Proverbs - Chapter 2 - The Blessings of Wisdom

Today's thought:
Good words in today's chapter!   Proverbs 2:2-3 provide names or aspects of the same gift:  Wisdom, Understanding, and Intelligence.  Verses 10-11 add two more descriptions:  Knowledge and Discretion.  Wisdom contains a large body of aspects.  I am certain more names or descriptions will be revealed in future chapters.

My Bible's introduction to Proverbs, describes the book as, "an anthology of didactic poetry forming part of the sapiential literature of the Old Testament." 

Words for today:
di·dac·tic
 adjective \dī-ˈdak-tik, də-\

: designed or intended to teach people something

—used to describe someone or something that tries to teach something (such as proper or moral behavior) in a way that is annoying or unwanted

 

sapiential (ˌseɪpɪˈɛnʃəl; ˌsæpɪ-)

adj

1. showing, having, or providing wisdom

ˌsapiˈentially adv

 

Proverbs - Chapter 1

My dear friend, Lora, sends out a daily bible verse via text  message.   When I read the verse she sent from Proverbs 31 - The Ideal Wife, I had to comment, which is when she assigned the book of Proverbs as my July homework.  One chapter a day.  Two of my friends, Shelley and Liz, were invited to participate as they are good Christian women who can provide valuable insight.

I wanted to document the study, and provide a place to share our thoughts.  Interestingly enough, the book of Proverbs is referred to as a "Book of Wisdom."  So, my blog name, Wisdom in small bits, seemed a good place to document and share.

There are a lot of words in the readings that are not frequently used in day to day 2014 language, so I decided to enlarge my vocabulary by including interesting words and their meanings, copied from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary.  My hope is that the definitions will bring additional clarity to the reading.

My disclaimer to this blog post series is that my thoughts are human, and perhaps even a bit snide, but once written provide evidence of completed homework assignments.

Thought #1
Proverbs 1:20-21...  "Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the open squares she raises her voice..."  Ah yes - Wisdom is a female.  Amen I say - AMEN.
Proverbs 1: 2-6...  "That men may appreciate wisdom and discipline, may understand words of intelligence..."  Dare I say it?  That men may learn from women.

I admit it.  I am a sexist person - favoring the female race as stronger, smarter, tougher, more loving, more generous and infinitely more caring.  The fact that this book starts out honoring women makes me want to cheer, and then to continue to read.

Of special note, the Bible I will be using for this study is The New American Bible, the Bible that was given to me when I went through RCIA (Rite of Catholic Initiation), with my dear friend Lora.  It is a book approved by and distributed by the Catholic church, which I dearly love.  While I am not currently a practicing Catholic, the Word of grace is ours.

Today's study words are:

Proverbs 1:9:
1.       di·a·dem, noun, 1. a crown.  2.  a cloth headband, sometimes adorned with jewels, formerly worn by Oriental kings. 3.  royal dignity or authority.
2.       torque, noun, Also, torc. a collar, necklace, or similar ornament consisting of a twisted narrow band, usually of precious metal, worn especially by the ancient Gauls and Britons.

Proverbs 1:22
3.       in·an·i·ty, noun  1. lack of sense, significance, or ideas; silliness. 2.  something inane. 3. shallowness; superficiality.

Proverbs 1:23
4.       re·proof, noun  1.  the act of reproving, censuring, or rebuking. 2. an expression of censure or rebuke.   Synonyms   1. rebuke, reproach, remonstrance, chiding. 

Misadventures in blogging

This morning I wanted to write about busy-ness and found a perfect post to re-blog (http://campariandsofa.com/2013/04/08/doing-more-only-to-do-less-do-we-glorify-busy/).  First I posted it to my knitting site.  After an hour of blog reading, I determined the post did not fit content wise, so the post got sent to the trash.

During my Internet meanderings, I found another great knitting blog to re-post.  Unfortunately, I reposted this post about addiction (knitting addiction) to my husband's business blog... oops... thank goodness for the trash bin.

I have different blogs for different mindsets.  Wisdom in Small Bits is about wisdom we gather with age.  This blog is perfect for your consideration on a Saturday morning.

My apologies to the bloggers, whose blogs I sent to the trash.  They are now linked in the right blogsites.  Happy weekend.

Keep dreaming and believing

My motivation for the day came from one of the blogs I follow.  A reader commented the following in response to the blogger not winning a contest, a very BIG contest.  She said,   "It is said that when you desire something and the Universe does not give it to you, that means whatever you thought you wanted is not enough to fulfill your dream. That means something even bigger and better is waiting for you. Keep dreaming and believing and be excited!"

One of my friends once told me, "I'll keep this signed bottle of wine you gave me, because someday I'll say to my friends, "I knew her when she wasn't famous.'"  In the depths of my soul I know that it is within me to do something spectacular.  What I need to do is define the dream, put steps to it, and get it done.  How does one define their dream?  How do the very successful people rise from nothingness to fame and glory?  I will take on that question as my next task.  You never know what will come when you dream and believe.

 

For everything there is a season

This week brought the first day of spring, which used to be my favorite season.  Spring was marked with the smell of moist soil being uncovered by melting snow, the arrival of crocus, daffodils and tulips, warming temperatures, and shorter sleeves. 

As spring arrives, we say farewell to winter, which used to be my least favorite season.  I used to despise the bitter cold temperatures and weather conditions that restricted travel.  As time marches on, I  have come to appreciate winter.  It does not require as much from you as the productive seasons of spring and summer.  The garden has been put to bed, the freezer is full of fresh produce and the wood stove beckons you to sit close and kick back.

Fall is a favorite season of my mother and sisters.  They love the changing colors of the leaves, the musky smell of the air and the excuse to pull your favorite sweaters out of your closet.  Only recently have I also come to appreciate fall for all of its glorious colors and temperature changes.

Summer is a busy season.  The garden puts out an abundance of produce.  Clothing requires less effort.  Colors are vibrant.  Sunshine is abundant. People cook out, vacation and enjoy baseball.

As residents of the Midwest United States, we are fortunate to enjoy all of the seasons in full splendor.  Wisdom comes in being able to appreciate the new season, even though we mourn the exiting season.  We rejoice in the colors of fall and the ability to relax near the fire in winter, as we put the garden to rest at the end of summer.  Spring brings a rebirth of flowers and foliage, along with a sadness that our time of rest is coming to an end.  "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:"  Ecclesiastes 3:1 American Standard Version

C's to ponder

1. Cancer:  Really God?  Where did you come up with this idea? 
2. Chemotherapy:  Again.  Really?  Someday, in the Star Trek-like future, will we look at chemo like we now look at blood letting?
3. Crying:  I gave up on that 25 years ago when Dad died.  I feel like crying these days.  In my mind, crying serves no purpose and is embarrassing.  I'm considering whether or not a good cry would ease the pain that is taking over my heart.
4. Co-workers:  I get the team concept.  I get the fact that we all have our contributions and I love a good team's synergy.  I do not however, enjoy spending time with my co-workers.  However, there is a new person on my team that I enjoy.  Go figure.  We both like the one application that no one else in our office likes.  
5. Chocolate:  If there is a savior in all of life's little miseries, it is chocolate.  It is the goodness to all evil.
6. Cats and Canines:  How is it that a proven cat lover has given way to a canine?  I love my dog.  I cannot imagine life without her.  Right now, her muzzle is on my left wrist as I type and she is cuddled up next to me like a security blanket.  She is the love of my life.
7. Cake:  Last night as my friend and her near-three-year-old drove to the grocery store together, we asked the three-year-old what he would like for supper.  His brilliant answer was:  Cake.  One of my current favorite sayings is, Life is short, eat dessert first.  Today we are going to bake Ree Drummond's famous Chocolate Birthday cake for my birthday.  Tonight for supper, we will have cake!  Life is short...
8. Coffee:  I have discovered a favorite Starbucks blend: Tribute.  If you haven't tried it yet, make time to indulge yourself with a Vente.  Add milk and sugar if you like it that way.  It enhances the sensuous flavor.  Another great coffee find is sugar free hazelnut creamer (powder form).   It is neither healthy nor good for you, but I bought a second container at the store last night because again, life is short.
9. Chocolate Chips and Cream:  Two of the three ingredients in the Chocolate Birthday Cake recipe frosting.  No powdered sugar, no butter...  just warm the cream, pour it over the chocolate chips to melt, cool and whip with a little vanilla when you're ready to frost the cooled cake.   This frosting is glorious.  If you don't want to make the cake, at least make the frosting and eat it with a spoon.
10. Cure:  Will there ever be a cure for cancer? 
11. Closure:  Enough is enough.  Sometimes you have to say, enough. 

Rabbit Rabbit!

Way back when I was in high school, one of my friends had a family tradition of saying "Rabbit Rabbit" to the first person they spoke to on the first day of the month.  The purpose behind this behavior was to bring good luck for the month to the person saying the phrase.  I thought it was a great tradition, because my friend's family was way cool.  Today, my sister and I continue to hold onto this tradition, however we have incorporated e-mail as our method of communication.    Periodically, we add fun images of rabbits to our e-mails which adds points.  However, the winner is always the first to e-mail. Today is March 1st.  My sister won as she texted me at 4:10 am.  I am an early riser, but 4:10?  WAY too early.

As a "Type A" personality, it is humbling to lose. I still believe I will have good luck this month as the first thing out of my fingers this morning was "Rabbit Rabbit" as a response to the text/e-mail.

Rabbit Rabbit.  Happy Good Luck of the Irish to you this March.