Proverbs 1: 8-19

King James Version Proverbs 1:

8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible Proverbs 1:

8 My son, heed the discipline of your father,and do not abandon the teaching of your mother;
9 they will be a garland to grace your head,a medal of honor for your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you,don’t go along with them.
11 Suppose they say, “Come with us: we’ll ambush somebody and kill him, we’ll waylay some harmless soul, just for fun;
12 we’ll swallow him alive, like Sh’ol, whole, like those who descend to the pit;
13 we’ll find everything he has of value, we’ll fill our homes with loot!
14 Throw in your lot with us; we’ll share a common purse” —
15 my son, don’t go along with them, don’t set foot on their path;
16 Their feet run to evil,they rush to shed blood.
17 For in vain is the net baited if any bird can see it;
18 rather, they are ambushing themselves to shed their own blood, waylaying themselves.
19 So are the ways of all greedy for gain —it takes the lives of those who get it.

I have previously discussed the value of not only. learning but also receiving, wisdom as we grow in the Lord.Not just in the Lord,but,also, growing and maturing in life. Now, we see that Proverbs is teaching us to “heed the discipline of your father,and do not abandon the teaching of your mother.” Those words alone convey so much. In the world that we live in, especially. Sadly, too many children never have the value of parental teaching and guidance.

For this study, I will simply say that we are taught from birth, practically, to not ignore the words of our parents.
Proverbs teaches that ‘those words of wisdom’ so often ignored by youth… “will be a garland to grace your head, a medal of honor for your neck.”

Not exactly what any rebellious listener, child, or teen… or anyone… wants to hear.The words are true, nevertheless.
How often do we, as parents, teach our children NOT to cross the street without looking first? Not to touch a hot stove?
Not to go with strangers? Not to steal, not to lie? The list goes on. We do it for their protection…not because we enjoy
the sound of our own voices. We do it to ensure their safety and well-being. Just as our Father does for us.

We teach our children to not be afraid to stay true to themsleves; to not follow blindy where others may lead ..simply
to be in “the in crowd.” We teach them to remain strong in their beliefs: that only then, will they be truly happy.
That being part of that crowd may be fun, for awhile….but the feeling goes away and leaves them feeling empty.
That true friends will be there because of who our children are. NOT because of their clothes that day; or the latest hairstyle.
We try to teach them that following the crowd is not always a good thing.

Proverbs tells us that,”if sinners entice you,don’t go along with them.Suppose they say, “Come with us: we’ll ambush somebody
and kill him, we’ll waylay some harmless soul, just for fun; we’ll swallow him alive, like Sh’ol, whole, like those who descend
to the pit;we’ll find everything he has of value, we’ll fill our homes with loot! Throw in your lot with us; we’ll share a
common purse” — don’t go along with them, don’t set foot on their path; Their feet run to evil,they rush to shed blood.”

Sound familiar??? ~ Don’t go with the crowd: don’t follow after strangers.Even if they promise a good time….”let’s do it
for fun!” That crowd will end up possibly being your worst nightmare. As you run, to be “part of the crowd”… it becomes a
net of evil; entrapping you even as a net might entrap a bird. Do not get so caught up in becoming part of the crowd, that you
forget the words of your youth. The Words that haunt your heart…”I love you, my child, I know what’s best for you. Please don’t go down that road”.

Do not get so caught up with “it’s all just fun” lest you forget that you may be setting yourself
up for a heartbreak. A heartbreak that you may never get over. “They are ambushing themselves to shed their own blood, waylaying themselves.
So are the ways of all greedy for gain —it takes the lives of those who get it”. In having so much “fun” you may end up
causing yourself far much more pain that you can even imagine.

I am not trying to tell anyone that having fun is wrong: far from it. I am only trying to stress that we use our hard earned
wisdom in making that choice. Whatever choice that might be. It applies to anything; not just”fun”. Anyone can have fun doing anything.
Eating ice cream can be blast:just ask a two year old! I can have fun just simply  being with someone that I care about. I believe that Proverbs
is teaching us that. Do not be so greedy, or so caught up with following that elusive crowd, that you forget to be YOU.
That you forget the wisdom of those far wiser than you; who have taught you. Do not forget your own wisdom, in making your choices in this life.

Sometimes, I know, that our emotions seem to be more in control than our wisdom. THAT is what we (me included) must attempt to evade.
Our emotions may not always make the best choice. Running with the crowd is fun for a while. Unfortunately,we always have to come home…alone. Can you be alone,and be absolutely happy with the choices that you have made? We can’t always be with the crowd. We have to face the mirror. We have to stare at ourselves, and decide if we can live with our choices.

“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb,
and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”.

Be Blessed, my friends, as we all grow and learn in His wisdom.

Proverbs 1:1,2

In the King James Version, it is written : “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding” or, in the Complete Jewish Bible: ” The proverbs of Shlomo the son of David,king of Isra’el are for learning about wisdom and discipline”.
All of us have known that the Book of Proverbs was in fact, exactly that. We have all quoted the words of wisdom that we have found in that book.
But, have we.. really… in the words of my father, analyzed them? Really thought about them, or ever attempted to apply them to our daily life?
That is the reason that they were written, after all. For us “to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding”.
For the next few months, or how ever long it may take, I am going to endeavor to study the Book of Proverbs, and share with you, what I learn from it. Hopefully, we may even learn together!
To quote Albert Einstein – “Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” I want to understand…I want to learn. As the old adage states.. a day without learning, is a day wasted! So, let me go to the One Who knows All…. let me read and understand HIS wisdom, that I may behold His Glory.
Let me learn “to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding”.
Unitl next time, my friends, I leave you with one more quote: “The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him.” ― John Milton
May you be Blessed.

Following the Path of my Ancestors

I have recently been out of town for a week, travelling and visiting friends as well as family. I also got the privilege of touring two state parks along the way, and to visit the Cahokia Mounds in IL as well as the Wickliffe Mounds in KY. It was very interesting, and a bit spiritual for me, as I have American Indian Ancestry  through  several lines of my family.
As a child, I would often visit Shiloh, TN with my family. I remember being so connected to those mounds there; without even knowing my ancestry, really. Now, that I do know my ancestry, the memories are even more poignant. Walking the old ” Indian Trail” with my Dad used to mean so much to me. I wasn’t really aware of anything “spiritual” except for the complete and utter quietness of the walk; disturbed only by the occasional chatter of the squirrels, and the chirping of gossiping birds.
Were my Ancestors calling me to follow their path?  Is that  even a possiblity, you may ask?  As an adult, I am very aware that there is much to this world that we will never know. I do believe that my ancestors are an integral part of my being. That because of them, I am who I am. Their blood courses through my being, and I do owe them my respect. I may, or may not, agree with their choices; as their descendant, I choose to believe that they did the best that they knew how to. Under any and all extreme circumstances that I have no possible knowledge of.
So, in retrospect, I suppose that I believe my Ancestors have called me to follow them. At least, in the sense that I am the “storyteller” of my generation. To remember them, to acknowledge their existence and to pass along their stories. As much as I can, anyway. Who else will tell their stories? Who else will remember them? To acknowledge them:  to know, that yes, they lived. They had lives, loves, and stories of their own. Someone has to carry thier memories. Someone has to tell their stories. So that all will know that they were here, walking these lands, before us. One day, perhaps, someone else will attempt to tell my story. I hope that the journey  I take  is worth the telling.

Through it all……God is with me.

I  have been thinking of that old hymn, “If the  Lord wasn’t walking my my side.”  Those words resonate in my mind.  Knowing  that He is  in control has gotten me through the worst times of my life.  I cannot imagine how I would have gotten through without knowing that He was there.  Helpless? Isolated? Lonley? Terrified? Heart broken?  I have “been there, done that and got the T shirt”.  Without knowing that He  was walking by my side, and carrying me, during the worst times, … I cannot imagine those  scenarios  without that  assurance.

I  gave my heart to Him when I was only 12, and, I have made many mistakes along the way.  No one is perfect. I never claimed that title. I only know in Whom I depend. He has never once failed me, and He never will.  I am so grateful to be His daughter. I am so grateful  just  to know Him. He is my Everything.

When  all else fails; He will never fail.  As  I  grow older; more and more , I realize my inferiority. He is  Omnipotent; I am not. He is  the Alpha and Omega; I am barely a dot in  the middle. All that I am, all that I have, is because of Him. His Grace, His Love, are  the only things in this world that will ever matter.

If  one word that I can say or write, will glorfiy my Lord; then my life is not in vain.  If one word will help alleviate someone’s pain, then, my story is worth  telling.

In all that I do, let Him be glorified. “If the  Lord wasn’t walking my my side.”  Let Him be Glorified!!

God’s Peace Pact

I recently published my first book, now available on Amazon. “God’s Peace Pact”  is an inspirational journey, learning to trust God more in daily life. Through much prayer, realizing an often overlooked promise from God; His peace pact with His children. Endeavoring to discover more about this promise leads you on another path; to learn more about the heart of God and, studying His Everlasting Covenant with His children. Take this journey, and discover His peace pact for your life! His Promise, His Comfort, to His children as they walk with this path called life. You will not be disappointed as you see the Promises of God unfold!     http://www.wanda-nelson.org/

My dad.. rest in peace, my precious father

This year has been a torrent of emotions. I haven’t written lately, due to weighing words against emotions. In April, I lost my precious Dad. He went in the hospital, with pneumonia. I spoke to him Friday, he told me that he was feeling rough, to pray for him. A week later, on Saturday, at 1 pm, he stopped breathing. He went very peacefully, in his sleep. We got down there Friday afternoon, and he knew that we were there. He still recognized us, thankfully. He was on so many meds, and, on oxygen. He was beyond speaking by the time we arrived. But, he knew us. My sister and I were joking & he laughed at us. Silently, but, it was a laugh. My son sat next to Dad all night, and held his hand. In fact, he held his hand until the moment that Dad passed. He loved his grandfather, and my Dad had literally been the only father my son had. I re-married when my son was 16. So, Lane ( my son) and his grandfather were very close. It was very hard to watch the two guys I love most ( next to my husband), holding each other’s hand until the very end. But, neither of them would have had it any other way.
But, if there is ever anything to be grateful for, when you lose someone you love …. Dad still knew us all when he passed away. From my previous posts, you know Dad had Alzheimer’s. He would not have wanted to be in a world in which he didn’t recognize his loved ones. So, our prayers were answered. Dad left this earth, knowing he was surrounded by his family. Knowing that we all adored him. For that, I am very grateful.
I love you, Dad. This weekend, you would have been 81. I sure hope you had a big party in Heaven. We sure missed you down here. We always will.

Genealogy ~ a treasure of stories & legends

I grew up hearing  stories  from my dad  about his family.  The little  that  he knew of them, he loved telling.   Some of my earliest memories  involved begging him to  tell me of  the grandparents I never  got to meet. Death came way  too soon for them both. My grandmother was only 28 when tuberculosis  claimed her life, my grandfather was  killed in a logging accident  two months before his 53rd  birthday.   I would listen in fascination about family I never  got to meet.

After  becoming an adult, I was determined  to  try and find out  about my dad’s family.  He never  got  to  meet any of his dad’s family. So, I was determined to help him find them. I started  going to the library with what littel information I had. I was ablr to find out quite a bit  about my grandmother’s family in Arkansas. My grandfather’s family, not so much luck. I did  discover the paternal line,but nothing  about  my great grandmother.  Then… along came the internet!!! 

I almost wept when I  FINALLY  found my great grandmother’s family  in Alabama. I have been able to talk to different cousins along the way, hearing their stories.It  has been  so much fun to reconnect with ones I haven’t seen  in years, and to find new ones as well. I spoke to a cousin  a few years ago that still had the spinning wheel  my great great grandfather  bought my great great grandmother. The  story  states he paid  about $5  for it back  in the late 1800’s.

I  have collected over 13,000 names  in my family tree. It  has taken me ove 20 years, and I still am researching  my sources. But, I  finally know where I came  from. I  can leave my children with that knowledege, if they ever  become interested in it. It has truly been a treasure hunt  that  I will probably never completely  end.

Another day closer……

 My nephew  is about to head to Iraq. He leaves in Feb. We all knew it was coming, like so many other families. Actually being prepared…..  a very different  story. I don’t  get to see much of my family, anyway, since we  moved to the  Midwest.  I speak to them ( my sisters and parents) almost every day, though.  I cannot imagine what my sister must  be feeling, or in fact, what my nephew feels.  My  family has always been a military family, my grandfather was in WWI, my uncle in WWII,  my dad in the Korean conflict, my cousin in Vietnam, my brother-in-law, as well as my husband, fought in the  Gulf War.  I remember  watching the action during the Gulf  War…  I never thought  my nephew would be  in the same area  a few short years  later. I know our family  is not alone in facing our fears, and our concern, for all our kids over there.  I  just wish  they could  ALL  come home.   I will respect the  military as long as I live, but, that doesn’t negate the fact that sometimes I wonder why they are still over there. I’m a mom… I am allowed to think that !    I just  imagine  how I would feel if it was one of mine ( and  since I helped raise my nephew, I feel like  he is mine). My own son worked ( non-miltary) in Korea  and China  for over two   years. That  was  hard enough, knowing  I could not get there  if he needed   me.   Finances  have a way  of stopping that.  But, going to a war is  very very different.  All  we can  do is pray that our kids return home safely…….. everyday…..  God Bless  all  of you who  are connected in anyw ay to all branches  of our military…. God  keep  you safe. You  ARE  our heroes.

Hello, Everyone!

Hi, and  welcome to my   little  corner   of the world !     Since  I am in the process of publishing a recipe book…. I ‘ll share a recipe. I have collected over 200  recipes from  family, and I will make sure they get any credit 🙂

Chicken-n-Rice

 This is one of my favorite recipes.  My family loves it. It is  easy to make, and  doesn’t  require  much time.   If you try it, and  like it… leave me a comment!   Until next time….  have a blessed  day ! 

 Chicken-n-Rice

 

4 boneless chicken breasts  

1 1/2 c minute rice

4-6 small bell peppers, sliced into bite size pieces

1-2 large tomatoes

1 envelope tomato,garlic & basil marinade

　

Place oil into pan ( enough to cover bottom completely), add chicken. Sprinkle marinade over chicken, about 1/4 of envelope. When you turn the chicken, while cooking, sprinkle another 1/4 of the marinade over the chiken.

Pre-cook rice in microwave,a s directed, about 7-8 minutes.

When chicken pieces are 3/4 done, add 1/2 of the tomatoes & peppers to pan.Stir frequently. Add a bit more mariande to mixture. Add rice, and stir in the remaining marinade. Add remaining tomatoes & peppers.

Simmer until rice and chicken are completely done. Top with shredded Cheddar cheese, if desired.

Serves 4.