About Katie Marie
Hello, WordPress! I am a SeniornMusic Education student at Bryan College, seeking to further my education in vocal technique and choral conducting.
This is outlet is primarily used as a portfolio for my hobby in photography, but along the way I enjoy sharing thoughts which correspond to my spiritual journey and relationship with my Redeemer, Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 21:2
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.”
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.” ESV
Sadie: Come on, Alison! It’s nothing that will hurt you.
Alison: Sadie, I was told not to smoke it.
Sadie: Who told you not to smoke it?
Alison: My parents did, and if they find out I was here I’m dead!
Sadie: Seriously? You are going to listen to them? Alison, it’s just a plant! What harm could it really do? Besides, you can’t trust your parents all the time.
Alison: They told me that it is dangerous.
Sadie: I have been doing it for a long time and I’m still here! Look at me! I am living proof that its okay!
Alison: Well…
Sadie: Just try it one time. Trust me. I promise you that it is worth it.
Alison: …Alright… I guess it won’t hurt to do it just this once.
Your Thoughts?
What do you think about this situation? Do you think it is fairly obvious that what Sadie is trying to get Alison to do is wrong? Well, she thinks it’s okay, and as far as Alison knows, Sadie was telling the truth and there was really nothing wrong with burning and inhaling the smoke from the “plant”.
The Truth.
Truthfully, we all think our wrong actions are right from time to time. The Lord, however, knows what is good; He knows what is right. This story didn’t have to be about drugs. It could have been about drinking, lies, sex, or anything else that has consequences. Any one of those topics have heartache as one of the side-effects, but the way of the Lord leads to heart-help.
And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God. – Luke 16:15 (NASB95)
1 Comment | tags: paths of life, proverbs, walking, Wisdom | posted in advice, counsel, Temptation, Trust the Lord
Hello, Dear Reader. I am a rarity to this blog, but I have come to share with you some truths of Wisdom which I have gleaned.
Last Summer, I found myself in a particularly tough place in regards to dating relationships. The person I was with for a period of three months was someone of immoral character and rebellion. He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, so to speak, and I, being the naïve woman looking for a nice and caring fellow, fell into the trap of enticement.
During the last couple of weeks of my relationship, I was interested in reading Scripture, but it was rooted in how I wanted to prove to my parents that this person I spent time with was worth the time I had invested. I began to read through Proverbs for a short time, but once my relationship ended I began to have a bitterness fester within my heart due to some underlying problems with self-image and self-value.
I have always hated the possibility that one day I would live up to my middle name which means “bitterness,” yet that is exactly what I had become: a bitter young woman, full of rebellion against my upbringing. I spent a majority of my time during the last half of last year and the first part of this year in hate and corruption of the mind and heart, and the worst part was that I knew exactly how to remedy that pain I put myself through.
In a paper I wrote at the beginning of this semester, I stated:
“I know that God is real and loving and forgiving; I know with all certainty that He wants me to come to Him. Even so, I do not want the help that He has to offer my wounded and rotting spirit. I do not want to muster up the courage it takes to allow Him to scrape the putrid rot from my soul, just as a doctor must scrape and clean a burn victim. I do not want the comfort that He sends me through the gracious acts of others as they hold me and speak life into my heart. I do not want what I need. I want my own efforts to win over. Never have I understood so clearly how a dying man fights for his last breath – until now. I know that God is real, but I would rather trust my fingernails for security.” – The Strength of My Own Fingernails
Now, as I am recovering from this season of life, I can look at Scripture again with a refreshed mind and soul. Here is what I have learned from Proverbs 2:
Wisdom is:
- A protector via discernment (v. 3)
- A saving grace from wicked people (v. 12-19)
- Something which only comes from the Lord (v. 6)
- Something which must be sought out (v. 1-5)
- Something which has value (v. 4)
Sterling Silver
In verse 4, Solomon refers to the value of Wisdom as being like that of the value of silver. This precious metal has been used in jewelry for thousands of years, including a piece which is now on my left ring finger. I wear a sterling silver band for several reasons, one of which to serve as a reminder that God’s Wisdom is something to be cherished. If only I had listened to the teachings of this Word and my parent’s concerns before taking my course of actions last year! I would have saved myself so much heartache and regret!
Wisdom is worth seeking out; it is a treasure to obtain. The catch is this: you must be willing to sacrifice your personal agenda in order to journey to find this treasure. It was only after I sacrificed my lifestyle and my hurt to Christ that I was able to access the Lord’s Wisdom again. If you want this treasure, it must be the only thing you seek.
5 Comments | tags: Dating, jewelry, silver, Sterling Silver, Value, Wisdom, Word of the Lord | posted in advice, counsel, Instruction, Knowledge, Parenting, Paths of Life, pride/humility, Relationships, Uncategorized, Value and Worth, Wisdom, Word of the Lord
Proverbs 29:27
“An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.”
Vampires, and humans, and wolfs! Oh, my!
Twilight is/was a very popular series of books that were turned into various movies over the years – maybe you’ve seen them.
To summarize in as little words as possible, the story is about the “love” between a human female (Bella) and a male vampire (Edward), and a werewolf guy (Jacob) who comes in later to steal the human from the vampire, because the wolfman loves the human, too. You may have seen T-shirts and posters with “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob” on them. Whoever is on the side of Jacob wants Bella and Jacob together. Whoever wears the “Team Edward” shirt desires the opposite.
Edward (left), Bella (center), Jacob (right)
Sadly, these two sides are both wicked because they not only focus on the good of witchcraft and darkness, but they support the sinful and erotic love between a human and a beast…or a human and a soulless being. Neither side supports a moral lifestyle or legitimate love.
Those who are not on “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob,” but oppose Twilight from a Biblical perspective – because of the immoral lifestyle and values that come with it – find it difficult to understand those who enjoy the Twilight franchise. Serious fans of Twilight often gush about how it is just a sweet love story, or that it’s just fiction, and get annoyed with those who “don’t get it.” Maybe Proverbs 29:27 explains why.
Still, the fact still remains that there are serious problems with evil being portrayed as righteousness.
Either way, we have a book full of laws – and reasons for those laws – that helps guide us in the way we should live. That should be where we look to find answers when being questioned about which “side” to take.
God’s Word is always valid and just; people are not.
*Check out Katie Marie’s at Shutterelf and tell her Proverbial Thought sent you 😉
Leave a comment | tags: Abomination, Bible, Book of Nehemiah, Just, proverbs, Righteousness, team, Twilight, Wicked | posted in desire, Law, Paths of Life, Relationships, sin, The Righteous, The Wicked
Proverbs 29:11
“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”
“A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.” – NASB
Have you ever been around someone who has a “short fuse?” It is like you are walking on broken glass in socks. You can walk carefully for a while, but if you make one slip a shard will make its way into your foot. You can be talking with your short-tempered friend like you would any other day, but if you mention something he doesn’t like then he could transform into the Tasmanian Devil (Taz) from Loony Tunes. 
Then there is the wise man. This is the kind of person that can be insulted and walk away, or when something bad happens is willing to hold back his anger in order to comprehend the situation. When you are with this kind of person you can relax.
Are you the self-controlled wise man, or are you the short-fused fool? Can you relate to Mr. Miyagi (the quiet sensei from Karate Kid), or do you act like the Hulk? Are you slow to anger like a sloth is slow to do anything at all, or are you easily provoked like an army of fire ants?
“[Be] quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” – James 1:19-20 NASB
1 Comment | tags: fire ants, Fool, Loony Tunes, Mr. Miyagi, proverbs, Sloth, Taz, temper, the Hulk, wise | posted in Fools, Relationships, Wisdom
Proverbs 23:4-5
“Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” (KJV)
“Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” (NASB)
The Birds
In the movie Rio, Blu is a blue macaw with a human friend, Linda. Blu is the last male of his kind, and he is sought out by an ornithologist from Brazil, Túlio, who intends to take the bird back with him to save the species. Linda is convinced by Túlio to travel to Brazil with him and to take Blu to meet the other bird.
While they are there, Blu and the female macaw, Jewel, are bird-napped and sold to three men who are bird smugglers. The leader of the group plans to sell the birds for an insane price and therefore become rich.
A very long journey takes place to try and get back to Linda, and Blu and Jewel escape and everything turns out just fine. However, the thieves didn’t plan on their way of income literally flying away from them. After all, the birds were locked up in a cage!
The Verses
It’s like this movie was made for these verses! The thieves were so concerned with their wealth, they didn’t stop to consider losing it all even when they thought they were set and everything was working to their advantage.
When you have wealth, do not set your eyes on it and continue to weary yourself to get more. Money is losing its value at an alarming rate, and even the wind can carry it away if you are not careful.
Don’t forget that your wealth may just fly way. Instead, consider these verses:
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” -Matthew 6:19-21
Leave a comment | tags: Finances, labor, money, Rio | posted in Animals, Money and Finances, Work
Proverbs 21:2
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.”
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.” ESV
Sadie: Come on, Alison! It’s nothing that will hurt you.
Alison: Sadie, I was told not to smoke it.
Sadie: Who told you not to smoke it?
Alison: My parents did, and if they find out I was here I’m dead!
Sadie: Seriously? You are going to listen to them? Alison, it’s just a plant! What harm could it really do? Besides, you can’t trust your parents all the time.
Alison: They told me that it is dangerous.
Sadie: I have been doing it for a long time and I’m still here! Look at me! I am living proof that its okay!
Alison: Well…
Sadie: Just try it one time. Trust me. I promise you that it is worth it.
Alison: …Alright… I guess it won’t hurt to do it just this once.
Your Thoughts?
What do you think about this situation? Do you think it is fairly obvious that what Sadie is trying to get Alison to do is wrong? Well, she thinks it’s okay, and as far as Alison knows, Sadie was telling the truth and there was really nothing wrong with burning and inhaling the smoke from the “plant”.
The Truth.
Truthfully, we all think our wrong actions are right from time to time. The Lord, however, knows what is good; He knows what is right. This story didn’t have to be about drugs. It could have been about drinking, lies, sex, or anything else that has consequences. Any one of those topics have heartache as one of the side-effects, but the way of the Lord leads to heart-help.
And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God. – Luke 16:15 (NASB95)
Leave a comment | tags: paths of life, proverbs, walking, Wisdom | posted in advice, counsel, Temptation, Trust the Lord
Proverbs 29:27
“An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.”
Vampires, and humans, and wolfs! Oh my!
Twilight is a very popular series of books that has been turned into various movies in recent years. To summarize in as little words as possible, it is about the “love” between a human female (Bella) and a male vampire (Edward), and a ware wolf guy (Jacob) who comes in later to steal the human from the vampire because the wolf man loves the human, too. You may have seen T-shirts and posters with “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob” on them. Whoever is on the side of Jacob wants Bella and Jacob together, and same goes for Edward.
Edward (left), Bella (center), Jacob (right)
Sadly, these two sides are both wicked because they not only focus on the good of witchcraft and darkness, but they support the sinful and erotic love between a human and a beast, or a human and a soulless being. Neither side supports a moral lifestyle or legitimate love.
Those who are not on “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob,” but oppose Twilight from a Biblical perspective – because of the immoral lifestyle and values that come with it – are usually against those who support Twilight in the same way as Proverbs 29:27 explains. Those who support Twilight could say things about how it is just a sweet love story, or how it is all fiction. The fact still remains that there are serious problems with evil being portrayed as righteousness.
Either way, we have a book full of laws and reasons for those laws that help guide us in the way we should live. That should be where we look to find answers when being questioned about “sides” to stand on.
God’s Word is always valid and just; people are not.
2 Comments | tags: Abomination, Bible, Book of Nehemiah, Just, proverbs, Righteousness, team, Twilight, Wicked | posted in desire, Law, Paths of Life, Relationships, sin, The Righteous, The Wicked
Proverbs 29:11
“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”
“A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.” – NASB
Have you ever been around someone who has a “short fuse?” It is like you are walking on broken glass in socks. You can walk carefully for a while, but if you make one slip a shard will make its way into your foot. You can be talking with your short-tempered friend like you would any other day, but if you mention something he doesn’t like then he could transform into the Tasmanian Devil (Taz) from Loony Tunes.
Then there is the wise man. This is the kind of person that can be insulted and walk away, or when something bad happens is willing to hold back his anger in order to comprehend the situation. When you are with this kind of person you can relax.
Are you the self-controlled wise man, or are you the short-fused fool? Can you relate to Mr. Miyagi (the quiet sensei from Karate Kid), or do you act like the Hulk? Are you slow to anger like a sloth is slow to do anything at all, or are you easily provoked like an army of fire ants?
“[Be] quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” – James 1:19-20 NASB
Leave a comment | tags: fire ants, Fool, Loony Tunes, Mr. Miyagi, proverbs, Sloth, Taz, temper, the Hulk, wise | posted in Fools, Relationships, Wisdom
Proverbs 23:4-5
“Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” (KJV)
“Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” (NASB)
The Birds
In the movie Rio, Blu is a blue macaw with a human friend, Linda. Blu is the last male of his kind, and he is sought out by an ornithologist from Brazil, Túlio, who intends to take the bird back with him to save the species. Linda is convinced by Túlio to travel to Brazil with him and to take Blu to meet the other bird.
While they are there, Blu and the female macaw, Jewel, are bird-napped and sold to three men who are bird smugglers. The leader of the group plans to sell the birds for an insane price and therefore become rich.
A very long journey takes place to try and get back to Linda, and Blu and Jewel escape and everything turns out just fine. However, the thieves didn’t plan on their way of income literally flying away from them. After all, the birds were locked up in a cage!
The verses
It’s like this movie was made for these verses! The thieves were so concerned with their wealth, they didn’t stop to consider losing it all even when they thought they were set and everything was working to their advantage.
When you have wealth, do not set your eyes on it and continue to weary yourself to get more. Money is losing its value at an alarming rate, and even the wind can carry it away if you are not careful.
Don’t forget that your wealth may just fly way. Instead, consider these verses:
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” -Matthew 6:19-21
2 Comments | posted in Uncategorized
Proverbs 21:2
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.”
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.” ESV
Sadie: Come on, Alison! It’s nothing that will hurt you.
Alison: Sadie, I was told not to smoke it.
Sadie: Who told you not to smoke it?
Alison: My parents did, and if they find out I was here I’m dead!
Sadie: Seriously? You are going to listen to them? Alison, it’s just a plant! What harm could it really do? Besides, you can’t trust your parents all the time.
Alison: They told me that it is dangerous.
Sadie: I have been doing it for a long time and I’m still here! Look at me! I am living proof that its okay!
Alison: Well…
Sadie: Just try it one time. Trust me. I promise you that it is worth it.
Alison: …Alright… I guess it won’t hurt to do it just this once.
Your Thoughts?
What do you think about this situation? Do you think it is fairly obvious that what Sadie is trying to get Alison to do is wrong? Well, she thinks it’s okay, and as far as Alison knows, Sadie was telling the truth and there was really nothing wrong with burning and inhaling the smoke from the “plant”.
The Truth.
Truthfully, we all think our wrong actions are right from time to time. The Lord, however, knows what is good; He knows what is right. This story didn’t have to be about drugs. It could have been about drinking, lies, sex, or anything else that has consequences. Any one of those topics have heartache as one of the side-effects, but the way of the Lord leads to heart-help.
And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God. – Luke 16:15 (NASB95)
2 Comments | tags: paths of life, proverbs, walking, Wisdom | posted in advice, counsel, Temptation, Trust the Lord
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Proverbial Thought 