September 2

Today's Reading

Today, we begin reading the little book of Ecclesiastes. These writings of Solomon seem to be some of his life observations as he got older. It's important to remember that Solomon was very wise, but he never received the description, "man after God's own heart" like his father did. Solomon also made the mistake of attempting to fill his life with the things of this world; some of his Ecclesiastes statements attest to the futility of that choice. How do these first three chapters affect you? Do they produce enthusiasm in you or do you find them rather depressing?

2 Corinthians. If the only writings of Paul available to you were these thoughts in 2 Corinthians, wouldn't he look like a whiner? Obviously, he wrote about half our New Testament and he was anything but a complainer. Here he is preparing the hearts of his readers for a need he will share with them. He entrusts to them that serving Christ can be difficult and painful. Those sentiments are not for the faint of heart and it says much about his respect for the spiritual maturity that was happening in Corinth.

Psalms. I like to imagine standing at an observation point and watching as a wall of snow and ice begins an avalanche or a tsunami breaks in toward the shore. The awe of such terrible force would remind me of the greatness of God. Be still and know...

Proverbs. I recently read where someone was asking what happened to controlling children when they are in public places like restaurants. The writer, who works in a restaurant, said that it's uncanny how many parents bring their small children in and allow them to run freely throughout the building. We have become a culture of many parents not disciplining their own children.

And, my friend, what speaks to you today?