Tag: wisdom

Posted in Believe it or not!, Inspiring, Scripture, Wisdom

The Greatness of God

Posted on by Katharine

Such timely observations! A truly great site.

Sojourner's avatarThe Way: Redux

The whole world is being shaken! And followers of Jesus around the world are experiencing one common issue: FEAR is taking hold.

  • USGS reports 47 earthquakes (greater than Magnitude 2.5) around the world on one day, Tuesday, 2/26/2012;
  • Tsunamis and hurricanes/typhoons ravaging countries;
  • Arab regimes are falling in many Middle Eastern countries. Most are being replaced by radical leadership seeking to impose Shariah Law and anti-Israeli sentiment, while destabilizing relations with Western democracies;
  • Pressure from all over the world against Israel; to divide Jerusalem; to give Samaria and Judea to the Palestinians; to exercise restraint and allow the Iranian-backed forces to continue their relentless rocket barrages, killing people and destroying properties in Israel;
  • Economic turmoil in the European Union; Greece bailout causing riots and potentially threatening the stability of all Western banking systems;
  • US government in a stalemate over increasing debt limit, balance of trade, unemployment, and the radical environmentalism that…

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Posted in Inspiring, Photos, Scripture, Wisdom

Sunday Scriptures – Distorted

Posted on by Katharine

Child Playing

For we know in part
and we prophesy in part,
but when perfection comes,
the imperfect disappears.

When I was a child,
I talked like a child,
I thought like a child,
I reasoned like a child.

When I became a man,
I put childish ways behind me.

Now we see but a poor reflection
as in a mirror;

then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part;

then I shall know fully,
even as I am fully known.

Paul — The First Letter to the Church at Corinth 13:9-12

Posted in Believe it or not!, Inspiring, Scripture, Wisdom

Sunday Scriptures: Indulge

Posted on by Katharine

I thought in my heart,
“Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.”

Pleasure
Pleasure (Photo credit: velo_city)

But that also proved to be meaningless.

“Laughter, “ I said, “is foolish.
And what does pleasure accomplish?”

I tried cheering myself with wine,
and embracing folly—
my mind still guiding me with wisdom.

I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven
during the few days of their lives.

I undertook great projects:

I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

English: Princess Gardens, Torquay A bed of pr...
Image via Wikipedia

I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.

I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house.
I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.

Crowne-Gold-Silver-Bullion

I amassed silver and gold for myself,
and the treasure of kings and provinces.

I acquired men and women singers,
and a harem as well—
the delights of the heart of man.

I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me.

In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.

My heart took delight in all my work,
and this was the reward for all my labor.

Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve,

everything was meaningless,
a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun

 Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Posted in Inspiring, Photos, Wisdom

Weekly Photo Challenge: Down – 4

Posted on by Katharine
double duty
Double Duty

Some trees, like some people, use the wounds of their past to shape them for sheltering. They grow to have room in their hearts for all and that certain open-armed welcome you just know you will need someday.

Others go on to be more nurturing. They serve and give generously, providing those who come to them with nothing less than plenty. We will look at some of those types of trees, today.

drink it down
Drink it Down

And, although these trees offer tantalizing refreshments, let us not forget the harm they endured to become what they are:

for larger storage
For Larger Storage

It can be hard to imagine how these trees must have looked when they were going through all this scarring and the needed recovery, but now they look inviting, as if something special might be happening in their lives.

small treats
Small Treats

What about you?

Posted in Inspiring, Photos, Rain, Wisdom

Weekly Photo Challenge: Down – 2

Posted on by Katharine
down under the water
Down. Under the Water

Looking into this clear stream and viewing the pebbles on the sand so surprised me. I seldom think on how much is hiding below the water, below the surface.

How easy to notice the reflection of glorious cloud billows and soaring trees, shimmering on the surface! How delightful the sparkles that wink into view and then dance away!

How common to love the outward appearance of the stream.

But to look down, to concentrate on what’s beyond the first impression, to stare deeply at what makes the stream a stream–that is like God.

When, upon looking, we find courser things such as mud, sand, dead leaves, gravel, what then?

Why! Then, elevating! Elevating grit and pebbles to positions of great importance!

For without them lying still, working their quiet work, the dancing sparkles become quagmire.