Your Name Matters...

I know that there are times when it does not matter what people think about us. Times when we choose to go against the popular thing to do the right thing. But Proverbs tells us that a good name or our good reputation matters more than great riches.

We will be known by the way that we live each day, the way that we treat others. People will take notice of the things that we do. The question is this: Will they see us as people who consistently live out what they say they believe? Or, will they see us as just another hypocrite who says one thing and does another?

Your name and my name matters. What do people who live with you, who work with you, who know you think about when they hear your name or mine?

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. ” (Proverbs 22:1)

OVERLOOK IT???

It happened to me yesterday. I went to a place of business to find out what it would cost to get something fixed. I asked about the cost and how long it would take to get addressed. The man responded with an attitude that caught me by surprise and then walked away from me as if I did not exist. All of a sudden I was faced with what I would do... Can you relate?

All of us make decisions every day about what we will do with the things that have been done to us. Sometimes those things happened a long time ago-sometimes it will happen today. What will you do? What should you do?

There are times when the appropriate thing to do is to address it and do it well. Sometimes the best thing to do is to walk away and over look it.

A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. ” (Proverbs 19:11)

I have to admit that I failed to handle the situation yesterday well. I spoke out of frustration and anger. I did not say a lot but what I said was not said very well. Quite honestly, it was one of those times when I just should overlooked it and let it go. So, today I'm going to seek to be better prepared to do what needs to be done.

What about you? Got anything that you need to overlook and let go?

Keep Quiet...

All too often we are quick to talk about anything. We pass along our opinions, thoughts and ideas about everything-Politics, Hollywood, Our Neighbors, the President, Congress, the World. We love to tell what we think about it whether we know much about it at all. It's amazing how much we can talk and never really say anything worth listening to.

I realized this as I was having lunch with someone last week. I found myself giving an opinion about a subject that I hardly knew anything about. My lunch partner graciously set me straight on the subject. I felt like a fool...

Some years ago, someone told me that it is better to sit there and be thought a fool than to stand up and speak and remove all doubt. Seems that Proverbs gives us the same advice...

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. ” (Proverbs 17:28)

Maybe I need to say less and learn more. What about you?

You Never Know...

We often think that we know-we believe that we know-we think that we can look at a person and know what is happening in their life.

Proverbs 14 lets us know that appearances can be deceiving. We look at others and they look so happy and seem to have it altogether. We think they are doing great and we never even stop to consider what they may be going through in their own lives.

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief. ” (Proverbs 14:13)

Another ancient saying puts it this way: Be kind for everyone you see is fighting a tough battle.

Today-pay attention to those around you-they may seem to be loving life and having it great, but if you take the time to ask you may find out that, like you, they have some tough issues they are facing. They may be laughing on the outside and dying on the inside. You never know...

Watch Out!

There are more verses in Proverbs about the Tongue than any other topic. All of us know the power of the tongue-all of us have said things that we immediately wish we could take back. But, what you say can never be taken back.

A wise man once told me that your tongue does not come with an eraser-once you say it, you can't take it back. My thought for today is WATCH OUT-think about the meetings you have and the people you will see today and Guard your lips...

He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. ” (Proverbs 13:3)

Watch out and you will save yourself and others a lot of pain and heart ache.

TheQuestion for Today. Are you STUPID???

I know this is probably not the best way to start off this morning. However, here's the verse that got my attention as I was reading Proverbs 12:

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. ” (Proverbs 12:1)

I hate to admit it, but sometimes I am a STOOO-PID man. My first impulse is to react negatively when I am corrected or criticized. Early on in my life, I would always get defensive whenever anyone would try to correct me. I am getting better but still have a long way to.

Someone who loved me once told me that my defensiveness would cause people to stop taking to me about these areas and when they stopped talking, I would stop growing. I got upset when he first told me this, but I have come to realize that he was right. I need to have people talk to me and I need to listen.

I do know that I have learned a lot about myself and have grown tremendously whenever I have listened to others who cared enough to talk to me. I have also learned they are not always 100% correct in what they have to say, but often there is some truth in it that I can learn from. So, I don't want to be a STUPID man-how about you?

How do you respond to correction and criticism? What are you learning? Let me hear from you.

Generosity is the Key...

Our Summer Reading Challenge for July is the book of Proverbs. I am already behind in blogging some of my thoughts but I'm beginning today through the end of the month.

Solomon tells us in chapter 11 that Generosity is the Key to prosperity and refreshment.

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. ” (Proverbs 11:24–25).

I think about those who have given and been generous to me and the way that I have been helped and refreshed by them. I want to be that kind of person as well. I want the Bridge Church to be known for our generosity and willingness to help others. I don't want to be known for withholding but for giving.

So, today I am going to look for opportunities to be generous to those God brings into my life. I want to be generous with my resources, my time and my attention to those who need it.

How have you been helped by the generosity of others? How will you be generous today? How can we become more generous as a Church? I would love to hear from you...