.

A mother is the only creature on earth who can cry when she's happy, laugh when she's heartbroken, encourage when she's discouraged, and work when she's sick.

A mother is as gentle as a lamb and as strong as a lion. Only a mother can appear so weak and helpless and yet be so tough and protective.

A mother has the angelic voice of a member of the celestial choir as she sings lullabies to a baby held tightly in her arms; yet this same voice can be heard five blocks away when she calls her boys for supper.

A mother has the fascinating ability to be almost everywhere at once but she alone can somehow squeeze an enormous amount of living into the average day.

A mother can feed the bunny, clean the hamster cage, take care of a sick puppy and still clean the house, fill the gas tank, and cook supper all in the same day.

A mother can be saintly serious and strangely silly at the right time.

But there is no greater thrill in life, than to point to that wonderful woman and be able to say, "That's my Mom!"

-Fred Kruse (modified slightly).

Proverbs 31:10-31 outlines the characteristics of a godly woman. Verse 28 says, "Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her."

Mothers, it's worth it. It's worth it. It's worth every hour of it. It's worth it!

Husbands, let's not forget that! Verse 31a is for us, "Reward her for all she has done."

It's worth it!

Awesome!

"For our God is a consuming fire."

-Hebrews 12:29

"It's a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

-Hebrews 10:31

"The Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, mighty and awesome . . ."

-Deuteronomy 10:17

"Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name--and his son's name? Tell me if you know!"

-Proverbs 30:4 NLT

What a great picture of the Awesome God we serve and know. Who else but God could do all this?

I have always been fascinated with idea of God holding the wind in his fists. Another reference is equally fascinating to me, "He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses" (Psalm 135:7). One of my favorite wind references is found in Psalm 104:3 where God, ". . . walks on the wings of the wind." I'm not sure why but that passage, to me, is a picture of the power of our Almighty God as even the winds submit to and honor him.

I have experienced wind before but never like I did when I pedaled my bike across North Dakota this summer. Before I arrived on what is called the High Plains of North Dakota, a bus driver in Missoula, Montana told me, "The wind up there blows in all directions, all day, every day!" He certainly was right about that. One day the wind would be my best friend, another day my worst enemy. Unpredictable, uncontrollable, and unlimited in power. Fields of wheat bow down to it. Flags fly straight out until the wind stops or changes direction. Hurricane winds level cities. Friend and foe alike depending on which way it blows and how strong, that's the wind.

Wind! We can't see it but we know it's there. It can cool us with a gentle breeze or kill us by flinging the neighbor's house at us. Who can tame it?

My God! He can hold the wind in his fists. With words or the movement of his almighty hand the winds can be made still and the seas calm. Remember the story in Matthew 8? Jesus and his disciples got into a boat and started across a lake. "Suddenly, a terrible storm came up, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went to him and woke him up, shouting, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!'

"And Jesus answered, 'Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!' Then he stood up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm. The disciples just sat there in awe. 'Who is this?' the asked themselves. 'Even the wind and waves obey him'" (Matthew 8:23-27)!

Guess what! This same Jesus loves us! The Creator of heaven, earth, wind, rain, and everything else loves us. The same hand that holds the wind holds us. We are so loved and should be so grateful. His awesome God of power, the God who could crush us, loves us, protects us, and provides for us. We know the Maker of the wind.

Who holds the wind in his fists? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name--and his son's name? Tell me if you know!"

Jesus.

Critics.

"It is much easier to be critical than to be correct."

-Benjamin Disraeli

"He has a right to criticize who has a heart to help."

-Abraham Lincoln

"If the only way I can make myself look good is to criticize you, something is seriously wrong with me."

-Warren Weirsbe

"You can't clear your own fields while you're counting the rocks on your neighbor's farm."

-Joan Welsh

"If what they are saying about you is true, mend your ways. If it isn't true, forget it, and go on and serve the Lord."

-Harry A. Ironside

"Sticks and stones are only thrown at fruit-bearing trees."

-Forbes

"Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be broken beyond repair."

-Proverbs 29:1 NLT

"Never fear criticism when you're right; never ignore criticism when you're wrong." I don't remember who said it or when I heard it but for many years that has been a favorite quote of mine. Criticism happens! The good news is, criticism only happens when we do something right and when we do something wrong! There's no escaping it.

Life is going to bring out the best and the worst in people: That includes criticism. People who choose wisely understand this and will do their best to minimize the worst and emphasize the best.

We need to know that our motives, actions, plans, goals, and dreams will always be questioned and criticized by some. Even when we are at our best, some people will take offense and criticize. Sometimes those who are the closest to us and those who have known us the longest will lead the pack.

Remember this? "When Jesus had finished telling these stories, he left that part of the country. He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was astonished and said, 'Where does he get his wisdom and miracles? He's just a carpenter's son, and we know Mary, and his brothers--James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. All his sisters live right here among us. What makes him so great?' And they were deeply offended and refused to believe him" (Matthew 13:53-57).

Whoa! Talk about being offended and critical . . . and they were his hometown folks!

"Where does he get his wisdom and miracles?" In other words, "There's no way Jesus is that good! Who does he think he is anyway?"

"He's just a carpenter's son . . . " That was a put-down on Jesus and his earthly dad, Joseph.

" . . . we know Mary, . . . " Translation: "She's just a stay-at-home-mom! What could she know?"

" . . . and his brothers . . . All his sisters live right here among us." They are all home-town, somewhat normal kids, go to school with our kids . . . nothing special.

In one stream of criticism the Nazareth hometown folks criticized Jesus, his teaching, his intellect, his parents, his siblings, his dad's occupation, his parents' intelligence, his abilities, and his motives. Boom! Let him have it! And they surely did.

The question is not whether or not we'll be criticized but when, why, how often, and for what. Preachers preach too long or too short. Their preaching is too shallow or too deep. They tell too many stories (Jesus was accused of that by his own disciples.) or too few. Musicians do too many hymns or too many choruses, too few or too many. Sound guys are always too loud and occasionally too soft.

Businessmen are criticized because they make too much money or not enough. They are too aggressive or too timid, too obnoxious or too quiet, too crooked or too honest.

Moms are too busy or too lazy. Some have no kids and some too many. Kids of course are too rowdy or too quiet, too playful or too serious, too smart or too dumb, too childish or too mature . . . it goes on and on and on and on. We need to get critical about criticism, especially the negative kind. Be careful, sometimes it comes disguised as prayer requests.

The real issue, however, is not criticism because we're always going to have people who feel that criticism is their spiritual gift. The real issue is twofold, how will we receive criticism and how will we give it? Another Proverb tells us, "If you ignore criticism, you will end up in poverty and disgrace. If you accept criticism, you will be honored" (13:18). So it is a good thing, when criticism comes our way, to evaluate what has been said and, if necessary, act on it! On the other hand, some criticism, based on who it comes from, should simply be ignored.

"If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding" (Proverbs 15:31-32).

There are our two choices regarding criticism: We can ". . . suddenly be broken beyond repair" or we can ". . . be at home among the wise." I'm sure you're thinking just like me, "I would rather be at home among the wise." I'm sure it beats moving in with the dummies!

You gotta live somewhere!

Where?

Fools!

"A fool and his life are soon parted."

-Anonymous

"Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make them all yourself."

-Anonymous

"I love fool's experiments; I am always making them."

-Charles Darwin

"Trusting oneself is foolish; but those who walk in wisdom are safe."

-Proverbs 28:26 NLT

"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered."

-Proverbs 28:26 NKJV

"Dumber than a bag of hammers."

"Stupider than a box of rocks."

"One sandwich short of a picnic."

"Elevator doesn't go to the top."

"One fry short of a Happy Meal."

In her books "The Darwin Awards", Wendy Northcutt highlights and awards (posthumously) ". . . individuals who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it in a sublimely idiotic fashion." There are many recipients and this story reveals one of those "sublimely idiotic fashions" chosen for removal from our gene pool:

With a driver and a truckload of broccoli missing, the law enforcement officials of Los Angeles contacted the Ohio police during the search. The truck was soon located, stalled on an Ohio highway, and was towed to a maintenance facility nearby. Mechanically, the truck was fine, just out of fuel. The driver was missing but his belongings and seven bricks of marijuana were found inside the cab.

The police and the trucking company immediately mounted a search for the driver. One of the police officers soon noticed two feet protruding from between two pallets of broccoli. The driver had been discovered! He was dead!

According to the Richfield Township, Ohio, Police Department Report #00514, the broccoli was unloaded and the driver's frozen body was left standing upside-down, his head frozen to the floor. After freeing his body with portable heaters, his still frozen body was loaded into a rescue vehicle. Because of an extended frozen arm the body had to be loaded sideways to get it inside. This driver went out in style! Cool!

The coroner's office stated that the man must have been trying to located some cocaine when he fell between the two pallets of broccoli and knocked himself unconscious. Hypothermia soon set in and the driver died an icy death and upside-down. Another well-deserved Darwin Award for sure.

"Trusting oneself is foolish; but those who walk in wisdom are safe."

Need I say more?

Maybe I do . . . some say, "The tree of life is self-pruning!"

Stay safe!

Praise.

"Praise is like a shadow. It follows him who flees from it, but flees from him who follows it."

-Grit

"The only way to escape the personal corruption of praise is to go on working."

-Albert Einstein

"He who sings his own praise is seldom asked for an encore."

-Anonymous

"Praise undeserved is poison in disguise."

-Illinois Journal of Education

"We can never praise Jesus too much."

-Anonymous

"Don't praise yourself; let others do it!"

-Proverbs 27:2

Some folks just can't say enough . . . about themselves! Have you ever noticed that? There are some folks who have always done more, caught bigger, done better, drove faster, flown higher, made more, sold more, and you name it, the list goes on and on! They also knew more, have been farther, knew everybody . . . and by now you know what I'm talking about.

In a college physics class I had the experience to sit next to a student who knew everything there was to know about physics and told everybody about it at each class. In my mind I can still see him sitting in class and praising himself. Two things were very obvious, maybe three:

1. He had never heard the quote, "It's better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." Even if he did know everything there is to know about physics (he didn't) it was still foolish to keep a running, verbal account of all his knowledge.

2. He didn't have many friends soon after the course began. Nobody seemed to want to work with him when our class moved from the classroom to the lab. His self-praise became a high barrier to anyone who wanted to build a relationship with him. He wasted his time with himself!

3. It soon became very obvious that my classmate didn't know as much as he claimed to know about physics. He dropped out after the first quiz!

This verse, however, is not only about the folks who think they are far better than everyone else, it's also about the folks who really are wiser, smarter, richer, stronger, and better in certain things. "Don't praise yourself, let others do it!" The verse focuses on humility. There are many people who deserve praise. Generally, those who don't praise themselves get a little embarrassed when praised publicly but they still deserve praise nonetheless. They certainly won't do it themselves.

I have seen, over and over, that God most often uses quiet people, not those who loudly proclaim their abilities, qualities, talents, and knowledge. God takes people who will function and serve behind-the-scenes and uses them in incredible ways. He uses people who tend sheep, hide in winepresses and threshing floors, fish and mend nets, pray in private, and die alone. He uses people who sweep floors, rock babies, stack chairs, welcome and smile, cook meals, visit hospitals, run errands, play instruments, operate sound systems, write notes, visit shut-ins, and pray alone.

These people hear their praise from their Master. Others praise them as well because they've quietly served Jesus wherever he called, even unseen . . . without fanfare.

Don't forget the second part of this verse about praise: " . . . let others do it!" We are the others who should be giving praise where praise is due. Praise is a powerful encourager and motivator. I read this paragraph by L. Perry Wilbur. It's about deserved praise and the results:

"Some people will work harder for praise then even money. Those workers in your group doing good work should be occasionally praised. It's good sense and good courtesy. Many effective employees, who know they're doing good work, expect to be recognized and appreciated. When deserved, be sure to praise your team members individually or before the group. They'll appreciate your appreciation, and most of them will work all the harder for you."

There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving praise where and when it is due. We are to do just that, but to others, not to ourselves. "Giving praise is much like giving love. The giver is usually the most benefited. He casts bread upon the water and often gets back cake" (Irving Feldman). The Law of Sowing and Reaping never fails, "You always reap what you sow" (Galatians 6:7b).

Plant praise!

Fire.

"Gossip has never been put in the same bag as murder and assassination, but it is in the same family. Gossip assassinates a person's character. And when a character is ruined, a bit of possibility and hope are taken from a man, both of which are death to dreams and ambitions."

-C. Neil Strait

"When tempted to gossip, breathe through your nose."

-T. N. Tiemeyer

"A gossip is a person who will never tell a lie if the truth will do as much damage."

-Owenton, Kentucky, News Herald

"Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops."

-Proverbs 26:20 NLT

"Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases."

-Proverbs 26:20 NKJV

James confirms this with his tell-it-like-it-is-commentary on the tongue, "And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself" (James 3:6).

What a mouth full! I mean the tongue is a mouth full but, then again, so is James 3:6! The tongue, " . . . set on fire by hell itself!" Think about that. On Sundays we sing the praises of our God and Creator and the rest of the week we fire up the tongue and burn God's children to ashes. Walking Flame Throwers . . . that's what we can be if we're not very careful. "Burn 'em good!" can become the weekly battle-cry!

The more I read Proverbs, the more I realize the tongue is the bottom-line of most, if not all problems. With it, and man's sinful natures, robberies and other crimes are planned, people are cut down and cut up, God's name is used in vain and disrespect, filthy language and dirty jokes are thrown out to hearers of every age, lies are spread as well as rumors of every kind, arguments are started and often grow into physical struggles, violence, and sometimes death! People say we need gun control but I wonder how many walking wounded and dead we see everyday who are the victims of a weapon much more painful than guns . . . the talebearer's gossip.

If we want to see strife dwindle in our homes, communities, and churches there is a "sure-fire" (pardon the expression) solution--watch the tongue! Don't fuel the fire and fan the flame. Avoiding the flame throwers helps too. Don't get in their way and don't throw wood on their fires!

Stop throwing wood on the fire and the fire stops. Why? There's nothing to burn, we all know that. Now think about any talebearers you know. Every church has one (often more), families have them, businesses have a few, schools . . . they're everywhere. Proverbs says, "Don't provide the fuel." Gossips find plenty without our help so let's stop giving them wood. We've got to begin with ourselves. We must be the first to stop the flow! Gossips cannot pass on what they don't hear.

Fire in the fireplace is a good thing. It can warm a room, provide light, and make the whole house comfy and cozy, especially on those cold winter nights. It can also destroy the house and everything in it when allowed to burn out of control. Use it carelessly and people can die! It can absolutely consume anything or anybody, reputations or relationships, anything that stands in its way: " . . . the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do" (James 3:5a). It's dangerous when out of control. So is gossip.

"Gossip is one of the so-called 'little' sins that even Christians are often unable or unwilling to avoid. It is, to be sure, a common sin, but can it truly be called 'little'? Gossip can destroy reputations, disrupt families, divide neighbors, and cause widespread heartbreak, and all to no purpose except the satisfaction that some find in passing on idle and malicious tales" (William McElroy).

Can we really do it? Handle the tongue? Don't know but it's worth a try. "We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way" (James 3:2). Sounds like a battle well worth the fight.

Let's do it!

Purity.

"The Lord doesn't take us into deep water to drown us, but to develop us."

-Irv Heedstrom

"I believe in getting into hot water. I think it keeps you clean."

-G. K. Chesterton

"Troubles are often tools by which God fashions us for better things."

-Henry W. Beecher

"Jesus spoke more about trouble and crosses and persecution than He did about human happiness."

-W. T. Purkiser

"Remove the dross from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.

-Proverbs 25:4 NLT

"Take away the dross from silver, and it will go to the silversmith for jewelry."

-Proverbs 25:4 NKJV

Before we look at this Proverb it is important to know the definition of dross. The dictionary defines dross as, "something regarded as worthless, rubbish: foreign matter, dregs, mineral waste, in particular scum formed on the surface of molten metal." Dross, therefore is a scum composed of worthless rubbish and is an important part of the refining process.

"Remove the dross from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith."

As I understand it, when gold and silver are refined, both materials are fired to an exceedingly high temperature until they become a red-hot, molten, liquid form of metal. Some time during the heating process the dross (worthless rubbish) comes to the surface and is skimmed away. The refiner is then left with a pure metal with which he can create beautiful items of very high value.

Even steel, which is not as beautiful to look at, is refined by the same process to produce a material of high structural strength and integrity. Steel is that almost always unseen structural material making possible the towering skyscrapers in the big cities of the world. The beauty of steel is not in what you see but what it does. Steel is strong because its impurities have been removed by the incredible temperatures of the refining process.

Likewise, God refines his children to produce followers of high value and great strength. The secret, of course, is to remove all the dirt, crud, mud, and any other worthless rubbish that would make us impure, dirty, and weak.

But . . . before we can be refined, the heat must be turned up . . . way up. The apostle Peter said, "Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you" (4:12). According to this verse:

"Don't be surprised . . . " It should not be a shock.

" . . . at the fiery trials . . . " The fire will come. That verse does not say, "Don't be surprised if the fiery trials . . . " Get ready.

" . . . you are going through, . . . " God's plan is not to take us around, over, under, or above the fiery trials but straight through!

" . . . as if something strange were happening to you." Did you ever notice how we react when a fellow Christian goes through a fiery trial? Like Job's buddies the topic of our conversations will often center around the sin that must be causing this trial. Maybe sin is not the issue, perhaps it's just time for refining. I've often said, "Be careful if you ever ask God for patience. You'll end up teaching sixth grade boys!" That, my friend, is a refining process! It's not sin to teach those guys but it will make you a sharper, stronger teacher. It's not strange for God's children to be in fiery trials. In fact, the higher and hotter the flame, the cleaner and stronger the results.

So whether we are being refined to become a beautiful object of sparkling beauty or a strong object if hidden strength, the fire will come, the worthless rubbish will be burned away, and we will be turned over to the Master Craftsman to be formed into the selected object of his design.

By the way . . . the metal in the car above was not being refined for further use but the owner surely was! Are we ready to be refined?

Turn up the heat!

Honey!

"A wise man listening to a fool will learn more than a fool listening to a wise man."

-Nuggets

"Thinking well is wise, planning well is wiser, but doing well is wisest."

-Anonymous

"A word to the wise to the wise isn't as good as a word from the wise."

-Anonymous

"My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste."

-Proverbs 24:13 NLT

Honey, I have read, is one of the most powerful healing foods known to man. It is good for sore throats, frayed nerves, and a good night's sleep. It kills bacteria and may eliminate such things as salmonella, E. coli, and cholera. It's also an amazing natural sweetener.

I Googled "honey" and found this information in benefitsofhoney.com:

"The fact is, researchers are turning up more and more new evidence of honey's medical benefits in all directions. The benefits of honey don't just stop at satisfying the palate; honey also offers incredible antiseptic, antioxidant and cleansing properties of our body and health, hot beauty and skin care tips for ladies, and amazing healing properties."

The Bible uses honey to describe the Promised Land. "This is the land he (God) swore to give your ancestors--a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 13:5). Psalm 19:9-10 says, "The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to those who hear them; there is great reward for those who obey them."

God says honey is good stuff. If he said it's good, it's good. Eat the stuff! But he doesn't stop with the recommendation of honey; look at verse 14, "In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hope will not be cut short."

What honey is to our taste buds, wisdom is to our souls. Both, according to God, are sweet and healthy. Both offer incredible benefits. In order to test the offer, however, we must taste the offer. God does say, "If you find it . . . " He does not say when you find it but if. That means there will be many who will not find wisdom only to go through life experiencing the foolishness of life and all its failing fruits. So please don't forget, God has made an incredible offer in James 1:5, "If you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you to do--ask him and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking." Wisdom is a choice and all we must do is ask!

God also said, "If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hope will not be cut short." That's a promise from the Father. What a great promise it is!

I don't know if there is a benefitsofwisdom.com, but if there is I suppose it would look something like this:

"For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk in integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him.

"Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe" (Proverbs 2:6-11). And that's just the beginning! Read on, there's more!

There is a catch! Don't forget the warning from Psalm 19:11 above, "They (the laws of God) are a warning to those who hear them; there is great reward for those who obey them." The laws of the Lord (God's wisdom) are to be obeyed before we can experience all the incredible properties promised.

Honey is sweet, so is wisdom. Honey is sweet to the taste. Wisdom is sweet to the soul . . . and the future. Taste and see.

Sweet.

Wholehearted.

"Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make their dreams come true."

-Vince Papale, wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles 1976-1979.

"Getting what you want is only a problem if you have nowhere to go next. Dreaming is a lifetime occupation."

-Rudy Ruettiger

"Commit yourself to instruction; attune your ears to hear words of knowledge."

-Proverbs 23:12 NLT

"Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge."

-Proverbs 23:12 NKJV

Goals vary today and many people seek power, plenty, pleasure, and popularity. Folks want to be the best, brightest, biggest, and be able to let everybody else know about it. The instruction and knowledge of Almighty God is often not that important to most of the world today. God says we should commit, attune, and apply. Our goals should include, as a high priority, God's desire is that we will apply our hearts to instruction. It's that important! Proverbs 23:26 says, "O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes delight in my ways of wisdom." We should seek the wisdom, instruction, and knowledge of God with all our hearts. That means we should give it all we've got!

Coaches love it when a player plays with all his heart. I believe most coaches would take the players with heart over the players with talent. They look for the Rudy Ruettigers of Notre Dame and the Vince Papales of the Philadelphia Eagles. These are the kind of players who go into the battle wholeheartedly, come out bloodied and bruised, but stay and live out the dream.

Vince Papale, 30 years old, a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976-1979 was the oldest rookie in NFL history. He was a walk-on wannabe who was selected by Coach Dick Vermeil. When asked why Vermeil would select him over the hundreds of other wannabes. Papale answered, He saw, " . . . somebody who was hungry. In order to achieve anything, in order to get anywhere in life, you ought to be passionate about it. He saw the hunger and the passion, he saw the desire . . . ."

Vince was the inspiration for the Disney movie "Invincible" and is now a motivational speaker challenging students and adults to go for their dreams.

More than anything we must have hearts for God and his instruction. If our life goals and dreams are to be meaningful and eternal we've got to be passionate about them. We must put our hearts into them. We must give them all we've got. Whether our goals are football, music, business, medicine, missions, or any of thousands of other choices out there, we must go at them wholeheartedly.

That's what God wants us to do with his instruction and wisdom: Seek it with all your heart, be passionate about it, . . . hunger for it!

"Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink--even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk--it's all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Listen, and I will tell you where to get food for the soul" (Isaiah 55:1-2).

Let's get hungry for the instruction of God. Let's get passionate about him and his wisdom. There's nothing wrong with goals, desires, and dreams but make sure they are driven and guided by the instruction and wisdom of the Almighty God.

110%!

Names.

"A reputation may be repaired, but people always keep their eyes on the place where the crack was."

-Anonymous

"It takes a very short time to lose a good reputation but a long, long time to get another one."

-Muncie Evening Press

"No one raises his reputation by lowering others."

-Anonymous

"Choose a good reputation over great riches, for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold."

-Proverbs 22:1 NLT

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold."

-Proverbs 22:1 NKJV

What's in a name? Is it just a tag given to us by mom and dad? Is it something to be put on the refrigerator list of daily chores? Is it an aid to help teachers know who got the A in algebra? Maybe it's combined with a Social Security Number for use by the IRS.

When a person asks, "Who is that?" the response is usually a name. A name, however, really does not identify the whole person. Names do not give value or reputation to a person; a person gives value and reputation to a name.

Suppose I mention a few names. The first thing that comes to your mind will be their reputations. Give it a try:

Judas

Benedict Arnold

Solomon

Saddam Hussein

Billy Graham

Adolf Hitler

Madonna

Britney Spears

Walt Disney

What you read are names. What you thought are reputations. You can divide (I'm sure you already did.) the list above into two groups: Good reputations and bad reputations. Did the names make the people good or bad or did the people make the names good or bad? We know, the people made the names.

Have you ever met a child named Judas? Probably not! You don't meet many, if any, Benedicts and Adolfs either. Why? Because those names carry bad reputations.

A good name! A good reputation! You'll have a hard time having one without the other. So to choose a good reputation is to make a name good. We can't do much about our names, they've been chosen at or before birth. We can, however, choose a reputation that will honor the name.

At the National Civil War POW Cemetery in Andersonville, Georgia you will find the tombstones of 12,000 soldiers. Most of these died while imprisoned at the stockade in Andersonville. Six tombstones stand together in the cemetery, kept separate from the others. These tombstones mark the graves of six prisoners who cruelly took advantage of their fellow prisoners by beating, robbing, and even killing. When tried by a jury of their fellow prisoners, the Raiders as they were known, were found guilty and hanged on a gallows inside the prison the next day. Their names are probably not much different than the others who died there but their reputations are worlds apart.

The six names? Cary Sullivan, William Collins, Charles F. Curtis, John Sarsfield, Patrick Delaney, and A. Muir. These men left behind reputations as traitors, thieves, murderers, and thugs. They were executed, given dishonorable discharges, and brought shame on themselves and their families. On special patriotic holidays when small American flags are placed at every one of the 12,000 graves at the cemetery, security guards are posted by the graves of the six traitors to be certain the flag of the United States of America is not placed at or near their tombstones. These men chose riches for themselves over the well-being of the other prisoners. They had their great riches, for a short time. They harvested ruined lives, ruined reputations, and ruined names . . . even today, over 140 years after their executions.

"Choose a good reputation over great riches, for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold." Our riches will one day belong to another. Our names, our reputations, will always belong to us.

What's in a name? Lots!

Shhhhhhh!

"When one will not, two cannot quarrel."

-Anonymous

"In an argument the best weapon is to hold your tongue."

-Anonymous

"People who know the least always argue the most."

-Anonymous

"If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble."

-Proverbs 21:23 NLT

"Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles."

-Proverbs 21:23 NKJV

Here we go again!

If there's an overriding message in Proverbs, it's "Keep your mouth shut!" Literally! God keeps pounding this subject into our sometimes thick skulls. It must be extremely important.

The title of Proverbs itself suggest that few words are better than many. From what I understand, the word Proverbs comes from two Latin words, pro and verba, meaning "instead of many words." Hmmm! Sounds like some excellent scriptural advice to me.

I remember a classmate in my high school and remember him mostly for two things: He was always "mouthing off" and he was always getting beat up. He would get off the school bus and have to run home or get beat up at the bus stop. Sometimes he got caught! I often thought, "Why doesn't he just keep his mouth shut?" Life would have been a whole lot easier for him and he would have better memories of his high school years. If he's still alive today (and I doubt it) he's probably still beaten up from time to time. If he's dead, I can see his tombstone now:

Here he lies

In his coffin

Opened his mouth

Once too often!

People actually do get killed for things they say! Plus, those who possess loose tongues also harvest bountiful crops of enemies, anger, strife, alienation, bitterness, road rage, and the list goes on and on. When God authored, "If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble." he was giving strong and accurate advice for his children.

If we didn't talk as much we would most likely listen much more. Have you ever been with a person who has an answer for everything? Or at least a comment? Even when they are not the person being asked they still have the answer!

If we didn't talk as much we would certainly learn more. It's amazing what we learn when we listen. Sometimes when we talk too much it only reveals what we don't know.

If we didn't talk as much we'd have more friends. I have some great friends with whom I can be silent. We communicate without words. Why is it we think we have to fill our fellowship and friendship time with words to make it more valuable?

If we didn't talk as much we would better know the heart of God. Remember Elijah back in 1 Kings 19? He had just toasted the beef with a fiery demonstration on Mount Carmal, killed the prophets of Baal, prayed down rain, and outran Ahab's chariot back to Jezreel. In verse 3, after all God had done, "Elijah was afraid . . . " Elijah attended his own pity party and did a forty day trip to Mount Sinai to meet with God.

"And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave" (1 Kings 19:11-13).

God often whispers but we don't hear him because we are so busy talking. Listen . . . listen . . . listen. We must learn to sneak away and hide out in the quiet places so we can hear the gentle whispers of God.

Last but not least, if we didn't talk as much we'd certainly have fewer problems. What a great and easy solution to avoid trouble: Keep your mouth shut. So simple!

Some wise advice about our talk (or lack of it) for today:

1. Think twice before speaking once!

2. If you can't write it on paper and sign it, don't say it!

3. Thinking about what you want to say, ask yourself, "Is it kind, is it necessary, is it true?" If you cannot honestly answer yes to all three questions, don't say it. Sometimes, even if all three answers are yes, it shouldn't be said. Go back to number 1.

Remember . . . Your walk talks and your talk talks but your walk talks more than your talk talks!

Walking is healthier too.

Just hush!

Alcohol.

"Alcoholic joys are brief--the results are lasting."

-Anonymous

"There's nothing more stubborn than a drunkard trying to convince you he isn't."

-Anonymous

"Alcohol is used by a majority of the adult population and creates more problems than all other drugs combined."

-Robert Elliot

"Wine produces mockers; liquor leads to brawls. Whoever is led astray by drink cannot be wise."

-Proverbs 20:1 NLT

I grew up in a home where the refrigerator always contained a plentiful supply of alcohol: wine, whiskey, and beer. Mom and dad drank every day. It was not unusual for me to see my dad drinking beer at breakfast time and he always drank when he was home in the evenings watching TV. There were some evening when dad didn't make it home and mom, my brothers and I would go to York to find him in a bar and remind him it was time to go home.

Fortunately, when dad was drunk he was a mild-mannered gentleman who would literally give you the shirt off of his back. I never saw mom drunk but she did drink on a regular basis.

Yes, I am familiar with alcohol.

As I said, mom and dad drank on a regular basis.

My dad rolled his pick-up truck three times while drunk and walked about three miles home with a few bruised ribs.

Any time my brothers or I had a toothache or sore in our mouths, the remedy was to hold a mouthful of whiskey until the pain was gone. Believe me, after a few minutes, someone could have amputated my leg without so much as a whimper! And I didn't even swallow the stuff!

There were nights when my brothers and I would fall asleep in tears listening to mom and dad argue while drinking. During those times I would hear, "@#*x* Glenn, if it weren't for the boys I'd leave you." Then a door would slam. Thankfully, mom never left and in the morning all was well again.

My younger brother, Terry was killed instantly when a drunk driver hit him head-on driving 75 miles an hour on the wrong side of the road. The speed limit was 35. The drunk ran away.

My cardiologist and his ten-year-old son were killed by a drunk driver.

My niece's boyfriend was stabbed to death coming out of a bar in Atlanta. " . . . liquor leads to brawls." In this case, death, pain, and all the grief of going through a trial.

Get the picture? I have had the influence of alcohol on my life. However, I have never had the influence of alcohol in my life. I never drank. I decided, because of how things were in my home, three things would never happen in mine: I would never drink and alcohol would never be in my home, I would never smoke, and I would never use God's name in vain. I made these choices as a lost, unchurched child because I did not want those things in the lives of my kids.

Now I know you'll think I'm crazy but if I could live my life over again there is absolutely no question who I would have for my mom and dad next time: Glenn Brenneman Shettel and Romaine Louella Shettel. That's right! The same parents. There was one thing in our home that was far greater than alcohol, cigarette smoke, and cursing: the love of my mom and dad for their three boys. So in spite of the influence of alcohol, cigarettes, and cursing, I had the greatest parents I could ever have because of their love and almost constant encouragement. I also knew that mom and dad loved one another. Someone said, "The greatest gift a dad can give his kids is to love their mother." Dad did that. Thanks dad.

Some kids aren't as fortunate. The alcohol in their homes leads them to drink like mom and dad. It may cause fights, cruelty, poverty, pain, and even death. Proverbs 20:1b says, "Whoever is led astray by drink cannot be wise." Those who do not drink are wise; those who drink are unwise or foolish.

Take a look at the comparison in Ephesians 5:18, "Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you." Why do you suppose being drunk was the chosen comparison for this verse? Because a drunk does things he normally doesn't do, goes places he normally doesn't go, and says things he normally doesn't say. If we want to be drunk then God says get filled with his Holy Spirit! Why? Because then we will do things we normally wouldn't do, we'll go places we normally wouldn't go, and we'll say things we normally wouldn't say, and without a stagger and a slur! We would do godly things we normally wouldn't do!

Whenever we choose to believe and obey the Scriptures, we choose also to be led through life by God's wisdom. Sure beats the alternative route offered by alcohol. It's a choice again: Foolishness or wisdom. And wisdom comes without a hangover and all that other painful baggage.

Choices.

"Few people make a deliberate choice between good and evil; the choice is usually between what we want to do and what we ought to do."

-Anonymous

" God gives man a will, but man must make the choices."

-Anonymous

"Almost everybody knows the difference between right and wrong, but some hate to make decisions."

-Anonymous

"The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the Lord."

-Proverbs 19:3 NKJV

"People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord."

-Proverbs 19:3 NLT

It seems to me that people love to point the finger but always at somebody else. In many cases, the finger is pointed toward God. "People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord" (Proverbs 19:3) There's something in our society today that says, "It's not my fault. Blame somebody else." Why is it that we seldom hear, "It's my fault. I made a bad choice. I did it."

I don't understand how people can continually make one bad choice after another and when things fall apart (and they do fall apart) it's always God's fault. "Why did God do this? Why did God not stop this? Why did God let this happen? Why did God . . . ?"

When we give serious thought to what's happening in this world, everything comes down to one word: Choices. We are, as individuals, the sum total of all the choices we've ever made. Face it! Let's quit blaming God. Even when somebody else's bad choices affect us we still have a choice to make!

God really does have a super plan for each of us. I don't believe we can comprehend it all but he has it nonetheless and wants us to get in on it. He will not, however, force his plan on us. That would be a divine dictatorship and we serve a gracious God. God doesn't want puppets he desire disciples . . . followers who choose to do so! Unfortunately, there are those who claim to be followers of Jesus who still want to live by their own plans and rules. Proverbs says they " . . . live by their own foolishness . . . " Choices without the wisdom of God are foolish choices. In order for us to follow wisely we must choose wisely. In order for us to choose wisely we must seek the God of wisdom who freely gives his wisdom. "If you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you to do--ask him and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking" (James 1:5). God wants to share his wisdom, his thoughts, his advice, and his heart with us everyday and for every choice! Without his wisdom we won't even begin to understand his ways for us.

In Isaiah 55:6-9 we read, "Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the people turn from their wicked deeds. Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

"'My thoughts are completely different from yours,' says the Lord. 'And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.'"

We don't even think on the same level as our God! He wants us to take his advice and he wants us to make wise choices but we would rather live by our own foolishness and abandon his wisdom. Then when our foolish choices produce ruined lives it's time to point the finger . . . God did it! We, with our history of stupid choices, blame the Almighty and his eternal wisdom for the fruits of our foolish choices. Thats just another dumb choice!

"Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to be his teacher or counselor? Has the Lord ever needed anyone's advice? Does he need instruction about what is good and bad" (Isaiah 40:13-14)? Do we really think we are in a position to tell God he blew it because we made bad choices? C'mon. When we think like that we're not thinking!

When bad things happen because of our bad choices and we start blaming God, first we should ask ourselves some very personal questions:

"Was this the result of a wise choice?"

"Did I (we) even consider asking God for wisdom about this?"

"Did this choice honor God?"

"Was I somewhere I should not have been?"

"Was I doing something I should not have been doing?"

"Why am I blaming God when I know I made a foolish choice?"

"Do I really care about God's choices?"

Bad things do happen to good people all the time. God never promised to keep us out of bad experiences but he did promise to deliver us through them. What this verse is referring to is not bad things happening to good people but bad things happening to foolish people because they make bad choices. God's desire is that we make wise choices based entirely on his Word and his wisdom, what we ought to do not what we want to do.

"So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do" (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Choose wisely!

Rumors.

"Trying to squash a rumor is like trying to unring a bell."

-Shana Alexander

"Why is it so much easier to believe something bad than something good?"

-Beryl Pfizer

"There is no such thing as an 'idle' rumor. Rumors are always busy."

-F. G. Kernan

"What dainty morsels rumors are--but they sink deep into one's heart."

-Proverbs 18:8 NLT

There are twenty-four verses in Proverbs 18 and thirteen of those verses have to do with the way we talk. I'm wondering if we'll ever get away from this subject as we travel through Proverbs. Do you suppose God had something specific in mind as he authored Proverbs? Could be!

Whenever I hear the word rumor I immediately think about a pastor in a small town in windy North Dakota. One particular day he discovered that the town gossip was a faithful member of his church, served on the mission board, and even sang soprano in the church choir. It became obvious as another of his members, who was being victimized by the brutal tongue of this woman, sat in his office in tears. The pastor counseled, prayed, and tried his best to offer positive encouragement.

Later that day, the pastor did what he knew had to be done. He met and spoke at length with the town gossip, prayed with her, and arranged for a meeting later in the afternoon. The meeting was a strange one indeed--the gossip was to meet the pastor in the town square and she was to bring with her . . . one feather pillow. And she did.

As the two met in the square the pastor had only one request of the gossip. She was to take the pillow, rip it open, and shake the contents into the North Dakota wind. Confused, but obedient, the gossip did as requested only to see a whirlwind of feathers soar upward and then fall as snow all over the small town.

The pastor then said, "That's the first half of my request. Meet me here tomorrow afternoon for the second half."

The following day the pastor met the gossip, handed her the pillow cover she had emptied the previous afternoon and told her, "Now pick up all the feathers and put them back in your pillow."

The gossip, partly shocked but already seeing the lesson she so desperately needed said, "Pastor, I cannot do that. They've gone all over town, into houses and shops, from the sidewalks to the treetops, I'll never get them all back again." And she was absolutely right. She wept for she knew her words and rumors carelessly tossed about like those feathers in the wind could never be retrieved. Like those feathers, her gossip and hateful rumors would only disappear with time. Still, there would always be reminders as an occasional feather would float by.

Advice from Psalm 34:12-13, "Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good? Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from telling lies!"

We can take back the words but we can't take back the wounds.

Ouch!

Silence.

"A bit of advice: Say nothing often."

-Anonymous

"If there is a substitute for brains it has to be silence."

-Anonymous

"Often people who think before they speak don't speak."

-Anonymous

"You can always tell a wise man by the things he does not say."

-Anonymous

"Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent."

-Proverbs 17:28 NLT

Remember the quote, "It's better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." Good quote. Sometimes it's better for a person to be quiet! There are a lot of verses in Proverbs about our talk and our tongues. Our talk is very important to God. What comes out of our mouths is evidence of what's hidden in our hearts.

Have you ever said something you wished you could take back? Doesn't work, does it? Remember the last time you opened your mouth, inserted your foot, and chewed vigorously? Then you wished you had kept quiet. Or what about a time you started speaking before you started thinking? You apologized afterwards but the words were still there.

My favorite verbal confrontation in the Bible is in the book of Job. It's a conversation between Job and God but Job is being wise: He is listening. He is silent. In chapter 38, God drops his first of a tactical volley of questions on Job, "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them" (Job 38:2-3). After two chapter of intense questioning, God lowers the boom again, asking Job, "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers" (Job 40:1)?

Job's response to the Almighty, "I am nothing--how could I ever find the answers? I will put my hand over my mouth in silence. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say" (Job 40:4-5).

After two more grueling chapters of questioning, Job responds to Almighty God, "I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You may ask, 'Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?' It is I. And I was talking about things I did not understand, things far too wonderful for me.

"You said, 'Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.'

"I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance" (Job 42:2-6).

I get the feeling here that Job was wishing, somewhere in this conversation, he had never opened his mouth. Looking at Job's responses we can learn what to do if we've let our ignorance slip:

A hand over the mouth may cover an outpouring of unnecessary gossip, hurt, and unlimited ignorance! Job said, "I will put my hand over my mouth in silence." Not a bad idea. When we begin to talk, talk, talk, perhaps we should take one hand and place it firmly over the mouth. Duct tape works as well!

Job was talking about things he did not understand. According to his confession, " . . . I was talking about things I did not understand . . . ." We, like Job, can get ourselves into big trouble when we talk about things we do not understand. When we don't understand, don't argue, it's best to remain silent.

Job was also talking about things he knew nothing about. Not only did he not understand, he just had no clue at all. I'm not sure what all was discussed but Job failed the quiz with an F-.

When we don't know what we're talking about we certainly should remain silent.

Job saw God with his own eyes and realized what he had to say was not all that important. Often what we have to say is simply not important. Some people talk just to be heard. They really have nothing to say but they must talk. We must be reminded that sometimes the best thing we can contribute to a discussion is silence. Why take up time when there are important things to say. I believe one of the reasons silent people are seen as intelligent is because their silence allows them to be good listeners and good listeners are good learners.

Job had to be reminded, "Listen!" We need that reminder often. It's real hard to listen when we're talking. Somebody said, "We have one mouth and two ears, maybe we should talk only half as much as we listen!"

Finally, Job took back everything he had said and repented. When we say things we should not, we need to repent. Lots of what we say is sin. Sin requires repentance if we are to be in right standing with the Father. Job was so distraught that he even did the dust and ashes of repentance. He was so displeased with his actions and his sin that he wanted to be humbled in God's sight. His repentance was real. We need real repentance when we confess the sins of the tongue, not just mouth-service.

That's a challenge and it's all talk-related. I'm not sure of the entire discussion or the intentions of Job's heart as he spoke. I do know that God thought highly of Job (Job 1:8) and Job was very disappointed when he displeased the heart of the Father. Maybe he should have taken his own advice, that which he gave his friend Zophar, "Please be quiet! That's the smartest thing you could do" (Job 13:5).

If you don't say it, you won't have to unsay it!

Listen.