Resources for Christian Women, Encouragement for Families
About Obtaining Wisdom – Comments from Matthew Henry
” We must closely attend to the word of God, for that is the word of wisdom, which is able to make us wise unto salvation, v. 1,2. We must be CONVINCED that the words of God are the fountain and standard of wisdom and understanding, …We must INCLINE OUR EAR and APPLY OUR HEARTS to them, as to wisdom or understanding itself. Many wise things may be found in human compositions, but divine revelation, and true religion built upon it, are all wisdom. We must, accordingly, receive the word of God with all readiness of mind, and bid it welcome, even the commandments as well as the promises, without murmuring or disputing. Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears….”
Matthew Henry – About Obtaining Wisdom
“…Even wise men must hear, and not think themselves too wise to learn. A wise man is sensible of his own defects (Plurima ignoro, sed ignorantiam meam non ignoro – I am ignorant of many things, but not of my own ignorance), and therefore is still pressing forward, that he may increase in learning, may know more and know it better, more clearly and distinctly, and may know better how to make use of it. As long as we live we should strive to increase in all useful learning….” page 649 vol. 3
Act One (TM) Youth Group Skits: Sister Love
Act One (TM) writes brief one act skits as ice breakers for youth meetings, devotionals, and messages. This is titled Sister Love. The scene is the bathroom, 4 hair dryers and one straightener are on the counter, along with cottonballs and Qtips plus a generous array of makeup.
3 Characters:
M – Mary
S – Suzie
D – Dad
M: “Suzie, where are YOU going tonight? You look so nice.”
S: “A bunch of friends are going for pizza at Buddy’s. I’m sure when you’re older you’ll do fun things like this, too.”
M: “I don’t know…I mean, look at me. Pimples, ugly clothes –I’m such a boring person. Is there REALLY a God? I don’t know anymore.”
S: “Look, sis. Look, look up, look in the mirror. Just take a minute and look.”
M: “Yes, I see…it’s me…I told you…pimples, ugly clothes, a frown…” (Mary is crying now.)
S: “No, sis, look again. I see a WORK of GOD’S HAND, a precious young lady made in GOD’S IMAGE, a talented person, a person who is yearning for answers to hard questions. God made you and don’t you ever forget it. He fashioned you in mother’s womb. I read in my time alone with God today from Psalm 139:13-18 and it says: ‘For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wroought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.’ Then, verses 23-24 say, ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’
———————Pause——————————-
M: “Oh sis. Thanks. I really needed to hear that again. My mind plays games, I need to retrain it. I need to think differently. I need to change…”
D: “Hi Girls! I’m back from work. Hey, someone just pulled up. Suzie, is your ride here?”
S: “Yes, Dad. I love you, see you all later.”
D: “Mary — how about going out for an ice cream cone after dinner with me? Mom can stay home with your brothers and we’ll go alone – just the 2 of us.”
M: “OK, Daddy. I’d like that very much.”
Ode to Unemployment
He went into work just like
any old day.
The boss said, “Go home.”
So I knelt down to pray.
“Lord, it’s been 20 years
since he started that work,
and diligence was shown
never duties to shirk.”
The Lord said, “Be still,
in Me always trust,
not in men, things, and boats,
in the end, they’ll be dust.”
So together we took a deep breath
sucked it up.
We set some new goals and pled,
“Lord, fill our cup.”
Well, the freezer’s been full
thanks to Rev and our friends.
Bagels, bread, deer meat,
chicken, burger – what’er He sends.
The mortgage’s been paid
and the water bill too.
Our new pal Darlene
gave us more than one shoe.
Chinese lanterns were bartered
for a dinner and show.
Denise shared her salmon
so PJ could grow.
It’s certainly not been
all flowers and hot dogs,
but the Lord has been faithful
to pull us out of the bog.
Our work is not over
and our sleeves are rolled up
knowing that He’ll always be with us
in glory forever we’ll sup.
Unemployment? What’s that?
But a journey of trust.
To see what God’s plan is
living for Him, is a must.