with friends or just Wayne & myself, that I love. 
Krystle & Gerard were over for dinner and she was so excited to share her baking with us. She made Chocolate Chip Cookies, just like moms. The true test however, was when Darcy (our cookie connoisseur) tried them. Don't worry Krys they passed. ^.^
I'm in the midst of a 31 day challenge. A challenge to read 1 chapter of the book of Proverbs a day until I've read the whole book in one month. So far what I've learned is; that to have effective living we need to begin with God's wisdom by respecting and appreciating who God is; reverence and awe in recognizing the almighty God. It requires moral application - by trusting in God and His Word; allowing His Word to speak to us personally; willing to obey. Which in the end; results with effective living; experiencing what God does with our lives. 
At the back of the farm we have a little creek that runs though what used to be the pasture land. Since we no longer have cows, the pasture has become quite overgrown and the creek is a bit of a marsh. Yesterday while walking, I decided to take a short detour over to the creek and sit for awhile. 
Sitting by the creek I began to listen quite intently on my surroundings. As the birds sang, the crickets creaked and the wind gently blew; I could feel a tranquility come over me. As I sat in the stillness and rested, I began to think about the hustle and bustle of daily life. How most things can pass by us. How we can have a deep conversation with someone and remember most of what was said, but in all honesty once the conversation was over, our minds close the door and we move on to something else. We experience alot, but we learn relatively little. There's too much to do. People have no time to pause and think about what just happened. We rush frantically from one task to another. 
During the summer months of July and August most people take time for holidays. Time to slow life down and reflect on what we do. During time away we often find reflection moments in the quiet gaps while enjoying our vacation. Without reflection, change is often impossible. These days I'm attempting to make refection a regular practice, it's a deliberate choice I'm trying to build into my life.
The cup's there, filled half way, some see it half full, others see it half empty. If you believe it's half full then you're optimistic, half empty then you're pessimistic. At least that's what we're told.
there is a brief synopsis of each chapter.Alphabet letters, vowels, and consonants formed into words, sentences, paragraphs, and books -spoken, signed, whispered, written, and printed. From friendly advice to impassioned speeches and from dusty volumes to daily tabloids, messages are sent and received, with each sender trying to impart knowledge... and wisdom.
Woven into human fabric is the desire to learn and understand. Our mind sets us apart from animals, and we analyze, conceptualize, theorize, discuss, and debate everything from science to the supernatural. We build schools, institutes and universities, where learned professors can teach us about the world and about life.
Knowledge is good, but there is a vast difference between "knowledge" (having the facts) and "wisdom" (applying those facts to life). We may amass knowledge, but without wisdom our knowledge is useless. We must learn how to live out what we know.
The wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, left us a legacy of written wisdom in three volumes - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. In those books, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he gives practical insights and guidelines for life.
In the first of the these three volumes, Solomon passes on his practical advice in the form of proverbs. A proverb is a short, concise sentence the conveys moral truth.
Proverbs covers a wide range of topics, including youth and discipline, family life, self-control and resisting temptation, business matters, words and the tongue, knowing God, marriage, seeking the truth, wealth and poverty, immorality, and of course, wisdom.