Wisdom for your life

Photo by: Alex CB

As part of my latest habit in reading the Bible to help shape my spirituality, I read Proverbs 29 today. I find it so helpful in my interactions with people. The Bible is practical and especially helpful in interpersonal relationships.

One verse that caught my attention as I read the chapter is:

"The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted (verse 25)."

I find it challenging to battle what people think of me. In my case, what people thinks matters. In fact, this verse offers a great insight to how I feel sometimes--what others think is a snare. I feel ensnared by what others think.

I was having lunch with one of the other pastors at Subway and a gaggle of girls were in a booth near us and burst out laughing loudly. It crossed my mind that they might be laughing at me. But as I thought about it, they most likely weren't laughing at me, but it crossed me mind. How self-centered am I?

It is true that I can ensnare myself with what other people may think. But the remedy for me is found in the second part of the verse. I can trust in the Lord so that I can be exalted, out of the snare's reach and live beyond what others may think. In fact, I can live above it. So when another crowd explodes with laughter near me, then I will reaffirm the truth that I can trust in God despite my battle with what others think. He can be trusted with my feelings and He will lift me above and beyond that snare for my life.

I wonder if any of you ever feel the same thing or if this is something that doesn't phase you at all. Please stop and make a comment. More wisdom for your life later.

3 Doors Down

3 Doors Down
The song "It's not my time" is a great song. I like the lyrics and the music.

The song is a story of the contemplation of what may be beyond death, but the songwriter declares that its not my time to go yet. i know that it's not my time because I am typing these words. But someday I'll face the end of my life. I know that there is more than us.

"There might be more than you and me, There might be more than you can see..." The lyrics reveal a search for living life now. In the video, the person has a premoniton of a terrible accident. So the man sprints to the aid of a woman and her child who will be broad-sided by a delivery semi-truck--So the protagonist crosses the city, over obstacles, across concrete chasms, his feet fly, fleeting, flying higher, somersaulting, and running at break-neck speed to stop the terribe accident from happening. He stops at nothing--runs through crowds, over guardrails, over hand rails, and eventually jumps in the way of the terrible accident.

Jesus said, "I have come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:19)."

A fully devoted follower of Jesus said this about God, "(God) is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (II Peter 2:9)."

"All this time I've just been to blind to understand What should matter to me My friend, this life we live Is not what we have, it's what we believe..."

The lyrics are seeking what to believe in. I believe in Jesus. He is the life that I live. I believe and all of life matters to me right now.

"It won't be too long and I'll be going under Can you save me from this It's
not my time,"

The song-writer can be saved. It's not just a one-time experience, but a lifelong journey. The Bible says, "continue to work out your salvation (Philippians 2:12)." Your journey of salvation is a series of events wove together within real life circumstances. Anyone can be saved--"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household (Acts 16:31)." The moment of salvation is the starting point of a road less traveled, a narrow road diverting from the highway into the wild of adventure, unknown highs and lows, all with the guarantee that in the end--you have chosen wisely the narrow path.

Play is Good

In an article in the NY Times (Feb 17, 2008), Robin Marantz Henig writes about the need for play in anyone's life. Her article entitled, "Take Play Seriously," offers a great overview of play. I know in my own life. I need play. I need a break from my tasks and appointments. I need physical movement even as an adult. So take a half-hour and go play today.

Henig concludes her article with these thought-provoking words, "children would suffer if free play really does turn out to be a thing of the past. It seems almost ludicrous to ask such a question. Of course play is good for something; it is the essence of good. Watch children at play, and the benefits are so obvious: just look at those ecstatic faces, just listen to those joyful squeals. Stuart Brown (president of the National Institute for Play) alluded to it in his library talk last month. ‘‘Look at life without play, and it’s not much of a life,’’ he told the audience. ‘‘If you think of all the things we do that are play related and erase those, it’s pretty hard to keep going.’’ Without play, he said, ‘‘there’s a sense of dullness, lassitude and pessimism, which doesn’t work well in the world we live in.’’

In the end, it comes down to a matter of trade-offs. There are only six hours in a school day, only another six or so till bedtime, and adults are forever trying to cram those hours with activities that are productive, educational and (almost as an afterthought) fun. Animal findings about how play influences brain growth suggest that playing, though it might look silly and purposeless, warrants a place in every child’s day. Not too overblown a place, not too sanctimonious a place, but a place that embraces all styles of play and that recognizes play as every bit as essential to healthful neurological development as test-taking drills, Spanish lessons or Suzuki violin.

I wonder what you think about play in your life? The Bible says, "There is an appointed time for everything. and there is a time for every event under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1)." So there is a time for play. So get up off your couch, chair, or seat and go play. It is good for you.

I play with my children. With my boys, I am the designated goalie for indoor hockey. For my girls, I am the "horsey." Both forms of play really wear me out. But I love it. Yeah, even when my knees hurt or when my shirt is sweaty, I enjoy playing with me children. I need to play. So do you.