The Plumbline

8  Endings are better than beginnings.    Sticking to it is better than standing out.  (Ecclesiastes 7:8) One full month of the year has already flown by at record speed and as many of us sit looking at our "resolutions", conducting an inventory of our progress toward goals we had set for ourselves, some of us will find ourselves having made a good start, but then petering our somewhere along the way!  Isn't that always the case with our "resolutions" - they are good while they last, but they tend not to last!  One of the radio announcers I listen to on Christian radio did something different this year.  She focused on making a "revolution" in her life - not a "resolution".  To some, those are just words, but if you know me by now - you know how much I enjoy looking at the words! A resolution is simply an intention - formalized by some sort of plan.  It is a determination of heart or mind, but it often lacks the quality of persev...

11  The words of the wise prod us to live well.    They're like nails hammered home, holding life together.    They are given by God, the one Shepherd. (Ecclesiastes 12:11) Solomon authored the Book of Ecclesiastes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in what was likely the end portion of his life.  Within the pages of this short book, we find reminders of many of the wise proverbs he had expounded upon in what we call the Book of Proverbs.  To many, this book seems a little negative - like he was bemoaning his life.  Yet, in the recesses of the verses that seem to be a little "negative", we find tidbits like the one above.   The words of the wise - oh, how hard it is to find those words at times.  We are inundated with all kinds of "words" - surrounded on all sides with opinions, propositions, and proposals of hope.  In the end, if we are faithful to turn back to the Word of God, we will find balance in what we ar...