Choose the Best!

The "better thans" of wisdom are intriguing and life-impacting. These are proverbs in the Wisdom Books of the Bible (Proverbs, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes) that present a contrast of two things - one "better than" the other. For example: Proverbs 16:19 "Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share the plunder with the proud." The choices we make around these "better thans" affect our relationship with God and with others. These choices determine how we live - whether we are encouraged or discouraged, peaceful or anxious, at rest or driven. This book is intended to provide some understanding of these "better thans" and to show why one choice is actually better than another. The book originated as a series of blogs on some of these "better thans." What started out as an intriguing activity to the author ended up having a major impact on him, as he began to reflect on his own life and understand the choices he had been making and the consequences of those choices. DICK HOCKETT and his wife Betty currently live in San Jose, CA, where they attend a local church. They have two married children and six grandchildren. Dick is retired from the high-tech industry in Silicon Valley and has taught Bible studies for many years in both California and in the Midwest.