Ice Cream

I just could not get enough. My mouth enjoyed every bite of the heaping bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream that my wife so generously prepared for me. With each cool, sugar-filled bite I wanted more. It is a craving that has been with me for years.

Later that night, as I cracked open the Bible and began to read Proverbs, I was reminded that God desires us to crave for him and his word. He instructs us to "accept... store up... turn our ear toward... apply... call out for... cry aloud for... look... and search for his words and commands. (excerpts of Proverbs 2:1-4). In other words, crave and passionately pursue him and his wisdom for our daily lives.

Our pursuit of God produces rewards that include deeper understanding of God, clearer thinking, and wiser decision making. Proverbs 2:6, "... the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding". God's offers his wisdom to us ... it is there for the taking.

I really enjoyed that bowl of cookie dough ice cream. It satisfied my tastebuds. However, it is only God that truly satisfies my spirit. The more I learn from God's word, the Bible, the more I want. I just can not get enough.

Truth

The search for truth is something that mankind has pursued since God created Adam. Within this search, we are usually confronted with moral decisions, character development, and investigation of facts. In my search for truth; I am most satisfied with the teaching of the Bible. I especially enjoy the short, wisdom filled chapters of the book of Proverbs -- a book that our pastor recently challenged us to study.

That is why today; me and a starting group of 6 men are beginning a journey of reading a chapter a day in Proverbs. Maybe you would like to join us ... we welcome you.

As you read along with us, feel free to share your insights by clicking on the comment line at the bottom of any entry and write your thoughts in the comment box. Many of these comments will be posted for others to enjoy. So, lets begin our journey.

Proverbs 1

According to the commentary in my bible, a Proverb is "a short, compact saying ... that expresses a principle ... about human behavior from God's point of you." In essence, it is wisdom. Proverbs 1:20a says, "Wisdom calls aloud in the street ..." It brings me comfort that God cares so much for me that He would make His wisdom so attainable, so clear.

Lord, I turn my ears to your call. Help me to understand and apply your truth and wisdom as you speak it to me.

The Elevator

As the hospital elevator traveled upward to Jenni's floor, I thought about our last visit. She has been sick for quite a while now. The pneumonia in her left lung has caused her breathing difficulties and weakness. The elevator's rise reminds me of the high levels of pain she has been bearing. During that visit, she asked about the church, my kids and my wife. In the midst of her pain, she was more interested in talking about me than herself.

As I enter her spacious hospital room for today's visit, I was greeted with a warm hello. I tried to keep our conversation focused on her, but she guided our visit to questions and genuine concern for others. In the midst of her pain, her selfless character shined bright.

We ended our time with prayer and I quietly departed her room. Upon reentering the elevator, I realized that though I went to encourage and bring hope to her, it is my life that was enriched the most.

My Cat

This morning I got up before the rest of my family. The quietness of the house and the slight chill of our basement family room refreshed me. As I sat down by the computer, something was about to interrupted this peaceful moment. In the blink of an eye our cat, Mariah, jumped effortlessly upon the desk, brushed her side along my shoulder, and began to purr. She had decided that now was the time I was going to pay attention to her.

She decides when she will be picked up or stroked and when I get the privilege of her attention. If she is not in the mood to be with me, she will escape my grasp or simply ignore me. It is truly a one sided relationship.

It reminds that often I treat God the same way. I want his full attention when I desire it and can easily ignore him when he wants mine. Lord, forgive me and help me to be attentive to your desires and your guidance.

PS - At least Mariah is a good mouser

Bedtime

As I walked up the poorly lit stairs to my boys bedroom, I could feel a slight chill coming from above. I entered the room, plugged in their heater and sat at their side. Though they have bunkbeds, they still sleep together in the spacious bottom bunk. As they nestled in under the soft covers, I sensed a warmst welling up in me. This nightly ritual of prayer and good night hugs is a powerful and precious time.

Most profound to me, is that God hears every word of blessing, protection, and provision that I pray over my sons. Lord, help me not to take these moments for granted.

Birthday

Yesterday, as I was working in my office, I noticed faint singing coming from the hall. The familiar voices singing a special rendition of "Happy Birthday" brought a big smile to my face. My family entered with grins, homemade chocolate chip cookies and hand made birthday cards. Cherished hugs were exchanged and then they quickly exited for drinks in the church kitchen.

Later in the day, I opened much appreciated birthday cards and presents, but none of them quite compared with the crayola colored birthday cards from my kids. I have enjoyed some great store bought birthday cakes, but none tasted quite as good as the warm chocolate chip cookies that my wife brought to the church office.

Its these special moments that I choose to savor -- it is these loved filled acts that mean the most.

Opportunity

Our local YMCA was full of activity last night with elementary aged winter basketball practice. As my daughter's 3rd to 5th grade practice was about to begin, we visually survey her new teammates. At first we both were in awe at how much bigger most of the other players were than her. Her thin, 50 pound 3rd grade frame seemed to be no match to the Goliath sized 100+ pound 5th graders. How would she match up?

Then, as practice was about to begin, Coach Turner, a former high school and college basketball star who played 13 years of professional basketball, mentioned that I was going to help coach. Me? ... the closest I got to playing on a formal team is when I got cut during 7th grade try-outs. How would I match up?

Savannah and I both realized we had a choice -- either be intimidated by the situation or embrace the opportunity. We choose the later by realizing that this was a great opportunity to learn, be challenged, stretched to the limit, and grow. My daughter took on the challenge with intense focus and extreme hard work which resulted in significant improvement in just 1 hour of instruction. I was so proud of her decision to embrace the opportunity.

Choices

Tuesday, my family and I were driving to Ft. Wayne for a fun and relaxing overnight trip. The roads were snow covered and the frigid winds were gusting which made driving conditions sketchy at best. As we cut a path down the interstate, my hands griped a little tighter to the steering wheel, my speed was a little below normal, and my mind more focused on the task ahead.

As I reflect back, it occurred to me that my focused driving not only effected me but many others. The safety of my family and other drivers were impacted by my attentive driving. It reminds me that each decision I make whether wise or foolish will effect others around me. It is my choice whether my effect is positive or negative.