The Proverbs Challenge

“The purpose of Proverbs is to give "prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young" Proverbs 1:4, and to make wise men wiser (1:5). 

The frequent references to “my son” emphasize instructing the young and guiding them into a happy and prosperous life. Acquiring wisdom and knowing how to avoid the pitfalls of folly will lead to health and success. Proverbs is a practical book dealing with the area of living, it bases wisdom solidly on the fear of the Lord.  Throughout the book this reverence for God is set forth as the path to life and security.” Taken from the introduction in the NIV Study Bible

Did you know there are 31 chapters in Proverbs?

Would you take the Proverbs challenge?

Read 1 chapter a day for a month.

Then do it again and again.

See, if once you have saturated yourself with this wisdom,

whether you feel wiser!!

Would love to have you join me in this challenge. Read 1 chapter of Proverbs a day for the month. Let me know if you take the challenge and let me know if you believe you have more knowledge and wisdom at the end of the challenge!

There will NOT be a test!

Because I am a Woman of God….

I am a child of God. I am a follower of Christ.

Elisabeth Elliot – one of my mentors, my heroine ( why do we not use the word heroine anymore? is it because they named a drug heroine? I just love the way the word feels on my tongue when I say it.) Anyway, Elisabeth Elliot died on June 15, 2015 at the age of 88. She was such a wonderful example of being a follower of Christ in her 88 years.

One of my favorite quotes from her is this:

“The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian but the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different kind of woman.”

On March 21st I entered a new season of my life. This struggle has been just that. A struggle.

Just weeks(?) days(?) after my husband died, I told Pastor Bob (and I’m sure others) that I have no idea what God has for me but I want to be a widow that studies and teaches Bible Studies….  But when it’s time to begin studying, I have no concentration. No “drive” to teach.

Which leads me to this blog, I haven’t been writing here because it all seems so personal and I don’t want to seem like I am begging for sympathy or empathy because I’m not. In fact I often seem to do better without it. So I’ve been jotting in a “real” journal.  But this morning I had a revelation!

I am a Christian.  If I don't use this season of my life to help someone else, then I have utterly failed.   Utterly, completely, totally, absolutely entirely, fully, wholly.

So, I will share my struggles, my joys, my setbacks and my accomplishments. And all the other stuff that comes in the package deal of mourning a loved one.

My journey is not more important, more special than yours – or anyone else's. – Except to me and it is special to me because it is mine and I live it daily.

My goal for 2015 is to make it to the end of the year standing on both feet, my shoulder’s back and my head held high. Being that "different kind of woman because I am a Christian."

My ultimate goal is to help someone else get through their tough days in their important journey with maybe a laugh, a tear, or just an understanding of hurt - knowing that we serve a Great God and He is right here with us on this journey.

In Honor of My Husband, Randy

Randy Cohorn

08-05-1947  -  03-21-2015

My memories of this man are strong and intense.  I am so very grateful that I have only one regret in my life with him  and that is that we had so few years together.  

* He was the most handsome man I have ever met.
I loved his face. It had so much character. But more importantly it was kind and loving.

* He had a FABULOUS sense of humor.
Before we even met in person, we emailed for a few weeks. On February 25th, 2010 he said, 

Brenda,
2nd grade joke...
Question: What happened to the frog who broke down on the highway?
Answer: He got Toad away.
I get all my best stuff from second graders. First graders are cute but they're just not funny.
Randy”

This is when I fell in love.

* He loved with every fiber of his being.
He loved God and never hesitated to let others see that love.

He loved me more than I have ever been loved.

He loved children!! He enjoyed them – even teens!! 

We had a large combined family and he loved them all. Toni’s family, My family, His family. At different times in his life he made room for so many different people and he took responsibility and worked hard to care for everyone and to make everyone happy! If I start listing them here I may run out of room. But he loved all of us.

He loved his friends. – Greatly. They have been so important to him in his life.

He loved his church. – He loved serving in his church. He never picked his ministry by what he enjoyed doing – he always picked his ministry by where he was needed most. THEN he greatly enjoyed it.

He loved our Life Group!

 
We had such a good time together! And he wanted to do things together – spend time together.  We always had things to do and we always enjoyed them. If it was going to Branson, estate sales, or watching Blue Bloods and playing “Words with Friends” (he always won when we played… – well most of the time.) We just always had fun.
 
I can’t cover all he meant to me. Too much.

But I am thinking of him today and of his patriotism and how he enjoyed these holidays.
 
He was a good man. I hope you knew him. If you did, I’m sure your life was changed a bit. If you didn’t, I hope and pray you meet someone in your lifetime that is as special as Randy is to all of us who did know him.