Proverbs 31

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Well, I finally get the last word!  It’s about time.  I hope you have enjoyed reading through Proverbs during this month.  It is also my prayer that God has used his word and these blogs to open your eyes to something new and timely in your life.

Proverbs 31:10-31

This is a beautiful and very misunderstood passage of scripture.  I was exhausted after I read it. Then I realized that this is not about the “perfect” woman that I need to compare myself to or some unreachable ideal: instead, this is one man’s (King Lemuel) tribute to his own mother.

The words noble, good, capable, virtuous and excellent are all used in different versions of the Bible to describe this woman.  This is a person who is strong, capable of doing many things.  In this period in history, this woman was anything but typical.  She knows about fabrics, purchasing, cooking, farming, and real estate.  She’s an organized early riser who is also a kindhearted encourager. She loves taking care of her family’s needs.  Of course she is respected by her children and husband and has a sense of worth in all she does.

The wife of noble character was a very unique person with her own particular gifts and strengths, which she used to benefit her family and community. My gifts and your gifts might be very different than hers.

So we don’t have to live up to the Proverbs 31 ideal.  But we do need to discover who God made us to be and seek to be the best “me” we can for his glory and the benefit of others.

As we end this study together, reflect and determine whether you are the best you can be for your family, your spouse, your church, and your community. Most importantly, are you taking all God has given you and using it for him each and every day?  If not, let’s decide today to be the best “me” we can for him!

Striving to be the best for him,

Kathy Tanner

Director of Ministry Operations

Proverbs 30

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As we near the end of our Challenge, the first few verses of Proverbs 30 provide a very important reality check.

This chapter contains “the sayings of Agur.” We don’t know much about Agur. He is either an unknown sage, perhaps during the time of Solomon, or he is writing under a pseudonym. There is no record of a well-known historical figure by that name.

Admittedly this chapter is a bit more difficult to interpret than some of the other parts of the Proverbs collection. But it’s a fascinating nugget of ancient literature. I particularly love the attitude of humility expressed by the writer in the first several verses.

“I am the most ignorant of men: I do not have a man’s understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I the knowledge of the Holy One.” – Proverbs 30:2-3

Basically, he’s saying that when it comes to wisdom, the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.

One of the fallacies of youth is the idea that we know everything. This attitude kicks in at puberty and usually reaches its peak around the age of 23 (no offense to my 23 year old daughter).

The imminently quotable Mark Twain once said, "When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years."

Agur is speaking here in the spirit of Socrates who said, “The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing.” But he goes further in reminding us that the one true God is the source of all knowledge.

We learned early on in this journey that:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

The “fear of the Lord” always leads to humility. Humility leads to a willingness to listen, or having a “teachable spirit.” This simply means admitting I don’t have everything figured out and that I need a source of wisdom way bigger and way smarter than I’ll ever be.

It seems to me this is a pretty important thing to keep in mind as this Proverbs journey comes to a close.

But then again, what do I know.

We have one more day remaining of our 31 Day Challenge. Congratulations for making it this far! Tune in tomorrow as my wife, Kathy, gets the last word.

Some things never change.

Blessings,
John Tanner

Proverbs 29

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Proverbs 29 starts with the most convicting statement:

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

OUCH!  At first glance I thought, “I really feel sorry for those people.  They are so…stiff-necked!”  As I have done through most of Proverbs, I agree with each verse. Much of the wisdom in Proverbs is self-evident.  So why is this book so important?

Life can be a bit like a maze, or maybe one of those pictures that looks like a collection of random dots and colors but becomes a vivid picture after you stare at it for a while.  We live our daily lives in pursuit of the “right” path, which means making wise decisions with diligence.  We make our decisions based on the information that we have and how we feel God is directing.  Most times we don’t know if it was the “best” choice until we look in the rear-view mirror. 

“I’m glad I made that choice.”

“That was a wise decision.”

OR

“That didn’t go well.”

“I wish I had never gotten out of bed THAT day.”

My oldest son asked me, “What does being ‘called’ mean?”  Honestly, it was a discussion that I had been looking forward to for years.  I told him that it’s usually not an audible voice, but one inside us.  And that if we listen to trustworthy friends, and read what the Bible says, we can put those together and have a good idea of what God is calling us to do.  It seems very simple.

But this is where I begin to worry…about myself.

Proverbs 29:1 refers to “stiff-necked” people as those who ignore rebukes repeatedly.  I think I’m a fast learner, but what if God is sending a message and I’m not hearing it?  What if I’m not hearing God because my head is too clouded with other things, and those rebukes are getting lost in the noise?

God is speaking, but are we listening?  I pray that I would not only hear the joy in my Heavenly Father’s voice but also the rebukes as he shepherds me in the right direction.  I pray that I will never be so arrogant as to think that “stiff-necked” refers only to “those people.”  And I pray that following God’s direction will become easier as I grow in years and hopefully grow in wisdom.  We may never have the map to tell us the exact choice to make, but listening for God’s voice from the Scripture, wise advice from others, and the Holy Spirit within us will surely give us a good start.

How has God spoken to you today?

Darin Miller
Family Ministries Pastor

Proverbs 28

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The last summer before I graduated from college, I helped lead a team of students on a cross-cultural mission project to Thailand. We stayed on a college campus about the size of Auburn in a town a couple of hours northeast of Bangkok called Khon Kaen. The nine weeks I spent there changed my perspective on many things in life.

The two things that struck me most about the Thai people were their material poverty and their experiential joy. Thai people in general seemed to be full of smiles and hospitality despite their lack of Western comforts that many of us take for granted.

Where I saw this mostly clearly portrayed was during a “vision trip” to a leper colony in the surrounding area. We spent time there working on a road and helping in an orphanage, and then we went out to minister to the people who were living with leprosy. This was a humbling experience in many ways, but the scene that has seared itself deepest in my memory came that night at a church service held for the colony. In an open air sanctuary with dogs under our feet, we sat on makeshift pews as a leper stood before us and, with help from an interpreter, shared his testimony.

The leprosy had clearly taken a toll on his body. He had no hands and his legs were uneven to the point that he could barely stand. The side of his face was deformed and it was difficult for the interpreter to make out what he was saying. But one phrase clearly stood out: “khun pra chuay” (sounded out K-hune-pra-chow). This Thai phrase means “thanks be to God,” and he used it to conclude every sentence.

I remember sitting there in silence and realizing that here was a person who had little material wealth but possessed riches that I may never know this side of eternity. For the first time I saw how some things I had always considered “blessings” might actually be barriers to deeper intimacy with God. I learned that the poor seem to have a special place in God’s economy.

Of course, the writer of Proverbs 28 already knew these truths. Warnings of greed and neglect for the poor appear seven times in this chapter alone. Consider verse 6: “Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.” Also, verse 27 warns us, “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”

I still struggle with keeping my eyes open to the needs of those around me. How has God used this chapter to open your eyes?

Yours and His,

Allen Wilson
Director of Student Ministries

Proverbs 27

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The book of Proverbs is full of one-liners that are great reminders of eternal truths. One of my favorites is found in Chapter 27, verse 16:

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

In this verse, you and I are described as iron. We were made to sharpen others in their faith and be sharpened by them.

How can you sharpen others?

•  Encourage and spur others on to know and love God more (Hebrews 10:24-25)

•  Being full of grace and truth, speak the truth in love to others (John 1:18, Ephesians 4:15).

• Pray for others with compassion and mercy (James 5:16).

• Love others sacrificially (John 13:34-35).

• Be willing to help others up when they fall (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

How do you let others sharpen you? By choosing to be with people who will do all of the above. We all need those people in our lives who will encourage and spur us on, speak the truth in love into our lives, pray for us compassionately after we willingly confess our sins, love us sacrificially, and help us up when we fall.

Who currently sharpens you? Whom are you sharpening?

Grace & Peace,

Stephen Hampton
Chase Campus Pastor

PS - At Cove Church, C-Groups are a great place to find others who will “sharpen” you. If you would like to be a part of a C-Group, it’s not too late to join. For more information, e-mail Darin Miller at darin@covechurch.com.

Proverbs 26

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As I read Proverbs 26, I am reminded of a wise principal who remained calm and in control when confronted with a volatile situation.  Proverbs 26:4 states, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.” In other words, it is not good to get on the same level as a person who is behaving foolishly. 

One day, I had the opportunity to observe this wise principal as he talked to a parent that was obviously upset.  This concerned mother, in a loud voice, announced to the school secretary and all who happened to be in the office, that she was extremely upset.  She demanded to see the principal at once.   Right or wrong, this lady was disrupting the educational process, and people were starting to stare at her. 

The principal quickly defused the situation by immediately coming to speak to the parent.  I noticed that she was almost yelling when she spoke, but when the wise principal spoke, he lowered his voice so that it was almost inaudible.  As a result, the parent actually had to move toward the principal to hear his gentle words.  In turn, the lady began to lower her voice.  She seemed to relax.  Parent and principal continued to talk, but they were almost whispering.  Then, after a brief period of time, the two people went inside the principal’s office to discuss the matter in the privacy of his office.  The disruptive situation was resolved because of the wise principal’s actions.  She was loud.  He was quiet.  She was harsh.  He was gentle. 

Are you reminded of an instance when a situation was defused because a person remained calm when confronted with foolish behavior?

Jan Harris 

Proverbs 25

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My voice hasn’t changed that much since I was 10 years old.  I know this because when I was 10, telephone solicitors would call our house.  When I answered, they would immediately ask to speak to my mother.  The thing is, they kept on calling and kept on asking for my mother as I answered the phone  in my 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and (“do-not-call” lists notwithstanding) my 50’s.  I don’t have much control over still sounding like I’m 10, but I should have control over what I say and perhaps even more importantly, how I say it.  It’s not always easy.

Many of the 28 verses in Proverbs 25 have a common theme….. be wise about what we say, how we say it and when we say it.

Vs   6 – Don’t pump yourself up in front of others  

Vs   9 – Don’t betray another’s confidence

Vs 11 – Speak the right word at the right time

Vs 12 – Value a wise friend’s timely reprimand

Vs 13 – Do what you say you will do

Vs 14 – Don’t talk big but then not follow through

Vs 18 – Telling lies causes chaos & pain

Vs 23 – A sly or gossipy tongue brings trouble

Vs 24 – Nagging brings loneliness

Vs 25 – Share good news to encourage others  

Verse 15 is the one that really catches my eye.  It refers to the person who can “break defenses” and change things with patient and gentle speech.  My role model is someone who can remain calm when things get stressful, speak up without anger or malice, and ultimately have a positive influence and power over a situation.  As the Proverb notes, patient and calm speaking persuades the leader.     

We certainly express our intelligence (or perhaps the lack of it) by what we say.  But more importantly we put our discernment and wisdom on display by how we say things as well.  I can certainly be “right” about one thing or another, but if I communicate my thought, my opinion, or my recommendation in such a way that I come across as offensive or arrogant, am I really being smart?  Intelligent, maybe; wise, no.  Proverbs 25:15 tells me a patient and gentle tongue doesn’t mean a “timid” outcome; it can actually be quite powerful in its effect.  Having a patient and gentle approach is pleasing to God.  It is certainly pleasing to others.  Proverbs 25 tells us how to help others hear us with an open mind and heart and better act on the wisdom we have to offer.   

How can you use your words wisely today?

Ronda Hutchins

Adult Ministry Admin

Proverbs 24

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Darin and I moved into a “new to us” house about two months ago.   Our amazing C-group helped us move the boxes and unpack the PODS, we had sweet friends bring us cookies and meals and even had a few "welcome to the neighborhood" parties.  It was a crazy exciting time for the Millers!

But after our things were officially moved from one house to the other, the work of establishing our new home began.   It’s a slow, tedious process, organizing pots and pans, figuring out how to make the closets functional, deciding where to put the kitchen table and then realizing it’s all wrong and deciding again where to put the kitchen table. 

Proverbs 24:3-4 has some things to say about all of this:

 

By wisdom a house is built,
   

and by understanding it is established;

by knowledge the rooms are filled
    

with all precious and pleasant riches.

These verses took on a whole new meaning for me during our move. Wisdom is important: it’s a foundation for our decisions.  Like in our house, the layout of the rooms is important. The Proverbs are full of wisdom-building lessons for our daily lives.  Proverbs 24 alone touches on everything from envy to work ethic.  Lots of great wisdom to build on!

But, with understanding the house is established.  Once we actually lived in the new house for a few weeks, we understood that it would be better to put our kitchen table in the middle of the room rather than by the window. Understanding our house a little better led to it feeling a bit more established…a little more like home.  It’s like the difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge.  I can recite the wise Proverbs all day, but until I begin acting wisely, I will never have true wisdom.  And, if my heart doesn’t understand, I’m sure to fall back to my foolish ways!

We all know that what really makes a home is not the stuff in it but the people who live there. But I have to tell you, the moment I put our sweet family portrait over my mantle, I felt a flutter in my heart… "This new house feels like home."  I believe that God just flat out loves it when He sees us make wise choices, and with those wise choices come all kinds of precious and pleasant riches.  I know that when I choose not to rejoice when my enemies fall or let my heart be glad when they stumble (v 17), that God is molding me into His likeness, He’s drawing me closer to Him. I understand better who He is and His vast love for me.  Nothin’ but precious and pleasant riches for my heart!

Have you experienced a time in your life when a wise choice led to a better understanding of who God is?  And what “precious and pleasant riches” followed? 

Leah Miller

Interim Children’s Ministry Admin

Proverbs 23

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One of the best known statements in the book of Proverbs is found in chapter 23:

Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well. - Proverbs 23:23

This is one of the most valuable verses in the Bible. There are a few terms in scripture that are synonymous with God, and truth is one of them. Satan, on the other hand, is appropriately called the father of lies. Those of us who are motivated by truth are greatly blessed because, as scripture says, the truth makes us free.

I've never been interested in hearing what someone thinks I want to hear, and I've never been interested in telling others what I think they want to hear. I’m sure those who know me best will agree with this. I don’t enjoy flattery and I don’t engage in it. It has no value. I appreciate it when someone gives me what I think is a genuine compliment and I thank them for it.  But oddly enough, I’m always a little surprised when I give a compliment and someone indicates that I’m just being kind. I think to myself, am I being kind? I was just making an observation, just trying to be truthful. Yep, I’m a little weird that way but I love the truth, and I love reading scripture because it’s ripe with truth and wisdom.

Truth is a strong foundation.  This is the case whether you are building a house and need the correct specs, an organization and you need the right person in the right position, or whether you are building a relationship that will thrive or fail depending on the level of trust. 

Truth - pay whatever it costs and never sell out. 

How does the scripture encourage you to be more truthful?

Rob Hall

Worship Pastor

Proverbs 22

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When it comes to raising Christian children, I’ve been blessed with an interesting vantage point.

My roles as both a parent and a director in the Children’s ministry have afforded me a truly unique opportunity to view the entire spectrum, from the home to the church, from the parent to the pastor, and most importantly, the stages our children must advance through to reach maturity. During these twenty plus years, I have learned many things. Perhaps the most vital is that a parent can't go it alone, but neither can the church. Successfully raising a child in Christ requires collaboration. Equally important is a lesson I first learned in my work in the ministry - in order to keep kids interested in church activities, methods for discipleship training have to be kept current and relative to a generation that walks around with access to the entire world at their fingertips - and this is just as crucial to skillful parenting.

As I began my preparations for this post, I knew I would be meeting up with an old friend... Proverbs 22:6, which is cited by children's ministries in many denominations as an integral part of their vision or mission statement:

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not turn from it.”

Verse 15 also struck me as PG – “ Parental Guidance”:  

“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him.”  

What a profound reminder that, while sin is inherent, appropriate discipline and defined boundaries are key to training a wise child.

Advice from King Solomon is as relevant to modern parents as it was to the audience of his time.

All of the verses found in Chapter 22 speak with relevance to people of all ages and at all stages of life - old and young, parent and child, teacher and student. They counsel us on how to treat one another (vs.9-10, 22); the importance of seeking knowledge and wisdom and keeping it close to our hearts (v.12, 17-18, 21); how our own behavior affects us as well as those around us (v.1, 3, 5, 8, 11-13, 24-25); and even how to behave in our business dealings (v.7, 16, 26-27, 28, 29).  And here is perhaps the most beautiful, promising verse of all:

“So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you” (22:19).

To each and every one of us, he gives the best advice of all –put your trust in the Lord. Wisdom and leadership really do transcend the ages.

How many times have you heard the phrase, “I wish they (children) came with a (parenting) manual!”? Well, maybe it's been right here, under our noses all the time, in Proverbs.

If Solomon was here today, what do you think he would say to us?

Jean McDaniel

Director of Children's Ministries
Chase Campus

Proverbs 21

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Words.  We use them every day.  We text people words.  We send people cards with preprinted words.  We send notes with handwritten words.  We speak to clerks and family members with words.  They are our primary means of communication. 

Proverbs 21:23 says: “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

It seems from the time we learn to talk we speak freely.  It is exciting to hear a small child begin to speak their first words.  Then in the early childhood years, the  questions, oh the questions! The words won’t ever stop.  This is followed by the teenage years when it seems like either there aren’t enough words spoken or there are too many words spoken on any given day.

Words hold such power:  the power to bless or to curse, the power to build up or to tear down.  The verse that spoke to me says we must “guard” our mouths and tongues.  Talk about easier said than done!  I come from a family of serious sarcasm.  Sometimes I don’t realize that it could be, and very often is, taken the wrong way.  You say something and then see the reactions of others and realize that they didn’t grow up in your home.  John and I went to Birmingham recently to take our daughters to dinner and celebrate our youngest daughter’s birthday.  She brought six of her fellow interns with her to enjoy the evening.  At one point she mentioned, “Mom, I had to warn them about you.”  What was she talking about?  Why did she have to “warn” her friends about me?  I wasn’t ever aware that I needed to have a warning label!

Some words are not pleasant, but others definitely are.  I received an email from a family member with the most encouraging words I had read in a long time.  It was one of those emails that everyone would like to receive.   I felt encouraged and appreciated.  It was words, carefully timed and selected.

I need to protect my mouth and tongue.  I need to guard what comes out.  I want to use the gift of words to bless and not curse, to lift up and not put down. 

Do you need to guard your mouth and tongue more closely?  I challenge you this week to speak words of hope and encouragement to someone who really needs them!

May you be blessed as you learn from His word.

Kathy Tanner

Director of Ministry Operations

Proverbs 20

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Proverbs is a book that is all about “wisdom” and “folly.” We recently started a new series at Cove Church about the book of Proverbs called Don’t Be Stupid. In other words, “be wise.” But it’s not as simple as it might seem.  In Romans 7:20, Paul says what we all feel when we are told to “be wise” – “Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.” (The Message)

There is wisdom in knowing and acknowledging that something has gone wrong deep within all of us.

In Proverbs 20:9, Solomon asks the question, “Who can say I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin?”

Paul tells us in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

David describes it like this: “Surely I was sinful at birth; sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”  (Psalm 51:5)

Sin is what has gone wrong deep within us, and it is our sin that separates us from God and his wisdom. Thankfully, that is not the end of the story. Jesus died for our sin to make a way for us to know God personally and have his wisdom live inside of us through the Holy Spirit.  It is only through a personal relationship with God that we can truly “be wise.”

Do you have what it takes to truly “be wise?”

Grace & Peace,

Stephen Hampton
Chase Campus Pastor

Proverbs 19

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“ Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” - Proverbs 19:21

I remember having a discussion about prayer in one of my small groups when I was in high school.  We talked about how sometimes it can be hard to understand the point of praying if God’s purpose is going to prevail anyway. I am such a planner. I like knowing what is going to happen and surprises are not fun to me. I don’t think God wants us to go through life never planning anything, but I also think he wants a part in all of our plans.

So how do we balance these two things? How do we make our plans and still take God’s plan to heart? God’s sovereignty does not relieve us of the responsibility for our decisions; instead, it creates the additional responsibility of seeking God’s will and aligning our decisions with his will. So what questions can we ask ourselves to make sure we are on the right path?

• Are we going to be able to glorify God in the direction we decide to take?
• Are we making the decision joyfully? (Note that being joyful and being happy are two different things.)
•  Are we approaching these decisions prayerfully and with thanksgiving?

So what happens if we decide to ignore the path that we know God wants for us and instead choose the worldly path? He gives us the free will to make that choice even though the consequences may be painful. He will send people into our lives and he will make every attempt to speak to us along the way. This becomes the long, round-a-bout direction our lives tend to take. But wouldn’t it be great if we could understand that God’s plan is bigger and better than anything we could possible imagine? Don’t you want the best God has in store for you?  

How could your daily decisions differ if you asked these 3 questions?

Blessings,

Karlie Berard

Large Group Coordinator

Student Ministries 

Proverbs 18

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The English teacher in me is delighted with the imagery in Proverbs 18.  There are deep waters, bubbling brooks, and choice morsels.  There’s an “offended brother” who is ”more unyielding than a fortified city” (v 19).  Who knew the gift of wisdom included creative writing skills?

Here’s what I see as one of the best word pictures in this chapter:  “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (v 10).

There’s so much wrapped up in that one verse.  It’s pretty easy to understand the main point, that God will protect us and help us when we are in trouble.  David used the image of the Lord as a place of safety many times when he was being pursued by his enemies.  Here’s one example:  “He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge…”  (Psalm 144:2).

But here’s the really cool thing about the phrase “strong tower.”  In biblical times, the towers on city walls were the strongest points of defense.  They were 15-50 feet high and might have walls 12 feet thick.  When a city was under attack, the people could run into the tower for protection.  And it was a pretty safe place to be.  There’s a great story about this in Judges 9:50-53.  A leader named Abimelek attacked the city of Thebez; “inside the city, however, was a strong tower, to which all the men and women—all the people of the city—had fled. They had locked themselves in and climbed up on the tower roof.”   Abimelek planned to set the tower on fire, but when he got close, someone “dropped an upper millstone on his head.”  The people were safe and the enemy was defeated.

So how does all of this apply to you and me today?  There’s no army advancing past the Space and Rocket center, and I certainly don’t happen to own a millstone.  But we are under attack- from temptation and disappointment, from fear and doubt.  We’re attacked by worries and concerns- those are huge! Though I hate to admit it, I worry every day.  But if I will run to the Lord, he will protect me from all of these things.  I’ll be safe.

How has the Lord been a strong tower to you and your family?

Many blessings,

Shannon Clark

Worship Ministry Admin

Proverbs 17

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Wow, this Proverbs challenge is really teaching me a lot.  It is also helping me re-learn some things that I seem to have forgotten, like the importance of difficult situations in our walk with God.

             

I’ve never been a big fan of pain.

             

Seriously, I try to avoid it no matter what the cost.  But at age 43, things just start hurting for no apparent reason.  Sometimes I get sore from sleeping.  Last week I had a soccer match shootout with some teenagers at the beach…barefooted.  My right second toe will NEVER be the same.  So I've realized that pain is a part of living - physical, emotional, AND spiritual pain. 

So many of the verses in Proverbs are focused on keeping peace and avoiding “strife.”  For example,

The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so stop before the quarrel breaks out. (Proverbs 17:14)

One who loves transgression loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones. (Proverbs 17:19)

It seems like the author is trying to save us from going through pain.  But in the 3^rd verse, Solomon refers to a deeper and more significant type of pain.

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

Why would God test the heart?  What is there to gain?  I think Solomon is getting at the things that discourage us: job loss, health challenges, relational difficulty, etc.  Some of these things might involve physical pain, but all of them involve a testing of the heart.  How will we respond?  What do our lives look like “under pressure”?

My dad once used the phrase “Let’s see what you’re made of.”  At first, I remember thinking it was a biology question.  But really, it’s a theology question.  Just as a crucible and a furnace remove the impurities in silver and gold, so the Lord removes the impurities from our hearts.  It definitely is a painful process that reminds me of what it means to be a follower of Christ.  I must be crucified daily with my Lord so that I can be resurrected through that refining.  What am I made of?  I hope that after each day, I’m made more and more in the image of Jesus.

My prayer for myself and for all of us is that we will know the difference between self-inflicted strife, which we should avoid, and the Lord’s refining, which makes us shine like gold.

What verses got your attention in chapter 17?

Darin Miller

Family Ministries Pastor

Proverbs 16

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I like clarity.  I’m sure it’s one of the reasons I like the Proverbs so much.  There are lots of specifics - things we should do and others we should definitely avoid.  Although some of them are harder to live out than others (anyone have a problem with verse 32? I would often have better luck taking a city), the direction is pretty clear. Do this. Avoid that.

 

Then, just as I snuggle into my warm, cozy, black and white comfort zone, I see this:

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. – Prov. 16:25

Wait, what? Is this the disclaimer for the rest of the book?  “By the way, even if you read all this and think you’re doing the right thing, well, maybe not.  It’s impossible for you to know, really.  So good luck with all that.”

 

One part of that fictitious footnote is true.  Left to our own devices, it is impossible for us to live our best lives, the lives that God passionately wants for us.  Even though I consider my mind to be completely sound and good, I have allowed it to reason me into more than a few thoroughly rotten decisions.  My emotions are no better.  Even worse than being merely uninformed, I think they may be actively working against me.  On my own, I am absolutely not to be trusted.

 

But fortunately, we as Christ followers are not left to face this life and its decisions all on our own.  Romans 12:2 tells us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  How does this renewal occur?  Some of the most impactful ways are 

·       reading God’s words to us in the Bible

·       setting aside times of prayer

·       reminding ourselves in worship how good he is and all he’s done

·       living our lives alongside others who share our desire to grow in faith

In the process our minds become something much more than what we started with, something infinitely more worthy of our trust.

What personal practice has been most powerful in transforming your mind?

Much love,

Heather Joslin

Worship Ministry Creative Director

Proverbs 15

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I spent last week at the beach with 70 high school students and 10 adult leaders. A beach retreat in the middle of summer is something that our students look forward to each year, and this year’s trip did not disappoint. The theme of the camp was Voices, and it focused on the different influences that speak into our lives. We live in a world full of voices, many of which can tear us down or lead us astray. However, we have the power to choose which voices we will accept and which ones we will reject. Our focus this month on the book of Proverbs is meant to help us learn to hear the voice of Wisdom and follow a path that leads to life.

Proverbs 15: 22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. “ Whether or not our plans succeed or fail, according to this proverb, depends mainly on our willingness to seek out the wisdom of others.

One of the speakers last week, John Acuff, informed us that we all have access to time machines. But these time machines aren't like the Delorean from the Back to the Future movies. Instead, they are found in the experiences of those further along than us on the journey of life. For a young person, it can be tempting to think that his or her situation is completely unique. And in some rare cases, perhaps it is. However, the reality is that most of the major crossroads that we come to in life have already been encountered by others. When a fork in the road is on the horizon or a plan for the future must be mapped out, will we have the wisdom to seek the counsel of trustworthy advisors?

It’s never too early to start building relationships with people who can mentor and counsel you. What voices should you “turn up” as you plan for the future?

Yours and His,

Allen Wilson

Director of Student Ministry

Proverbs 14

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In my online bible, the title of Proverbs chapter 14 is “The Folly of a Fool.”  To me, the visual image of a fool is like a medieval joker, whose job it was to entertain the kings.  To Solomon, a fool is a much more serious topic.  Several of his proverbs speak of the folly of a fool.

v3 : A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.  

Your mouth makes a fool of you when you are full of yourself.  Your pride insinuates that you are better than God.  When you boast of yourself, you are not giving God the credit or the glory.

v9:  Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.  

Fools commit sin easily and their casual attitude encourages others to do the same.  By doing so, they deny themselves the favor and good will of God.  God instead gives these things to the wise because their hearts are right. Fools that make light of sin make light of Christ, whose sacrifice cleansed us of our sins.

v16:  The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.  

Many a fool thinks he is wise.  But he does not seek his wisdom from God and does not consider the consequences of his actions.

v17:  A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. 

v29:  Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. 

Equating a quick temper to folly was an eye-opening thought for me.  But really, how many of us have spoken hasty words, out of anger, that we wish we could take back?  Anger should be handled with care; we should ask for God’s guidance before we act on our anger.

           

What will you do to become more wise and less foolish?

Shannon Bingham

Cove Missions Coordinator

Proverbs 13

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You may have noticed that the structure of Proverbs changes after the first nine chapters. Beginning with Chapter 10, Proverbs is made up of collections of individual sayings that are not necessarily connected by an overall theme. Most of the Proverbs are in the form of couplets, many of which express a contrast.

This was a very common form in the ancient world. A proverb was a concise, creative (often figurative), memorable statement that expressed a truth about human behavior. It is important to remember that a proverb states what is generally true in life. It is not a promise or a prophecy.

All that being said, these statements are valuable and applicable in our lives. We can often see ourselves in some point of each chapter. The verse that struck me most as I read chapter 13 was verse 3:

“He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”

I admit it- I’m a talker. It’s both a strength and a weakness. I come by it honestly. My dad could really spin the yarn. People come from miles around to hear my aunt (my dad’s sister) perform the art of southern storytelling. Among my siblings there are two preachers, two teachers, a lawyer, and a salesman. My poor mom could never get a word in edgewise.

So this is particularly hard for me, but sometimes the wisest thing I can do is refrain from speaking.  (Ecclesiastes 3:7; James 1:19)  Some of these times are:

When I am tempted to add my two cents to a juicy conversation to prove I have the inside scoop.
 
When I am tempted to a present a rebuttal to my wife rather than simply absorb the frustration she needed to express.
 
When I am tempted make a promise I will probably be unable to fulfill.
 
When I am tempted to exaggerate.
 
When I am tempted to complain.

Sometimes the wisest thing I can do is refrain from speaking. Ouch!

What did you hear God say to you as you read chapter 13?

Blessings,

John Tanner

Proverbs 12

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From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. – Proverbs 12:14 NIV

It's all in the presentation. How the words come out of your mouth makes all the difference, especially to kids, but undeniably each time we engage with one another. Just the other day my son Logan took issue with the words I used to ask him to cut up some strawberries. "Mom, if you'd have just said...." Kids!

On paper, I edit, re-edit and then edit again. Everything we say or write can come out wrong or be misunderstood with a simple word. Face to face, it's all about the way it's said. You can probably stop right now and think how an encounter would have gone better with a different intonation, approach, facial expression or hand gesture.

I ask too many questions. There it is. I love to meet new people, and I enjoy connecting people. So, I get to know people by asking questions. When I meet someone at church I try to find out something about them. Do you live nearby? Where are you from? In the end, it's how did you get here and how can I help you find what you're looking for in a church home?

Wouldn't it be awesome if every Sunday we could step out of our comfort zone and seek out one person and let that one person feel God's love by a few words or a handshake? Imagine over 1200 people greeting friends, as well as those we haven't yet met, each Sunday at Cove. It's as simple as saying "I don't believe we've met. Nice to see you."

I am passionate about our church, my church. Just as we all welcome guests into our home, I aspire for guests and members to feel just as “at home” at Cove. I hope you share that desire as well.  If you meet a new person on Sunday, why not grab a Welcome Gift Bag for them?  From your “lips” someone may be filled with “good things”, a good feeling about our church, and you may experience the “rewards” knowing you made a difference to one person.

So if you see me around Cove, I'd love to get to know you! And one question will certainly be "What is your name again?"

See ya around Cove!

Emily Riley

First Impressions Coordinator

P.S. Three weeks ago we were invited to contribute to this blog.  I chose this verse, this topic, before being asked to lead the First Impressions Team on both campuses. What a rare thing to love doing your job. Will you join me in sharing the joy on the sidewalks of Cove? I’ll be asking.