The View From Ninety-Two

(Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 NIV)
[12] I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good good while they live. [13] That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil --- this is the gift of God.

* Could it be that Mick 'n The Boys have been looking in the wrong direction all this time?? If that didn't make sense, don't spend a lot of time thinking about it! :)

When asked about our weekend, most of us respond with how busy we were ... rushing here and there, and being glad to be back at work to take a rest! And if we do have a slow weekend, we're somehow less excited about admitting, "I just hung around the house and took it easy." (Opinions/observations from a recovering work-a-holic!!)

Interestingly, one of the wisest, wealthiest, most powerful people that's ever lived "boiled-down" true satisfaction to living what most of us mock/parody ... a simple life. King Solomon confidently wrote this "simple life is best" sentiment over and over in Ecclesiastes. Though he'd truly "been there, done that," he continually states that if a man finds peace with his station in life and enjoys what he has, he's truly reached the pinnacle ... regardless of socio-economic position.

This always brings me to a "fork" in the road. Do I take Solomon's comments as insulting ("how does some rich guy get off telling me 'blah, blah, blah'!?") and decide I'm gonna prove him wrong by embarking on my own endless pursuit of wealth/fame/stuff? Or do I step back, once again re-align my view of true gifts, and thank God for working in my life ... bringing peace where it counts.

Proverbs 20:3 NIV
It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

* Everyone is born foolish (Proverbs 22:15), therefore, exiting the womb is the only requirement for "picking a fight." But, since life is full of strife (John 16:33), it appears that this piece of Scripture is making reference toward being the cause of strife ... or "throwing gas" on existing tensions. As much as it depends upon him, the man of godly character does what he can to live in peace with everyone (James 1:19-20) ... though that doesn't mean putting aside what is right in order to keep "peace."

Where do I need to begin avoiding strife?---that's the question! The answer: probably at work, since I spend most of my waking hours there.

1 John 2:3-6 NIV
[3] We know we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. [4] The man who says, "I know Him," but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. [5] But if anyone obeys His word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: [6] whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.

* Faith, of any kind, produces actions. For example, faith in relativism produces complete selfishness. Actions are the indicator of what I truly believe, therefore, the Christian faith that I claim can be measured by my obedience to God's ways ... by comparing my walk to Jesus' walk. If my walk looks little like that of Christ's, then it follows that I really know little of Him ... at least anything beyond words.

Along with this is God's grace, illustrated in 1 John 2:1-2.

Proverbs 15:30 NIV
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart ....

This is one way that I can "Benefit Others" (the second half of my personal mission statement). Just be kind. Though, sometimes, this is much easier said than done.

[11] ... count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. [12] Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. [13] Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him, as instruments of righteousness.

* Effort is necessary to resist sin. Why is that?? Because sin appeals to human desire. So if it feels good, why not do it?? Just because God said so?? Well, yeah. BUT, additionally, I personally benefit if I choose the path of righteousness. It's about delayed gratification. In general, as a true Christian (not just a church-goer), God has forgiven me of all my wrongs ... truly setting me free. But He's has also set guidelines ... and, anyway, not everything is beneficial!! How is it beneficial for me to become addicted to anything?? Caffeine, cocaine, beer, TV sitcoms, music ... or anything that I just gotta have in order to sustain my life, besides God. True freedom is being able to walk this life free of the pull of things ... not indulging in everything that crosses the radar.

Speaking from experience, living to please myself eventually brings destruction, while living to please God brings life and peace ... in spite of my immediate circumstances.

The Boy has his first teeth coming through (the lower front two) ... WOW!! They haven't "broken through" yet ... but we can see 'em, and Sara has conducted the scientific "finger chomp" test to confirm our observations. :) The little boy is growing up!!

[5] "Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

My thoughts: Could it be that God will satisfy my desires with things that contradict my desires??

It's been my routine for the last few months to walk after supper (either outside or on our treadmill), but a few nights ago, I was just kind of exhausted from my day and just didn't feel like doing it. I was more interested in "veging out." For various reasons, I decided to get on the treadmill in spite of how I felt. What I experienced was that my "youth" certainly was "renewed like the eagle's." Exercise was exactly what I needed even though it was contradictory to my desires of veging out.

Since God's ways are not our ways, how often do I miss His attempts to satisfy my desires with good things that I just don't recognize?? Hmmmmm ... worth thinking about.

Just thought this was an interesting picture of an altimeter. Its a gauge to let you know whether your flying too low or too high or just right. At the very minimum, its a feedback device to let you know where you're at ... if you're on course from a vertical sense.

[1] My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands withing you .....

My Thoughts: I've got the choice to accept or reject the Word. Beyond that, I've also got the choice to accept the Word at a casual level, OR really treasure it and build a "storehouse" for it in my heart.

[2] turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding ....

My Thoughts: It occurs to me, once again, that wisdom doesn't just fall into my lap (although arrogance and pridefulness seem to!!). To acquire wisdom is just that ... an acquisition! True wisdom comes only through deliberate pursuit ... and God's grace.

[3] and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, [4] and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as hidden treasure .....

My Thoughts: Only when I've been truly interested in something (deeply interested), have I put forth the effort to "call out for insight" or "search for it as hidden treasure." Do I begin to understand the powerful gift/privelege that I've been given? By my actions, I have to admit, "not nearly enough!"

[5] then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

My Thoughts: yet another faithful promise of God. Is it easy to get this? No! It requires a commitment. Jesus was recorded in Matthew's gospel as saying to not throw pearls before swine. I believe He stays truth to his own "advice" and doesn't just casually give away knowledge with commitment. And even if He does, without my knowing Him, the knowledge and understanding He sends is kind of 2-D at best. Reminds me of knowing facts about someone vs. knowing them.

[6] For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

My Thoughts: Plainly nad simply stated: God is the owner of knowledge and understanding ... wisdom. Worldly wisdom is based mostly on what is relevant to the culture of today ... our own experiences ... quite possibly just our own arrogance. Could it be that the degree to which I balk/bristle to God's Word is proportionate to how entrenched I am into the worldly system of thought??