It is tradition for me to post the top 10 things I learned at the end of each year of my life. I have been doing this for 20 years now. It seems like it, anyway.
I'm sure if you look at the links on the side here, you can find some of them.
So here goes:
1) When God wants you to do something, He makes it happen. Usually it's not when you think it should happen. And, it's probably not even the way you think it should happen.
2 years ago that I told everybody I was being called to put everything I have in storage and get a shipping post mailbox and travel and live in my car, doing what I do for a living.
I had planned to start doing it around December of this year. But, God decided I needed to be doing it sooner. My car broke down several times, throwing me into debt, forcing me to move out of my apartment and live in my car. So here I am doing what God called me to do to begin with.
I just wish it didn't come with so much debt. Because then I could afford to travel. But I think this is training.
2) Being a "Christian" and saying you are a "Christian"are totally different things. Going to church does not make you part of the church. I believe more in BEING the church than GOING to church.
3) Saying you will pray for someone's needs while doing nothing to help them is called dead faith. I didn't say that. The Bible did. James Chapter 2.
I have experienced a lot of that in this past year. It is very disheartening when you are drowning and instead of reaching out a hand to pull you ashore people just look at you and say they will pray for you.
4) Sometimes, no matter how far ahead you plan, circumstances can sometimes debilitate you.
I have said it over and over: don't think that you will never find yourself in the same situation that I am in. All it takes is one bad turn of events.
5) You should always cultivate new relationships, because people die, move away, or become distant.
This year, I lost my daddy. I lost my friend Gary. I lost my friend Elizabeth. My friend Fred moved away. And my family acts like I don't exist.
Which brings me to
6) Your family is not your bloodline. Your family is those who are part of your life who show care and concern for you on a consistent basis.
Calling someone once every 3 months to find out what they're up to and if they're still alive is not enough to be considered family. Especially when you have no intention of helping them if they need it.
7) God is constant. He is always there, no matter how far away you feel from Him. He understands even when you are angry and want to be alone.
8) The term, "God will provide", does not apply to your rent or your ability to keep your job.
I can't count the number of times in the past year someone said to me that I shouldn't worry and that God would provide. He did provide. At least I have my car to sleep in right now.
9) God's provision is dependent on His people, who are willing to serve him in ways other than cleaning the church after service.
If you are Christian, then you are part of the body of Christ. This means that you are His hands and feet. This means that when someone needs assistance of any kind, it is up to you to be the Jesus that they see.
And finally, I'm probably beating a dead horse here, but I'm going to say it anyway:
10) sending money to missions overseas is great, but priority should be placed on the need in your own back yard!
