June 21, 2010
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?

These are the key verses in the book of Ecclesiastes. They contain the secret to unlocking the deep depression/despair we see/hear so often in Solomon. [ i]Apart from him ; or “without God”, seems to me to be the key.
Many Christians have dismissed this verse, these recurring phrases throughout Ecclesiastes, and really this whole book, because it/they seem to advocate a philosophy of life many would name hedonism: (eat, drink and be merry) enjoying the things of this world only for personal pleasure. I cannot deny that on the surface, that is exactly what it appears to be saying in this book, but when you add this small 3 or 2 word “disclaimer” (apart from Him) or (without God), it does make more sense.
Our fear of alcohol, good food, eating and enjoying life can really be tempered when combined with (apart from Him). Without God those many “hedonistic” things become ends in and of themselves, and lead down a path of despair, depression and finally destruction. But when combined with an active, healthy, holistic, honest relationship with God…they become part of God’s creative genius, designed to enhance the enjoyment of our lives. Let’s be honest, there are many hard things in this life, there are tragedies, sadness, disappointments, and much hard work; all of which might be moderated a bit by finding some balance between living there; and trying to find some enjoyment in the simple pleasures this life affords. Enjoy your life today…just make sure to include God in all parts of it!

June 19, 2010
Ecclesiastes 2:17 So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless – like chasing the wind. I know a thing or two about chasing the wind. These past few days in ND have been hurricane-esque with 78 mph gusts. I tried chasing a golf ball in that wind…not fun.
Solomon’s despair has finally been completed. He’s tried to find meaning in pleasure, wine, fancy homes and gardens, and even wisdom itself; and lo and behold; each has left him wanting. So he has come to hate life. All his searching began with an illegitimate internal source, and maintained an illogical external focus. Never once does he mention that he tried to include God in any of his searching.
I believe Solomon is trying to make a vivid point: that searching to fulfill one’s life must have some greater purpose than just personal, private, internal fulfillment. Finding ones purpose must grow from a deeper source than just what we think will make us happy. Finding one’s purpose in life must take into account more than just what makes us happy or feel good. It must account for the fact that we are lovingly made in the image of God, by the hand of God, for the will of God! Solomon has not made that connection…yet.
What about you…me? Are we seeking to find fulfillment anywhere else but in God? If so, our despair might become Solomon-esque! We must find our purpose, our meaning, our happiness, our fulfillment in only one place…the arms of the one who made us, loves us, and chooses to need us.

June 15, 2010
Ecclesiastes 1:13 …I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. Really? I know the depression that comes when the rhythms of life become so predictable that everything seems the same, but to say that God has dealt us a “tragic” existence is really a stretch, for me.
I mentioned yesterday that I believe two words might be very helpful in understanding and interpreting God’s message through Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes. I in no way am trying to “add to” the scriptures, nor am I in any way so full of myself to think that I have the key to unlocking all difficult scriptures. It just seems to me that many of the obscure, ironic, impossible passages in this book would be much clearer if we were to apply the words…”without God”…
For instance; “Everything is meaningless” (without God), makes sense. (Without God) "History merely repeats itself". (Without God) nothing is ever truly new. (Without God) our lives really are a quite tragic existence.
Again, I’m not trying to add to scripture, just add to our ability to understand it. I’ve come to this conclusion from reading this book a number of times. There are about 7-8 significant passages interspersed throughout the book that lead me to this conclusion. I’ll highlight them as we encounter them.
So for today: just know that life (without God) really is meaningless, pointless, purpose-less. God has designed it to be so, so that we might learn the majestic lesson that dependence (upon God) is significantly superior to independence, (from God). It is not tragic, it is not vanity, it is the way God meant it to be. Without God, what is life really?

June 14, 2010
Ecclesiastes 1:2 “Everything is meaningless”, says the teacher, “completely meaningless.”
Wow what an opening line. Sure makes me want to jump into this book and explore its depths! Welcome back frog blog readers. I’ve enjoyed my time away, but missed the discipline and intention that it forces upon me. In response to a couple suggestions I’ve decided to explore Ecclesiastes. It is one of my favorite books. Maybe I identify with Solomon’s depression, maybe with his resignation that life sucks, maybe I just find myself often in his words/thoughts/truth.
This book opens with one of the most depressing, hopeless statements in all of scripture. Is everything truly meaningless? If so, we might understand Solomon’s intent to then wrangle some sense out of living, by exploring alternative endings and beginnings. But if it is not meaningless, why does he write such? Some have speculated that Solomon wrote this toward the end of his life, and may have been suffering the beginning stages of dementia. I don’t know those facts, and so am left with dealing with the meaning of its words at face valve.
There are two key words missing from this book, which in my opinion will explain the book, not completely, but far better than we get at face value. I’ll share those words in a later post. For now, I want to wrestle with this first verse: is everything truly meaningless? If so, then why do we put so much effort in the living of our lives? Why not just resign ourselves to the fact that fate, or the stars, or random chance determine our existence; and live our lives in any fashion we choose? I believe many have chosen this explanation for their living. Many in our world today live subsistence lives moving from one thrill to the next, from one paycheck to the next, from one day to the next without giving much thought to any other option. And most unfortunately, they have ignored or intentionally disregarded the church and faith as providing any substantive alternative or answer. How sad.
Over the next few weeks these posts will be a bit more random than usual, because of my more random schedule, but I look forward to spending this time with you and with Solomon, as we wrestle with the meaning of life! Welcome back.

Dear Faithful Frog Blog readers; (and you unfaithful ones too! Ha!) I've just finished reading and writing my way through Romans, and enjoyed the trip. Hope you found some interesting morsels along the way. I wanted to take this opportunity to inform you that I'll not be posting for a week or so. I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a 10 day Black Bear hunt with some great friends, in the mountains of So. Oregon. I'm looking forward to this break from ministry, and won't have access to a computer, so I hope you'll patiently wait for me to return and then resume our time together with the FB (That's Frog Blog, not Face Book - those rip off artists!) I'm also wondering if any of you might have a suggestion about a book of the Bible you'd like me to read/write about? I've been toying with jumping into the OT for a bit, but will wait till my return to decide. In the meantime, enjoy this very Spring-like weather, and God bless you all. Thanks for your reading, support, encouraging and challenging comments. I appreciate you and look forward to our time together in a few days. Kermit