The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. Proverbs 18:4 Wisdom:Word pictures in Scripture, when creation is used to illustrate God's character and principles, are usually helpful in explaining the meaning of a passage. Often water is related to explanations of salvation (ex: living water, washing, eternal life, etc.) However, this depiction of water is with wisdom - a bubbling brook. The following lists are by no means exhaustive, but simple attempts to meditate on not-so-simple truths. How is wisdom a fountain? or a bubbling brook? First, it says THE fountain of wisdom. Our world offers plenty of suggestions and advice, but ultimately true wisdom is God's. He is the Fountain, the source of wisdom. A fountain is refreshing, never runs out, springs forth, and is available for all who find it! A bubbling brook is gentle, winds and flows over rocks and in valleys, is joyful, and soothing just to listen to. Likewise, God's wisdom is relevant for all circumstances, applicable for every situation, brings life, renewal, and discernment. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. ... The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. ... Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly. Prov. 10:11, 13:14, 16:22 How do we get wisdom?
Wisdom is...Knowledge; Is evidenced by good conversation, meekness, mercy and good works, righteousness It is pure, peaceable, gentle, listens to reason, genuine, truthful, sincere It will guard you & watch over you & exalt you, honor you Brings grace and beauty Reveals right things, speaks truth, is straightforward, gives instruction and knowledge, Better than the latest fashion, fine jewelry, or money Brings prudence, discretion, counsel, understanding, power, wealth Walking justly & judging rightly Is eternal, established before the earth Heeding instruction, being teachable, listens to instruction to be wiser still, accepts correction, store up knowledge, Makes a glad father Builds up, encourages her house (with words & actions) Foundation for a home, heavenly riches and rewards Is full of strength Leads to victory in battle Comes from an abundance of counselors Is safe and speaks up to save the weak Sweet to the soul Better than material riches or pleasures Brings hope and a future James 3:13, 17-18; 1 Cor 3:18-20, Prov 4:5-9, 7:1-4, ch 8, ch 9, 10:1, 13-14, 23, ch 14, 15: 2-7, 24: 3-7, 13-14 For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jer. 2:13
I remember watching the green fields of rice grow more distant with watery eyes as the plane left Guyana over a year ago. I hoped - but did not expect to ever return to the country that opened my eyes in so many ways to seeing the body of Christ in another place and that challenged me to be ready always to give an answer for the hope that is in us. My trip to Guyana in January 2015 with Medical Missions Outreach was my very first missions trip, and to say that it opened my eyes would be an understatement. To be - for a short time - even a small part of what the Lord is doing there left a great impression on my mind. While I have had the opportunity to travel to a couple other countries since then, Guyana and MMO still held a special place in my heart. As we returned this summer to serve again with the Yankana family and Bible Baptist Church in Grove, it was a exciting to see how the church is continuing to minister. Below is video compiling some video clips from the week and pictures. Sunday, we enjoyed worshipping with Pastor Yankana and Bible Baptist Church. The children sang so enthusiastically in Sunday School and were a great blessing! So many of the church members were served so faithfully helping set up and tear down clinic, driving the buses throughout the week, and preparing meals. We were thankful to have the opportunity to serve alongside them.
During the week, I worked in the Lab. The clinics are set up with 1) Registration 2) Triage 3) Seeing a Provider 4) Lab if necessary and 5) Evangelism while the pharmacy fills prescriptions for each patient. We were also excited to have the Vision Clinic this year! With our reading charts and the auto-refractors their glasses were very popular among the patients. It is usually a great draw to the clinic. Lack of clear vision is a great detriment for many people especially who work with their hands, and many patients were excited to be able to read again. Some things the Lord has kept on my mind even as I returned home was the importance of being obedient to the Spirit - not because we feel adequate but because Christ wants a willing heart. Throughout the week, I can be fairly comfortable and even confident cleaning ears, taking blood pressure, and dressing wounds. Likewise, as Christians, we are to study to by approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. In a society of political correctness to the point it is stifling, it is easy to slip into the mindset that our statements and remarks in public must be general, generic, and non-controversial or in other words remove all references to our God. While is usually profits little to debate, it is appropriate to give Him honor and praise! If we are not willing to speak of the hope that we have, who will? There are lots of other voices loudly proclaiming false hope; may we be bold to share the life we have been given! The Medical Clinic:Registration and Triage: Providing wound care and working in the Lab... These flyers and posters where made weeks before we came, to tell the community about the clinic! the whole team helps with preparing medications such as vitamins for children and adults when it rains, it pours! The providers: a team of doctors and nurses Sharing the Good News! The Vision Clinic:The People:Between playing cricket on the street, and climbing trees, these boys were excellent at the flips! The Communities:These are just a few of the Mandirs and Mosques we regularly passed, representing the Hindu and Islamic strongholds in the country. Georgetown:Food & Fun:Everything always tasted delicious: plantains, curry chicken, star fruit... but the sloth was definitely at the top our list of cool things!
They are getting married! We may live many states apart, but I hope we will always be close.
Thanks for having me be a part of your day :) Looking forward to being your bridesmaid! ~ special delivery, wrapped in love, greatly anticipated ~ For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Ps 139:13-16 I cannot help but smile looking at these pictures. These sweet girls are a testimony of some pretty amazing parents! Their countenances genuinely glow with energy, adventure, and joy. Even some rain could not keep them from shining! I had great fun hopping gazebos with you all and am so thankful we got to meet; you quickly made me feel like an old friend :) ~ Sweet Sisters ~ |
AuthorI will be the first to admit that I am not a writer, but have a sincere aspiration to articulate Truth with grace, in love, seasoned with salt. Here is a journal of sorts, or photo documentations of a journey - one currently around the world in Papua New Guinea working at the Kunai Health Center. Thanks for visiting and your support! Archives
May 2019
Categories
All
|