What Defines Wisdom

Just look around. Listen intently to those speaking loud into our culture. I believe they want to be seen as wise. All people seek wisdom. Whether one is conservative, liberal, rich, poor, old or young, wisdom is essential for living. We also see two different kinds of wisdom. The world defines it by feelings, rights, and allows for constant change.

Yet we know that true wisdom is personified in the person of Jesus Christ. He, also, gives us so much direction on this subject in His love letter to us.

We know that wisdom is not just words. It is living actions.

James 3:13 says "If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with humility that comes from wisdom." (NLT)

So how do we become "wise and understand God's ways"? Seek God and His Word. Spend time with the One who wrote down His very words so that we can obtain this wisdom. He didn't leave His children to wonder what to do; He continues to speak to us through His beautiful Word.

James 3:17 goes on to say, "But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." (NLT)

Wow! Look at these words: honorable, humility, pure, peace loving, gentle, yielding to others, mercy, no favoritism, and sincere. Do these sound like wisdom that the world offers. DEFINITELY NOT! This is a far cry from what we see in all the unrest, violence and politics around us.

Let's seek God's wisdom today. Let's make a difference in the way we interact with others.

And remember, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. (I Corinthians 1:27a NLT)

The world may or probably will not see us as wise, but we answer to a different authority.

Who Are We Relying On?

When it comes to the burdens of life, my goals, aspirations, fears, dreads, and joys, I find myself way too overcome. Way too often. This stems from many different things, one of which is (MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF) fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of making the wrong decisions. Fear of hurt, pain, ridicule. Fear of failure. Fear of man. Fear of rejection. I often recognize this but for some reason wallow in this than to do the right, next thing. I need wisdom!

James 1:5 reminds us where our wisdom comes from:

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

And this asking involves prayer. This is one area that our over-confident, individualized and self-centered culture is good at avoiding. This seems to be our "last resort" instead of first impulse.

Isaiah reminds the people of Israel this. He gives two little lines of soul-searching, knife-piercing insight to the reason for the judgment coming on Israel.

Isaiah 22:11b

But you never ask for help from the One who did all this.
    You never considered the One who planned this long ago.

These two little lines reveal the depths of the human heart when we try to live this life apart from our Creator. We need His help and no matter what we are going through, we must consider His sovereignty and perfect plan for our lives.

So whether you are fearing the violent acts of international/national terrorism or striving to understand or live in the midst of the social injustices taking place in our country, be certain of this. HE KNOWS! HE SEES! HE WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL! But, we must seek wisdom in all these things.

So I seek Him today.

Precious Jesus, As I sit here speaking to You, I am rejoicing that you are a LIVING God. You are fully aware of my plight as well as those in China, France, and Baton Rouge. I am reminded of your faithfulness in my life as I look back on decisions we faced, then made and no without a shadow of a doubt that you gave us the wisdom we needed.

Today, God, there is a part of my heart that is in a battle over fear. Fear for my childrens' futures, but for their present day as well. You promise wisdom, so I am asking. I am asking for healing for our nation, but most of all for your body. We are so divided right now. Bring reconciliation. Help us all to look outside of our own feelings and "rights" and see you desire for us to live loving one another more important than ourselves. This is when Your bride will be at her most beautiful state. Reflecting Your Light. Showing the Glory of You in all of creation, especially in each ethnic race as fearfully and wonderfully made.

As our freedoms in this life seem to diminish more and more, sometimes on a daily level, empower us to live in that contradiction; wanting freedom but ever knowing that true freedom comes as we give ourselves as slaves and bondservants to you. Empower us by your Holy Spirit to trust you and live by an active faith.

Sometimes, Lord, I seem to be a broken record, but I know you want me to keep asking, seeking, and knocking. You promise to lavish us with wisdom when we ask you without doubting. So please do this Lord. For Your Name's Sake.

God's Wisdom Vs. Ours

We think we have things together way too often. We navigate through life with the attitude of "I'm in control."

When we really don't. When we really aren't.

James 4:13-15 reminds us:

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"- yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."

It is 3:00 in the morning. My eyes are wide awake and my mind is running. Thinking about my to-do list. Thinking about decisions that have been or need to be made. Thinking about my children and the path they are on. Thinking I need to go to prayer as I might be on the edge of worry. 

I'm so thankful God is the One in control. He knows the answer to all these things.

So I rest in this. 

And I meditate on this:

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:31-34

God Only Wise

"Wisdom without power would be pathetic, a broken reed; power without wisdom would be merely frightening; but in God boundless wisdom and endless power are united, and this makes Him utterly worthy of our fullest trust." - J.I. Packer, Knowing God

I want to trust God. Daily. I'm sure you do too. But fears arise and the unknown can scare me at times. My mind quickly goes to next year.

So today I am thankful for this reminder that God is almighty and perfect. 

*In His wisdom

*In His power

*In His timing

I have no reason to fear. I have all reasons to trust.

So do you.

Even when we can't see what's around the corner.

Or what will happen over the next foggy mountaintop.

God is all wise. And powerful. And we CAN trust in Him.

CouponMania

While visiting my sister up in Tennessee, she got me hooked.

My Points, Saving Star, CheckOut 51, and Coupons.com not to mention True Couponing has become a part of my everyday to do list.

Coupons!

That's what I'm talking about.

I don't know about you but grocery shopping has become so depressing. Here on the Ponderosa we try to eat as healthy as possible, but I have had to strike a balance in order to balance our budget. Since I home school my kiddos and don't have the opportunity to go and make money to help out, I thought the best way to do this is to save money.

I mean, I was able to save $35.00 on a $70.00 order at Winn Dixie, only purchasing what was cheaper to buy there then to do price comparison at Walmart. I also am going to save .38 cents on my next gas fill up. Yes, this takes more time, but I believe it is well worth it.

Food is getting more and more expensive. So instead of rationalizing buying my milk at Walmart since I'm there already, I make time to go one block west to Aldi, where I find it for $1.00 cheaper.

So, for now, this is my contribution to our budget. And I am thankful, I am able to be wise in my spending.

Not Impossible!

He is having struggles again. Home, but not happy. Fighting against everything.

As I was reading the Word that brings life each day to my soul, I came across this passage:

Matthew 19:23-26
And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Then the realization came to me as it does everyday, "I am not in control; God is."

I must lay him at him at the feet of my Lord, yet again.

Savior, I surrender.

Raising Leaders

My servant leader. My cherisher. My lover. My husband.

He carries so much each day, as he lives to love and works to nurture, protect and provide.

He has two young men looking to him to be the example they need, to do the same as they grow up.



My precious Lord,
As my best friend and lover extends himself to be all to those around him, please cover him with your protection, in mind, body and spirit. May You lead him as he leads us. Please give him the wisdom he needs to make the daily decisions to guide us. May his heart be ever dependent on you. May his mouth speak only what is true and right. May his mind think on your Word. Each day he cries to you. I know you hear him. Please remind Him of your love for him in tangible ways. Give him courage to go against the flow, especially in raising his boys. He wants their hearts. I know you must have them first.

I am so thankful, Jesus, for this man whom you have given me. Help me to show appreciation in the big and little things. Help me to love him more important then myself. Help me to obey and submit to what he desires, for it is done unto you.

Shepherd him as he shepherds us.