Tag Archives: advice

Jan 26 2013

golden nuggets from Sirach (5)

 

Every few days I’m posting five passages that have jumped out at me as I read through Sirach (aka: Ecclesiasticus).

Run away from sin like you would from a snake: If you go near it, it will bite you. Its teeth are lion’s teeth, destroying a person’s life. (Sirach 21.2)

People who are afraid to act are like clumps of cow manure; those who pick it up will shake off their hand. (Sirach 22.2)

Don’t grow accustomed to saying coarse things because to do so is to engage in sinful speech. (Sirach 23.13)

How beautiful is sound judgment in gray-haired women and finding good advice in elderly men! (Sirach 25.4)

The husband of a good wife is favored, and the length of his life will be doubled. A courageous wife will make her husband happy, and he will complete his years in peace. … A loudmouthed and talkative wife is like a battle trumpet sounding an attack. The spirit of the man who lives under such conditions lives perpetually in the chaos of the battlefield. (Sirach 26.1-2,27)

Jan 9 2013

golden nuggets from Sirach (2)

 

Every few days now I’m posting five passages that have jumped out at me as I make my way through Sirach (aka: Ecclesiasticus) this time. Here’s the next installment. Read and consider.

Let those who are at peace with you be many, but let only one in a thousand be your advisor. (Sirach 6.6)

“Don’t seek political power from the Lord or a seat of honor from the king.” (Sirach 7.4)

“Don’t be timid in your prayer, and don’t neglect caring for those in need.” (Sirach 7.10)

“Don’t make fun of the uneducated, or your ancestors might be insulted.” (Sirach 8.4)

“Turn your eye away from a shapely woman, and don’t stare at beauty belonging to someone else.” (Sirach 9.8a)

Dec 14 2012

this went thru my mind

 

Advice: Most Advice is Bad Advice by Seth Godin

“People mean well, especially friends and family, but they’re going to give you bad advice.”

God, patience, perspective, suffering & time: Waiting on the Lord by Tim Archer

“Human reasoning says, ‘Take care of it now. Bring about justice by your own hand. Something must be done immediately.’ Divine reasoning says, ‘I’ll take care of it. In my time.’ Do we have enough faith to wait on the Lord?”

Hostility & humanity: A Jolting Message by Richard Rohr

“Is this not the core historical problem that continues to justify most hostility to this day?”

Ministry & parenting: How Does a Pastor Help His Children Not Become Disenchanted with the Church or His Ministry? by Brian Croft

“Every pastor’s family is at risk at becoming disenchanted, even hostile to that church and ministry that so often takes their father away.  How can a pastor help, not hinder his children to grow in love for the church?”

May 23 2012

this went thru my mind

 

Advice & opinions: Whose Opinion Matters by Ron Edmonson

“All leaders constantly hear opinions. It seems everyone knows what you should do. … Whose opinion matters?”

Anger: So You Are Angry by Dan Bouchelle

“So you are angry? Well, you might want to do something about that. That road goes to a bad place.”

Church & love: How to Love by Dave Barnhart

“I’m not sure who came up with this illustration, but I really like the way it helps me understand what Christian individuals and communities are supposed to do.”

Color: The Psychology of Color

[infographic]

Faith: Atheism & Belief in God: Countries Get Ranked

“The researchers looked at data from 30 countries where surveys, taken at two or more time points between 1991 and 2008, asked residents about their belief in God.”

Forgiveness: Baptism Means You Can’t Hate Anyone by Dan Bouchelle

“Accepting baptism into the name of Jesus means you have to forgive everyone. Everyone! It doesn’t matter what they have done to hurt you.”

Internet: Almost Half of Online Americans Use the Internet for Religious Purposes

“… 17% read religion-oriented blogs once a month or more … 57% of online adults under age 35 use the Internet for religion, compared to 48% who are 35 to 49 years old, 36% who are 50 to 64, and 31% who are 65 or older …”

Texting: The Problem With Texting

“Sherry Turkle is a psychologist and professor at M.I.T. and the author, most recently, of ‘Alone Together: Why We Expect More From Technology and Less From Each Other.’”