The Simple Life

For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him. For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt. (Ecclesiastes 8:6-9 ESVST)   We can see the present, but we have no real idea of the future. Only God knows what will happen and can prepare us for it. The wise person lives each day, yielding themselves to the One who holds that future. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others. (Ecclesiastes  7:21-22  ESVST)   This verse holds the key to a leader's sanity. If anyone is in leadership, they will be doubted. Many who are under your authority believe that they can do your job better than you, and all whom you serve could give you a lesson on how to serve them better.   Everybody wants to have their voice heard, but they do not mean that they want you to hear them. They want you to listen to them and do what they say. If not, they will claim that you do not listen to them.   A leader hears many voices and probably actually listens to them, but in the end, he still needs to make a decision for which that he alone is responsible, and for which he alone will stand accountable before God.   I have been guilty of criticizing leaders, and was wrong to do so, for my information was limi...

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:1-2 ESVST)   I'm not sure you would want this message delivered at your party, but these statements contain tremendous wisdom.   I remember talking to a friend whom I accidentally ran into in the checkout lanes of a store. I had not seen him in a while, and he was in a different lane from me so that others could hear our conversation. He told me he was in the area to do music for a wedding. Then he added, "I'd much rather do funerals than weddings." I agreed with him.   The checkout person said something like, "It's always entertaining here," and seemed amused. Yet there is a reason why some of us would prefer to speak or play at a funeral rather than a wedding. Funerals force us to face reality. Th...

The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? (Ecclesiastes 6:11 ESVST)   As someone who loves words and the use of them, even playing with them, this is a convicting statement. However, one must put things in context. The Bible contains many words, and throughout history, we have had many speeches, books, and lectures that have been most helpful because the many words have helped us transform concepts into reality.   The statement that many harmful words refer to is when we take a simple concept and make it difficult, or cloud the water by using many words. The tax code could be simple. We could be told to send in 10% of our income. Instead, thousands of pages need tax lawyers to interpret their meaning.   Not many understand the tax code. It is too long and too complicated. We should not make the simple complex. Instead, we should make the complex simple.   The Gospel is straightforward. There is a God; I am not Him. I am separated from Him bec...

There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on humanity: a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil. (Ecclesiastes 6:1-2 ESVST)   Some have much, yet they live in poverty. They are spiritually bankrupt, ethically challenged, and enslaved in the saddest possible way. Imagine having it all but having nothing. There seems to be a game to be played in convincing those around you that having it all fuels significance and security when those who have it all are the most insignificant and insecure people.   Those who have nothing can lose nothing. Those who have much can lose much. Therefore, those with much are often more anxious, angry, and arrogant. It is hard for rich people to love God, for they are too busy loving what God has given them.   When entrusted with wealth, possession...

Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil — this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. (Ecclesiastes  5:18-20  ESVST)   Toil enables enjoyment and rest in this world. With complex and purposeful labor comes true enjoyment and rest. Those continually seeking comfort and rest will find neither, for we were made for meaningful toil.   We want to lose weight and be in great shape, but we do not want to eat right or exercise. We want to have good relationships, but we do not invest the time and energy necessary to have them. We want to rest well without toiling much. Sorry, it cannot and will not...