Flat out truth:  The choices we make determine the shape and color of our lives. 

I had lunch today (Thursday) with a young man (Ryan) from the church who is now married and attending Seminary in Denver.  I asked him about their future plans so could get a grasp on his desire for ministry.  He shared with me about their plans: financial, ministry, family, etc.  I was stunned that a couple so young (but obviously wise beyond their years) had such a grasp on their (hopeful) future.  They were making choices now that would affect their their later years.

I shared with him my (often) apology to Jo about my big mess-up in our lives.  Up until 2005 when I heard of and read Dave Ramsey, I had absolutely no (emphasis on absolutely) discipline when it came to financial matters.  Never having been taught how to handle money, or the importance of saving and investing and compound interest 🙂 , I spent like there was no tomorrow.  Not that we had that much to begin with, but about every two years I was getting a new car.  We were using credit cards like there was no tomorrow.  I had nothing in retirement.  (I don’t have SS).  I told Ryan I could not count how many times I have apologized to Jo for my failure to plan.  She is now (age withheld) and having to go back to work full-time to help us with insurance.  We should have been at the place where I could be working and she could be relaxing and we could be enjoying our grandson.

IT. AIN’T. HAPPENING…

And unless God pulls one of His miracles (and He could), it would be safe for me to say it will never happen (and you should know how I feel about the word never).   It all comes down to the choices I made when I was younger.  In this case, no discipline = no future planned.

Making Saul king was not God’s or Samuel’s choice; it was the Israelites.  That choice proved to be a bad one.  Saul turned out to be less-than-ideal.   My basis for this week’s message is found in I Samuel 13:14.  Following Saul’s first real big blunder, Samuel tells him, “But now your kingdom shall not continue.  The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commended him to be prince over the people.”   My main thought: what kind of man/woman does God look for?  I am so enthralled by this that I plan to share what I believe to be four characteristics in Monday’s post.

Let me ask you: what characteristic would you say is typified by a person after God’s heart?  I’d like to hear your thoughts and will post them in Monday’s post. 

Thanks to Dan for the banner.  He drew the picture of David in minutes.  Told you he was good!  🙂  I also thank you for your prayers.