"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." -- Proverbs 22:5

As any parent who has raised a person to adulthood knows, there comes a time in their child's life where they must break away and claim their own stake in life.  Oftentimes this manifests itself in rebellion through a willful rejection of the parents' values and teachings.  Exasperated, parents want to know where they failed... sometimes, they even blame themselves for the grown child's choices.  A child may wander.  In time, however, the child often returns to the ways of their parents' teachings.  This is especially true when the child becomes a parent of their own child or children.  So parents, do your job and if they don't seem interested in what you have to teach, teach your children anyway.  You can't choose their path for them, but you can show them a path they can choose.  Whether they take that path or not is up to them.  Most importantly, don't ever stop teaching them.  Just because they may be all grown up with families of their own doesn't mean they don't still need guidance and direction.  Recycle the lessons from long ago and teach them again.  When the student is ready, the teacher appears.

Readings:  Job 23:1-27:23; 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11; Psalm 41:1-13; Proverbs 22:5-6

"Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all." -- Proverbs 22:2

To divide humanity into groups according to wealth is useful when trying to discover the impact of wealth and/or poverty upon society.  It's also useful when trying to market products and when you are trying to put price points on them so that they will sell.  So things-- objects-- consumer products-- are valued relative to people's economic situations.  Where it is inappropriate, and perhaps even evil, is when people themselves are valued according to their monetary net worth.  When Jesus looked at the coin and said give to Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God what is God's, he was saying that man-made money had no value in the eyes of God.  It's what we do with that money that matters.  We can honor or dishonor God in the way we handle it.  But that's in reference to what belongs to Caesar, or man.  But mishandle that which belongs to God (humankind itself), and woe be to you.  Rich or poor, all are children of God and warrant special consideration.  There is no VIP section for God.  So handle each other with care, and recognize that what you're using to value each other is an illusion.  It is vapor.

Readings:  Job 20:1-22:30; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11; Psalm 40:11-17; Proverbs 22:2-4

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." -- Proverbs 22:1

Recently, chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke was quoted as saying that one's quality of life should not be measured in terms of money.  Instead, it should be measured in other relational intangibles (paraphased by me).  I agree.  While dollars and cents are useful and can make things a bit easier at times, it is your reputation and your relationships that carry the most value.  Relational equity can get you much further in gathering support than paying for people's help.  By loving others, you will be loved.  By trusting others, you will be trusted.  By giving to others, you are bound to receive in times of need.  Invest in the people in your life.  The rest will follow.

Readings:  Job 16:1-19:29; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 22:1

"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools." -- Psalm 39:7-8

We humans are a predictable lot.  We want to believe that what we do has no consequences.  If it feels good, we should do it.  If we want it, then we need it now.  If nobody's hurt by it, what's the problem?  The problem is that too often, our transgressions-- our moral failings-- our sins-- catch up with us.  We do that which we know we shouldn't, and then realize it can't be undone.  In desperation, we turn to God, praying that it never happened, that it's all just a dream and we will wake up and it will all have gone away.  But the reality is that with freedom comes responsibility.  With freedom comes the opportunity to make right choices, and to make mistakes.  When we make our decisions prayerfully, we do so recognizing that we have the power to really mess things up. But by including God in our choices, we are less likely to bring irreparable harm to the relationships in our lives.  By acting impulsively and without consideration, however, we place all that we value at risk. 

Don't put yourself in the position of desperately turning to God in trouble.  Turn to God before trouble ever comes.

Readings:  Job 12:1-15:35; 1 Corinthians 15:29-58; Psalm 39:1-13; Proverbs 21:30-31

"Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then...

... you will lift up your face without shame;
you will stand firm and without fear.
You will surely forget your trouble,
recalling it only as waters gone by.
Life will be brighter than noonday,
and darkness will become like morning.
You will be secure, because there is hope;
you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,
and many will court your favor."

-- Job 11:13-19

"Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?" -- 1 Corinthians 14:36

Today, I'll share a quote I recently saw from my friend Paula that spoke to this oh so well...

"You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people that you do." quoted from the book "Bird By Bird" by Anne Lamott.

Let's be careful not to assume that we know God's thoughts.

Readings:  Job 4:1-7:21; 1 Corinthians 14:18-40; Psalm 37:30-40; Proverbs 21:27

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." -- Psalm 37:23-24

There is incredible power to resoluteness.  There can be enormous momentum developed when the way and the path are certain.  When you understand who you are and what you are called to do, you are free to focus on the path that God has set before you and not be distracted by frivolous detractors.  When you walk confidently in the ways of God, which are always good... when you make decisions from a place of love, compassion, and grace... and when you seek his way above all others... you can walk with certainty.  Walk not with arrogance, self-righteousness, or pride, but with a humble sureness that your life matters and that you can make a difference for God.

Readings:  Job 1:3-3:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1-17; Psalm 37:12-29; Proverbs 21:25-26