Day 18: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 18:21 What you say can mean life or death. Those who speak with care will be rewarded.

“If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you!” I remember that phrase from some old movie. I love that line and I’ve quoted it a few times when someone has asked me a question. I thought it was funny whether they did or not. J

Sometimes, though, our words really can kill. What we say can build or destroy. Words really can hurt me (and my words can hurt others). I can speak God’s Words to others and lead them toward Eternal Life and relationship with Jesus, or I can speak my words selfishly and sent them in a wrong direction.

Today, I want to speak with care...today I want to speak words that will bring their own rewards.

Day 17: Proverbs Road Trio

Proverbs 17:22 A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength.

One of the tragic realities of life is that most of us assume other people exist on this Earth to make us happy. We live our lives responding to other people’s actions, worry about other people’s motives, and generally allow other people to either “make us happy” or “break our spirits”.

Such a “world view” is totally false. OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT MAKE US HAPPY; WE MAKE OURSELVES HAPPY. We determine how we live with our feelings and thoughts, not other people! We choose. No matter how others act toward us, no matter what they say – we have the power over our own feelings, actions and thoughts.

But...and this is very important...we are NOT ALONE. The Bible tells us that the “fruit” (results) of God’s Spirit living inside us is JOY and PEACE, both of which are far more lasting than temporary happiness. Happiness never leads to joy, but joy can sustain happiness.

Today my goal is to not let the events of the day break me down, instead I wish to allow God’s Spirit to direct me into joy and peace...and then I will be happy!

Day 16: Proverbs Road Trip (In Napa, CA)

Proverbs 16:2 "You may think you are doing right, but the Lord will judge your reasons."

We started our vacation road triup yesterday, heading to Napa, CA. Getting six Newell's into a fully loaded car is not an easy task...and it wasn't long until we started hitting a few "bumps" in the process. That's when I "lost it".

Yeah, I know what you're thinking..."What! He's a Pastor. He never loses his cool."

Well, you would be right, I don't lose my cool; I simply blow off steam! :-)

That's were today's verse really hits me. You see, I may assume that I'm doing right, but in reality my selfishness can easily get in the way. And when I do "blow off steam" I can easily justify my actions. But the LORD really knows my reasons. He knows my heart.

That's why as soon as I "blew it" I immediately became convicted of my "blow". Appologies are never easy, but thankfully I have a gracious and forgiving LORD...and family.

Today, I'm going to try to focus on my heart.

Day 15: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 15:19 :...but an honest person’s life is like a smooth highway."

I’ll spend much of today looking down a four lane highway on the way to visit my bother and father. Verse fifteen will be a good reminder during that long stretch: an honest person’s life is like a smooth highway.

When I think of honesty I most often think of not stealing or lying to others, but there is a dishonesty that haunts most of us – it’s an inner dishonesty that keeps us from being honest with ourselves and God. We are quick to lie to ourselves and try to convince us that our motives are pure and our actions are just. However, if we are honest, much of the time our motives and actions are propelled forward by our own selfishness.

When we think or act selfishly we start hitting the potholes in the road of life, but when we think and act honestly – admitting to ourselves when we are heading the wrong direction – the road ahead begins to smooth. When we live honestly with ourselves and God we can make the needed corrections.

Day 14: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 14:1 "A wise woman strengthens her family."

I've been waiting for this one! Today I get to focus on how much of a blessing Terrie is in my life. I have yet to find another woman who has the strength and wisdom of the woman with whom God has blessed me and allowed me to spend my life.

It's almost Father's Day and if you are a single guy reading this - please, I beg you - WAIT FOR GOD'S BEST. Don't be in a hurry to either give yourself away or pursue a woman. Simply wait on God to bring the right woman into your life. Be the kind of man that the right kind of woman will want for a husband.

Like I said, I was blessed; God mercifully gave me much better than I deserved! So for Thursday, June 14th, I'm going to thank God for a wise woman who had brought incredible strength to my family!

I love you, Terrie!
Thank You, God!

Day 13: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 13:20 "Spend time with the wise and you will become wise"

Such a short and powerful thought. "Spend time with the wise..."

That hits me. I'm trying to figure out how much time I spend with the "unwise" (TV, radio, etc.).

I'm not trying to bash everyone here, just look honestly at who I spend my time with, especially when I compare it to how much time I actually spend listening to God's voice or reading God's Word or lilstening to Godly people.

I keep finding that I think like those I listen to.

Day Twelve: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 12:25 "Worry is a heavy load..."

It's not much, it's just a little worry, a little anxiety, a little care. It's not much, not something to concern God with. After all, He is the God and creator of the universe, why should I bother him with the small stuff?

Why you ask? Well...

(1) Because even the smalled worry is too heavy to carry on your own.

(2) Because worry clouds your vision. Worry keeps you from seeing God's promises.

(3) Because God loves it when we give Him our worries. He loves it when we talk to Him about even the smallest of concerns.

1 Peter 5:7 commands us: "Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you."

When we take our worries (even the smallest) to God in conversation with Him (prayer), God get's to calm our concerns. He gets to remind us that he cares for us. He gets to tell us again that He has promised to never leave us, never forsake us.

Worry is too heavy of a load for me or you to carry - God wants to carry our concerns for us.

Day Twelve: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 12:25 "Worry is a heavy load..."

It's not much, it's just a little worry, a little anxiety, a little care. It's not much, not something to concern God with. After all, He is the God and creator of the universe, why should I bother him with the small stuff?

Why you ask? Well...

(1) Because even the smalled worry is too heavy to carry on your own.

(2) Because worry clouds your vision. Worry keeps you from seeing God's promises.

(3) Because God loves it when we give Him our worries. He loves it when we talk to Him about even the smallest of concerns.

1 Peter 5:7 commands us: "Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you."

When we take our worries (even the smallest) to God in conversation with Him (prayer), God get's to calm our concerns. He gets to remind us that he cares for us. He gets to tell us again that He has promised to never leave us, never forsake us.

Worry is too heavy of a load for me or you to carry - God wants to carry our concerns for us.

Day Eleven: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 11:27, “Whoever looks for good will find kindness, but whoever looks for evil will find trouble.”

What am I looking for?

Normally, I’m a pretty positive kind of guy when it comes to people. I like to see the good in people. However, there are times when, frankly, I think the world stinks!

During those smelly times I have a hard time seeing the good in anything and anyone.

The funny thing is, I usually find what I’m looking for. When I look for the worst in people – I usually find it. When I look for the good in people I’m always blessed.

By the way, Proverbs eleven talks a lot about “good people”. We all need to realize that not everyone is “good”. Honestly admitting that some people are “bad” will keep us from a great deal of hurt. We can love everyone, but that doesn’t me that we have to keep company with those who are not good.

Have a great Monday!

Day Nine: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 9:6: Stop your foolish ways, and you will live; take the road of understanding.

There it is, “take the road of understanding...”

That’s what this month is all about, the road of understanding.

I have found over and over again that when I permeate myself with God’s Word I understand things better! This world becomes clearer and even more relevant, eternity becomes clearer.

Wisdom is all about an eternal perspective. Someone once described wisdom as Godly knowledge put to practical use. I can’t improve on that definition.

Wisdom is a solid house worth living in; wisdom gives life.

The question I ask myself today is: “What are my foolish ways?”

What is it that I foolishly cling to that is keeping me from God’s best.

I want to travel down the road that leads to understanding!

Day Eight: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 8:17, I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

Peter Portobello’s Hide and Seek

I’ve written a book. Seriously, I’ve written a full length novel. It's even been "published! (Well two whole copies have been published through a vanity 'vanity press'. Thank you, lulu.com) To date three people have read it: me, my dad and Terrie’s Aunt Lyn. (My Dad said he liked it. I think Terrie’s Aunt is waiting to comment.)

One of these days I’ll actually make it available for anyone who wants to read it; but for now I’m still “editing”.

I share that because Proverbs 8:17 plays a key role in the "turn" for my protagonist’s plot line.

Peter Portobello is a man who wants to find his past, but, in the end, it’s not his past that he needs to find – it’s God’s wisdom, God Himself, that Peter finds he needs.

When I started the novel (the book is entitled “Seven Letters”) I had no idea where it would end, I didn’t even know Proverbs 8:17 would end up in the book at all. It just happened. Peter needed to find something – and it turns out that something was God’s wisdom.

You and I are no different than Peter. We need the same thing in our lives – God’s wisdom.

We’re all good at saying “you need God in your life” to people who are searching, but, if I may be so bold, you need more than God – you need His wisdom.

God isn’t enough. God is not just a “thing” to have, He is a person who needs to have you! God longs to give you all that He has and what He has is His wisdom, His practical teachings that – if followed – will bring you everything you need for a rich and fulfilling life.

He promises that if we SEEK His wisdom, we will find it.

Day Seven: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 7:1-3, “Guard my teachings as you would your own eyes. Remind yourself of them; write them on your heart as if on a tablet.”

Carving into the Tree

Have you ever gone for a walk in a forest only to realize that someone else had been there first? You knew it because they decided to forever leave their imprint on one of God’s trees? I hate it when people do that. Leave the tree alone and care your own limbs!

Today I’m not so much thinking about limbs as I am organs, specifically my heart. Not really my heart that pumps blood, but the “spiritual heart” that lies at the center of all we are. The ancient Hebrews considered the heart the center of their being.

The beginning of Proverbs seven commands us to guard the things we learn from God’ Word as we would our very eyes. We protect our eyes, don’t we? In the same way we should protect the things God teaches us from the thieves that would quickly steal away what we’ve learned. Can you think of the thieves, the things that steal God’s Word from your life and thoughts?

How quickly do you forget Sunday’s sermon or a Bible verse you’ve just read?

There is an remedy for quickly stolen lessons: it’s called memorization. "...write them on your heart as if on a tablet.”

Proverbs 7:3 is telling us to MEMORIZE God’s Word. Committing God’s Word to memory is a powerful tool in your daily battle against the ungodly and harmful effects of this world. I can’t number the times I have been tempted and at just the right moment, a Bible verse floated through my mind. It’s as if I was walking through a dark forest – very much afraid – and then I noticed a verse carved into my heart – forever there.

So, today I’m making a point of carving a new verse onto my heart.

Hey! Ask me Sunday what verse I chose to memorize!

Day Six: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 6:23
“These commands are like a lamp; this teaching is like a light. And the correction that comes from them will help you have life.”

Correcting My Course

Here’s my movie choice of the week: Terrie and I went to see the new “Pirate’s” movie Monday. We had a great time and the movie was worth the price of admission. Very exciting, very funny... I love watching movies about old ships and old shipmates. I especially love the scenes where the captain is at the helm, holding on to the huge wheel, correcting the course of the ship. I always wanted to do that!

The verse that jumped out at me is a “captain’s verse”, “And the correction that comes...will help you have life.”

I’m picture in my mind rough seas ahead. I’ve made some bad choices and the ship I call my life is heading into unsettled waters. It doesn’t look good. But then, I remember the lessons God taught me through my Godly parents and the words from God’s WORD that my parents encouraged me to commit to memory and thus my heart.

I remember the teaching and it’s as if a light begins to shine out in front of my ship and a course begins to clear – all I have to do is make the corrections at my helm and safety is assured – even in the troubled waters.

OK...back to reality...wait a minute – THAT IS REALITY! As I listen and steer toward God’s commands thinks become brighter and clearer and my life is saved from the storms that would otherwise wash me overboard.

The Country Western singer says, “Jesus take the wheel...”

I say, “Jesus, let me steer in Your direction so you don’t have to take the wheel!”

Day Five: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 5:21 “For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.”

I have a confession to make: I am a liar. Not that I lie to other people, I really try to keep from that; I work hard at being honest! However, I find it hard a times to be honest with myself. My heart can be “deceitfully wicked” when I don’t keep it in check.

It’s easy to lie to yourself; it’s easy to tell yourself that you’re thinking more about others than yourself. It’s easy to convince yourself that your point of view in obviously more valid that the other person’s. It’s easy to tell yourself that you need what you don’t really need. It’s just way too easy to lie to yourself.

Lying to yourself is easy, because you usually want to hear the lie.

The antidote for “self-lying” is found in Proverbs 5:21, “The LORD sees clearly...”

Today my goal is to ask the LORD to reveal a few of my self-lies and help me to see me as clearly as He sees me. In the process I assume I will find a few dents in my vehicle that need repair and I am determined to start the repairs before the sun sets.

Day Four: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 4:14-16 "Do not do as the wicket do or follow the path of evil doers. Avoid their haunts. Turn away and go somewhere else, for evil people cannot sleep until they have done their evil deed for the day. They cannot rest unless they have caused someone to stumble."

This is another on of those days when taking just one verse is going to be tough. I’ve never really “noticed” verses fourteen through sixteen before. Those three words at the beginning of verse fifteen really stand out in the New Living Translation of Proverbs 14: “Avoid their haunts.”

But if you really want to get the point, read the verse in the Old English (King James) translation: “Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” Do you think he’s trying to make a point here?

As I journey through “today” I want to keep my eyes open so that I do not fall for the detours and paths of those who choose the morally wrong. Their only purpose is to cause me to stumble.

So today, LORD, let me keep my eyes open, looking straight ahead keeping to Your path that is safe!

Day Three: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Honestly, there's too much in these thirty-five verses for me to make sense out of in one day - so I was drawn back to what I believe are the two key verses for the entire book of Proverbs.

I find myself trying to figure and plan on my own. It's not that I don't have the intellegence to figure some things out without God - it's just that I am incredibly LIMITED. My understanding fits inside of a 48-year-old-five foot, nine inch tall (and way too wide) box. God's wisdom and understanding stretches throughout all eternity. I am tempral, God is eternal.
Whenever I depend on my own understanding I always limit myself.

But when I seek God's wisdom and follow it, when I trust Him whole-heartedly, He always directs me.

Today my desire is to be whole-hearted in my trust in God.



June 3rd exit: Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Day Two: Proverbs Road Trip
(See May 31st post to join the journey!)

Proverbs 2:20 Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous.

So, yesterday my focus was on turning my back FROM sinners (and sinful things) that easily entice me off God's journey for me. It'e easy to get sidetracked by things that only cause hurt and slow down my progress.

Today I discovered Proverbs 2:20, "Follow the steps of good men instead..."

That verse reminded me of another verse I memorized as a young man, "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps." 1 Peter 2:21

Did you catch the end of the verse, "He is our example, and you must follow in his steps." ?

The now cleched phrase "WWJD" still matters: what would Jesus do? But it's also good to know that God has brought other godly men and women into my life that I can follow as well. I don't follow them the way I do Jesus Christ, but I can look to them for guidance, because they've often been where I'm going next! We call them "mature Christians".

One of the ital things every Christ Follower needs is a Christian MENTOR.

Who do you have that you can turn to with questions, prayer concerns, or challenges. Who do you have in your life that you trust enough to "get into your face" every now and then and tell you like it is?

We all need "good men" (and women) in our lives.

Don't take this journey alone. That's why church and small groups are so important.

June 2nd exit: Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous. Proverbs 2:20

June 1st: Proverbs Chapter One

Proverbs 1:10
My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!

I don't know, well, yes I do, I'm a sinner. I have been forgiven through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection and I have a new eternal life with God's Spirit living in me...but even with that
I am still a sinner - as the old Pastor used to say "a sinner saved by God's grace".


I still find myself wanting to sin sometimes. What's it called? "Pleasure for a season..."? Then after the short season, there is a long period of guilt and dealing with the hurt that the sin caused.


It's easy to WANT to sin, even though I know such sin will hurt me. And...(and this is important, it gets easier to sin when I hang around sinful things. Sinners (i.e. sinful things and sinful people) love to get other people to sin with them. Sinning alone isn't nearly as much fun as sinning with someone else. It's sort of the "can't be that bad if someone else is doing it to" excuse.


My goal for today as I begin this Road Trip through Proverbs is to turn my back on sinful people and sinful things. They can do what they will - but I don't want to watch them or be tempted to join them. I assume this will mean turning the channels on the radio, TV and Internet - among other things.


And while I am turning my back AWAY from those enticing sinners - I want to TURN TOWARD postive, godly things like enjoying my family, my work, and others who will encourage me to live as God would desire.


On with the trip...


June 1st Exit: My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! Proverbs 1:10

Starting tomorrow, June 1st, I want to invite you on a "Road Trip" through the Old Testament Book of Proverbs.

There are thirty-one (31) chapters in the Book of Proverbs, one for every day of the month (we'll add July 1st since June is a short month). There is a lot of very practical wisdom packed into tiny bite-sized verses in every one of those thirty-one chapters.

So...each day during the month of June I want to invite you to travel through just one chapter. It might take you ten minutes,probably less to read through the verses. If you want to stop there - you can, or, you can pick an "exit verse" for the day and go on a sort of "side excursion".

An "exit verse" is just ONE VERSE that really stand out in the chapter you read. Write that verse down on a piece of paper (I'm using3-by-5 cards) and carry that verse with you throughout the day. When you think about it - read the verse and see how it applies to what you are doing at that moment. You will be surprised and delighted at what you find on these little detours!

EVERY DAY DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE I WILL BE POSTING MY "EXIT VERSE" AND SIDE EXCURSIONS HERE ON MY BLOG

I invite you to add your comments or share your verse on the blog as well!

I can't think of a better way to start the Summer than gaining powerful and positive insights that will make the Summer even better.I guarantee you - that if you take the trip (and a few detours along the way) you will be a changed person on July 1st!

Let me know if you plan to take the trip with me. You can email me at paulw.newell@verizon.net or add a comment to this post. I will keep a list of those traveling with me and pray for you along the journey!

Can't wait to see where we go!!!

See you tomorrow for day one of our Summer Road Trip!

Well, this is one of those Sundays when most pastors HOPE no one asks them how the attendance, offering or whatever was...

Like most pastors of most churches, for the past several weeks we've been hearing from all of our faithful families and key leadership telling us of their “great plans” for the Memorial Day Weekend "at the lake" - "in the mountains" - "at aunt what's her face's place".

All of our faithful workers and attenders are all going to be WHERE WE WISH WE WERE - but NOOOOOOOOO, we're the Pastors of these wonderful churches and people and we wouldn't think of blipping out on a holiday weekend with everyone else.

I've wondered what would happen if we just canceled church on such weekends - maybe doing a "double header" the week before to make up for the sin of omission (omitting a weekend we wish didn't exist). And to add salt to the wound – for some Pastors who already take Monday as their regular “day off” (I love that term), their “boards” wouldn’t even think of encouraging their pastors to take off Tuesday. No, I bet there’s already a LOT planned for Tuesday...

Wait...I forgot, I don't Pastor that kind of church anymore - whew!!!!!!

OK, so some of it is still true – a lot of our leadership did tell me they were going to be out of town for the holiday weekend. (Good for them.) However, arriving at church this morning, I wasn't expecting much in the way of attendance, or "energy". It was going to be "CHURCH LITE" and I was asking God to help me preach with the same passion I would if we were expecting a record attendance and everyone was "in house".

It's funny, because the key leadership and servants who did arrive early were all sort of feeling the same way and seemed to be praying the same prayer... “Lord, give us the same enthusiasm and energy as every week!”

Well, God was going to teach us a few things...and here's how I was blessed on a weekend when I didn't expect too much in the way of blessing...

(1) Two men showed up early and were not only eager to set up, but their energy inspired me! We even set up in record time. These two men, father and son – are two of the most faithful men I know. It would be hard to "do church" without their efforts and though everyone benefits from their faithfulness - most people don't even think about their hard work - I think about it - and them - a lot! Thanks Tim and Jim.

(2) Our Greet Team leader arrived with his beautiful daughter beside him. Mom and the two sons were out of town at a baseball tournament. Mike and Danielle came to church because everyone they called to take their place was already planning to be out of town too. Mike said they came to church and canceled going to the game because he wouldn't leave us hanging. I asked him why he didn't just call me - he said, "no way, this is my responsibility..." so something like that. Thank God for men and women like Mike and Danielle. (However, next time call me - and we'll work it out. Even Team Leaders need a break! :-) Thanks, Mike and Danielle. (Hope the boys won!!!)

(3) Then there were the two preschool parents who stepped in and ran our Preschool Park program as efficiently as ever - giving Mary, our regular teacher and her family the opportunity to get out of town and still know that the little worshippers would have somewhere to learn about God. Thanks Steve and DeAnna.

(4) Then there were all the new families in church today. I think I counted five or six "new" families. We had at least 100 in church today, we didn't miss a beat. It was so cool to stand by the door and greet new faces and see all the kids and their parents enjoying worship together. Thanks to everyone who invited and bought a friend today!

(5) Our ladies at the Fellowship Cafe were wonderful. They put out a great spread and everyone was blessed. Thanks, Joan and team!

(6) Our Teen Leadership stepped up and REFUSED to give in to the holiday weekend - insisting that both the J-High and Senior groups meet this afternoon. THAT'S FOUR STRAIGHTHOURS OF TEENAGERS AT MATT'S HOUSE!!! Way to go! Thanks Matt & Amber.

(7) Then there was...Rooftop Kid's Worship (thanks Terrie, Joy, Marilyn & Megan) ...Toddler Town (great work Traci and team!)...Benji, Promise & Tim hanging in there with the worship team. (We missed you Clyde and Chris!).

(8) I watched from the front of the auditorium and a lot of our "regulars" reached out to all of the new comers - way cool!

(9) And God blessed the service, even if I did preach too long. I know the topic touched a lot of our hearts and it was great hearing from many of you who told me of the commitments you were making and the encouragement you received from applying God's Word.

(10) And God provided through the tithes and offerings of His people. Once again, ChurchForFamily’s needs were meet this week! God is faithful! Thanks to all of you who havetaken God at His Word and committed your "First Fruits" to Him!

So...what was supposed to be "One of those Sundays" just wasn't so at ChurchForFamily - God blessed with a great Spirit in our midst and great people in church!

I don’t think that it's because we don't have enough faith...I think it's more that we wait to see what God will do - and then are so appreciative of what He does.

And for all of you who DID take this weekend off - I PRAYED FOR YOU! I PRAYED THAT GOD WOULD GIVE YOU A GREAT WEEKEND WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND THAT HE WOULD BRING YOU BACK SAFELY TO US NEXT SUNDAY!

I'm thanking God for His blessings this Sunday!