No Deserted Island Castle?

"Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;

he breaks out against all sound judgment."

Proverbs 18:1

A deserted island castle?  Some would say, "Why in the world would I want to do that?  There would be no people around!"  Others would retort, "A deserted island?  When do I go?"  We all have very different stages of comfort in social situations.  Some love to be the life of the party, mixing and mingling and enjoying every person there.  Others tend to find the nearest dark corner to blend into discreetly so that they don't have to speak to anyone.  That's a matter of temperament; the sanguine and choleric tend to dominate a situation, whereas the phlegmatic and melancholy tend to hold back.  That's okay to an extent, because that's the way God made us.

Yet the Proverb warns about isolationism.   Noah Webster defines isolate as "To place in a detached situation; to place by itself or alone; to insulate; to separate from others."   He also relates the word "isolate" to the word "isle."  

It's just not okay to pull away from all interaction with others.  Why?  Verse 1 of chapter 18 tells us two reasons:

1.  To do so means to seek our own desire.  What do I want?  What is most comfortable for me?  What benefit to I get from being around that person?  I only tend to get hurt.  I don't like being with people I don't know.   I don't want to have to talk with him.  I'm just not a good conversation maker.  Groups make me uncomfortable.  I don't know what to say.  (Notice the words in italics?)  In other words, when we refuse to give ourselves to others, we become selfish.  It's all about me!

2.  We are not using sound judgment.  Why is that?  

First of all, God created us as a social being.  One of the reasons God made us was to fellowship with Him:  1 John 1:1-4 says, "That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." No one who knows the Lord Jesus Christ would argue the fact that fellowship with Him is of utmost importance.

Secondly, we are exhorted in Hebrews 10:24 and 25, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."  As believers, we are to interact with one another in such a way that we are an encouragement to love and good deeds.  Can't do that on a deserted island, can we?

Third, we are to be busy about our Father's business of spreading the gospel to the world.  "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..." (Matthew 28:19a, 20a).  

There is no getting out of it.  No castle in the sand away from civilization for us!  It is not our lot in life.  Not what God intended.  Nope.  We can't get away with it from a spiritual point of view.  It's poor judgment on our part to try it.

Getting ready for a full day with little disciples,

Gloria

A friend loves at all times, 

and a brother is born for adversity."

Proverbs l7:l7

It seems that lately I'm airing dirty laundry.  If this post seems too long, it won't hurt my feelings if you don't read it; it's really for my benefit.  Do you ever just need to write things down in order to get some perspective?

For the past few days I have been nursing another wound, and I couldn't exactly put my finger on what it was.  I felt wounded by a best friend and didn't know how to deal with the feelings I was experiencing.  My feelings were hurt, and I found myself becoming angry. 

As I began to have my devotions this morning I found myself unable to hear from the Lord through His Word.  I was incapable of praying productive prayer and even wondered if the Lord was hearing me at all.  I got up from my chair, put on my tennis shoes, and began to walk and pray for some guidance from the Lord.  I began to talk to Him and asked for help.  As I walked, I discovered something.  The basic feeling I was experiencing was rejection.  Rejection?  No wonder I was so sad and angry.  I deserved to be!

Then the Lord did begin to speak to my heart.  

He reminded me of a passage of Scripture: 

"He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, 

and acquainted with grief; 

and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, 

and we esteemed him not."  

Isaiah 53:3

 

That's talking about my Savior!  He experienced many times over  feelings of rejection, much more severe than mine. He was even despised by men.  So who am I to nurse my wounds?  My Lord didn't sit around feeling sorry for Himself;  He gave Himself to the world that despised and rejected Him.

He said things like this to us: 

" Then Peter came up and said to him, 

“Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?

As many as seven times?”  

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times,

but seventy times seven. "

Matthew 18:21 

I could say that I've already forgiven 490 times (but I haven't), yet from what I've been taught, that just means that we must keep on forgiving.

He also said, 

"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."  Matthew 5:44-45. 

Well, I haven't been persecuted and this is my friend who made me feel rejected.  My Lord, though, was willing at all times to forgive and love.

I could go on, but I think we are both getting the picture.  There is no room, or time, in the Christian life for feeling sorry for ourselves.  I don't quite know how to resolve this in my heart of hearts.  I don't know whether to approach my friend with it or to just let it go.  I do know that the Lord wants me to obey my Heavenly Father as He gave me instruction.  

Who am I to think that I have the privilege of self-pity when I serve a Lord who has overcome all for my benefit?  

Hebrews 4:15 says, 

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect 

has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."  

And in 1 Corinthians 10:13, I am encouraged that, 

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. 

God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,

but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape,

that you may be able to endure it."

I'm not completely there yet, but God is reminding me that He has made the way to escape these temptations to feel sorry for myself, to be angry or resentful--or whatever else rears its ugly head in my life.  Now I must allow Him to free me of the joylessness that this brings.

Thanking the Lord for His precious Word,

Gloria

Ignoring Insults

"The vexation of a fool is known at once,

but the prudent ignores an insult."

Proverbs 12:16

Not long ago I received what I considered an insult from a rather young and inconsiderate woman.  What was meant to become lighthearted and complimentary conversation turned flat in a hurry when she gave a rude retort to my comment.  I said nothing else to her, and we left it at that.  Unfortunately,that insult stayed with me, and I would often mull it over in my mind with the idea that I was trying to decipher its true meaning, when in reality I understood its intent all along.  I just wanted to nurse my wounds a little longer. I felt that she had unjustly slammed me against the wall and caused a big, purple bruise to appear on my spirit.  It needed time to heal.  That's how I could justify the fact that I could (or would) not forget it and press on.

And then I read Proverbs 12:16.  Oops!  I think that I did a pretty good job of not showing my annoyance to her.  Oh, I'm too nice to do that!  But I did tell my daughter what happened  and talked to her about it.  She's the only one.  (I just needed someone to talk to.)  Well, I guess I talked to her about it a couple of times-- but that's all.  The vexation of a fool is known at once.  I failed the test.  I acted like a fool.

What should I have done?  The prudent ignores an insult. I should have realized that this is a young woman who has not had the advantage of age and who has not been taught propriety or good manners.  Even if she had been, I should have ignored the insult.  Why did I allow that very small negative comment to be harbored in my heart, to take up my time in thinking about it when I could have been dwelling on the things that matter?  Because I allowed myself to be vexed by someone's insult which should have fallen on deaf ears.

I'll close with this verse.  May we all be diligent to do this instead of that!

Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brothers, 

whatever is true,

whatever is honorable, 

whatever is just, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is commendable,

if there is any excellence,

if there is anything worthy of praise, 

think about these things."

Choosing to reflect on "these things today,"

Gloria

A Sunflower Tea Party

 

A hot July day is the perfect day for a sunflower-themed tea party,

and that's what we did.

 A little watermelon punch cooled us off nicely.  

Recipe at the end of the post.

 The table setting was minimal 

because we ate mostly finger foods.

 Don't you just love sunflowers?

 A little extra decor

Our attempt at making the food look like sunflowers!

 

Two of the little ones made these 

for the party the day before.

 

The finished craft

At the end of the day, I think all were satisfied and had a good time.  

We talked during lunch about what it means to be a gracious woman.

  Maybe this tea party thing is working!  

Their manners were exquisite, and their insight was--well, 

pretty insightful.

Watermelon punch

8 cups pureed watermelon

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup lime juice

1/2 cup sugar

ginger ale

Blend watermelon until liquid.  Add remaining ingredients.  Pour into ice trays and freeze until almost solid (about 3 hours).  Remove from ice trays and place in a punch bowl.  Pour ginger ale over the watermelon and break up cubes till slushy.  Serve in punch cups and enjoy!

Today I am linking to these tea parties:

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2011/07/73-rd-table-top-tuesday.html

http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/2011/07/91st-tuesday-tea-for-two.html

http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/2011/07/91st-tuesday-tea-for-two.html

http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/2011/07/old-general-sore-cafe-remodel.html

  http://www.marthasfavorites.com/2011/07/dont-worry-be-happy-it-is-tea-cup.html

How It Multiplies!

"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;

another withholds what he should give,

and only suffers want."

Proverbs 11:24

I'd like to introduce you to two of my dear friends.  Well, I've never actually met one of them, but I look forward to meeting him in heaven.  His name is George Mueller, and he took this verse and many other similar verses to heart.  He gave liberally and never told anyone his needs; He trusted God to lay it on the hearts of people to give, believing that what God ordained He would provide.  

To read a short synopsis of my friend George Mueller's life, go here:  

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/biographies/george-muellers-strategy-for-showing-god

or

To read a wonderful biography that just may change your life, read

George Mueller of Bristol

by 

Arthur T. Pierson

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_25?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=george+mueller+of+bristol&sprefix=george+mueller+of+bristol

The other friend I would like you to meet is my friend Jim Elliff.  Jim is a man who has embraced the lifestyle of George Mueller.  He is one of the most giving men I have ever met.  Don't tell him that you like something that he has; he will likely give it to you!  He and his family have never been wealthy by the world's standards, but many years ago they were able to pay off their mortgage and have managed to stay debt free in a plastic society.  His ministry has never lacked for support, though he has never told anyone his needs except his heavenly Father.  

You can visit his ministry site here:

http://ccwtoday.org/

I hope that you will take the time to look at these two men and the wonderful example that they have set for the rest of us.  There are men today who are willing to step out in faith, believing God's Word to be true and faithful.  I am thankful for George Mueller's example in history and for Jim Elliff's continuing example of liberal giving and faithfulness in trusting God to provide all his needs.

Desiring God's best,

Gloria

Leading to Righteousness

"The memory of the righteous is a blessing,

but the name of the wicked will rot."

Proverbs 10:7

How does the book of Proverbs help us to live righteously so that others remember us with joy?  If it seems that I write about a few things in various ways, you are right.  The Proverbs do the same thing--encouraging us to gain wisdom and to learn what a righteous life should exemplify.  What topics does the 10th chapter of Proverbs cover?  Let's take a look:

Foolishness versus wisdom--verses 1,8,10,13,14,21,23

Wickedness versus righteousness--verses 2,3,6,7,13,17,20,23,24,25,27,28,29,30

The diligent versus the sluggard--verses 3,4,5,26

The right way versus the wrong way--verses 9,10, 24

What we say--verses 8,10,11,13,1l8,19,20,21,31,32

Money--verses 4,5,15,16,22,

All of these topics are covered over and over in the Proverbs.  When something is repeated many times, it seems that we should sit up and listen.

My word of encouragement for you today is to take the time to study the Proverbs on your own.  Take a set of colored pencils and using one color per topic, begin to shade or underline them.  You will be amazed how many different topics are repeated.  Those above are some of them.  Then somewhere in your Bible make a topic index that shows the color you used for each specific topic. You will have a storehouse of wonderful wisdom from which to learn and grow. 

 As we learn to lead a righteous life,

Gloria

All for Myself

"If you are wise,you are wise for yourself; 

if you scoff, you alone will bear it."

Proverbs 9:12

Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?  No?  Well, I'd love to tell you about it so that you can share with me its incredible beauty, its vast expanses, its rich and vibrant colors, the depth and height and width of what my finite vision could perceive, the fear that it invoked as I looked down into the gorge, the awe that it struck in my soul as I recognized God's glory revealed.  I would tell you of the joy that I experienced as I tried to take it all in, as I enjoyed the freedom that standing before such majesty invoked.  I would tell you...........but I realize that only I can experience what my heart enjoyed.  No matter how many words I use, despite the book of pictures that I bring out, you still will not appreciate it in the same way that I did.  In fact, my experience at the Grand Canyon belongs to me.  You must go and experience it for yourself.  Now, if you have been to the Grand Canyon, we can share in the wonders of what we saw.  But even then we have certain feelings, special moments that are all our own and no one else will ever understand.

God says that wisdom is the same.  One man's wisdom does not make another wise.  No matter how much he tries to make you see his wisdom, it does us no good.  We must experience it for ourselves.  If you are a wise person too, then Proverbs 9:9 tells us that if a wise person gives us instruction, then we will still be wiser.

And yet we really benefit no one else by being wise except that we can share that wisdom that God gives us in hopes that another will go to the Scriptures and learn for himself.

Perhaps you do not believe that the Grand Canyon even exists.  You mock me and laugh at me and scorn me.  You refuse, no matter how many pictures I bring out, to trust that there is such a thing.  and no, you won't drive that far to see what doesn't exist.  Nothing I say or do will convince you.  Poor thing!  You are missing out on the pleasure and wonders of one of God's most beautiful creations.  The more I try to convince you, the more you scoff at me.  Oh, well, you will just have to live your life in your own little narrow world.

The scoffer, according to Proverbs 9:11, is the same.  Noah Webster defines a scoffer as, "One who scoffs; one that mocks, derides or reproaches in the language of contempt; a scorner."  His time will come when he believes that the wise counsel of God is true, but it will be too late.  He will have to bear it himself.  Nothing that is said to him in wisdom makes a difference in his contemptible attitude.  He is to be left to his own evil ways.  (Proverbs 9:7-8).

We each have our own decision to make.  We can be wise and believe the Truth, enjoying for ourselves the fellowship of our Creator, or scoff and suffer on our own.

As we seek God's wisdom,

Gloria