Category Archives: Proverbs

Final Sunday in the ‘verbs!

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the 'verbs - 31 days in Proverbs

This Sunday is the final week of our study of the book of Proverbs at actionchurch.   Whether you’ve read every chapter of Proverbs  and attended each Sunday of the series in January, or if you’ve never opened the book and Proverbs and Sunday will be your first week at actionchurch, you won’t want to miss the answers to these super important questions:  Why are we so bad at this whole wisdom and discipline thing?   Why do we so often do stupid things even when we know better?   Is there anything we should know that would increase our odds of success?  Why is Jersey Shore getting picked up for another season? 

Although NO ONE can answer the final question :-),  on Sunday we will talk about some surprisingly simple answers from the Book of Proverbs that change EVERYTHING when it comes to trying to live a life of success and  significance.

I’m also really excited to say that Calling out Closer (listen to them here) will be our musical Guest on Sunday.  2011 has already been a great year for music at actionchurch, and if you have ever experience this band, you know that Sunday will exceptional.

As always, your kids are welcome, and they will find that the very best part of actionchurch is actionkidz!

I hope you are joining us in reading thru the book of Proverbs in the month of January.  Today’s reading is Chapter 28

The band kicks off at 10:30.  Come early for Coffee, donuts, and bagels.  See you Sunday!   (Directions)

Snow Day(s)

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the 'verbs - 31 days in Proverbs

I think verse one of todays reading (Proverbs Chapter 27) is undeniably about snow days here in York County.

Don’t brag about tomorrow,  since you don’t know what the day will bring.                         Proverbs 27:1

No matter how well you plan your schedule, no matter how carefully you plan, a few inches of fluffy white stuff will totally change your week.  

Even though  meteorologists now give online hour by hour forecasts. 

Even if your garage is filled with a four wheel drive vehicle, stacks of driveway salt,  and a turbo charged snow blower.

Just a few inches of fluffy white stuff from the sky will completely change your plans for the week.  Stuff will get canceled.   Things will get post-poned.  Sidewalks will be shoveled and snow-men (or ladies) will get built,  INSTEAD OF the things you had planned for the week.

…and I’m completely fine with that. 

Snow reminds us what a limited ability we have to predict and prepare for the future.  It reminds us that science and technology (notwithstanding the Super Doppler Color Radar 5000)  can at best observe natures patterns…but are powerless to change or stop it’s course.  Snow reminds us that the smallest things of God can bring our biggest plans to a grinding halt.

Make your plans.  Be prepared.  Make allowances for “snow days”.

Sounds like…

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the 'verbs - 31 days in Proverbs

Today in the ‘verbs, we’re reading Proverbs Chapter 25.  As I was reading this morning I noticed repeatedly that some of the concepts sounded familiar.

Don’t demand an audience with the king
      or push for a place among the great.
 It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table
      than to be sent away in public disgrace. 

Proverbs 25:6-7

Sounds Like: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?  The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!  “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. -Jesus  

 (Luke 14:8-10)

How about:

Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.  If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.  If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,
 and the Lord will reward you.  Proverbs 25:20-22

Totally Sounds Like:   Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep Romans 12:14-15

And: But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.  If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.  If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.-Jesus  

 (Matthew 5:39-41)

Wisdom doesn’t change.  The concepts of Proverbs are the same as those taught  in the New Testament.  Wisdom didn’t change over the centuries that passed between King Solomon and Jesus.  It  has remained the same over the centuries between the time of Jesus and 2011 (which is I guess, the “time of Justin Bieber” :-) ).

Apply as necessary…

Sunday @ actionchurch

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the 'verbs - 31 days in Proverbs

This Sunday we’ll spend another week in the ‘verbs talking about some attitudes that the Proverbs warned about thousands of years ago-that can still WRECK your life today!   This first teaching series has been one of the most intense, personal, and helpful series that we have ever taken on at actionchurch.  I believe Sunday will definitely carry on that “streak”.

I encourage you to read along with us as we read one chapter of Proverbs per day in January.  Todays reading is Proverbs Chapter 21.

If you missed any of the previous weeks of “The ‘verbs” series you can check out the podcasts here.

January 2: Podcast

January 9: Podcast

January 16: Podcast

Darry Miller and the Veil will carry on our streak of really great bands this month by being our musical guest,  (Listen to them here).  I’ll be trying my hand at writing a “Proverb” myself.  :-)  and as always your kids will love actionkidz, so bring them along.  

Service starts at 10:30 at Frank Theaters (Queensgate Stadium 13).  Come early for Coffee, Donuts, Bagels, and a chance to hang with other actionchurch folks.   (Directions)