trust issues

Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Don’t add to His words,
or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.
Proverbs 30:5-6

Is it really trust if you feel you have to add to God's words?

rocket science

A person’s pride will humble him,
but a humble spirit will gain honor.
Proverbs 29:23

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the way to gain favor isn't by being arrogant!

Fugitives

A man burdened by bloodguilt 

will be a fugitive until death. 

Let no one help him. 

Proverbs 28:17

There are some crimes that follow a person their entire life; they are unforgivable this side of eternity.  Fortunately, there is one who can totally forgive for all of time! Have you asked for forgiveness?

boasting

Don’t boast about tomorrow,
for you don’t know what a day might bring.
Proverbs 27:1

Ever heard the expression, “It’s not bragging if it’s true?” When was the last time you knew the future? There is One who does, and you can trust in Him!

behind your back

Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow,
an undeserved curse goes nowhere.
Proverbs 26:2

If you live with integrity, you don’t have to worry about what people say about you behind your back!

Friends

Remove impurities from silver,
and a vessel will be produced  for a silversmith.
 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Proverbs 25:4&5

Want to know the character of a man? Look at his circle of friends.

Frugality

Don’t be one of those who enter agreements,
who put up security for loans.
If you have no money to pay,
even your bed will be taken from under you.
Proverbs 22:26-7

In other words, if you spend more than you have, not only will you not need a wallet or payers, but you may not have a bed to sleep in, either!

Manners

Better to live in a wilderness
than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.
Proverbs 21:19

We’ve been reading a book on manners with my kids, and it teaches them to ask two questions as they interact with others. “Are others happy I am here?” And, “Amp happy I am here?” Ladies and gentlemen, those are two good questions for anyone to ask themselves in any social situation!

Skilled labor

It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute,
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.
Proverbs 20:3

Just as it takes more skil and effort to build something than it does to tear it down,  tt take requires more effort and skill to settle disagreements than to provoke them.

casting lots

The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.
Casting the lot  ends quarrels
and separates powerful opponents.
Proverbs 18:17-18

In ancient Judaism, casting lots meant seeking an answer from the Lord, before whom everyone was equal. When two opponents could not solve their problem, they sought an outside authority. Everyone has problems and conflicts today. Are you seeking an objective higher power for answers?

details, details

Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag  are His concern.
Proverbs 16:11

In other words, God is intimately involved in every detail!

honest labor

Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.
Proverbs 12:9

In other words, no work is beneath you as long as it's honest labor!

honest labor

Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.
Proverbs 12:9

In other words, there is nothing beneath you as long as it's honest labor!

christmas creep

One person gives freely,
yet gains more;
another withholds what is right,
only to become poor.
A generous person will be enriched,
and the one who gives a drink of water
will receive water.
People will curse  anyone who hoards grain,
but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.
Proverbs 11:24-26

Would you rather be known for giving or getting? Before you answer, think about this: No one lines up at the mall to see, or dresses up as, Ebenezer Scrooge for Christmas parties!

optimal usage

The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.
The hope of the righteous is joy,
but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.
The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable,
but destruction awaits the malicious.
The righteous will never be shaken,
but the wicked will not remain on the earth.

I once watched an optimizing saw in a furniture factory being fed long boards by workers. The board would move down the rollers, scanned by lasers, the cut into different size lengths based on optimal usage sections without knots, gouges, etc...). To the untrained eye, it looked like boards being cut randomly. As the boards left the saw and moved down the conveyor, mechanical arms swiftly pushed unusable pieces off into a side bin where they would be ground into sawdust. The other pieces? They moved on, and were made into different types of furniture, sanded, stained, and shipped out on trucks to be used and enjoyed. Our lives are the same way. Those who fear God and live with integrity are shaped and used for good, but the wicked come to swift and destructive ends!

Pruning Season

The one who corrects a mocker
will bring dishonor on himself;
the one who rebukes a wicked man will get hurt.
Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man, and he will learn more.
Proverbs 9:7-9

I prune and trim the plants & trees around my house to make them healthier, more lush, and extend their lifespan. Like plants and trees, those who are wise and upright in character accept instruction, growing in the process, while the foolish and wicked only become worse.

Game of Thrones

Concerning the "forbidden woman:"
Now, my sons, listen to me,
and pay attention to the words of my mouth.
Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways;
don’t stray onto her paths.
For she has brought many down to death;
her victims are countless.
Her house is the road to Sheol,
descending to the chambers of death.
Proverbs 7:24-27

I don't know if it's said in the series, but in the book "Game of Thrones," there's a line repeated throughout the work: "When you play the game of thrones, you win or die." Playing with temptation is exactly the same.

spiderwebs

A worthless person,  a wicked man
goes around speaking dishonestly,
winking  his eyes, signaling with his feet,
and gesturing with his fingers.
He always plots evil  with perversity in his heart—
he stirs up trouble.
Therefore calamity will strike him suddenly;
he will be shattered instantly—beyond recovery.
Proverbs 6:12-15

Weave a web, and you might find yourself caught in it!

Disciplinary measures

Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,
and do not loathe His discipline;
for the Lord disciplines the one He loves,
just as a father, the son he delights in.
Proverbs 3:11-12

Through discipline, football teams win championships. Through discipline, students ace tests. Through discipline, armies win wars. The Lord's Discipline means you're on the path of salvation!

discretionary spending

If you seek knowledge of God,

Then you will understand righteousness, justice,
and integrity—every good path.
For wisdom will enter your mind,
and knowledge will delight your heart.
Discretion will watch over you,
and understanding will guard you,
rescuing you from the way of evil—
from the one who says perverse things,
from those who abandon the right paths
to walk in ways of darkness,
from those who enjoy doing evil
and celebrate perversion,
whose paths are crooked,
and whose ways are devious.
Proverbs 2:9-15

Discretionary income is money you are free to decide how to spend;  it's not tied up to pay bills, repairs, or necessities. Following wisdom builds up knowledge that leads to understanding, allowing you to be free to make your own decisions; decisions that lead to the good life for yourself and others!

the harvest

Wisdom calls out in the street;
she raises her voice in the public squares.
She cries out above  the commotion;
she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:
“How long, foolish ones, will you love ignorance?
How long will you mockers  enjoy mocking
and you fools hate knowledge?
If you respond to my warning,
then I will pour out my spirit on you
and teach you my words.
Since I called out and you refused,
extended my hand and no one paid attention,
since you neglected all my counsel
and did not accept my correction,
I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity.
I will mock when terror strikes you,
when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when trouble and stress overcome you.
Then they will call me, but I won’t answer;
they will search for me, but won’t find me.
Because they hated knowledge,
didn’t choose to fear the Lord,
were not interested in my counsel,
and rejected all my correction,
they will eat the fruit of their way
and be glutted with their own schemes.
Proverbs 1:20-31

If a farmer plants wheat, he harvests wheat. Sow ignorance by ignoring wisdom, and you'll harvest stupidity.