All too often we think life is about what we do or about what we own. We are often frantically busy and our thoughts can be fixed on how to survive the next day. At work, someone gave me a plaque which says ‘Oh, no! Not another crisis! My schedule is full!’ That can be how we view life, as a series of obstacles to be negotiated, a set of hurdles to overcome.

Proverbs 20 tells us “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” (Prov 20:24) It reminds us that there is more to our lives than the practical, mundane or ordinary. Proverbs has a way of cutting through the clutter of everyday life to the real issues. “Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.” (Prov 20:5) Our inner life determines the course of our actions and we do well to drink ‘from the beautiful chalice of knowledge’ rather than adorning ourselves with gold and rare gems (Prov 20:15) . The real truth remains that God is in control, of our lives and of the universe: “God is in charge of human life, watching us inside and out.” (Prov 20:27) Because He is invisible, because we are so apt to rely on what we can see and hear and touch, we often forget just how much we depend on Him for everything, but we need to learn to dig deep wells in God.

The chapter shows us, however, that there is a real connection between spirituality and everyday life. So often, we think that the spiritual must live in a monastery or as hermits: how can you be spiritual and cope with the demands of a family or job? The chapter talks about differing weights and measures, how God is interested in justice and integrity in our work lives (Prov 20:10, 23). Laziness is condemned (Prov 20:4, 13), so clearly there is more to the spiritual life than ‘navel gazing’! Relationships need nurturing and forgiveness: “it’s a mark of good character to avert quarrels, but fools love to pick fights” (Prov 20:3); revenge is not how we should deal with situations (Prov 20:22). Leadership should be based on love, truth and integrity (Prov 20:28). Once again, we see the combination of practicality and spirituality which should be our hallmarks. Casting Crowns talk in one of their songs about ‘reckless abandon wrapped in common sense’ (Casting Crowns, ‘Somewhere In the Middle’) . I think Proverbs reflects this combination well and if we are balanced in our walk with God, so will we.

Proverbs often takes us back to basics, reminding us of our God roots, which may be forgotten in the busyness of life. Proverbs 19:23 reminds us that “the fear of the Lord leads to life. Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” We can know peace and calm even in the storms of life if our roots go deep in God. We can be like “a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.” (Ps 1:3)

But Proverbs reminds us that life is not lived in isolation. This chapter talks about our family relationships again, reminding us that wealth may be inherited from parents but “a congenial spouse comes straight from God” (Prov 19:14) and that “a foolish son is his father’s ruin and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.” (Prov 19:13) . Discipline in family life is necessary (Prov 19:18); children need to learn respect and the ability to listen to advice (Prov 19:26-27). It also talks about friendships, which can be very fickle (Prov 19:5-7).

Proverbs 19 goes on to look at wisdom again, including avoiding laziness (Prov 19:15, 24) and the transitory nature of wealth (Prov 19:1). Wisdom and clarity of thinking are to be prized (Prov 19:8); lying is to be avoided (Prov 19: 9). Patience and the ability to hold one’s tongue are virtues (Prov 19:11); stupidity is a human characteristic, for which God should not be blamed! (Prov 19:3). All very down-to-earth and sensible: we should not think that spirituality isn’t manifested in these basic attitudes and ways of living

I love castles. I suppose I enjoy the feeling of protection they give. They’re often situated on a hill (to give good views of attacking armies!) and have an air of impregnability and impenetrability which make them seem secure and safe. Castles were often draughty, uncomfortable places, but in my mind, they are forever associated with lavish luxury and royal privilege.
Conisbrough Castle is our nearest castle:

This is Dustanburgh Castle:

One of my favourite verses in Proverbs is found in Proverbs 18: “the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Prov 18:10). We sing a children’s song about this verse. Whenever I sing this song or read this verse, I think about the castles and towers of mediaeval history and I can appreciate the idea that a tower is a safe place.
Broadway Castle Tower:

Proverbs 18 deals with lots of other things, though. It has a lot of down-to-earth advice about learning (“wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insight” Prov 18:15) and speech (fools talk too much and their speech often starts fights Prov 18:6-7). It keeps reminding us of the need for humility (eg “humility comes before honour” Prov 18:13) and talks again about the need for positive speech ( “words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose” Prov 18:21). One of the most striking verses in this chapter is verse 9: “One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys” . So often when I read Proverbs, a verse seems to take me by surprise: this is one such example. The Message version translate this “slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.” The first time I read that, I was completely taken-aback. I was working in a community centre at the time that was constantly struggling against vandalism, yet to have ‘slack habits and sloppy work’ put in the same category as broken glass and graffiti made me stop and pause. Are we intent on pursuing excellence in everything we do? Or do we all too easily settle for the ‘easy option’, not really caring? I am reminded of Michelangelo, who worked on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, taking as much care on the parts which would largely remain unseen as on the parts which would draw awe from those who looked at it, because he was aware that God saw everything and deserved the best. He too knew the value of hard work ( “if people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all” ) and of aiming high ( “the greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” ) May we too give God our very best in pursuit of excellence, giving Him all the glory for everything we may achieve.

Proverbs 17 looks again at common themes: wisdom and folly, living wisely among family, friends and community and justice. It contains some very famous verses:
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” (Prov 17:17) and “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones (Prov 17:22), for example. As usual, there is a lot of good common sense in this chapter.

Harmonious relationships count for far more than wealth, we are reminded: “Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.” (Prov 17:1) We are often told that Christmas and holidays are some of the most stressful and dangerous times for relationships, because expectations are high and togetherness can prove too much! Families matter: “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” (Prov 17:6) It’s in the family setting that we are fully known and loved, but it’s also the place where our selfishness is most visible. Timothy Keller, in his book ‘The Meaning of Marriage’ writes, “marriage, by its very nature, has the ‘power of truth’ – the power to show you the truth of who you are.” That can be very daunting, but it’s in the context of relationships that we are sharpened and changed. This chapter has much to say about relationships: “he who covers over an offence promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends” (Prov 17:9) and “starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out” (Prov 17:14) are good counsel for how to work with relationships!

That doesn’t mean we gloss over sin. “Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the LORD detests them both” (Prov 17:15). “If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right.” (Prov 17:26). Living wisely goes beyond our words, affecting our actions, pulsating through every aspect of our lives. We know, ultimately, that our lives are tested by God: “as silver in a crucible and gold in a pan, so our lives are assayed by God.” (Prov 17:3) Paul continues this theme in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 when he talks about building with the right materials and Peter ultimately reminds us of things more precious even than gold or silver: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Pet 1:17-19)

Proverbs 16 starts with some profound truths: namely, if we want to build well, God has to be our foundation and inspiration. “Mortals make elaborate plans, but GOD has the last word.” (Prov 16:1) “Put GOD in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place.” (Prov 16:3) It’s sometimes said in almost a clichéd fashion that God has a plan for our lives, but this is actually true: “GOD made everything with a place and purpose.” (Prov 16:4) We may not understand why God allowed evil into the world, but it’s clear from this verse that God is not taken by surprise by evil and even works this into His plans (see also Romans 8:28). Absolutely nothing can take Him by surprise; He is supreme and over all and in total control! The writer understands that humans plan and think they’re in control of their own destinies, but he also understands that God is in control: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” (Prov 16:9)

Proverbs 16 talks also about leadership (Prov 16:10-15) and how leaders need to act – wisely, honestly, with kindness, without exploitation or manipulation. Honesty, integrity, right living – these are the things of real value. As the Message version says of Proverbs 16:16: “choose insight over income every time.” There is so much more to life than the material and once again, we see that we are wise if we learn to trust in God: “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.” (Prov 16:20) It sounds almost too good to be true, too easy to actually work, but of course, it takes a lifetime to master!

Continuing our studies of the Apostles’ Creed, we looked at the statement ‘I believe in the Holy Spirit’. We believe in one God who has revealed Himself in Three Persons – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. All are co-equal. The Holy Spirit is God just as much as God the Father or God the Son! He was involved in Creation (Gen 1:1-2), is omnipresent (Ps 139:7), is omniscient (1 Cor 2:10-11) and is eternal (Heb 9:4) – all attributes which only God possesses. He is also involved in the resurreciton of Christ (1 Pet 3:18) and in the resurrection of believers (Rom 8:11).

As a Pentecostal church, we believe it’s important to understand as much as we can about the Holy Spirit, who is often called ‘the forgotten member of the Trinity’. The Holy Spirit is involved in so many things in our lives. Here are just twelve of them.

The Works of the Holy Spirit
1) He loves (Rom 15:30). If God is love (1 John 4:8), this is an obvious statement, but one we must never forget!
2) He gives spiritual life (John 3). We cannot be born again except through the Spirit of God.
3) He convinces the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8-10). We may testify to the Gospel, but it is the Holy Spirit who convicts and saves people.
4) He lives within believers (1 Cor 6:19-20).
5) He directs and guides us (Acts 16:6-7, John 16:13). He will guide us into truth.
6) He gives us the word of God, which is divinely inspired by Him (2 Pet 3:20-21)
7) He is our teacher (John 14:26), reminding us of all that Jesus has taught and bringing understanding to us.
8) He gives us power to witness to Christ (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:2-4)
9) He gives gifts to us (1 Cor 12, Romans 12)
10)He develops the fruit of the Spirit in us, developing Christ’s character in our lives (Gal 5:22-23)
11)He intercedes for us (Rom 8:26-27)
12)He directs our lives (Acts 14:2-3)

Ps 143:10 says “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” That is our hope and prayer for 2012, that we may be led by God’s Spirit on level ground.