Proverbs 31 Woman

I am blessed to be married to Doug  who wrote this song.  Spread the word!

Proverbs 13:18 says, “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction:  but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”

“The instruction of discipline is God’s ordinance.  Little do those who refuse it know, what a blessing they cast away! (Hebrews 12:10,11)  Poverty and shame are often the Lord’s rod for his wayward children (Luke 15:12-16); two dreaded evils— the one bringing them to want; the other hiding their heads; both disappointing “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.”  (1 John 2:16)  Young persons! learn to dread the liberty of being left to your own choice.  Dread the first step in the downward course, refusing instruction…Know your besetting temptation, ‘as the horse and the mule’  (Ps. 32:9), impatient of restraint.  If godly remonstrance be slighted, all may end in poverty and shame, embittered with the poignant sting of death-bed remorse. (chap. 5:11)…If we be humbled under his reproof, we shall be raised to his throne. (1Pt. 5:6)  Pleasant indeed are his words to his well-disciplined child.  To have our ears open to receive discipline, is to walk in the path of life and happiness (chap. 6:23.  Job 36:10-12); the honour of conformity to our Divine Saviour.”

If today I could fly anywhere in the world, where would I go?

If I could give any gift in the world to someone, what would it be?

If I could see what the future holds, would I want to know?

If I could find a treasure chest full of treasures, what would that be?

The Lord has been showing me that that treasure chest is sitting on my dining room table.

As I read it (Bible), I unearth great and precious treasures.

I acquired my Polo by Ralph Lauren at the Edison Street Sale last Saturday. Everyone’s heard of Ralph Lauren, but have you heard of the Edison Street Sale? It’s an annual event now in our city, usually held the first Sat. of June, although that’s spilled over to include the few days prior and a couple days after.

People actually come from out of state now to shop the Edison Street Sale. Many people, like me, make a list of things to look for at this event; my list this year included a new winter jacket, some tennis shoes or sandals,milk glass dishes to add to my collection, a pair of summer shorts (I haven’ t worn them in years but my wonderful 13 yr. old daughter practically coerced me into getting a pair this year), a globe for my friend named Jennifer, a shirt or jacket for my husband, something for my new grandchild, and some tomato cages.

I found just about everything on my list within an hour or two. But it’s funny, I never made it onto Edison Street. You see, over the years the adjacent blocks, including mine, have joined in the fun. Yes, it’s still called the Edison Street Sale, but it spans several blocks now. I didn’t even make it off my block; actually, I still had money in my pocket, but I had four bags of goodies to carry after going to about 6 houses and so I went home and put away my loot!

I missed getting my annual hotdog sold by the boy scouts on Edison Street. But, I found a Polo by Ralph Lauren! Enjoy the Summer.

ps. maybe you can start such an event in your town

The Boyntons have some great new resources available. The Prospering Homemaker is now available in e-book, DVD, or printed book formats. Loaded with money-saving tips and personal stories, this information is bound to encourage moms, young and old, in their role as homemaker. And for those of you who would like to get out of debt or re-direct your income in other ways, this material is for you! So, check out their website today: http://radicaldebtelimination.com/

This is a must see film. It’s a documentary.

I’ve asked various 3 year olds the question,

Who made you?

Three year olds have told me, “God made me.”

See the film. And you’ll get it.

From Charles Bridges in his commentary, Proverbs:

“So rare is this treasure, that the challenge is given —- ‘Who can find a virtuous woman?’  Abraham sent to a distant land for this inestimable blessing for his beloved son.  Perhaps one reason of the rarity of the gift is, that it is so seldom sought.  Too often is the search made for accomplishments, not for virtues; for external and adventitious recommendations, rather than for internal godly worth…Truly her price is above rubies.  No treasure is comparable to her.”

A lifelong study of mine is going through the book of Proverbs in the Bible.  Presently, I am reading through the Proverbs, in addition to  studying from Proverbs commentary by Charles Bridges.  This particular commentary is from The Geneva Series of Commentaries.  I am just reading/studying a few verses at a time.  I keep a spiral notebook on the table and notate each verse that includes a specific word.  In my notebook, the first page has WISDOM at the top.  On it are already listed and written out over 20 verses about wisdom in just the first 3 chapters of Proverbs.   The next several topics are: instruction, understanding, justice, judgment, equity, subtilty (this is needed, by the way, to tell the difference between truth and error), knowledge, discretion, learning,  and many more.  I am already on my second page of notes pertaining to wisdom.  Here are a few verses:

Proverbs 3:13-18

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.  For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold; she (WISDOM) is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her.  Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour; her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace; she is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:  and happy is everyone that retaineth her.

Charles Bridges reminds us:

“Who does not admire this glowing picture of happiness?  This wisdom of this world affords no such happiness.  Yet cold and barren is admiration, without an interest in the blessing.  The happy man has found a treasure, where possibly he least expected it, under the chastening of the Lord.  David and Manasseh found ‘God’s house of correction to be a school of instruction.’  Under all circumstances, however, prayerful diligence in the search of wisdom ensures success.  The naturally wise man is a fool in heavenly wisdom.  The man of prayer getteth understanding, draweth it out to light, as out of the hid treasure…Here the wise man, himself enriched with the merchandise of fine gold points out to us a better merchandise.  It is the search for ‘the pearl of great price,’ MORE PRECIOUS THAN RUBIES, YEA, THAN ALL THINGS THAT COULD BE DESIRED.  So the Apostle judged.  So upon a trial he found it.  All the world’s show, all his former valuable ‘gain, he counted as dung and dross’ for ‘the true wisdom’ _ ‘the excellency of the knowledge of  CHRIST JESUS his Lord.’  NEVER WILL SOLID HAPPINESS BE KNOWN WITHOUT THIS SINGLENESS OF JUDGMENT AND PURPOSE.  THIS INESTIMABLE BLESSING MUST HAVE THE THRONE.  THE WAVERER AND THE HALF-SEEKER FALL SHORT.  DETERMINED PERSEVERANCE WINS THE PRIZE. (Philip.  3:12-14)

If you’re looking for an inspirational book to read to your children or as a family, go to the library and check out The Shoe Box, by Francine Rivers.  It is wonderfully illustrated by Linda Dockey Graves.   On the back cover it says, “Six -year old Timmy O’Neil comes to live with Mary and David Holmes on a cloudy day in September.  When Timmy arrives, he has very few things with him.  As he slowly makes new friends, he finds a chance to offer his small treasures to a very special someone.  A tender and moving story from beloved author Francine Rivers, retold especially for children ages 6-10.”

If I say much more I’ll spoil the adventure.  Francine Rivers even includes a page entitled:  How This Story Came to Be.  Themes of healing, mercy and joy shine through.  The Lord’s graciousness to adopt His children as His own is manifest in a special way.  Enjoy!