“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips. A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both. Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts, but profuse are the kisses of an enemy. The sated appetite spurns honey, but to a ravenous appetite even the bitter is sweet. Like a bird that strays from its nest is one who strays from home. Perfume and incense make the heart glad, but the soul is torn by trouble. Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your parent; do not go to the house of your kindred in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is nearby than kindred who are far away. Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad, so that I may answer whoever reproaches me.” Proverbs 27:1-11

“Better is a neighbor who is nearby than kindred who are far away.” (Proverbs 27:10b) Boy is that the truth. I live in a neighborhood where there are pockets of friendly people. As my wife and I take our walks, we always have to stop at some point in time to talk with people we know or others who are walking. We would like to know more of our neighbors, but some go inside their homes if we approach (I sometimes get a complex); others seem never to be home; and others never come out of their houses except for work and the grocery store. Getting to know your neighbors is the best way to stop robberies and helps to build a sense of community. Our busy schedules don’t often allow for daily conversation with our neighbors; it takes time and effort to build a relationship. But, if we take the time, we can build such relationships and eventually have the opportunity to share our faith stories. After all, Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves — whether they are the house next door, or the grumpy man down the street.

Pastor Dave

“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools; and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.” Romans 1:19-23

Max Lucado is a pastor, an author and a speaker. He is actually a prolific author, writing a lot of different kinds of devotional books. He was once named the “Best Preacher in America” by Reader’s Digest magazine. He has a gentle voice in his writing — showing a real wisdom in his faith. I have included a quote from one of his devotional:

Max Lucado: “God does not save us because of what we’ve done. Only a puny god could be bought with tithes. Only an egotistical god would be impressed with our pain. Only a temperamental god could be satisfied by sacrifices. Only a heartless god would sell salvation to the highest bidder. And only a great God does for his children what they can’t do for themselves. God’s delight is received upon surrender, not awarded upon conquest. The first step to joy is a plea for help, an acknowledgment of moral destitution, an admission of inward paucity. Those who taste God’s presence have declared spiritual bankruptcy and are aware of their spiritual crises…Their pockets are empty. Their options are gone. They have long since stopped demanding justice; they are pleading for mercy.”

Do you feel as if all your options are gone — financial options — relationship options — options for work or rest? G-d will provide, as G-d sees fit, and as G-d determines is the right time, place, and way.

Pastor Dave