Ecclesiastes 12:10

  As John Dewey exclaimed, “ A problem well put is half solved .”   For us to fix something we have to know what is wrong and what is causing the problem. Too many times we face an issue and are unable, or maybe better said unwilling, to examine ourselves to what is wrong.    That is what makes 1st John 1:8-9 so poignant; “ If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness .”   It’s not that God isn’t willing and able to forgive. It’s not he is demanding a penance by making us grovel. He’s wanting us to see the problem and see our role in it. If we don’t look at what going on we will never truly be fixed.      Confession is good for the soul but it is also needed for the mind. Until we see our sin, we will never find the way to fix it.  

Exodus 36:3-7 tells us about the Israelite's contributions to building the Tabernacle:   “ They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning .”  As the workmen began the task they ran into an unusual problem:   "The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD commanded us to perform."   It wasn’t a lack of supplies, it was a surplus.  And the people kept bringing more, so much that Moses had to tell them to stop:   " Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary." Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more.  They had all they needed and more.  Sounds like a good problem to have.   I think we need to learn a lesson here about when God’s people are inspired to a great work. O...

    The fact that God gave us two ears and two eyes and only one mouth should give us some indication on how he expects us to use them. James 1:19 “ This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger ;”   John Maxwell once wrote, “ A funny thing happens when you don’t make a practice of listening to people. They find others who will. Anytime employees, spouses, colleagues, children, or friends no longer believe they are being listened to, they seek out people who will give them what they want. Sometimes the consequences can be disastrous: the end of a friendship, lack of authority at work, lessened parental influence, or the breakdown of a marriage .”     How many times in the Bible do we read the phrase “ he who has ears let him hear ”? That is because listening is as vital of a skill as needed. People want to be listened to and we need to listen to them.     If you talk tw...