When in times past… wickedness raised its ugly head…the tide has never ceased to turn in our favor…when God in his magnificent grace and power moved upon the hearts of good men and women to stand up with great courage and resolve…in the face of adversity and the flood of evil...and consequently…thoroughly defeated their enemies!  If there is one lesson that history teaches us, it is that evil, though as powerful and hurtful as it may be at times… ultimately will not triumph in this world. 

Click the picture or title above to read the entire article… “Powers that Turn the Tide”.

How can we always know when change is coming?  It does not always approach life boldly and openly, but it is many times subtle and hidden.  Experts use certain devices of analysis that reveal symptoms of economic, political, and atmospheric change.  Just as a compass points north, south, east, or west, these devices of change detection also point their users in a particular direction with the information that they reveal…hence, giving them an advantage against the odds.  Let me put forth some advice here...there is one indicator of change that we all should possess... 

Click the picture or title to read the entire article, “Indicator of Change”.

There are those in this life that seek happiness, but happiness for them seems to be as slippery as a greased rubber ball.  They fill their mouths with food...but are never satisfied.  Their portfolios are perfect...but their days are filled with strife and discontent.  Just as righteousness means the right way, wickedness means the wrong way.  The wrong way is a path full of desire, but empty of satisfaction and peace.  Dig all you want... but you are never going to find what you crave down in that hole of the temporal.

Click the picture or title to read the entire article, “Eternal Values”.

Never before in the history of this planet have there been so many voices speaking at once from such a diversity of perspectives and sources.  There is seemingly an insatiable public desire for an enormous variety of information and knowledge that continues to feed the media frenzy and the exponential growth of communication technology.  The irony is…that while we live with such an overload of information…why is there such a dire drought for answers…and a pandemic of ignorance within our society! 

Click the picture or title above to read the entire article… “Too Many Voices”.

People start partaking of the meal just from the looks and the smells.  Finally, if it looks good…and if it smells good…more than likely it is going to taste good...right?  However, looks and smells can be deceiving…but taste is the ultimate judge!  Without a doubt it reveals the quality and interior character of the ingredients themselves…and how well they were prepared!  Take for example…a red rose and cabbage.  One looks and smells wonderful…the other somewhat homely in both smell and appearance…but only one can make a soup worth eating! 

Click the picture or title above and read the entire article, “The Taste Test”.

“Wisdom has hewn out her seven pillars…”

The reference to pillars indicates, as most would imagine, stability. Through many painful and sometimes…not so painful circumstances…God has developed in me over a long period of time…certain truths that have helped set standards for my life, determined the way that I view life, and created the processes through which I engage life.  I have certainly not been perfected…nor do I believe that in this life…I or anyone else for that matter…ever will be! 

Click the picture or title above and read the entire article… “Built Upon the Pillars”.

Proverbs 8:10-11
“Run after instruction…not silver; Knowledge rather than gold.
For wisdom is better than rubies …
Of all the things that we may strive to obtain…nothing can be compared to it!”

Why does Solomon put such a high precedent on wisdom?  What value does it possess that money and riches do not?  When people put value on things most of the time it is a monetary one.  As ludicrous as it may seem, people still value one another and others according to their individual wealth or income.  Some things may have changed throughout human history, but the emphasis on riches and one’s desire to acquire vast amounts of wealth has not. 

Click on the picture above to read the entire article…. “Comparison of Values”.

For several decades now, this beautiful land of Mexico has been overwhelmed with a flood of corruption, poverty, and violence. As a result, many of their people have lost hope and abandoned the values and principles which once maintained their peace and prosperity. However, in 2016 I returned to Mexico and established a new Foundation called Dream Mexico. The principal objective of this organization is to restore the principles and values that help people begin to believe once again in the beautiful dream that once was Mexico! This country has such breath-taking landscapes, warm hospitable people, incredible architecture, ancient history, and a unique and rich culture. Change is coming!!

Click the picture below. Read the entire article… “Dream Mexico”.

There is nothing deceptive or dishonest about what God tells us to do…or the direction in which he leads our lives.”  God has no ulterior motives.  There is nothing deceptive or crooked about him, and he has no ego that needs to be affirmed.  If God says something that does not necessarily make sense to us, it doesn’t mean that it is not good for us.  Sometimes God directs our lives like a bow with the arrow…he first pulls us backwards in order to launch us forward…to the place where he wants us to be. 

Click on the picture below to read the entire article… “Following God’s Directions”.

Throughout the book of Proverbs there is so much emphasis put on our ability to receive…and primarily on our ability to receive wisdom and instruction.  I think that the reason such a book has been written… is that one of the greatest needs among society has always been the simple common sense instruction of wisdom in all its aspects.  God has made wisdom like the precious gems of life which are only found through diligent searching…or through someone kind enought to reveal the places where they can be found. 

Click on the picture above and read the entire article…”Gems of Wisdom”.

Proverbs 8:6
“Please listen…I want to share with you some things concerning excellence...” 

The bible talks about a man named Daniel saying, “This man Daniel was preferred above his peers because…an excellent spirit was found in him.”  His peers became jealous of his position, the favor upon his life, and his accomplishments.  Therefore, attempts were made by them to discredit his name...and remove him from his place.  Of course, the source of Daniel’s strength and success clearly did not come from a source of his own.  Rather, his ability to transcend, to rise above, to surpass, or to go beyond what others were able to do…came from his ability to have the faith to courageously obey the direction and purpose that God had placed upon his life...even in the face of extreme danger and adversity! 

Click the picture above to read the entire article… “Concerning Excellence”!

Proverbs 6:20-23
“My son, keep your father's advice…
Do not forsake the rules of your mother…
Because a father’s advice is a lamp...
And the rules of a mother are lights…”
 
A lamp is something that is held to illuminate your present path up close.  It deals with your daily guidance. There is no other day more important than today, because we do not have the past, nor can we worry about the future.  We must be careful that we don’t stumble and fall on the pebbles at our feet, as we gaze upon the mountains in our future.  Thomas J. Watson “Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others… as what he does from day to day to lead himself.” 

Click on the picture above.  Read the entire article “Guiding Lights”. 

Proverbs 6:6-11
“Lazy folks need to take a look at the ant...which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provides her food for the winter, by gathering her food in the summer.” 

The writer encourages his son to take notice of the ant’s instinctive character.  Great examples of character are to be taken notice of and imitated.  Notice how he uses such a small insect, as the focus of his analogy.  It is not the large and extremely noticeable things that give forth the greatest wisdom and accomplish the most profound achievements.  It is usually the small things, and people of humble beginnings that achieve the greatest accomplishments.  If we can learn to observe the small details of life, and take advantage of the small opportunities that come our way, we will have greater chances for ultimate success.

Click the picture above…Read the entire article “Daily Diligence”.

Proverbs 15:10-12
Those that hate being taught...will perish in their foolishness.
Neither will they seek out wise counsel…so that their life might be saved. 

I am still amazed at the multitude of people throughout our society that have unbelievable educations, abilities, and wealth...but yet simply refuse to get the counsel they need when facing obstacles much larger than themselves. It is not a show of weakness...but one of wisdom...that seeks out the leverage it needs to overcome its inefficiencies!

Discover more! Click the pic above to read the entire article!

Proverbs 4:11
“I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.” 

Notice the connection in this particular verse between “teaching” and “leading”.  The writer is saying, “Not only did I give you words to hear...but also an action to imitate.” You cannot teach until you have led, and you cannot lead until you have been taught.  Trying to teach something that you have only read about, will not have the same impact as it would, if you had actually proved the understanding through personal experience.  You cannot guide someone down a path that you haven’t walked yourself. 

Click the picture above. Read the entire article… “Follow The Leader”.

Proverbs 4:7-8
“Wisdom is supreme – so with all your ability get wisdom.  And whatever else you get, get understanding.  Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her she will honor you.” 

Anytime when you see the word “all” in the scriptures you need to pay close attention to what is being said,  “…all your ability …” not some of “your ability”, but “all” of “your ability”.  God is not an exaggerator or an embellisher of truth.  In other words in every way possible that you can receive wisdom and better your life, do it.  Do not let yourself become so rigid in your own thinking that you become unable to be taught and unable to change.  Let us not find ourselves after many years still going around in the same circle and in the same place that we have always been because of our lack spiritual growth and understanding, and mostly for the simple reason that we are not open for change.  Benjamin Franklin once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” 

Click the picture above to read the entire article…”Break Free!”. 

Proverbs 3:9
Honor God with your possessions.
Then your barns will be filled...And your vats will overflow!

Honor God?  What honor does God need from us?  God is not proud or egotistical...he has no need of our things...so then how can we honor God with anything we possess? 

The success of our lives...really comes down to a matter of how we posture God...in our lives. God cannot bless us by sitting as a mere guest on the second or third row.  He wants to sit in a place of honor, from where he can guide and direct us. Through our giving to God, we are in essence giving God an opportunity to do something for us from the driver seat of our future. 

Click the picture above.  Read the entire article “Overflow”.

Proverbs 3:3-4
“Let mercy and truth never leave you...

Solomon knew that not only his son, but grandsons of many generations to come, would govern in Israel.  As a result, he gives his posterity two pillars of justice with which to serve the kingdom of Israel.  In other words, let these two pillars be your guide in every decision that you make. Don’t forget to have mercy. Don’t be a harsh person.  Don’t abuse them.  Be a shepherd.  Be a loving parent to these people. Care for them. Feed them, and be merciful to them. 

Click the picture above to read the entire article… “Pillars of Justice”.

Trust in God with all your heart...
Proverbs 3:5-6

The first thing that I want to bring out in this particular verse of scripture is the importance of trust.  Clay has no chance of being molded into a masterpiece on its own, unless it were willing to exercise trust and sit still while the master forms it.  In order for us to take full advantage of our relationship with God, we must completely turn our entire life over to Him.  The writer here specifically exhorts his son by saying, “…all your heart…”  In other words, give God access to every area of your life.  Trust him in all things.  Trust is like the teeth on the gears of life, that keep it connected, interacting with one another, and moving in a forward motion.  When the teeth of trust break down at any level, life stops in its tracks...and the wheels just spin in place...but we don't move. 

Click the picture above to read the entire article…”Elements of Trust”.

My son...do not forget my teaching...  

The father advises his son in this particular verse to not be forgetful concerning the things that he has taught him.  I am sure that Solomon was concerned that all the wealth, flattery, and attention in the King’s court was going to cause him to forget that he still had a need for God...that he was dependent upon his Creator...not independent from Him. I think that every parent has times of doubt as to whether or not their children will remember what they have said?  Will they do what is right...when I am not there to remind them?  Will they continue to carry this legacy of truth...or will they forget who they are...and squander it all away.

Click the picture above. Read the entire article…”Guard The Heart”.