September 21-25, 2009

Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. Proverbs 17:24 NLT

As we continue on the path of wisdom through the Proverbs, we might find ourselves saying, “Haven’t we been here before?” Sometimes we pass things that look much like what we’ve already seen, and other times we find ourselves looking at the same thing from a different position. On Thursday we are given thirty focal points that will lead us to wisdom’s gate. I am convinced that if we started our journey with this list, making each one of them a lead point, we would find that all of the proverbs would relate to one or the other.

Exercising along the way is healthy so let me give you an exercise to do. Take each one of the thirty points and try to boil it down to a simple statement. Let me give you my condensed version of the first five. You may choose to do them differently, but it will give you an idea of the goal.

1. Have compassion for the poor and needy.
2. Don’t befriend angry people.
3. Don’t take on someone else’s debt.
4. Respect other people’s property.
5. Hard work will be rewarded.

Try to find the heart of the topic, and not merely paraphrase the verse. You may even want to shift your schedule around and begin your week with this particular trail. Then observe as you go through the rest of the week and see where the other proverbs fall. It’s kind of like the game you play when you are on a long road trip with the kids. “Okay kids, how many green cars can we see?”

Three times this week we will hear God’s warning against false scales. I had always applied this to business vendors. I want to be sure I get a pound of bologna when we stop for our lunches, and not ¾ of a pound! But I believe there is a greater message for us, than for the butcher. It is so easy to use double standards when we weigh out each other’s lives and actions. I want to weigh worth by your actions, but place my deeds on the scales of my intentions. DOUBLE STANDARDS!

I wonder how many other proverbs we miss because we look at the obvious and fail to comprehend the riddle it contains! I don’t think you are too young or too old to receive wise counsel and get good direction from this amazing Proverbs pathway.

SONG OF ALL SONGS
On Friday, be sure you dress up. We’re going to the theater! We will conclude out week by watching the beginning of the most beautiful drama ever written, The Song of Solomon. What an amazing love story. Let me give you the program so you can follow along.
Act I – Young Love (chapters 1-2)
The scene opens with the young maiden giddy with love. Although she is a bit self-conscious and struggles a bit with insecurity, she knows she loves this man with all her heart. His desire for a secret meeting brings about quite an adventure!

Act II – The Garden of Love (chapters 3-6)
Through Act II we watch their love grow and blossom. All seems to be going so well until he introduces her to others. She becomes withdrawn. She still loves him, but has closed the door on him. His gentle pursuit turns the romance around.

Act III – Everlasting Love (chapters 7-8)
Weddings are special and this one is amazing! I can’t wait for us to get there!!!

What a great week we have ahead of us! Put on your 3-D glasses and keep your eyes open for the hidden wonders along the journey. There is so much to see!