Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” – A portion of The Declaration of Independence April 1776. – Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top. Check out my website

I say to you today, my friends, though, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” – A portion of Martin Luther King Jr’s – I Have A Dream Speech – August 1963. Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top.

How is it that we have strayed so far away from the above proclamation and speech? How is it that great men and women like Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Nelson Mandel, Martin Luther King Jr, Mikhail Gorbachev, Rosa Parks, Jimmy Carter, and countless others have rallied to show that we are all one. So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. – Genesis 1:27. Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top. Check out my website

One man had this same vision and stepped up to the plate. Phineas Taylor Barnum (July 5, 1810 – April 7, 1891) was an American showman, politician, and businessman remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus (1871–2017). – http://www.wickipedia.com

PT Barnum was fully aware that all men were created equal and created in the image of God so that is why he employed oddities of all types. It didn’t matter to him that one person was taller than another, broader than another, hairier than another, he employed them all and brought smiles and laughter to people’s faces. I am sure you have heard the phrase “laughter is good for the soul.”

Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand. — Mark Twain.

Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine. — Lord Byron.

Humor is a prelude to faith and laughter is the beginning of prayer. — Reinhold Niebuhr.

If Laughter cannot solve your problems, it will definitely DISSOLVE your problems; so that you can think clearly what to do about them – Dr. Madan Kataria.

Laughter is a form of internal jogging. It moves your internal organs around. It enhances respiration. It is an igniter of great expectations.” — Norman Cousins.

When you laugh, aside from the endorphin rush, there’s also a spiritual opening. You’re not so tight inside yourself. That opening I’ve found to be a real gift, in people being able to absorb spirituality. —Rabbi Sydney Mintz.

He that is of a merry heart has a continual feast. — Proverbs 15:15.

The circus allows people of all types to come together as a family. God gifted us all with different talents and the circus is where you can witness that. There are so many different acts to bring you happiness. Aerial Hoop, Animal Training, Balancing, Clowns, Flying Trapeze, Juggling, Knife throwing, Stilt Walking, etc. etc. etc. Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top

This is the way that God wants us to be. Working hand in hand with each other. Celebrating each other’s talent. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also, is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. – Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top.

If you have not seen the movie “The Greatest Showman” please do. It is an awesome movie and a fantastic depiction of circus performers working together as a family appreciating each other’s talent. – Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top.

So, let us all strive in our daily lives to be just like the circus performers Under The Big Top. – Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top.

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Yes

Yes – used as a function word to express assent or agreement.

Do you know what the most powerful word in the English language is? It is the word YES. A lot of people believe that NO is the most powerful word but that would be wrong. The word NO shows closed-mindedness and fear but, the word YES shows true strength and courage. The word YES signals interest and respect. When you say the word YES you look at what is presented to you and simply look at the problem in front of you in a fresh way. The word YES is a positive affirmation. It reflects in your body language and makes you feel valued. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern day – Yes.

The word YES stretches you, challenges, energizes, creates safety and trust, and fuels creativity. The word NO polarizes prompts defensiveness, and shuts down innovation, collaboration, and connection. When you say the word NO fear, anger or resignation set in, all of which kill creativity, increase distrust, and discourage engagement. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Yes. Check out my website

There are many people in the bible that knew the power of the word YES. God used everyday people who said yes to him in the Bible. Noah said yes when God asked him to build an ark. Abraham said yes when God asked him to sacrifice his only son. However, God spared his life. Moses said yes when God told him to ask Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Mary said yes when the angel asked her to carry Jesus, the only Son of God. The disciples said yes when Jesus asked them to leave everything behind and follow Him. Paul, who once persecuted Christians as Saul, said yes when God asked him to deliver the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. These people were not extraordinary people with great fortitude and toughness. They were normal people who tolerated, wrestled, and wept but still said yes to God and His will. The biggest one of all is Jesus who said YES to being crucified on the cross. What was his reward? He now sits on the throne on the right side of the Father. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Yes.

Some of the most powerful and well know people knew the power of the word YES:

Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Everything in the world began with a yes. One molecule said yes to another molecule and life was born. – Clarice Lispector

I used to think you had to be special for God to use you, but now I know you simply need to say yes. – Bob Goff

It doesn’t matter what a million people tell you what you can’t do, or if ten million tell you no. If you get one yes from God that’s all you need. – Tyler Perry

Never say no to adventures. Always say yes, otherwise you’ll lead a very dull life. – Ian Fleming

Timidity makes a person modest. It makes him or her say, “I’m not worthy of being written up in the record of deeds in heaven or on earth.” Timidity keeps people from their good. They are afraid to say, “Yes I deserve it.” – Maya Angelou

Everywhere I go I find that people…. both leaders and individuals…. are asking one basic question, “Is there any hope for the future?” My answer is the same, “Yes, through Jesus Christ.” – Billy Graham

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, yes even unto the end of the world. Amen. – Jesus Christ – Matthew 28:20

We have so many various aspects of our daily lives, spouse, parent, business owner, employee, church member etc. We will need to learn and train ourselves to say YES, I love you. YES, I am here for you. YES, you have my attention. Yes, I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Yes.

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – 1929-1968. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Yes. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Good Friday

Good Friday marked the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save his people from their sins. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Good Friday

Good Friday is a significant day in the year for Christians. It honors the most important weekend in the history of the world. Good Friday is celebrated two days before Easter.

Good Friday we remember the day Jesus accepted his fate of the cross and sacrificed himself for all of us. Jesus died for our sins, was buried and then raised from the dead on the third day.

Jesus was crucified by the Romans on a hill outside Jerusalem. The Good in Good Friday comes from old English when Good meant Holy. The crucifix, or cross, which represents the way Jesus died, is an important symbol seen on Good Friday. Some crosses bear a figure of Christ. Other symbols of Good Friday include black cloth used to cover the cross, paintings, and statues in churches and some homes to signify mourning. Check out my website

Good Friday is an observance that involves people fasting and praying. Some people don’t eat bread or meat only fish. Some people bake hot cross buns, a traditional Good Friday sweet. Church services are normally held between the hours of 12 noon and 3 pm in remembrance of the hours when Jesus hung on the cross. The crucifixion was the culmination of several events in Holy Week, including the triumphal return of Jesus to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; the washing of the disciples’ feet by Jesus; and the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday.

There are several excellent Good Friday bible verses that should be read to commemorate the day:

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. – Romans 5:6-10. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Good Friday.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. – 1 Peter 2:24. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Good Friday.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely, he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Good Friday.

So, as we lead into this holy week remember the true meaning of Good Friday and all Jesus sacrificed for us. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Good Friday. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For the Modern Day – Baseball – Religion

“It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it, rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then just when all the days are all twilight when you need it the most, it stops.” – A. Bartlett Giamatti The Green Fields of the Mind. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Baseball – Religion.

“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” — Rogers Hornsby. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Baseball – Religion.

THE BOYS OF SUMMER ARE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Baseball – Religion.

Baseball is a tremendous sport. For starters, baseball has the most amazing and loyal fans. Look at the Chicago Cubs fans that waited 108 years for their team to win the World Series. Then there is Opening Day. It is the most phenomenal thing. There is a sold-out crowd who is cheering, smiling, and filled with such expectation for the new season. Then there are also the team mascots. Team mascots work hard to keep the fans engaged when there are breaks in the game such as pitching changes. Professional mascots make about $25,000.00 per year but the best in the field can command a six-figure salary. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Baseball – Religion. Check out my website

You never know what to expect with baseball. The game can change dramatically from inning to inning. You could have a pitcher’s duel, or an offensive onslaught where you can’t keep up with all the runners rounding the bases, or a nail-biting possibility of a no-hitter. If the pitcher gets it that puts him in the Baseball Hall of Fame. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Baseball -Religion.

The glove pop, the whiff of the bat, the home run. There are so many aspects to the game of baseball but there are other things that run-in three’s in baseball such as 3 strikes and 3 outs. The Trinity is also composed of three: The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit. There are 108 beads in a Catholic Rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Baseball – Religion.

This year Opening Day is July 24, 2020, because of Covid-19. Normally Baseball starts in late March or April close to Easter. Baseball has a lot to instruct us about Easter. In both Baseball and Easter, there is always a taunting crowd. We are all aware of this from Good Friday. We are also keenly aware of this in our own lives. At Easter, as with Baseball, we don’t go the course alone. We are always encircled by our team. And the Lord, he is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. – Deuteronomy 31:8. A Baseball team has 9 players on the field. Jesus, who is omnipotent is always with us, so he is on the field as well.

Baseball has its highs and lows just like our daily walk with God. In baseball, a guy can have a multiple-hit game like hitting for the cycle which is a momentous day! In our daily walk with God, we could receive a clean bill of health from our doctor after running major tests when the original diagnosis was bad. In baseball, you can strike out 3 or more consecutive times for the day and at the end of the game have a batting average below 200 which they say is batting below the Mendoza line. Mario Mendoza is a Mexican former MLB player who had a lifetime batting average of 215. He is a member of the Mexican League Hall of Fame. In your daily walk with God the promotion you were expecting to receive you didn’t get. In both situations, tomorrow is another day and you get to start again fresh and new with endless possibilities because God is with you.

“The similarities between Baseball and Religion abound. The ballpark as cathedral; saints and sinners; the curses and blessings. But then what I’m arguing is beyond that surface level, there’s a fundamental similarity between baseball and religion which goes to the capacity of baseball to cause human beings, in a context they don’t think of as religious, to break the plane of ordinary existence into the plane of extraordinary existence.” – John Sexton Former New York University President from his book Baseball as a Road to God: Seeing Beyond the Game. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Baseball – Religion.

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Do Unto Others

Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. – Matthew 7:12.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. – Luke 6:31. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Do Unto Others

The most familiar version is: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Do Unto Others

The Golden Rule is the name given to a principle Jesus taught in his sermon on the mount. This is a very simple concept but one that has fallen by the wayside. Society predominately has taken on an attitude of “it’s all about me.” This is not the way God wants us to live. The only time you see and hear about people coming together on a magnanimous scale is when there is a tragedy like what Las Vegas and Orlando Fl encountered. There are also the hurricanes that struck Texas and Florida. Most recently the school shooting in Parkland Fl which has now caused many people to cry out and speak up and ultimately a culmination of marches has taken place, the biggest one in Washington DC regarding gun control laws. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Do Unto Others. Check out my website

See what you think would be an appropriate do unto other’s responses to these situations but be true to yourself. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day- Do Unto Others

1- You’re in the ladies’ room and you are air-drying your hands and look over your shoulder and see a woman walk away from the sink and forget her cell phone.

A – you say to yourself it’s not mine so why should I care and ignore it.

R – you run over and grab it and try to track her down and return it.

2- You are waiting to use the ATM machine and the person ahead of you finishes and forgets their card in the machine.

E – you take it out of the machine and run out to the parking lot to return it.

B – you take it out of the machine and leave it on the side and process your transaction thinking nobody can use it because they don’t know the pin number plus a banker will find it eventually.

3- It’s your weekly shopping day and you’re in the supermarket with a full shopping cart and the person behind you only has 3 items.

C – you make them wait their turn thinking to yourself I was here first.

S – you turn to them and say, “you can go ahead of me because my process will take a while.”

4- You are driving to work and there is a big accident on the road that has you late for work. Two lanes of traffic are closed, and everyone must merge into one. The car beside you is trying to come into the lane ahead of you.

P – you signal to them and let them know they can go ahead of you. You’re already late so what does it matter.

D – You think to yourself they have some nerve. They didn’t even put on their signal, I’m not letting them in front of me.

5- You’re a huge baseball fan and you are at your first game of the season. You have your glove and you are ready to catch a foul ball if it comes your way. A foul ball starts careening in your area. You reach up and it lands in your glove. You’re pumping your fist and the crowd is cheering. You look down and see a little boy with his glove who was trying to catch the same foul ball.

T – you walk right past him and ignore him and keep reveling with the crowd.

E – you turn to the little boy and put the ball in his glove and pat him on the shoulder and smile.

6- One of your passions is roller coaster rides. You have been waiting for hours to get on this ride. It is the height of the season and your feet are tired and aching. You hear a mother say to her 3 kids behind you, “if you don’t get on this time we are leaving.” The kids start sighing and saying, “mom please.” There is only one coaster cart left to load before the ride starts. It is 3 persons per cart.

F – you jump on the ride and say to yourself oh well too bad the kids will have to decide on which 2 will join me in the coaster cart for the ride.

C – you turn to the kids and their mother and say you can go ahead. I will wait for the next coaster cart ride.

7- You’re at the airport and you are checked in and the agents at the counter make an announcement stating who would be kind enough to travel tomorrow instead because we have a man who is on standby in dire need to get on this plane because his pregnant wife is having contractions and the flight is only 1 hour and 2 minutes. The airlines will set you up in a hotel for the night and fly you out first thing in the morning. You are a single person with no commitments, once you arrive home you had no plans and you have completed your business trip.

T – you walk up to the counter and hand the agent your ticket and state you’ll be willing to stay over, you just need to retrieve your luggage bag from the plane.

G – you think to yourself oh well too bad buddy you shouldn’t be traveling so close to when your wife is due to give birth and jump on the plane.

If you are a person who follows and believes in the golden rule your answers should have been:

1= R, 2= E, 3= S, 4= P, 5= E, 6= C, 7= T

You will also see that these letters spell out the word RESPECT. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Do Unto Others

Respect – a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, and should be treated in an appropriate way.

So, let us all think about how we would like to be treated and freely transfer that to all of mankind. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Do Unto Others. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – No Blueprint

Blueprint – a design plan or other technical drawing. Draw up (a plan or model). Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – No Blueprint.

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – No Blueprint. Two of the well-known professions architects and engineers use blueprints. An engineer is a person who designs and builds things for the benefit of society. Engineers use math and science to design and build structures, equipment, and processes. An architect is a person who develops creative designs for buildings or structures. So, the jobs of an engineer and architect, although similar, vary in some details.

Most of us however never really encounter blueprints. The main reason we would ever be interested in them is if we purchased a home. Buyers usually ask for a copy of the land survey and blueprints. Buyers want as much information they can get their hands on. If the seller has this information available, they will hand it over with the keys for the property at the closing. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – No Blueprint.

However, don’t expect that where your life is concerned. God does not give us a blueprint for our lives. If he did then we wouldn’t need him. We wouldn’t have to have faith. God wants us to lean on him and trust him with the life he gave us. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – No Blueprint. Check out my website

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. – Joshua 1:9.

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. – Psalm 9:10.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6.

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. – Mark 11:22-24.

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you. – Matthew 17:20.

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. – Matthew 21:21.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. – 2 Corinthians 5:7.

I live in Florida which has several playgrounds like Disney, Universal, Lego Land, SeaWorld, and more. All of them have roller coasters. If you are a fan of roller coasters you don’t ask for the schematics and blueprints before you get on the ride. You just jump on scream, holler, and enjoy yourself. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – No Blueprint.

Life is short, and we are to enjoy this life God gave us. There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. – Ecclesiastes 2:24.

God didn’t need our assistance or advice when he created the world. God is omnipotent and omnipresent. We just need to trust, have faith, believe, and praise God. Stop complicating your life, there is NO BLUEPRINT! Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – No Blueprint.

Book of Proverbs – No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Prosper

Book of Proverbs – No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Prosper. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. – Isaiah 54:17.

Book of Proverbs – No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Prosper

Weapons come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Weapons can be knives, guns, tanks, hand grenades, etc. There are also other types of weapons like words, racism, bigotry, prejudice, hate and the list goes on. Book of Proverbs – No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Prosper.

It’s amazing that God sent his son Jesus to deliver love to the world he created but so much more has evolved since Satan was exiled from heaven. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! – Isaiah 14:12. Book of Proverbs – No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Prosper.

Satan starts early in the morning to corrupt us before we even get up out of bed. He tries to put all types of bad thoughts in our heads to confuse us and cause strife and make us believe God doesn’t care for us. What mother who carried a child for nine months of pregnancy or possibly less if the child was born prematurely doesn’t have maternal instincts for her child. A lot of men will tell you that once the baby was born they went directly to the back of the line. If we as human being’s mothers and fathers included can care so deeply for our children, the love that our heavenly father has for us supersedes and surpasses that. Book of Proverbs – No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Prosper. Check out my website

Dealing with Satan daily is like a boxing match. For those of you that are avid boxing fans, you know what I mean. For every below the belt punch that Satan throws, we must counter with an uppercut. Some of the most famous boxers like Sonny Liston, Lennox Lewis, George Foreman, and Mike Tyson had the greatest uppercut which when they unloaded their opponents fell backward in the ring and lost the fight from a count-out. We have been blessed because God taught us how to deal with weapons of warfare so that we always prosper. Book of Proverbs – No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Prosper.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:11-18. Book of Proverbs – No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Prosper.

When the world is overwhelming you with financial problems, health issues, unemployment, car issues, a divorce, death of a family member or friend, or just all the negativity on the news daily remember God has you in the palm of his hand and nothing lasts forever, and no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Book of Proverbs – No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Prosper. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs – Follow Your Passion and Bliss

Book of Proverbs – Follow your Passion and Bliss. Passion – intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction. http://www.merriman-webster.com Book of Proverbs – Follow Your Passion and Bliss. Bliss – complete happiness. http://www.merriman-webster.com

Book of Proverbs – Follow Your Passion and Bliss. What do you love doing? What brings the biggest smile to your face? What is the one or two things that you do that require the least amount of effort? What is it that if you’re doing it you lose track of time because you’re so wrapped up in it? What is it that brings meaning and purpose to your life? What defines you and brings out the uniqueness in you? What will your legacy be? A painter like Salvador Dali or Pablo Picasso. A singer like John Lennon or Michael Jackson. An activist like Martin Luther King Jr. or John F. Kennedy. An evangelist like Billy Graham or T. D Jakes. A visionary like Steve Jobs or Oprah Winfrey. Book of Proverbs – Follow Your Passion and Bliss. Check out my website

If you think you can you can. If you think you can’t you’re right also. You can be all you want to be. Some people find their niche and live their passion or follow their bliss early in life like Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. Some people find it later in life like Colonel Sanders and Morgan Freeman. Book of Proverbs – Follow Your Passion and Bliss

When God created us in his own image he had plans for our lives. Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. – Jeremiah 1:5. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. – Jeremiah 29:11.

God has given all of us spiritual gifts. Although we each have different spiritual gifts, they are all useful and work together to serve God and each other. When we are using and working within our gifts we are following our passions and following our bliss. Our spiritual gifts are prophecy, serving, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. – Romans 12:6-8. Book of Proverbs –Follow Your Passion and Bliss. Check out my website

Now you may think or say that anyone who wants to be a painter or architect does not fall into the categories listed in spiritual gifts because it is not plainly listed, however, although not specifically listed as a gift in the New Testament in the long list that Paul provides, clearly God has gifted individuals with remarkable craftsmanship and artistic skills from the earliest of recorded time. Old Testament references give vivid accounts of God’s distribution of giftedness in these areas – whether for the building of temples or for use to glorify God in praise. This refers to people like Michelangelo and Antoni Gaudi. Book of Proverbs – Following Your Passion and Bliss

God desires that we all be happy and prosperous. Trust in the Lord and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. – Psalm 37:3-4. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. – Psalm 84:11. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. – 3 John 2. Book of Proverbs – Follow Your Passion and Bliss

If you know what your passion is and what gives you bliss, then go for it. Start now, start a week from now but just start. Don’t delay it anymore. You are never too old to live your passion or your bliss. If you don’t know what your passion is take a pad and paper and write down the things you excel at and the things you enjoy. If you need help you can refer to the passion test website. http://www.passiontest.com. If you don’t know what your spiritual gift or gifts are you can purchase the book Discover Your God-Given Gifts by Don & Katie Fortune. Both resources have tests for you to take that will guide you in the right direction to reveal your passion and your spiritual gifts. If you want to be all you can be and live the exceeding and abundant peaceful life that God desires for you then discover what your passion and bliss is. Book of Proverbs – Follow Your Passion and Bliss. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Mountain Lions

“You know what I just learned? Mountain Lions actually take a leap of faith in love”. They do? “Yeah. When a male finds a female, he is attracted to he jumps in front of her stopping her in her tracks, and then he climbs to the highest peak he can find and starts howling and professing his love for her.” Wow! “Yeah. If she joins him at the top of the mountain they’ll be together for life. It’s so very romantic.” This is an excerpt from the Hallmark Channel movie “The Nine Lives of Christmas.” – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Mountain Lions. Check out my website

The cougar (Puma concolor), also commonly known as the mountain lion, puma, panther, or catamount, is a large felid of the subfamily Felinae native to the Americas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cougar- Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Mountain Lions.

Although the mountain lion may have more names and nicknames than any other animal, the following are not names for lions and represent completely different species: bobcat, lynx, ocelot, jaguar, leopard, cheetah, Asiatic lion, African lion, and tiger. Many people have heard the term “black panther,” but these are actually melanistic jaguars or leopards: a genetic trait that makes an individual cat’s fur appear much darker than the usual coloration. To date, there has never been a confirmed case of a melanistic (black) mountain lion. – http://mountainlion.org/FAQfrequentlyaskedquestions.asp Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Mountain Lions.

God and mountain lions have a lot in common. They both are called by many different names. The names of God are Adonai-Jehovah, El-Elyon, El-Olam, El-Shaddai, Jehovah-Elohim, Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Nissi, Jehovah-Ropheka, Jehovah-Shalom, Jehovah-Tsidkenu, Jehovah-Mekaddishkem, Jehovah-Sabaoth, Jehovah-Shammah, Jehovah-Rohi, Jehovah-Hoseenu, and Jehovah-Eloheenu. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Mountain Lions. Check out my website

Common names for the American Mountain lion include mountain lion, cougar, panther, puma, painter, el leon, and catamount.

In the first passage, we talked about how mountain lions profess their love. It is so profound. What about the way in which God professes his love for us? – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Mountain Lions.

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. – Psalm 86:15

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved. Ephesians 2:4-5

In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:9-11

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

So why are mountain lions such beautiful powerful animals, because they portray and emanate the greatest gift that God ever gave…. LOVE. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Mountain Lions. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice

Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice. God watches over us and gives us rest at night and is eager for the morning when we awake to commune with us and have conversations with us. This is the romance that God has with us as pair figure skaters have on the ice, Exhilarating, Intoxicating, Mesmerizing. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice. Figure Skating and Ice Dancing are the most romantic sports in the world. The glistening of the ice that has just been resurfaced by the Zamboni. The crescendo of the music that the figure skaters choose to do their routine too. The single male or female skater that tells a story with their routine on the ice. The pair skaters that display some of the most incredible, lifts, spins, death spirals, jump combinations and so much more. God has that same type of romance with us. Book of Proverbs – Romance On the Ice. Check out my website

R = Russian Split – A split jump in which the skater performs a straddle position with the legs and the body forming a “v” shape. Many also touch their toes. http://www.wickipedia.com. A lot of times in life we feel like we are doing a Russian Split ourselves. We are being pulled in so many different directions between our work life, family life, and trying to find personal downtime for ourselves that we feel tired, burned out, and overwhelmed. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. – Lamentations 3:22-24. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint. – Isaiah 40:29-31. God is right there with you when you are doing your Russian Split. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

O = Open Stroke – In ice dancing, a step that is started close to the skating foot that doesn’t cross in front or behind. http://www.wickipedia.com. There are times in life when we are in an Open Stroke. We find ourselves in a position where we are stuck in the middle. We are trying to forge forward and cannot, and then sometimes when it gets too hard we want to give up and pull back, but we cannot. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. – 1 Timothy 2:5. God is our man in the middle. He stands as a bridge for us, so we never need to fear the Open Stroke. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

M = Mirror Skating – Two or more skaters skating in such a way that they are mirroring each other. The opposite of unison skating. http://www.wickipedia.com. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. – Genesis 1:27. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 3:18. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? – 1 Corinthians 3:16. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. – Isaiah 41:10. God is with you skating through life with you. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

A = Axel Jump – The only jump counted as a jump element that starts from skating forward. An Axel jump has an extra half rotation (180 degrees), and as all jumps are landed with the skater gliding backward. It was named after Axel Paulsen. http://www.wickipedia.com. Sometimes in life, we are moving forward smoothly, and then suddenly, we run into Murphy’s law and that takes us backward. We need to remember that God is strategically orchestrating your steps as Joel Osteen says. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. – Jeremiah 29:11. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

N = Nationals – A country’s national championships, used to decide their national champion. The highest-level competition on the national level. http://www.wickipedia.com. Whatever your passion is in life ultimately you will be on a national stage. Whether you are aiming to be a singer your national might be an American Idol try out. If the passion is to be in the New York City Ballet or to be one of the New York City Rockets dancers, you must have a tryout. A pianist, a sports figure in the majors, a bull rider, an equestrian, a ballroom dancer, a public speaker, or an author/writer and many more. These all require you to step out into the spotlight and let your vulnerability show. Remember, fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. – Isaiah 41:10. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

C = Camel Spin – A spin position during which the free leg is extended in the air in an arabesque position parallel to the ice. http://www.wickipedia.com. The Camel Spin position in skating looks beautiful but no doubt it is an awkward position for the skater. Jesus, when he was here on earth, was also put in an awkward position when Satan followed him into the wilderness to tempt him for forty days. When Jesus stood his ground and told Satan to go away the angels came and ministered to Jesus. The angels were around the whole time but once Jesus had completed his awkward position they were able to minister to Jesus. There are times when we all will be in the Camel Spin position in life but remember, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. – Matthew 28:20. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

E = Extension – The way a body part is held in a stretched position. http://www.wickipedia.com. There is a story called The Potter and The Clay. The story is told of a couple who went to England to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and shopped at a beautiful antique store. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially tea-cups, and so spotting an exceptional cup, they asked “May we see that? We’ve never seen a cup quite so beautiful.” As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the tea-cup spoke… “You don’t understand.” It said, “I have not always been a tea-cup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, don’t do that. I don’t like it! “Let me alone,” but he only smiled, and gently said; “Not yet!!” “Then, WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. “Stop it! I’m getting so dizzy! I’m going to be sick!” I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, quietly; ‘Not yet.’ He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then…he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. “Help! Get me out of here!” ‘Not yet.’ When I thought I couldn’t bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! “Ah, this is much better,” I thought. But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. “Oh, please, Stop it! Stop it!” I cried. He only shook his head and said. “Not yet…” Then suddenly he put me back into the oven. Only it was not like the first time. This time it was twice as hot, and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged… I pleaded… I screamed…I cried… I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up and just then the door opened, and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited and waited, wondering “What’s he going to do to me next?” An hour later he handed me a mirror and said, “Look at yourself.” And I did… I said, “That’s not me, that couldn’t be me. It’s beautiful. I’m beautiful!” Quietly he spoke: “I want you to remember, then,” he said, “I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you’d have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. “I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. “And if I hadn’t put you back in that second oven, you wouldn’t have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you.” God is your extension who is shaping you towards victory! Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice. Check out my website