Is a man who strays from his home.

The proverb does not lead us to dwell on why Adam isn’t at home (though the word “stray” could also be translated “flee” – implying he’s running). The simple fact is that he’s not there.

The writer says, this absence reminds me of another dismal scene… That’s it! – a secluded bird, living alone in the swamp, away from flock, family, and (deepest sorrow!) fledglings. This is a separation that even in gritty nature seems pathetic and out of place. COOO [a sad pigeon's cry]

Let a proverb like this uncover an assumption. The Creator’s intention for the human family is that a man dwells in the home. Which means, there is no place for deadbeat dads. Also, a man should not be looking for every excuse to disappear and head out with the guys.

Sometimes Adam is physically at home but his mind is between five and a thousand miles away. He hears his wife as a drone, his children fail to gain his attention. His life is at work, or on the web – anywhere but here. COOOO

Many of the joys in the Way are comforts: small, satisfying scenes like a father in the middle of the family, engaged, alert, AT HOME.

Instead of expending the energy criticizing your brother in the small points, give your efforts to how you can behave so your brother is not tripped up. In so many things, we are dealing with people who hold inaccurate, vague, only partially formed opinions. It is our part not to despise them for it, but to make their way (yes their way) smooth for them. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Proverbs 27:7 

One who is full loathes honey,

But to one who is hungry, everything bitter is sweet.

The wisdom from God will, ordinarily, lead us to what is sometimes called “the balanced life.” Neither of the conditions described above are favorable: stuffed to the gills with no appetite even for the good stuff OR so ravenous as to desire even the bad stuff. By highlighting these two extremes, we have been indirectly pointed to the middle way: being well fed but not stuffed senseless.

Doesn’t another proverb discuss “gluttonous eaters of meat” who are always having to fight off sleepiness? Just the other day I noticed Lahoud watching me eat a roast beef sandwich: I think this proverb was running through his mind! (He had a little sympathetic sneer as I wolfed the sandwich down.)

“Let your restrained reasonableness be known to all men.” Some Christians aren’t satisfied if they can’t be living at the borders of normality, hovering around extremes. Everything must be exciting in the life of Christ, right?

Don’t be weird. Live quietly. Dwell in the land and do good. Live for fully pleasing your Lord, and not yourselves.

And try ordering the small or medium.

Paul wants us to imagine two church members in the midst of squabbling with one another who look up and see themselves before the Bema (Judgment). Now that puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?

Our in-fighting is a serious thing. Our settled, nasty opinion of church members will have repercussions into the Day. Leave behind the foolishness. And listen to this:

“The unity of Christians across traditional barriers is a sign to the principalities and powers that a greater rule than theirs has now begun…Maintaining that unity, then, is not just a matter of preventing squabbles and bad feeling in the church. IT is part of essential Christian witness to the one Lord. If the church divides along lines related to ethnic or tribal loyalty, it is still living in the world of Caesar.” (Wright, 739)

Conference Concludes; Fall FestivalMessage: See Conference Schedule

Passage to Prepare Us for Worship: John 15:1-11

Men’s Breakfast; Ladies’ Breakfast!Psalm 19

To the lead player. A David psalm.

The heavens tell God’s glory,

And His handiwork sky declares.

Day to day breathes utterance

And night to night pronounces knowledge.

There is no utterance and there are no words,

Their voice is never heard.

Through all the earth their voice goes out,

To the world’s edge, their words.

For the sun HE set up a tent in them -

And he like a groom from his canopy comes,

Exults like a warrior running his course.

From the ends of heavens his going out

And his circuit to their ends,

And nothing can hide from his heat.

The LORD’s teaching is perfect,

Restoring to life.

The LORD’s pact is steadfast,

It makes the fool wise.

The LORD’s precepts are upright,

Delighting the heart.

The LORD’s command unblemished,

Giving light to the eyes.

The LORD’s fear is pure,

Outlasting all time.

The LORD’s judgments are truth,

All of them just.

More desired than gold,

Than abundant find gold,

And sweeter than honey,

Quintessence of bees.

Your servant, too, takes care with them.

In keeping them – great reward.

Unwitting sins who can grasp?

OF unknowns actions clear me.

From willful men preserve Your servant,

Let them not rule over me.

Then shall I be blameless

And clear of great crime.

Let my mouth’s utterances be pleasing

And my heart’s stirring before You,

LORD, my rock and redeemer.

Read your Bible. But in order to respond to this psalm let “read” have its most expansive meaning!

Bible Reading: Romans 14: 5-9

V. 9 is a good one to memorize.