"An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot‑tempered one commits many sins."

Anger is a reaction! Other Scripture tells us to "be angry and sin not". It is not a sin to get angry, but the test is in our reaction. If we get our bearings and react properly and positively, then we can avoid a wrong response. The person who abandons themselves to their anger, and reacts hastily to every offense, real or imagined, will cause trouble for themselves and others. It is terribly important to react to offenses in a godly manner. Anger repressed only leads to bitterness and depression, and is a self-inflicted wound. A hot tempered and angry man is a plague on himself and those around him. Better to look for a creative, constructive response to an offense. Of course the other defensive action is to forgive the offender. Pretty radical response, right! DAD\EDD McGRATH (813.240.2889)

DAD\EDD McGrath (813.240.2889)

"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel."

To be rich in good friends is to be truly rich. A friend who will give you earnest counsel is a friend who loves you enough to put your welfare first. They are a friend who is not affected by jealousy or envy, who doesn't begrudge your good fortune or blessing. They are a friend who can identify with your failures without feeling superior to you. They are a friend who can help you without judging you, who can forgive you without resentment. Such friends are truly a blessing to be greatly treasured. Your are rich if you have such a friend, and you will be richly blessed if you are such a friend. Be one! DAD/EDD McGRATH (813.240.2889

DAD\EDD McGrath (813.240.2889)

"The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly."

The dictionary says a sluggard is a person who is habitually inactive or lazy. This is an obsolete description in our time because we have lost the concept of someone being "lazy". We have developed all kinds of excuses that try to absolve all of us for responsibility for our own lives, so someone who is a sluggard today would probably be identified as having a physical or emotional problem. That could be true, but the fact remains we must take action, not look for excuses, if we want to have better lives. The sluggard is usually his own worst enemy, in this case thinking that he is wiser than those who would encourage or motivate him are. It is evident that people haven't changed much in the past three thousand years. Take charge, take action, be wise. DAD\EDD McGRATH (813.240.2889)

DAD\EDD McGrath (813.240.2889)

"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self‑control."

Years ago when most young men served some time in the armed forces it was not uncommon to meet a young man back home from boot camp who was spit and polish sharp, and lean and strong physically. He may have gone off to the service soft, out of shape, and sloppy in his appearance, but the discipline forced upon him brought real change. In this case it was not a matter of "self control" but of external control. The fact is that the same change could be accomplished by "self control" if the young man had given attention to his life. One of the most powerful forces to transform your life is self-control. We usually admire people who demonstrate discipline, probably because it is somewhat rare, and also because of the beneficial effects that discipline brings. Conversely we scorn someone who lacks self-control, because, in a sense, they are defenseless, vulnerable to the passions that rule their lives. Most of us live somewhere between being as disciplined as we would like to be, and vulnerable to a loss of control somewhere in our lives. Maybe we should all have a time of "basic training" where we reaffirm our self-control. DAD/EDD McGRATH

DAD\EDD McGrath (813.240.2889)

"Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words."

Some of the most futile arguments I have ever seen are those between two persons who are operating from different paradigms. If there is not a common base or values agreement between people any other discussion of differences is futile and a waste of time. This is why so many arguments about Christian views and society are so unproductive. We, as Christians, know a different reality than that that the world recognizes. In fact the limited dialog between Jesus and Pilate, at Jesus' appearance before Pilate, is a perfect illustration of this problem. Jesus was speaking of eternal things, of spiritual things, and Pilate was talking about his present political situation and earthly things. Jesus said very little. When someone comes to you with an earthly viewpoint, and wants to debate eternal things, save your time and your words. You cannot "win" such a discussion. Rather you should try and plant a seed of eternity by speaking a truth, and leaving it there (just as Jesus did with Pilate). At some time in the future that seed may come to life in the other person (yes, even a fool). Be wise. DAD/EDD McGRATH (813.240.2889)

DAD\EDD McGrath (813.240.2889)

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Volumes could be written about this single verse. It reaffirms the need to "train" children, not just raise them. It also should give us confidence that such training has a life long positive effect. Young parents and grandparents should realize how critical it is to lay a strong foundation in the lives of the children the Lord has entrusted to them. I remember my Mother reading Bible stories to me when I was five years old. At that age the whole world is an adventure. My heroes were David (I could identify with a boy with a slingshot), Joshua, (a spy and adventurer) and others. It is interesting that the verse says, "when he is old he will not turn from it". It doesn’t say older, it says "old". The siren song of Satan may draw a person away for a season, but, by the grace of God, the seed sown in the small child will bear fruit in later life. How often I have seen an old biker turn to the Lord, not because of our ministry, but because of the seed a Mother or Grandmother had sown years before. We were just there to call him home. Have faith! DAD/EDD McGRATH (813.240.2889)

DAD\EDD McGrath (813.240.2889)

"Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."

Most people pay more attention to our lives than our words. Too often we Christians think that if we offer a persuasive argument we will convince the world of our cause. We only fool ourselves with such thinking. The world watches us. When we rant at our children, scream at our spouses, and act like old grouches, and then turn and tell someone about the peace to be found in Jesus, what do you think the world thinks? I'll tell you -- they think we don’t really believe what we claim to believe. It is the sermon your actions preach that they will believe, so keep your conduct pure and right. More people are watching you than you think. DAD/EDD McGRATH

DAD\EDD McGrath (813.240.2889)

"He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die."

It is popular in these times to offer the idea that we are all "victims" of life. Whatever is happening to us must be the fault of circumstances, or some other factor of our upbringing or environment. The purpose of such a philosophy is to absolve us of all responsibility for our lives. The author of this theory is destined for a hot eternity, and wrote this theory with a pen of fire. It is a lie! The author also knows that if we feel we are victims we will make no effort to escape our situation. The fact is, though, that Proverbs teaches that our decisions, our thoughts, our words and our choices form our lives. If you chose to be an obedient person life will be much easier for you than if you chose to willfully disobey. Obedience leads to life, rebellion leads to death. Always has, always will. DAD/EDD McGRATH,

DAD\EDD McGrath (813.240.2889)

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

James, the leader of the first century church in Jerusalem wrote, "no one can tame the tongue". He also said that "it sets on fire the course of our life" with the very fire of hell. James knew the power of the tongue for both good and evil. Your speech has the power of life and the power of death. That is an awesome and sobering thought that should make us careful about what we say. Left unbridled by the way of the Lord or the Holy Spirit, the tongue can bring chaos into a life. The tongue, humbled and committed to the Lord, can bring healing and blessing. If you use your tongue to bless, then you will feast on the pleasant fruit of a righteous life. If you use it to hurt and divide, you will inherit the wind, and the curses you speak will come back upon you. What we say is eternally important. Speak carefully, speak prayerfully. DAD/EDD McGrath (813.240.2889)

DAD\EDD McGrath (813.240.2889)

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."

To some of us life is a journey from thinking we can control everything and everyone to a realization that we can control little beside ourselves (if even that). We make plans, but circumstances interrupt our plans. Often those circumstances come directly from the LORD as He guides our lives. Some years ago there was a hit song that said, "He's got the whole world in His hands". The song was an acknowledgment that our lives are truly in the Lord's hands. This is not a new problem, James wrote to the first century Christians that they shouldn't say that they were going to go somewhere and buy and sell and make a profit. Rather they should say that "If the Lord wills…" they would buy and sell and get gain. It is humbling to acknowledge that we are not in control of our own destiny… but that is exactly what the Lord desires of us. There is peace in trusting our future to the Lord. Be at peace! DAD/EDD McGRATH

DAD\EDD McGrath (813.240.2889)