A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family. The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn. Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool. Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them. Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly. Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the LORD detests them both. Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor. Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble. The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice. Proverbs 17:2-20, 23 NIV

A Wicked Person listens to deceitful lips, a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue!

Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?

Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

The wicked accepts bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.

One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.

If we lived according to The Word, how much better would the lives of all be? Since we don't, we continue to have problems and make problems for years to come for those who have had no input into the workings of the world.

When those in authority do not understand setting priorities, they create unnecessary burdens for others to shoulder.

Americans--in order to continue promoting ourselves as a competitive nation and one who harbors concern for all of its citizens--need access to a quality education and healthcare; our older citizens who have paid into Social Security and Medicare need those resources preserved; we all need to be able to breathe clear air and drink clean water.

Taxpayers do not need to pay a wall they cannot use for daily living.

Politicians need to exercise wisdom in all matters--keeping in mind--they work for the people and every decision made should be in the best interest of the people--not their personal agendas--to control others.

Obtaining Happiness and Keeping It!

If people are bound with chains and trapped by the cords of affliction, God tells them what they have done and how arrogantly they have transgressed. He opens their ears  to correction and insists they repent from iniquity. If they serve Him obediently, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness. Job 36:8-11 HCSB

People are looking for happiness--in all the wrong places--and when they find what they think is happiness, it is short-lived and leaves them frustrated and oppressed. When most are asked what makes them happy, the first words that come out of their mouths is having money, then love.

If people need money and love to make them happy, we can get a better understanding as to why there are so many miserable people in the world.

Factual understanding: 1% of all Americans hold the wealth of country. These are the big businesses that rake in money hand over fist, pay minimum wages, and often ship manufacturing jobs overseas. This is the Wall Street Gang and in many cases--upon close inspection and looking at their lifestyles--they are not happy because they are obsessed with obtaining more money. They think living lavishly makes them somebody and when in actuality, they are somebody without the frills.

On the other hand--there are many people who have little money, but have learned to be happy with what they have and they are generous to a fault, compassion always reigning in their hearts, and they know how to enjoy the little things in life.

When it comes to love--far too many people have confused lust with love and when feelings wane--and there is no more interest in the person--the lust having been satisfied and now they turn to other people who are looking for lust--not love--and start the cycle all over again.

At the same time, there are people who understand that real love begins with loving self, loving God, receiving His love and loving others. They don't need someone hanging onto to them to know love, they are loving to all--considering what's best for all they meet. They know how to nurture relationships, listen to others and genuinely care. True happiness is a mindset that is developed from loving self.

Now, getting back to Job and his situation in life. Although he had lost everything (materially) as well as his children, he never gave up on God--even when his so-called friends and wife encouraged him to do so. His reward for obedience and steadfast faith in God? Restoration of all he had lost and even more. He may have experienced some sad moments as we all do, but he was able to keep moving forward to receive from God.

No matter what happens to us in life, if we are open to correction, repent of anything that harms others or self, and obey God, He will keep His Word and we can end our days with prosperity and live our years (however many we have) being happy.

"Because I'm happy" is a popular refrain in a song, but it also needs to be a deeply-rooted attitude in the hearts of all Believers because we have love and we know that God is always more faithful to us than we might be to Him, so we can count on Him to provide our every need. And when we take the time to please Him, He gives us the desires of our hearts.

"f" free language!

Can we talk?  For real?  Without using language that offends the sensibilities of most civilized human beings?

I am so sick and tired of reading "sample" books with so much profanity that I would certainly never purchase the book.  Every other line is laced with an "f" or "mf" or such base language describing bodily functions that I'm embarrassed for the author.  I mean really, why do some have to write such garbage? Is this the only language most people can relate to?  If it is, I'm certainly on the wrong planet.

Now, here's the kicker!  Most of the books I'm referencing are obviously not written by true believers in The Word.  If they were, they would be too intimidated to write what they write.  But it is these same people who would criticize most Christians for their belief and faith in God!  Who knew?  Wow!  What a revelation!  Most people (not all) who have a relationship with God respect the relationship with Him and other people; those who don't, don't.

But this can all change.  Can we please elevate the thinking, speaking, and writing for all to enjoy?  Is that so hard to do?  It is up to those of us who write--fiction, non-fiction, poetry, song lyrics, etc. to raise the standards of using appropriate language.  If we change what we do; society will change what it does.  Try it and see!

When Money Talks Book Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS_kHh8h-60  It's not always about the Benjamins, but betrayal, seduction, and lies!