Proverbs 12:9
“It is better to fail as a real leader in the field…than to simply pretend like you are someone of importance!”           

What an eloquent and precise description …of people who live their lives as mere “actors” on the stage of fantasy...instead of leaders in the field of reality.  This simple means that there is no real depth to their experience, character , or commitment concerning what they propose to do...or what they want to be.  They are stamps that simply won’t stick to their place.  After a few moments of time pass by...they simply peal back from where they were put...and redress themselves with some other part. 

Click the picture above to read the whole article…”On the Field of Reality”.

Proverbs 12:3
“Man cannot be made secure through corruption...”

It is imperative that our society begin to make a turn back towards the things that will secure their lives...the lives of their children...and those of many generations to come.  If there is one thing that I want to convey to whoever might read this, is that there is a “place of safety”... "a refuge from the storm"!  However, it is not something that can be obtained through some physical means...rather it is a place that can only be reached through a spiritual relationship with God. 

Click The Picture or Title above to read the entire article... “Run to Safety.”

Proverbs 12:1
“Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge…

To love instruction is to love growth and prosperity.  It is impossible to move from beyond where we presently are…without improving upon the things that we presently know.  The future prosperity of all sectors of society depends upon it…whether science, engineering, business, medicine, technology, or politics.  If there is one thing that history teaches us, it is that there is always room for improvement.

Click the picture or title above to read the entire article… ”Loving Learning”.

This is a picture of me as a missionary in the remote village of Malinaltepec, Guerrero, Mexico in 1991.  The words and values of truth can only spread as far as God’s people are willing to bring them…people who are willing to leave all...and follow after the voice of God, no matter the cost. David Livingstone, as many others, was one such man. During his service as a missionary to Africa, he wrote this powerful note in his journal, "If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come … only if there is no road at all." 
  
Click the picture or the title above to read the entire article…”World Misssions”.

Proverbs 11:30
“The fruit of the upright in heart is a tree of life…and he that can win over a soul is wise.”

Nothing better describes a person’s life... than the fruit that his or her life produces.  Fruit simply means the results.  Grape vines exist simply to produce grapes.  Some produce sweet...Some produce sour.  Some...for one reason or another, do not produce any fruit at all. 

Click the title or picture above to read the entire article…”A Fruitful Life”.

Across the expanse of the mighty Atlantic Ocean, a small new "experimental" nation is born...one destined for greatness...a sanctuary to the oppressed...and a promise land to those in search of a new life!  We call this nation, "America the Beautiful", "The Land of Opportunity", "The Land of the Free”... “The Home of the Brave", or just plain... “The United States of America!”!  A nation whose pledge reads..."One nation...under God...with Liberty and Justice for all!"...a line which the French would call, our "raison d'etre", or our "reason for being"...our Birthright!!  We are a nation which clearly resounds the fulfillment of God's call and blessing upon Abraham, as it was given thousands of years ago.

Click the picture or title above to read the entire article… “America ….The Beautiful”.

Proverbs 11:24
“He who blesses others will be made prosperous…And he that waters others will be watered also himself.” 

The United States of America has become a great country…not because of its shrewd business practices…but rather because of its obedience to God’s Word.  One example of this can been clearly seen through the good will, kindness, and hospitality that it has historically shown towards one another, and towards other peoples in other countries around the world.  Nevertheless, if we ever begin to withhold from one another and oppress one another, the light in Lady Liberty’s hand will no longer shine in the harbor of this country, as it has in years gone by, but the oil of her lamp will dry up…and the light of her freedom will be extinguished!

Click the picture or title above to read the entire article… “The Blessing of Being A Blessing”.

Mark 3:24
“A nation divided against itself cannot stand.”

Throughout the entirety of human history, nations have risen to great power…only in the end to fall by an instrument, which is self-destructive in nature.  Great nations are not first conquered from without.  They are first weakened from within, and then devoured by emboldened enemies from without.  The most popular instruments of these sad events are always first formed from the bitter roots of contention and division from within the societies themselves. From where do these contentions arise?  And more importantly, can they be healed?

Click the picture or title above to read the entire article…”A Nation Divided”.

Proverbs 11:21
“Though hand join in hand…”

When the bible mentions hands, it usually is talking about someone doing something.  Our hands are related to what we do, or do not do. There are several references in scripture that refer to the hands of God.  Again, this refers to God doing something.  We see the hand of God intercede on behalf of Moses at the Red Sea.  We see the hand of God move at the battle of Jericho when the walls came down. 

Click the title or picture above to read the entire article… “In the Hands of God”.

Proverbs 9:1
“Wisdom has built her house…”

Consider Noah.  Before one tree fell, Noah had taken the time to ask God for the exact measurements of the Ark.  Before man had ever seen rain, Noah had a dream not only to build a boat…but a literal cruise liner of wood, 450 ft. long, 75ft. wide, and 45 ft. tall.  No tiny skiff could have endured the massive disaster that the world was about to endure.  Wisdom certainly does build her house...and she builds it big and strong…so that whatever she builds…it will have the strength and fortitude to endure whatever might come her way.

Click the picture or the title above to read the entire article…”Dream Big…Dig Deep”!

Proverbs 8:23
“I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.”

What is the purpose of our short life which we live here on this earth?  It is simply an opportunity…an opportunity to appreciate God, his wisdom, his mercy, his strength, and more importantly his deep, deep love for his creation.  The only way that we can do that is from the confines of weakness.  We are here as eternal beings in temporal houses, so that we might understand just how wonderful it is to know God and his love. 

Click the picture or title above to read the entire article…”Pointing Towards Eternity”.

Proverbs 8:9 “The words of wisdom are easy… for him that understands its meaning!”

Every door has its key…Every puzzle has its secret.  Once you understand, suddenly that which was locked away and completely hidden…now is open and makes perfect sense.  You wonder how you missed it.  It was there all along…right under your nose!  Faith in God does not make any sense to the man that does not have a relationship with Him.  He does not understand the puzzle…

Click on the title or picture above to read the entire article…”The Master Key”.

“The path of the just is like the light of the sun. As it rises, it shines more and more until it reaches its pinnacle.”

God has a great promise for any man, woman, or child who has put his or her trust in God, a promise of a brighter day.  The path refers to the direction that our lives are headed, both ours and our children’s. When I look into my children’s future, I see a bright hope.  I have had a great life. However, my children will enjoy an even better one.  I have had great success in my life, but my children will accomplish even more than I.  Too many times all people talk to their children about is the gloom and doom of the world that they see and hear on the T.V.  However, that is not the future that God has planned for us. 

Click the title or picture above to read the entire article…. “A Forecast of Sunshine”.

“When it goes well with the just…the city rejoices. But a city is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.”

Just Laws and Just Leaders.  In order for things to go well, we need these two elements to thrive throughout every fiber of our society.  When we as individuals no longer have these to uphold the peace of our nation, corruption invades all areas of government, and our demise becomes consequential in relation to our status.  Nevertheless, if these two elements are highly esteemed, respected, and honored, without a doubt, life has an opportunity to continue to be lived at its very best for many generations to come.

Click on the title or picture above to read the entire article…”Justice In The Balance”.

When building your life…don’t forget to have those who are helping you build it include strong walls, doors, and locks…fixed measures that will protect your most precious possessions from being stolen by the enemy.  Make sure that they are trusted people of a good reputation….that they esteem the most important areas of life…and not only the vain and empty ones.  Vanity simply stated is…things of little importance.  Which is more important…a man’s clothing or his body…a man’s house or his life…the future of his career, or the future of his children? 

Click the title or picture above to read the entire article…”Safeguard Your Success”.

There are societies throughout the entire world, whose principles are built upon constant shifting sands, which easily move whenever and wherever it might best benefit their means.  They employ various doctrines of relativism... doctrines which facilitate vast corruption within the walls of their ranks.   No nation will ever survive an absence of the elements of freedom, the subversion of justice, the betrayal of individual free enterprise, and the abandonment of moral discipline.  These elements of which I speak, must become as solid stone memorials etched upon our hearts and conscience…memorials which all of our forefathers expect us to vehemently defend…and standards up to which they expect us all to live!

Click the title or picture above to read the entire article…”Etched In Stone”!

The greatest storms that I have ever had to endure...were storms were man-made.  Foolish folks love to hurt others…and even more so…they love to get involved in a slander and gossip that does not pertain to them.  Somehow they get some kind of pleasure in watching others get tore down! Where can we find refuge…when these storms pound upon our lives?

Click the picture or title above to read the entire article… "Refuge From the Storm”.

Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes…then comes shame.”

We all have seen how athletes, CEO’s, religious leaders, famous celebrities, and politicians with great individual talent can become overwhelmed with pride.  They take themselves too serious, disregard the importance that others play in order to achieve overall success, and ultimately they find themselves in ruin and shame.  ”  I believe that the primary cause of pride is self-deception.   To be self-conceited is to be self-deceived.  It is a delusion.  Deception is something that initially transpires in the mind, but finally takes root in the heart.  This is caused when we begin to not take into consideration outside influences in our lives.  We get caught outside of ourselves. 

Click on the picture or title above, and read the entire article… “The Haughty and The Humble”.

Proverbs 10:15
A man’s wealth is his strong city…
But the poor come to ruin because of their poverty. 

I would like to turn this proverb upside down…and look at this gem from a different perspective…and see if it might reflect some light upon this subject that we might otherwise overlook.  Certainly, this proverb mentions wealth and poverty as two main elements in life… but it does not indicate what kind of wealth or poverty.  To be rich or poor means to have or have not a particular substance.  You can be rich in material things and money… and be completely void of peace, health, and spiritual wisdom.  You can be impoverished, and still be rich in wisdom, peace, and justice.  You could have all the money in the world… and yet still have to confront a barrage of problems in this life…that money alone simply cannot solve…and in the end find yourself drowning in the power if your poverty! 

Click the picture or title above to read the entire article… “Upside-Down Economics”.

“You have protected me, even from my mother’s womb. I am thankful to you! Furthermore, I am in utter awe, at how uniquely and distinctly, you have created me!” Psalms 134:13-14

One of the greatest crises which we, as a society, are presently facing … is one that involves our identity. People are desperate to know who they really are. We have all these websites now supposedly offering this service to help us find out who we are…where did we come from…and are we Scandinavian, African, Latin American, Irish, English, French, German, Dutch, Asian, or from the Middle East…or some sort of mixture of these ethnicities? The reality is…that in this way you will never find out who you really are! So how can we find answers to this dilema? Where can we begin to search?

Click the picture or title above to read the entire article… “One of A Kind”!