Joseph Patty, Associate Director of Student Ministry; Lamenter of the State of Popular Music Proverbs 5:1-9, 18 My son, pay attention to my wisdom,     turn your ear to my words of insight, 2 that you may maintain discretion     and your lips may preserve knowledge. 3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,     and her speech is smoother than oil; 4 but in the end she is bitter as gall,     sharp as a double-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death;     her steps lead straight to the grave. 6 She gives no thought to the way of [...]

By Cynthia Wier, member of the Gene Decker Study Class and St. Luke’s since 1975 Proverbs 14: 26 (RSV) In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have refuge. Reflection: The word "fear" usually conjures up images of fright, danger, or something unsettling, an event that tears apart our sense of peace and comfort. I am afraid of heights. I am horrified when cars cut in front of me on the freeway, just barely missing a collision. And I am stressed out when someone I love is ill. The Book of Proverbs presents [...]

Erin Campbell Naman, church member since 2009, member of Children’s Council, member of Lay Leadership Council Proverbs 21:30 (NIV) There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. Reflection: A few weeks in and 2021 hasn’t turned out much better than her predecessor. We are still in the midst of a global pandemic, we are still divided as a country, people are still struggling from financial difficulties, and relationships are still strained from these divided times. Where is the hope? But then I read these 14 words in Proverbs and am reminded that nothing [...]

Warren Fisher, Genesis Sunday School Co-Leader, Member since 1988 Proverbs 29:11 (NRSV)  A fool gives full vent to anger,     but the wise quietly holds it back.  Proverbs 29:20 (NRSV) Do you see someone who is hasty in speech?     There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that. Reflection: Anger and hasty speech seem to be everywhere these days. Modern social media, communication technologies, and 24/7 news streams mean that words spoken hastily or in anger (or often both) are instantly disseminated. Such words can do much harm…to the speaker, to the subject, and to the hearer. [...]

Rev. Michelle Manuel Proverbs 13:1-6 A wise child loves discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2 From the fruit of their words good persons eat good things, but the desire of the treacherous is for wrongdoing. 3 Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin. 4 The appetite of the lazy craves, and gets nothing, while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied. 5 The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked act shamefully and disgracefully. 6 Righteousness guards one whose way is upright, but sin overthrows [...]

Joseph Patty, Associate Director of Student Ministries Proverbs 4:7-9, 14-19 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.     Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;     embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will give you a garland to grace your head     and present you with a glorious crown.”  14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked     or walk in the way of evildoers. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;     turn from it and go on your way. 16 For they cannot rest [...]

Craig Lafollette, Member since 1988, Goodwill class Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.  Reflection: Chris and I moved to Houston in September of 1980. I took a job with a small real estate development company, where a good friend worked. I had little experience in real estate, but the Houston real estate market was on fire. Big buildings were being [...]

Shelby Olive, Communications Associate Proverbs 31:1-9 1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: 2 No, my son! No, son of my womb!      No, son of my vows!  3 Do not give your strength to women,      your ways to those who destroy kings.  4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,      it is not for kings to drink wine,      or for rulers to desire strong drink;  5 or else they will drink and forget what has been decreed,      and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.  6 Give strong drink to one who [...]

Peggy Roe, Board of Trustees Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Reflection: According to several sources, the book of Proverbs was written around 700 BCE; the author is purported to be King Solomon, who is known for his wisdom. A striking fact is that even three millennia ago, a Jewish king was addressing parents who were worried about how to raise their children to be caring, responsible adults. In the Jewish tradition, the “sins of the fathers will be visited upon [...]

Rev. Katie Montgomery Mears, Director of Adult Ministries and Pastor of Contemporary Worship Proverbs 10:11 (CEB) The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Reflection: Against the manufacturer’s warning, our dryer is stacked on top of our washer. This generally doesn’t pose any issues, except when I am leaning down to pull stuff out of the washer, and I have forgotten to close the dryer door and it’s just swinging above me. I accidentally did that yesterday, and when I stood up, I banged my head into the dryer [...]