Today I was reading Ecc 2. Soloman was so smart. We can learn a thing or two from the smartest person in the world. I think it's worth studying the truths he learned along the way. It could save us much pain and disappointment. Learn from your mistakes, even better learn from someone else's mistakes.
I'm picking up Jan at the airport. His flight arrives at 2:08 pm today.
Alexandra and I had a wonderful time yesterday with Calvary's High School Choir at Lake Norman. Thank you guys for hosting one of the best afternoons this summer.

It's cloudy and overcast today. We're on the way to Lake Norman for a fun day of watersports, food, and fellowship with the Calvary High School Choir. Alexandra is excited as she will be seeing many of her old friends.
Jan is coming home tomorrow. I pray for traveling mercies that everything will go exceedingly well for him and the journey in general.
News Flash! Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System is short 90 nurses.
I started Ecc. 1 today It talks about everything being useless. I think life apart from GOD is useless in the end to a large degree. Soloman the wisest man in the world came to that conclusion. So our marching order is for us to have a purposeful life with GOD.

Well the memorial service has ended and there seems to be closure for many. A good loving person will be remembered in the hearts of those who were loved.

I spoke to Jan yesterday. He seems to be feeling better. He's up in Norfolk at the Major's for the rest of the week I think. He may go down to visit a friend in Suffolk but I'll know when he's made a decision.

Life is really good here in Charlotte. I am very happy, getting settled in the house. Buying furniture here and there. Trying to fill up the rooms and get nested. I've joined two women's groups that are chartered especially for newcomers to the area. I feel the hand of God on my life and I'm just trying not to go before Him or drag behind Him.

Proverbs 29

1 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be broken beyond repair.
2When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.
3The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.
4A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it.
5To flatter people is to lay a trap for their feet.
6Evil people are trapped by sin, but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.
7The godly know the rights of the poor; the wicked don't care to know.
8Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but those who are wise will calm anger.
9If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.
10The bloodthirsty hate the honest, but the upright seek out the honest.
11A fool gives full vent to anger, but a wise person quietly holds it back.
12If a ruler honors liars, all his advisers will be wicked.
13The poor and the oppressor have this in common--the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14A king who is fair to the poor will have a long reign.
15To discipline and reprimand a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.
16When the wicked are in authority, sin increases. But the godly will live to see the tyrant's downfall.
17Discipline your children, and they will give you happiness and peace of mind.
18When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is happy.
19For a servant, mere words are not enough--discipline is needed. For the words may be understood, but they are not heeded.
20There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
21A servant who is pampered from childhood will later become a rebel.
22A hot-tempered person starts fights and gets into all kinds of sin.
23Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.
24If you assist a thief, you are only hurting yourself. You will be punished if you report the crime, but you will be cursed if you don't.
25Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but to trust the LORD means safety.
26Many seek the ruler's favor, but justice comes from the LORD.
27The godly despise the wicked; the wicked despise the godly.

Just returned from Jamaica with a medical missions team. What a wonderful experience. God gave me a spiritual nugget that I want to share with you. I was nursing at the clinic located at the orphanage high up in the mountains, a very rural spot to say the least. There are masses of people who come to be seen. Most do not have an appointment but wait patiently hoping to be seen by a doctor or nurse. Sometimes I have gotten very frustrated and weary trying to get the end of the line. Working in my own strength and not in God's gets me nowhere fast. But when I work in the power of God's love one person at a time and I am living in the present not worrying about the future, there is joy. The type of spiritual joy that comes from the LORD. I pray that I can always serve in love living in the present and appreciating the blessing.

Colossians 4

1 You slave owners must be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master--in heaven.

An Encouragement for Prayer 2Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3Don't forget to pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to preach about his secret plan--that Christ is also for you Gentiles. That is why I am here in chains. 4Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
5Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.

Pauls Final Instructions and Greetings 7Tychicus, a much loved brother, will tell you how I am getting along. He is a faithful helper who serves the Lord with me. 8I have sent him on this special trip to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. 9I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and much loved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will give you all the latest news.
10Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas's cousin. And as you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. 11Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish Christians among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!
12Epaphras, from your city, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident of the whole will of God. 13I can assure you that he has agonized for you and also for the Christians in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14Dear Doctor Luke sends his greetings, and so does Demas. 15Please give my greetings to our Christian brothers and sisters[a] at Laodicea, and to Nympha and those who meet in her house.
16After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them. 17And say to Archippus, "Be sure to carry out the work the Lord gave you."
18Here is my greeting in my own handwriting--PAUL.
Remember my chains.
May the grace of God be with you.

Today is Mary Schlesinger's memorial service outside of London. Jan flew over to be part of it. I wish we all could have been there. Mary was like a grandmother to the children. She was Alexandra's god-mother but went far beyond that in our lives.
She had the gift of love, generosity, and hospitality to mention a few of her gifts. I praise GOD that He put her into our lives. She was a great woman and will be truly missed by many.

Phil 4 Wow! If only I could always think about things that were praiseworthy, excellent, pure, virtuous, and of good report my mental health would improve substantially. Tell me your thoughts on Philippians 4, what speaks to your spirit?

Philippians 4

1 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] I love you and long to see you, for you are my joy and the reward for my work. So please stay true to the Lord, my dear friends.

Pauls Final Thoughts 2And now I want to plead with those two women, Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3And I ask you, my true teammate,[b] to help these women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. And they worked with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.
4Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice! 5Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.

Pauls Thanks for Their Gifts 10How grateful I am, and how I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but for a while you didn't have the chance to help me. 11Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. 12I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. 14But even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
15As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17I don't say this because I want a gift from you. What I want is for you to receive a well-earned reward because of your kindness.
18At the moment I have all I need--more than I need! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable to God and pleases him. 19And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 20Now glory be to God our Father forever and ever. Amen.

Pauls Final Greetings 21Give my greetings to all the Christians there. The brothers who are with me here send you their greetings. 22And all the other Christians send their greetings, too, especially those who work in Caesar's palace.
23May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Being a voice for the voiceless is a daunting task. I don't know if I can but I know that if it's what God calls me to do, He will give me the words to speak forth. He did that with Moses you know and so many others.
My heart has been tendered towards the voiceless youth of the inner city right here in Charlotte, NC. The majority of which are going down the tubes at an astonishing rate. I think about the verses in Is. that says the youth shall rebuild the city ruins. That is my dream, that youth will see God's vision for them and not only rebuild their communities but their lives and relationships. One of the models I admire is the Lawndale Community Project in West Chicago. They are making a big difference one individual at a time. My heart and my hat off to them. God envisioned them before He envisioned others.
I read a very disheartening message today from yesterday's Charlotte Observer titled Black men need more than Bling Bling Gospel by John W. Fountain of the Washington Post. I'm going to write to him today. He's a courageous man telling it as he sees it and he's right on target. I pray that John would be a leader in the answer and not a victim of the problem. He himself needs answers, healing, a spiritual cheerleader, an encourager, and a helper in the LORD. Please pray for him.
Today I was reading Proverbs 22. I'm going to highlight what spoke to my spirit this morning. Tell me what speaks to yours.
Proverbs 22
1 Choose a good reputation over great riches, for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold.
2The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD made them both.
3A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
4True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life.
5The deceitful walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will stay away.
6Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.
7Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
8Those who plant seeds of injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will end.
9Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.
10Throw out the mocker, and fighting, quarrels, and insults will disappear.
11Anyone who loves a pure heart and gracious speech is the king's friend.
12The LORD preserves knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the deceitful.
13The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, "If I go outside, I might meet a lion in the street and be killed!"
14The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; those living under the LORD's displeasure will fall into it.
15A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but discipline (training) will drive it away.
16A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

Thirty Sayings of the Wise 17Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. 18For it is good to keep these sayings deep within yourself, always ready on your lips. 19I am teaching you today--yes, you--so you will trust in the LORD. 20I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. 21In this way, you may know the truth and bring an accurate report to those who sent you.
22Do not rob the poor because they are poor or exploit the needy in court. 23For the LORD is their defender. He will injure anyone who injures them.
24Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, 25or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.
26Do not co-sign another person's note or put up a guarantee for someone else's loan. 27If you can't pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.
28Do not steal your neighbor's property by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by your ancestors.
29Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people.

What is the answer to inner city proverty?
How do we break the cycle of proverty?
How do the children rebuild the ruins?
What skills do they need?
What do the youth want?

The godly love to give. They are generous givers. Lord make me a generous giver who loves doing it. A giver of my resources, time, energy, skills, etc..........

Yesterday Alexandra and I went to the Charlotte School System to try to find some answers. No one was at their desk but finally Alexandra's High School Lateral Entry Advisor called her back. Security was unbelieveable. I thought I was entering Fort Knox. What happened to the days you went in the front door and signed your name in the principal's office? We live in a changed world and it doesn't seem for the better. Alexandra picked up an application for being a substitute teacher. She has to get a health check and TB test. She will be substituting soon. I guess she wants to check out Equity Two Schools and see which one she wants to be associated with permanently. Then we went to CPCC to register. Alexandra needs 16 more credit hours in Math to qualify for lateral entry. Time is marching on and her thoughts were take the math courses here and transfer them to the university she choses. Anyone who knows anything about the Praxis II in Math? I'd love to hear from you. Today she's back at the counselor's office to determine what level Math courses she can take. It all seems like a virtual maze to me at times.

A person with understanding is even tempered. GOD please give me an extra portion of understanding.

Proverbs 17

1 A dry crust eaten in peace is better than a great feast with strife.
2A wise slave will rule over the master's shameful sons and will share their inheritance.
3Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart.
4Wrongdoers listen to wicked talk; liars pay attention to destructive words.
5Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.
6Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.
7Eloquent speech is not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.
8A bribe seems to work like magic for those who give it; they succeed in all they do.
9Disregarding another person's faults preserves love; telling about them separates close friends.
10A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.
11Evil people seek rebellion, but they will be severely punished.
12It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in folly.
13If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
14Beginning a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
15The LORD despises those who acquit the guilty and condemn the innocent.
16It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a fool who has no heart for wisdom.
17A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
18It is poor judgment to co-sign a friend's note, to become responsible for a neighbor's debts.
19Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who speaks boastfully[a] invites disaster.
20The crooked heart will not prosper; the twisted tongue tumbles into trouble.
21It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.
22A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.
23The wicked accept secret bribes to pervert justice.
24Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25A foolish child[b] brings grief to a father and bitterness to a mother.
26It is wrong to fine the godly for being good or to punish nobles for being honest!
27A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
28Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Alexandra arrived safely and on time yesterday. What a day of rejoicing to have my daughter back who had been away on ministry for a year. Remember she was with mission year (www.missionyear.org). Now she is busy unpacking her new room, trying to get a job in the CMS school system, and registering for the additional math courses she'll need to eventually get her lateral entry certificate. It seems to me to be a maze, but with God's help even a maze can be navigated.
I think of the first verse and the last verse in Proverbs really spoke to my spirit this morning. 16:1 We can gather our thoughts, but the LORD gives the right answer. We think we know our ways but it's all in GOD'S hands, we need to trust Him and ask for His help. Then the last verse 33We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall. God determines our steps, it's His plan and purposes for our lives. Let's let go and let GOD! He can when we can't.


Proverbs 16
1 We can gather our thoughts, but the LORD gives the right answer.
2People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.
3Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.
4The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for punishment.
5The LORD despises pride; be assured that the proud will be punished.
6Unfailing love and faithfulness cover sin; evil is avoided by fear of the LORD.
7When the ways of people please the LORD, he makes even their enemies live at peace with them.
8It is better to be poor and godly than rich and dishonest.
9We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
10The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.
11The LORD demands fairness in every business deal; he sets the standard.
12A king despises wrongdoing, for his rule depends on his justice.
13The king is pleased with righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.
14The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise do what they can to appease it.
15When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a gentle rain.
16How much better to get wisdom than gold, and understanding than silver!
17The path of the upright leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.
18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
19It is better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
20Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be happy.
21The wise are known for their understanding, and instruction is appreciated if it's well presented.
22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.
23From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.
24Kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
25There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
26It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.
27Scoundrels hunt for scandal; their words are a destructive blaze.
28A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
29Violent people deceive their companions, leading them down a harmful path.
30With narrowed eyes, they plot evil; without a word, they plan their mischief.
31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.
32It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
33We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.

The LORD quickened my spirit with all these passages. I have been praying for God to teach me how to control my emotions, how to keep my temper and heart ruled by His Holy Spirit. I have come up with this wisdom, at least for me. I am to think before I speak and pray for God's wisdom and response to the situation especially if I find myself becoming angry or frustrated.
It doesn't glorify God when I give an angry response. I usually regret it afterwards myself.
Any thoughts on self control would be gratefully appreciated. Remember gentle words turn away wrath. Good advise to begin with.

Proverbs 15

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.
2The wise person makes learning a joy; fools spout only foolishness.
3The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
4Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5Only a fool despises a parent's discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
6There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
7Only the wise can give good advice; fools cannot do so.
8The LORD hates the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
9The LORD despises the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.
10Whoever abandons the right path will be severely punished; whoever hates correction will die.
11Even the depths of Death and Destruction[a] are known by the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!
12Mockers don't love those who rebuke them, so they stay away from the wise.
13A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
14A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash.
15For the poor, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
16It is better to have little with fear for the LORD than to have great treasure with turmoil.
17A bowl of soup with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
18A hothead starts fights; a cool-tempered person tries to stop them.
19A lazy person has trouble all through life; the path of the upright is easy!
20Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.
21Foolishness brings joy to those who have no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.
22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success.
23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! (In the right tone).
24The path of the wise leads to life above; they leave the grave[b] behind.
25The LORD destroys the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows.
26The LORD despises the thoughts of the wicked, but he delights in pure words.

27Dishonest money brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.

28The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words.

29The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.

30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.

31If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.

32If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.

33Fear of the LORD teaches a person to be wise; humility precedes honor.

Proverbs 14 and James 2 were part of my devotionals today. Proverbs 14:1 is my lifes verse. Check it out and tell me if it speaks to your spirit. Then I found the last verse in James 2 to be a new revelation, a deeper revelation of that precept.
Alexandra is back tomorrow. I can hardly contain myself. Hip hip horray. I feel like Abraham getting Isaac back. GOD IS SO GOOD.