Giving In to Nagging Children

Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.  Proverbs, Chapter 19, verse 18.

Sometimes it’s all too easy to give in to our children to keep them from nagging us.  Their best interest needs to always be in sight as our ultimate goal.  I hear children in primary grades talk about graphic, sexual things that they must have picked up from the shows they watch.  It may be easier for parents to just let their children watch these shows rather than to have to deal with their children nagging them.

The real question should be, “What does this do to the child?”  Little children are exposed to all too much sexually explicit, violent and vulgar language and scenes in the media today.  The media isn’t going to stop making these shows, so it’s up to the parent to value their child enough to monitor the shows they view and put up with some nagging and fits.  After all, it’s their child’s well-being that counts.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.




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It Saddens Me That I've Been This Shallow

Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.  Proverbs, Chapter 19, verse 4.

I’m somewhat embarrassed to tell you about this, but here goes.  When I was in the seventh grade, I needed to give my little turtle to someone because I was no longer able to keep it.  The teacher let me make an announcement to the whole class.  There were two people who wanted it.  One was the dreamboat of the class who was really popular, but self-absorbed.  Then there was a nice person who wasn’t in the popular group.  I remember thinking that the nice person would have given the turtle a better home, but I ended up giving it to the popular one, instead.  I had seen it as my one chance to get the attention of someone popular.  It saddens me to have been this shallow.

It also makes me think of how many people are immediately friends of those who have won the lottery, who had little to do with them prior to that.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

Open Mouth and Insert Foot Advice

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.  Proverbs, Chapter 18, verse 13.


This is good “Open Mouth-Insert Foot” advice.  I can’t tell you how many times I have embarrassed myself by thinking I knew what someone was talking about.  Stupidly, I would interrupt them and put my two cents in; only to find out I wasn’t even on the same topic.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

Those Who Work Situations to Their Own Good

A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.  Proverbs, Chapter 18, verses 7-8.

I have seen children at school go to another student and say something like, “Fred thinks you’re ugly.”  The child is crushed by this information.  In talking to the student who shared this, I have come to realize that they thought they were doing the child a favor by telling.  I have to explain that when they share hurtful things, even though they weren’t the one who originally said them, they are actually being hurtful themselves.

I have stopped being close friends with some adults who manipulatively work situations to their own good.  I have known those who will get a person involved in a discussion focused on putting down another person, as well.  Then they go to the other person and say what was said, trying to get in close with that person.  It’s a, “Did you know what terrible things Fred said about you?” on a grown-up level.  This passage doesn’t sound like God takes too kindly to this type of behavior.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

What Does the Bible Say About Making Fun of the Misfortune of Others?

Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.  Proverbs, Chapter 17, verse 5.

I remember being with someone who I used to think was a friend prior to this.  I realized that they weren’t someone I wished to keep company with after this situation.  This person put down a guy with long hair in his community who was riding a motorcycle and crashed and got killed, saying it served him right.  There was no compassion, only justified indignation at this person with long hair who rode a motorcycle.  I don’t think it says anywhere in the Bible that only people with short hair, wear suits to work and drive expensive cars are allowed to go to heaven.  Actually, Jesus had long hair, but the main point of this is that we aren’t to judge others or make fun of their misfortune.
Here is a related passage:

*Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth.  Proverbs, Chapter 24, verse 17.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

My Ego Got in the Way

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.  Proverbs, Chapter 15, verse 33.

I enjoy teaching and feel my teaching style has really improved over the years.  Our school district allows each school to make nominations for Teacher of the Year.  Somehow, I got the distorted notion that I had been nominated for this.  Egotistical person that I can be, although most wouldn’t know it, I prepared how I would respond when they announced my nomination at a faculty meeting.  Ironically, the award went to someone else who was extremely deserving and probably a lot more humble.
Fortunately, no one else knew that I thought I was going to be nominated, which was a big relief but God and I did.  This was a humbling experience, to say the least.  Hopefully, it leads me to be less self-absorbed in the future.
Here are some related passages:
*Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.  Proverbs, Chapter 16, verse 5.
*Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?  there is more hope of a fool than of him.  Proverbs, Chapter 26, verse 12.

*Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.  Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.  Proverbs, Chapter 27, verses 1-2.


Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

Why Listen?

He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.  Proverbs, Chapter 15, verse 32.

When I was a child, my father noticed that I scuffled my feet as I walked.  He knew it was a counterproductive trait, so he had me practice walking with an appropriate gait.  Being stubborn, I deliberately went back to scuffling my feet.  Now that I am older and have recently broken my ankle, I wish I hadn’t been such a stubborn child.  It would have been nice if I had listened to my father’s advice which would have saved me a lot of discomfort.  We have the same options in our relationship with our Heavenly Father.  To listen, or not to listen, that is the question?  (Forgive me for misquoting Shakespeare.)

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.




This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

The Need to Turn My Selfish Thoughts Around

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.  Proverbs, Chapter 15, Verse 26.

Now, I guess I might be able to convince some that my thoughts are always God focused and selfless, but God knows how I really am inside.  Fortunately, He forgives me and helps to turn my selfish thoughts and resentments around to be more tolerant and forgiving of others.
Here are some related passages:
*The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.  Proverbs, Chapter 15, verse 28.
*A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips: and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.  Proverbs, Chapter 17, verse 4.
*Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.  Proverbs, Chapter 17, verse 28.
*A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.  Proverbs, Chapter 19, verse 9.

*A fool utterth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.  Proverbs, Chapter 29, verse 11.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie