A pig's snout?

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

Well, it was 35 years ago, October 19, 1976, I accepted Jesus as my Savior : )   I think it was on the 19th- the whole day I kept thinking it was a special day.  But I couldn't remember why (getting old... I'll make a note for next year).  It's my spiritual birthday month- when my soul was born-again.  God is so patient!   I would like to apologize to Him for all the time I spent tripping and stumbling around in my faith.  But I know He loves us so much, He gently guides us on our way.  I suspect He may even laugh with us when we mess up- when it's a silly thing.  He knows tripping is a part of learning to walk straight with balance and confidence.  I still have so much to learn. What I have learned is to put my confidence in Him.  He forgives when we confess.  If He didn't, I would've never lasted 35 years : )

In this Proverb I pulled out the verses that stood out to me.

Proverbs 11

In Biblical times people would change the actual weight of a weight on the scales when they were making sales.  So if you went to buy 1 pound of flour they would put on a weight that was 1/2 pound but said it was a full pound.   The buyer would pay for 1 pound and receive 1/2 pound, of course the names of measures were different during this time period.  It reminds me of today, inflation is rising.  You'll know I'm old when I say, "I remember when you could fill up your car with gas for $5.00."  God sees and knows what's going on.  He's not fooled by anything.  It's also something to think about with my photography.
1 The Lord detests dishonest scales,
but accurate weights find favor with him.

Oy!  Pride...  hate that.  So many times I've decided I could handle things without prayer.  I know what I'm doing after all.  Only to embarrass myself in the end.  The best way out of it- is humility.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.

This is true.  We love to see the good guy, the unexpected person succeed- like a Christian who praises God when he gets a touchdown in football.   And when a wicked man dies- there's a celebration, like Gaddafi's death. 
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

It's hard not to share my opinions about people sometimes.  But, I want to be the one who holds my tongue and keeps secrets.
12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
13 A gossip betrays a confidence,
but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

To me the key with advisers is to select wise people for advice in the first place... 
14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,
but victory is won through many advisers.

This is true sometimes I see someone who is very beautiful.  But when they speak, the beauty becomes like make-up that washes off.  I want to be beautiful on the inside.  And if we, as ladies, think about it, we really do talk a lot more than the guys.  And sometimes things take a wrong turn...  A pig's snout sounds a bit harsh, but I guess it's a reflection of God's true feelings about gossip...
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

If our desires come from faith, they end in good.  Sometimes I pray that God will make His will my desire.  And wickedness leads to anger.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

We've seen this too.  The one who gives to others has their needs met.  But the one who holds on to their money or talent for their own glory loses their soul.
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25 A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

This makes me think of those who are so busy trying to make a name for themselves.  They need the spotlight and crave attention.  So much so that they leave those they once loved behind.  It's a lonely place to be dependent on other people's opinions.  But those who trust God, and have faith, bring life to others and hope.  Through prayer and counsel we can save lives literally.  By sharing our faith, God can save their souls.
29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and the one who is wise saves lives.
NIV