Wisdom

August 12, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools^[a] despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:7 NIV

If you want to start reading the Bible but are unsure where to begin…try starting with Proverbs. Guess how many chapters God has in Proverbs…the answer is 31, you can read one chapter a day and you would complete the Book of Proverbs in one month. Not only that you will be reading the words of one of the wisest people that ever lived. There is so much good to learn in Proverbs, it will help you in your daily life and grow your relationship with God. God’s Word is a gift to us…pick it up and read.

DSC_1355 publish

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

James 3:13-18 NIV

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Trust

August 12, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
⁸They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

(This photo was taken July of 2021 in a trail in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Problem Solving And Decision Making

September 29, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Book of Proverbs is full of good stuff…advice that is straight to the point, understandable and most of them are less than 140 characters…

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

“Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.”

Proverbs 15:22

“Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

²¹Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:20-21

DSC_0021-1 publish

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”^[a]

Proverbs 3:5-6

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Humility

October 8, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Where is the focus of our life? What is the center of our existence? When others say kind things about us or something we have done, while this is encouraging, do we remember the One who made it possible for us? We all are so easily distracted and this can be how we are led away from God and His plan for us. The Book of Proverbs is filled with great reminders and statements about holy living. These were spoken by Solomon who had been blessed with incredible wisdom from God…even He succumbed to distractions in his life on earth. Nobody is immune and that is why daily interaction and communication with Jesus Christ is essential to finding humility and staying humble. May God’s mercy and grace wash over us each day. Amen

DSC_0158 publish