As Wise as the Foolish

Just sharing the Logos article I wrote for CQ.  This lesson was for Sunday, January 14, 2007. 

Sunday
January 14

As Wise as the Foolish
LOGOS

Prov. 3:13–28; Ecclesiastes 2

Wisest of the Wise

King Solomon may have been the wisest man to ever walk the planet. He may well have been the richest man. He was renowned throughout the world of his time for his wisdom, wealth, and righteousness. He brought honor and glory to God’s name for the use of his God-given talents, skills, and wealth. He brought peace and harmony to Israel. And he scattered the light of God’s truth to neighboring kingdoms.

However, Solomon, the wisest of the wise, did not remain true to God. He allowed his cravings for flesh to overcome him. He succumbed to his passion and love for women and committed grave offenses against God. This created a period in his life which was filled with the darkness of a life lived in sin.

Fortunately for us, God knew it was necessary for Solomon to include his deep, dark secrets in the book of Ecclesiastes.

From Glory to Disgrace (Eccles. 2:3–10)

“Raised to a pinnacle of greatness and surrounded with the gifts of fortune, Solomon became dizzy, lost his balance, and, fell.”1

Solomon fell from glory to disgrace. His mistake was in forgetting the One, True Source of his wisdom and power. In vain, he thought himself “strong enough to resist the influence of heathen associates.”2 Self-glorification, by making Israel the most powerful and grandest nation on earth, became his motivation. “In seeking to glorify himself before the world, he sold his honor and integrity.”3

Imagine Solomon, wise as he was, falling prey to temptation and sin. His downfall was gradual; his apostasy almost imperceptible—at first, anyway. He allowed his possessions and relationships to draw him away from God. As his priorities and concepts of what constitutes true greatness changed, so did the manner in which he governed his kingdom—and not for the better.

As he turned from glorifying God to glorifying himself, his craving for pleasures grew exponentially. It was in Solomon’s grasp to acquire riches, pleasures, and everything his eyes desired. And acquire he did, with reckless abandon.

From Despondency to Comprehension (Eccles. 2:11–26)

Was Solomon happy? After acquiring and experiencing everything under the sun, was Solomon truly happy—with himself and with his life? Did he have peace and joy in his heart? Solomon said it himself, “Therefore I hated life . . . for all is vanity and grasping for the wind” (Eccles. 2:17).

The world gathered at Solomon’s feet. Yet it left him chilled to his very soul. Vexation and discontent were all that filled his spirit. He was the world’s richest . . . He was the world’s wisest . . . He was the world’s most powerful man alive. Yet his soul was filled with gloom, sadness, and despair.

Solomon’s life was extraordinary at the onset. It would have remained so had he preserved his virtue. As long as he made God the Lord of his life and accepted His guidance, his wisdom and power were insurmountable. Yet knowing what he knew, he willfully left the safety of God’s Lordship to indulge his passions.

Fortunately for Solomon, he learned the one lesson he had to learn before his life came to an end: Life without God is a hopeless end; but life with God is an endless hope. Solomon eventually understood that even if he had amassed all the riches the world held, even if he was the wisest of all men, there always would be that nagging emptiness in his heart if he lived apart from God.

As Foolish as the Wise

Are we not just like Solomon? Do we not always seem to think that having just a little more of this or that would bring us happiness?

Solomon had everything the world had to offer—certainly a whole lot more than we could ever have or hope for in this life. Yet, he still did not find peace or joy. He had more wealth, more honor, more glory, more fame, more power, and more pleasures than any other mortal ever had; but all of it left him parched.

So it is with us. We may not surpass Solomon in riches, fame, honor, power, and pleasure but the result of our craving for these things will be the same as it was for him.

At the end of the day, we only will be truly happy if we have an unbroken connection to the living God. “The greatest men, and the wisest, will surely fail unless their lives are marked with trust in God, and obedience to His commandments.”4

REACT
1. Why does material wealth not bring lasting happiness?
2. What should be our attitude toward the things of this world?
3. How do we remain true to God amid the blessings He showers upon us?
4. How do we keep ourselves from becoming a “victim” of relationships, as Solomon was, yet still be actively interested in the salvation of the people we encounter?
5. What does it mean to allow God to become the Lord of our lives?

1. Prophets and Kings, p. 68.
2. Ibid., p. 54.
3. Ibid., p. 55.
4. The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 398.

Malou Escasa, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Blurb: Solomon had the world at his feet. Yet it left him chilled to his very soul.

Seven Hours in Starbucks

I'm not a Starbucks fan. In fact, I don't even drink coffee anymore. And I've tasted theirs. I only like their cinnamon roll. And that's not even by all that much. 

So what was I doing at Starbucks on a Sunday for SEVEN (7) long hours? 

Not by choice, I tell you. At least not by my choice. 

My FinMan groupmates and I had to meet to discuss and prepare for our class presentation. Those who took up FinMan under Prof. Joe-Santos Bisquera would understand why we had to make extraordinary preparations for this…

— 

Well, it's now March 31, 2007, the last day of the month of March. I started this several weeks ago but never got around to ending it. Our class presentation is over and done with… Prof. Bisquera said our group would've gotten a grade of 4.0 (highest), unfortunately the one in charge of the paper forgot to use a decent folder for our written report. The professor didn't appreciate being handed a report that was only stapled together. Too bad… If we got a 4.0, Prof. Bisquera would've handed us his personal business card which says we'd get free legal consultation with him for life! Hehe… 

Burnout

I'm about halfway done with the current term. Just a few more weeks and I'll be done with my last core subject. I'd be done with my electives as well if I didn't decide to take a major in Culture and Arts Management under Professor Rene "Guy" Concepcion. So that means I've got two more elective subjects to take, one for the first term and the other one for the second term next school year.

I'm taking a total of 9 units (3 subjects) this term. I think my body's starting to complain… I've gotten sick already and had to miss out on four full days of work… This afternoon I've got another meeting with my groupmates in FinMan. Just last night we had another meeting at Starbucks Legaspi St., Makati.

I tell you this kind of lifestyle is getting me down… All work and no play makes me very, very sick indeed…

This is all for now. This was just a test to see how well posting from an e-mail works with i.ph. I've got tons to do still, so chow!

Killing Me Softly with Oscillations

I hate hit-and-runs, mood swings, inconsistencies, pendulum swings, oscillations, and the likes. They simply drive me nuts. I'm talking about relationships here. . . .

I think relationships (whatever kind it may be) should be well-defined.  WYSIWYG. What you should see is what you should get. No reading in between the lines. No need for assumptions and analytics.

However, that usually isn't the case. And one of the most frustrating things for me is to be unable to tell a person how much these kinds of "uncertainties" wreak havoc to my peace and sanity.

The world is complex enough as it is. I wish people would just treat people the way they would actually want to treat a person no matter how good or bad that may be. I know that prim and proper behavior has its place in the scheme of things, and often, it does society much good. But sometimes, I wish people would just be true to other people and match their behavior with their feelings and vice-versa. (In case there’s something “wrong” and unacceptable about a particular thought, feeling, or behavior, well, then that’s a different matter completely and should be discussed some other time perhaps.) But, more than simply matching feelings and behaviors, all I’m saying here is that one should be consistent with how one treats someone and not fluctuate between extremes.

Consistency

"The questions are different, but each answer is the same.

What will guard us against foolish extremes?

What characterizes those who are habitually successful in sports or sales or some skill?

What single quality in a business builds respect deeper than any other?

What brings security in relationships?

What makes us choose a particular brand name over all others?

What’s needed most by parents in the home?

What draws you to the same restaurant time and again?

What do you want most from your paperboy… or milkman… or postman?

What will add more weight to your witness for Christ than anything else?

CONSISTENCY. That’s the answer to all nine questions, and you know it’s true. Steadiness. You can count on it. It’ll be there tomorrow just like it was yesterday… free from silly moods, sudden changes, or fickle fads. Early in the day or late at night, consistency stands firm. When pain or hardship bites, consistency doesn’t bleed. When the majority is tired and irritable, consistency is stable and resilient. Not insensitive, boring…but reliable, faithful. Not opposed to change or reason, but trustworthy. Not stubborn, but solid. Yes, that’s it: solid.

It’s the stuff most mothers are made of when their little ones get sick… and missionaries who lose themselves in their labor even though it yields limited fruit. It reveals itself in faithful employees who show up on time, roll up their sleeves, and commit themselves more to doing the job than watching the clock. Diligence is its brother… dependability, its partner… discipline, its parent.

CONSISTENCY. A living model of patience, determination, and strength—regardless of shifty rootless times. The blasts of ridicule and criticism may punch it in the face—but consistency stands and takes it as silently as a bronze statue takes the tempest. One poet calls it “a jewel,” another “an anchor of iron.” It knows little of ups and downs, highs or lows, blue Mondays or holiday hangovers. It hates tardiness and absenteeism. It thrives on sacrifice and unselfishness. It’s an obvious mark of maturity. It’s hanging in there day in and day out in spite of everything that could get you sidetracked.

In biblical terms, consistency is a subtle, supple thread woven into the fabric of scriptural truth. Paul had it in mind when he told Timothy to

…be ready in season and out of season… (2 Timothy 4:2);

and when he exhorted the Galatians

…let us not lose heart…for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary (Galatians 6:9)

James saw it as a stabilizing trait, which he called

…endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect… (James 1:3-4).

We are reminded that Abraham was consistent when it came to believing God’s promise to him, because

…he did not waver… (Romans 4:20).

But best of all,

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever (Hebrews 13:8)

One of the most attractive, magnetic characteristics of the Christ is His consistency. When you need Him, He is there. He’s there even when you don’t think you need Him!  You’re never too early or too late. He’s never is a lousy mood nor will He ask you to call back during office hours. He’s available… because He’s immutable. With Him, there’s no new year or old year. He is “the same,” regardless.

CONSISTENCY.

It’s the jewel worth wearing…

It’s the anchor worth weighing…

It’s the thread worth weaving…

It’s the battle worth weaving."

I decided to post this here since I've just felt a renewed appreciation for the word CONSISTENCY. I think more than anything else that's what I need from people, especially from those who I cross paths with. If applied and used as the word is defined, the world would be a much less complicated place. Relationships of all kinds would be far, far easier to handle. That would be a joy to me….

The Choice is Yours

Jesus is coming very, very, very soon.

. . . Whether you believe this truth or not doesn’t change the fact that IT IS TRUTH.

Yes, there is a God. Yes, Jesus is a part of that God-head, the Trinity (God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit). And yes, He will come again at the end of time (not too far away now . . . ). And yes, by then our cases would’ve have been decided individually–whether we will live eternally with Him or whether we will be eternally lost. There can be no changing of minds then . . .

Admit it or not, THERE ARE ONLY TWO SUPER POWERS IN THIS WORLD! Jesus (representing good, holy, and just) and satan (representing all that is evil). Whether you like or not, YOU will serve EITHER of these two masters. It can only be one or the other. If you determine not to choose Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then by default (whether you choose him or not), you automatically choose to be ruled by satan. If you say you choose "no one," well, then still, by default you still automatically choose to be ruled by satan. It’s either you actively and consciously choose Jesus, or you don’t choose Him at all and end up choosing satan.

Whom shall you choose as your master today?

. . . As for me (and hopefully our WHOLE household, too), I choose to be on Jesus’ side.

My prayer is that this will be my only choice EACH DAY for the rest of my life.

I pray that you will choose His side, too!

My three long days

Well, I've been cooped up at home for the past three days (since Tuesday and it is now Thursday). That's three literal days since I've been out at night for my classes. I'm on a sick leave from the office, but I can't just stay home all week and miss out on my classes. Catching up would be much, much harder than just going to class even in my weakened condition.

I guess I'm getting to be pretty bored here–notice I've actually started blogging ("original" TFEs from me, myself, and I). I've got tons of class requirements to work on so I still get up relatively early (9AM) and turn on my sister's computer by 10AM. But after three days, I still haven't done much. Nothing actually. Which is completely ticking me off since I had the intention of finishing at least two of my four remaining Fin Man cases this week. That's aside from the group cases and group paper that I've got to work on, too. I don't know what's wrong with me. Maybe I'm just too sick to do something productive. Or, what? Too preoccupied? Simply too lazy? I haven't yet explored the most genuine answer to that…

I suppose I could the hang of this blog thing… I could actually start to like typing down little bits and pieces of my thoughts, feelings, and emotions (oh, and ideas, too) on a regular basis… Too bad the laptop I got as a gift is busted…

Oh-oh. Time to go! I've got to get to class! …See yah! 

Diaries and journals vs. Talking out loud

I've never really been good at keeping journals and diaries. Actually, I've never really been into it much at all. From time to time I would attempt to start, but that's about as far as I'd go… I guess I run around too much to sit still and think and reflect. I go from activity to activity and get bored holding a pen and paper in hand and jotting down thoughts. Besides, I think my hand reacts too slowly to my brain. What I usually do is talk to myself out loud (often looking at myself in the mirror and making comical facial expressions) like I'm talking to somebody else. Sometimes I even change my voice and call myself by another name.

 Does that sound slightly "psycho" to you? Don't worry. I'm no Sybil. I just like to pretend I'm a cartoon character or someone off the TV or radio. I'm very much in touch with reality and I do think I'm 101% sane. I just enjoy talking out loud and expressing my thoughts, feelings, ideas, and emotions out loud because it's much simpler and easier than writing. Still, I wouldn't mind being able to sit still for some time and  just write and write and write highly sensible things which would inspire other people. …That would be the day! 

 Anyway, 'nuff said. This was just a thought that popped into my head just now and I felt like typing down into my i.ph blog (so it would at least have something "original" in it. Haha.).

Something about M.E.

"I'm a sinner saved by grace." …That sounds so cliche yet that's exactly how I feel about myself. Whatever good I can do through my own strength is as "filthy rags,' I know. Yet I try to do good anyway–whenever, wherever,however, and to whomever because I know that's what Jesus would do. I try to keep myself on the "straight and narrow" path by asking "What would Jesus do? (WWJD?)" in a particular situation. Then I ask Him for strength to do just that. I know I'm far (to the nth power) from being "perfect" and in fact, I still fall and sin and bring shame to the Christian name A LOT, but I cling on to my Savior just the same.