What I’ve Learned (or been reminded of) this Year

In no particular order…

1. Adding text messaging to a cell phone plan is well worth the money
2. Life is still quite enjoyable without cable tv
3. If you don’t pay attention you might get seriously bonked in the head with a volleyball
4. The Walk is my home regardless of who comes and/or goes
5. Most friends still disappear when they start dating
6. Friends from past life chapters are generally worth reconnecting with
7. Getting anything through UPS is frustrating!!!
8. Owning is sooo much better than renting!!!
9. Decent amounts of sleep really are necessary to function properly
10. Change is a constant state of being
11. The occasional traveling still enhances life!!!
12. Memories, whether good or bad, are truly valuable
13. Forgiving others is essential to be at peace with yourself
14. Moving full speed ahead all the time will catch up to you unless you take time to rest
15. Time really is valuable and must be handled wisely
16. God blesses obedience
17. Being in His will is as close to Home as we will get this side of Heaven
18. Mountains are generally followed by deep valleys
19. Music can influence just about every aspect of life
20. God is Good!!!

Thoughts on Obedience

I’ve been contemplating the concept of obedience lately…so I’ve tried to think of a concept for what each of the letters in the word OBEY mean to me, as I understand God’s Word.
Here’s what I came up with…

Observe
Bow to
Execute
Yes attitude

Observe – Proverbs 23:26 – I think one of the first steps in obedience is to simply sit back and observe what the Lord is showing me and telling me to do. Also, observing His ways as they play out in circumstances and the lives of those around me is a great way to realize He is a trustworthy Lord to follow. Which brings me to the next letter…

Bow to – II Chronicles 33:12-16 – I think obedience means bowing first to His ways, His leadership, His plan whether it makes sense to me or not. It is easiest to humble myself this way when I’m hurting, but necessary always. Without this humble attitude, I wonder if it is even possible to reach the next letter…

Execute – Ruth 3:5 – While I think God is absolutely looking for a willing, humble heart that observes His ways and leadership, it all comes down to execution – DOING what He tells me to do. The best of intentions don’t fulfill the act of obedience…

Yes attitude – Isaiah 26:8 – I have found that sometimes the easiest time to question God is right after having done something He has asked of me. Cause the truth is…even after an act of obedience, my heart often times may still be questioning Him about it. So, once again, whether it makes sense to me or not, I think it is necessary to have a heart attitude that tells Him Yes in order to complete this experience of fully obeying Him.

Further thought brings me to the conclusion that the above is both cyclical and concurrent. It should happen in this order and all at once…however that works…still contemplating…