Proverbs 4:8-9

Proverbs 4:8-9 (KJV)  8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Proverbs 4:8-9 (NIV)  8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.

Proverbs 4:8-9 (NLT)  8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
Embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
she will present you with a beautiful crown.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Prize her - סַלְסְלֶ֥הָ (salal, sal·sə·le·hā) - Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew 5549: To mound up, to exalt, to oppose

The radical meaning of salal seems to be "to heap up," as a road is prepared by embankments so that it is level.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
you embrace her - תְחַבְּקֶֽנָּה׃ (chabaq, ṯə·ḥab·bə·qen·nāh)- Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew 2263: To clasp, embrace

Embrace in a loving and affectionate manner, as a husband does his wife, or a son his mother.

There are two action words for us:
Exalt, cherish, prize
Embrace

The rewards are:
Promote, exalt, make you great
A crown of glory, an ornament of grace for the head

Godly wisdom is something to be prized, seen as valuable and a constant watch should be on it to make sure you are still in balance and level. God is in the balance. How many of you know of people who get way out on a limb and into extremism of some sort? They may start on the right path but end up going down some rabbit trail into strange things and they get out of balance and out of plumb. Before they know it they are involved in some cult or destructive doctrines that aren't biblical. We want to add to our knowledge but we don't want to fall into heresy.

What is heresy? Heresy - an opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, especially of a church or religious system; any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs, customs, etc.

One question that occurs to everyone is how do we know the Bible is the Word of God? How do we know it has no errors, no misinterpretations, no human stain or human opinion mixed in? You are not the first to ask this question and God has given understanding and wisdom in answering that question. But you have to do some research and learn some history. You also have to do it from a place of belief. You see, faith has to be involved or the Holy Spirit will keep His secrets. I began my spiritual journey by faith in Jesus Christ and, by faith, I accepted His Word as true and inerrant (no errors). Since then, the Holy Spirit has been training and teaching me and the more I learn, the more I find the Bible utterly trustworthy. But it begins with faith.

We know there are many archaeologists who specialize in the ancient times of the Bible. They know the Bible backwards and forwards like they know other books from ancient times. They study the land, the peoples, the culture, the political systems and they go looking for the Ark, King David's palace, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha, etc. But they don't necessarily do it from a standpoint of faith in God and in His inerrant Word. They do it because it interested them and became their area of expertise. They want to be the first who finds evidence of King David, or of Jesus' tomb, or of Apostle Paul's jail. But, in God's eyes, all of that is worthless if it doesn't bring them to faith in Jesus Christ as His Son and the Savior. They have knowledge with no faith. They have their minds governed by the flesh and are naturally hostile to God.

Romans 8:5-10 (NIV)  5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Psalm 147:1-11  1 Praise the Lord.
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.
6 The Lord sustains the humble
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;
make music to our God on the harp.
8 He covers the sky with clouds;
he supplies the earth with rain
and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He provides food for the cattle
and for the young ravens when they call.
10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
11 the Lord delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Fear does not mean abject terror but means to reverence and hold in awe. In Psalm 147 (above) the verses above talk about how wonderfully merciful God is in taking care of those who are His precious children. He provides for them, takes care of them and delights in them. How can we not love, worship, reverence and stand in awe of such a God. The One who created and named the stars loves me!!!

So, we start with faith and then you can begin learning the history of the Bible and how it came to be the Bible we know today. Once you have faith, learn the history of the Bible, read the Bible for yourself... you have a foundation on which to begin studying on the questions you have. As I've mentioned in earlier lessons on Proverbs, there are many ways to study and you have all the time God gives you on this earth to learn. Take advantage of it! I have some blog posts that might help HERE.

To get back to studying godly wisdom, be sure you stay in balance and levelheaded. There are reasons why denominations have their "doctrines".

Doctrine - is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings, instructions, taught principles or positions on matters; beliefs that a religious organization find are essential and non-negotiable.

For instance, for a Christian religion, a non-negotiable doctrine is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and it is through Him only that we can be saved. We are not saved without faith in that doctrine. Another is baptism. Different denominations may believe in dunking versus sprinkling, baptizing babies versus baptizing a person old enough to consent to salvation through Jesus Christ, but we all believe in baptism. Some of these differences are important enough that different denominations have been established around them but they are still Christian churches because they believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior. I happen to believe that baptism of a person who is old enough to have come to personal faith and belief in Jesus Christ therefore should be baptized in front of witnesses by dunking. So I would not join a denomination that practises a sprinkling baptism of babies. There are people who were sprinkled as babies but then try to join a Baptist church knowing that their doctrine is one of baptism by dunking and that only when they are old enough to make their own choice of faith in Jesus. Knowing the doctrine of a Baptist church, they still think they can join without being baptized because they were sprinkled as a baby. When confronted with the Baptist doctrine they try to push their way past them and force the church into a crisis when all they had to do was go down the street to the Methodist church and join there. That's deliberately causing division for no reason.

The reason for a set of doctrines is because people are people. They are each one different, unique and come from various backgrounds and therefore we can talk ourselves into believing in anything. You know people who believe in ghosts, Native American spirits, humanism, a monkey god, an elephant god, a multiarmed god, Buddha, fairies, Muhammed, etc. Even people who refuse to acknowledge any god (atheists) worship No-God. They are vehement in their religion of No-God and will argue the live-long day in the existence of No-God. So it is essential to have a defining set of beliefs called doctrines that we can rely on to help us stay balanced and within good boundaries and parameters or we can all go off into wild imaginings. We were naturally built for worship and if we aren't directing our worship to the only true God, then we will worship something, or somebody else.

Before joining a church, ask about their beliefs and doctrines. Make sure they coincide with what is accepted by the Christian churches. You want a church that believes Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, is the Son of God, was sinless, was crucified and raised again and ascended into Heaven. You want a church who believes the Holy Bible is the Word of God and inerrant. You want a church who believes in the basic sacraments of baptism, communion, marriage. You want a church that teaches love and service to others but not acceptance of sin as anything but sin. Sin is sin according to the Bible and therefore is something to repent of and guard against, not accept as a lifestyle and celebrated or promoted.

Today, it's very easy to check on a denomination, or church's beliefs and doctrines. Google it. Most churches have a website and they should have a list of their beliefs and doctrines on their website. Otherwise, ask the pastor for a written list of beliefs and doctrines. If they don't want to provide it, there's your sign. Walk away.

But, even with the basic building blocks of doctrines, human beings being human beings, a pastor or leadership within the church, can get off balance and need correction. If they aren't willing to correct, it may be time to walk away. This is tricky and delicate. You must walk the beam of balance again. You don't want to gossip and backstab the pastor. You don't want to cause unnecessary division. You don't want your pride to get in the way. You can carefully try a way of correction and mediation. But if that doesn't work, you go your way and find another church. Thank God, in America, we usually have plenty to choose from.

Don't assume you know everything and there is nothing to be learned from the Bible, both Old and New Testament. I don't care if you are just starting out or if you have a PhD in Bible, you will find you learn something every time you plumb it's depths. That's because it is the living Word of God. It is not a dry, dusty old tome. It is sharp, current, living and able to change your life! Ask the Holy Spirit to open up your spiritual eyes and ears and to take the Word and apply it to your heart and change your life. I.e. prepare yourself for the truths you will learn by asking the Holy Spirit to open up the Word to you.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we continually thank God that in receiving the word of God from us, you did not accept it as the word of men, but as the true word of God--the word now at work in you who believe.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (NLT)  18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” (Isaiah 29:14)
20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in His wisdom saw to it that the world would never know Him through human wisdom, He has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.
24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.”

Worldly "wisdom" is knowledge without God and what good is it? It doesn't save a soul, not one. True wisdom is godly wisdom. It begins and ends with God. "God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ has made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin". Hallelujah!!!

Worldy "wisdom" may build an empire, find a cure for a disease, send men to the moon... but how far does that go when you face eternity? It doesn't save you!

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, is running for President as a Democrat. He said it’s his work for more gun control — along with his anti-smoking and healthy eating campaigns — that have won him God’s favor and a place in Heaven. New York Times quotes him as saying: “I am telling you if there is a God, when I get to heaven I’m not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in. I have earned my place in heaven. It’s not even close.”

This man really thinks he can ban styrofoam cups, supersized drinks and pass laws infringing on the Constitutional rights of law abiding citizens to own guns to protect themselves and he's going to Heaven. According to his own words, "if there is a God", he's not going to Heaven no matter what good he thinks he is doing. May Bloomberg know and accept Jesus Christ before he dies! The only way to Heaven is believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and His work on the cross will save you from God's judgement. It is by faith and not by works. We can't be good enough to get into Heaven. We are born in sin and we sin, therefore all our "righteousness" is but filthy rags. We have to have a Savior and that is Jesus Christ. THIS is true wisdom.

Wisdom has to be God-centered or it is nothing but folly. So many schools, colleges and universities were started by Christians and tried to have God as the center of wisdom. But as our society has steadily, and with malice aforethought, deleted God from public life in America, our schools have been wiped clean of God and godly wisdom. And we are seeing a terrible result! One by one, schools, colleges and universities have not only become secularized but have become hostile to God, turning out students who know nothing about God, His Word or His wisdom and who hate anything "Christian"! They aren't just deleting God, but preaching hate for God in these institutions of higher learning. These college educated adults are coming out nearly illiterate, burdened with college debts, and brainwashed with liberal ideologies. And it's all for nothing. Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars spent on higher education by a student who comes out not knowing how to think for themselves, not able to get a job, not able to function in the real world (snowflakes), and not going to Heaven. What's the point? It's folly! It's a waste of time and money.

Mark 8:36-37 36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? 37 Is anything worth more than your soul?

• Did you come to the Bible with belief? Faith? Or as a scenic? Trying to disprove?
• People have come to the Bible in disbelief but the study of the Word, in order to disprove it, changed their minds entirely and they became believers. But many have also read and studied the Word without conversion. They remain unbelievers. Why do you think that is?
• The Holy Spirit will present the gospel, the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, to every man but not every man accepts it. Many reject Jesus Christ. So it isn't surprising that some come to faith by reading the Word, but others do not. But woe to those who know the Bible, who have read the very Word of God, have had the Holy Spirit drawing them, but they still refuse Him who would save them! Having every advantage and chance but to still reject Jesus Christ is a scary thought! Have you trust and rest in your belief in Jesus?
• Have you trusted in the work of Christ or in your own good works?

For all my studies on Proverbs click HERE.

Thriller Thursday - Robert Thomas Miller

William Robert Miller is the older brother of my great grandmother, Noda Vesta Miller Lamb, so he is my 2nd great uncle. That makes Omie Miller Gregg my 1st cousin 2 times removed.

Omie Miller (DOB 3/7/1883 in Hot Springs, Madison County, NC to William Robert Miller and Nancy Matilda Sexton; DOD 11/24/1948 in Greenville, Greenville County, SC) married John Gregg (DOB Abt 1885 in Cocke County, TN; DOD 6/1950 in ? ) on 2/8/1903 in Cocke County, TN.

Omie Miller and John Gregg had 1 son:

1) Dewey Chester Gregg, Sr. (DOB 11/26/1902 in Newport, Cocke County, TN; DOD 4/2/1989 in Greenville, Greenville County, SC) married Savilla Parlee Gilliland (DOB 5/6/1899 in TN; DOD 2/1981 in Greenville, Greenville County, SC). She had first been married to Charlie Arwood Hannah and they had David Luther Hannah. Dewey and Savilla had:

     A) Robert Thomas Gregg (DOB 1/17/1927 in SC; DOD 2/1/1950 in Greenville, Greenville County, SC).

     B) Dewey Chester Gregg, Jr. (aka Junior Gregg)(DOB 11/15/1929 in SC; DOD 2/23/2010 in Blacksburg, Cherokee County, SC) married Cheryl ? .

     C) Edna Lucille Gregg (DOB 11/6/1931 in TN; DOD 4/27/2017 in Greenville, Greenville County, SC) married Buford Bennett Childress.

     D) Geraldine Gregg (DOB 5/30/1934 in TN; DOD 10/2/2007 in Columbia, Richland County, SC) married James William Pruitt.

     E) Fred Ike Gregg (DOB 9/21/1939 in Greenville, Greenville County, SC; DOD 4/21/1994 in ? ) married ? .

     F) Winston Delono Gregg (DOB 1942 in Greenville, Greenville County, SC; DOD ? in ? ) married Rachel ?.

     G) Sylvia Parlee Gregg (DOB 4/9/1945 in SC; DOD 9/8/1999 in Shelby, Cleveland County, NC) married ? Peterson.


John Gregg was also married to Dora Sane (DOB Abt. 1874 in TN; DOD 1/11/1927 in Parrotsville, Cocke County, TN of influenza and pulmonary tuberculosis) and they had 1 daughter:

1) Deloris Mae Gregg (DOB 7/28/1913 in Greenville County, SC to Lewis G. Gregg and Catherine Malissa Cutshall; DOD 1/11/2003 in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas, USA) Married George William Coy Roberts.

Omie Miller then married John Meadows (DOB 8/16/1882 in ? ; DOD 7/15/1970 in ? ) and they had 1 son:

1) Clyde Meadows (DOB Abt 1919 in SC; DOD ? in ? , married ? ). I couldn't find any further information on him after the 1940 U.S. Census (see below).

1910 U.S. Census of Civil District 2, Cocke County, Tennessee; Roll: T624_1494; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1375507, Lines 42-47, "Lewis D. Gregg"
Lewis D. Gregg, Head, M(ale), W(hite), 50 yrs old, First marriage, Married 30 yrs, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN, Farmer, Can read and write, Owns farm free of mortgage
Catherine M. Gregg, Sife, F, W, 50 yrs old, First marriage, Married 30 yrs, 7 children with 6 still living, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN
John F.  Gregg, Son, M, W, 28 yrs old, First marriage, Married 7 yrs, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN, Laborer hired out, Cannot read or write
Lester F. Gregg, Son, M, W, 18 yrs old, Single, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN, Laborer on home farm, Cannot read or write
Minnis J. Gregg, Won, M, W, 14 yrs old, Single, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN, Can read and write
Dewey C. Gregg, Grandson, M, W, 6 yrs old, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN

1920 U.S. Census of East Seventh Street, Greenville, Greenville, South Carolina; Roll: T625_1698; Page: 26A; Enumeration District: 20, Lines 24-29, "Robert Miller"
Robert Miller, Head, Rents home, M(ale), W(hite), 54 yrs old, Married, Can read and write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Laborer cotton mill
Matilda Miller, Wife, F, W, 54 yrs old, Married, Can read and write, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN
Denver Miller, Son, M, W, 24 yrs old, Single, Can read and write, Born in  Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Clerk drug store
Hassie Miller, Daughter, F, W, 18 yrs old, Single, Can read and write, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN, Telephone operator in telephone office
Ome Meadows, Daughter, F, W, 31 yrs old, Married, Can read and write, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN, Spooler in cotton mill
Clyde Meadows, Grandson, M, W, 5 yrs old, Born in SC, Both parents born in TN

1920 U.S. Census of Civil District 2, Cocke County, Tennessee; Roll: T625_1733; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 40, Lines 59-62, "John F. Gregg"
John F. Gregg, Head, Rents farm, M(ale), W(hite), 37 yrs old, Married, Cannot read or write, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN, Farmer
Dora Gregg, Wife, F, W, 48 yrs old, Married, Can read and write, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN
Dewey Gregg, Son, M, W, 15 yrs old, Single, Attends school, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN
Delora Gregg, Daughter, F, W, 6 yrs old, Single, Attends school

TN Death Certificate #9608, Registration District #41502, Registered #8, Dora Gregg, DOD 1/11/1927 in Parrottsville, Cocke County, TN
Female, White, Married, DOB "No date given" (No age give either), Born in TN
Occupation: Housekeeper
Father: Daniel Sane, born in TN
Mother: Sarah Kelley, born in TN
Informant: J.F. Gregg, Parrottsville, TN
DOD 1/11/1927 at 1:00pm
Cause of death: Influenza and Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Buried: 1/12/1927 in Salem Cemetery, Parrottsville, TN

I couldn't find John Gregg or Omie Miller Meadows in the 1930 U.S. Census.

1930 U.S. Census of Parrottsville, Cocke County, Tennessee; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0004; FHL microfilm: 2341972, Lines 38-42, "Dewey Gregg"
Dewey Gregg, Head, Rents home, M(ale), W(hite), 25 yrs old, Married at age 22 yrs old, Can read and write, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN, Laborer on farm
Savilla Gregg, Wife, F, W, 28 yrs old, Married at age 25 yrs old, Can read and write, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN
Luther Gregg (sic, Luther David Hannah, stepson), Son, M, W, 11 yrs old, Single, attends school, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in TN
Robert Gregg, Son, M, W, 3 yrs 9/12 mos old, Born in SC, Both parents born in TN
Junior Gregg, Son, M, W, 4/12 mos, Born in SC, Both parents born in TN

1940 U.S. Census of Barber Shop St, Conestee, Greenville County, South Carolina; Roll: m-t0627-03811; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 23-29, Lines 74-80, "Chester Gregg"
Chester Gregg, Head, M(ale), W(hite), 38 yrs old, Married, Attended school thru 9th grade, Born in TN, Lived in rural Cocke County, TN in 1935, Laborer for W.P.A., Income $576
Savilla Gregg, Wife, F, W, 40 yrs old, Married, Attended no school, Born in TN, Lived in rural Cocke County, TN in 1935
Robert Gregg, Son, M, W, 13 yrs old, Single, Attends school, Attended school thru 2nd grade, Born in TN, Lived in Rural Cocke County, TN in 1935
Dewey Gregg, Son, M, W, 10 yrs old, Attends school, Attended school thru 2nd grade, Born in TN, Lived in rural Cocke County, TN in 1935
Lucile Gregg, Daughter, F, W, 8 yrs old, Attends school, Attended school thru 1st grade, Born in TN, Lived in rural Cocke County, TN in 1935
Geraldine Gregg, Daughter, F, W, 5 yrs old, Born in TN, Lived in rural Cocke County, TN in 1935
Ruby Gregg, Daughter, F, W, 3 yrs old, Born in TN
Fred I Gregg, Son, M, W, 7/12 mos old, Born in SC

1940 U.S. Census of Traction Street (Brandon Mill mill village), West Greenville, Greenville County, South Carolina; Roll: m-t0627-03813; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 23-60, Lines 71-72, "Onie Meadows", sic
Onie Meadows, Rents home for $6, Head, F(emale), W(hite), 49 yrs old, Widow, Attended school thru 2nd grade, Born in SC, Lived in the same place in 1935, Seamstress for W.P.A. sewing project, Income $280
Clyde Meadows, Son, M, W, 21 yrs old, Single, Attended school thru 5th grade, Born in SC, No occupation

As you can see, the 1940 U.S. Census has Omie Miller Meadows a widow. I can find very little on John Meadows but did find this record that could be him. But this has him dying in 1970 and therefore Omie wasn't a widow. Divorced, separated? Or is this not him?

U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Name: John Meadows
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 16 Aug 1882
Death Date: 15 Jul 1970
Claim Date: 30 Oct 1965
SSN: 43038****

U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Name: John Gregg
Social Security Number: 408-40-****
Birth Date: 11 Jan 1885
Issue year: Before 1951
Issue State: Tennessee
Death Date: Jun 1950

I don't know where John Gregg died. I could find no obituary in the Greenville News. I've seen other family trees have him dying in Cocke County, TN but they didn't list any supporting sources. I found no records there either. Dying in 1950, there should be a death certificate in SC or TN?

Naomi "Omie" Miller Gregg Meadows died 11/24/1948 in Greenville County, SC and is buried in Hopewell Cemetery on Neely Ferry Road, Simpsonville, Greenville County, SC. But I could find no death certificate, death record or obituary. I searched under Naomi Miller and she was called Omie. But, regardless, I have searched under all her names and any variations I could think of. I appreciate confirmation on Omie Miller and John Gregg's dates of birth from Teresa A. Bell.

Now we are ready to go into the story of Robert Thomas Miller.

Robert Thomas Miller was the oldest son of Dewey Chester Gregg, Sr. and Savilla Parlee Gilliland. He had an older half brother by his mother, Savilla's, previous marriage. He was 7 years old than Robert Thomas and his name was David Luther Hannah. Robert Thomas Miller had 3 younger brothers and 4 younger sisters.

1930 U.S. Census of Parrottsville, Cocke County, Tennessee; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0004; FHL microfilm: 2341972, Lines 38-42, "Dewey Gregg"
Dewey Gregg, Head, Rents home, M(ale), W(hite), 25 yrs old, Married at age 22 yrs old, Can read and write, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN, Laborer on farm
Savilla Gregg, Wife, F, W, 28 yrs old, Married at age 25 yrs old, Can read and write, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN
Luther Gregg (sic, Luther David Hannah, stepson), Son, M, W, 11 yrs old, Single, attends school, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in TN
Robert Gregg, Son, M, W, 3 yrs 9/12 mos old, Born in SC, Both parents born in TN
Junior Gregg, Son, M, W, 4/12 mos, Born in SC, Both parents born in TN

1940 U.S. Census of Barber Shop St, Conestee, Greenville County, South Carolina; Roll: m-t0627-03811; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 23-29, Lines 74-80, "Chester Gregg"
Chester Gregg, Head, M(ale), W(hite), 38 yrs old, Married, Attended school thru 9th grade, Born in TN, Lived in rural Cocke County, TN in 1935, Laborer for W.P.A., Income $576
Savilla Gregg, Wife, F, W, 40 yrs old, Married, Attended no school, Born in TN, Lived in rural Cocke County, TN in 1935
Robert Gregg, Son, M, W, 13 yrs old, Single, Attends school, Attended school thru 2nd grade, Born in TN, Lived in Rural Cocke County, TN in 1935
Dewey Gregg, Son, M, W, 10 yrs old, Attends school, Attended school thru 2nd grade, Born in TN, Lived in rural Cocke County, TN in 1935
Lucile Gregg, Daughter, F, W, 8 yrs old, Attends school, Attended school thru 1st grade, Born in TN, Lived in rural Cocke County, TN in 1935
Geraldine Gregg, Daughter, F, W, 5 yrs old, Born in TN, Lived in rural Cocke County, TN in 1935
Ruby Gregg, Daughter, F, W, 3 yrs old, Born in TN
Fred I Gregg, Son, M, W, 7/12 mos old, Born in SC

U.S. WWII Draft Cards Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 142
Serial #W379, Robert Thomas Grigg (sic), Order #11650
Address: House #27, Phennix Mill #1 (sic), Kings Mtn, Cleveland (County), NC
Mailing Address: Box 644, Kings Mtn, N.C.
Age: 18, Place of Birth: Greenville
Date of Birth: Jan 17, 1927 in SC
Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address:
Jeanna Biddix, House 27, Phennix #1, Kings Mtn, N.C.
Employer's Name and Address: L.H. Miller, Phennix #1, Kings Mtn, N.C.
Place of Employment: Phennix Mill #1, Kings Mtn, Cleveland (County), N.C.
White, 5'4", 140 lbs, Hazel eyes, Red hair, Ruddy complexion
Signed by him 1/17/1945 in King's Mountain, NC

U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Robert T Gregg
Birth Year: 1926
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: South Carolina
State of Residence: North Carolina
County or City: Cleveland
Enlistment Date: 6 Dec 1945
Enlistment State: Florida
Enlistment City: Camp Blanding
Branch: Air Corps
Branch Code: Air Corps
Grade: Private First Class
Grade Code: Private First Class
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for Hawaiian Department
Component: Regular Army (including Officers, Nurses, Warrant Officers, and Enlisted Men)
Source: Enlisted Man, Philippine Scout or recall to AD of an enlisted man who had been transferred to the ERC
Education: Grammar school
Marital status: Single, with dependents
Height: 05
Weight: 210



The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 5/6/1949, Pg 27, "2 Defendants Are Charged In Theft"
Defendants listed as Robert Gregg and Junior Gregg yesterday were named in a grand larceny warrant that charged them with taking Millard Carter's 1934 Ford coach, valued at $200, from Spring Street, Mills Mill.
Carter signed the warrant before Magistrate Bates Aiken.

U.S. Headstone Applications For Military Veterans
Bonze Marker, Enlistment Date: 12/6/1945, Serial #44 084 057, Christian Emblem
Discharge Date: 3/24/1948
Gregg, Robert T., State: N.C., Rank: Private 1st Class, Regiment: 708th Air Materiel Squadron, 466th Air Service Group, U.S. Army Air Corps
Date of Birth: 1/17/1927*, Date of Death: 2/1/1950
Name of Cemetery: Woodlawn Memorial Park, Greenville, SC
Ship to: Woodlawn Memorial Park, Greenville, SC
Applicant's Signature: Dewey C. Gregg, Route 2, Blacksburg, SC
*On the back of the card is this handwritten note: Date of Birth also shown as 26 January 1926

FindAGrave.com
Robert T Gregg
BIRTH 17 Jan 1927
DEATH 1 Feb 1950 (aged 23)
BURIAL Woodlawn Memorial Park, Greenville, Greenville County, South Carolina, USA 
PLOT Section I
MEMORIAL ID 18261219
Inscription North Carolina Pfc 466 AF Air Service Gp World War II

SC Death Certificate #50-001560, Registration Dist 22-A, Registrar's #105
Robert Thomas Gregg, DOD 2/1/1950 in Greenville General Hospital, Greenville, Greenville County, SC
Usual residence: 701 West Morgan St, City View, Greenville, Greenville County, SC
Male, White, Never married, DOB 1/17/1926 (sic), in Greenville County, SC, 23 yrs old
Occupation: Textile card room in cotton mill
Father: Dewey Gregg, Mother: Savilla Gilliland, Informant: David L. Hannah
DOD 2/1/1950 at 8:30am
Cause of death: Gunshot wound of heart, homicide at home
Drs note: "I did not attend deceased" (as he was doa)
Signature: J.I. Converse, M.D., Greenville, SC
Buried: 2/3/1950 in Woodlawn, Greenville, SC
Funeral Director: R.D. Jones and Sons, Greenville, SC


The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 2/2/1950, Pg 2, "Gregg Fatally Shot; Woman Is Free Under $1,500 Bond"
Mrs. Annie Ruth Cobb Gives Statement Concerning Shooting
Greenville, Feb 2 - Robert Thomas Gregg, 24, was fatally shot yesterday morning at the home of Mrs. Annie Ruth Cobb, 33, of 223 Hammett Street, Park Place, who gave officers a statement in which she admitted the shooting, Sheriff R.H. Bearden said.
According to a statement she had been living with Gregg for two years.
She said, in the statement, that Gregg had threatened her with the same weapon she used, a .32 calibre Smith and Wesson pistol.
Gregg was shot once in the lower part of his back and was dead on arrival at Greenville General Hospital about 8:30 a.m. The shooting occurred in a bedroom of the home owned by the woman. She rented out a portion of the home, officers said.
Mrs. Cobb was freed yesterday under $1,500 bond. Bond was granted by Judge J. Woodrow Lewis of the Fourth Judicial Circuit on motion of Attorneys J.G. Leatherwood and Thomas A. Wofford. Solicitor Robert T. Ashmore consented to the bond. Sureties were listed as Kathleen Turnage and Ollie Jones.
Deputy C.H. Bradburn, who investigated with Deputy R.A. Norris, said the woman told officers that she shot the man just after he had thrown at her a portion from the top of a heating stove. Deputy Bradburn said he found part of the stove in the wall of the home.
In her statement, the woman said, "Robert Gregg and me have been living together about two years. We wasn't married. I have a living husband and we don't have a divorce."
She stated that she and Gregg for the last year "hadn't been getting along too well. The reason we haven't been getting along too well is Robert was jealous of my husband and other men."
The statement said that Monday night Gregg shot at her. She continued that on Tuesday he carried the gun with him all day. The weapon was one she had had about 10 years, the statement said.
She explained that he put the pistol under the pillow Tuesday night and that they "fought almost all night."
The statement continued that Gregg arose at about 8 or 8:15 o'clock and went to the dresser. She said that her sister called her and that Gregg told her not to answer. Gregg cursed her, the statement said.
"Bob got a piece off the heating stove and threw it at me... turned around to get something else and when he did I reached under the pillow and got the gun and shot him one time. I got up to let my sister in and told her to call the ambulance and law as quick as she could," the statement added.
Mr. Gregg, a veteran of World War II, served in Germany and at Greenville Air Force Base.
Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Gregg of Blacksburg, four sisters, Miss Lucile Gregg, Miss Geraldine Gregg, Miss Ruby Gregg and Miss Sylvia Gregg, of Blacksburg; three brothers, Dewey Gregg, Jr. of North Carolina, Fred Gregg and Winston Gregg of Blacksburg, and a half-brother, D.L. Hannah of Greenville.
Funeral services were to be held here Friday.


The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 2/3/1950, Pg 10, "Robert Thomas Gregg"
Funeral services for Robert Thomas Gregg, son of Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Gregg of Blacksburg will be this afternoon at 3 o'clock from the home of H__l Sisk of 131 Ridge Street, Mills Mill. The services will be conducted by the Rev. C.W. Barnes and the interment will be in the Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Active pallbearers will be R.I. Carter, R.E. Queen, Cecil Nelson, Jack Nelson, Thomas Abercrombie and John Gilliland.
Pending the hour of the services the body will remain at the home of his uncle H__l Sisk of 131 Ridge Street, Mills Mill.

The relatives and friends of Robert Thomas Gregg, Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Gregg, Miss Lucile Gregg, Miss Geraldine Gregg, Miss Ruby Gregg, Miss Sylvia Gregg, Dewey Gregg, Jr., Fred Gregg, Winston Gregg and D.L. Hannah and of their families are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services of Robert Thomas Gregg to be held Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the Home of H.I. Sisk, of 131 Ridge Street, Mills Mill. Interment will be made in Woodlawn Memorial Park. R.D. Jones and Sons, Morticians.


The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 9/7/1950, Pg 2, "State Testimony In Case Finished"
...
The prosecution called seven witnesses in the trial of Mrs. Cobb.
Deputies Rhyner A. Norris related his part in the investigation. He told of finding blood in the bedroom of Mrs. Cobb's home. A portion of the top of a laundry heater was sticking in a wall over the bed, he stated. He quoted Mrs. Cobb as saying that Gregg had thrown the piece of metal at her.
A statement attributed to Mrs. Cobb was read by Solicitor Ashmore. In it, she said, "Robert Gregg and me have been living together about two years. We wasn't married. I have a living husband and we don't have a divorce."
She said that she and Gregg for the last year "hadn't been getting along too well. The reason we haven't been getting along too well is Robert was jealous of my husband and other men."
Says Pair Fought
Mrs. Cobb's statement said she and Gregg "fought almost all night."
The statement continued that Gregg arose at about 8 or 8:15 and went to the dresser. She said that her sister called to her and that Gregg told her not to answer.
"Bob got a piece off of the heating stove and threw it at me. I said, 'Bob, don't throw that at me. you will stick it in my head.' He threw it anyway and turned around to get something else and when he did I reached under the pillow and got the gun and shot him one time. I got up to let my sister in and told her to call the ambulance and law as quick as she could."
Deputy Norris said  that the distance from the stove to the wall where the metal was imbedded was six to eight feet. The metal was about 18 inches above the bed, the officer explained.
Dr. J.I. Converse, the county physician, using a bailiff as model, demonstrated where the bullet entered the man's back. He said he did not note any alcohol in the man's system.
Deputy C.H. Bradburn told of his part in the investigation. He answered affirmatively when a defense attorney asked if the physical facts bore out the woman's statement.
Dewey Gregg, 20, brother of Robert Gregg, said the victim was 24.
Dewey said that he (Dewey) had lived in Mrs. Cobb's home for several months but had moved elsewhere at the time of the shooting.
He quoted Mrs. Cobb as saying that if she caught Robert with another woman she would kill him.
Dewey stated that in January he was in Kings Mountain, N.C., with his family and that he saw Mrs. Cobb. He testified she was looking for Robert. He stated she said that if she caught him with another woman she would kill both Gregg and the woman.
On cross-examination, he replied, "yes, sir', when asked if Robert Gregg had another woman.
Under persistent defense questioning, he said that he (Dewey) was sentenced in North Carolina to serve six months for forcible trespassing. He said his brother was not with him at the time of the alleged trespassing.
Mrs. Betty Houser, 17, of Kings Mountain said that Mrs. Cobb went to her house looking for Gregg. She quoted Mrs. Cobb as saying that she bet Gregg was with the girl whose picture was in his billfold. Mrs. Houser quoted the woman as saying that if she found him with the girl she would kill them both.
Others Testify
Mrs. Houser said Robert was her first cousin.
Lucille Gregg, the victim's sister, who now lives in the Greenville area but lived in Blacksburg at the time involved, said that Mrs. Cobb came to her house with a one-armed boy whose first name she recalled as "Cecil." She said the woman was looking for Gregg.
She said Mrs. Cobb threatened to kill Gregg if she found him with another woman. She told of going with Mrs. Cobb to look for Gregg.
Frances Peterson of Hendersonville, N.C. said that at the time involved she was living in Kings Mountain. She said that in January a one-armed man came to her door and asked for Gregg. She answered affirmatively when asked if she was Gregg's sweetheart.


The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 9/8/1950, Pg 1, "Mrs. Cobb Free In Murder Case"
Mrs. Annie Ruth Cobb, 33, charged with murder in the pistol death of Robert Gregg, who was shot February 1, 1950, was acquitted last night by a General Sessions Court jury that received the case at 5:23 p.m. and announced that it had reached a verdict at 10:10 p.m.
On the stand yesterday, Mrs. Cobb said she lived about two years with Gregg. She stated that she had a husband from whom she was not divorced.
She testified that she and Gregg had quarrelled and that she shot him to keep him from killing her. The shooting occurred at Mrs. Cobb's home, 223 Hammett Street.

Annie Ruth Jones (DOB 1917 in Laurens, Laurens County, SC to Walter Jones and Bennie Boyd; DOD 12/14/1966 in Greenville, Greenville County, SC) married ? Cobb. Siblings were Ella Jane Jones (Harbin), Kathleen Jones (Jones), Frances Jones (McJunkin), Paul Jones, Oscar Jones, James Jones. She continued to live at 223 Hammett St, Greenville, Greenville County, SC.


The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 10/25/1962, Pg 31
Late in the afternoon the government began trial of Annie Ruth Cobb on three counts of an indictment charging interstate transport of stolen property, a case involving cashing of bad checks.


The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 10/27/1962, Pg 3
A jury yesterday afternoon found Annie Ruth Cobb, charged with transportation of stolen property involving the cashing of bad checks, guilty on three counts. Judge C.C. Wyche sentenced her to two years in each case to run concurrently.
The government was attempting to prove the defendant in the Cobb trial was aiding and abetting in the cashing of three bad checks across state lines. The co-defendants, Arthur Williams and Bobby Murray, have been convicted and are serving time in the federal prison at Atlanta.


'The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 12/15/1966, Pg 28, "Mrs. A.R. Cobb"
Mrs. Annie Ruth Jones Cobb, 50, of 223 Hammett St., died yesterday from a sudden attack.
A daughter of the late Walter and Benny Boyd Jones, she was born and reared in Laurens County. For a number of years she had been a resident of Greenville.
She attended the Church of God.
Surviving are three sisters, Mrs. Ella Jane Harbin and Mrs. Kathleen Jones of Greenville, and Mrs. Frances McJunkin of Travelers Rest; and three brothers, Paul Jones of New York City, and Oscar Jones and James Jones of Greenville.
The body is at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home.

FindAGrave.com
Annie Ruth Cobb
BIRTH 1916
DEATH 1966 (aged 49–50)
BURIAL Graceland West Cemetery and Mausoleum, Greenville, Greenville County, South Carolina, USA
PLOT Section 11
MEMORIAL ID 78813667

Now for a big coincidence! As I was researching this story, I recognized Hammett Street from when I did a story a little while back on my husband's side of the family. Sure enough, there was a murder in 1955 across the street from Annie Ruth Jones Cobb and she was called to testify! The killer of a distant relative of mine was a witness of the murder of one of Stan's distant relatives. It's a small world. If you want to check out that story, click HERE.

If anyone has any corrections or additional information contact me at Mom25dogs@gmail.com

Thanksgiving 2019

Here are some of my digital scrapbook pages I made of Thanksgiving, 2019. Our niece and her husband hosted an early Thanksgiving family party the weekend before Thanksgiving proper. She had the house all decorated and made a wonderful spread. Here is the digital scrapbook page I made of her house decorated for Thanksgiving.

These are the digital scrapbook pages I made of all the food for her Thanksgiving party.

This is the digital scrapbook page I made of their four children, our grandnieces and grandnephews at their Thanksgiving party.

This is our nephew, Luke's, children, Will and Savannah, at Uncle Kyle and Aunt Jenny's Thanksgiving party. My digital scrapbook page of them.

Our grandniece, Brook took this photo of me. This is Stan and I at Jenny and Kyle's Thanksgiving party. My digital scrapbook page of us.

This Thanksgiving digital scrapbook page is my mother-in-law, Peggy, with all her great grandchildren. She's 85.

A digital scrapbook page of the whole Harris family at Thanksgiving.

My digital scrapbook page of my mother-in-law, Peggy, with all her grandchildren at Thanksgiving.

I will add some more...

Proverbs 4:5-7

Proverbs 4:5-7 (KJV) 5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Proverbs 4:5-7 (NIV) 5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get a wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 4:5-7 (NAS) 5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;
Love her, and she will watch over you.
7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your acquiring, get understanding.

5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

If you have followed along from my last lesson on Proverbs (Proverbs 4:1-4), you know this is a father talking to his child about how important it is to obtain godly wisdom. King David taught his son, King Solomon, who now wants to pass along words of advice to his son.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Get - קְנֵ֣ה (qanah, qə·nêh) - Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew 7069: To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon
get, acquire wisdom, knowledge

You will notice the first word in this verse is a verb, an action word. We are to "get wisdom"! We are to acquire it, procure it. If you were to build a house, you start one board at a time, one block, rock or brick at a time. You have to start somewhere when you are creating or erecting something. With a building, it's a foundation you start with. You don't just throw a board up in the air and toss a nail at the same time and expect a house to appear. You start with a foundation and built it up one block, rock, brick, board at a time. This is the idea that I'm getting from this action word. If I want godly wisdom, I must start somewhere and build my godly wisdom and knowledge one piece at a time. Eventually it will begin to look like something and then actually become something I can inhabit and dwell in.

So godly wisdom requires you to do something to gain it and acquire it. There is no substitution for your own effort.

When you begin a project you have to make a plan, make a schedule and set aside time to do it, you have to acquire the materials for it and you have to corral the tools necessary to do it. Then you go out and begin the work.

Plan and Goals:

• Memorize the books of the Bible
• Read the Bible all the way through from Genesis to Exodus
• Pray daily even if it's just a few minutes
• Each time you pray, ask the Holy Spirit to help you gain godly wisdom and to be able to understand what you are reading
• Go to church, take advantage of all the free teaching and training they offer
• Read at least one Christian self help book per year
• Once you've read the Bible all the way through, try focusing on studying each book of the Bible to understand when, where, why, how, what. Knowing who wrote it, when it was written, where it was written, why it was written, how Jesus is present in that book, what the theme is.
• Begin to keep a journal and write down any questions you have as you read. There will be a lot but, believe me when I tell you, there are ways to understand and gain insight. You aren't the first person with a question and there are many who studied it deeply and have insights about it that you might not have thought of.

As you have questions, you can begin to tailor a study plan to try to find out answers. There are topical studies, character studies, verse-by-verse studies, book studies, etc. that you can take advantage of. For instance, if you come have questions about Heaven and Hell, you can do topical studies on Heaven and Hell. If you don't understand why King David prayed in his Psalms to destroy every wicked person (doesn't sound very Christian does it?) then do a character study on King David or a book study on the book of Psalms. Do you wonder why Jacob did something that seemed so unfair? Do a character study on Jacob.

Make a schedule and set aside time to prepare and to study. You have to have time to actually read the Bible, read Christian books, go to church. If you fill up your schedule so that every minute of every day is crammed and you have no time for acquiring godly wisdom, then you need to re-prioritize and make some drastic changes. You may think your children need those sports and dance classes, or they need those music lessons and field trips. But if they are on the go from sunup to sundown and have no time for God and gaining godly wisdom from you, then it's time to make some changes. As for you, maybe getting up earlier, or taking a quiet, solitary walk after work, or in the car between work and home or transporting children are good times to set aside. I have read books as I walked (safely, not in the road), or listened to them being read in the car as I drive. I have kept a Bible and notebook in my car for those wait times where I pull it out and read and journal while I wait to pick up children or while they are in a class. I try to use my time wisely and not waste it.

Acquire the material and tools you need. You have to have a Bible, but did you know there are many different translations and paraphrased Bibles? You don't have to read King James (although there are some churches who dispute that, but I disagree as the KJV is a translation from the original Hebrew and Greek just like the other translations). There are Bibles written in modern day English which make it easier for us to understand. There are also study Bibles that have notes in the margins or along the bottom that can help you with understanding. There are Bibles with different emphases such as Bibles for Busy Women, Bibles for the Alcoholic, Bibles for Men, Bibles for Leaders. It's the same Bible but their notes and devotions inserted inside have a common theme. I would advise you start with a paraphrase Bible like the Living Bible, New Living Translations, Contemporary English Bible or The Message. These are not word for word translations but they give the same meaning. For instance, in our verses today you will see King James Version says, "Forsake her not" and the New Living Translation uses a more common phrase of, "Don’t turn your back on wisdom". After reading a paraphrase Bible, then look for another translation and begin reading it through. Are you afraid you can't afford a Bible? Pray and ask God for one. If you ask a Christian for a Bible, most would give you one for free. Or look at yard sales. Personally I don't like the idea of selling a Bible, but I have given them away at my own yard sales and I have bought Bibles at yard sales. Also check your library book store. Your library should have a Bible you can check out to read. There is a discount store I go to called Ollie's that always has all kinds of brand new Bibles for sale at great prices. Then there is the online shopping where you could buy whatever you want, probably used at a good price. As for Christian books, you can get them for your Kindle, used, discounted, etc. I rely on Amazon a lot. If you aren't sure which book to try, ask your pastor or a trusted and mature Christian friend. And, as for study resources, there are free resources at Biblehub.com and some other places. The old Bible dictionaries, commentaries, concordances, topical studies and lexicons are free in the public domain so you can access them. Because they are old, their wording can be old timey and a little hard, but persevere. You can also google topics too but be careful you are going to websites that aren't kooky, off the wall sites. GotQuestions.org is a good place.

Taking your first steps to reach your goals means you've got a plan and goals, you've got a Bible, you've got a Bible believing church and you are ready to begin building your godly wisdom. Take advantage of whatever your church offers: preaching, Sunday School, Bible studies, Women's and Men's groups, etc. If you think you aren't getting anything out of your church activities (and there are churches who practise more entertainment, fellowship and programs than teaching the Word), then re-think where you are going. I'm not saying fellowship and programs can't be good, but not in place of good teaching from the Bible. Not "feel good" sermonettes, little one-verse devotions, or dry readings. You want to feel like you've dug deep and come up with nuggets of godly wisdom with lots of scripture backing up what is taught. You want your church to be building in corporate godly wisdom. Learning together, acquiring godly wisdom with all the resources within your church.

In previous lessons on wisdom in Proverbs, we've discussed what kind of wisdom (not just knowledge, facts and data), who is the true Wisdom, why we need godly wisdom and how important it is. Today we emphasize the verb, "get" or "acquire". I.e. how do we start the action of getting and acquiring godly wisdom?

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." It's not just facts and figures, but grasping and understanding what the Bible teaches. It starts with saying a prayer and asking the Holy Spirit to teach you and give you a teachable heart. Then it requires sitting under good teaching and preaching. It requires reading the Word but also meditating on it, studying about what it says. Remember, we all start at the same place. You may be 60 years old, but you are just starting. That's OK, we all start at the same place when we begin our spiritual growth. We all grow at different rates but we all start the same and have the same goals in mind.

• Where are you on the godly wisdom scale of 1-10? None of us are at 10 yet, we will be when we get to Heaven but none of us have a perfect grasp of godly wisdom.
• Do you feel like you are sadly lacking in godly wisdom and understanding? What are your plans and goals to begin growing spiritually?
• Do you feel like you are growing in godly wisdom on your current spiritual walk or do you feel stalled? How can you re-adjust, re-prioritize to get jumpstarted again?
• Are you excited about the spiritual growth, godly wisdom and understanding in your life right now? Does it seem to be fresh and flowing? Do you feel like you are grasping deep truths? Is it exhilarating and making you want more? Remember you will never plumb the depths of God's wisdom and reach a bottom. There is no end.

For all my studies on Proverbs click HERE.