Tag Archives: Learning

December 26, 2019

Everyday Valentine

By Daniel M. Klem

Proverbs 16:23

 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

As I write this, St. Valentine’s Day is approaching.

Do you know who Valentine was?

Valentine was a man who was killed by the Roman Empire on February 14 in 269 or 270. Why?

His biggest crime was helping Christians get married (which makes St. Valentine’s Day make some more sense). At that time, Christianity still was not recognized as a legal, and, in fact, it was illegal for Christians to marry.

It was also illegal for Christians to do many things.

Valentine, on the other hand, loved God more than he loved the Roman Empire.

Learned and Spoken

The more Valentine learned the love of God for people, the more he had to share it.

The closer his heart got to the heart of God, the more spoke up for people society said were worthless.

The more he attained of God’s wisdom in his heart, the more he spoke of the need for peace and grace.

The more wisdom taught his heart of God’s purity, the more he taught chastity to single men and women.

Valentine taught what he knew: God’s love and grace for all people at all times.

Will you be my Valentine?

Do you think you can live like Valentine?

It is really quite simple: Love everyone.

This is accomplished by letting the love and wisdom of God fill your heart, and “out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45, ESV).

Let the love and wisdom of God flow through and out of you to reveal to others the truth of God’s love. There is no greater learning you can get. As Valentine would attest.

Loving God, teach us to be wise by Your standard: to learn to love as You love; to share Your words of love; to show love to all people.

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October 4, 2019

Knowledge Looks Good On You

By Anthony Baker

Proverbs 14:18

“The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.”

Making a Deal

When I was young, there was a very popular game show on television called Let’s Make a Deal. One of the most popular aspects of that show was the opportunity given to contestants to choose their prize. They could choose between what they were initially given, or take a risk and exchange it for something else…usually behind “curtain number 1.”

More often than not, the contestants would choose to take the risk – and it was a risk – and surrender what was in hand (even though they may have not know what that was, either) for whatever was hidden behind one of several curtains.

And, more often than not, as far as I can remember, the contestants usually ended up with something pretty silly, like a lifetime supply of toothpicks. On the other hand, there were those who made bank. “You just won a brand new car!”

For those who wanted to take a risk and play the game, the outcome was still better than having never played at all.

But let’s just imagine if the “simple” person in this proverb was on a similar game show. What might we see?

“Let’s Get a Crown!” 

Imagine the simple man of this verse traveling to Hollywood to compete on Let’s Get a Crown!. Imagine him being selected from the crowd and being asked to “come on down” to the front to stand with the host.

After being selected as a contestant, Mr. Simple is given a small prize – a gilded toilet bowl plunger. Then, after a laugh, the game show host offers Mr. Simple a few curtains from which to choose, noting that behind each is a prize far more grand than the one already in his possession.

Host: “Sir, all you have to do is trade that gilded plunger for one of those curtains, and I guarantee, regardless of your choice, the prize will be far more valuable. Which do you want to choose?”

Mr. Simple: “Well, Bob, I think I’ll just keep my plunger.”

Host: “What? You could trade that plunger in for a chance at much greater things! Surely you’d rather walk out of here with a prize to be proud of, wouldn’t you?”

Mr. Simple: “Nah. I have what I have. It’ll do. I’m not leaving empty-handed, so why ask for anything more?”

Choose to Learn

We could approach Proverbs 14:18 from several different directions, but the one I would like to take is that of one who settles with ignorance rather than striving for knowledge.

Consider the word inherit in the first part of this proverb. It is in the “perfect tense,” which means the inheriting of folly is a completed action – it’s done.

The word crowned in the second part is different; it’s in the “imperfect tense.” In other words, it’s an on-going thing, not something that is finished.

The simple – the foolish – are content with what they know and are content in their ignorance.

However, the prudent understand the value of learning and are not content with the gilded plunger of ignorance! They are ever expanding the substance of their inheritance and continue to add to their estate and wear a crown to prove it…

…much like those who come here to learn a little more about God’s Word.

Knowledge looks good on you 🙂 

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Knowledge, Value and Worth, Wisdom

August 13, 2018

A Beauty of Gray

By Daniel M. Klem

The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. -Proverbs 20:29, KJV

I have always wanted gray (or even white) hair.

I know. I am fairly odd.

I have three friends who all went white-haired in their twenties. A few others were noticeably gray by 25.

As for yours truly, I have earned a few gray hairs over my few short years.

At least I am tall and lanky so that I have some semblance of strength. I am a bit of a gentle giant, and that garners some respect (mostly from my wife who can’t reach top shelves or move heavy boxes or bags easily.)

But why do I want gray hair?

I instinctively understood it as a child, but grew to understand it better as I grew.

It is not just that it can look dignified. Gray hairs tell others we have been through life. They tell others we have struggled through some of life’s problems and come out wiser.

Gray hairs are earned by learning life lessons the hard way.

I have been through my share of struggles and have earned some grays, but the Lord blessed me with thick, persistently dark hair.

It almost scares me to consider how much wisdom He yet wants me to learn (“fear the Lord”), but the few grays I do own have taught me to trust His lessons and timing.

And that is beautiful.

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June 17, 2018

A Tale of Two Dads

By Daniel M. Klem

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. -Proverbs 12:1, KJV

Loves Knowledge

My dad has always loved knowledge. For a long time he had a subscription to National Geographic magazine. He still enjoys watching a good documentary. (Sometimes even a bad documentary.)

He made sure his children understood why he loves these things, to be able have a better understanding of our world and the people and places in it. Then he could avoid stupid mistakes, or, when a mistake was made or he flat out did something wrong, he could learn from it.

Hates Correction

A friend of mine had (yes, past tense) a dad who “never did anything wrong.” He taught his kids how to weasel out of responsibility, to not get caught. Since nothing was his fault, he could live with a “clean conscience” knowing no one was coming after him. His only sense of discipline was in crafting better excuses and his body to deal with those who got in his way. (One day, this mentality is what helped lead to his … past tense-ness.)

Outcomes

Clearly, my dad’s instruction and discipline helped to lead me toward Christ (which then led my parents to Him).

My friend and his dad never (or at least not yet, for my friend) saw a need for the Savior. If nothing is your fault, you are guiltless, right? It is easier to fight or weasel your way out of trouble.

Wisdom sees our need for knowledge and correction, and those will ultimately lead to our good God.

Oh, and happy father’s day!

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in discipline, Knowledge, Parenting, Paths of Life

April 9, 2018

The End Result of Knowledge

By Anthony Baker

Week Two – Chapter Two

Here we are in the second week of our new study (or thinking) through the book of Proverbs, and I am excited to share with you what the Spirit lays on my heart. When the other authors’ schedules clear, you will be enjoying a greater variety of “thought.” But until that happens, I am determined to keep the posts coming on a daily basis, even if I have to write them all.

However, I’m not exactly protesting; I love to read God’s word and share what I find! Every time I sit down with my Bible I learn something. Every time I sit down to write I receive a blessing. Really, it’s not a chore; it’s a joy.

Determined

Speaking of determined, the first four verses of Proverbs chapter 2 are full of language that describes someone who is determined to learn. Should Solomon’s son be one that listens to his words and takes his advice to heart, he will be the type of person whose appetite for knowledge and understanding is insatiable. For example, a genuine learner will do the following:

  • listen hard to wisdom
  • apply his heart to understanding
  • cry after knowledge
  • call out for understanding
  • seek and search, like as for silver or hidden treasure

Sounds like the perfect student, doesn’t it? Do you have that kind of desire to learn? Many people do, and they are usually the doctors, scientists, and entrepreneurs that make us all jealous of their success.

All it takes is determination.

What We Find

But what Solomon says we find when we diligently seek after knowledge is not what the modern mind assumes; as the wise person increases in knowledge and understanding, he better understands the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:1-5 – My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, [and] apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, [and] liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (emphasis mine)

There used to be scientists who, when they studied, gained a greater appreciation for the Creator.

“When I was young, I said to God, “God, tell me the mystery of the universe.” But God answered, “That knowledge is reserved for me alone.” So I said, “God, tell me the mystery of the peanut.” Then God said, “Well George, that’s more nearly your size.” And he told me.” – George Washington Carver

These days all we hear about are scientists, etc., who seek to learn only to prove to themselves that there is no God. They miss the point of learning and have no fear of the Lord, much less a greater understanding of the Creator and the mystery of His creation.

If there seems to be a void in your education, you may have been listening to the words of the wrong Solomon. The end result of a search for knowledge and understanding should be anything but atheism.

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February 14, 2013

Everyday Valentine

By Daniel M. Klem

Proverbs 16:23

23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

As I write this, St. Valentine’s Day is approaching.

Do you know who Valentine was?

Valentine was a man who was killed by the Roman Empire on February 14 in 269 or 270. Why?

His biggest crime was helping Christians get married (which makes St. Valentine’s Day make some more sense). At that time, Christianity still was not recognized as a legal, and, in fact, it was illegal for Christians to marry.

It was also illegal for Christians to do many things.

Valentine, on the other hand, loved God more than he loved the Roman Empire.

Learned and Spoken

The more Valentine learned the love of God for people, the more he had to share it.

The closer his heart got to the heart of God, the more spoke up for people society said were worthless.

The more he attained of God’s wisdom in his heart, the more he spoke of the need for peace and grace.

The more wisdom taught his heart of God’s purity, the more he taught chastity to single men and women.

Valentine taught what he knew: God’s love and grace for all people at all times.

Will you be my Valentine?

Do you think you can live like Valentine?

It is really quite simple: Love everyone.

This is accomplished by letting the love and wisdom of God fill your heart, and “out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45, ESV).

Let the love and wisdom of God flow through and out of you to reveal to others the truth of God’s love. There is no greater learning you can get. As Valentine would attest.

Loving God, teach us to be wise by Your standard: to learn to love as You love; to share Your words of love; to show love to all people.

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in conversation/speech, Knowledge