It Doesn't Have to Be My Way

Remember Frank Sinatra singing “I did it my way”? The song was about a man fondly looking back on a life lived on his own terms. But, is that the way WE want to live?

I heard a talk where the speaker handed out empty toilet paper rolls to each of us to make her point. She asked: “Have you ever had a dispute with your husband about the RIGHT way to hang a toilet paper roll? And, if you weren’t in agreement, did you correct it each time that he’d put it in different from the way you thought it should be? Did it frustrate you because it just wasn’t right or it just wasn't YOUR WAY? She said God had been speaking to her about having to have it HER WAY, so, on purpose, she has been leaving it the way her husband put it on. She realized “It doesn’t have to be MY WAY all the time. She instructed us to write on our rolls…. “It doesn’t have to be MY WAY!”

What a powerful object lesson! The point, well taken. It's such an erroneous belief that OUR WAY is the best way of doing things and then insisting others agree with us. There are those who seem to have taken a life course called, “How to Be Absolutely Sure of Everything”! And, honestly, in the light of eternity and what matters most, does it really matter? Wanting and insisting on getting our way is a set up for unhappiness and a lot of disagreements with others. We rationalize that THEY are the one that needs to change.

It’s part of our human nature to want to have our way. We all have a touch of the need to be right. We all have areas where we believe that we know better than others. As we learn to let go of the need to have it OUR WAY, the more energy we’ll have to spend on things that REALLY ARE important.

It’s time to ask ourselves, “Do I want to be right or do I want to be happy? Do I want to get my way, or do I want to feel a closeness with others?” Who wants to be a know-it-all, when there’s only one KNOW-IT-ALL? He is Father God. Instead of singing Frank’s “I DID IT MY WAY”, why not be singing…. “I did it God’s way!” And when we do it God's way.....in humility and love.....it WILL BE His way....and the BEST WAY! But, just thought I'd add a photo of the RIGHT WAY of hanging toilet paper!

"He has shown you, oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

"Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in HIS WAYS." Psalm 128:1

Army VALUES. Family VALUES.

Yesterday morning at church, a man from my neighborhood and I visited a few minutes and our conversation led to his two sons who have made serving in the Air Force a career. One was just promoted to Colonel. He quickly pulled up a photo of his sons and two of his grandsons, who all serve in the armed forces. Those four men are bringing such pride and joy to this man, who is himself, retired from the army. I was inspired enough to hone in on some of those values that this family lives by.

My word for today is VALUES -- a person's principles of behavior; standards, ethics, moral code, morals. VALUES are those specifics that define who we are and are the absolute non-negotiables in our lives.

I am always touched when I see a young man or woman in their military uniform or fatigues. They represent such commitment and selfless sacrifice. The Army's 7 Core Values are: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Courage. It causes me to look introspectively at my own values..

When God made us, He planted within us certain things that we value deeply. They’re hardwired in our heart. Through our life experiences – from the environment we are raised in, the schools we go to, the friends we associate with, and the religious foundation we receive, God made them clear to us. These are the things that we would be willing to die for. They explain how we come by our personal priorities AND the absolutes . If our values include the 10 Commandments, God’s Word and God’s love….I’d say, “We’re making this world a better place.”

Every one of our politicians came from families – either they were taught the Golden Rule or they weren’t. They were taught character, honor, respect, human dignity…..or they weren’t. If family values are instilled in each other, all those qualities of how we want to live our family life will be passed down through all generations. Values help define the way we behave in various situations. They help us make right and good choices, and they solidify the bonds we have together. If our family members respect each other – chances are very good, they’ll respect others. If they live by “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” that’s how they’ll treat others. If they support each other, they’ll support their fellow man. If they respect their family’s lives, they’ll respect other lives.

Moses delivered God's Ten Commandments on a tablet of stone and if those commandments were followed, the Israelites would experience God's favor and blessings. Just imagine the blessings that would be on our families if we not only followed God's Ten Commandments, but also the family values (non-negotiables) that we stood for in our homes and lives.

Perhaps it's time to put a stake in the ground on behalf of our families and define those things that matter most to us and when we do, then we'll be blessed in our homes and we'll pass them on to our children and their children. Indeed it would be a HOME SWEET HOME.

Psalm 128:1 “Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways!”

Values That Make Home.....A Sweet Home

Family rules. I saw this sign in my kids' home, and I knew what I would post today. Family values. Those are their non-negotiables, and that's what makes for a family who loves, shares and cares. VALUES -- those specifics that define who we are and are the absolute non-negotiables in our lives.

When God made us, He planted within us certain things that we value deeply. They’re hardwired in our heart. Through our life experiences – from the environment we are raised in, the schools we go to, the friends we associate with, and the religious foundation we receive, God makes them clear to us. Those things are our CORE VALUES. King Solomon’s core value was wisdom, Mother Teresa’s was compassion, Nelson Mandela stood for equality and Pope Francis, his love and compassion for the poor. So the question is "What do we stand for? What are our values?"

Moses delivered God's Ten Commandments on a tablet of stone and if those commandments were followed, the Israelites would experience God's favor and blessings. Just imagine the blessings that would be on our families if we not only followed God's Ten Commandments, but also the family values (non-negotiables) that we stood for in our homes and lives.

Perhaps it's time to put a stake in the ground on behalf of our families and define those things that matter most to us and when we do, then we'll be blessed in our homes and we'll pass them on to our children and their children. Indeed it would be a HOME SWEET HOME.

Psalm 128:1 “Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways!”

Walk in Love & Light

Day 254 of Photo Inspirations -- WALK IN LOVE & LIGHT
Ephesians 5:1-2, 8 "Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and WALK in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us. For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: WALK as children of light."

That's what I thought about when we had a family walk this weekend.  Yes, we needed the exercise, but I noticed the conversation and celebration of walking in love and light.  I saw Larry's patience and love as he directed Lexi across a creek carrying her little Yorkie.  She was concerned about the rushing water and didn't want to fall or bring harm to Emma.  But her Daddy knew what was best and with careful guidance and direction, she made it just fine.

Then I watched Staci and her "bestie", Karen Quick Imhoff​, kicking up their heels in all out freedom and abandonment of worries or concerns.  Living our lives -- with trust and confidence that God walks with us, talks with us and guides and directs us, gives us that child-like freedom to run and jump and celebrate because Dad has got everything under control.

Each of those examples explain the above scripture -- walking in love means tolerance, patience, tenderness, and "giving up" our way for some one else's way.  And walking as children of light.  What does that mean?  In the New Testament, “walking in the light” is directly related to following Jesus, who said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). Those who follow Jesus are “walking in the light.”

To “walk” is, in short, to live life. Our lifestyle or way of life can be considered a “walk.” And it also indicates progress.  Walking is related to growth; it is taking steps toward maturity.  While on this little walk, Lexi wanted to turn around and go back the way we came because it meant more adventure, but her Dad saw that it was starting to get darker outside and He knew what was best -- it was to go forward the safer way.  And, I loved it, when he held back from his usual faster pace, to walk side by side with his girl.

Isn't that the way it is when we partner with God in our walk with Him.  He wants us progressing, growing, and recognizing what is LIGHT and what is darkness.  Walking with Him is the opposite of evil.   Putting it all together, “walking in the light” means “growing in holiness and maturing in the faith as we follow (walk with) Jesus.”

Psalm 128:1 "Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who WALK in His ways."