Behind Door #1...

Morning Sings:)

If there's anything that characterizes my life these days, it's that I am faced with having to make choices more than ever before. It used to be, or so it seemed, that things pretty much worked themselves out each day. I would wake up, interact with my family and people around me, work or go to school, then tackle whatever the day would bring. Wasn't always easy, but it was a lot more predictable than now when--or so it again seems--the outcome of my day, my week, my life is determined by the decisions and choices with which I am confronted. I guess it's a part of life... A part of getting older??

I have to be honest with you, sometimes it's really not fun. There are days when I wish I could go back to the time when somebody else was calling the shots. Especially on those days when the fog dissipates and I realize how much I've messed up. At some point each of us is faced with making tough choices. There are real-life decisions we must make that may seriously impact our lives. How do you deal with that difficult decision? Do you tend to put it off, hoping it will miraculously work itself out? Do you try to squash that sinking feeling in your gut by thinking good thoughts to divert your attention from the quandary at hand? This works for a minute, until the feeling returns stronger than ever, and the choice remains. Been there.

"Yea, they have chosen their own ways," is what God said of His people in Isaiah 66:3. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." Isaiah 55:8. In other words, if we don't apply some God-sense to our lives, we can fully expect to make the wrong decisions. The natural choice is typically the wrong one. So how do we fix this?

First, Principle. What does the Bible say about this? What is God's will? What does HE want? (Ps. 111:10; I Pet. 5:5-6; Rom. 16:27) It seems like a simple thing, yet it's remarkable how many Christians make choices without ever consulting God! Perhaps they think being saved and going to church and being around good people automatically protects them from stupidity. False. You will never make a bad decision based on the Bible. And know this. God will NEVER EVER EVER, lead you to do something that is contrary to His Word. Never. Period.

Second. Prayer. "...oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer." This is yet another area that is so basic yet often overlooked. Prayer still works! Have you considered the fact that God may be withholding the solution simply because He wants you to spend time with Him? What a difference it would make if we got on our knees and didn't get up until we heard from God! (Phil. 4:6: I Thess. 5:17)

Third. Persuasion. Even as this decision is ultimately up to me, it shouldn't be made alone. "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." Prov. 11:14. Don't do it by yourself. Get good counsel from people who walk with God and have demonstrated their own ability to make tough choices. "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20

Fourth. Practicality. Sometimes we are so guided by our emotions that we fail to stop and ask ourselves, "does this even make sense?" We get headstrong and make up our mind from the get-go without taking the proper steps to the right decision. Sometimes you don't have the luxury of time to act. But hasty decisions and those made in the heat of the moment can be life-shattering. "...and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth." Proverbs 19:2

Fifth. Peace. This is that settled spirit, that sense of calm assurance that only God can give. He promised to give it to us when we do our part. And there's nothing like it! Have you experienced it? "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Sixth. Pursuit. This is the important last step in the decision-making process. Move forward. Follow through. Just do it. It's too bad that some arrive at the right conclusion but fail to put it into action. What a waste! How dumb is it to do the homework and not turn it in? Once God makes the way clear, don't hesitate. Jump in with both feet. Stop making excuses. Go for it. Remember, you never know how long the door will stay open for you. "...Seek peace and pursue it." Proverbs 34:14

Hey, this is good stuff, not because I said it, but because God did. I am striving more than ever to put these into action. Hope you will too. There's nothing quite like knowing you made the right choice.

To Be or Not To Be? That's One of the Questions.

It’s that time of year again when America cozies up to the practice of “giving thanks.” Thoughts of appreciation emerge from dinner-table discussions. Well-produced TV commercials tug at our emotions. Yes, as the calendar hits about the third week of November, the question of the day becomes, “What are YOU thankful for?” as all of a sudden the world seems to be on a mission to prove its sufficient attitude of gratitude.

Have you ever considered that urging people to articulate their thankfulness may be just a little useless? I mean, can you force someone to be thankful? Do I need to be reminded to be thankful? Does talking about my blessings improve my “thankfulnessability?”

Furthermore, how do you even define “thankfulness?” Ok, maybe it’s appreciation for an object or objects in one’s life. So then, how would you define “appreciation?” Maybe, a feeling of … well, hm...

…I was about to say “thankfulness.” But that's no good.

It’s obvious that thankfulness is much easier to experience than it is to describe. I may not be able to put into words what I feel, but I know exactly what it feels like to be thankful. The point is simple. We are told, most notably, by God to GIVE thanks. But we can’t honestly GIVE thanks unless we can first BE thankful. Thankful is not as much something I “do” as it is something I “am.”

“I can’t explain it. I can’t obtain it. Jesus, Your love is so, it’s so amazing.”

And think about this. Thankfulness is a natural reflection of God—the Object of our gratefulness. We are thankful to Him because of Who He IS—not just because of what He DOES. God is an “IS” God. He is a “BE” God. He’s the Great “I AM.”

Today when we sit around the table and it comes our turn to offer personal musings, wouldn’t it be nice to pass around some honesty? It’d be refreshing if we didn’t have to scratch our brains for something unique or clever to say. Maybe this year the kids won’t roll their eyes at the ritual. Why? Because instead of speaking because it’s the thing to do, we’ll give thanks with a grateful heart—a heart overflowing with unrestrained appreciation.

Don’t just DO thankful. BE thankful☺

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalms 100:4