People

The Path of No Regrets

/ Bill Jones / 4 Comments
US Navy 050709-N-0000X-001 Satellite image tak...

US Navy satellite image of Hurricane (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tropical Storm Debby passed close enough to our area this week to be a reminder that hurricane season is here. It was interesting that early in the process the various computer-forecasting models didn’t agree. Some predicted the storm would head west to Texas, some said it would hit Florida, and one had it wobbling around in a loop in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

That reminded me of a television show about hurricane forecasting. In one segment, a forecaster described the process of recommending when, where and to what level to have coastal evacuations when a hurricane approaches. The uncertainty of the path (especially if the models disagree), and varying strength of the storm several days out, can make it difficult to determine what to do. Waiting too long may not leave enough time for the people to leave and can be disastrous. It can have that same result if a weak storm suddenly jumps up a couple of categories in strength just before it hits land.

Calling for an evacuation only to have the hurricane go elsewhere or fizzle out makes for unnecessary disruption, costs money and leaves many frustrated and angry people. It also increases the tendency to disregard the next call for evacuation – which may be the storm that does hit at full force.

With all that variability, what did he say they strive for?

“We want to take the path of least regret.”

That sounds like no matter which choice they make there will be some regret. Even if an evacuation is called and the storm hits as predicted, there are probably still some thoughts that it should have been a smaller (or larger) evacuation. On the other side, it’s clear that not calling an evacuation and having a strong storm hit an area is the worst possible outcome with much regret.

As Christians, we also make choices on the paths we take. Hopefully, we don’t use the “least regret” philosophy, but strive to follow God’s path for our lives. (“Show me your ways, O Lord; Teach me your paths.” Psalms 25:4 NKJV).

That doesn’t mean God’s path for us will always be straight and easy. In some ways, it may be harder than taking our own path – but choosing our own path is guaranteed to have regrets.

The Lord speaks in a wonderful assurance verse in Isaiah that relates to the paths we follow:

“I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16 NKJV.

God’s paths can make us struggle at times – and sometimes they’re meant to. We may blindly struggle in the darkness (remembering we all were once spiritually blind and in darkness) but as we trust in God, the light becomes clearer. As we follow Him where we’ve never been, we notice the crooked ways straightening out. And, as we reach the end of a journey and look back, while we may have some regrets of our own missteps, we can see God’s faithfulness. He has truly done what He said and has not forsaken us. Then we can praise His Name, and declare “Thank you, Lord. I have no regrets for following You!”

The Dahlia- More Blessings From God

/ Bill Jones / 6 Comments

Giant Dahlia

It’s hard to tell from the picture just how big the dahlia flower is, but it’s almost a foot across. This is the first year we’ve tried dahlias and they have been a great success. Sharon made it official today and told me to put them on the list to plant next year.

I took the picture last week. Since then, the flower has faded and been clipped off. But it was a beautiful blessing while it lasted! Several places in Scripture describe our lives like flowers or grass that come and fade away. But, during that time we are given countless blessings by our Heavenly Father. And, we should have an eternal view – thinking of being with  our merciful and gracious God forever.

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!” Psalms 103:10-20 ESV

If you would like more blessings, read all of Psalm 103, and consider all that God has done for us.

Connecting Our Words and Thoughts in Prayers

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments

To-do list reminders on the back door

I use computer calendars (personal and work) to keep up with my schedule and to-do lists. However, Sharon and I have found another effective way to get specific reminders. As shown in the picture above, it’s the use of sticky notes on the back door glass.

Since tomorrow is garbage pickup, Sharon has put up the note that says “trash day”. In the morning, after I start the coffee and then head outside to feed the kittens, I should read it. If not, at some point during the morning, one of us will notice it and I’ll pull the container to the road. After that’s done, I can remove the note and put it on the counter to use again next week (may as well be frugal until the sticky wears off that one).

In case you wondered – “wasp nests” means I need to take the wasp spray out at some point because they have started several nests around the outside of the house. “Tablecloth” is a reminder to return our company’s trade show exhibit tablecloth back to the main office.

That location for the notes is effective because we both go out the door for various reasons several times a day. But, because it’s a well traveled route, it can also become routine. We can get to the point that we don’t notice the notes and what they say. We go on about our business and ignore the reminders. So, even with something right in front of our eyes, there still has to be an effort to pay attention.

That can apply in a Christian’s prayer life too. Even the wonderful example that Jesus gave His disciples of how to pray (usually referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer”) can become routine. We can repeat it by rote enough that we don’t have to think about the words. I’ve caught myself at times repeating that prayer, or saying a different prayer, while thinking about something totally different – like, “what’s for lunch?” or “it’s time for another cup of coffee”.

It’s my belief that what we’re thinking about while praying is more important than the words we’re using. As I said, there isn’t always a connection between the words and the thoughts, but there certainly needs to be. Our thoughts and words should be focused on and to God the Father, guided by the Holy Spirit, and prayed in Jesus’ name. That takes our effort to pay attention.

Sometimes Sharon and I will be talking about our back door to-do list and realize we’ve stopped paying attention – one of us will say, “I don’t remember, let me check the door” and we’ll get re-focused.

At times, we need to follow that in our prayers – Stop and take a moment to re-focus on what our objective really is.

“After this manner pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom com, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” Matt 6:9-13 KJV

Look on the Heart

/ Bill Jones / 6 Comments

English: A MARTA rapid transit train and the A...

The young woman stepped into the MARTA train car, spied the empty seat next to me, walked over and sat down. She was dressed nicely in a knee-length wool skirt (at least I assumed it was wool because of its thickness and the temperature outside) and a crisply pressed white blouse. A pair of medium-heeled black shoes finished off her business outfit. Since we were traveling toward Five Points Station in the middle of downtown Atlanta, I wondered what her occupation was and where she might be headed to work.

I figured I had good reasons to be curious. From the neck down, she was a well-attired professional person. Up from there, it was a different twist. She was a blonde – or at least half blonde. The bottom half of her shoulder length hair was colored green. In addition, two studs stuck out from her cheek like silver pimples. What a contrast!

I realize I’m conservative and always behind the times on fashion. And, I was definitely “country come to town” in the big city. I was confused about what my reaction should be.

(I wrote the above three paragraphs earlier this week – the MARTA trip was a few months ago) Interestingly, at a meeting today, a business speaker talked about the Millennial generation. (Typically considered those born in the 80’s and 90’s – which is where this young woman probably fits). Among other points, he said they generally dress casually and want to be judged on achievement, not on external things.

This blog and the young woman came to mind. Green hair and studs in her cheek probably have little effect on her “achievement” at whatever occupation she has. And, more importantly, if she is a Christian, I can’t see how they would affect how closely she is following God.

We didn’t have a conversation. My observation of her “life” ended in a few minutes at the next station, where we both left the train and went separate directions. My only information about her was external.

When Samuel was examining the sons of Jesse to determine who should be the next King of Israel, God made it clear that the external things were not what mattered most:

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1st Samuel 16:7 ESV

If the young lady had wanted to know (which I am sure she didn’t), I could have told her my first impression had given me pause. If, say, she was a financial advisor and sat down before me as her potential client, there would need to be a lot of conversation to convince this aging Baby-Boomer that she was the right advisor for me (regardless of whether that’s right or wrong on my part, it is accurate).

But, if, say, she came into the church I attend, the green hair and studs should not be a factor. My response should be to thank the Lord for her presence, and welcome her with gladness that we would have the opportunity to worship God together.