Proverbs is a book that encourages listening.

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance. (Proverbs 1:5, emphasis added)

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. (Proverbs 1:8, emphasis added)

The author encourages more than just listening, he encourages listening to the right voice. Too many “church people” listen to the wrong voices. The author’s approach in Proverbs is to call young men to listen to the right voice by talking about what they are interested in. Young men are interested in young women. He takes that interest and personifies women as either wise (the moral woman [1:20, 32 – 2:2]) or unwise (the immoral woman [5:1-8]). He is not saying that women are this; he is simply using women as a figure of speech to get his point across.

It would be nice if the only one speaking were the sensible woman of wisdom; if that were the only voice we heard life would be much easier to live; unfortunately the sensual woman of immorality is speaking, seeking to gain our ear. And the problem with the immoral woman is that she tastes really delicious and sounds really good (5:3). The author of Proverbs devotes all of chapter 5 to the description of the dangers of following this sensual woman.

Following leads to destination, and following begins by listening. We will end up in the wrong place because we’ve followed the wrong voice. To whom are we listening?

Grace & Peace,

I want to share that I was challenged in my Sunday school group this week by Keith Higginbotham. He said something that got me thinking. He shared that before his feet hit the floor in the morning he meditates on the Lord’s Prayer. I want to encourage and challenge all of us to do just that. Wake up 5 or 10 minutes early and meditate on God’s Word. This is a time that we all would connect with God. Go over the verses you are memorizing (hint: Proverbs 26:13-16) and meditate on them. Ask three key questions: “What do they say?” “What do they mean?” “What does it matter?”

Remember what David wrote,

"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11)

Grace & Peace,

Scott

The body of Calvary Church encourages me! Thank you so much for the generous gift on my sixth anniversary at Calvary Church. I will put it to good use as I’ve been thinking about getting SCUBA certified with my brother, Jack. Yes, that is one of the things on my “bucket list.” It’s either that or skydiving!

These years have gone by so quickly, and I stand amazed at all that God has accomplished in such a short time. Can you even imagine what the next six years will bring? As I look back on these years together what I see most prominently are the faces of people – you! I am so blessed, honored and humbled to pastor such a wonderful church. The business of church work is first and foremost about honoring God through discipling people. What I desire most is to see each of you take steps in your life spiritually that will bring more and more glory to a wonderful and great God.

I also want to praise the name of the Lord for a great time at our annual cookout, and I want to thank the Recreation and Fellowship Committee for organizing, gathering, preparing and cooking to make our afternoon so great. I noticed that we have quite a few avid fishermen…uh, fisherwomen…mmm, fisher-people in our family. It is truly a joy to see you out there in a different context than the four walls of 4000 Parris Bridge Road. Something to think about…fishing contest?! I do believe Bascom Ford wins the prize this year for the biggest catch with a 6’ 8” Zebco, caught late in the day; our hats off to you brother! I’m just saddened that we didn’t get to the “toss the new members in the lake” activity.

Grace & Peace,

This last week has been a wonderful week of vacation. I appreciated the opportunity to take some time off, sit poolside, and enjoy my family. I’ve discovered that it takes about 2 days to finally feel relaxed. Until then I am a pretty keyed up person. Ok, to be honest an 8 hour day on the interstates of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida don’t help, neither does getting awakened at 3:11 am to the sound of your neighbors fighting, nor witnessing the near drowning of a four year old, but I guess these are things I need to learn to take in stride when leaving the comforts of the small, unincorporated town of Boiling Springs. But there were so many good things during the week…the laughter of adult kids playing Nertz, 24 hours a day for a whole week with Barb, getting to see my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, newly married niece, and great nephew, and spending a day at “Harry Potter World.” Yeah, all that stuff is good! Overall the good definitely outweighed the bad!

I missed my Calvary Church family while I was gone and can’t wait to see you Sunday morning! One of the truly soul satisfying, Christ exalting things I do with my life is teaching the Word. Every opportunity I have to open God’s sacred Book and explain what it has to say fills my heart with joy. I hope you will be there as we look at the second thing a lazy person will not do – Start Things (Proverbs 26:14).

That’s all I have for now. I’ll get back to enjoying my view of the pool from five stories high!

Grace & Peace,