Insight for Living Canada Daily Broadcast

Oct 15, 2013 - Oct 17, 2013 Ecclesiastes 8:1-9 Wisdom. This one word describes the theme of the second half of Solomon's memoirs in the book of Ecclesiastes. The terms wise and wisdom appear more than thirty times in the last six chapters, and the concept is interwoven through most of the paragraphs…sometimes in a subtle manner, other times boldly. In the previous message, we discovered some of the benefits that come our way when we operate our lives according to wisdom: balance, strength, and insight. Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more

Oct 10, 2013 - Oct 14, 2013 Ecclesiastes 7:15-29 By the second half of Ecclesiastes 7, Solomon started to get a little better perspective on life. As a result, his counsel took on a whole new style. The dark clouds of despair and hopelessness broke, thanks to the hope that wisdom brought. Instead of cold, sarcastic cynicism, Solomon's words evidenced a greater depth of caring, understanding, and insight. In the seventh chapter, each verse drips with rich and rare wisdom…the kind of counsel we get so little of in our world of human advice. Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more

Oct 7, 2013 - Oct 9, 2013 Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 We've reached the halfway point in Solomon's journal. By now we have a pretty good handle on the man's mental perspective as well as his method of pursuit. But something has been conspicuous by its absence—wisdom. This comes as a surprise because Solomon had considerable, God-given wisdom. That's true except for a strange period in his life when he tossed restraint to the wind and acted out a role altogether unusual for a man of his heritage, his position, and his stature. Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more

Oct 2, 2013 - Oct 4, 2013 Ecclesiastes 6 In our previous message, we gave serious consideration to the subject of money. We realized again that material things cannot satisfy; neither can an abundance of money. Those things are unable to provide some of our most essential needs: security, happiness, satisfaction, and contentment. The chapter we are looking at in this message builds on all those thoughts by carrying the subject to its logical conclusion. Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more

Sep 27, 2013 - Oct 1, 2013 Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 There's an old Japanese proverb that says, “Getting money is like digging with a needle; spending it is like water soaking into sand.” We all nod in agreement. Who hasn't known the struggle of financial frustrations? And even those who have plenty become disillusioned because money does not satisfy. As Seneca the Roman once stated, “Money has never yet made anyone rich.” But on we go, pushing and striving, planning and struggling to earn more so we can have more, then invest more and enjoy more. Fat chance! Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more

Sep 24, 2013 - Sep 26, 2013 Ecclesiastes 5:1-7; Hebrews 4:12-13 So much of this ancient journal is horizontal musing, the bitter and barren side of life seen through the eyes of a cynic—Solomon himself. But on a few, rare occasions, the book is punctuated with remarkable vertical insights that scrape away the façade of empty religion and drive us back to the reality of a meaningful relationship with God. This passage is one of those occasions. Like a cool oasis in the middle of a hot, dry desert, these seven verses provide refreshment to a soul weary from horizontal pursuits. Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more

Sep 19, 2013 - Sep 23, 2013 Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Loneliness has been called the most desolate word in the English language. But it's more than a word. To many, it is a fact of life, especially for those who make it to the top (as we saw in the previous message) and begin to live distant and unaccountable lives. As Solomon finished describing that grim scene, he felt the need to offer a better plan, which led him into the thoughts we're considering today. Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more

Sep 16, 2013 - Sep 18, 2013 Ecclesiastes 4:1-8 We are inundated with books, seminars, educational courses, and motivational speeches on the subject of top-level management and success-oriented leadership. The hype has never been greater nor the lure more effective. It is easy to get the impression that once one achieves such an impressive status, satisfaction and a great, liberating sense of pleasure are discovered…much like the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The long-awaited dream, however, is more often than not a distress-ridden nightmare. Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more

Sep 11, 2013 - Sep 13, 2013 Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 In the final paragraph of Ecclesiastes 3, we find Solomon alone with his thoughts—thoughts that are disturbing and painful. He had been active in his pursuits and projects. He had engaged the help of others in much of his activity, certainly during the extensive works of erecting buildings, planting gardens, digging reservoirs and irrigation canals, providing entertainment, and a dozen other involvements (Eccl. 2:4-10). But in this passage, he pulled aside from his labour and mused. He observed and meditated and evaluated. He even talked to himself! Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more

Sep 6, 2013 - Sep 10, 2013 Ecclesiastes 3:11-15 Solomon had been in the pits. Having engaged in numerous projects, pleasures, and pursuits, none of which yielded any lasting satisfaction, the man floundered. Life seemed terribly boring…until he caught a brief glimpse of purpose in it all. That occurred when he mentally slipped above the sun, beyond the earth, and caught a ray of hope from God's vantage point. He momentarily entertained a few thoughts with the Lord God in focus. This interlude, though brief and rare, brought into perspective several things Solomon had missed in his search for purpose and direction in life. Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality

Sep 3, 2013 - Sep 5, 2013 Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 Will time last forever or will it ultimately come to an end? Because humans invented the clock, then obviously that device will not accompany us into eternity. The planets that God Almighty arranged in space continue to be the most perfect chronometer ever created, but when those planets stop, well, time stops. So even time is temporary. And that means we need to invest it wisely and find ways to enjoy it while it is ours to claim. Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more

Aug 29, 2013 - Sep 2, 2013 Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 With disillusionment and despair casting ever-enlarging shadows across his path, the writer of this journal began to intensify his reactions. Intellectualism didn't satisfy. Pleasures finally fell flat, landing with a dull thud. Laughter failed to lighten life's load. Possessions, projects, parks, livestock, collections of precious gems, slaves, singers, and even sex did nothing to remove the monotony of existence. As life continued to cave in all around Solomon, he pondered the possibility of things changing in the next generation. Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more

Aug 26, 2013 - Aug 28, 2013 Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 Fast-lane living is not limited to 21st century citizens. Solomon cut that swath centuries ago. Pushing aside all restraints, ignoring every twinge of guilt, the man set out on a quest for pleasure that would make the sensual lifestyle in Vegas pale in comparison. Solomon's world was a cafeteria. Hedonism was never pursued with greater commitment. When he laughed, it was nothing short of an uproar. When he drank, it was with limitless intensity. His sexual escapades knew no bounds. Even his meals became lavish, luxurious feasts. Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more

Aug 21, 2013 - Aug 23, 2013 Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 Boredom. Monotony. The unchanging drag of life is an inescapable, undeniable reality. Just look around. How many people do you know who regularly wake up each morning motivated about the day? How many individuals genuinely enjoy their occupation? Or anticipate a new week with delight? Or feel challenged and excited about their marriage? Or insert creative ideas and activities into their day to keep life full of zest and enthusiasm? Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more

Aug 16, 2013 - Aug 20, 2013 Ecclesiastes Living on the Ragged Edge is a study of the book of Ecclesiastes, and it's for folks who live in the trenches—down there where it's dark and dirty and full of responsibility, where the grit of reality mixed with the grind of accountability holds people's feet to the fire. It's for real people who cannot free themselves from the demands of competition or escape the pressures of deadlines. All the messages in this study will offer straight talk on coping with life as it really is. Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality read more