The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7

School has started for most of our children, some have gone off to college for the first time, and many adults are in some form of continuing education.

Learning is important for us, whether it is formal education, learning new skills and information, or studying the word.  We can always learn more.  Solomon tells us that the beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord.  This is not “I am afraid of God” rather fear should really be interpreted as awe, as in we have great awe about God for God has created everything (including knowledge). 

Never be afraid of learning new things, or of others learning.  Education is so important that Solomon tells us fools despise wisdom and instruction.

As your kids starts the new school year, find an area you can investigate and study for it is good for you.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:35-41

If you really think about it, there is a lot of chaos going on all around us all the time.  There is always something happening that needs our attention (or at least we think so), there is always something that is a crisis for someone (but it does not mean it has to be a crisis for you).  There is always something to get worked up about, or something that must be done this very minute or the galaxy will implode.  Except it won’t. 

There are true crises and there are times when we can just rest in the storm. Jesus was tired and sleeping on the boat.  The storm arose and He handled it.  How often do we make a situation far more crisis-like and chaotic instead of just handling it (or better yet, turning to Jesus)? 

As you journey through this week, handle what needs handling and rest in the storm.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

PS:  I start my vacation on Monday August 12 so Monday Morning Meditation will be taking a brief hiatus – because I’m following the above words!