Silly Old Bear

So, we’re sitting in church tonight (my wife Susan and me), and our preacher (Dean) gets up to preach. Often, on Sunday nights, he will quote the first part of Philippians 4:4, and the congregation will respond with the last part.

Tonight, however, Susan’s response wasn’t quite the same as everyone else’s, and earns her the distinction of being the latest “Quote of the Moment”.

(The words below in black are preacher Dean’s; the words in blue are Susan’s.)

“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say …”

“… SCOOT UP!”

- Susan O’Rear

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[PART 11 OF 12]

As Solomon chronicles his quest for meaning and purpose in his life, he makes an interesting observation regarding sorrow and joy.

“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.”
(Ecclesiastes 7:2-6)

Huh? Sorrow is better than laughter? That doesn’t make sense! A sad face is good for the heart? Doesn’t that contradict Proverbs 17:22?

“A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
(Proverbs 17:22, which, by the way, was also written by Solomon)

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If you were to make a list of people who have made a difference in the world, who would you include?

I recently posed that question to a large group of high school students at a summer camp. Their list included many names you would expect, plus a few surprises.

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