Hey Austin!

Just a reminder to Austin and everyone who knows him: YOU HAVE SNACKS TONIGHT!!! So if you see the man today, let him know. The poor guy was sitting too close to me on Sunday when I remembered that I needed to get someone to bring snacks this week. Chan was there and I asked her, "Who has done snacks this semester?" Then she looked to her right, right at Austin and said, "He's never done snacks!" So there it was. Hopefully, Austin's sweettooth and my sweettooth see eye to eye and we'll have some good munchies tonight.

Proverbs 8:5 (NASB) says, "O naive ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand wisdom". Once again, the call has gone out from Wisdom, the personified character here in Proverbs, to all those in the world who need her. Both of these things, prudence and wisdom are needed by all. We have talked extensively about wisdom, so let me talk a bit about prudence. Prudence is a handful of times in the Proverbs in conjunction with wisdom and knowledge. Prudence is basically common sense and good judgement. As we all know, there are some people in the world who are just deficient in this area. The might be a straight A student, have all the book-smarts in the world, but just don't have a shred of street-smarts. I don't think that this verse is condemning these folks, although I think it's safe to say this verse suggests one would be "wise" to try and do better here. I don't understand how, but some people manage to look truth in the face and still turn and to something else. They know what they ought to do but choose to do otherwise. These are the people the verse speaks loudest too! We've seen elsewhere in Proverbs that some folks just won't turn, just won't break, from their foolish and evil patterns in life. While this is true, Wisdom still calls out. There is still a chance for all of us to turn and do right. Common sense is a great tool to have but it's useless if it is ignored. Use what you've been given (in what ever amount) in the way it is supposed to be used.

Wednesday 12/8: Big Deal is back on its regular schedule this week (Austin B. has snacks this week. If you see him, remind him!!!)
Sunday 12/12: Christmas carroling (come ready to sing!)
Saturday 12/18: Toys for Tots distribution @ Harmony United Methodist Church
Sunday 12/19: Holiday Dinner (come hungry!)
Wednesday 12/21: A Big Deal Christmas (White Elephant gift exchange & party)

Later...