Mark Conner Bible

Proverbs 28

Proverbs-Series

Today we glean some more wisdom from the book of Proverbs. Here are a few thoughts from Proverbs 28.

Vs.1. The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. 

When you live a righteous life you have nothing to be afraid of.

Vs.2. When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability. 

Everything rises and falls on leadership. Good leadership (wise and godly) produces stability.

Vs.4. To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them. 

Keeping the law is a way to stand for righteousness.

Vs.6. It is better to be poor and honest than rich and crooked. 

Righteousness is more important than wealth.

Vs.7. Young people who obey the law are wise; those who seek out worthless companions bring shame to their parents. 

Be careful who you hang around.

Vs.9. The prayers of a person who ignores the law are despised. 

God hears the prayers of the righteous.

Vs.13. People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy. 

We all make mistakes. The key is to admit them and then not to keep repeating them. If we cover them up we will not succeed in life.

Vs.14. Blessed are those who have a tender conscience, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. 

Maintain a sensitive conscience – it will do you good.

Vs.16. Only a stupid prince will oppress his people, but a king will have a long reign if he hates dishonesty and bribes. 

As a leader, do good to you people, ruling with honesty and uprightness.

Vs.18. The honest will be rescued from harm, but those who are crooked will be destroyed. 

Honesty and integrity protect you from harm.

Vs.19. Hard workers have plenty of food; playing around brings poverty. 

When you are diligent and hard working, you’ll reap ‘plenty’. If you play around you will end in poverty.

Vs.20. The trustworthy will get a rich reward. But the person who wants to get rich quick will only get into trouble. 

Watch out for ‘get-rich-quick’ schemes.

Vs.21. Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for something as small as a piece of bread. 

Treat people fairly and justly.

Vs.23. In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery. 

Speak the truth in a loving way. Don’t be a flatterer who only says nice things.

Vs.26. Trusting oneself is foolish, but those who walk in wisdom are safe. 

Don’t trust yourself – the heart is deceitful. Set up safe guards against your own sinfulness. That is wisdom.

Vs.27. Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing. But a curse will come upon those who close their eyes to poverty. 

Give generously to the poor. Don’t close your eyes to their need.

Mark Conner Bible

Proverbs 21

Proverbs-Series

Today we glean some more wisdom from the book of Proverbs. Here are a few thoughts from Proverbs 21.

Vs.1. The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he turns it wherever he pleases. 

God is sovereign and overrules all – even the heart of those in authority.

Vs.2. People may think they are doing what is right, but the LORD examines the heart. 

God evaluates our inner world.

Vs.3. The LORD is more pleased when we do what is just and right than when we give him sacrifices. 

Obedience is the ultimate pleasure to the Lord not worship. In fact, obedience demonstrates love.

Vs.4. Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin. 

Even pride in our heart is sin.

Vs.5. Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. 

Prosperity results from good planning and hard work. Don’t try to take short cuts!

Vs.7. Because the wicked refuse to do what is just, their violence boomerangs and destroys them. 

We reap what we sow – for better or worse.

Vs.9. It is better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a contentious wife in a lovely home. 

Good relationships are more valuable than opulent living.

Vs.13. Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. 

Give to the poor and needy. Don’t ignore them or you will be ignored in your time of need.

Vs.16. The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.  

Don’t be foolish in how you live. Follow good common sense.

Vs.17. Those who love pleasure become poor; wine and luxury are not the way to riches. 

An obsession with pleasure and luxury usually result in poverty. Learn to be frugal with your resources rather than spend them impulsively. 

Vs.20. The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. 

Wisdom results in wealth and luxury because wise people use their resources with prudence rather than spending whatever they earn.

Don’t devour all you have. Here are 4 things you should not devour:

  1. The tithe – it’s the Lord’s.
  2. An offering – seed to sow.
  3. Emergency funds – for the unexpected.
  4. Savings – investment for the future.

Learn to live on 80% of your income. If you can’t, you either need to generate more income or reduce your expenses.

Vs.23. If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble. 

Don’t speak too much. Let your words be few.

Vs.25. The desires of lazy people will be their ruin, for their hands refuse to work. 26 They are always greedy for more, while the godly love to give! 

Desire must be accompanied by diligent action. You have to put in hard work to make your dreams a reality.

Vs.30. Human plans, no matter how wise or well advised, cannot stand against the LORD. 

Again, planning is good but ultimately God’s purpose prevails.

Vs.31. The horses are prepared for battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. 

Preparation is also good but the outcome is from the Lord. 

Mark Conner Church

Creative Ways to Give Generously

PigWhenever you are prayerfully considering giving to a project of any kind, here are a few creative ideas to consider:

1. Give of what you already have. That could be something from you personal savings and investments or even a loan redraw.

2. Sell some of your assets. We see this occuring in the first church at Jerusalem when Barnabas sold a block of land and donated the proceeds to the work of the church (Acts 4:32-37). Put everything “on the table” making it available for God’s use. Maybe have a garage sale or put some unwanted items on eBay. Downsizing can have a very freeing affect on us, including reducing financial pressure (see Ecclesiastes 4:6).

3. Go without something (reduce expenses) and give from those proceeds. 

4. Stop spending unnecssarily by not buying more stuff and use those proceeds to give away. "Impulse buying" involves buying things we really don't need and is the number #1 budget buster. 

5. Earn more money and give the profits. Some creative ideas from people in our congregation include a person working overtime and giving those funds, a teenager mowing lawns and donating proceeds and a single mum renting out a room.

When considering giving, it is important to get the right balance between faith, wisdom and sacrifice (King David would not give an offering that did not cost him something). It's about equal sacrifice, not equal gifts. Everyone can do something. Sacrifice luxury not basic living … be radical but not reckless.

May God guide you as you seek him with an honest heart as to how and what you could invest in the work of His kingdom on earth. 

Mark Conner Church

Giving to God’s Work

Giving
A lot of organisations conduct various types of fund raising today, including churches. I value the Bible as God’s Word. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit and beneficial for every aspect of personal and church life. We know the Bible has a lot to say about “giving”, but what about “fund raising”? Interestingly enough, the apostle Paul, along with the many other things he did, spent many years raising funds from his churches for some needs in the church at Jerusalem. This is referred to in his letters as “the collection”. He gave some detailed instructions to his churches concerning their giving (see (1 Corinthians 16:1-3. 2 Corinthians 8-9. Romans 15:25-27). Let’s look at how he went about this and draw some lessons on “Giving to God’s Work”.

1. Give Willingly

Giving to God’s work is to be done voluntarily and willingly. It is not a command to give specific offerings like it is to tithe (2 Corinthians 8:8). It’s entirely up to you to choose whether you want to be involved or not. Paul was pleased when people were “eager” to give (2 Corinthians 8:3-5; 9:1-2). When God moves on people’s hearts they voluntarily and willingly choose to give to God’s work. There should not be any sense of pressure or obligation (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

No one “has to” give to any project. Giving is a heart issue and where your heart is, your treasure (or finances) will follow. When a person’s heart is in the church they are a part of, then they want to contribute as they are able towards it’s future.

2. Everyone Should Consider Giving

Paul encourages willing and voluntary giving but then he says “each one of you” should give (1 Corinthians 16:2. 2 Corinthians 9:7). It’s like you don’t have to give but you really should! Paul believes strongly in the cause he is raising money for and therefore he believe that everyone should contribute. He desires unity of vision and purpose amongst his churches. 

3. Prepare to Give

Paul did not resort to pressured giving or hasty decisions in financial matters. He encouraged each person to think and pray about what they should give. Each person was to “set aside” a sum of money during the week and then bring it to the church gathering where it was collected (1 Corinthians 16:1. 2 Corinthians 9:3). There are so many creative ways to give.

4. Give Proportionately

Paul asked people to give “in keeping with their income” or “according to their means” (1 Corinthians 16:2. 2 Corinthians 8:11-12). He understood that a person can only give of what he or she has, not what they don’t have. Paul’s desire was that there would be equality – not one “hard pressed” and the others “relieved” (2 Corinthians 8:13). God is pleased with “equal sacrifice not equal gifts”.

No gift is too small, in fact small gifts matter to God (read the inspiring story of what God can do with a little girl's donation of only 57 cents). Of course, those with greater financial capacity can help us by giving more.

5. Give Generously

Paul encouraged generous giving (2 Corinthians 8:20; 9:5-6). There are three aspects to generosity: giving based on wisdom (a calculated decision – “giving of what you have”. See 1 Corinthians 16:2. 2 Corinthians 8:11-12), giving sacrificially (“giving up something” – see 2 Corinthians 8:2-5,9) and giving in faith (believing God for a harvest on what we sow – see 2 Corinthians 9:6-13).

As you pray about giving, use wisdom; then add in as much sacrifice and faith as God directs you too. There is a powerful biblical principle at work when we give. We are investing in the kingdom and, in due time, there will be a return that is greater than what we give. This is a law, a principle and a promise from God’s Word. Giving is not just about sacrifice. It positions us to receive some tremendous blessing from the Lord. God blesses and helps those who invest in and help to build his purpose on planet earth. God is the God of “re-supply”. You can’t out give God! As Jesus once said, "It is more blessed to give than receive."

6. Give Joyfully

Paul encouraged joyful giving (2 Corinthians 8:2-3; 9:6-8. Romans 15:25-27).

Giving to worthwhile projects is not to be drudgery or a chore. It’s a joy to invest our lives in something that really matters.

7. Ensure Financial Accountability

Paul wanted to ensure that the church leaders took good care in handling the money given (2 Corinthians 8:18-21). Integrity was very important.

Integrity should be a high value, especially in the area of finance. Ensure propers systems and procedures for collecting, counting and spending donated funds. 

8. Excel in the Grace of Giving

Paul wanted his churches to excel, or be good at, giving, just as they were at other aspects of the Christian life (2 Corinthian 8:7). God is a great giver who gave his only Son willingly, sacrificially, generously and joyfully for our benefit. All Christian giving is our response of gratitude for God’s generosity to us (2 Corinthians 8:9; 9:15). Also, we are to be like him. This means becoming generous and giving people in every area of our life – time, service and finance. Giving provides for people’s needs, is an expression of thanks to God and causes people to praise God (2 Corinthians 9:12-14).

Mark Conner Spirituality

The Blessing of Giving

Giving-hands

Right now our church is engaging in what we are calling The Story Building Project. This is an opportunity to invest in creating more space and newer environments where stories can be told and lives can be transformed by God's love. 

God's Perspective on Generous Giving

What does God think about all this? Paul quotes Jesus as saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).” Jesus is saying that when we give – whether it be time, energy, service, encouragement, resource, or whatever – there is an even greater blessing than when we are on the receiving end. That sounds unnatural, almost counter-cultural, doesn’t it. I mean, wouldn’t we be happier if we were always on the receiving end of things? Well, even modern day psychological research has recently proven that giving leads to longer and more lasting feelings of happiness and well-being than receiving does.

How is it more blessed to give than to receive?

1. God is pleased when we give generously.

One thing we know for sure is that God is a generous God who gives so much to each of us, day after day.  He gives us the very breath that we breathe and life itself. He provides for our daily basic needs – food, clothing and shelter. He gives us the power and ability to get wealth. He is faithful in his love, mercy, and compassion towards us. He gave us his very best – His Son.

Not only is God a generous God in the very fabric of his nature; he also loves it when we are generous too. Generosity pleases him greatly. When we give we are just like him. He delights in us as his children when we take on his character qualities. Through generous giving we prove that God is first in our life and we honour him (see Deuteronomy 14:23. Proverbs 3:9). Paul tells us that God ‘loves’ a cheerful (or joyful) giver (2 Corinthians 9:7)! In contrast, selfishness, tightfistedness or stinginess displeases him because it is opposite to his nature.

God is also blessed when we give because our generous giving helps his work on earth to grow. God is honoured and his kingdom expands. The gospel is free but it costs money to spread the good news and to build the church. God’s work in the earth is great and it requires resources (people, time and finance). Our generous giving provides for the building of the church of Jesus Christ and the extension of God’s kingdom. If everyone gave generously, according to their own resources and income, there would be ‘more than enough’ for the work of each local church, including the various ministries of the church.

2. Other people are blessed when we give

We’ve all been on the receiving end of someone else’s generosity. How does it make you feel? Special and loved (example: birthday and Christmas presents)! When we give we have the opportunity to do the same for others. What a difference a gift can make. Others are blessed in powerful ways through our generous giving.

God does some amazing things when his people embrace of a spirit of generosity in every area of their life. The early church experienced a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which resulted in tremendous impact on the local community, city and eventually the entire world. An important factor in what God did was the generosity of believers in contributing voluntarily, willingly and joyfully to what God was doing – and to the needs of others (see Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37; 11:27-30; 24:17. Romans 15:25-28). Generosity is a sign of the Holy Spirit’s work in the heart of a believer. A spiritual revival usually results in a surge of generous giving to God’s work and the needs of other people. Revival touches not only the heart but also the wallet.

3. We are also blessed when we give.

This is the surprise element. When you give you receive! This is a powerful spiritual principle that often baffles the rational mind because it doesn’t make sense.

Natural wisdom says, “When I give, I make a loss.” God’s wisdom says, “When you give, you actually gain!” This is the miracle of giving! When we give or invest in the kingdom of God it’s not lost or gone. It is still “there” – in our heavenly investment account. God has a record of it and there is a multiplied return on what we give. Jesus teaches this (Matthew 6:19-21), as does Paul (see Philippians 4:10-19 and 1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Natural wisdom says, “I’ll give when all my needs are met.” “I can’t afford to give” or “I’ll give when I’ve got some surplus.” God’s wisdom says, “Give now, even in your time of need, and watch me work!” The Bible teaches that when we give in faith (trusting totally in God) even when we are in a time of need, his miraculous provision begins to come our way. He only asks us to give of what we already have (not what we don’t have) and as we go first, in faith and obedience, we release his blessing into our life. This principle is taught explicitly throughout the Bible and there are also many illustrations of people who experienced the miracle of giving and then God breaking through to meet their need (see Genesis 26:1, 12-14. 1 Kings 17. Luke 21:1-4. 2 Corinthians 8:1-7).

Generosity has nothing to do with the ‘amount’ given. It has everything to do with the ‘attitude’ in which something is given. The Bible has much to say about the blessings that come through generous giving (Psalm 112:5. Proverbs 3:9-10; 11:24-25; 19:17. Luke 6:38. 2 Corinthians 9:6). When we give we are blessed too! Again, this should not be our motive in giving but it should be our expectation! We give because we want to and love to (not have to). As a by-product, we always receive in the process. If you sow, you will reap! If you don’t sow, you won’t reap. This is a law and a principle that God has ordained.

Without God’s help we will easily succumb to materialism, become prisoners to our debt, and be unable to experience the joy of generous giving. With the God’s help we can curb the spirit of greed that so pervades our society, live within our means, and have a generous spirit of giving. As a church, let’s seek to excel in everything, including giving (2 Corinthians 8:7). How would you describe yourself? Are you a non-giver, a giver, or a generous giver?  Make a choice to give more generously … in every area of our life.

Sample Reflection Questions

1. Why do you think ‘money’ is such as sensitive subject to talk about, especially in church?

2. Do you have a story of the benefits or blessing of generous giving?

3. Think of a time when you benefited from the generosity of someone else. How did it feel?

4. Reflect on some ways we can live more generous lives other than through financial giving.

5. Pray for God's financial blessing on your life – as you choose to be a generous giver.

6. Pray for our church that we will have more than enough for The Story Building Project, as everyone gives generously at this time.

Mark Conner Bible

Proverbs 14

Proverbs-Series

Today we glean some more wisdom from the book of Proverbs. Here are a few thoughts from Proverbs 14 in the Message Bible.

 Vs.1. A wise woman builds her house; a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands. 

If you are wise you will build something solid, strong and lasting. A fool tears down whatever they end up building. This is a good leadership challenge. Am I a wise or a foolish leader?

Vs.2. Those who follow the right path fear the LORD; those who take the wrong path despise him. 

When you do what is right you show that you fear God. When you choose to do what is wrong you are despising God – thinking lightly of him or mocking his judgment. No wonder the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (see vs.26-27).

He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him.

Have a healthy fear of God by avoiding evil and walking in integrity. The fear of the Lord provides security, safety and life.

Vs.3. The talk of fools is a rod for their backs, but the words of the wise keep them out of trouble. 

Your mouth will either get you in trouble or keep you from it. Be slow to speak!

Vs.4. An empty stable stays clean, but no income comes from an empty stable. 

Where there is productivity there will be messes to clean up. You can’t have it both ways (no problems/messes and productivity).

Vs.6. A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding. 

Your attitude often determines how much wisdom you will acquire.

Vs.8. The wise look ahead to see what is coming, but fools deceive themselves. 

Wise people think and look ahead. They don’t just live for the moment. Anticipate the future before it comes. Fools don’t and often end up being trapped or deceived by their short-sightedness.

Vs.9. Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation. 

Wise people listen to their conscience and respond to guilt appropriately. Fools ignore this important emotion.

Vs.10. Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. 

Only you alone know the full extent of what’s happening inside of you – whether it is bitterness or joy. 

Vs.11. The house of the wicked will perish, but the tent of the godly will flourish. 

In the longer term, the godly will flourish and the wicked will be destroyed.

Vs.12. There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. 

The right path isn’t always the obvious one. Often it is the path ‘less travelled’ by others. Take the high road, the narrow road and the road less travelled. In the end it will make all the difference in the world! What path are you on – the easy path? Our own heart is deceptive. What often seems right to the natural mind can lead to death.

Vs.15-16. Only simpletons believe everything they are told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with great confidence. 

Don’t be so gullible! Not everything you are told is true or right. Carefully consider everything you hear and think about each step you take. Wise people are cautious. They don’t plunge ahead foolishly. Give thought – careful planning, consideration and contemplation – to everything you do and every direction you take. This is wisdom and prudence.

Vs.17. Those who are short-tempered do foolish things, and schemers are hated. 

Be slow to become angry and you’ll avoid doing foolish things. 

A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.

Anger and foolishness go together.

Vs.21. It is sin to despise one's neighbors; blessed are those who help the poor. 

Be someone who helps the poor and needy. Reach out and do them good.

Vs.22. If you plot evil, you will be lost; but if you plan good, you will be granted unfailing love and faithfulness. 

Makes plans to do good! You will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.

Vs.23. Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! 

Be a diligent worker not a busy talker! Don't just talk or think about it. Do it. Hard work brings profit and reward.

Vs.26-27. Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a place of refuge for their children. Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. 

Fear God. It will be to you a life-giving fountain (giving you true and satisfying ‘life’) and help you escape from the snares of death (the allurements of sin).

Vs.28. A growing population is a king's glory; a dwindling nation is his doom. 

Here is a good leadership proverb – the glory of a leader is a growing group of followers. In contrast, if they are dwindling, it becomes his doom. Leaders are measured by fruitfulness not just faithfulness.

Vs.29. Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes. 

Here it is again – be slow to become angry (see vs.17)!

Vs.30. A relaxed attitude lengthens life; jealousy rots it away. 

Relax and don’t be so uptight. Chill! It does your life good. Don’t be so intense.

Vs.31. Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who help the poor honour him. 

When we help the poor and needy we honour God. 

Vs.34. Godliness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 

Influence your nation to become godly. Don’t allow it to become a disgrace.

 

Mark Conner Spirituality

Learning to Live in the Present Moment with a Greater Awareness of God

BodyA classic Christian book on spirituality is The Practice of the Presence of God, which is a book of collected teachings of Brother Lawrence (born Nicholas Herman), a 17th-century Carmelite monk. The basic theme of the book is the development of an awareness of the presence of God in daily life. 

More recently, pastor and theologian Gregory Boyd has written a very helpful book entitleded Present Perfect: Finding God in the Now. He looks at and builds on the work of three authors on this topic: Brother Lawrence, Jean-Pierre de Causade and Frank Laubach. An appendix includes a helpful outline of the difference between Christian meditation and the teaching of the New Age as promoted by teachers such as Eckhart Tolle. 

Here are a few helpful quotes:

  • Don’t try to feel God's presence. In fact, don’t try to do anything at all. Simply be mindful of the fact that you are, in this present moment, submerged in the ocean of God’s perfect love.
  • I realized that my trivial, self-centered mental chatter about the past and future—like a dark cloud blocking the sun—had kept me from seeing the glory of God that surrounded me every second of every day.
  • Our focus determines what we experience—and do not experience—in any given moment.
  • The present moment is all that is real. The past is gone. The future is not yet. We remember the past and anticipate the future, but we always do so in the present. Reality is always now. And the single most important aspect of reality is that God is present in it every moment. To forget that God is present in any given moment is to forget the most important aspect of that moment.
  • I’ve become absolutely convinced that remaining aware of God’s presence is the single most important task in the life of every follower of Jesus.
  • Remaining awake to God’s presence in the present moment is the single most important task of the Christian life and that no spiritual discipline is more foundational or transforming than this one.
  • The simple practice of remaining aware of God’s presence each moment brings me to the point toward which all other disciplines aspire. It is, I’m convinced, the bedrock of a vibrant relationship with God and the key to transformation into the likeness of Christ.
  • The challenge is not in doing the discipline: it’s in remembering the discipline.
  • Exercises that were indispensable at one stage of life may become irrelevant at a different stage, while exercises that didn’t seem to evoke much change earlier in life may suddenly take on new significance and power at a later stage of life.
  • Embrace the core discipline of practicing the presence of God as the central goal of your life. As multitudes throughout history can testify, no other single discipline has the power to revolutionize how we experience life moment-by-moment as the largely forgotten and profoundly simple discipline of remembering God exists, right here and right now. God is now.

Boyd's book includes some excellent practical exercises for learning to be more aware of God and awake to his activity in our daily lives. I highly recommend it.

Mark Conner Books, Leadership, Personal Development

A Personal MBA

MbaJesus once said that the children of this world are sometimes wiser than the children of light. That wasn't a compliment! We can learn a lot from those who achieve and accomplish things in fields such as business, arts, sport or leadership. There is wisdom to be gained from the experience of others.

In the business world, the most desired education is an MBA – a Masters in Business Administration. People will often pay a lot of money to earn such a degree, and especially from some of the most reputable universities around the world. 

Josh Kaufman begs to differ. He strongly believes that self-education can be just as effective and acquired for a fraction of the cost. Check out his web site at www.personalmba.com and have a read of his manifesto. You might then want to read his highly educational book by the same title – Personal MBA. Then have a look at the excellent reading list he has compiled on a wide variety of business and life-related topics. 

Worth checking out!

 

Mark Conner Bible

Proverbs 7

Proverbs-Series

Today we glean some more wisdom from the book of Proverbs. Here are a few thoughts from Proverbs 7 in the Message Bible.

Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions. Do what I say and you'll live well. My teaching is as precious as your eyesight – guard it! Write it out on the back of your hands; etch it on the chambers of your heart. Talk to Wisdom as to a sister. Treat Insight as your companion. They'll be with you to fend off the Temptress– that smooth-talking, honey-tongued Seductress. 

Make sure you value instruction and the words of wisdom. Remember them and put them in practice in your daily life.

Watch out for the Temptress – that smooth talking, honey tongued Seductress. Every young person (and older person), is vulnerable, so get your guard up and have your early warning system activated.

As I stood at the window of my house looking out through the shutters, watching the mindless crowd stroll by, I spotted a young man without any sense arriving at the corner of the street where she lived, then turning up the path to her house. It was dusk, the evening coming on, the darkness thickening into night. Just then, a woman met him – she'd been lying in wait for him, dressed to seduce him. Brazen and brash she was, restless and roaming, never at home, walking the streets, loitering in the mall, hanging out at every corner in town. She threw her arms around him and kissed him, boldly took his arm and said, "I've got all the makings for a feast – today I made my offerings, my vows are all paid, So now I've come to find you, hoping to catch sight of your face – and here you are! I've spread fresh, clean sheets on my bed, colorful imported linens. My bed is aromatic with spices and exotic fragrances. Come, let's make love all night, spend the night in ecstatic lovemaking! My husband's not home; he's away on business, and he won't be back for a month." 

Lessons:

  • Don’t be without sense.
  • Don’t go near the house where seduction lives. Avoid all forms of sexual temptation.
  • If you happen to go by there, don’t turn up the path to their house. If you bump into some temptation, turn and run away quickly.
  • At night time you are most vulnerable.

Soon she has him eating out of her hand, bewitched by her honeyed speech. Before you know it, he's trotting behind her, like a calf led to the butcher shop, like a stag lured into ambush and then shot with an arrow, like a bird flying into a net not knowing that its flying life is over. 

Lessons:

  • Seduction is bewitching. Once you even stop to listen you’ll easily be sucked in.
  • Before you know it you’ll be heading off down the slippery slide to sin.
  • It may feel good for a moment, but in the end you’ll suffer for it. You’ve been lured and trapped.

So, friends, listen to me, take these words of mine most seriously. Don't fool around with a woman like that; don't even stroll through her neighborhood. Countless victims come under her spell; she's the death of many a poor man. She runs a halfway house to hell, fits you out with a shroud and a coffin. 

Lessons:

  • This is serious so listen carefully.
  • Don’t mess with seductive people. Don’t even go near where they are or be lured to just have a look.

My how every person, including myself, needs to hear the warnings of wisdom. 

Proverbs tells us to be on guard against seductive people. Don’t be lured by their spell into their trap. If you do, you’ll pay for it.

Mark Conner Spirituality

St Patrick’s Prayer

St pat

I love this prayer from St. Patrick:

 

Christ be with me, Christ within me, 

Christ behind me, Christ before me, 

Christ beside me, Christ to win me, 

Christ to comfort and restore me. 

Christ beneath me, Christ above me, 

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, 

Christ in hearts of all that love me, 

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. 

 

I bind unto myself the Name, 

The strong Name of the Trinity; 

By invocation of the same. 

The Three in One, and One in Three, 

Of Whom all nature hath creation, 

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: 

Praise to the Lord of my salvation, 

Salvation is of Christ the Lord. 

Mark Conner Special Events

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

Mlk

A few weeks ago, on January 15th, Americans celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day in commemoration of his birthday.

Dr. King was the chief spokesman for non-violent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honour began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Regan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. At first, some American states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

Keep any eye out for the highly anticipated movie Selma, which chronicles Martin Luther King's campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965. View the trailer.

Dr. King was first of all a pastor not a political activist. Pastor Rick Warren recently posted his 10 favourite quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King. They are worth repeating here:

1. “The purpose of life is not to be happy, nor to achieve pleasure nor avoid pain, but to do the will of God, come what may.”

2. “I just want to do God’s will.”

3. “When I took up the cross I recognized it’s meaning. The cross is something that you bear, and ultimately, that you die on.”

4. “The early Christians rejoiced when they were deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the Church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.”

5. “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

6. “The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.”

7. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

8. “Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.”

9. “The gospel at its best deals with the whole man, not only his soul but his body, not only his spiritual well-being, but his material well being as well.”

10. “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

[Source]