The Plumbline

Interfering in some else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears. (Proverbs 26:17) If you have ever caught yourself ‘putting in your two cent’s worth’ in the middle of some else’s disagreement with someone, you know how quickly that might have backfired. You just thought you were ‘helping’, but somehow the disagreement just got worse, or the tables changed, and you became the focus of the issue. Not a pleasant place to find oneself. Much better to remain silent, lift a few prayers for each to see wisdom in the matter, and allow God to intervene – not you! Arguments happen, but we don’t have to act as the arbitrator for all of them. Sometimes the other parties just need to work it out themselves – more being learned in the ‘working it out process’ than if you shut it down with your advice or meddling. Most of the ‘learning’ that comes when two people disagree comes when each one examines their own heart and finds any place where they might have been ‘at fault’. Arguments are ra...

Have you ever been roped into an argument just by being in the wrong place at the right time?  It is like some current pulled you into the raging waters and you found yourself just barely able to hold on for the ride!  It isn't enough you were there, the other person wants to make sure you don't escape without "weighing in" on the argument - giving your opinion only opens the door to a more "heated" discussion!  Sheesh!  How did that happen?  Well, it isn't always about whether we "wanted" to argue, it is about how well we "refused" to argue.  Most of the time we don't "want" to argue - we don't get out of bed in the morning with the determination to pick a fight with someone today.  Yet, we might just struggle a little with this ability to refuse to argue - especially when the subject begins to turn toward something we are passionate about, or even us!  Learning to refuse to argue is indeed a skill we each will be ...

Ever start something you wish you didn't have to finish?  I have - lots of times.  The truth is, we all do.  If you don't believe me think about the last time you opened your mouth, allowing words to escape which would have been better off not said at all!  What happened with just that tiny escape of words?  It opened up the floodgates, didn't it?  Yep, our words have a way of creating more than just a little "flux" in our lives!   The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam,  so stop it before it bursts. (Proverbs 17:14 MSG) Solomon was known as the wisest man in his time.  I daresay, even with all the technological advances of this day and age, he probably still would bear that title today.  How do you suppose he "learned" all this stuff?  Do you think he was "born smart"?  If you think that, you are probably a little deluded, because if you study his life, you will see he was pretty much learning this stuff as he went...