September 27, 2007 6:01 AM
Sam wrote:
Prov 27. Verse 9. "Ernest counsel." What is ernest counsel? Ernest meants, a considerable amount, a lot, or serious, but not necessary great. And of course, counsel is the same as advisement, that is, giving advice. We give/take a lot of advice all the time, but in the end, no matter what others tell us, or we tell others, it is up to US, each of us, to make his or her own decisions. It is good to get advice, but only you have to live with the consequences of your actions...one can't blame the counselor. So, when you give advice to someone, don't be saddened when he or she does not take that advice and do what you think he or she should do. It is not your responsibility, but their's alone. When I 'give advice', I try real hard NOT to tell a person what to do. I like to have that person rationalize the consequences of their action in advance, letting THEM come to their own conclusions. One thing I do, and I try hard not to, is to say, "If I was you..." It is better just to ask the person questions about any expected consequences and let them weigh them. Too often we think we know what others should or should not do, yet we haven't the slightest clue.
Acts 27. Paul's last trip. This one to Rome to appeal his case to Caesar. Some say that he had 3 missionary journeys. I say 4. This is his fourth. He provided watch of his companions during the storm, advising them not to jump overboard when they had given up hope. He provided hope for them. I think that was VERY missionary. ANd then on Maltam Paul went to see a sick man and prayed for him, and healed him. Another missionary act. ANd while in prison, what did he do? Continued his mission by continual preaching to all within earshot. They even gathered people together to listen to him concerning the Way to which he now belonged. MIssionary journey? Absolutely. So when people tell you that Paul had three missionary journeys, politely correct them and describe his actions on his FOURTH one, his trip to Rome where he was imprisoned. Oops, I got ahead of myself, I also continued discussing the NEXT chapter (28) as well. Oh well, tomorrow we will all do it again! Reply to this
September 27, 2007 8:18 AM
Tony wrote:
Acts 27 You got way ahead of yourself Mac. What a exciting life to look back on. During his life Paul was probably thinking why me? But God has a plan. It must have been quit an honor to be a Roman citizen, Paul got a lot of help as a prisoner form his citizenship and from God. How many prisoners do you know that when they pull into a port the guard will let you go to your friends house so that they can care for you (vs 3). I find it amazing that they knew Paul was a man of God yet they did not take his advice before sailing for the winter port (vs 10). But after many days of having the ship beat up and no stars or sun, Paul has a vision and they listen to him (vs 21-24). Paul kinda stands up and says I told you so. Verse 42-43"The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them from carrying out their plan. Did he just spare Pauls life, or did he spare all the prisoners to keep them from carrying out their plan? Great story, I to find it hard not to comment on the next chapter. Proverbs 27 5 "Better is open rebuke, than hidden love." Ya think? When is the last time anyone had an open rebuke? Better yet , do any of us need one? Vs 8" Like a bird that strays from its nest ,is a man who strays from his home." I never saw this as a verse on adultly before. Vs 10" Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. Why would you not go to your brothers house? Blood or brother in Christ? Why a near by neighbor? What if your neighbor is your brother? Vs 15" A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; when your ridding your motorcycle. You know there are several scriptures about a nagging, quarrelsome, badgering wife but what about the husband? I say the whole book of proverbs is about the husband! Man of noble character, sluggard, men of wisdom, fools. Before I only saw the scriptures about the wife, mostly negative except for the later half of chapter 31. Now I see that the whole book is about the husband, father, helloo. Reply to this
September 27, 2007 1:16 PM
Rich wrote:
Mac - you said about Acts 27 that Paul "provided hope" for his companions. What an interesting idea! Paul was able to provide hope because he had "faith in God." My family (in particular my wife) needs hope right now. In fact, I have heard her say of late that she is hopeless. I see from this passage that I can provide hope to her by showing her my faith in God. In fact, I have noticed some changes in her as I have been sharing (gently) my convictions and what I am learning from God and from you guys on the blog. I read with her your email about '300' and I told her some of the "qualities" that I am listing. Thanks for the advice and guidance. Please continue to do so.
Tony - wow, what insight about the whole book of Proverbs being about the husband! I agree with you and I too saw the scriptures about the wife as being mostly negative. I have often thought that if my wife was the Proverbs 31 wife, I would be an incredible husband. Maybe if I was the Proverbs 1 through 30 man, my wife would be the Proverbs 31 wife!!! Thanks. Reply to this
Prov 27. Verse 9. "Ernest counsel." What is ernest counsel? Ernest meants, a considerable amount, a lot, or serious, but not necessary great. And of course, counsel is the same as advisement, that is, giving advice. We give/take a lot of advice all the time, but in the end, no matter what others tell us, or we tell others, it is up to US, each of us, to make his or her own decisions. It is good to get advice, but only you have to live with the consequences of your actions...one can't blame the counselor. So, when you give advice to someone, don't be saddened when he or she does not take that advice and do what you think he or she should do. It is not your responsibility, but their's alone. When I 'give advice', I try real hard NOT to tell a person what to do. I like to have that person rationalize the consequences of their action in advance, letting THEM come to their own conclusions. One thing I do, and I try hard not to, is to say, "If I was you..." It is better just to ask the person questions about any expected consequences and let them weigh them. Too often we think we know what others should or should not do, yet we haven't the slightest clue.
Acts 27. Paul's last trip. This one to Rome to appeal his case to Caesar. Some say that he had 3 missionary journeys. I say 4. This is his fourth. He provided watch of his companions during the storm, advising them not to jump overboard when they had given up hope. He provided hope for them. I think that was VERY missionary. ANd then on Maltam Paul went to see a sick man and prayed for him, and healed him. Another missionary act. ANd while in prison, what did he do? Continued his mission by continual preaching to all within earshot. They even gathered people together to listen to him concerning the Way to which he now belonged. MIssionary journey? Absolutely. So when people tell you that Paul had three missionary journeys, politely correct them and describe his actions on his FOURTH one, his trip to Rome where he was imprisoned. Oops, I got ahead of myself, I also continued discussing the NEXT chapter (28) as well. Oh well, tomorrow we will all do it again!
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Acts 27
You got way ahead of yourself Mac. What a exciting life to look back on. During his life Paul was probably thinking why me? But God has a plan. It must have been quit an honor to be a Roman citizen, Paul got a lot of help as a prisoner form his citizenship and from God. How many prisoners do you know that when they pull into a port the guard will let you go to your friends house so that they can care for you (vs 3). I find it amazing that they knew Paul was a man of God yet they did not take his advice before sailing for the winter port (vs 10). But after many days of having the ship beat up and no stars or sun, Paul has a vision and they listen to him (vs 21-24). Paul kinda stands up and says I told you so. Verse 42-43"The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them from carrying out their plan. Did he just spare Pauls life, or did he spare all the prisoners to keep them from carrying out their plan? Great story, I to find it hard not to comment on the next chapter.
Proverbs 27
5 "Better is open rebuke, than hidden love." Ya think? When is the last time anyone had an open rebuke? Better yet , do any of us need one?
Vs 8" Like a bird that strays from its nest ,is a man who strays from his home." I never saw this as a verse on adultly before. Vs 10" Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you—
better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. Why would you not go to your brothers house? Blood or brother in Christ? Why a near by neighbor? What if your neighbor is your brother? Vs 15" A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; when your ridding your motorcycle. You know there are several scriptures about a nagging, quarrelsome, badgering wife but what about the husband? I say the whole book of proverbs is about the husband! Man of noble character, sluggard, men of wisdom, fools. Before I only saw the scriptures about the wife, mostly negative except for the later half of chapter 31. Now I see that the whole book is about the husband, father, helloo.
Reply to this
Mac - you said about Acts 27 that Paul "provided hope" for his companions. What an interesting idea! Paul was able to provide hope because he had "faith in God." My family (in particular my wife) needs hope right now. In fact, I have heard her say of late that she is hopeless. I see from this passage that I can provide hope to her by showing her my faith in God. In fact, I have noticed some changes in her as I have been sharing (gently) my convictions and what I am learning from God and from you guys on the blog. I read with her your email about '300' and I told her some of the "qualities" that I am listing. Thanks for the advice and guidance. Please continue to do so.
Tony - wow, what insight about the whole book of Proverbs being about the husband! I agree with you and I too saw the scriptures about the wife as being mostly negative. I have often thought that if my wife was the Proverbs 31 wife, I would be an incredible husband. Maybe if I was the Proverbs 1 through 30 man, my wife would be the Proverbs 31 wife!!! Thanks.
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good stuff today guys.
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Yup---now just waiting on YOUR input tonight.
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