Proverbs 19:1 Character matters to God

What does God require of us? 

He requires us to be…

fair

forgiving

humble in our walk with Him (Micah 6:8)

Satan is the father of lies and those who choose to lie have no depth and are without a moral compass. Carla. 

Proverbs 19:1

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. (NKJV)

This proverb, one of the “better than” proverbs (17:1, 10), presents a poor person in a more favorable light than a rich person (28:6). In this case, the poor person’s life is marked by integrity, whereas the successful person has gained his wealth through cheating and deception. The Book of Proverbs does not place a premium on health and wealth. It gives that honor to integrity (3:1–12). The NKJV Study Bible

Poverty with integrity is better than wealth gained deceitfully (16:8; 28:6). Proverbs frequently connects a person’s speech and character (14:25; 16:23; 17:27). The contrast in this proverb implies that wealth does not always go to people who deserve it. Faithlife Study Bible

Proverbs 28:6

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

Than  one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Proverbs 14:2

He who  walks in his uprightness fears the LORD,

But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

Proverbs 20:7

The righteous man walks in his integrity;

His children are blessed after him.

Psalm 26:11

But as for me, I will walk in my integrity;

Redeem me and be merciful to me.

Psalm 26:1

Vindicate me, O LORD,

For I have walked in my integrity.

I have also trusted in the LORD;

I shall not slip.

“In difficult times carry something beautiful in your heart.” Let us gratefully carry Blaise Pascal’s reminder with us today.

Along with Mary Oliver’s reminder,
“it is a serious thing
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world”

Somehow, the gift of just being me, isn't enough. And we disconnect from delight and wonder and joy and gratitude. It's as if we lose our true identity.

So. What if embracing the temporal nature of our life—that butterfly nature within—is about the permission to fall shamelessly and wholeheartedly in love with this life? And this moment—whatever it may bring? And what if this permission to fall wholeheartedly in love with this moment is about hearing the voice of grace?

Know this my friends: God’s grace, is our ballast.

God is alive in well in everyday life, and in the people around me

The ordinary is the hiding place for the holy

In small gifts and gestures, I find awe, and celebrate the sacrament of the present

In honoring grace, I say yes to sanctuary, resilience, unity, inclusiveness, wholeness and healing. Sabbath Moments

Romans 12:21 The good in us overcomes the evil that threatens to destroy us.

 Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. (NKJV)

Because of the actions of some Christians that profess faith in God but their actions show otherwise He is defamed. We were created to be doers not just hearers and our actions speak louder than our words. Without God’s love for all of His creation as our base we are just making noise. Carla

Romans 12:21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NKJV)

Freed from vengeance, believers can give themselves to mercy, even toward their enemies. By acts of kindness, the believers will heap coals of fire on the head of their enemies, perhaps bringing shame and repentance to them. It is possible for an enemy to become a friend. This is the phenomenal power of God’s love that believers are connected to through Christ. The NKJV Study Bible

Overcoming evil with good describes the consequence of the Christian ethics in verses 14–20. Good will prevail over evil when Christians respond to their enemies with love and blessings instead of revenge and curses.

Paul wants to ensure that Christians act as good citizens and avoid civic conflicts. This does not mean blind obedience, however. The Bible sometimes depicts people acting against public authorities in order to obey God. The Greek word used here, exousia, refers not to an abstract concept, but to the authority exercised by government officials. The Old Testament consistently views God as the ultimate authority over human government (Daniel 4:17). Faithlife Study Bible

Romans 12:1–2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

“God spoke today in flowers, and I, who was waiting on words, almost missed the conversation.” (Thank you, Ingrid Goff-Maidoff)

“What is sacred is what is worthy of our reverence,” Phil Cousineau wrote. “What evokes awe and wonder in the human heart, and what, when contemplated, transforms us utterly.”
Yes, and I’ve always loved Saint Augustine’s prayer, “Give me a transformed and undefended heart.”
So, why do we assume we will find solace only in a fastidious box. And, acting like four-year-old children five minutes out of the driveway on any family trip, “Are we there yet?”
But let’s pause. And begin here: This is not an assignment or project. Or motivational story to inspire us to perform. Here’s the deal: Pausing leads to seeing.
Seeing leads to celebrating (and to moments of awe, and yes, even to being giddy with delight).
Celebrating leads to honoring.
Honoring leads to cherishing.
It may not be a flower for you, but I wonder, when was the last time you were intoxicated with life? Enraptured, enthralled and captivated. Sabbath Moments

Revelation 21:3-8 Jesus has torn the veil that separated us from our loving, holy God.

God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that through Him the world could be saved! John 3:17

Two things that God detest is pride and arrogance. Our world at this time in HIStory seems to struggle with the evil that is trying to overcome the people of God. Only God, in the person of Jesus Christ, has overcome that which seeks to destroy us. We all fall short of the glory of God but in Him is eternal life. The truth of the only begotten Son who gave up His life for our sins and tore the veil that separated us from our holy  God is the only truth that matters. Carla

Revelation 21:3-8

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”  (NKJV)

In these  verses, God is described as dwelling among His people. This recalls the Incarnation, the fact that Jesus “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), and is a fulfillment of the promise in 7:15 that God will dwell among His redeemed people. A virtually identical promise was given to Israel in Ezekiel 37:27, 28. Wipe away every tear fulfills the promises in 7:17 and Isaiah 25:8. 

No more death … no more pain goes far beyond the earlier promise of 7:16, which promises freedom from hunger, thirst, and scorching heat. Former things have passed away echoes both verse 1 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. The believer’s rebirth through faith in Christ brings newness to that person’s life, but it is only in the eternal state that God will make all things new. The NKJV Study Bible

To take up residence with them describes the great hope in the book of Revelation and the whole Bible (Exodus 25:8; Leviticus 26:11–12; Ezekiel 37:26–27; Zechariah 2:10). Believers can be confident that in the end, they will be united with God. Dedicated to Him, belonging to Him.

God himself will be with them. Emphasizes that He will remain and reside with them.

God will extinguish all sorrow and grief (Revelation 7:17).

Death will not exist any longer. Christ conquered death on the cross; death was eradicated in 20:14. The saints will live eternally with God.

Pain will not exist any longer and describes  physical or bodily (as opposed to spiritual) death and discomfort—things brought about by the fall and the entrance of sin into humanity (Genesis 3).

Former things refers to the old or previous way of life or existence.

The one seated on the throne, God, Himself speaks.

I am making all things new.  John’s vision anticipates the restoration of an Eden-like state that also includes a reversal of the effects of humanity’s sin as described in Genesis 3.

Write, because these words are faithful and true.

It is done. The Greek term used here refers to completion—probably in reference to the words in verse 5 and the overall actions of verses 1–4. God has accomplished His purpose and made all things new. The Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, echoes the introduction of Christ in chapter 1. The one who conquers refers to those who remained faithful to Christ. He will be my son in these passages, the paternal relationship is used describing God as Father and the king as His son (2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 2:7).

As for the cowards  issues a reminder to John’s audience. The seven churches were pressured to compromise their allegiance to Christ. Here, in the midst of describing the wonders of God’s new creation, John reminds them of the consequences of compromising with the present order. Faithlife Study Bible

Revelation 7:14–17

And I said to him, “Sir, you know.”So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them…

Isaiah 65:19

I will rejoice in Jerusalem,

And joy in My people;

The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her,

Nor the voice of crying.

Isaiah 35:10

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,

And come to Zion with singing,

With everlasting joy on their heads.

They shall obtain joy and gladness,

And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Revelation 22:15

But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

Leviticus 26:11–12

I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you.I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.

In the words of John O’Donohue, “And if you listen, You will hear What your heart would Love to say.”

Amen. So. In what ways can we embrace the permission to be here now? Embrace the gift of enough in this self?
Okay. It’s paradigm shift time again...
I'm remember a conversation with an old friend. And we're talking about things middle-aged (okay, upper middle-age) men talk about; receding hairline, expanding waistline and loss of virility. And he asks me, “Is there anything in your life that you are passionate about?”
I must admit that the question kind of stumps me. Being a good Midwestern boy, passion was not exactly something we talked about. It was akin to boastfulness; which means it made it on that sin scale somewhere between card playing and dancing. But the more I thought about it, the easier the answer came, “Yes, there is something I feel passionate about, gardening.”
Of course my friend is incredulous, “Gardening,” he said, “gardening is so, so self-centered.”
I thought about it, but didn't like the alternatives. And then it hit me. I remembered the first time when I really knew I was a gardener. And I realized that for the first time in my life I was non-self-conscious. Completely non-self-centered. For the first time in my life, I cared about something bigger than my own little petty issues. I cared about the health and well-being of our air and our water, the health of the planet we call home. I cared about the dirt, for healthy roots and healthy food. I cared about the bird and the insects, pollinators and seed deliverers extraordinaire. I cared about the animals who call the forest around my garden home.
I was with something Very Big.
In other words, gardening wasn't something I did; gardening was something that was done unto me—enabling me to yes, “carry something beautiful in my heart”.

And what is the gateway to embrace this gift of enough? Awe.
Not advice or completing an assignment... but breathing in amazement.
Exactly. Being passionate will keep you alive. And more than ever, it seems to me that we live in a world where our whole heart is required. Where we come to feel the depth of life even in the smallest of activities. We trust that we are intended for wholeheartedness, that each day we are meant to be steeped in mystery, and so to remember our true selves. Because from that place, we can truly care. We can be present. And from that place, we can make a difference.

“Awe is what we feel when we encounter something vast, wondrous or beyond our ordinary frame of reference. It evokes a sense of mystery and wonder. And, given its documented benefits, awe might be our most overlooked, undervalued emotion.” Psychologist Dacher Keltner writes. “It makes us curious rather than judgmental. It makes us collaborative. It makes us humble, sharing and altruistic. It quiets the ego so that you’re not thinking about yourself as much.” Sabbath Moments

James 2:5-12 God shows no partiality!

 James 2:1-12 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.

God God shows no partiality. In Him all are created equal in the world that He so loves.  There is neither male nor female, Jew nor Greek, rich nor poor. All who come to Him He welcomes. Two commandments fulfill all of God’s intentions for mankind. We love Him and place Him as the head of our life and we will love others as much as we do ourselves. In keeping these two commands we fulfill all of Gods’ love for the world that He created. Carla

James 2:5-12

5 , my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (NKJV)

God has chosen to use poor people who are rich in faith to advance His kingdom. Those who love Him and obey Him (John 14:15; 15:9–17) and endure the testing of their faith (1:12) will inherit the kingdom. This inheritance means more than entering the kingdom; it also involves ruling with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:12).

The royal law is the law of love a law superior to all other laws. 

If you show partiality, you commit sin.

Believers will be judged by the law of liberty, which is the law of love (1:25). Believers who do not practice partiality, but who practice love (verses 5, 8) and mercy, will triumph at the judgment seat. Those who have not shown mercy will not receive mercy. The NKJV Study Bible

James does not mean that the rich are at a disadvantage when it comes to believing, but that the poor are more apt to rely on God and subsequently come to faith because of their immediate physical needs. People without physical needs only feel spiritual needs (and at times the things they think are needs but are actually desires), whereas people with physical needs feel them and spiritual needs.

In first-century Israel, society was divided between a small, wealthy class and a large, poor class of peasants or artisans. Jesus expressed a special interest in the impoverished throughout His ministry (Matthew 11:5; Luke 4:18). Also, in the Old Testament, God gave many of His promises specifically to the poor (1 Samuel 2:8; Psalm 140:12; Isaiah 11:4).

James indicates that the poor are wealthy in terms of their salvation and its associated blessings, not in terms of material goods. From God’s perspective, the impoverished are destined to possess the spiritual wealth that accompanies faith.

The  kingdom refers  to the full rule of God—a state of blessing in which God’s will and reign are absolutely established. Being an heir of the kingdom means possessing eternal life (Mark 10:17–23; Luke 18:29–30) and salvation (Luke 18:18–26).

Even though God chose the poor, the church has treated them with disrespect.

The wealthy apparently were applying legal pressure to the poor, perhaps regarding wages, rent, and other forms of debt. James accuses the wealthy of insulting or slandering the name of Christ.

You shall love your neighbor as yourself James quotes Leviticus  19:18. Jesus cites this in Matthew 22:39 as the second-greatest commandment.

If you show partiality, you commit sin contrasts obedience to the royal law showing partiality is opposed to loving one’s neighbor—it is an act of sin. James personifies the law as a judge pronouncing a guilty verdict on the accused for breaking it. Faithlife Study Bible

Job 34:19

Yet He is not partial to princes,

Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor;

For they are all the work of His hands.

Luke 12:21

“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

“Awe is what we feel when we encounter something vast, wondrous or beyond our ordinary frame of reference. It evokes a sense of mystery and wonder. And, given its documented benefits, awe might be our most overlooked, undervalued emotion.” Psychologist Dacher Keltner writes. “It makes us curious rather than judgmental. It makes us collaborative. It makes us humble, sharing and altruistic. It quiets the ego so that you’re not thinking about yourself as much.”

This is where it is so easy to get tripped up. We ask for the list. What are the steps to live wholehearted? How many days will it take? And what will it cost?
Now we're back to who's watching, and what is there to prove.
When I see only scarcity (what I lack), I miss the fact that every single one of us has been gifted with creativity, abundance, heart, love, and passion.
This is not to mention that we have been gifted with everything that goes with wholeheartedness… with gentleness, helpfulness, caring, kindness, tenderness, and restoration. Yes, this is also a story about sufficiency.
Living wholehearted builds on the paradigm that who we are now, is enough. Yes, life may be daunting, but I’m engaged. Invested. Alive. And in this, we are—every one of us—connected.

This gift of enough tells me I can let go of the need to keep score in order to feed my ego. Which is the permission to be okay with vulnerability.

Fear tells you “I'll make you safe.”
Love says, “You are safe.”
Along the way we come to learn that what makes us vulnerable also makes us beautiful. Yes, vulnerability can be that place of shame and fear and our struggle for worthiness, but it appears that it's also the birthplace of joy, and creativity, of belonging, of love.
Living with passion (breathing in the amazing) will keep you alive.
And more than ever, we live in a world where our whole heart is required. Where, as a parent, friend, gardener, human, I literally give a damn. Sabbath Moments