Mark and Katy were living a happy life in our community and church when they were abruptly uprooted and transferred to a remote, thinly-populated outpost in Alberta, Canada. I stopped by to spend a night with them when a trip took me that way. We talked and laughed late into the night. But out of […]
When the Stars Come Out Read More »
There is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. —Ecclesiastes 3:12 “What makes people happy?” Robert Blondin asked 600 people that question. The three answers that ranked highest were: doing good, controlling attitude, and being thankful. Here are some things
When I surveyed all … I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless. —Ecclesiastes 2:11 Ecclesiastes 6 profiles two men who had wealth, but didn’t have God. The first was super successful: “he lacks nothing his heart desires”—at least nothing that money could buy.
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Her children arise and call her blessed. —Proverbs 31:28 Those of us who have been blessed with a godly mother have in wayward moments wandered off in a prodigal swagger, only to limp back from the far country because of the pull of her
Give me neither poverty nor riches. —Proverbs 30:8 Agur prayed that he would have neither too many shekels, nor too few—afraid that if he had too many he might tune out God, and if he had too few he might steal (Prov. 30:8-9). The Bible
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. —Proverbs 29:11 The word “fool” is often linked with anger in the Bible. A quick-tempered man does foolish things (Prov. 14:16).
Do not forsake your friend. —Proverbs 27:10 “A friend loves at all times,” said Solomon (Prov. 17:17). No birth certificate is issued when a friendship is born. But at that moment life takes on new meaning: pleasure is expanded, pain is diminished, life is enriched. True friendship is a pure and satisfying
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. —Proverbs 27:1 There is something you ought to do that you’ve been putting off, right? A letter you ought to
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? —Proverbs 26:12 Opinionated. Dogmatic. Cocksure. Inflexible. Someone comes to mind, right? He may be smart as a whip, but as Matthew Henry opined, “the only thing such a person’s knowledge does for him is
Conceit, a Strange Disease Read More »
A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. —Proverbs 25:11 One of the deepest human needs is the need to be appreciated. When you tip your hat to the work and worth of others you contribute significantly to their happiness. Don’t wait
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