Bearing each other's burdens (Galatians 6, Proverbs 16:18-20, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Galatians 6

I was so excited to see the world leaders joining hands together last week.  My Pastor, Lloyd Pulley of Calvary Chapel, Old Bridge and others prayed with me.  Just to see the faces of people moving on and not giving up is so huge.  We have some good candidates for the next Presidential elections as well, in the USA.  I believe one is my Governor, "Chris Christie."  He has no problem speaking his mind at all : )  He genuinely cares about our safety and serving people.  It was good to see Benjamin Netanyahu with so many other great people.  He's had such a tough job for a long time.  I can't even imagine, except the hand of God.

God definitely has more plans for us than dodging all this terrorism.  We do have a responsibility to let the authorities know when something looks wrong.  In my experience they don't mind if it turns out to be nothing.    

On to the last chapter of Galatians.  It's kind of refreshing.

1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
This is so important.  We all mess up, we all sin.  Sometimes we want to broadcast what others have done to us to the world just to show what a martyr we are.  But God tells us not to.    If we think we're so great even as a world leader, we're bound to trip and fall.  What goes up always comes down especially egos.  This is saying that if we see someone sinning, we should be kind and gentle and correct them.  

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
I've always loved this verse.  I was able to make a copy of my testimony for my first Pastor who led me to Christ in Utah.  He was really excited to get it and it felt great to let him know how much he had helped change my life.  It is good to share what we've learned.  We all have pieces of the puzzle to put together in Heaven.  What a magnificent story will unfold!

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
I don't know how many people I've led to Christ.  I never counted.  Just love the Lord.  We'll see the whole picture in the end.  I have ripped what I sewed though... argh argh argh...  < not a seamstress at all.  I do best with paints and cameras.

18 Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
(Proverbs 16:18-20 NKJV)

Proverbs 16:18-20 are some of my favorite verses.  When ever I feel like I am so good or cool, there's usually a stair I miss and trip over.  Actually it did happen at my husband's Christmas work party.  He went upstairs and I followed him.  When he turned around I did too and there wasn't a step there...  My Father-in-law said I was making an entrance.  Being clumsy is a real challenge lol.  These verses are good too:

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV)

What that means to me is when I am full of myself, I am most vulnerable to do something kinda stupid.  But when I am at my end and just don't know what to think, God inspires me with noble thoughts and deeds.  His Holy Spirit is full of wisdom.

11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
The Apostle Paul is in prison as he writes this message.  I don't know what exactly is wrong with his eyes here.  He did have vision problems.  So he mentions having to write with really big letters.  To me the point here is circumcision was an ancient Hebrew requirement.  Grown men shouldn't have it done just to fake holiness.  God doesn't require it for salvation.  Honestly, it was probably first started by God for health reasons. Under Jesus' sacrifice it's all about faith and believing that's what God wants from us.

Paul is praying for us all in these verses.  The Holy Spirit has changed him inside and out.  He's no longer the Saul who persecuted Christians.  Now he's a leader.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
This sounds like Paul is suffering from his many jail sentences.  He probably had some serious wounds inflicted on him.

Amen
(Galatians 6:1-18 NKJV)

Here's a song by Toby Mac, Speak Life (link)

Gray areas Part 2 (1 Peter 3:2-5, Deut. 22:5, Proverbs 31:10-31)

"50's car with Photoshop"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths."
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

The day I accepted Jesus as my Savior, I got this amazing joy!  Once I figured out how to read the Bible, I fell in love with God and all the people in it.  As time passed and my faith grew, I wanted to act like a lady.  It became very important to me to become beautiful on the inside.  I got really polite, which worried my parents, hahaha.  Honestly, I still struggle with some of the bad habits I picked up as a teenager.  Still can't claim perfection.  For someone who's never been in Church everything is a gray area.  A gray area is confusing, foggy, not clearly defined or absolute things.

When I was at Grand Canyon College (a Southern Baptist school that's now a University), I met an older Dutch woman.  I was a new Christian.  I saw the cross she wore, and said, "Look I have a cross too!"

It really hurt when she said, "It's not enough to wear these things you know."

I did know.  But I was a new Christian and didn't feel real confident.  Actually, confidence has always been a challenge for me.  I tend to close my eyes and jump a lot!  Thankfully God has always caught me and I've been able to do some awesome stuff.  When you come from a rough background and go to Church, it can be so intimidating.  At first, I felt like crawling under the pew instead of sitting on it.  Writing this reminds me of how sensitive new Christians feel.  We know how to ride the bike (be a Christian), they are falling all over the place like we did at first.  Good to keep that in mind.

The Apostle Peter wrote this:

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. (NIV, 1 Peter 3:2-5)

What this says to me is that our beauty can not come from outward jewelry, clothing, make-up or fancy hair.  It's true.  The most beautiful women in the world are kind, compassionate, and generous.  We see so many movie stars in America who seem so beautiful on the outside.  Some eventually wind up in alcoholism, trouble, or jail.  It's so sad.  Pretending to be someone other than yourself must be very difficult.  We all get lost sometimes.  Sometimes we forget who we are.

Then there's this verse:
A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this. Deuteronomy 22:5
God loves to see women and men dressed appropriately.  I like to see my husband dressed in his suit, tie, and jacket.  I feel so blessed being with him.  He loves seeing me in dresses with make-up and perfume once in awhile.  It's good isn't it?  God's ways are always best.  When I paint, I put on scrubs (I've always been clumsy).  It's what's on the inside that makes us most beautiful.

So what's a girl to do?  What is right anyway?  Women work as police now, soldiers, doctors, surgeons.  In those roles they need to wear uniforms that are similar to men's.  Actually the description of a virtuous wife describes a lot of women in our day.  Some women are a lot better than we realize : )  I am both humbled and excited to read about the virtuous wife.  She's a business woman like me!

10 Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
(Proverbs 31:10-31 NKJV)

Sometimes just reading the Bible makes things not so gray doesn't it?  And large text is good for those of us who need reading glasses too : )

Tribute to women

"My Grandma"
Edith Marie Long
Dec 9, 1896 to Feb 17, 1995

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

This is the last chapter of Proverbs.  We've read how women who nag are like dripping faucets, gossips are like a gold ring in a pig's snout.  A man who lives in such a house is better off on a small corner of the roof, and more in Proverbs.  I gotta say it, sometimes guys can be just as bad.  They just get "helpful" or "concerned."  Thinking about these descriptions always makes me giggle.  We're all guilty at times.


Proverbs 31 has a beautiful tribute to the good women, the virtuous.  The photo above is of my Grandma, she was like this proverb.  She was always working.  In fact, she would watch basketball on TV, listen to baseball on the radio, while crocheting afghans for our whole family.  She drove the old ladies to Church up until her 80's.  She rarely missed a Sunday.  She lived to be 98.  My Grandpa passed away before I was born, in his 50's.  So I never met him.  All the years afterward, she kept his wallet in her nightstand.  She never remarried.  She came to all of our family graduations and weddings.  She was the first to show up when a new grandchild was born.  She used to make herself big dinners and freeze the leftovers in TV Tray tins.  When she was 81, she needed to get social security so she took a job stuffing advertisements.  I look at this photo and see the humor in her eyes.  Although she wasn't one to make jokes, she did get a kick out of me.  I asked her once if she was surprised I became a Christian.  She said, "Yes, you were such a bad little girl."


She tried taking me to Church with her, but I got sick in the Church office and she was afraid to take me anywhere after that. : )  She was a good woman:  steady and strong.


This is how highly good women are valued by God and good men.

Proverbs 31


10 Who can find a virtuous wife?
     For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
     So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
      All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
      And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
      She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
      And provides food for her household,
      And a portion for her maidservants.
This is true today.  I'm the first one up, getting breakfast.  My days start around 6am and end around 8pm.


16 She considers a field and buys it;
      From her profits she plants a vineyard.
She's wise in business.  This is definitely not an image of a helpless girl is it?


17 She girds herself with strength,
      And strengthens her arms.
In Bible times no one worried about getting exercise.  Life was exercise: carrying water, kneading dough, washing clothes by hand.  It's so amazing how things have changed.


18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
      And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
      And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
      Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
I like this part, she's compassionate and cares about others. : )


21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
      For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
Today we watch the ads for sales.


22 She makes tapestry for herself;
      Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Grandma made all her own clothing.  I think I get my artistic, crafty abilities from her.  From God originally- it runs in our family.  By the time I could sew, material was more expensive than store bought clothes.


23 Her husband is known in the gates,
      When he sits among the elders of the land.
I can see this.  When I am generous with my husband, he's more generous at work.  Everyone loves him at work. 


24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
      And supplies sashes for the merchants.
Even back then, handwork was of high value.  She thinks about the household budget and helps out.


25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
      She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
      And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
      And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
      Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done well,
      But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
      But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
      And let her own works praise her in the gates.
I want to be like this.

Just enough

I have some praise to share.  I'm so grateful He has given us prayer.  So, here's the story.  The doctors thought my brother had a cyst in his liver, and went in to drain it.  It turned out to be an abscess which is an infected cyst.  When they drained it, he got sepsis (bacteria).  This is deadly and goes through the blood stream shutting down vital organs.  Hope I didn't make you queazy...  The doctors identified the bacteria and stopped the sepsis.  He's out of ICU now.  His organs are good.  He's on the transplant floor of the hospital.  It turns out that if his wife hadn't taken him into the hospital when she did, the cyst could have burst at home; we might have lost him.  She said that she just knew she had to take him.  I told her, "It may have been God whispering in your ear.  He does that sometimes."


I'll keep praying for the transplant, and thank any of you that prayed too.  He has a few more procedures today.  God is good, I will trust in Him.

Proverbs is a hard book to read sometimes.  It's full of common sense in how we relate to others and God.  Sometimes it feels prickly.  The authors who wrote this book were inspired by God over 2000 years ago.  They were humans like us.  That's why it's all so familiar.  Even though the world has changed dramatically since then, man hasn't.  It's a good book to read every now and then.  Sometimes I forget.


Proverbs 30

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, his utterance. This man declared to Ithiel—to Ithiel and Ucal:

2 Surely I am more stupid than any man,

And do not have the understanding of a man.

3 I neither learned wisdom

Nor have knowledge of the Holy One.

I felt this way more when I first became a Christian than now, after 35 years.  But I have to admit I still have my moments.  Having a relationship with Jesus does get easier with time and His grace.

4 Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?

Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son’s name,
If you know?
It's Jesus! Don't you love how prophecies about Jesus turn up long before He was born as a baby?  We actually don't know God's real name.  His name is so powerful we can't use it at this time.  He has given us the name of, "Jesus."  We know that Jesus is the Son of God and is God.  God has three forms:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  This verse puts us in our place doesn't it?  We can't gather the wind, bind the waters, or create an earth.  Agur is showing his humbleness before God.

5 Every word of God is pure;

He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

I can confirm this.  He is a shield, sometimes warning me in my heart not to go somewhere.  Sometimes not saying yes to my prayers.  We really don't know all that goes on around us.

6 Do not add to His words,

Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

We write down scripture, quote it, learn about its history, listen to other peoples' thoughts, pray for the Holy Spirit to help us understand.  None of these things are adding to God's Word.  Adding to His Word means rewriting the actual Bible for selfish purposes.  That's one of the reasons I put the Bible verses in a different font, I don't want anyone to be confused between what's my thoughts and what's His Word.  God is pleased when we highlight Bible pages, and write verses on index cards to memorize.  The thing I am most proud of in my Christian walk is I wore out my first Bible.  The pages started falling out.  It was a real challenge to read it the first time.  I did it!  God used it to change my life.

7 Two things I request of You
(Deprive me not before I die):

8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches—
Feed me with the food allotted to me;

9 Lest I be full and deny You,
And say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or lest I be poor and steal,
And profane the name of my God.

NKJV
This is an awesome prayer.  It sums up what God wants for us.  When I was a child I lived in an upper middle class home.  We had a swimming pool in the backyard.  My Dad had a dune buggy.  We had all the love that money could buy.  Our house was full of anger. When I went to college I had no money.  I was broke.  I had holes in my tennis shoes.  The manager in the cafeteria where I worked told me that I needed to get new shoes.  I couldn't.  I had great friends; my faith was growing; I was on my own.  It was the perfect opportunity for me to learn about prayer : )  I don't recommend this lifestyle for the weak of heart!  Truly the best times for me are when we are doing fine.  I can be creative and enjoy living.  No worries about what to buy- just live.

Feelings

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I'm almost through the Proverbs, just 2 more to go.  I'm thinking I'd like to read through Ephesians next or maybe the book of John.  It's time for me to get back to the New Testament.  But there's a lot to learn in Proverbs.  Here's some more bits of wisdom...

Proverbs 29

7 The righteous considers the cause of the poor,
But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
Basically, one of the things I've learned from Jesus is compassion.  I didn't have it before.  He has a way of allowing me to understand what other people feel.  Not just my agenda, in fact I can sense when my prayers are selfish.  Hate when that happens!

11 A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back.
It used to be that people were told not to hold their feelings in; let them out.  But in reality, it's best to ask the Holy Spirit for words.  At least for me.  I know how hurtful venting can be for others.  One time I was actually approached and told, "I would feel better if you did things my way."   Hmmm...  it's good to consider other people's feelings, show compassion and be kind.  But, allowing myself to become manipulated isn't right either.  Focussing on my feelings, instead of the other person, can create all sorts of issues.  The Lord knows we all get carried away at times though : )  Sometimes a good friend who listens is wonderful medicine.

19 A servant will not be corrected by mere words;
For though he understands, he will not respond.
It's hard to change unless I actually experience failure sometimes.  Always do things the hard way.  But it is wonderful to do things right and then have that "Ah ha!" moment where it all makes sense.  Sometimes the greatest gift I can give my husband is allowing him to make a mistake, after I told him my thoughts.

21 He who pampers his servant from childhood
Will have him as a son in the end.
I wish management today would understand this principle.  The better you treat others, the easier it is for them to work.  When the manager becomes more work than the job, it's hard to stay around for long.

23 A man’s pride will bring him low,
But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
Pride is a tough one.  It can create conflicts between people faster than anything.  I know of a family that was constantly at odds with each other because no one was wrong, and no one apologized.  I've found apologizing even when I'm not wrong helps smooth things out.

25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
I actually memorized this verse.  It's no good being afraid of people, it just makes things more difficult.  Trusting in God brings joy, and the strength I need to move on in situations.



**Side note: A few days ago my brother was put in Intensive Care.  He has liver cancer which miraculously disappeared last year, but came back recently.  Here's my prayer for him, feel free to join me if you like.

Dear Heavenly Father I lift up my brother to You.  I pray You will send the angels to supervise my brother's care.  Please give the doctors wisdom as to what to do.  Let his wife know You are present, give her rest and peace.  You are the Great Physician and our Creator, You know more about our bodies than anyone on earth.  Please heal his body and provide a transplant.  Your timing is perfect; Your love never fails.  I will trust in You though I don't understand.
In Jesus Name, Amen.  

Bold as a lion

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

All systems are up and running now : )  My computer and everything is working fine.  I can even import photos with my copyright (huge time saver).  One itsy bitsy problem this week, the cold!  I was all set to get back into my regular routine and sneeze, cough, cough.  I'm better today but still drippy.  Finally decided the best thing to do was get back to work.  Seems like there's always something, life's a challenge.  Last week the faucet decided to spray under the sink instead of into it...  Kind of makes thoughts about God's love and Heaven seem all the more splendid.

Proverbs 28

1 The wicked flee though no one pursues, 
   but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
This verse reminds me how doing the right things in the first place (however hard), leaves me with a clean conscience and boldness.  There's nothing to hide.  If I'm doing something wrong, I feel ashamed and want to hide.  Even though no one is looking at me... except God.  It's important to note that righteousness to God, is faith.

4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
   but those who heed it resist them.
To me, this is saying if we listen to the wisdom and instructions in the Bible, we can resist wickedness (although we will stumble at times).  Those who deny God support the wicked.

11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;
   one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

Wealth can be a huge distraction.  There's a false sense of security in it. But money doesn't bring true friends or perfect health.  We will all pass away in the end (unless Jesus comes first).  It is better to have enough, lots of friends and good work to keep us busy.     

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;
   but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
This is so true.  The world has seen some great leaders, some horrible tyrants, and a few in the middle.  The next election in the USA is very important to us.

13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
   but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Oh! I hate it when I have a guilty conscience.  And we all know God sees and knows everything.  So it's much better to confess than hold things inside and try and hide it.  We suffer a lot more than God does, by trying to pretend. 

20 A faithful person will be richly blessed, 
   but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

I believe this is referring to focusing our lives on getting rich.  Stepping over people, telling lies, manipulating, cheating, hurting others to get to the top.  Once that person is at the top, they've left a sea of sharks ready to take them down.  But a faithful person is richly blessed.  One who can earn respect from their co-workers and treat others fairly- makes others proud to work with them.  

27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
   but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

It's important to help others out.  When I miss an opportunity, I feel guilty.  God forgives, and it does make me want to try harder the next time.

Wisdom and fruit

Sorta what a fig looks like : )

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.
Digital Painting (Gouache) - Corel Painter

Well the Broncos lost last weekend.  My husband watched the game with his Dad so I couldn't pray for the team.  I just can't sit through football alone...  I found this link that really put things in perspective from two of my favorite Christians, Ron Hutchcraft and Tim Tebow: Tim Tebow losing or winning? (link).  With Jesus, even when we lose we win- if we're serving Him.  He turns everything upside down and backwards : )  Makes me want to find some volunteer work, I miss it.

Proverbs 27

Back to the Proverbs.  I found some good wisdom for us.  Some is a bit humbling.

1 Do not boast about tomorrow,
   for you do not know what a day may bring.
To me, this verse speaks of putting things off until tomorrow.  Sometimes I think I'll take care of that tomorrow.  After a week, I realize tomorrow is long gone...  I think this applies in relationships as well.  Oh I'll call my Dad tomorrow, maybe the Lord is prompting me to call him today for a reason.

2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
   an outsider, and not your own lips.
It's always best to be humble and get noticed rather than boasting.  However, there will always be people who will happily take credit for our work.  I know about that all too well.  God knows the truth and He will reward us.

14 If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,
   it will be taken as a curse.
Had to chuckle on this one.  So true, it's not good to wake up people when they're sleeping : )

15 A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping
   of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
16 restraining her is like restraining the wind
   or grasping oil with the hand.
Well we all have our moments don't we?  This is another one that makes me chuckle.  I've learned sometimes people are quiet after I say something, they're thinking.  I don't need to repeat what I say (hahaha).

17 As iron sharpens iron,
   so one person sharpens another.
Even though people can be annoying at times, the truth is we need each other.  Even the annoying ones have something to teach me about self-control, peace and patience.

18 The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,
   and whoever protects their master will be honored.
This Proverb is interesting.  It reminded me of what happened with Jesus and the fig tree:

Matthew 21:18-21 

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.
Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”  NIV

To me, the fig tree symbolizes people.  If we look out for others, especially when they're down (fruitless), God can use us to restore them.  We bear fruit for Him and protect our Master's interests.  Only Jesus is the judge of people.  I can't see what a person has or hasn't done- or even if they are a part of the body of Christ.  I don't know what they've experienced in their lives.  I've never walked in their shoes.  I see some people and think they must be able to walk on water.  But only God sees our hearts, He knows those who are His.  There will be a time when those who claim to follow Christ, but don't know Him will be separated from the rest (Matthew 13:30).  There is no fruit in their lives. Jesus did promise we'll be able to see each others fruit, and we're not yet perfected in Christ (Phil. 3:12).  Best not to judge.  Being a Christian isn't a birthright.  It's a choice to allow Him to be our Lord and Savior.  Our job is to focus on Jesus' love, and help others.  When I focus on Jesus, helping out is pure joy.

Matthew 7:16 

By their fruit you will recognize them.  Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.

Lights and fools

"He chooses the foolish and the simple."
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

My husband is a huge Broncos football fan.  His favorite gifts have a Broncos logo.  I'm just not into football that much.  I ask the annoying questions like, "Honey, don't the players know how to fall properly?  Why do those guys look like bullies?  They're huge."  He's very patient and mostly silent.  But then Tim Tebow came along, I got so excited to see a football player shining God's light.  Like David and Goliath, he stands strong.  He's my brother in the Lord.  

But Sunday night, my husband wasn't happy with the Broncos.  They'd lost 3 games, and they were losing then.  I wanted my husband to win.  I hate when things go bad for him.  I asked him if the game was live?  It was, so I told him that I'd pray for Tebow.  3 losses are discouraging for all of us as believers.  My heart went out to him, and my prayers up.  The camera was focussed on Tebow as I prayed for wings like eagles, for strength- I saw his spirits rise as I prayed (and probably lots of other Christians).  Everything changed,  they started winning.  I prayed for Tebow more, then the still small voice whispered- he's on a team.  He can't play alone.  So I prayed for all of them.  They won!   God blessed them.  

I didn't catch all that the broadcaster said, but this is what I remember, "They don't dwell in their fears.  They dwell in their hopes."  I wrote that down.  I want to dwell in my hopes too.

Proverbs 26

<sup>I may be the only one who does this, but one of my struggles is reading about characters in the Bible and thinking, "Wow!  Glad I'm not like that."  I've spent hours thinking about people who are irritating to me.  What a miserable waste of time.  These verses are about fools.  Warning: there's a zinger in the end.

1</sup> Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
   honor is not fitting for a fool.

³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
   and a rod for the backs of fools!
⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
   or you yourself will be just like him.
⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly,
   or he will be wise in his own eyes.
⁶ Sending a message by the hands of a fool
   is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
⁷ Like the useless legs of one who is lame
   is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
⁸ Like tying a stone in a sling
   is the giving of honor to a fool.
⁹ Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
   is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds at random
   is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
¹¹ As a dog returns to its vomit,
   so fools repeat their folly.
Shew!  I'm innocent, I would never...

¹² Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?
   There is more hope for a fool than for them.
Fail!  Now I really need to let go of judgmental thoughts.  So glad He chooses the simple and the foolish.

Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."

I am so grateful for Christians who stand up and acknowledge who they are in such a wholesome way, like Tebow.  It's such a wonderful testimony to a hard, skeptical world.  And it's downright encouraging to those of us who are Christians.  Also, grateful He chooses the foolish and simple.  I pass!

How a house is built

"Victory comes with faith in Jesus"
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.
Watercolor & India Ink

I'm back!  The Mac transition wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  But, I still have more to learn about how the system works.  Plus I can always go back to my Windows laptop for reference when I get stuck.  Ok so I did have a few meltdowns.  But with the Lord's help, I was able to get to the victory part 
: )

Proverbs 24

3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; 
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled 
with rare and beautiful treasures.
This verse is beautiful.  With wisdom and understanding, our houses are built to last.  Knowledge fills the rooms with rare and beautiful treasures.  My favorite house to visit, as a little girl, wasn't perfect.  The family had 3 kids.  The upstairs wasn't finished.  Books were scattered everywhere.  It was always messy.  A piano sat in the living room and all the kids knew how to play.  I was so fascinated to see my friend was writing a book, she was only about seven years old.  I loved to visit her house. It was so full of freedom and creativity.  As for me, I had my box of crayons and loved to color.  They went to Church and believed in Jesus.

10 If you falter in a time of trouble, 
how small is your strength! 
11 Rescue those being led away to death; 
hold back those staggering toward slaughter. 
12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” 
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? 
Does not he who guards your life know it? 
Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
I see this as a call to service, to share my faith with others.  If I have all this wonderful treasure from God- financial, talent, spiritual, love and time, then the least I can do is use it to help others.  All the treasure we have is stored in Heaven, a gift from our Father.  He likes it when we invest it in others. 

16 …for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, 
 but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Even though we fall as Christians, we can find forgiveness in Jesus, by confessing our sins.  It's interesting that this verse refers to falling seven times; it reminded me of a conversation between Peter and Jesus...

Jesus said: 

Matthew 18
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”  

22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

NIV

I like this verse.  I do believe there's a difference between being honest and being brutally honest.  I'm always glad to hear if I made a mistake, or if some of my artwork or writing isn't quite right and doesn't make sense.  I appreciate when my husband tells me dinner just doesn't taste as good as usual- maybe I should try something different (I'm a creative cook).  For the next meal, he tells me how delicious it is.  That's a kiss.  As a teenager, my Mom came home from the beauty parlor and asked, "What do you think of my new hair-do?"  I replied, "Oh Mom, it looks like George Washington!"  That would be a slap and not a kiss, brutal honesty.  Oy!  Life's a challenge.