FINDING AND KEEPING THE WAY

God has many ways to teach us. We should read the Bible as our primary source but we also should seek instruction from other godly people.  We should attempt to achieve a right understanding in line with God's principles.  Thereby we can become a means of changing ourselves and others who want to be Godly.  Then we can be a source for our children.

Yet we have to be aware of wrong thinkers, those whose thinking does not match the moral principles taught in the Bible.  Then we can identify and avoid, and perhaps fight, false teaching.  It may be we could help such to change to a godly way.  But if they won't change we should avoid them and take steps to protect the innocent if necessary.

LANGUAGE FRUSTRATION

OVERUSED WORDS:

“Like” when used as a verbal pause as in “uh”, “err”, or other unnecessary noises people make when communicating.

“Not a problem” when you mean “you are welcome”.

“I love . . .” when you really mean you “like” or “admire” or “appreciate”. You would actually love (have a strong emotional attachment for) your spouse, children, country, etc. You do not “love” the way a room is decorated.

“Absolutely” Very few things are absolute.

“So” when it's used at the beginning of response: “So, the answer to that is . . . “, “So, when he went . . .”.

“Actually” Actually, there is very little need to use this word except to emphasize a contrast, which actually is rare.

"Utilize" I don't see why this word exists. It's enough to say I "use" something, I made "use" of something. For example: "I waste my time utilizing Facebook." I "use" Facebook; I don't "utilize" Facebook. Utilizing that word does not make you appear smarter.

DOING IT OUR WAY

Initially God wanted the people of his creation to be self-governing. He wanted each of them to know right from wrong and to act responsibly. He gave them his law through Moses and set up judges to interpret the law for them. But (as men do) the judges (who by then were Samuel's sons) started to become selfish and act badly. The people said to Samuel:

". . . Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now MAKE US A KING to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but THEY HAVE REJECTED ME, that I should not reign over them. (1Sam 8:5-7) (emphasis mine)

When people sought for a king God was displeased with them. They wanted someone to take responsibility for doing the work of governing. They did not want the responsibility for themselves. They wanted to point to the government for the common security and the common provision, they did not want to bother with it themselves. If there was lawlessness, it would be the king's fault; if there was general immorality, it would be the king's fault. The king would pay for their health care and for their education. The king would be responsible for their material health.

Thus we have a general sin: “Let the government do this or that for me . . .” But God wants everyone to obey his law personally within himself. Every man is to know what God's law is, and every man should keep God's law. But people do not want God, they want a king. They want the government (God, parents) to do something for them, yet in other things they want complete power; they do not want outside interference when they are “doing their own thing”.

Every man is responsible for his own actions and thoughts. Every man is responsible himself to administer his actions. Every man must govern himself.

In contrast there is another sin: that of Satin wanting to be God, to be the creator, to be the standard setter, to decide for himself what he shall do and shall not do.

WHAT DO WE DO TO TRAIN OUR CHILDREN SPIRITUALLY?

We do the formal things people usually associate with spiritual people: We read devotions, hopefully directly from the Bible, but at least from a devotional book that uses the Bible as a direct source. We Pray for guidance, protection and provision from God and for the well being of others. We "Talk of these things while [we walk] in the way", we speak using the concepts we have learned from the Scriptures.

It's very important to be spiritual by example. What does it mean to be Spiritual, how do we know if someone is spiritual? We see what such people teach, they do good work, they witness (they tell others of the existence and providence of God and specially of Jesus.) They care for others. They seek God by: reading the Bible, praying, having fellowship with other believers.

We train our children by telling them what good character is. To demonstrate to us they have learned we make them tell us what a good character is. We make them actually show good character. We encourage them to do good works by telling them what good works are and by doing good works ourselves.

We endeavor to be good examples because:  what we talk about and do, the children hear and see. We let them see by letting the Bible show us (how do you know what the standards are unless you read them?)   We let the Church show us and let others show us.

THE HEALTHFUL MOUTH

(Proverbs 10:32) “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.” The righteous shows consideration; he knows what is acceptable because he has studied the other person and knows something of their state and knows how different words would effect him. The wicked also knows of the other but speaks away from the appropriate answer (FROward = away from). So the wicked shows hurtful consideration, the desire to oppose.

(v11) “the mouth of a righteous man is a well of life, but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.” A well in an opening from which something must be drawn out. What good is inside the righteous must be drawn out, he is not quick with his answers. The answers are healthful, as water is healthful. If there is any healthful thing within the wicked, it is inaccessible because the well is covered. Obvious to all is the violence that covers his mouth. It is always on top, always presenting to people.

Lord help me, give me the grace to be a healthful speaker on behalf of others. Please do not let me do damage and violence with my mouth.

JUDGEMENT

(Psalm 9:7) “But the Lord shall endure forever: he hath prepared this throne for judgment.”

I wonder, if man were not sinful, would God not have to set up his throne for judgment? His throne would be for ruling, but it would not have to be for discovering and pronouncing punishment of the wicked. But since there are the wicked, God is preparing his throne for a time when they will be brought to account for their transgression of God's will. God will outlast any hope of the wicked for covering up, or justifying, or getting past their wicked deeds (hoping the deeds will be forgotten). From the time a wicked act is performed God's judgment throne is ready to pronounce a punishment for that act. The time in court will come.

Let us not forget judgment of wrong doing is not only for the wicked: (v18) “For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.” Since vengeance is from the Lord, the downcast will also have their day in court. There will also be recognition of those who have repented.

NOT ALL ROCK-AND-ROLL

(Proverbs 28:7)  "Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father."

Webster:  Rock-and-roll, a style of popular music marked by a heavily accented beat and a simple, repetitious phrase structure.

There are some things that cause the righteous to go aside into an evil way.  We have to be careful of rock-and-roll for that very reason.  Rock-and-roll seems to have originated in the world, not in the Church.

Sometimes secular (and sometimes Christian) rock music promotes those who disrespect authority, it can be the the ground of riotous men.  Therefore we have to be very careful how we use it.  As with anything that requires caution with its use, we perhaps should not even have it around.  Ideally all the members of the band, the singers, the audience have to have a good walk with God.  Even then, there should only be “seasons” of rock-and-roll, not rock-and-roll all the time.  We should avoid riotous people and riotous activity.

Who are the people at secular rock-and-roll concerts?  Loud beer drinkers, sensual dancers, women that dress to excite lust, men who exude dominance and violence, bitterness, people who can't be quiet and listen, people who think authorities (police, teachers, parents, etc.) are “them”, dope users.

It's strange I wrote this, me, a drummer who loves to play music with a strong rhythmic theme, one who likes rock-and-roll and latin.  But also, I am not riotous.  ALL “praise” music does not have to be in the rock-and-roll style.  I like hymns too.  I like songs that have more than eight words to them.  Music can have more than verse-and-chorus, it does not have to constantly repeat itself, it can also have an introduction, and ending and variations.  And, it does not have to be LOUD; I like it when people can hear themselves sing.

THE CALLS OF TWO WOMEN

In Proverbs 7 we can view the “adulterous woman” as representing a person or group of people who are wrong according to scripture.  She calls to the “young man”, (who could represent any of us).  We see the young man is simple, he does not know much.  It is night = the absence of God's word.   She has the attire of the harlot = she is very appealing to his desires.  She is subtle, loud stubborn, not abiding in her own house = she is very crafty and evasive with issues, picking on minor points in an attempt to defeat a larger truth.  She opposes the traditional ways.  She goes outside of her house seeking to win and lure in others.  By talking about “peace offerings” she claims to be all right with God.

In Proverbs 8 Wisdom is also personified as a woman: 
(Proverbs 8:-4)  “Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.“

For this reason we are to “lay up”, “keep”, “bind”, “write” God's principles in our hearts; and to say about wisdom:  “Thou art my Kinswoman”, “thou art my sister”.  Why do this?   To keep us away from the strange, adulterous woman.

WHEN IT'S GONE IT'S GONE

(Proverbs 5:3)  “Her mouth drops as a honeycomb and her moth is smoother than oil.”  This is how the wisdom of the world sounds.  It is sweet and smooth.  It is difficult to in over come because it sounds as if it is good (honey) and it sounds so logical and solid (smoother than oil).  But it is death (v5).

The wisdom of the world is movable (v6).  It has no standard upon which it is based, so it is free to drift in any convenient direction.  Also, when you shine the light of scripture and logic upon it to show that is is incorrect, it moves aside avoiding discovery.

The wisdom of the world will cause  you to:
- - Give your honor to others.  Your sense of worth and dedication will be among the humanists and evolutionists.  It will not be with God's people or family.
- - Give your years to the cruel.  Your time will have vanished among the humanists and evolutionists.  It will not be with God's people and family.
- - Strangers will be filled with your strength.    The materialists will have the effect of your strength and not God's people or family.
- - Your labors will be in the house of a stranger.  Your  labor will be in the house of people you don't know or own and not with God's people or family.
- - Your flesh and body will be consumed.  Your body will have been spent for your evolutionist education and in the service of the humanists and materialists.  Your possessions will have decayed and your career will not have furthered God's kingdom.

When you seek your occupation in place of your family, when you seek your automobile and other toys in place of God's will and at the expense of your character, when you select your fulfillment in place of your proper relationship to others - - then at the end you will find your honor gone to others, years to the cruel, strangers filled with your strength, labors in the house of others, flesh and body consumed.  At that point you will no longer be able to correct what you have done.

SEARCHING FOR TREASURE?

(Prov 2 . . .) “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures . . .”

It seems that it takes a lot of continual effort to get knowledge, understanding and wisdom. These things don't come easy and they don't come quick. It takes work - - it takes work every day. Receive, Hide, Incline, Apply, Cry, Lift your voice, Seek, Search.

When you seek for silver and search for hid treasure it's not done in five minutes of idle time before watching a video. To seek you must decide where, go there and inspect every rock formation. To search you must do diligent research and then methodically comb the area, balancing your resources while doing it. It takes time and it takes resources. You have to spend something.

So it is we have to spend something for God's word. The application of seeking understanding, knowledge and wisdom is to know the right paths, the right way. Both men and women, who are wicked, walk in wrong paths. The knowledge of the truth would deliver them. A great place to find it is in the Bible

WHAT'S THE CAUSE?

By looking at Genesis one I wonder if we can make an observation:  All things that appear to have a cause and effect may not have, or may not always have had, a cause/effect relationship.  God first made the light, then he divided it from the darkness, then he named the darkness “night” and the light “day”.  Then the evening and the morning were the first day.  It was after that (three days later, on the forth day) that God created the lights and attached them to the day/night cycle (“rule over the day and over the night”).

– There was light without a  “source” for it (i.e the sun, stars)
– There way have been “day and night” without the rotation of the earth (i.e. since there was yet no Sun and stars there was no need for the earth to rotate on it's axis, nor was there a need for the earth to revolve about the sun).
– Things may become associated into cause and effect after they both are brought into existence (there was light, then there were sources for the light, then the sources were made to rule over the light).

– Might there be other things that seem to be in a cause and effect relationship which really may not be that way?
– Were other energies made before the sources for them came into being?
– Is it natural for us, in a human sense, to create “energies” before we create the “sources?
     – Spirit  --->  Soul?
     – Idea  --->  Thought?
     – Feeling  --->  Thought?

ABOUT PLANNING

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
- - You should understand your way.  You should know what you are going to do and how and when you are going to do it.

There is a way which seemeth good to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
- - In your plans make sure you are going where God wants, and not some other way.  Many ways seem good, not all are.

The simple believeth every word, but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
- - Look well to the way you go and be wary of your counselors.  Every word of counsel should be examined and re-examined.  All should match the building of God's kingdom.

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
- - The simple inherit folly because they have not made any plans.  They get whatever Satan, or some other non-godly element, brings their way.  The prudent see their plans accomplished.

In all labor there is profit, but the talk of the lips tendeth only to poverty.
- - Plans are good, but if you only talk of them (or just write them), and never work them, then they are useless.  You have to take action on our plans.  You also have to evaluate, re-evaluate and adjust them.

THE EFFECT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Righteousness doesn't just happen, it is built step by step on a daily basis.  It is not an “unchangeable” part of out character – something, like our body type or sex, that has been given us from the start.  When we need righteousness, if we haven't been working to build it, it will not be there

The act of righteousness is staying on a prescribed path.  Righteousness is like a pathway across a field, we know what is “path” and what is “field”.  To walk off the path is to walk into what is not known as righteousness.  At the best it is undefined, at the wort it is wickedness.  Someone has established what is right and what is wrong.  God has told us both: what is right and what is wrong.  Other sources can tell us this too.  However, other sources may only tell us what, according to them, is right; still others may tell us only what is wrong.  If the others are not God what they define for us as right may be, in fact, wrong.

Righteousness and wickedness start from within.  For the righteous what is within will preserve him when trouble comes, when the outward, uncontrollable, hurtful situation occurs.  However, what was internal to the wicked will have no worth for his deliverance.

The righteous would have been doing good acts and gaining a reputation for it.  Perhaps that is what helps save them.  Perhaps right internal responses results in the right outward responses in the time of trouble.

TO DO

These are some of the things to do to understand the fear of the Lord and to find the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2 vs 3-4):

Do:  Receive God's words.
Result:  Believe what you read as for what it says and expect it to take authority.

Do:  Hide his commandments with you.
Result:  Memorize, keep them tucked away in private places.

Do:  Incline your ear to wisdom.
Result:  When you hear wise things focus your attention on them, tilt the head, hear more clearly.

Do:  Apply your heart to understanding.
Result:  Work for understanding, spend time at it, “stick to it”.

Do:  Cry after knowledge.
Result:  Call out for knowledge, arrest knowledge's attention by calling after her in public.  Visibly point out the facts, be a witness.

Do:  Lift up your voice for understanding.
Result:  In public make a plea for the true relationship among ideas, things, situations.  Cause true things to be presented in the courtroom.

Do:  Seek wisdom as silver.
Result:  Search for wisdom, it is of utmost value.

Do:  Search for her as hid treasures.
Result:  Search by overturning seemingly unrelated things, perhaps she may be behind them.

Remember:  The right way is obvious, the obvious is the right way.

THE DEAD TREE

Years ago when we lived on Blackwood Avenue in Gotha, Florida, there has a tall dead tree in your front yard.  I was very worried about it and feared what would happen if it fell over.  I did not have the money to pay someone to take it down and it was too tall for me to do myself.  But God sent along a wind storm which snapped the tree midway up the trunk and laid the top part neatly in the open part of my yard.  Only a few twigs were taken off the Sweet Gum tree, and a few minor branches off the Laurel oaks toward Timothy's yard.  Everything I was afraid might be damaged was spared:  the trees, the power lines, the well, Fannin's fence, the road, our cars.  Everything was fine.  All I had to do was buy a chainsaw ($260.00), saw up the the remains, and cart it off to the burn pile in the back yard (this was before laws against open burning).

How many things of great convenience does God do for us that we do not even recognize?  How many that we know of do we fail to thank him for?

GOD SAYS, WORLD SAYS

God says: “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.”
World says: Put yourself forward and listen to your own standards to get riches and honor; for riches and honor are life.

God says: Think of others
World says: Think of yourself

God says: Do what is right
World says: Do for yourself

God says: Give others the way when it seems to be their time
World says: Take your chance, don't let others get in the way or you will miss out

God says: Obey God's rules
World says: Stick by whatever set of standards works for you as long as they suit your goals

God says: Respect authority
World says: Use the authorities to suit you, or get around them, or bribe them.

And you would add . . . ?

God says:
World says:

God says:
World says:

THE STRANGE WOMAN

Proverbs 5 speaks of the “Strange woman”. Here is what happens to the man that goes after her:

• He gives his honor to others
• He gives his years to the cruel
• Strangers are filled with his wealth
• His labors are in the house of a stranger
• His body is consumed (and he knows it did not have to be consumed).
• He knows he did not listen to instruction, his folly is on his own hands.

Think of the “strange woman” as the way of thinking that is not after God's way. It is without regard to God's instruction. In this way a woman (female) can also go after the “strange woman” (ungodly thinking).

BACK-AND-FORTH ON IMAGINATION

I have an active imagination. In my Journal of 1995 I was thinking the following:

I have been trying to do away with my imaginations. I wonder if they do not short circuit good that I might do. I live vicariously through the imagination. I imagine it, therefore I have “done” it, therefore I do not really have to do it.

Yet God says “without vision the people perish”. Some sort of thinking about what will happen is good. How can an event take place without there first being an idea? But I wonder if my imagining takes away from positive action. Certainly the negative imagining is not good for it sets an evil cast upon events which have not actually happened.

Maybe my mind being so full of imaginations keeps me from hearing from the Spirit of God. For example, I imagine “others do not want me around” and I launch my imagination off in that direction. What I should rather say is, “I resist that [negative] thinking; God said, 'resist the Devil and he will flee from you, draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh unto you'. In the name of Jesus I resist that thought.”

I need to walk “by faith and not by sight”. But surely “by faith” has a good deal to do with inward thought and therefore imagination. Perhaps God's inward voice to us originates partly through the imagination. Is it not possible he can use this tool?

It's important to know what God says and believe it is true (the faith part) and thereby order my behavior. If I listen to only what I say, I have a motor but no rudder. If I also listen to what other men say, I have a motor and rudder but no map or compass. If I listen to what I think, what other men say, and primarily to what God says, I have a motor, rudder, a reliable map and compass. I must use all sensibly.

NEITHER SEEING NOR HEARING

(Of idols:)
Psa_115:5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
Psa_135:16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;

(Of people:)
Jer_5:21 Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:
Eze_12:2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.
Mat_13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

TREE TRUNK

When you look at me think of looking at the trunk of a tree. I am the stem, the trunk. Above me are the branches: my children and grandchildren. These will grow out to ever more branches as long as there be human existence on earth. Below me are the roots: all my ancestors. These would be my Parents, Grandparents, Great Grandparents, etc. These go out ever wider into numerous sub-roots.

We, as a human society, divide ourselves into various categories: country of origins, ethnic groups and races. Let’s think about country or origin as a root system. Because my Father’s parents came from Sweden, I could say “I am Swedish”. But what about the heritage I received from my Mother? I could not exist without her, so, if I am like a trunk of a tree, I am not just “Swedish” but I am a blend of “English” and “Swedish”. I am more like a candy cane: a spiral of two things (mother and father) that flow up into all subsequent branches.

However, If I say only “I am Swedish” I deny being English. If I say “I am English” I deny being Swedish. To name one and ignore the other is an insult to the one I fail to mention. It is not a complete description of who I am. If someone wants to know more about my national heritage than just that I am an American I would say I am a mix of Swedish and English.

Think about race. The same issue (mentioning one and ignoring the other) arises when talking about our racial heritage. In fact I am a blend of whatever racial background my parents provide. In this country this seems to be an issue for people of mixed African and European racial origins. Some seem to prefer to refer to themselves only as “Black”. True, a few others choose to refer to themselves only as “White”; but when they do that we say they are "passing".

What of their true heritage? Why is there shame in having a white heritage? Why is there shame in having a black heritage? In fact every one of us has a complex mix of cultural, ethnic and racial diversity that serve to make us the unique person we are. This has become an issue with charged emotional content in this country resulting from our national history infected with slavery and racial discrimination. It really doesn’t much matter to most of us in the USA when we divide ourselves by country of origin. But when we divide ourselves by the notion of race it becomes a big deal to some.

The trouble with the tree analogy I used at the first is that my branches don’t stay branches. They become trunks themselves as they unite with someone else’s branch. My children get married. They (the two of them, man and wife) become a trunk that produces branches: they have children. I love my children. I love my grand children, and cherish who they have become. They are a mix contributing to the makeup and future of the Clan. We are a tree: roots, trunk and branches. My grandchildren, as much as my sons, are my blood. And through the blood of my grandchildren my sons' wives have become my daughters.

If at some future point someone were to inquire for a more perfect definition of my grand children's heritage than simply "American" I would feel slighted if the grandchildren or great grandchildren identified themselves solely as "White" or “Black” or “English” or “Swedish” and ignored their other roots.

There is too much to accomplish in a family that is positive, that builds and feeds and shares all that has made this “tree” healthy and beautiful.