"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions." -- Proverbs 18:2

With ears, we are to listen.  With minds, we are to understand.  With mouths we are to ask clarifying questions.  Then we listen again with ears, and process again with minds... then we share our opinion on the matter.  Seems age has a way of teaching us that better way.  But oh to learn it when we're young!  Listen up young people.  Listen up.

Readings: 2 Kings 13:1-14:29; Acts 18:23-19:12; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 18:2-3

"An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment." -- Proverbs 18:1

In business, sometimes it's said: "nice guys finish last".  How do we come to this understanding?  Why would it be the case that to get ahead, you have to put someone else behind?  There is a radical shift occuring in the business world today.  Organizational charts are moving from a vertical orientation to horizontal; employees are invited to be "owners"; teams are being held accountable as groups, making each member look out for the others on the team; and tyrants are having a more difficult time than ever attracting and keeping employees.  Perhaps we are learning the value of "relational equity"-- experienced when trust is present and people show decency, kindness, and respect to one another.  Those that don't build trust with others find themselves more and more adrift without connections, and without a relational anchor.  The ones who seek to attain only selfish ends, tend to end up with more toys, but no one to play with.  Is that what getting ahead is?  Doubtful.  Business is still relational.  The phrase, "it's not personal... it's just business"... means nothing, because it's all relational.  While accountability is still vital in all human organizations, and everyone needs to pull their weight, we find that those organizations who have high levels of trust and which value supporting one another make for better business all around. 

Readings: 2 Kings 10:32-12:21; Acts 18:1-22; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 18:1

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else." -- Acts 17:24-25

The apostle Paul is speaking to a very diverse group of men in Athens, which was a cosmopolitan hub at the time.  He's trying to effect the impossible: to open the minds of a people who consider themselves completely open-minded.  To consider their religious tolerance as way too small for who and what God is was a real mind-bender.  You see, their religiosity was wrapped up in objects: idols, icons, altars, and temples.  None of which could hold or reflect the God of all creation.  Additionally, they thought their works pleased their gods in a contractual sort of way.  But Paul makes it clear, that it's not works God needs.  It's the hearts and devotion of the people.  Their very permissiveness of anything-goes-religion prevented the people from considering the possibility that there was just one God.  One more thing... this speech echoes one familiar to Paul... that given by Stephen... the first martyr who was stoned to death at Paul's (then Saul) discretion.

Readings:  2 Kings 9:14-10:31; Acts 17:1-34; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 17:27-28

"I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done." -- Psalm 143:5

Does it ever feel as though the world began the day you were born?  Many of us live with no sense of historical memory. If it didn't happen within our lifetime, then what's the point?  And while I'm not a fan of dwelling in the past and having our vision perpetually in the rear-view mirror, we would be foolish to forget that we stand upon generation upon generation of people who paved the way for us to live in the way we do.  Not only is it easy to forget what our parents and grandparents did... let's go back further... settlers... revolutionaries... dreamers, inventors, and philosophers who assembled gadgets, buildings, and social structures that would forever change history... can we go to the caveman and consider art and tools?  How about back even further... what about even to the point of creation-- that moment that God created something from nothing... can you look at the clear night sky and realize that some of the light we see reflected was from years and years ago?  As you give thanks for what God has done in your life, don't forget to look even past your life.  Remember what God has done.  Look at the universe.  Study creation.  Marvel at the handiwork of God.

Readings:  2 Kings 8:1-9:13; Acts 16:16-40; Psalm 143:1-12; Proverbs 17:26

"A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth." -- Proverbs 17:24

What I respond to when reading this proverb is the importance of focus.  The world is getting smaller and our access to it more and more immediate.  With that comes more and more options to give our time and attention.  What will you do this next hour?  Go to worship?  Go to work?  Watch tv?  Surf the web?  Spend time with a loved one?  Read?  Drive?  Study?  Paint?  Fight?  Eat?  Bathe?  Work in the yard?  Clean the house?  Go to sleep?  The hour is yours.  What will you do with it?  The discerning one keeps wisdom in view.  Don't lose your focus.  What would God have you do once you finish these readings?  Honor God by staying true to the course on which God has set you.

Readings:  2 Kings 6:1-7:20; Acts 15:36-16:15; Psalm 142:1-7; Proverbs 17:24-25

"Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies." -- Psalm 141:3-4

If we think about the brokenness in our relationships, how much of that brokenness due to things that have been said?  In the heat of a fight, we say things that we wish we'd never said.  Our hurt causes us to want to hurt others.  And once something is said, it cannot be unsaid.  As the people created by God, and in God's image, we were not created to harm one another.  That is willful disobedience when we do so.  That is sin.  But everyone argues, fights, and blows off steam... it's human, right?  Well, yes it is human to feel anger and to express it, but when considering our relationships, it's important to lay out rules of engagement.  When fighting and arguing with people you love, name calling, demeaning each other, and hurtful language should be off-limits.  Care for one another even when you don't feel much like caring.  Protect one another even when you feel like hurting each other.  Always remember that the argument will pass, but the damage done may not be repairable if it goes too far.  "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me..."  Remember that?  It's a lie.  Pray that God guard your tongue.

Readings:  2 Kings 4:18-5:27; Acts 15:1-35; Psalm 141:1-10; Proverbs 17:23

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." -- Proverbs 17:22

Be oh so careful when the dark clouds of doubt, depression, and despair try to overtake your spirit.  When you feel life is beginning to spin and you're having a hard time finding the good in it, take radical steps to change it before you're overcome.  As if it were a matter of life and death (because it is), start journaling everything you're  grateful for.  Tell God everything you are grateful for.  And tell the people in your life how you are grateful for them.  Start affirming everyone you meet.  And affirm yourself.  If you've fallen and can't get up, just breathe and encourage yourself for that.  You will regain your strength, and you can find your way back to having that cheerful heart, but sometimes it takes intention.  You will have joy when you have fulfillment.  Ironically, you are most fulfilled when you transcend yourself and experience selflessness.  Nobody needs their bones dried up by a crushed spirit.  Lift someone else's spirit, and yours will be lifted as well.

Readings: 2 Kings 3:1-4:17; Acts 14:8-28; Psalm 140:1-13; Proverbs 17:22