Fool's Gold

We start today with a great cliche title that will somehow give a hint as to what will be discussed.

My brother, I have looked at him and thought, "What in the world is this guy thinking?" Often times this is concerning many things like, what job will he get, what are his goals in life, will I ever get to a be an uncle, etc. One thing I have thought in the past is why my brother never really did anything "fun". Why he was never interested in partying or carousing or anything like that. In my own wisdom, I thought he was just being an old bore. I was definitely a shining example of Isiah 55:8 which states,

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD." (NIV)

I think that the message is clear; what is viewed as being wise in the ways of world are not what God finds to be wise; thus the world's foolishness is our gold. I have seen this in my own life. While my brother was sitting and studying the words of our Lord and trying to walk in step with the Holy Spirit, I was foolishly trying to follow my understanding, and stumble through this world. There are heartaches that I have experienced due to my own prideful thoughts that he will never have to experience. That is part of the reason the Psalmist writes in Psalm 119: 105

^"105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."(KJV)

Without the light to show us the way through this life we will simply stumble and fall along the way,which will ultimately lead us to the point of destruction.

Some other verses to consider:

Proverbs 1:7

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."(NIV)

Proverbs 2:9-11

^"9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.

¹⁰ For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

¹¹ Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you." (NIV)

1 Corinthians 16:17

^1"7For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."

Questions to think about:

What have you done this week that has been in your own wisdom? What do you think the consequences were/will be? How should you have responded differently? What are some ways you have acted in according to God's wisdom? ? What do you think the consequences were/will be?

First week back to class

As a student (again) of FSU, this week has been quite frustrating. I have been dropped from a total of four classes and I have only been reinstated into one of them. I must say that I am slowly learning to check all of my emails in all of my email accounts. I am apparently not receiving important messages containing information that I need to know simply because I do not think to check my emails. Lessons learned.

It all kind of climaxed this morning in my waking up at 6:45 in the morning, and not really being able to back to sleep because I can hear my neighbors shouting, or speaking loudly, or something. So I got up with an itch to clean, get chores done, and read in God's word.

As I was cleaning I got to thinking about what I was going to do in the future. If I cannot re-add the class that I have lost (and add/drop ended on 8/27) then I will be farther behind in my scholastic goal of finishing my pre-med courses and applying by 2012. This is not to say that I could not catch up, but it would be more difficult. However, it got me thinking about what I am wanting to do with my life. Is all this school really necessary for me, or am I afraid of simply not being a student anymore?

It was in the book of Psalms that I was reading and it was quite encouraging, particularly Psalms 3: 4-5, which states:

"⁴I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

⁵I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me." (KJV)

And then in chapter 5 verses 7 and 8.

" ⁷ But I, by your great mercy,
will come into your house;
in reverence will I bow down
toward your holy temple.

⁸ Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make straight your way before me." (NIV)

I particularly like verse 8 there.

How has your first week gone? Is there anything that has been frustrating you, but perhaps you can see how God is working through it?