I will

Have you ever thought about how many times in scripture we read the words, 'I will' from the Lord. Another example, there are 365 verses that say - 'do not fear'. Incredible - one for each day. If we would only read one verse a day, how would we look on our days and lives? Would this strengthen our faith? I think the answer is a rousing - yes. IF. You can read facts but until they are real for you and you apply them... that's all they are in your life - a fact, but of little or no significance. Another question might be... will you apply your understandings from scripture?

As Christians we often will quote scriptures... but are they real in our lives? Are they, will they become our 'I will'? An example, Romans 8:28: 

   "And we know that for those who love God, all things work together 
    for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."

Believe this? Act on it? How does this verse impact on how you react to the situation you are in? Calm? Harried? Assured? Confident? Fearful? Will you rest convinced? Don't forget that there are 'qualifiers'. 'Know' is one. Do you know? Even if the result is not what you want or intended, do you know that the ultimate result will be 'good'? Do you really think you know all the answers or that 'your way' is the only way?

Another qualifiers is - 'called according to His purpose'. Is what you are about - His purpose... or only yours? '...for those who love God' is another factor. You may say you love God, but are you willing to trust in His will? I know I can be a great one to say this and then try and take (fill in the blank) back and 'manipulate' it to what I think is best. Rarely is this effective. It isn't that the Lord won't allow me to do this, He never imposes, it's just that when it isn't '...according to His purpose' that the potential for less than desired results occurs.

Our will is incredibly important. And it isn't that we are subjecting our will, it is submitting to His though. I've learned, and still am learning, that the plans the Lord has are so much more fulfilling and fruitful than mine, that I truly do want to walk according to His will. That is my will - and I will.

Taking stock

I'm a firm believer that this is necessary for us to do on a regular basis, not just the New Year's Resolutions time. Taking stock gives us the advantage of looking back for a reason - to see where we've come from, what we've accomplished, what we still need to do. It is incredibly important to look at the 'successes' as well as the 'failures'. Both give us information about who we are as well as how we handle both conditions.

In reviewing both successes and failures, we need to look at all the forces that influenced the results - what occurred that aided or hindered. I have heard that we learn more from our failures than our successes. Yes and no. It depends on HOW we look at both. How do we view the failures, how do we analyze, how do we learn from the experience. Also, we need to apply this same thinking to successes, basically in order to repeat them. What did we do that facilitated success? 

But 'taking stock' is really more than only reviewing successes and failures, it's also looking at how we have grown, what areas are we more 'proficient' in, who are we now as a result of (fill in the blank). Where are we in goal achievement? Did we put intervening check marks to help us assess if this was our best approach? And other personal growth questions. Simply getting through the day is not a goal achievement, though I admit that is a value statement.

Most important, in my world, is have we grown in our relationship with the Lord. Quite honestly, everything else is merely an extension from this foundation. We are not here just to take up space and idly move from day to day with little thought about who we are becoming and how we can effectively be useful to the Lord. We have been bought by a great price. Read again 1 Corinthians 6:20 - 7:23. The Lord gave His life for us so that we would no longer be slaves of unrighteousness, so that we could live the abundant life, and so that we could be witnesses of His great love and bring many into an understanding of who He is and what He does.

Taking stock is a very critical act on our part that should never be lightly considered. It is our opportunity to assess not only where we are but our direction and what, if any, adjustments need to be made. It is our time to assess, reassess, refine, and develop our next steps on our life's journey.

What IS Christmas to/for You!?

Certainly it is the sights and aromas that define and describe this particular time of year. For some this is snow and Christmas trees (fake and real) and for others it is warm sun and decorating indigenous shrubs. All important but all not really the point. A delight, without question, but still extraneous to the point of the day. 

We hear greetings of Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays resounding from most. Yes, there are the humbug people, a kind of 'pride' of Grinchdom. Why anyone would purposely feel and spread sadness or grumpiness is hard to fathom. They seem to focus only on the extremes of 'commercialism', the lines of rude people and/or slow cashiers, or other such negatives. Why? What is gained by this attitude or behavior? Right. Nothing except complaining. I've always wondered why, knowing that people are out and shopping, would they chance going out and having to 'endure' this situation?

All that aside, it is still focusing on the wrong, incorrect. At the same time that we have the Scrooges and Grinches we also have those who know that the reason for the season is the Lord and celebrating His arrival for mankind. And these people are joyous about sharing this wonderful gift in all sorts of ways - not just gifts. 

   "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government
    will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful,
    Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6) 

   "Now there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields,
    keeping watch over their sheep by night. And behold, an angel of the
    Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about
    them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel of the Lord said to
    them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tiding of great joy
    which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city
    of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2;8-11)

This is the Good News. We are saved. This is what Christmas should be for all of us. Remembering that this was the start of a new covenant, a new relationship for those who choose to follow Jesus as Lord. And we should be so overjoyed that we cannot help ourselves from sharing with everyone this wondrous gift of new life.

The Lord's hand?

I recently read a Christian poll-taker report that Christians AREN'T witnessing!!! These are self-reported, not external  and it isn't the general population, it's people who call themselves - Christian. How tragic! What has happened to The Great Commission that started at the birth of our Savior? If we aren't witnessing by our words and by our actions, what message are we embodying?

Let's get personal and specific. When was the last time YOU witnessed about who the Lord is in your life (presupposing that the YOU is a Christian)? Do you remember? Do you recall what you were doing or saying and how this perception honored the Lord? Did others around you ask you questions? What was their reaction? Do you remember how you reacted when someone witnessed of their faith to you? 

Before you think I am only criticizing and pointing fingers - not. I ask myself these same questions - often. ... especially at work. Being a Christian may not be the easiest life to lead because we do have do's and don't's, requirements, conditions, etc. to fulfill. For me, the point is that I don't have to do it all alone. Scripture clearly states we have One who is with us to guide, teach, direct, help us fulfill who we are destined to be. Scripture also teaches us that when we fail, we do have a way back to relationship.

We are told that the fields are white unto harvest (John 34:5) and the times are harsh so we need to be about being light in the world we live in. Remember - it is your world you are called to. As we reach out to others we are fulfilling our role of leading people to the light. It always is their decision, but they need to know there is a decision to be made. As they look to who you are (not what you have) they have a model of what a Christian is and does. Help them to meet the Lord.

Faltering Faith

We all find ourselves in this predicament occasionally - but why? Why have we misplaced or lost our shield, knowing that it quenches ALL the fires darts (Ephesians 6:16). What causes our faith to falter? These questions only scratch the surface of what and why our faith seems to dwindle at times. An equally important question is - how do we move on? How do we bolster our faith?

I'm not going into a discussion of what faith is, how we attain it, how we use it, etc. I'd like to focus on how we resolve the times of weakening faith. I realize that an argument can be made on the depth of our faith but again, the issue is why do we get into those times of faltering and how do we resolve them. We are all susceptible to having our faith questioned and attacked - it goes with the territory, but how strong is our faith? 

Lessening, absolutely but is faltering a total loss? Not. At least not in my world of definitions. When I experience this I try and go back, in my mind, to a time when my faith was strong and slowly move forward to attempt to discover what happened and why. Many times it seems to be an issue of emotions - feelings. For me, this means that my faith wasn't really being tested by the Lord but I fell prey to the devil's enticements. Stupid, I know. Now to discover where my weakness lay and why I accepted the negative. 

To do nothing I believe is a sin, because we all, always, have One who sticks closer than a brother and who will help us out of our predicament. We can regain what we've mislaid and then strengthen our faith to withstand the next blow... because the devil will try again. He hates it when we make Jesus our Lord but he pulls out all the stops to make our witness nonexistent. That really is the goal - to stop us from being effective. Even with 'quivering lips' we can share the Lord with those around us who need to find hope in this life. We have the answer and when we listen to the Word we share, we do find strength and that our faith is increased.

You can only....

I'm fond of saying, 'you can only do... what you can do'. Have no idea where this phrase originated, but it IS true. Yes? There's also the, 'it is what it is' comment or response. If I use these 2 phrases then why do I have such problems applying this philosophy? Because it really is more than a throwaway comment. It IS a mindset that governs what you do. And face it, the latter phrase is somewhat defeatist. Can one ever overcome an 'is'?

I think I'm going to have to change my words because I really don't want to be limited by this confining thought. True it may be, or is it? Is there another way to view 'is's' or what the prevailing 'do' is? Obviously I must think so or I wouldn't be asking the questions. Another way of thinking about this 'philosophy' is... what do you do when you are confronted by a very large obstacle to your goal? Do you give up/in? Do you quit? Or do you step back and take a look at the obstacle to discover what you can do, not only what you can't?

I would quickly argue that far too often we limit ourselves by what we say and then we begin to believe what we say without ever testing it. Perhaps it can be argued that we really can't do anything. Do you believe this? Is there a caveat in this thought? There's a Carol King song that says:

   "You got to get up every morning with a smile on your face and 
    show the world all the love in your heart..."

If you feel this doesn't make any difference, then will you still try? Maybe halfheartedly, but not with all the love in your heart. Sometimes we have to go against the tide, regardless of our experience and/or our feelings. We can. But I would suggest that we should never do so on our own. Why fight all the battles we face and all the stress alone? The Word says to 'cast our cares on Him' (1Peter 5:7). Too often I think we cast them and then just as quickly try and take them back. 

Jesus tells us that apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). It doesn't tell us NOT to try, but don't try alone. Personally, I find that the weight of all that is at hand somewhat overwhelming. And I really don't like to do overwhelming. When we don't need to... why, why, why do we try? If we are invited to cast our anxiety and cares on the One who can help us - it is really incredibly sad that we still try and 'soldier it alone'.

The phrase IS true - we can only do what we can do... but it is immensely easier when we share this with the One who has all the answers. The phrase never suggests to do it alone, but to do what we can do and then pray to the Lord for His involvement to carry (fill in the blank) to a successful conclusion. It really is amazing what we can do when we do it in partnership. 

Contemplation...

I'm a phrase and/or line collector - both written and spoken words. They are always ones that capture my thinking and stop me in my tracks. Quite honestly, I do love these occurrences. And yes, there are certain writers that do arrest me more than others. Let me share one that I recently heard. "When our certainties are shaken then our true mettle is revealed." This is a line spoken by the main character in the Father Brown TV series. What a terrific thought!

These kinds of phrases or statements... and questions are always thought provoking... at least to me. Does the above line 'speak to you'? What thoughts tumble from this? Or do the words paint pictures? Depending on a variety of conditions, when we chance upon these times... what do you do with it? Using Fr. Brown's words - do they convey any thoughts to you? Do they reveal your mettle?

For me, my mind immediately heads to the spiritual context of this line. What (spiritual) certainties do I have? Have any been shaken? Or have I refused to look at those questions that might cause me to reassess? What possibly can be said that would shake my spiritual certainties. Example: one aspect to consider is healing. I know there are countless numbers of Christians that believe that God puts sickness on us to teach us (fill in the blank). Personally, I've never believed this. I've typically thought it was an excuse for our own behavior that caused the sickness. Accurate? And I've heard people talk about 'losing their healing' which has never made sense.

However, I am aware that people can and do learn lessons when they are sick. And there are some people, especially children, that didn't 'do' something to cause them to be sick. And no, I don't understand the why. Does this refute my stand? Is my certainty shaken? I think it probably was at some point. But, as I studied this and considered the character of God - my certainty was confirmed and strengthened. I cannot equate a God who is described as Jehovah Rapha (sp?), my healer and one who puts sickness on His creation. Who do we turn to when we're sick then? Exactly! But why would God who puts sickness on us to teach us be the one we turn to rid us of the sickness - wouldn't that be illogical for God? And let's face it - God is never illogical.

Perhaps a simple example. But my point is - phrases uttered by word or 'spoken' in literature can provide us with many hours of contemplation. And... by extension, strengthen our certainties. From this... our mettle is revealed.

Listening and Location

In my opinion, there are two critical decisions we all have to face at some time and then decide what we are going to do with them. The two issues: First - Listening to your still, small voice (which is listening to the Holy Spirit). Second - You need to believe that God has you right where you need to be. It also wouldn't go amiss to be grateful that both are active in your life.

Listening. We all have that still voice alive in our lives whether or not we choose to listen and follow what's being said. Audible voice? For some, yes; but for the majority of us, it's not audible but just as strong and effective. Instinctively we know if what we are saying or doing is what would be pleasing to the Lord or not. We also can act confidently when we follow the path, direction that voice is telling us to go. How do we know WHO is talking. Simple. If it uplifts God, then it is His voice leading. If you sense a check, it's His voice directing, so stop and take stock. 

   "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether
    they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out
    into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit
    that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
    and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come
    in the flesh is not of God." (1John 4:1-3)

Follow this simple procedure and do not vary the conditions and you will never be in a quandary. When you accepted Jesus as your Lord, He told us He would come and live in us and the Holy Spirit is the voice we hear.

Location. Am I in the right place? Trust in the Lord that even if you aren't - He will find a way to help you find your way. It's critical to believe we are where we are suppose to be and open to the Lord's leading - because He really can help us to maximize our situation. I would suggest that the devil would like nothing better than if he could side track us, telling us we need to do/be elsewhere. You may not be where you are forever, but right now you are here and you can act now as His representative in your place.

Certainly we all have questions. That's fine. Ask the question, seek the answer... but act on who you are, where you are, right here and now - knowing that the Lord will be lifted up by this.

Motive

Look to your motive! WHY do you do or say what you do? Is there an ulterior reason or a hidden agenda? Realized or not there is always a reason for why we do what we do when we do it... even if we don't immediately recognize it. That was not a value judgment, nor an accusation - it's just an 'is'. 

Motive is another one of those words that have multiple definitions and we all expect the other person to understand what we mean. Webster: "...something (such as a need or desire) that causes a person to act, implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act, suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution." Not particularly a positive definition of the word... 'Something, operating on the will, a driving power' all sound like that we are powerless to control or stop the 'motive'. Do you believe this?

Personally, I think this definition is more excuse than explanation. It is still our decision to act on our own motives - are we so insensitive to what we are thinking and feeling that the motive takes over control causing us to do what could become self-defeating actions? Are we so spineless that we allow ourselves to be controlled? Can't we just as purposely follow Galatians 5:23 and exercise our self-control?

For me, I try and look at my motives to judge if they are in accordance with my goals and if they infringe on the rights of others... and if they do, how to resolve the disparity. Do I always act so consciously? Sadly no. Self-desire sometimes fight with what should be. The point is not so much the 'what' of the motive as it is to be aware how it's leading and that the other person may also be facing the same dilemma. Motive is neither a negative nor a positive, but it is an 'is'. I believe it's our responsibility to act integrous and judge our own motives.

Trust is....

Yes I know I've talked about trust a number of times and in a number of different settings. The aspect I'd like to look at this time is... HOW do you know you can trust (fill in the blank). I'm not focusing on 'things' but on people. How do you know you can trust him/her? Is there such a thing as instant trust? What advantages do you experience when you do trust, or don't, or have your trust breached? How do you handle broken trust?

Trust can be a tenuous 'feeling' or extended status. And I suspect there isn't one person who hasn't experienced broken trust. Once trust is broken it's difficult to trust that person ever again. Equally difficult is just trusting in general. Once burned it's difficult to venture into situations requiring any form of trust. It's the mindset of, '...once fooled, shame on you, twice, shame on me' thinking. No one wants to be hurt.

Obviously, interactions and observations of the other person and your relationship with them requires time. It also requires involvement - you can't trust from a distance... preferably involvement in a variety of situations. But perhaps the question is: why would you trust the other person? And, ... why wouldn't you? Do you know what it is you are seeking from the other person that you extend or withhold trust? 

The same questions can be reversed... are you trustworthy? Do others trust you and how do you know? And if they don't act like they trust you - do you know why? Is it justified? Are you a gossip and spread whatever the other person tells you whether or not they ask you to not say anything? I have always felt that trust was a two-way situation. If you aren't trustworthy, why would others trust you? And if you are, don't you see those who do trust you are also the people you trust? If this isn't occurring - then what is really the status of the relationship?

Crisis Relationship?

Don't want to appear too accusatory... but, is your relationship with the Lord primarily one of you turning to Him when you have a crisis? If so, then you are severely limiting the kind of relationship you can have with Him. Scripture tells us to delight ourselves in the Lord. (Psalms 37) Verses 4-6

   "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your
    heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will act. He
    will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as
    the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him,..."

Delight, desires, commit, trust, will act, your righteousness, your justice, wait patiently... what a wealth we receive in our relationship that goes far beyond mere crisis issues. 

I realize we all face crises and that we need to move beyond this point. But too often that is the only basis we seek and what's offered is so much more. Remember too the verse that tells us that we always provides us a way out of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), then how much more will He help us to resolve crises that arise? 

Delight. Webster: a high degree of gratification or pleasure; joy, extreme satisfaction. This is what we are to do in our relationship with the Lord. Does this describe yours? If so, then you are mightily blessed. If not... it is available to you. We can delight in our relationship. In my world, this is how I try to focus my thoughts and words. It then tells us that if we do then He will give us the desires of our heart. Do you even know what your desires are? I don't always. It can never include our desire to have others change. Like you, they have free will to make their choices.  

Commit, Trust - He says He will act. But remember that He acts according to His ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) which may or may not coincide with ours. But, when we do commit our ways to Him and Trust in His will then we will be in our best place. If it doesn't go according to our plan then obviously our plan wasn't the best. 

We can have a rich relationship with the Lord, who does seek this for us. Crisis. Yes. But so much more. 

Losing yourself

Happen to you? I suspect we all have this occur in our lives on some level ... frequently. Not really all that unusual, but it can be deadly. When you are so involved in living your life you run the risk of losing you in the process. When your plate is overflowing with demands, requests, activities, people, etc. and when you feel like you have absolutely no time for anything, then frustration rises. Some of us resort to warping into multi-tasking mode. Don't misunderstand - multi-tasking is, or can be, a great help when we are so overly involved, but it too can be a threat, or minimally a distraction, to the fact that we are losing... us.

What I mean by 'losing ourselves' is when we, read that WE, don't include us in the schedule: process and acts of our day. Face it - no one is going to give us the time to focus on the eternal, the essentials of our lives. Unless we take the time to spend on the Lord - whether that's prayer, study, reading, writing, thinking - it will not happen. On should include 'with'. And the point is relationship.

You are very special. We need to understand this and Who made us this way. Distractions and diversions abound and much of it is 'important' but so is taking the time for self. If this sounds like a over emphasis on 'me' - no, read the context again. I've always believed that if we weren't in a good place as 'us' then we probably won't be able to respond for others in a positive, proactive way. If you truly want to be able to effectively respond then until you've taken the time to be with the Lord first, effective may not occur.

All this speaks of our relationship with the Lord - the single most important (my opinion) relationship we have. And, relationship takes time, takes the form of communicating - not just bringing prayer requests but letting Him teach us in the moment. He will. And you will understand... as long as your focus is on what He is teaching and you aren't also making other plans, for 'later, in your mind. Losing yourself seems to be an effective strategy our enemy uses to keep us off balance and unsettled. There is a remedy....

Emotional health

Sad? Happy? Wistful? Just how is your emotional health? Never hide, disguise, ignore your emotional health because it affects so many other aspects of our lives. Whatever your mood is... how do you acknowledge and, when needed, make the necessary changes to correct? Or do you want to wallow in the mood you are in?

One hint is - however you feel... that's how you feel. And if you think that no one will see that you aren't 'yourself', you are completely incorrect. Trying to ignore it is like closing your eyes so you are invisible. Not ever going to work. If you don't 'like' the mood you're in then for it/you to change, you're going to have to deal with it. You can't fake a good mood over a bad, even if you think you can. 

The next hint is - it really is OK to be what you feel... for a while. As long as your mood doesn't bring others down or cause them to think they've done something to displease you. For those in a downer mood, it is extremely difficult to not display negative responses. Again the point - you need to deal with whatever put you where you are emotionally.

Why are you feeling the way you do? What happened to have you end at this destination? I never implied this would be easy. Is it an attitude change you will need to make? Do you want to inflict you on you and others? What are you willing to do to acknowledge where you are, how you got there, and what you will do about resolving your emotional health? These are all personal answers - yours. Want to get back to emotional well-being, health?

Givens and Cement

What are your givens? We all have them. They provide us with our contexts, our 'ordering', our frame of reference. Either we do this subconsciously or we do this deliberately... but this isn't a negative. Unless we put people in cement, givens are our way of responding to our world. The tragedy... or at least discomfort, occurs when we try to apply this to people. They really won't stand still, you know. They will continue to grow and develop, do expected as well as unexpected things... as do you.

Givens are those unchangeables in our lives. Do you know yours consciously? We do need to know what are our standards and principles that we live and interact with during our day. Example: are you the type that believes in 'little white lies'? They really don't exist you know, but many people use this as their excuse. Do you? Or do you rigorously focus on only speaking the truth? This can take the form of not responding as much as speaking. Point is... where is your truth line in the sand?

Givens speak to our character - how we present ourselves in our world and how we continue in this fashion. Are we one thing one moment and different the next? If so, how do we juggle this type of behavior? Character is a critical component in how others view us and from this context, interact with us. Are your opinions sought after and valued? Or do others not request your input because of how you have responded in the past?

Recognizing that givens aren't always in firm cement, do you take the time to help others see how you've changed, grown from your initial position? And why the change recognizes who you are becoming? I sometimes think that we err when we don't explain our why's. Our journey can provide others with their own understandings of themselves. Givens are our platforms to grow on or from. They give us understandings to become all we are intended to be.

I don't tend to believe in cement. Cement doesn't seem to allow for growth, there's no breathing room. There are always exceptions of course. Do you know yours?

"The thing about miracles

is that they do happen." This was a line spoken by the lead character in one of my favorite British programs, Father Brown. It's true you know. Miracles do happen... it's just that we don't always see with our spiritual eyes, only with our physical. Too often we really don't realize what has happened and chalk it up to 'serendipity', or 'luck'(which doesn't exist), or something similar.

When I first heard the line, it got me to thinking about miracles, our lack of seeing them, and our response. Actually, the response should be one of gratitude, joy. So how can we 'see'? I believe there are some key elements that contribute to our sight. The first is that you need to Believe. If you don't believe in miracles, then how do you explain the Lord? You have to have faith first. And I'm beginning to understand that miracles are a method the Lord uses to manifest Himself in the situation so that we see His presence.

Along with believing, I think that we need to Desire to see the Lord's working. This may sound strange, not. If we don't wish to see then even what we do see we won't see. Miracles happen in all sizes, in a sundry of ways, and sometimes in places you'd never look. We need eyes that see, that want to see. His wonders are all around us - in nature, in the touch of a hand of comfort, in 'big' ways and 'small' things of life. Those are only some of the places and acts that confirm to us miracles do indeed happen. 

Could the issue of seeing and experiencing miracles be in the 'what next' category? Do you think that when you experience or see a miracle happening that you need to 'do something'? What would you like to do with the miracle(s)? May I suggest that you honor by acknowledging them and expressing your gratitude to the source? Simple. Then share what you've witnessed. You never know what you say may encourage your listener. 

Everyone should have a friend... at least one

And I mean a close friend... not merely just a group of acquaintances. Someone who knows you - warts as well as those shiny parts. A person who genuinely likes you and wants the best for you. One who doesn't look and see you in cement but knows that you are continually growing. Someone you can trust. Do you have such a person in your life?

Many people do... many don't. When you do have such an individual that meets what I have described as a 'friend', do you provide the same opportunity for them? Or is this a one-way relationship? Perhaps you don't feel you need this type of relationship. It may be a silly question but are you such a loner that you don't need a sounding board to talk things over with that gives you other aspects to consider? Loners can be the result of all sorts of reasons, but if you had a choice - would you seek for such a friend?

I really don't believe we are meant to be in a solo life - hermits are not the preferred lifestyle. Perhaps your relationships are multiple because you use different people to meet your different relationship needs rather than having only one significant other. To quote the song... "People need people" - true. And the rub is to make the right choice of a friend - not an easy thing to do. It takes time and interactions to know if you are confident enough in the other person to trust them with you.

Sharing self is so easy for some... and so very difficult for others. No blame, no accusation, but do know your style. Never rush. The important point is to be able to find a place and person that give you a kind of refuge to share who you are and what your plans are. No one is infallible, have all the answers, or have access to all the outside impacting information - a valued and trusted ally is who we need. We need someone who is willing to dare (risk) being wrong or have us become upset at their views - who speaks their understanding of truth but in love. It really is our responsibility to be open to opposite thinking. 

In the final analysis, it is the Lord who does fulfill that role. He will lead us when we give Him the opportunity. Remember too - He does use others to fill that tangible touch.

Who I WANT to Be

You do realize that your 'want' is critically important... don't you? Who you WANT to be and become factors significantly on what you do, learn, say, think, etc... Your want is the glasses you look through and how you think about and judge you.

It is always considerably easier if we do a frank and honest assessment in order to develop our goals, objectives, benchmarks to becoming who we want to be. It is also important if we 'color' our wants with our abilities and giftings. Never eliminate a goal because it appears to be too difficult - for heaven's sake, give yourself credit for what you can do. Difficulty should only be a factor in timing not in attempting. Also, in looking at who you are at this moment, have you stopped to seek the Lord's advice, His wants for you? I've discovered that if I take the time to ask, He will always answer.

Who you want to be is multi-layered as well as multi-factored and yet these multi's comprise the totality of of your who. Want has to be flavored with dedication, willingness, commitment (a step beyond willing), desire, and a host of other attitudes. If you aren't willing to 'pay the piper' you should never start. There's a scripture, Luke 14 beginning in verse 28 through 32 that speaks about preparation, and tells us to count the cost and deliberate. While the examples aren't in terms of personal growth, the principle applies. You will have to prepare.

No one can determine for you who you want to be. That is both your responsibility and privilege. It is also a case that only you can begin walking this out on your path. I recommend looking at long-range as well as short-range goals and objectives. Then celebrate when you have attained the goal - it should be celebrated! But never stop and take up residence at the first attainment. You really are so much more than you think. But taking one step at a time will get you where you need to be... as long as you have the Lord by your side. You will become what you want.

Relationship not religion

Religion according to Webster: 

   "...the service and worship of God or the supernatural; a personal 
    set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and 
    practices; a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with 
    ardor and faith..." 

Somewhat lifeless, though the final part of the definition has more life. And what is 'supernatural' and how is it placed alongside God? And, I would contend, is part of the problem, issue. Religion does not have the same mindset and focus as 'relationship' does.

Webster's attempt at defining relationship is flawed: 

   "...a state of being related or interrelated; the relation connecting 
    or binding participants in a relationship." 

Not particularly enlightening. Perhaps the problem is that I am talking about a Spiritual Relationship which is not even recognized in dictionary-eze. Don't look for the Lord in religion because He can be found... only in relationship. So the next question is - how do we develop a spiritual relationship?

Remembering that 2Corinthians 6:14 tells us that there can be NO relationship between righteousness and unrighteousness (though this verse is talking about yoking, I believe it also relates to all relationships) what is available for us when it comes to the Lord? Because, let's face it, our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). For a long time I felt like a small child with my face pressed against the window of a toy or candy shop - not invited in but longing to be part. 

Thankfully, the Lord led me to 2 verses that I have talked about numerous times... but never together. The first one is in 2Corinthians 5:17-21. I have always loved these verses but had focused on 17-20. WOW. Look at verse 21

   "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in
    Him we might become the righteousness of God."

Somehow I hadn't finished the chapter. Obviously I knew there was no way I could attain righteousness but this had already been addressed! I did have the way to relationship.

Of course my mind went to... but what happens when I fail (deliberately or unintentionally)? Again the remedy. 1John 1:9 tells us

   "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our
    sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Our way back into relationship! Everything was thought out from the beginning because the Lord was as interested in a relationship with us as we were with Him. My mind still boggles at this - but my gratitude knows no end. So in the end the question is - do you want a relationship with the Lord? It's available. All you need do is come. Keeping Him 'out there' affords little opportunity to be in relationship. But..He tells us - "Come to me..."
    

Believing... who

This is a 'who' not a 'what' question. Do YOU know WHO you believe in? Do you know why? Believing involves so many aspects , 'categories', and components that it can be difficult at times really understanding who we believe in and why? How do you choose/decide who you believe in? Do you look at their words and actions - how they go about being them? Does it build over time and interaction that gives you the trust and confidence to believe in them? What will you do if or when they break that trust - and how will you 'handle' your relationship with that person in the future?

One of the problems we can easily succumb to is putting people on pedestals. They don't belong there. No one except the Lord should be on a pedestal. People make mistakes, they sin, they get in bad moods, and multiple other acts. When (it really isn't an 'if' issue) they do, how do we respond to them? Throw them out with the bathwater? It was we who had endowed them with a status that was beyond them so why do we then turn on them when they don't live up to our standards... typically never communicated?

For me, it is nearly impossible to separate trust and believing, especially when it comes to others. Broken trust is a painful experience so I tend to be a tad hesitant when it comes to extending trust. I never rush to judgment though... whether it is to extend trust or withholding it. Perhaps you don't have as firm a correlation between trust and believing - but with broken trust, taking what they say or say they will do is taken with a heaping tablespoon of salt. Fair? Possibly not.

I do find it difficult to separate experience, mine, from how I relate to that other person. But since I also believe I need grace and mercy far more often than 'justice' I have no choice but to apply that to others. Interaction will undoubtedly continue... but depth probably won't. And yes, that is my loss.

DISCOURAGEMENT

Are you? I try not to be but let's face it - we all do at various times and in various areas of our lives. For me, discouragement typically takes hold when I think I have explored all the myriad options related to something that is important to me. You? However, the issue is what do we do next? There are a variety of behaviors we can indulge in, even though they are typically totally ineffective: sulking, blaming (others, of course), giving up (or in), keep hitting our head against the thickly closed, locked, and impregnable door. There are other things we do too, know yours? 

I don't believe there is a greater crippler than discouragement. This does even greater damage than failure. At least with the latter, (fill in the blank) has come to an end... it's finally over. Not so with the former. It confirms to you all the negative parts of you. Your 'can't' has to be the biggest one. It saps all your attention, strength, and energy. Eventually... we do stop all the negative behavior and look at where we are, what the problem is, and what's available to us for resolution. 

Analyzing what went wrong needs to be  part of the mindset of extraction so we don't repeat, but it really shouldn't be the first thought. First we need to eliminate 'blame' from the equation and focus on what needs to be done. Part of the process, for me, is asking the Lord for His help and wisdom in this current situation. Finding the right method is critically important, and it may be different from the last time you needed to move beyond discouragement. Or... is it?

Do we see similarities in the issues/problems that got is to this point from previous situations and how we resolved them? Do we look at ourselves and our behaviors and assumptions? There is resolution but repeating previous ineffective words, actions, thoughts need to be eliminated. Do we have the luxury of time to consider the answers to all these questions (and others)? Perhaps not, but wasting time on ineffective actions is not proactive either.

What to do?! Our own thoughts need to be brought into line. Discouragement is a pervasive feeling that has to be countered. Everyone needs to know their approach in these times. For me, I go to my source - the Lord and seek His wisdom in His word. The more that you lean on the Word, the more the Word will be in you. Can the lessons and understandings really 'work', really help us to answers in our world? They do for me.

Hmmmm...

Satisfied? Life all you want it to be? Still lovin' the livin'? Probably the most important question... still growing? Or do you think you know enough (word defined)? So what is on the horizon? What new goals have you developed or what does your future look like? If you think that you can continue on in your safe and comfortable world, think again. If you stop, you will get trampled on and you will get hurt.

I know that sounded slightly melodramatic... minimally threatening. But - does that decrease the truth? Life is never made for standing still, it's not how the word is described or defined. Life always has ups, downs, successes, less than successes, etc. Perhaps the point is - do you see and understand your growth and who you can be as much as who you are? Do you incorporate your understandings into your life - operationally? 

Even if all's well or all's terrible, the likelihood of stagnant rarely occurs. There are always the 'new' that you encounter. You can choose to close a blind eye to all of this and lose all the opportunities in the process or you can choose to embrace life and partner with it to accomplish your dreams, hopes, possibilities. What's stopping you? Why choose less than all that has been prepared for you? Why not dare, risk to accept the Lord's invitation and begin to become. He has provided everything Just for you to use to be enabled to live the abundant life.

However... apart from Him, you can do nothing (John 15:5). Fact. Besides, why go it alone when you have One who always has your best interest in mind and wants to help you? The single most difficult obstacle, in my opinion, is our own pride and wanting to do (fill in the blank) our way. The fact that we DO have free will can become a hindrance when we are in our proving that we can do whatever it is by ourselves. Look at the behavior of children... isn't that often what we do but on a much larger scale? It takes great humility to accept that we don't always know the best or even act on the best response to ... 

We can though. We can accomplish great things as long as we keep our eyes off ourselves and on the goal. Is the goal of greater value than our own sense of ourselves? Hmmmm...

Identity... Old, New

Do you know, understand, and appreciate - YOU? Do you know your identity? Is this important to and for you to be who you are? If you are a Christian then the resounding answer should be... I'm in the process of discovering me! Colossians 3: 1-10 gives us much to think about as our new identity in Him. 

   "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (v.3)

   "But now you yourselves are to put off all these things all these:
    anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
    Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with
    his deeds and have put on the new man WHO IS RENEWED in
    knowledge according to the image of Him who created him." (v. 8-10)

These scriptures give a picture of the old identity and the new one. And if your concern is that you won't be able to walk in your newness... you are correct if you believe you have to do this alone. Never forget that you constantly have someone with you to help you become your best you and will equip you to continue to fight your enemy, the devil. Look to the fact that it is in the image of Him (the Lord) who has created you. 

Also remember that if He tells you to be or do (fill in the blank) that YOU are able to be or do what is necessary. We have to take off the old, to rid ourselves of those thoughts, actions, words that deny who we are becoming. And then we can put on the new to replace what was. One point that became very clear to me was that we have to come to the Lord - first - to confess our old self and seek His help in becoming our new self. One danger is that we must distance ourselves from the old and not attempt to live in both worlds. Never works. Returning to who we are because it is a known and the new isn't, is not safety. Becoming your new is never one and done. It is always a continuing process.

What if you fail? Simple. Acknowledge it, purpose to not repeat, make any 'restitution' that's applicable, and move on. We always have 1John 1:9-2:1 as our method of restoration. He knows what we face which is why the Holy Spirit has been sent to us to aid us in our journey (John 14:16). Sooo... what is this new self? Colossians 3: 12-17

  "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, 
    kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another
    and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another;
    even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." (v. 12)

   "But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of 
    perfection." (v. 14)

These verses in Colossians 3:1-17 give us a vivid example of who and what the new identity is. Ephesians 6 and 1Corinthians 5:17-22 are also some of the teachings on who we are, our new identity and what's been prepared for us to be able to continue on our journey to becoming all that we can be.

Need...Want...

These are two distinct and separately defined words, but do you use them interchangeable? Is (fill in the blank) truly a need for you... or is it only a want? Definitions are incredibly important at this point. I'm going to share mine and then you can understand what it is that I'm meaning and refine your definition to meet what you understand and know. My point is that we all specially defined words and to know what we NEED is not necessarily the same as what we WANT.

Want, for me , is rarely a person but 'something' I would prefer, would hope for...BUT it is not absolutely necessary or 'mandatory' for me to accomplish/do what I'm (fill in the blank). Enhance or make easier - absolutely, but not a make or break. Need, on the other hand, is crucial. Without (fill in the blank) there isn't an absolute assurance of success. Need is on a much deeper level and much more immediate. Actually, need may be the catalyst for moving on to - next. Understand my definitions? You don't have to like them but it will make my reasoning(?) ... clearer. 

Point in all this is to know our individual need(s). In order to be our best us, we need to know what this is... operationally. And what we look at as our needs in order to be our best, what do we do with them? Do we simply expect the Lord to make them available to us? Do we come to Him and ask for those things we need? Do we know what we will do with them when we 'have' them? But in the midst of all these questions... what's our responsibility? Do we need to study in order to properly use the need effectively? Is it something we already have but never realized its value?

So many questions - and these only begin the process. We need to distinguish between what is a genuine need and simply a 'want'. This is the first step. Then we can go to the Lord to seek His hand of provision. And yes, I find that I also add the 'want' but I acknowledge it to Him and myself that it isn't critical, merely an easier way. I really don't believe He disallows wants, but I do believe that He wants us to know the difference and then how to use what He's provided. Needs and wants are part and parcel of our lives... but we need to not use our predetermined situation to stop in our tracks. Sometimes the provision happens ... when we take that step of faith to speak or to do.

  

People need the Lord

This was a wonderful gospel song from years ago. Recently I was watching a special of some of the older artists and songs that use to be heard back in the 80's and before. Not that the current ones aren't good, it's just that those spoke such volumes to me since that was the time I was saved. They bring back memories of my personal journey (still on-going).  

The particular theme of this song is so relevant, regardless of the age of the listener. Steve Green was the artist who sang...

   "Everyday they pass me by,
    I can see it in their eyes.
    Empty people filled with care.
    Headed who knows where?
    On they go through private pain,
    Living fear to fear.
    Laughter hides their silent cries,
    Only Jesus hears.
    We are called to take His light
    To a world where wrong seems right.
    What could be too great a cost
    For sharing Life with one who's lost?
    Through His love our hearts can feel
    All the grief they bear
    They must hear the Words of Life
    Only we can share.
                               People need the Lord, people need the Lord
                               At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
                               People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
                               When will we realize that we must give our lives,
                               For people need the Lord." 

How do those words affect you? Do you see where your outstretched hand can easy the suffering of another? Do you understand that a word spoken in season can become a mighty seed in someone else's life? What we sometimes misplace is that the Lord has chosen to work through us to touch lives and bring healing and hope. Maybe not highly dramatic nor visible, but what's our focus - us or the hurting person in front of us?

And no, I'm not pointing fingers or accusing anyone... I just wonder how I may have answered this call? Where I may have shared the most important Person, the Lord, with others. How I may have said a word or acted with comfort to another person that brought them relief. Have I taken the message of this song and acted on it. Those questions don't exactly haunt me but they do cause me to look again at how I am being me in the world I live in. 

Years ago this song spoke volumes to me and did stir me to action. If it truly is still an important message... will it renew me? The word says:

   "... (Jesus speaking) Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look
    at the fields, for they are already white  for harvest!" (John 4:35)

What do we see? What will we do? And if we don't... what will be the future?

Risk and Reality

   "Only a real risk tests the reality of a belief" C. S. Lewis

How do you respond to 'risk(s)'? Do you flee from them as fast and as far as you can at the mere mention of a potential issue... even before you have confirmed there is a risk? Do you 'stand and take your ground' waiting for the risk to emerge? Do you pick up any available weapon and charge headlong into the risk? Do you analyze and prepare as you determine if there actually is a risk? (Obviously, you know my preference.)

Without doubt, the place to begin is with a definition. What may be a risk to one, may be an expected skirmish to another? You need to know your tolerance to risk, but you have to define the word for yourself first. Webster: "... the possibility of loss or injury, someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard." This your definition... or only part of your definition? Webster's words of 'possibility' and 'suggests' only implies a potential problem, it does not say it IS a problem. So what do you do to assess the level of threat? And then, how do you go about making your decision about what to do with the threat?

There are many people who panic or immediately change at the mere wisp of a emergent issue. This you? Do you not even entertain that it may be only a molehill and not a mountain before retreating? And if you are a 'wait and see' type... how long will you wait? Until it is a major problem? Or do you use the time to develop other options, approaches to reaching (fill in the blank) rather than quitting?

Though there is an implied 'best approach' to risk, I really am not suggesting a method - I'm asking if you know yours! You can modify, change, etc. whatever your approach is - but only after you know! And I realize you could argue that a physical risk us not the same as a risk to a more esoteric context of one's beliefs. Really? Is your mindsets so compartmentalized? Do you not see a relationship?

What do you do when a firmly held belief you have is challenged? Do you know why you believe as you do and the foundation you've built your trust in that belief? When someone 'attacks' what you believe - how do you respond? I try to adopt the standard of, '...come let us reason together...' (Isaiah 1:18) and yes, I know the Lord was using that in the context of our sin - but can't it also be a context to handle disagreements? Even if the end result is that after sharing our understandings we maintain our original beliefs? Iron sharpens iron and discussing those challenges to what we believe only causes us to become strengthen in those beliefs or it causes us to reconsider and redefine. 

The thorns in life

Remember Paul's 'thorns in the flesh'? Is this how you feel? That you are stuck and are continually dealing with (fill in the blank) which has now reached the status of 'thorn'? So... what are you going to do? What CAN you do. Backing up to Paul... what did HE do? God's response to Paul's lament (2Corinthians 12:7) was to remind him that "My grace is sufficient for you..." 

What do you do with that phrase? Is God telling Paul (and by implication - you) that it is YOUR problem? Is God saying He's done all He intends to do and now you are on your own? Obviously not. He never leaves us alone (Hebrews 13:5). The realization, I believe, is that:
   
   "So we may boldly say; 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What
    can man do to me?'" (verse 6)

My understanding is that everything has already been provided, we are equipped, we can handle (fill in the blank) or... we can tolerate whatever is happening.

There is also His words that He said He would never leave us with no way out: 

   "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;
    but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond
    what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way
    of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1Corinthians 10:13)

Look at this verse again. Not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to bear it AND will also make the way of escape. I believe that so often we are focused on what we feel, what we think we need, when relief should occur (NOW) that we take our eyes off of the One who is our source - The Lord. Point being that if He says His grace is sufficient... then it is sufficient.

In 2Corinthians 12:9, The Lord says that His grace is sufficient ... "My strength is made perfect in weakness." Do NOT make the mistake of assuming God wants us to suffer so He can use our weakness as an opportunity to demonstrate Himself. I believe that this is another opportunity for us to see His hand, to remember Whose we are, and that we really are able. Thorns may come... but you also are able because of His Grace.

Mess ups, Free will, and all such nonsense

We mess up. No earth shattering news, no surprises, no shocks. It's a fact. It really is OK as long as we learn from the mess and move on.

We have free will. It's available to teach us that we aren't all omnipotent, all wise, all knowing and we all need help, but choices and decisions ARE ours. 

It just so much nonsense to not admit fact. So why, when we know we have erred and/or sinned do we try and bluff our way out, ignore, distance ourselves, and other such nefarious ill thought out behavior? A sin is a sin. We don't just miss the mark, we sometimes shoot in the opposite direction! Talk about enlightened. And messes are also part and parcel of life. So rather than waste time, when we have made a mistake or we have sinned (a mistake does not necessarily define 'sin') do we compound the situation and make it 10 times worse than if we would just admit it straight away. 

I find that as I grow older, my patience grows thinner with myself when I catch me doing precisely that. I can easily identify with Paul's - "... I do the things I do not wish to do and don't do the things I should do..." (paraphrase of Romans 7:15-20). Simply 'human nature'? What a cop out! What a lame excuse. Does anyone actually believe this? Man up! Admit it when you err and especially when you sin. Don't hide. Accept and move on. When you do, you'll find yourself much further ahead then if you continue in the compounding behavior. Mess ups and Free will... are. Simply because we have Free will doesn't mean that we are free from error - it basically means that we have the choice, we can choose to (fill in the blank).

I really don't mind accepting responsibility nor in admitting error on my part - though I do admit a great irritation when others don't have the same standard. Silly... we all have free will, remember! Free will is really a marvelous gift... but it is also an enormous responsibility. There can be no finger pointing with free will - it's never the other person's fault/problem, we chose what we chose. If you want to have free will then you have to assume the consequences of your words and actions. You can't blame anyone else... period. Ever look at free will in that light?

Mess ups happen. They don't need to control. We can change to a more effective plan to (fill in the blank). We have free will to make the choices and decisions, but it comes with the price tag that we have to accept the consequences of our actions and words. Ironically... free will really isn't free. It's always a test of our integrity, our character - at least in my world of definitions. 
People are messy. Life is messy. This is not new information! How we go about living in this reality is all important. Why? Because it affects our attitudes and thus how we live. It can mold us. I suspect that it can also break us... depending on how we 'handle' it. 

Turn around

This is an important question... do You believe that if you are on a dead-ended path or an ill thought out decision, that you can't turn around? Or can you? Are you of the persuasion that you made your own bed and now you have to sleep in it? Or... that you don't need to compound the problem that you can admit the need for a different (fill in the blank)? Your answer is critical and has far reaching implications for who you are and the life you lead.

I am not implying that you aren't responsible for the results of your words and action - you always are. Nor am I advising giving up before necessary (reap if you faint not thinking). Nor suggesting taking the easiest path... but I have never been an advocate of compounding the situation. What is so terrible that you would continue on what is a destructive path rather than acknowledging your mistake and changing? If it's your ego... then that's a heavy price to pay for it.

If turning around is based in unconfessed sin, then we have an entirely different issue. You can't turn around if you are still under the cloud of sin or acting sinfully. You need to turn to the Lord and confess first. Get it out in the light and become righteous again. You can. Never forget 1John 1:9 - this is a restoration verse. Associated with this though is the mindset to depart from unrighteousness and to put these temptations as far from you as possible. But... to act as a conqueror (Romans 8:37) when faced by them. Don't ignore them because they will continue to tempt you - face them head on knowing you have One with you who will aid in your success.

You really do have all the equipping, the defenses necessary to live a life that can adjust to 'problems'. In the midst of the agony, though we don't always act with the greatest amount of faith and confidence, purpose to act. Because, we can boast in Him whose grace is sufficient. Bottom line is that when faced with difficulties, we can turn around and meet head on whatever is attempting to defeat us. Turning around can be as simple as determining that the current path does not provide the way to completion.   

Reluctant Cynic?

Are you? Life experiences seem to force you into a cynical attitude? Should you be? Can/Do you want to break this 'expectation' that leads to cynicism? Let's first consider definitions - does the following describe you? Dictionary definition: "One who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self interest." Another definition states it only slightly differently: "A person who has negative opinions about other people and about the things people do; especially a person who believes that people are selfish and are only interested in helping themselves." 

Now, with those definitions in mind, is this your definition? Are you therefore, a full blown cynic or are you reluctantly cynical? Or do you define your behavior as 'relative' - it depends on the other person or situation? Regardless, reluctant or not... do you define yourself as a cynic? Do you know why? I don't believe we are born cynical but that how we interpret our life experiences 'mold' us into cynics. I also believe that unless one acknowledges one's own tendency toward cynicism, you can't change your mindset. 

The second issue is whether or not you want to change your perspective. Many people are quite comfortable being cynics because this can now explain and confirm how they see what they see. Though how they can 'explain away' those evidences that contradict this stance is mystifying. Accepting the cynical stand also means that they keep distance between themselves and the people who inhabit their world. The interactions are superficial at best. Sadly, their ability to affect change or improve the situation is typically not accepted because they aren't involved.

There is a kind of 'safety' in being a cynic because you are removed from interactions thus allowing you to not be affected. But, are you truly removed? If so than this is a lonely existence. Face it - cynicism is a wall, a defense so that you won't get hurt. But there are never highs or lows... or if there are, they are ignored because they don't 'fit' the context of cynicism. Life is not to be avoided. You have a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in your world. No, not everyone will greet you with open arms... then again, they won't be able to ignore you either.

Problem solver or Problem creator?

Which 'condition' more clearly defines you? Or would you contend that it depends on the circumstances? But being brutally honest... which is more clearly your typical MO? One little hint is, if you make mountains out of molehills then you are a problem creator. It really is quite simple to be a problem creator - think small. Also, don't make plans because serendipitous is such a lovely way to live ... and who can make anyone responsible in this climate? Do point fingers so the blame rests as far from you as possible. There are other 'qualities' that support these approaches to life, but what's the point? Eventually, a fall or crash, or other negative will emerge and you will be totally unprepared. Will others step in and 'take care of you'?

I know those words sounded harsh - they were meant to be. We don't live in a world in which we can avoid and escape the ramifications of our actions or lack of actions. You may succeed for some time but eventually... you do have to 'pay the piper'. Why set yourself up? Is the immediate lack of responsibility a greater incentive for you than a life filled with fulfillment and fruitfulness? For me, problem solving has always been great fun. It's a terrific learning tool as well. The skills you learn are enhanced every time you tackle an issue requiring solving. Whether you problem solve as part of a team or solo in your own life challenges - one of the greatest tools in your problem solving approach is asking questions. 

One question and then the answer may lead to a different question and direction. The point is the behavior. Brain storming possible answers is also a tool. Depending on the time available, never qualify a response to the brain storming - let whatever is said have equal value until you start the option discovery phase. In this phase you take the 'answer' that seems to have the greatest opportunity for success - but also develop your Plan B and C. While you are expecting A to work, don't assume.

As you can see, problem solving is a process. But the process is focused with the result that is never 'helter skelter', there's an organization and procedures that are in place. Problem solving is also a mindset, a way to quickly and effectively react to any threat or weakness to attaining the goal. It is also inclusive. Problem solving is always enhanced by utilizing the thinking and gifting of others. If you have to do the process alone - then you might consider double checking with a trusted adviser before you act.