NOT Hakuna Matata: Real Life Lessons from the Animals of Proverbs 26

You don’t have to read “National Geographic” or watch “Animal Planet” for hours to realize that the animal kingdom has a lot to teach us about what it looks like to be human. Sure, God placed us over all the animals to rule them, but in the Bible, we are told to observe them as well.

God answers Job’s cries by challenging him to consider who cares for lions, ravens, goats, donkeys and more (Job 38-39). On multiple occasions, Jesus tells His listeners to think about birds when they are worried (Matthew 6 & 10). And in Proverbs 26, King Solomon teaches some very important life lessons using a variety of animal scenarios.

What do all these have in common? God‘s design. Not only did God create all these animals, He also designed how they would survive and interact. Which means they provide a good illustration of what happens when God‘s design is violated. When that happens, there is arrogance, worry, slander, violence, sloth, lies, gossip, and overall foolishness. Sounds like an uplifting start to a podcast, doesn’t it? Don’t worry, there is some light along the way. Thanks for joining us!

ALSO:

—Summerween

—Don’t fast-forward summer!

—Is that me or the Holy Spirit?

—What gets us in trouble…

References:

Proverbs 26

Matthew 10

Psalm 28

Proverbs 6

The Minions

The Odyssey

Getting to the Root of Things

Hello, Friends! What are you believing? We aren’t necessarily talking about a creed you profess and live by, though the beliefs you have do shape how you speak and live. We are talking about the quiet soundtracks that play just below the surface of your thoughts. The roots that anchor our reactions and instincts and make us wonder, “Where did that come from?”

That’s just one fun thing we are going to talk about today as we continue to explore the Proverbs. We don’t make a ton of headway—just three chapters. But those chapters are so packed with rich wisdom and imagery that we just couldn’t go any faster through them.

So thanks for joining us today! We are so glad you are with us!

ALSO:

—What we are listening to

—What does this thought produce in you?

—The power of confession

—When Abram waited

—How your past colors your present

—The beautiful Serenity Prayer

—Strength training and submission

—Honey and Wisdom

References:

—Books: The Running Grave, Theo of Golden, Heartwood, The Rosie Project, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

—The Daily Bible Podcast

—The Bible Project

—Tyler Staton sermons

—Bizzie Gold

—Proverbs 23-25

Leveling Up: Proverbs 16-22

Hi, Friends! Proverbs may look kind of like a grocery store of verses where the stockers pick the most random places to put things, but the fun thing about that is that you come across verses and wisdom that you might not have otherwise paid attention to. You might just be reading along and one verse could stop you in your tracks, like a message just for you.

We are going to talk about verses like that today. We will cover things like perspective, relationships, aging, and discernment, because Proverbs has a lot to say about all of that. And we will have a good time along the way. Thanks for joining us!

ALSO:

—The gift of imagination in reading the Bible

—How, when, and who to reprove

—Humility in conflict resolution

—How to grow in discernment

—When God tests the heart

—Being still to be with God

—Is this a story worth repeating

References:

—Proverbs 16-22

—Jefferson Fisher Podcast

—Brant and Sherri Oddcast

—“The Ink Black Heart” by Robert Galbraith

—“Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi