My son, eat honey because it is good,
And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;
¹⁴ So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; Proverbs 24:13-14

I’ve been wanting to find a new verse for them to memorize, but I’ve not found one I like. Then I found this one:

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

That’s the one we’ve been saying the last few days. I’ve been pointing out when I hear pleasant words. I’ve given them examples at breakfast when we talk. I’m getting to where I love the analogy of good things and honey/candy. I want them to know the eternal things that are truly delightful and satisfying. The next passage with honey is in Psalm 19– God’s Word is sweeter than honey.

Today we had candy and pleasant words. We’ve also had whining and complaining. I’m thinking (since this is Wednesday) that I need to have pleasant words too. Sometimes I correct more than I praise. I want them to know how much joy I have when they choose to do right.

I cuddled Bethel this morning and told her, My daughter, when your heart is wise, my heart also shall rejoice.

Here is the question I’m asking myself: Are my actions showing a joy in knowledge and wisdom this week?Similar Posts:

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My son, eat honey because it is good,
And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; Proverbs 24:13-14a

I explained that Solomon wasn’t just telling us how good candy was. He was teaching us something about how delightful wisdom is. Then I announced that we were going to plan a wisdom party.

At this announcement, they perked up. They wanted to know what a wisdom party was like. (So did I– I was making it up as I went.) I decided that when we went to the grocery store, we’d get a bunch of candy. I told them that I wanted to learn this verse and what it meant. Every time I wanted a piece of candy, I’d practice my verses before I got a piece. I asked them if they’d like to have a wisdom party and practice the verses with me.

All of them wanted to play along. So off to the store we went, coming home with (far too much) candy. Lee came home, so he got to play, too. I printed off the verse in big letters on a sheet of paper. We put all the candy on the coffee table. Then we just practiced the verse. Each time everyone practiced the verse, we all got a piece of candy. We did it about ten times before leaving to run some errands. When we came back, they wanted another wisdom party. So we practiced again, and they ate more candy.

I put the verse on the refrigerator, and when they want a piece of candy, they have to say the verse. I’ll probably keep asking them questions about what the verse means. What was Solomon talking about? How is wisdom like honey, or candy? Do we look forward to reading God’s Word the same way we look forward to having a piece of candy? Is finding wisdom something fun, or something boring?

Now, I think I’ll go practice my verses. All this talk about candy makes me want some!Similar Posts:

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My son, eat honey, for it is good.
Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;
Know that wisdom is thus for your soul. (Pr. 24:13-14)

It’s another object lesson, and one I’ve never tried before. We’ve used other objects for teaching about wisdom, but never compared it to candy. I think today when we go to the grocery store, we’re going to prepare for a wisdom party. Want to have a wisdom party, too? I’ll tell you how ours goes.

[If you've never read The Bee Tree by Patricia Pollaco, you might want to check it out from the library. It's about a Grandfather who teaches a similar lesson in the same way to his granddaughter.]Similar Posts:

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Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?

²¹Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.
²²Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.
²³God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.
²⁴For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;
²⁵To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.
²⁶When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:
²⁷Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.

²⁸And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. (Job 28:20-28)

What I’ve been pondering is that I often equate wisdom with knowledge. I think that because I read a good verse (like the ones above), I’ve gained wisdom. On the contrary, the fear of the Lord and understanding, components of wisdom in this passage, include a clear call to action. This passage reminds me of James’s discussion of faith: if it doesn’t have action, or works, it’s not true faith. Likewise, wisdom that doesn’t include action, or obedience to the Word, isn’t true wisdom.

That thought has been motivating me to act, to obey what I know is right: loving my husband by getting up to make him coffee and lunch, making dinner (and not mac and cheese five times a week!), blogging at night so my mornings aren’t chaotic, and so on. I know a handful of right actions that I don’t always do because I don’t feel like doing them. Funny thing, that’s something I’ve been talking about with my children!

Specifically, how is Scripture changing you this week?Similar Posts:

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Last week when we were at the thrift store looking for books, David and Bethel were excited to find some birding magazines. One of them was a Smithsonian, and although I glanced at it when they brought a stack over, I didn’t think anything other than pleasure that the bird magazines appeared to have good articles, and thankfulness that they don’t have ads that must be removed. Later that afternoon, I realized that the Smithsonian magazine was not in the stack when David informed me that it had bad pictures in it and he had put it back.

I wanted to take the time to talk about the immoral woman in the context of David making a wise decision to put the magazine back and tell mom about it. Here is what we talked about.

• First, I read the passage about needing discernment and making our lips security guards for knowledge (verse 2). I explained some things are wise not to talk about with some people. That’s why I can talk with Laurel about poop when I’m helping her in the bathroom, but not allow her to talk about it in the car among her siblings as a joke. I wanted them to understand that some knowledge is private.
• Next, I read about the immoral woman appearing good when she really was extremely dangerous (verses 3-5). I explained that the magazine David found looked like a good magazine. It had a beautiful bird picture on the cover, but the inside had bad pictures in it (truthfully, I don’t know how bad they were, but that doesn’t matter for my teaching opportunity). I asked, “Does the immoral woman always look dangerous?” NO!  They got the answer right! I wanted them to understand that sin often appears attractive.
• I then read the portion that tells us to get far away from the immoral woman (verse 8). David could have decided that he would look at the good parts of the magazine and not said anything about the bad parts. But he put it back and told mom. That’s exactly what Solomon tells us to do. (I do think asking mom to remove the offending pictures would be another acceptable action, but we haven’t talked about that yet.)  We are not to reason with the immoral woman, try to convert her or convince her that she’s in danger. We are not to be cavalier about sin, and I want them to understand that running away from sin is a wise response.
• Finally, I read the portions about enjoying one’s own wife (verses 15-18). I explained that this is why I don’t let anyone else touch my private parts except my husband, and that he enjoys this very much, just like King Solomon says. I want them to know that God’s ways are the best ways.

This post is a Wisdom Wednesday because I was convicted that God’s Word makes it clear that parents should be teaching their children about the dangers of the immoral woman, and the great value of the beautiful woman called wisdom. God showed me that I had a good opportunity to bring it up in a positive way. Maybe I’ll follow up this discussion with reading the chapters on wisdom, and then reading the Proverbs 31 chapter, too.

My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
Lend your ear to my understanding,
² That you may preserve discretion,
And your lips may keep knowledge. Proverbs 5:1

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Here are the passages I’ve been meditating on this week. It starts with mom’s book, Glimpses of God, that I talked about the other day.

In Sunday school, we started the chapter discussing Lord Sabaoth, or Lord of Hosts. The chapter opens with a discussion of Joshua before going to Jericho.

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so. Joshua 5: 13-15

The Lord of Hosts goes before us in battle. That’s a great thought to begin a week with. On Sunday night, God gave me a new challenge, and I needed the strength of His Word. I read Psalm 46, and was tickled to see the Lord of Hosts there! (I checked, and mom did talk about it later in the chapter. I just haven’t read it yet.)

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
³ Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.  Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
⁶ The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

⁷ The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah

The Lord of Hosts is our refuge, but we cannot take refuge in the Lord of Hosts if we are trying to worry through [e.g., fight] our own battles. I do have the responsibility to do right in matters I can control, but I can trust God in matters I cannot control. This has been a restful thought for me, and I know God is using His Word to keep my eyes focused on Him and not myself or my circumstances. Praise the Lord!Similar Posts:

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Here’s the question I’ve been pondering, and it rather relates to a conception I had before I became a mother, that the best mothers use a gentle tone of voice for any reprimand of their children, no matter how serious. Is there any occasion where a godly mother will righteously and effectively raise her voice when reprimanding her children? I imagine Caroline Ingalls saying in a slow voice, “Girls…” and knowing that on the outside at least, all the Ingalls children quickly stepped back in the line of good and right. On the other hand, my own mother, whom I hold in deepest regard, did on occasion raise her voice. I remember clearly that for at least some of those occasions, it served to demonstrate to me the seriousness of my offense, even though I didn’t completely understand exactly why it was a problem. In other cases, I remember thinking about everything except the lecture. Perhaps the intensity was appropriate, but it was not necessarily effectual.

Here are a few scenarios:

• Several children are making a great deal of noise in the car and cannot hear a normal tone of voice instructing them to be quiet.
• A young child is swinging a metal chain around a group of children.
• A young child has impulsively run out in a busy street to get a ball.
• A young child accepts candy from a strange adult at the park.
• A young child is biting offensive peers in retaliation.
• A teenage girl has stayed out late innocently chatting with her coworkers after work, while mom and dad sit at home worrying.
• Parents find out that a teenage son has been accessing inappropriate images on the computer.

Here’s what I’m thinking. In many, if not all of these cases, children may not truly understand the gravity of the offense. To them, the offense is the same as a relatively minor infraction even though in some of these cases, the offense has grave potential consequences. An occasional raised voice can be very helpful in signalling to them the importance of obedience and trust in a particular matter. We sometimes say that there are no differences among sins, but beyond a basic acknowledgement that Christ died for all sins equally, it is not biblical to suggest that God does not dislike some sins more than others or that all sins have equal consequences.

In fact, passages such as Proverbs 6 lose their meaning if we suggest that the writer’s use of abomination is hyperbole when refering to God’s attitude toward certain sins. Knowing that God HATES a proud look does help me understand its importance to Him, especially since I don’t readily see this sin as something of significant destructiveness in my life.

My tendency as a mom is to be intense (raise my voice) too often. I do struggle sometimes with selfish anger at my children’s sins. Because of my tendency to be self-deceived and selfish, I desperately need to be walking in the spirit, to be seeking for wisdom in my dealings with my children. Yet, it does not follow that it is impossible or undesirable to raise a voice or be righteously angry with our children on occasion.

There are six things that the LORD hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 6:16-19

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Can I be both Mary and Martha at the same time?

I’ve been diligent this week. My closet is clean, the yard is looking great, I’ve been getting rid of clutter. I’ve even had time to get out my cookbooks (if you know me, that’s a good sign that ducks are getting in a row).

But as I asked myself how Scripture has been changing me, I draw a blank. I’ve been reading the Bible, enjoying it. I’ve marveled at God’s greatness and majesty. I’ve praised God for his work in my life.  But I’ve not been considering how what I’m reading should change what I’m doing TODAY. Sadly, it’s not because I haven’t had any challenges.

I’ve been irritable all week. Why couldn’t I have sat down and considered God’s Word on the matter? How long would it take to remind myself about anger? the fruit of the Spirit? repentance?

Here’s the important question: Does that mean that all the work I’ve been doing has been “in my own strength” (i.e., not walking in the spirit)? After all, if I’m walking in the spirit and cleaning, then I probably will be patient and longsuffering too, right? I’ll be humble and loving? That is a convicting thought. I want to be disciplined AND walking in the spirit, and I think I’ve not been doing that.

• translation soma greek

This is why I try to discipline myself on Wednesdays to talk about how I am attempting to obey Scripture in specific occasions during that week. Without the constant scrutiny, I don’t do as well. Tomorrow I’m going to spend some time thinking about these things. I’ll tell you what I learn and remember.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

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For Wisdom Wednesday, I started thinking last night about whether Scripture has changed me at all this week. Just the exercise of asking myself this question is good for me. I’ve read the Bible this week. I even thought about it. I didn’t always forget what I had read. But the question is, has Scripture changed the way I think, or what I have done, this week? That’s not a question I can answer glibly in ten seconds.

It’s embarrassing to state that God’s Word (when I read and obey it) is still challenging me to do simple things I keep writing about— wash the dishes when I’m tired, make a phone call, take the time to talk to Laurel when she seems like she’s avoiding going to bed but really afraid for her dad. Those things are simply the result of walking with God, not necessarily a specific passage that is changing me.

I’m reading through the life of David right now, and the chronological plan I’m reading inserts Psalms that were written during certain events (and some that carry the same theme). Mostly I think I’ve been reminded of God’s goodness and greatness. That helps me to rest in God’s care, to call on God for wisdom, to remember what God has done for me.

I love this passage.

But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 131:2-3

I like the imagery of a young child who feels safe with his mother. He may have been crying in fear, but in mother’s arms, he calms down. Just like David, I can deliberately calm and quiet my soul.

That’s what God is reminding me this week. If I am going to have a calm and quiet soul, I have to deliberately take the time to dwell in the secret place of the most high. That is, I must spend more than five minutes of daily bread if I am to trust God. When in the past few months I was “too busy” to spend that time, everything in my life suffered. I’m remembering that it’s a good thing to be calm and quiet, even when my circumstances are not. God’s grace is sufficient for me.

How is God’s Word changing you this week?

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A Wisdom Wednesday Post!

I’ve not been reading through the chronological reading guide, and I’ve not been doing very well at memorizing Philippians (remember, our church is doing this: two verses each week for the whole year). It’s hard, but that’s not a good excuse. Yesterday, I decided to get back on track. I’m going to reprint out my verse cards, add the new verses that I haven’t worked on. At the least I can read the book through each day, right?

Here is part of the chronological reading for today:

Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law [2] of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

I’ve not been delighting in Scripture or thinking about it beyond a few minutes each day. Part of the problem is that I’m spending more time with my parents. That’s a good and precious thing, but sometimes I need to choose the more needful thing. I’ve not been doing that. Truth be told, I may not have to choose between spending time with my parents and reading my Bible, if I’m diligent.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend some time driving while my children slept in the car. I was happy that I had time to meditate on what I had been reading.  Today won’t be so easy. I’ll need to be deliberate in how I spend my time.

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