The Lure of Fantasy, Proverbs 12

Proverbs 12:11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

I am a dreamer and a doer. I often wonder if I am on track. Am I chasing a fantasy or am I working the land? My land is not tangible, you can't see it (when it is in early stage development). I work in the land of ideas and possibilities and work hard to bring them to reality (the hard part) so that others can work the land (the real part).

Are we all chasing a fantasy? A dream of our life and how it should be? Or are we being directed by God to bring glory to his name? My prayer is for the latter.

How do you know? It's a two-edged sword. How does one work their land while keeping their focus true to God's calling? A calling and a fanatasy are two separate ventures. One leads you and others back to God, the other leads you away from him. Dreamers and doers should hede the call and stay focused on working the land for God's glory so that in the end, it will bear much fruit for the kingdom.


"Chasing the Dream"

Proverbs 12:15 - "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice."

Are you one who seeks advice or takes advice? I enjoy learning from others, but have found that there are many who do not seek or take advice. I've been guilty of the same. I think we have to fight the tendency of "knowing it all". We do live in a culture of people who are opinionated, argumentative and stubborn. We shouldn't join that chorus. Work at learning from others and avoid a few pitfalls along the way. Check your attitude at the door and open your mind.

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: Andy@TeamMarketingDynamics.com

2.12.09 Airheads, Proverbs 12

"A person who talks sense is honored; airheads are held in contempt."

Proverbs 12:8
There seems to be a lot of talking heads, but people don't seem to be saying anything really important. However, many think they are making sense. It is rampant (myself included). There is an interesting dynamic when God gives wisdom in a matter. It seems to resonate with people. When we listen to God through prayer, we learn something about ourselves and others. Communicate God's love and if necessary use words.

This example happened to our family. I was at evening business meeting when my wife frantically called to tell me the house was flooding in the kitchen. A faucet hose had broken and she didn't know how to shut the water off and she and my girls were panicking. She could get under the sink, but the hot water was too hot to grant her access to the turn knob to shut off the water. When she called me, I really didn't know what to do until I remembered that we have a shutoff valve outside the house that controls the water flow to our entire home. Within minutes, she had the situation under control and the girls (who had been praying) were relieved to have avoided the impending flood and damage to our home (me too).

Here is the real message. The only reason I knew about this valve was because some of the neighbor kids, playing a practical joke had shut off the water years before. After calling the water district, the repairman diagnosed the problem. What we the thought was an evil prank years before helped us to avoid major damage to our entire house. Because I make it a point to answer my wife's call anytime she calls, we were able to stop the damage immediately and fortunately she was home to catch this situation in time. I pray over our home daily and it is amazing to me that God provides answers, years in advance. He said nothing, but we clearly understand how much he loves our family.


"Talking Heads"

Proverbs 12:16 - "Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly shrug off insults."

I have been guilty of having a short fuse. I am a Marine afterall. I have experienced the wrath of a drill instructors who have a short tolerance for mistakes and boneheaded moves. Unfortunately, I developed that habit as well when it came to the mistakes of other people. In the military, the mission mindset is critical. In daily civilian life it may not be so critical. So, I have learned to be a little more gracious and forgive where needed. We should be slow to anger, but we must also realize that it is okay to have a holy anger and moral outrage when it comes to the things that must change.

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: Andy@TeamMarketingDynamics.com

Collapse and Ruin, Proverbs 12

"What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin, while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life."

Proverbs 12:12

It has been said that success is built on failure. The object is to fail faster and faster until one becomes a success in business, science, and/or in life! This verse offers encouragement for those with a champion's spirit. It recognizes that you will fail and it will seem that you are without remedy, but ultimately the Lord will help you to offer life giving fervor to those around you. It says the "wicked" will ultimately fail, not the righteous.


"Measured Success"

Proverbs 12:15 - "Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice."

Are you head strong? I may be. Marines are taught to take charge, move forward, and take the hill (I am a former Marine). Americans are self-reliant. It seems that most people don't want to hear advice or take it. I think this verse cautions us to check our motives. Are we being head strong, when we should stop and heed valuable advice. When we don't listen to our trusted advisors, we may cost ourselves and others valuable opportunities.

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: andy@marketingdynamics.org

12.12.08 The Counsel, Proverbs 12

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge; but he who hates correction is stupid."

Proverbs 12:1

"Thirst for Knowledge" Portrait Unknown Artist

Discipline is hard. At first, it shocks, it may hurt, it may humble - then revelation. It is an amazing thing to be transitioned from mediocrity to elevated awareness and ultimately status. Our walk with the Lord is a series of discipline and he only disciplines the ones he loves; so, if you are getting a "life whipping", take heart things are changing for the better for you.

I cracked the oil pan to my 1985 BMW this week. This was the 3rd time in 3 years. I was devastated. The repair on a BMW oil pan costs $1150. This time I was lucky and didn't break any engine mounts (which would have added to the cost).

My Ultimate Driving Machine rides low to the ground (performance suspension, nice and tight) and the streets in Houston are wavy and bumpy. It was my own fault for driving a little too quickly while crossing the railroad tracks. I was rushing a client to a live a radio show after their appearance on a live TV show (we were in a hurry). I have learned to handle adversity with grace, the client never knew about my own situation (although I was doing all I could to contain myself). We made it to the station on time and I had enough engine power to get to the parking lot without an overheating problem or the engine locking up (the silver lining).

I could have done without this problem, but in the problem, I found opportunity. It drew me closer to God and I could hear him better. I think the situation gave me more power over the enemy. A derailed setback, actually became fodder to push forward, realization that God was still in control. I had messed up, but the facts didn't matter, God was moving me forward.

A buddy gave me a ride to an important meeting that I would have missed. It taught my wife and I once again, that we could bounce back from adversity and enter a new realm of faith (we now have a solution to the oil pan problem and our mechanic has suggested a buffer plate be installed).


"One Way Jesus" by United

Proverbs 12:3 - "A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly."

I am a blabber. I am working hard to control my tongue. I am zealous and excited about what I see God doing and he has given me access to some incredible opportunties that require that I share them with many to gain the momentum that needs to happen on most of them. However, given the dynamics of my world, there is opportunity to share information that may actually "short circuit" an opportunity. Self-interested people could actually steal the idea or alert someone prematurely and have them withdraw their support, etc. In my world, timing and trust is everything.

So, knowing what to say and what not to say is a delicate balance. Fortunately, trusted partners makes it easier to share information with each other. Our tendency is to blurt out what we know, when we may need to hold back for the right moment. A little information here, a little there, and before you know it, you have got the attention of the people you want and then an idea can flourish and bless many people.

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: andy@marketingdynamics.org

The Prodigal, Proverbs 12

"Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food."

Proverbs 12:9
"The Prodigal Son" by Liz Lemon

The righteous and the wicked are so at odds. We often take our inheritance now, a substitute for the long-term benefit. Our country faces insurmountable debt and people are hurting - they need God to intervene, but they don't know him. The average American is $10,000 in hoc. We loved credit, we squandered the money, and we are left holding a big bill that compounds the interest like a ticking bomb. How do we get out of our mess, we wonder?

Well, we realize that we have to make things right with our father, that is what. Like the prodigal son, we realize that we just want to know what is right. We are willing to take the lowliest position. We wonder how we could have been so stupid and how we could have veered so far off course. Fortunately, our father does love us and he welcomes us with open arms.


"When God Ran" by Phillips, Craig, and Dean

Proverbs 12:15 - "The way of the fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice."

Are you, your worst advisor? We need more advice from the right sources. Who can best help you today to get you where you need to be? Ask.

People really want to help most of the time. I have found, the more you help people, the more they are willing to help you. Who can you help today? I am about asking these days. I need help and am open to receiving counsel and instruction from many who I respect in business, in their service to the Lord, and their desire to help others. Sometimes, we need to stop and listen. What is God saying?

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: andy@marketingdynamics.org

10.12.08 The Surrender, Proverbs 12

The Surrender

It is hard to surrender without a fight. To surrender, we must be dog tired, out of ammo, out of options, and maybe in fear for our life. In the natural world, surrender happens everyday. The police chase down a criminal, tyrants run down the weak, and righteous soldiers fight back the tyranny. The desperately poor, the persecuted, deathly ill (i.e., aids pandemic), and thirsty (the drought in many populace or absence of clean water) have to fight for each day - surrender is not an option (their very survival is at stake).

In the spiritual realm, the surrender to God is sweet. Our surrender to the creator of the universe is met with an open door to the throne of the almighty. We are allowed to enter his courts and lay our lives at his feet and discover his goodness. At the throne, we gain.

Are you at your wits end? Are you wondering what the future holds? Do you need a miracle from God? We are called to rest in him and to be wise. A friend recommended this song to me. Hope you enjoy it. Is it time to surrender?

"Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real

These verses stood out today:

Proverbs 12:2 - "A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but the Lord condems a crafty man."

Do you practice self-talk? I have affirming words and phrases in my "Daily Task" in Outlook. Words like "I am an annointed", "I am favored by God and he opens doors for me", and "My best days start today". I think we need to remind ourselves about our favor with God on a daily basis. A crafty man is someone who is skillfully underhanded and deceptive, a manipulator. Our pursuits should be aimed at gaining favor with God and not men.

Proverbs 12:10 - "A righeteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel."

I recently bought my girls two pet mice, not realizing that male mice are very stinky due to their urine. I thought they were cute and that my girls would love them (they were excited to have them). However, after the third day in the house, my wife wanted me to get rid of them (she didn't care how). One of the mice was sick and he died. My youngest daughter had named him "Cheese", so we had a burial for him and said a prayer.

Well, "Remi" (the other mouse) is a alive and well and living in our garage in an aquarium tank all to himself. My wife wanted me to just let him go in a field or give it to someone with a snake. I haven't had the heart to do either. The thought of the mouse fending for hmself in the wild seemed cruel. So, I have taken on the responsibility for his future making sure he has plenty of water and food. I had read this verse before and it is my reminder to care for this little mouse. He's a pretty lucky mouse, because my old nature would have enjoyed putting a set mouse trap in his cage to see what would happen. Now, he is kind of like my little buddy.

On Mission, On Assignment, and in the ZONE!

Andy Valadez
e-mail: andy@marketingdynamics.org