Pondering  Proverbs  Mind & Heart

Month & Day	Voice & Verse	Mind & Thoughts	Heart & Soul
March 17th	Proverbs_Journal_03-12-06.pdf	This "verse" is  much; it is some commentary from two years ago on Proverbs	In the Spiritual realm, the mind and heart have some relationship; but what is it?
March 22nd	Proverbs_Mind&Heart_03-18-09.pdf	"As a man thinks so he is..."; but can his mind be renewed - even changed - such that his thought-life is more like Christ?	The scriptures mention that the "heart is corrupt above all else"; but when Christ enters the heart, something begins to...
	Checklist for Life for Teens
	"Checklist for Life - for Teens" contains 40 "wisdom" based studies aimed at the issues (and problems) that young people face such as:  Self-acceptance, loss, cliques, values, sex & intimacy, purpose, parents, siblings, honesty and much  more....	What a wonderful find!   A convenient book of wisdom that addresses so many of the critical issues of teens or young people.   As I peruse the book, there is much to share...	I was excited to find this one in the bookstore; and now, let me begin by to read, record and report on each issue....
March 24th	Checklist_Introduction_03-24-09.pdf	The introduction for "Checklist of Life" offers a glimpse into the essence of wisdom, Love. How do we learn to love?  First, by learning...	Real love goes deeper than the heart; it must go to soul...where one "would lay down his life for another" - which Jesus taught in both example and word...
March 24th	Checklist_Acceptance_03-24-09.pdf	Self-acceptance is greatly aided by realizing that you are made in the image of God; and that as Lord, God transforms you mind to mirror that of Christ	Not only your mind, the heart becomes more compassionate toward others - as we realize they too are made in the image of God...
April 6th	Checklist_Loss_04-06-09.pdf	Losses sometimes result from problems of life.  Even children incur great losses in life for reasons beyond their control or ability.    As a child, the understanding of hurt or pain - from losses - can only be understood as a child; but as an maturing person...	...comes a better understanding of our feelings, hurt and pain; what's more, the ability of God to handle and heal our hurt.  By first admitting our hurt, then giving that hurt to God, we begin the healing process that produces much toward Christ...
April 10th	Checklist_Cliques_04-10-09.pdf	Cliques are common in high school - as kids are typically insecure and feel that "a group" or gang helps them to identify themselves...or give meaning to their life.	As a young person becomes more focused or closer to Christ, they become less insecure - or needy for a group or gang.   More to come...
April 11th	Checklist_ZeroTolerance_04-11-09.pdf	Acceptance is something that most, if not all us, crave...and even need to a degree.   In this devotion is the model of Christ...who reached-out to everyone...	Again, we must turn to Christ as the example who saw no difference between the creation of God; but rather, gave himself for each and everyone...
April 18th	Checklist_ChoosingFriends_04-18-09.pdf	How we deny the importance of choosing friends; the one certainty of life is that  friends can sometimes becomes enemies for reasons beyond understanding...	Friendship is about commitment - and sometimes means going the extra mile to help and support.   We cannot maintain friends without love...
April 24th	Checklist_WeightWait_04-24-09.pdf	Sex and intimacy can be consuming for young men; Porn is not the answer to the matter of understanding and dealing with this issue and condition.	It seems difficult - even impossible - to overcome sexual temptations; but with God, all things are possible; our struggle remains...but God is there all the same.
April 29th	Checklist_WhyMe_04-29-09.pdf	How often does that question arise?  Every time something significant occurs (or doesn't occur) contrary to our desire.    What is the answer?	Everyone has a purpose; that is, everyone who knows the Lord is able to learn (and develop) their basic and unique purpose in pleasing and serving God.
May 1st	Checklist_MustHaves_05-01-09.pdf	Yes, we live in an age when you can have it right now.   But is such spontaneous satisfaction realistic...or reasonable?	No - to put it mildly;  the problem is that such unbridled want and will leads nowhere but to and endless (and reckless) pattern...
May 4th	Checklist_ExFiles_05-04-09.pdf	In keeping with teens, the early experience of relationship breakups can be crushing; what is recommended in more about protecting you...than hurting you...	An opportunity awaits the brokenhearted - because God is always there for you - and unlike our human relationships - remains desiring and determined...for you!
May 14th	Checklist_Parents_05-14-09.pdf	Well, at times, it may seem like "they" don't no anything; perhaps patience is a key requirement to tolerate the parent and, who knows, to one day understand them...	Love is essential to any relationship; and, as far as child to parents, respect (or honor) is also important.   Respect is the call  of this and other relationships.
May 22nd	Checklist_Exaggeration_05-22-09.pdf	Why is honesty and truth important; or said another way, why is lying wrong? ...and is   s t r e t c h i n g  the truth a lie?	Most of us don't want to be lied to...and we want to trusted and to known for having integrity.   God can help as the bearer of truth...
May 30th	Checklist_RoleModel_05-30-09.pdf	The certainty is that role models exist; but the uncertainty is whether the role of the "model" is a good one...	For the believer, being a good role model begins with being a good child of God; when God is glorified, a positive influence will transpire...
June 4th	Checklist_Siblings_06-04-09.pdf	Brothers and/or sisters can be bothersome - even impossible!  I remember my older children describing to me how the youngest was "getting away with murder".	Friendships within and outside family depend on love; without love, the relationship cannot grow or mature; but both or all must be willing to love as a matter of commitment...
June 9th	Checklist_Consequences_06-09-09.pdf	Untended consequences are always an outcome of a decision or choice; not planned but not uncommon, this outcome can be for your benefit and much as your disappointment....	Don't fear the possible outcomes of decisions or choices; embrace them as an opportunity to learn, mature and grow in wisdom.  Yes, everyone makes mistakes....thus we learn...
June 25th	Checklist_Honesty_06-25-09.pdf	What does it mean to "get real"?  From the title, maybe it begins by being honest; honest with ourselves...and with others.  It seems likely that truth and what is real have a relationship - don't you think?	No relationship of value can last without truth and honesty; and in this honesty is vulnerability.   Relationships involve risks - but also rewards; you must be willing to accept the one with the possibilities of the other...
July 9th	Checklist_NoOnesLooking_07-09-09.pdf	What is your basis for ethics?  Is lying okay; what about cheating, stealing and destroying other's things?   How do we know how to choose...what to choose, etc?	What can done to do the right thing?   Begin by turning to the right source - the source of all right and good things; then, ask for help...and mean it!
July 20th	Checklist_ZippedLips_07-19-09.pdf	Words can hurt; whether the words are honest or not, criticism must be carefully and cautiously expressed or directed.	Guarding our words means being careful of what you say; fortunately our thoughts are not always expressed in words...
July 30th	Checklist_JustDoIt_07-29-09.pdf	This title sounds familiar - but it was around before the shoe company hit the market; anyway, obedience is a must in the market of God...and is the measure of our love.	To obey or love is not always immediate; but must be measured in chapters of one's life - as God changes the heart from the old man to the changed man...
Aug. 11th	Checklist_LoveEverAfter_08-11-09.pdf	Ah yes, Love - the center of all things...but what of it?   As a favorite musician of mine questioned in a song, "How do we make love stay?" ...after all, isn't love forever?	Be careful or romantic love; it's wonderful but not strong enough to sustain a relationship.   Marriage must have more...from the source of love, God.
Sept. 10th	Checklist_PowerUp_09-10-09.pdf	On the scripture that describes the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective, know then that prayer works!  But how do we pray...?	The Holy Spirit helps us pray.   When we receive Christ as Lord, the Spirit helps us too; then the Spirit intercedes for us in pray...You must pray with faith...
Sept. 25th	Checklist_MakingTheCut_09-25-09.pdf	This can be a tough one; sometimes getting the grade is a lot of work and sometimes, even with work, the outcome is less than preferred.  What to do?	Standards or good character is more important than grades.  I know it seems unbelievable, but it's true.
	Next:  "Living with Regret; Instant Replay"	Regrets are something will collect as we age; perhaps wisdom (or the lack of) leads to regrets, but still, there is grace...

Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves. It has virtually nothing to do with information as such or with knowledge as such.  - The Message

Proverbs is about wisdom.  Wisdom is not just about using knowledge well; it is about living well in the choices we make in terms of lifestyle, friends, and other relationships.  Much of our decisions rest on our hearts and our minds; how we think and how we feel...

When I think of Proverbs, the concept of character and integrity comes to mind; but as I describe in the getting your bearings, the condition of our hearts and minds is dependant on our "moral compass" - or where we draw our standards and values for morals...

I like to read Proverbs over & over again; the way that it is set-up enables me to surprisingly find application and even nuances each time I read it.   Sometimes I will go to a favorite - even memorized - set of verses; other times, I will read it by chapter or in conjunction with other books or topics.   Whether a single verse or entire chapter, applications can always be found to ponder and ideally digest -  that the wisdom offered by King Solomon and other writers will have meaning to better my mind & heart, my thoughts and soul.   Some of the content of this page will likely come from my prior studies.    

This book is unique (among all the Bible's books), and is described as having five themes:   Wisdom; Understanding; The Commandments or Laws of God; Sin and Iniquity; and Comparisons between God's ways and Man's way of life.   With attention to these themes, I hope and pray to find more application that may benefit you as well.   Proverbs, chapter 3 includes the familiar verses that remind us to "Trust in the Lord with all you might."  I pray that you will do that...

For more information, please e-mail:  hey@hkirkrainer.org 

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Last Edited:  09/25/2009