Posts Tagged ‘Proverbs’

Its a Jolly Holiday

July 19th, 2010

Last night Amy and I were blessed to be able to watch Mary Poppins at the Kennedy Center as we kicked off another week of summer holiday.  And of course Mary is one to remind you of the good things in life and to take advantage of all the opportunities for treating others right.

So I go off for a few days, and a few of my fellow buffeters keep up the encouragement for the remainder of the week.  But before I do here is a simple reminder to always consider others and and keep  a check on the words you use throughout the day today.

11 A word aptly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)

You can never underestimate the power of the words you use.  Make sure they are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Building with Wisdom

June 24th, 2010

Yesterday I wrote about standing up, and then I traveled downtown to the office and gathering with my fellow geeks for the all employee meeting.  Since this was scheduled during the USA-Algeria game, I had to position myself where I could be in a place to casually check my phone for progress of the game.  However, to my demise, I was in a place where the camera was almost always pointed towards the section I was sitting.  So, the World Cup had to wait.  ( And I am sure glad that Landon didn’t wait any longer then the 91st minute!)

Anyway, some of our sales guys were talking about how IT effects our sales processes, which was actually very interesting, and then he says something that really impressed me.  He says, “this morning when I was reading the Daily Buffet..”.  Man that would have been awesome.  No, he says “this morning, when I was doing my daily devotional, the verse was from Proverbs 24.”  Then we went on to talk about the Proverb and to apply it to some of the things he does each day. I was so impressed that in Corporate America, in front of a worldwide audience, he would mention his daily time with God in such a casual manner.  That’s standing up.  I hope this gives you a little bit of motivation today to stand up and build your house with wisdom and understanding.

1 Do not envy wicked men,
do not desire their company;

2 for their hearts plot violence,
and their lips talk about making trouble.

3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;

4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.

5 A wise man has great power,
and a man of knowledge increases strength; Proverbs 24:1-5

A Chapter for Each Day

May 20th, 2010

Its one of those choked out by the world days, and my mind is apparently shallow and empty. As I opened the editor this morning, I had no idea what to write down, as you are not interested in Composite User Applications, policy and procedures and other IT mumbo jumbo.

I then remembered that my good friend Marti once said when you don’t know what to read,  head to Proverbs – there are 31 days in the months and 31 chapters – just read the one for the day.  So today on my brother’s birthday I jumped over to Proverbs 20 and found this:

9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin”?

which reminded me of a simple prayer over in Psalms 51 which is good for everyday, But something that we often forget.  Here is something that should help keep you buffeted today:

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Field Trip – Yeah

May 17th, 2010

Today I will board a bus with 60 fourth graders and ride up to Nashville to tour the Capital and the home of Andrew Jackson.  I have decided to spend one of my 700 days off ( I figure that’s about all I get in my working career) not because I am such a political history buff that I have a great desire to see these historical landmarks again.  I go to impact the children that I have been given.  To me this is part of that whole leave it day to impact people thing.

So today, I leave too much work undone, and head off into the land of elementary education.  Sharing my day with a bunch of over zealous fourth grade boys, hopefully impacting them in a way that helps turn them into men, and in a way that leaves some moments that they will talk about about the high school reunions which will come all too soon.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

Distractions

March 1st, 2010

Today is March 1st, and its a day full of distractions.  The first of March, is it in like a lion or a lamb?  Its the second day of the Hindu holiday Holi.  There’s a full moon.  Its National Peanut Butter Lovers Day.  There’s talk of another big snow event in the southeast. Its almost Spring.  March Madness is right around the corner. And I am sure you can add lots of other things to the day. A day of distractions.

My youngest son turns 10 today.  I still remember being at the hospital and getting a call from a boss at the time.  She was asking me if I could get a report complete and to her by the end of the day. I told her that I was a little distracted at the time, and probably would not be able to accomplish that today .  Finally, remembering what was going on, she realized the ridiculous nature of her request and started apologizing immediately. Distractions.

Distractions from the goal at hand are always present, its our job to filter them out and focus on the goal, the prize.  But boy is it hard some times, I find my self so easily distracted that its absolutely infuriating.  Today’s buffet is a few verses to help you (me) keep your (my) spiritual focus.

24 Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Make level [a] paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.

Proverbs 4:24-26 (New International Version)


2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 (New International Version)

Stay focused on your spiritual goal today, and avoid the distractions!