Category: Quiet Time

CLICK HERE TO READ PROVERBS 4

These verses stood out to me from today’s Proverb because they are foundational for this great book. Proverbs tells us over and over again that the purpose in life is to get wisdom and to get understanding.

But what is “wisdom?” And what is “understanding?”

The journalist in me went straight to Webster’s.

Here’s the definition of wisdom:

The quality of being wise; power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action based on knowledge, experience, understanding. Being ‘wise’ is having or showing good judgment; sagacious; prudent.

Webster’s New World Dictionary

Here’s the definition of understanding: 

(1) The mental quality, act or state of a person who understands; comprehension, knowledge, discernment, sympathetic awareness. (2) The power or ability to think, learn, judge, etc. intelligence; sense.

Webster’s New World Dictionary

As you go through the Proverbs, take time to reflect on those definitions of wisdom and understanding as they relate to each chapter.

Tell me: Do you consider yourself a “wise” person?

CLICK HERE TO READ PROVERBS 3

Lately I’ve been depending on my “own understanding” instead of depending on the Lord’s. I love these verses because they are a constant reminder to lean on God’s understanding and not mine.

When I lean on my understanding, the following inevitably happens:

I stumble and fall instead of “running in the paths of God’s commands” as the Psalmist so perfectly describes in 119:32.

I see my problems as bigger than God instead of seeing God as bigger than the giants I face.  Don’t forget that out of the 12 spies who surveyed the promised land (Numbers 13), only two – Joshua & Caleb – saw God bigger than the giants who inhabited the land. As a result, they were the only ones from their generation who lived to see and enjoy the promised land as a reward for their faithfulness.

I worry about things I can’t control instead of just trusting and obeying Him, which requires complete surrender on my part.

I rely on my weak inabilities instead of relying on God’s powerful abilities.

I take paths that lead me away from God instead of walking in His ways that lead me to Him.

I live in chaos instead of peaceful abandon to His will, plan and purpose for my life.

If I rely on God’s understanding and not mine, it’s a much more peace-filled path that encourages me to trust in Him more.

I’m curious: What are some ways you lean on your own understanding?

CLICK HERE TO READ PROVERBS 1

My husband and I love studying the Proverbs. Our pastor inspired us to read a Proverb a day many years ago. Since there are 31 Proverbs, there is one for each day of the month. I thought it would be neat to post a different Proverb from each of the 31 chapters that stands out to me.

King Solomon authored the Proverbs that I will be posting here for the next month. He was considered by many in his time to be the wisest man who ever lived.

I hope these daily Proverbs will inspire you to study them for yourself. There is so much wisdom packed into each and every one of the chapters.

Whether you are seeking wisdom in your marriage, child rearing, relationships, work, finances, you name it, you will find great insights to give you direction and guide you daily on which way to go.

A note about the photos: Some of the outdoor photos I’ll be using are ones taken by my husband, Robert, at the Grapevine Botanical Garden. It’s a beautiful garden tucked quietly away near Main Street in Grapevine. I’ve lived here for more than 20 years before I discovered this little utopia. If you live in the area, or if you ever visit Grapevine, the botanical garden is a must-see.

Cleaning your appliances

So here’s to Day 1 of the challenge! Most of my appliances were in pretty good shape but the top of my fridge was another story. Forget “wiping” down your appliance. My fridge had so much grime on top that I had to scrub it with baking soda.

When you think about the fact that your fridge holds all of the foods you eat, you want to keep it as clean as possible.

A baking soda scrub is one my go-tos for cleaning. I like that it’s natural and safe. What do you use to clean your appliances?

NEXT CHALLENGE: Clean the inside and outside of your trash can.