Those beautiful warm and sunny days when the sun is out longer than any other time of the year! Spring with its planting and growing times and rain has wound down. You can begin to see the tiny promise of fruit coming on the trees just behind those spring flowers. The sunshine tends to make you forget the cloudy times the rains came in spring and if you aren't careful you can be lulled into thinking that the good times of summer will last forever.
And so it is with our 'summertime' of life. Whether you are a young Christian teen facing the reality of the adult world of responsibility, or maybe you've never been given the advantage of growing up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; either way that first step into adulthood can be a real pleasure and a shock!
It’s like the first heat wave of summer. You've been looking forward to it for so long, and then when it finally gets here--the heat feels good, until the sunburn comes.
The excitement of knowing that you can go your own way, that magical age of ‘21’ myth, and then the shock as you find that your way really does hold consequences that you don’t always want to face.
But you are here, there is no going back to spring, or childhood, the summer of adulthood must be faced. Do you jump headlong into it or do you look for and listen to someone wiser to be your guide? Proverbs chapters three and four are devoted to counseling a young person as they step into this new area of life. It is a chapter that needs to be read again and again as you face the decisions that will come.The summer of your life is a time of choices and decisions, both of which will now be up to you.
Do you choose to continue your education, or do you go straight into the workforce? Do you plan to marry that sweetheart and start a family, or do you choose to remain single and go after a career dream? Verses 5 and 6 of proverbs chapter three are wise counsel for any age. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Go to the Lord first and lay the choices in front of Him. Remember that He has made you for a purpose, and He knows you better than you do yourself.
He will never counsel you to attend a college or start a job that is going to put you in the middle of something that will stop you from doing what he made you for.
If you choose a family He will never counsel you to put others ahead of the needs of your family, even if it is ministry related.
If you choose a career He will never counsel you to pursue it to the point that it comes ahead of your time with Him.
Many times as young people reach this age, they break ties to their childhood and go to others, many times those of their own age for advice as to how to do things. When you read the Word of God, you will see that almost every time a person goes to 'friends' for advice, they get into trouble, unless that advice from the friend starts with asking the Lord first. This is why Solomon asks the question:
“And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?” Proverbs 5:20
Since many of these words are not used today in the sense Solomon is speaking here, I decided to use the dictionary to find the meaning of the verse.
Did you know that the definition of the word ravish in this verse means "to be grabbed hold of and carried off" ?
The word embrace here means to receive gladly or eagerly, to accept willingly,
and finally the word bosom as Solomon uses it here means the center of feelings or emotions.
Since the word woman can mean either a man or woman in this case let’s look at what
Solomon is saying in modern language.He is asking the question:
“Why will you, my son, go to a stranger and willingly allow them to carry you away from truth with their ideas and emotions.”
He is warning you to stick with the Lord and His teachings. They are never out of date, and they will help you through every decision that you will be faced with. Always put your choices before the Lord in prayer and ask Him which his plan is for you, search His word for His thoughts on how He wants you to live your life.
He gives very specific instructions for education, for marriage and families, and for careers. That is why it is so important for you to know what the Bible says.
Remember: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Proverbs 1:7
There is so much more he wants to teach and give you after you have met and accepted him. And He will teach you step by step if you will submit to listen and study and follow Him.
God Bless,
Carrie
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Season1 'Spring'
When I think of the word seasons, my mind automatically pulls up memories of spring flowers, or summer picnics, brightly colored leaves from the fall or intricate feathery branches of tall hardwoods left bare of their leaves by the first frosty breath of winter. That is one definition for the word.
In God's Word I find another definition. It is far more personal. It applies not just to my life, but to everyone who has ever lived. Every person's life has season's or specific times that they go through.
The science of how people learn, or 'childhood development' has proved this through research: but it wasn't anything new.
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived understood this many years ago, and through the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes he explained it to us. In these next few post, I want to explore the four seasons the Bible speaks of. The first of these seasons I named 'spring' just as the first of the yearly seasons.
Because the yearly season of spring is when most everything is new and just starting to grow, it is also a vurnerable time. Young plants can be easily stunted or deformed by too hot or too cold temperatures,lack of proper food and water. It is the same with the spring season of a person's life as well. Solomon speaks of this in his book of proverbs.
A proverb is a wise saying that sums up a truth in a sentence or two. The following is a well know proverb that has taken a lot of grief in this century:
"Foolishness is bound (or tied) in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." Proverbs 22:15
Solomon is letting parents know that during the "season" of childhood it is normal for a child to be: a) selfish, b) willful, c) unthinking or in a word- "foolish". Then in the very next sentence he teaches the parent how to change that behaviour- " the rod of correction shall drive it far from him(her)."
Most of the time when you hear this verse quoted, it is used to justify spanking a child. Spanking has it's place in the correction of a child, but that is when other possibilities to correct have been exausted.
The key word in this verse is "correction." Correction is the companion of teaching. Think about yourself for a moment. In school, learning a new concept, or on the job, learning a new procedure that will be necessary for you to do your work. When you don't understand, when you don't "get it the first time" they don't beat you do they?
No, the teacher or trainer shows you the mistake you made, and goes over the procedure with you again, giving you the opportunity to correct your mistake. Once you understand, once you can do this on your own, then it is required of you. If it isn't done once you learn it, then you will be held accountable for it.
Some children, just as their adult counterparts will know and understand the rules but will choose to rebel against them. This is when stronger measures should be taken.
When he speaks of 'driving' foolishness away from a child, he is letting you know that training will be a constant job. If you have ever tried to drive any type of foolish animal like ducks or chickens then you know that it can be very hard. They want to go everywhere but where you are trying to put them, even if what you are doing is the best thing for them. They must be taught what is right and acceptable.
It is the same with children. I know I will be going against the popular teaching of the day but the truth is children are not born knowing to do good. They must be taught. Thus Solomon in another of his proverbs tells parents to:
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6
At the same time there is also to be balance in training a child just as there is to be balance in nature. Too much of any one thing is not good. Work and study should be balanced with fun and relaxation.
Childhood is a "season of preparation" for becoming an adult.
In my next blog we will explore the next "season of our lives".
God Bless you,
Carrie
In God's Word I find another definition. It is far more personal. It applies not just to my life, but to everyone who has ever lived. Every person's life has season's or specific times that they go through.
The science of how people learn, or 'childhood development' has proved this through research: but it wasn't anything new.
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived understood this many years ago, and through the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes he explained it to us. In these next few post, I want to explore the four seasons the Bible speaks of. The first of these seasons I named 'spring' just as the first of the yearly seasons.
Because the yearly season of spring is when most everything is new and just starting to grow, it is also a vurnerable time. Young plants can be easily stunted or deformed by too hot or too cold temperatures,lack of proper food and water. It is the same with the spring season of a person's life as well. Solomon speaks of this in his book of proverbs.
A proverb is a wise saying that sums up a truth in a sentence or two. The following is a well know proverb that has taken a lot of grief in this century:
"Foolishness is bound (or tied) in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." Proverbs 22:15
Solomon is letting parents know that during the "season" of childhood it is normal for a child to be: a) selfish, b) willful, c) unthinking or in a word- "foolish". Then in the very next sentence he teaches the parent how to change that behaviour- " the rod of correction shall drive it far from him(her)."
Most of the time when you hear this verse quoted, it is used to justify spanking a child. Spanking has it's place in the correction of a child, but that is when other possibilities to correct have been exausted.
The key word in this verse is "correction." Correction is the companion of teaching. Think about yourself for a moment. In school, learning a new concept, or on the job, learning a new procedure that will be necessary for you to do your work. When you don't understand, when you don't "get it the first time" they don't beat you do they?
No, the teacher or trainer shows you the mistake you made, and goes over the procedure with you again, giving you the opportunity to correct your mistake. Once you understand, once you can do this on your own, then it is required of you. If it isn't done once you learn it, then you will be held accountable for it.
Some children, just as their adult counterparts will know and understand the rules but will choose to rebel against them. This is when stronger measures should be taken.
When he speaks of 'driving' foolishness away from a child, he is letting you know that training will be a constant job. If you have ever tried to drive any type of foolish animal like ducks or chickens then you know that it can be very hard. They want to go everywhere but where you are trying to put them, even if what you are doing is the best thing for them. They must be taught what is right and acceptable.
It is the same with children. I know I will be going against the popular teaching of the day but the truth is children are not born knowing to do good. They must be taught. Thus Solomon in another of his proverbs tells parents to:
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6
At the same time there is also to be balance in training a child just as there is to be balance in nature. Too much of any one thing is not good. Work and study should be balanced with fun and relaxation.
Childhood is a "season of preparation" for becoming an adult.
In my next blog we will explore the next "season of our lives".
God Bless you,
Carrie
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Walking with the Lord
In our world today everything moves at such a fast pace.There are constantly different tasks presenting themselves to be completed. Many times I find myself wondering how I will be able to handle everything that needs to be done and still find the time to spend time with the Lord and follow his command to put Him first in my life and to learn of Him.
Years ago someone asked a prominent Pastor of a large church how he managed to find the time for daily devotions. His answer was that he had so much to do, there wasn't any way he would be able to accomplish it if he didn't start his day with the Lord in devotions.
That gave me sound advice. Putting God first daily, will put everything else where it should be. Getting up a little earlier to make your time with the Lord the first appointment on your daily calendar will be the best investment of time that you can make.
The Lord knows that not only do you need that time to focus on Him and His plan for you and your family, but that because you have focused your day on Him - the other commitments you have will be easier to meet as you draw on the strength recieved during that morning time throughout the rest of the day.
Hands for Him,
Carrie
Years ago someone asked a prominent Pastor of a large church how he managed to find the time for daily devotions. His answer was that he had so much to do, there wasn't any way he would be able to accomplish it if he didn't start his day with the Lord in devotions.
That gave me sound advice. Putting God first daily, will put everything else where it should be. Getting up a little earlier to make your time with the Lord the first appointment on your daily calendar will be the best investment of time that you can make.
The Lord knows that not only do you need that time to focus on Him and His plan for you and your family, but that because you have focused your day on Him - the other commitments you have will be easier to meet as you draw on the strength recieved during that morning time throughout the rest of the day.
Hands for Him,
Carrie
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Friends with Jesus? Is it possible?
These are just some observations that I have made in my studies of the Word of God. There are several times in the Bible where different people have been called friends with God. Jesus plainly tells you that you can become one of his friends in the New Testament.
Think for a moment about friendships in general. Our pastor once told us that most people can count their true friends on just one hand. He wasn't talking about people you know, or have met. He was talking about someone who cares about you. Someone you know you could call on for help in needed, and they would not hold it over your head in the future.
Jesus chooses you to have the potential to become his friend. The reason I say that you have the potential is because there are stipulations (for lack of a better word) on the friendship just as there are with human friendships. John 15:14 tells you what they are. ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
This he said just after letting them know that his commandment was that they were to love one another just as he had loved them. That was in verse 12.
If we accept his offer of friendship, then we are no longer a servant only, we have access to information that the 'world' or the lost people do not have. verse 15.
What are you doing with that information? This is what counts. Jesus wants us to use the knowledge that he gives us to witness to our families, and our earthly friends. The knowledge that he is holy and we are to be holy, does that make you strive to make your life a cleaner, clearer example of what God wants his friends to be like?
The old saying " you are known by the friends you keep." Are you known by the "friend" you keep? Life is short, this life will soon be over, are you ready to stand in front of your 'Friend' at judgement and say, " I tried to be the best friend that I could."
God Bless you this day,
Carrie
Think for a moment about friendships in general. Our pastor once told us that most people can count their true friends on just one hand. He wasn't talking about people you know, or have met. He was talking about someone who cares about you. Someone you know you could call on for help in needed, and they would not hold it over your head in the future.
Jesus chooses you to have the potential to become his friend. The reason I say that you have the potential is because there are stipulations (for lack of a better word) on the friendship just as there are with human friendships. John 15:14 tells you what they are. ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
This he said just after letting them know that his commandment was that they were to love one another just as he had loved them. That was in verse 12.
If we accept his offer of friendship, then we are no longer a servant only, we have access to information that the 'world' or the lost people do not have. verse 15.
What are you doing with that information? This is what counts. Jesus wants us to use the knowledge that he gives us to witness to our families, and our earthly friends. The knowledge that he is holy and we are to be holy, does that make you strive to make your life a cleaner, clearer example of what God wants his friends to be like?
The old saying " you are known by the friends you keep." Are you known by the "friend" you keep? Life is short, this life will soon be over, are you ready to stand in front of your 'Friend' at judgement and say, " I tried to be the best friend that I could."
God Bless you this day,
Carrie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)