Here's some verses from Proverbs 9.

Proverbs 9

9:6-9 - Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. - Basically, heed the Lord's wisdom and not your own. Also, share your wisdom, but know that not everyone loves and accepts the Lord wisdom. There are those that scoff and mock the Lord, and therefore, will mock and insult you. I've had my share of it, but I thoroughly enjoy persecution. People persecute when they are feeling convicted, so I know that if I'm being persecuted because of the name of the Lord, I'm doing a good job. It's a form of encouragement. While it's not always pleasant, and it's frustrating when you can't help someone so hard hearted, it's encouraging when you can truly help an open-minded friend. It applies to myself too. Sometimes, it's hard to digest the truth about yourself. But, if you don't know what you should work on, how can you change? I am truly grateful for the "rebuke" of wise friends, and the help and advice they give. It really does add to your understanding of things. ;)

Ok, I just had to write this one down while it's fresh in my head. It's something my friend Heather, and I, were talking about. Yeah, us girls talk about a variety of subjects, and somehow, it came to this. LOL Just read, and "savor it." ;)

Think of family, or even the world, as a stew. Everyone is something different. They can be a spice, herb, vegetable, or whatever. They get added to the stew and they make it taste the way it is. Most of the time, the stew tastes good, but there are "bad ingredients" that can be mixed in.

Face it. There are people out there who don't live there lives for good. They contaminate the broth of life and they give it a bad flavor. Even if they are dead and gone, the impression they have left remains. Bad flavors linger and likewise, so do the good ones.

What flavor are you? What do you have to contribute to your family, and to the world? How will you flavor that broth of life that is provided by God? Regardless of what you choose, the impact of your flavor will remain. Season this life with good flavors, so as not to leave a bad taste in the mouths of others. Let people savor your actions, and reflect on your taste as a delicious morsel that stays with them long after you are gone. ;) God bless all who read this!

Proverbs 8 talks about wisdom, once again, and describes the richness of it. Wisdom cries out to us. It beckons to be heard and heeded. It is more valuable than material wealth, and serves a great purpose: to guide, enlighten, and aid us in the walk of life. The Lord's wisdom was here before he even made the world. God has always been there, since the beginning of time. Shouldn't we listen to and obey the Word of the Lord, the maker of all things? Those that hate wisdom, hate the Lord and love death. Read today's Proverb in its entirety. God bless all who read this! :)

36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Today, I read Proverbs 7. I know that I fell behind a couple days. Sorry about that. However, today's Proverb fit well with what was talked about at church.

First, I will post some verses and thoughts about Proverbs (you can read the whole things at www.biblegateway.com if you would like). Next, I will have some sermon notes.

7:1-5 - My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. - Once again, more warnings to heed wisdom so that one may store it in their heart and keep themselves from temptation, and the lure of adultery.

7:24-27 - Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

At church, they were talking about adultery and divorce. Who among us doesn't know someone that is divorced? Many of us have been personally affected by it, whether it was our parents, or family members, or if we were the ones who had a divorce.

Here were the main points:

Marriage:

1. Is divinely ordained

2. Is a fundamental part of God's plan

3. Is a covenant of companionship and intimacy

4. Is to conform to the model of Christ and His church

Divorce:

1. Is painful

2. Has its roots in our sinful nature

3. Was never a commandment. (The religious leaders of Jesus day were teaching that under certain conditions it was commanded)

4. Any sins involved can be forgiven

There was so much more to this sermon that I don't think I could re-explain as well........about the laws of the time and how they went about everything. It would make for a VERY VERY long read. ;) So, I'll summarize the points.

Marriage is divinely ordained and designed by God. It's a special thing that is between a MAN and a WOMAN created at the beginning of time in the garden of eden. Um yeah,..... Adam and Eve people. God is perfect. He doesn't make any mistakes, and he wouldn't MAKE anyone gay. That is contrary to His plan, and calling God a liar isn't a smart thing to do. Being gay is a choice and comes from our natural sinful desires as sinful human beings. If you think that there is more people being gay today than every, blame the culture that pushes and encourages it and influences/reinforces people's lustful and shameful thoughts. Blame that, not God.

Anyways, marriage is part of God's plan for a varitey of reasons. It's there for companionship, intimacy, friendship, and growth. And, the picture of marriage should be that of the marriage between Christ and His church. Being that we should love our spouse the way Jesus loves us, His church. Love is sacrificial, kind, and giving.

Divorce is a painful thing that destroys relationships and impacts all the parties involved. It definitely does have roots in the sinful nature. If you think about it, the resaons for divorce have a lot to do with selfishness, lust, greed, and other things. In the case of abuse, however, one SHOULD leave, as pointed out by our pastors. I know this was defnitely the case with my husband's parents. Who knows what would have happened had his mom not taken him and his sister and left.

Anyways, some of the religious leaders of Jesus time were even teaching that you could divorce for just about any reason and justify it. Sounds very similar to what goes on today. When in all actuality, it should be avoided at all costs and be a last resort, if all other methods of trying to work it out have been exhausted. After all, marriage is a covenant, not a contract. A covenant is a promise, hence the wedding vows. A contract has loop holes and escape clauses. That isn't what you sign up for when you get married. Marriage is much more serious and sacred than that. You are making a genuine promise to God, your spouse, and yourself. It's not to be taken lightly (are you listening Hollywood? Set a better example!).

Whatever the case, the sins can be forgiven. God can heal things. My parents divorced, as did Mitch's parents. It certainly is painful, and the effects of it last for the rest of your life. It affects the parents, the kids, and the families.

I know I probably didn't explain or elaborate very well, as they did in church, but you get the general idea. Cherish your relationships, and marriage (if you are married). God bless all who read this.

Ha! I'm not the only lengthy writer! he he..... guess what all? You are in for a good one! My bro in Christ, Ryan, who is at Teen Mania right now wrote something superb! I thought you all should read this one!! He's on my top friends list. www.myspace.com/missa_loves_the_lord So if you want to read more of his awesome blogs, go see!! Praise the Lord for him and what the Lord is doing, and will do, through him!! Love ya Ryan!!

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The matrix is an amazing movie. When the movie came out you couldn't go anywhere with out hearing it, or at least I couldn't. I have a friend who can't get enough of the movie. He has played and beat every game that has come out and he owns virtually every set of the movie including the animate version. The funny thing is about this movie is that so many people watch it and would love for it to be real. When in reality it is real. However, just like the movie most people don't even realize we are living in a matrix. We are so brain washed that we think the life we are living right now is the real world. 

In the movie the machines would grow and raise a crop of humans and from birth they are placed in the matrix. They get them young and while they grow up all they know is the world that has always been around them. They live what ever life they choose, but no matter what life they choose they are still living inside the matrix. The matrix is all around you. It is in your every day life and you don't even see it. Why, because it is what we call everyday life. In the movie there are people trying to wake up everyone in the matrix. Fighting a huge battle with the machines trying all they can to save the lives of the people trapped in the matrix, and some of the people die while fighting. While others don't want to accept the true reality after being woke up, because they were so in love with not caring that they just want to be plugged back in and wish they never heard about it. 

Our lives right now are just like the matrix. The world has so brain washed out generation that they think that the world they are living in is the real world. When in reality the world is created by places like MTV where they use the cradle to the grave theory. This is where they get you while you are still young and try to pour into you with sex drugs, alcohol, and violence. Did you know that 61 percent of all television programming has some sort of violence, with children's program being the most brutal? You will view and estimate of 10,000 act of violence this year. Also, the "family our" contains more then eight incidents of sexuality per hour. During regular TV programming you are subjected to around 20,000 commercials each year, 2,000 of which push beer or wine. They attach you while you are young till all you know is what they have shown you. 

We are living in their world and we don't know it because we accept their ways and say they are our ways. We let them brain wash us and we refuse to do anything about it. Most people are to busy focusing on themselves and their lives that they don't care. They are more worried about weather or not the person they are dating is cheating on them again. They are more worried about being judged for who they are. They stand up for their life because the world has taught them to do so while believing that anyone who doesn't agree with them is judging them. In the matrix agents move through every person still plugged in because they are still wired to the matrix. Just like the devil as he moves through us using us to do his bidding. Sometimes an agent is shot but they don't die all they do is move onto the next person while the person they were using is left for dead. The devil could care less of you die as long as he has control and you do what he wants. 

The people who are fighting outside the matrix and dieing for you represent Christians. They choose the red pill. The accepted Jesus and decided to live for Him. They decided to enlist as a solider and take the red pill and wake up and leave the world behind. They choose to listen to God and follow Him. Other people take the red pill with them thinking that having it is enough to get into heaven. True accepting Jesus into your heart will get you into heaven however you are still stuck inside the matrix, because you refuse to enlist as a solider and leave the life the world has created for you behind. Your life will still be the same until you truly want to change. Some people take the red pill and do wake up, but after seeing the reality of what they must do they break down and try to turn back. They don't want to believe the real world and would much rather live inside the matrix not having a care in the world. Accepting the poison of the world and choose to slowly die doing nothing to save the other people around them. It is only when we decide to truly leave our world behind and pick up our cross and follow Jesus that we will wake up and see the matrix for what it truly is. 

As we walk around we watch as other people are walking about the matrix still trapped and doing as the world has designed them to do. You watch as everyone lives out the matrix and they don't even care. Most of them see us Christians and hate us because we are trying to destroy their world. They hate us for trying to save their lives and telling them the truth. If the matrix the world has created is this strong with only 35% of the generation controlling it standing firm in their belief for Christ. Then what will it look like when our 4% rules the world. Our generation is so big that where ever we go the whole country goes. And only 4% of us stand firm in Christ because we never truly commit to the army of God and leave our world behind. I guess there only one question to ask. Are you ready for a fight? This is a real war and real people die trying to get the truth out.

I'm sure everyone has watched some coverage of what is known as "Black Friday," on TV (if they aren't participating in it themselves). Personally, I have never gone shopping on this day. A part of me has always wanted to experience that so-called rush and excitement, but the common sense part of me doesn't want to brave the traffic, the people, the lines, the whatever. And, when you weigh the risks and everything involved, you got to really ask yourself if it's worth it.

As I watch the coverage, I see reporters always asking customers if it was worth it. Most have mixed feelings. They say the deals are worth it, but all the work to get the deal is less than a desirable experience.

Which brings me to ponder a few things. I can look at this whole day a number of different ways. The first thing that comes to mind is how smart and savy the retailers are. They step up their game every year. Likewise, so do the customers. Now, people are actually missing out on all or part of Thanksgiving day just to camp outside a store to buy things! Now, say that outloud to yourself........"I am sleeping outside (insert retailer name here) to buy merchandise." Doesn't that make you feel incredibly targeted and manipulated? Not to mention the fact that you are most likely buying gifts for the very people you are missing out on by not going to your family gathering. Makes a lot of sense. "Here, come buy gifts for the people that you are ignoring by shopping at our store today." As if we really needed the world, media, and capitalism to steal us from our families on holidays too!

Bottom line is, people are more valuable than "things." As I wrote earlier, I wouldn't be sitting outside a store talking to strangers on Thanksgiving day and miss out on the fellowship of family. It's just truly astonishing and even appalling where America's priorities are anymore.

But, on the flipside, if you want to salvage a lesson out of it, people that jump on board a good deal when it's offered to them, do get a reward. The journey may be tough, but they get the deal they are promised. Maybe this is a stretch, because I still can't see how shopping is EVER more important than family, but I guess you can relate this to our journey in life. God offers us the amazing "deal" of salvation. He died on "GOOD FRIDAY" and then, he rose again. He conqured death and the grave, and now, we can have eternal life forever and ever!

Now, THAT is a deal!! I could NEVER pass that one up!! That one truly is worth re-prioritizing for! I definitely would choose Jesus over my family, if it came to that.......I can't think of a specific situtation where it would, but yeah.

So, as I watch people get all excited by "things" and spending oodles of money on "stuff" to please the people they love, or even themselves, I just sit back and enjoy the things that you can't put a price tag on. After all, I could never go to a store to watch my 3 year old son paint a priceless work of art on his little easel (which is what I witnessed today). It's amazing how random brush strokes with no particular theme to it can look absolutely beautiful to you. He truly enjoyed painting, and I enjoyed watching. It was my intention to frame them and put them in the gift baskets I am making for family members, but I don't know how I will part with them now. LOL (I know, I'm a silly sentimental mommy!) Just seeing the chaotic randomness of all those colors colliding with each other on each of his pages leaves so much room for interpretation and enjoyment.

Ok.....anyways, I know I'm a lengthy and windy writer. Maybe that is why I get so many "views" on this blog. Everyone has to come back more than once to read, because at first glance, they get scared off by the length of the entry. (I know my husband does that...he he). Well, regardless of the scenario, I pray everyone that reads this can get a good laugh, food for thought, or whatever it is that God plants in the heart of you. Keep the Christ in Christmas everyone, don't spend too much and remember the people, and not just stuff! ;) And, while you are at it, think about a gift that you could give the birthday boy (Jesus) for Christmas; whether it be the gift of giving your heart to him for the first time, or giving up something to be with him more often, or giving to others in his name. Think on that one while you are camped outside the store. ;) Ha ha. God bless all who read this!

Sometimes, we wish that the bliss of Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special moment could last all year round, or even forever. Well, it can!! Think about the things that truly make those moments worth savoring. What do they consist of? It consists of love, laughs, friends, family, and sharing. And, the governing principle of them all: Jesus.

Jesus is in the heart of these special moments. Spending time with Him helps us keep that same attitude and joy in our hearts every moment of our lives. Thanksgiving isn't just one day out of the year, it's a WHOLE ATTITUDE!! "Attitude of gratitude." :)

I had a GREAT time with my family tonight! We played the Balderdash game. It was pretty fun!! LOTS of laughs! It's the kind of stuff that memories are made of.

So, to make a special moment last,......... simply savor it. Treasure it and keep it in your heart. And, to have more times of joy, peace, and genuine happiness, seek after Jesus; but he's more than just a feeling. Jesus is a whole way of living, .....and worth living for!! :) AMEN! God bless all who read this!!

6:6-11 - Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. - Yep, speaking directly to me. Motivate me Lord! It’s hard for me to get up and moving once I wake up! Help me to be motivated, industrious, and productive, like my “busy ant” of a husband. ;) I admire and respect that about him. How does he do it?!

6:16-19 - These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Ok, I will be posting Proverbs in a little bit, but first, I will post a little something else.

Tonight, I took my son to a special bowling night with some other kids. Since we had to go straight there after speech therapy, I had my one year old daughter with me too. She was getting rather tired and squirmy, and I noticed she was saying something. I turned around and realized she was probably referring to the stuffed animals in the crane game. So, I walked over there and showed her the animals. I had some quarters so I attempted to win something for her.

As most of you know, that game is pretty tough. Generally, I can usually do pretty good, if an animal is in a good position to be picked up by that shaky crane. However, this was not one of those times. But, in order to hopefully calm her restlessness, I tried to get something for her,........ and failed.

So, I walked away, and she started crying pitifully. She's only a year old, so she couldn't understand what I meant when I said, "I'm sorry. I lost. I just couldn't get it." But, I thought, what the hey, I'll try again.

I was determined to win this time. Twice, I almost got a little penguin, but it was hanging on the crane by it's beak and fell off. But, it left it in a perfect position, right on top of the other animals. If I had had another quarter, I would have tried again.

Well, since I obviously left the game in perfect condition for someone else, and had no more quarters to continue, I had to walk away. Then, a girl came up and played. Yep, she went straight for that penguin!! I watched, her go for it as I thought in my head, "So help me, if you get that penguin on the first try with one quarter, after I put in four or more....." But, much to my gratification, she failed as well. So, in my head, I was like, "HA!!! You can't get it either!!"

Then, I immediately thought of something. God always does this to me. I am always able to see some sort of lesson in every little thing. It just happens......... so anyways,.........

I was thinking about how we put so much effort into something, and our efforts go unrewarded, as in the case of witnessing to someone and them not getting saved. Then, someone else comes along, and seems to effortlessly lead them to Christ. Then, you begin to wonder if you just weren't good enough to "win" them, or that someone else got the credit for all the work you put in leading up to it.

In either case, it really doesn't matter. All that matters is the end result, which is the person getting saved. It's the same with spiritual gifts also. It doesn't matter what gift you have, it only matters that you USE it (and use it for God). And, whether you help save one person, one hundred, or even one million, it's STILL significant, and God can't do without your contribution!! We are ALL united in the body of Christ and need to work together! We are on the same team, and there is no room for envy.

So, even if that gal did win the penguin, and capitalized on my efforts, I could have been happy for her and moved on. No, really, I could. ;) Well, I would eventually. (Oh c'mon, like you wouldn't be a little miffed at first.....) ;) Well, regardless if a person's motives are good or bad, our best efforts don't depend on someone else anyways. Regardless of the good or bad people in the world, we still got to do our part, even if someone steals our glory, which is REALLY God's glory anyways.

I guess it's also important to remember that we are all running in the same race. Not everyone wins first place, but we should all race with the intent of winning first......... as in putting forth our best effort to win. Keep on racing and doing your part!! God bless all who read this!

5:1-2 - My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. - It can’t be said enough. “Knowledge is power.”

5:3-14 - For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.