9.30.08 The Last Day of the Month, Proverbs 30

As I write this evening, my 42 year old cousin is still undergoing surgery on his heart. He has been in the operating room since 10AM this morning. He had a heart attack this past week and has been put on a heart transplant list. The doctors decided to install a heart pump since his heart is very weak and because it was losing strength to power itself. My cousin Richard has three children and a loving wife.

We also got word on Sunday that one of the young girls that attended my bible study suffered a strok due to complications with her lung disease at age 13. She is paralyzed now and her family and our church is distraught.

Bad things happen to good people, but God has a plan and we can see him operating in the lives of others. Proverbs has much to do with relationships, dealing with men, women, wives, children, and enemies.

We never know how long we will get to do God's work on Earth and while we are here, Proverbs is a great guide.

Proverbs 30:10 - "Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will pay for it."

We are an assertive culture. We will complain, blame, and make judgments about people without the realization that these people have lives and families just like ours. One example that I have learned in sales is to be kind to the "gatekeepers". Many a salesman has gotten in with a company by being kind the executive assistants. I can't really thing of a time where I have seen a servant slandered or slandered a servant, but I do think that when we slander a fellow Christian that this might be the same application. We know who his master may be?

Proverbs 30:24 - "Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; coneys are creatuers of little power, yet they make their home in the crags; locusts have no king; yet they advance together in ranks; a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in king's palaces."

Had to look up what a coney. It is a rodent like animal. The ant is an industrious worker, locusts strike fear in the hearts of farmers (locust seem to survive and thrive), the coney looks like a sharp minded critter, and lizards are crafty (take a look at the Geico commercials). We could learn from all of them.

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: andy@marketingdynamics.org

9.29.08 The Poor and Mighty, Proverbs 29

We are so blessed in the U.S. Our poor are richer than the poor that are in the world. We see the starvation, the disease, the thirst, and the pitiful existance that billions live the world over.

I do believe that many world governments keep their people in poor conditions. These leaders steal food, deprive their people of medical assistances from countries like the U.S. and others, and allow for tyrants to dominate the lives of righteous people.

In Proverbs 29, we are reminded to remember the poor in our dealings.

Proverbs 29:7 - "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern."

This offers a gut check. Do we really care about the poor? If so, how are we meeting the real needs of the poor? I don't believe the government is the answer, this responsibility is for the church. The government usually makes things worse.

Proverbs 29:11 - "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control."

I love a good argument or debate. However, this verse tells us we should keep our cool. Think about it? Someon cuts you off on the highway? Someone is talking loud at a theatre and you want to tell them to be quiet (I mean "SHUT UP!"). Someone steals your parking space at the grocery store or your kids keep bugging you for attention. Take a deep breath and answer wisely.

Proverbs 29:14 - "If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secure."

I don't interact with the poor that often (although I should). I have volunteered at Juvenile Bootcamps, Homeless Shelters, or offered help to the community in the past. In those instances, the poor are helpless or reliant on the care of others. Most people appreciate the help and some are bitter about their lot. Reaching the poor in spirit is a challenge when they have nothing to hope for. I think we make judgments about the poor from our living room couch, inside our vehicles at the corner intersection, or from the comfort of our computer on-line. I think a king seeks out the poor in his kingdom to see how he can provide resources or help. How else can you really judge the poor fairly and secure your throne?

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: andy@marketingdynamics.org