Proverbs 15

Well, I'm a little behind after a weekend in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area for a staff retreat, but I'm back...and will try to get caught back up.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.
This is a fun experiment. Try being upset with someone and whispering at the same time. It is nearly impossible. Okay, so whispering isn't realistic, but really next time you're upset, frustrated or disappointed, try to communicate in a gentle tongue and I bet it doesn't stir up lady anger... I think we are such prideful people that when anyone challenges us, our natural response is to get defensive and immediately defend ourselves. If you respond to the inquisitive question with a little more gentleness I bet the response wouldn't be near as combative...

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
The perfect example of this is Jeanette Staats. This weekend at the staff retreat which I was largely responsible for planning and enacting was stressful at times. I often found myself looking for a little more peace and solitude out on the deck, where it was cooler and beautiful outside, but quieter and relaxing...or back in my cabin just relaxing on the couch watching Christmas Vacation or in the Hot Tub...Back to staats...we went to eat and we had to wait and people were running late (including myself) and we finally got to sit down and i was concerned that people weren't having a good time, had to wait to eat, our waitress was a little grumpy, but for a few seconds staats was smiling and had that contagious outburts of laughs which can't help but make everyone smile and bring joy to your face. Next time you're crossing the drillfield, walking to work, riding the metro, why not put a smile on your face? Why not spread some joy around the world. Pay it forward. Bring healing to others.

A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.
How many generations need to pass before we learn from the previous? Don't you think you're parents dealt with the same issues of love? death? forgiveness? disappointment? rejection? I practically begged my dad to write down the history of his parents as well highlights and stories of his life. He never got around to it. I miss him and the stories of his life that he took with him to the grave. Talk to your parents. Listen to their stories. And don't stop there. Seek out your grandparents, who have lived through some pretty awesome events. Yeah, they are old and seemingly harder to relate to and may take more effort and patience, but the wisdom is there, even if only gained from experience, its there. Listen.


Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.
With thanksgiving coming up, isn't this the point? Spend it with family. Spend it with friends. Spend it with love. Forget the turkey, the stuffing, the cranberry sauce and the pie. It's all about the love.

Two movies to watch soon...a lot like love and love actually.