Proverbs Intro

The first section we will cover in bible study is Proverbs.

Each week I'll take one or a few verses from Proverbs and share with you what the Lord has given me regarding those verses.

I hope this helps others to think and truly dive in to their bible reading and come to deeper understanding of His truths as much as it is helping  me.

All verses will be taken from the King James version.

Proverbs 1:1-6

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;  To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;  To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;  To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.  A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:  To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

These first six verses are an introduction to the rest of the book of Proverbs. They tell us who is writing and why.

There are a few other authors in Proverbs, but we start out with King Solomon, a man with great wisdom from God.

The Proverbs are essentially life instructions. Guidence in wisdom.

Basically: it's there so we don't have to learn everything the hard way.

If we take the time to learn and apply the lessons and truths found in Proverbs we take the path with less struggle because we're not falling into our own foolish and flesh driven traps.

Many people practice reading a proverb a day to continue to keep these instructions in wisdom close to their heart and mind.

I look forward to diving into these truths with each of you and any respectful discussion that comes out of this study.

I'm back! With a year end update and a promise

Okay, I've neglected my poor blog again. Not happening again. I'm working on a plan for 3 posts a week. Tuesday will be a scripture study and life application post. Thursday and Saturday posts will be a mix of homeschooling, frugal, parenting, garden, canning and critter posts.

So how have I done on those goals I set at the beginning of the year you ask???

1. Read the bible and 4 other books
I'm still on track with my bible reading and have read 9 other books this year.

2. Take a meal to one family/person a week
This one got neglected. Around June finances got tight and gas became a precious commodity. We've managed about once a month since then.

3. Get off TANF
Last TANF payment was in August. Things are tighter than I'd like, but we're managing.

4. Grow or produce most of our food: grocery goal budget is $200 or less
I've managed to keep my grocery budget at a $225 average for the last 6 months.  Mostly due to changes in shopping habits, the garden wasn't very fruitful this year.

5. Get involved in another ministry at church

I have not taken on a specific ministry in the church. With illnesses and the chaos of my schedule, it's not practical. I have however continued to step in to help where I can as often as possible.

6. Work on house: paint interior, replace carpet, upgrade some insulation

The carpet and paint are done in every room but my own. The insulation went untouched, but we did install a wood stove to improve the heating efficiency and lower the cost. So far, I have spent $0 to heat the house this fall!

7. Build up stock for craft fairs: complete 10 projects a month, not including orders

I've hardly been able to keep up with orders and things we need, but I have managed a small amount of stock items.

8. Eat better: more organic, no soy, mostly GF, less sugar
We've gotten rid of the soy and really cut back on sugar. We're about 50% organic and everyone eats less gluten. At least 3x a week our meals are gluten free.

9. Stop smoking

Still a lingering bad habit. I'm doing better and still making a conscious effort to cut back.

10. Expand animals and their housing

Due to some unforeseen events, I was forced to sell the goats. We now have 7 ducks (1 Drake and 6 hens) and 8 chicken hens. 

Other than the smoking, I'm pleased with the progress I made this year and can not wait to see what the coming year holds!