11/20/11

Before


Some of these I am good at, others, well... not so much (you guess which ones). I really liked this because it reminded me that there are options in life.  Just because I have always tended to do some of these things, does NOT mean I have to continue to do them.  Life can be personal growth if we ALLOW ourselves to grow.  But, how does this happen?  Peter's second letter provides one of the ways...

WEB: II Peter Chapter 1

[1] Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: [2] Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, [3] seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue; [4] by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. [5] Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; [6] and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness; [7] and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love. [8] For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am over 60; I just didn't wake up retired, I had to grow into it.  In order to get this far, I did what everybody does, grow physically, learn, control and be persistent.  Eventually... here I am.  Peter talks about spiritual growth.  It takes time and effort.  Doing one thing right and adding another.  Getting the second right and adding another and so forth.  You may be good at different things in the list than I am and you may add by two's or three's, but you ADD!!! The key thought here is growth!!!  Be patient with yourself, some of the things in the picture and Peter's list are harder than others to do, but with effort, you can do almost anything.  I know, it took two years and seven attempts to quit smoking; but the good news is... the year was 1971.  Success!!!  Now, all I have to do is to pick another one from the lists and try one more time... but, which one?

The Story of Ruth by Mark Copeland


One interesting tale... Gary



http://executableoutlines.com/text/ruth1_1.htm