"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." -- 2 Corinthians 4:7

I look in the mirror and see a body that is mortal.  My hair is graying, there are wrinkles forming around my eyes.  I know my body as I know it now is not forever.  But within, there is a light, a spirit, a "treasure" as Paul says, that reveals not me, but the one who made me.  Each of us have a spark inside that can light up our worlds.  Do not hide it.  Do not douse it.  Do not let it grow dim.  But let it shine so that others might see not you, but the one who made you... who made us all.  You are a vessel... a clay jar... that is frail and temporary... but the treasure inside is eternal.  Be generous with what you have in who you are.

Readings:  Job 34:1-36:33; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12; Psalm 44:1-8; Proverbs 22:10-12

"He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed." -- Proverbs 22:8

The rule that all major faiths share is this:  do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  If you live your life treating others well, they will treat you well.  If you sow spite and discord, and spew venom from yourself, then your own life won't be too pleasant.  Call it karma, call it the Golden Rule, it doesn't matter.  The simple truth is that you have a great deal of control over how you will experience life, and that control is exercised in the way that you treat others.  So take control of your life.  Be kind to the world and you will be blessed.

Readings:  Job 31:1-33:33; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 22:8-9

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." -- Psalm 42:1

Do you live your life and spend your days with the sense of needing God in the same way that you need water?  The psalmist speaks of two thirsts: the first is a spiritul thirst, the second biological.  We know that we can't survive for long periods of time without water.  How long can we survive without God?  Can you live without God in your life?  Biologically perhaps you can, but how can you even know life outside of God?  Reminds me of Jesus telling the woman at the well, that if she were to drink of the water he has to give, she will never be thirsty again...  what are you drinking?

Readings: Job 28:1-30:31; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17; Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 22:7

"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