The best is yet to come

I have a question.. Do you ever believe things can be perfect for you?.. Now, i didn't ask if things could ever be perfect, because i believe that that will not happen for a LONG time, but can they be perfect for YOU?.. If you know how you like things done, or how you like things at all, then why settle for something that is anything less than perfect for YOU?.. I'm not talking about preferences, because if you "prefer" something, then there's still the option of whatever "it" is to not come true.. And i'm not talking about stuff that you're acting like a baby and whining about.. I'm talking about your beliefs, ethics, etc.. Things that you should never compromise for anyone or anything.. Let's make this a little more personal..

We all have "The List".. you know what i'm talking about.. "The List" of things that we look for in our future spouse.. This might not be a physical, tangible list.. it might be invisible inside of our heads, but we all have it.. and we ALL break it.. we find that person that's going to "fulfill all of our needs and make our life soooo much better" and we start to sacrifice some of the things on that list because we think, "oh, it'll be ok.. i'm sure that i'll get over it".. but we don't get over it, do we?.. We compromise and sacrifice and then we look back at that relationship and go, "what in the world happened?".. You know what happened.. you sacrificed your standards for false happiness..

This isn't just focused on relationships.. This is for everything!!.. Before you compromise who YOU are (and that's exactly what your standards and beliefs are) slow down, think, pray, and respond.. In Master's Commission, we all get these little phrases drilled into us, like "Practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent" but the one that comes to mind at this point is, "Don't react, RESPOND".. there's a HUGE difference between and reaction and a response.. (I'll let you figure that one out)

Just think about how much better your spouse, or your job, or your friends, or even your dog could be if you didn't compromise who you are and THEY didn't compromise who they are.. My old director always said that two halves don't make a whole.. and that's so true.. If you're only half of you could be, then you're not fulfilling God's will or your spouse's will for who their husband/wife SHOULD be..

I guess what i'm trying to say is, don't compromise, don't sacrifice, and don't lose yourself.. Remain true to who you are.. God has something GREAT or even PERFECT for you.. don't miss an opportunity because you THINK it's perfect.. you'll know.. and until that time, have fun.. This life that God gave us is supposed to be happy and fun.. And remember, The Best is Yet to Come

J5

Learning Never Ends

I realize that i'm not that old, and i still have a lot to learn, but i think that's the point of what i'm trying to say.. I've come to the realization that i don't know everything (or anything for that matter).. the more i learn, the more i figure out, the more i find out about the world - the more i find out that i know absolutely nothing and still need to educate myself and at least seem knowledgeable on the world that i live in.. 

Here's my advice to you (not that i have the authority on the subject).. NEVER cease learning and thinking.. Never stop creating and renewing.. You are what you say are, and you can do what you say you can do.. You can do all things through Christ who GIVES (not gave) you strength..

Right now i'm currently reading 4 different books, and that's only because i don't have the money to buy any more at this point.. Don't ever think that you are caught up and know everything there is to know on a present subject.. You can learn from anyone, especially an accomplished author.. So keep reading, keep learning, keep evolving, keep thinking about the world that you live in.. because the creator of that world never stops thinking about you.. In Jesus' ministry, he never stopped evolving.. He understood where he was and understood that he needed to reach the people where they were.. He used the culture around him to reach out to people.. Paul quoted poets, secular authors, and plays to reach people.. The scriptures also say that He makes ALL THINGS NEW, not NEW THINGS, but ALL THINGS NEW.. God never ceases moving, evolving, and creating..

On the opposite side of things, don't take everything that one person says and gobble it up and make that person a god.. My father, who is a very educated and brilliant man, has always told me to "eat the meat and spit out the bones".. Take what you want, do what you will with it, and then be done.. Don't dwell on it.. That's how people become stagnant and dead.. (do a study on the Dead Sea and you'll see exactly what i mean).. I'll leave you with this....

"Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence."

-Abigail Adams (1780)

 - J5