Hindsight

There is a Country song that goes "I thank God I ain't what I almost was". I haven't been able to get the lyrics out of my head all day. They keep playing over & over again in my mind. (Naturally, his next song on the CD was about regret)

It got me thinking, though... I wonder how many times in life we convince (read here- deceive) ourselves into believing that our plans are really God's Plans for us? How often do we want something so badly that we deceive ourselves into thinking that it is the Best thing for us? Even sin? Suppressing our consciences? That we ignore other people's advice & proceed full-steam ahead, to fulfill all our dreams & plans? Out of stubbornness, pride etc, despite everyone's cautions & warnings? Only to wake up five years down the road & say, "What was I thinking??? If only I had listened to their advice..."

I am reminded tonight of the utter importance of accountability- of staying in close relationship with strong fellow believers, who aren't afraid to tell you the "hard Truth" in life, of confronting you when you are walking in sin... Of having a close walk with the Lord- totally in tune to His Voice, Plans, Will & Purposes (for more on this topic, read here & here). Walking in obedience to Him. Of fully surrendering our Dreams to Him (read more here & here), even if it means that He changes them & conforms them into His Will for our lives... Of walking in contentment with where He has us in life right now- of unconditionally trusting in His Plan (read more here).

 I feel like we are at a cross roads in life. We have the Choice to obey God & follow Him & listen to His Voice (& wise counsel). Or not. To live a Life of Blessing or curses. To Choose His Way, Path, Will, Purposes, Promises etc or to choose our own desires over His- rushing ahead of God's Plan for our lives. Trusting in His Plan and His Timing. There is a way to do things & a way to not do them. Sometimes a good thing can be gained in the wrong way, making it a wrong thing after all & not worth the effort invested... A lot is at stake here...

I don't think there is anything wrong with daydreaming, BUT you must make sure to incorporate the "God factor" into your so-called "plans." Because, you never know, He might have a different Plan for your life. Are you okay with that??? I'd strongly encourage you to submit to His Plan for your life, because it's most likely a bigger, better Plan than you could ever come up with on your own!!! :)

"And we know that ALL things work out for the Good

of those who love God, who have been Called

according to His Purposes..."

- Romans 8:28

"For I know the Plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“Plans to prosper you & not to harm you,
Plans to give you Hope & a Future..."

- Jeremiah 29:11

" A man plans his course,
    but the Lord establishes his steps..."

- Proverbs 16:9

Remembering Those Before Us

Are We Remembering Those Who Came Before Us? Oct 2009

"The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten."- Calvin Coolidge

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." - Abraham Lincoln

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana

Are we remembering those who came before us?

Do we remember those who gave their lives, their families, their fortune, their future for our freedom?

How did they/are they affecting our lives today?

How would our lives be any different if they didn't exist?

Would they be proud of who you are today?

Would they be proud of what our country has become?

"We are who we are because of those who came before us. We're standing on their shoulders."

“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our own lives sublime
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.”
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Every nation or a group of nations has its own tale to tell. Knowledge of the trials and struggles is necessary to all who would comprehend the problems, perils, challenges, and opportunities which confront us today." - Sir Winston Churchill

"I shall never surrender or retreat. I call on you in the name of liberty, of patriotism, and of everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid... The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country." - Lt. Col. Wiliam Borrett Travis, Alamo

Humility

I ran across some of my old "book notes" and I found this post, entitled "Humility, according to Matt Redman." Below is my entry from September 19, 2010:

"A real test of true humility is how you handle criticism.

A former United States senator once commentated: "Humility is a manner, a viewpoint, an all-encompassing thing... Humility is expressed through actions;... it can be demonstrated simply by stopping and listening to someone. Its essence is putting others ahead of yourself... A real test of humility is how you handle criticism. The natural reaction is to throw up an immediate defense, a quick excuse, a spontaneous rebuttal. The humble way to handle criticism is to try to understand the reasons for the criticism, to look for what truth there might be in it."

How do YOU respond??? Normally? Usually? How do you WISH you'd respond?

True humility starts way before getting onstage. Do we put others before ourselves? Are we spending time with (and listening to) indviduals? How do we handle constructive criticism? How do we respond in the depths of our hearts?

 Humility is picking up litter when no one is looking just because you want to serve your community. Humility is letting someone else use your idea. And then telling no one that it originated with you. Humility is listening to others even when you have plenty to say. Recognizing the difference between achievement and entrustment. Humility expresses itself in random acts of kindness, performed day in and day out, for God's eyes only- invisible acts that only you and God get to witness, the tell-tale signs of a humble heart.

 At the end of the day, true humility can never be mustered up or learned by striving. Humility is the heart of someone who's seen the greatness of God, the smallness of self, and the importance of others."

A book I would recommend reading on this topic would be: Humility: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney

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 Roughly adapted from my book notes on Inside Out Worship: Insights for Passionate & Purposeful Worship by Matt Redman & Friends