THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

August 28, 2024

LIFE IN THE FOLD

I am in the process of reading the book of Proverbs. This week I just want to share some scriptures with you from chapter ten, that I found very uplifting and good. Each verse contains promises and wise words to live by for those who seek wisdom and are walking after God; as well as what happens to those who chose to live the opposite. I went through the chapter and underlined each sentence that is filled with promise and wisdom. I would like to share some of those scriptures with you this week. Sometimes all we need is the Word of God; not my perspective or opinion. I don't need to add to the words of wisdom from Solomon -- who was the wisest man who ever lived. I urge you to take time to think about each scripture as you read it.

• A wise child brings joy to a father.

• Right living can save your life.

• The Lord will not let the godly go hungry.

• The godly are showered with blessings.

• We have happy memories of the godly.

• The wise are glad to be instructed.

• People with integrity walk safely.

• The words of the godly are a live-giving fountain.

• Love makes up for all offenses.

• Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding.

• Wise people treasure knowledge.

• The earnings of the godly enhance their lives.

• People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life.

• Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

• The words of the godly are like sterling silver.

• The words of the godly encourage many.

• The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

• Living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.

• The hopes of the godly will be granted.

• When the storms of life come, the godly have a lasting foundation.

• Fear of the Lord lengthens one's life.

• The hopes of the godly result in happiness.

• The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity.

• The godly will never be disturbed.

• The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice.

• The lips of the godly speak helpful words.

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Matthew 6 ends with what might seem like a contradiction. Jesus told his disciples not to worry about what they would eat, drink, or wear. God knows you need those things. In verse 33, Jesus says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (mix of ESV and NET).

The difficulty here is that we want to seek the things we need to live. But we have to first seek God. And the hardest part is that we have to seek God not so we can have all those things, but so we can find God.

If you can truly understand how seeking God first makes all the other things unimportant, then you have found wisdom.

Probably the most dominant theme of Proverbs is to value wisdom. Seek it, hold onto it, and live it. But wisdom starts with seeking God.

ON THE MENEWE:

Beefy Jalapeno Cornbread

Combine cornmeal, milk, eggs, salt, baking soda, bacon drippings and cream-style corn in a bowl; mix and set aside.

Brown ground beef; drain.

Grease cast iron or oven-proof skillet; sprinkle bottom with cornmeal.

Pour half of batter into pan. Spread ground beef over the top; top with onions, then cheese. Add jalapeno peppers on top. Pour remaining batter on top.

Bake at 350 for 50 minutes.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

Today would have been my mama's 92^nd birthday. That is almost impossible to imagine! She went to heaven when she was 48, so she's been gone for her last 44 birthdays. There are many things that I often wonder about her, had she not passed away: what would she have looked like when she was my age, as well as the ages of my sisters.... which of us would have favored her in looks as we get older.... what would she have been like as an older woman....

My sisters and I have talked about how much more we all have, compared to what our mama had, during her lifetime. All of us have bigger and nicer houses than what she ever had. Mama would have loved having a bigger house with lots of windows. She never had a garage, dishwasher, central heat and air, or carpeting. We all have much nicer vehicles than what she and Daddy ever had. She died just a few weeks after President Reagan began his first term in office, so our nation has endured many changes since that time. We had a home phone, and most of the years that we had it, we were on a party line. She never saw any of the electronics that we have nowadays -- no cell phones, home computers or laptops, or tablets.

I'm thankful for the 15 years that I had with her! And I look forward to the time when I'll be reunited with her for all eternity and we will never be separated again.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Change is hard for people, because they overestimate the value of what they have,

and they underestimate the value of what they may gain by changing. - Ginny Dye

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org