What I’ve Learned Along the Way

Tonight, for some unknown reason I started thinking about the little lessons of life I’ve learned along the way. Some of them are obvious – alright most of them. You can create a nice list of the things you’ve learned. However, when that list of things you have learned really impact your life, you truly have LEARNED them. I hope that these are a few of the things that I have learned or I am learning along the way. 

1. Along the way, I’ve learned that true relationship are invaluable. Relationships come and go. However, there are those true, lasting relationships that carry you through good and bad. They aren’t necessarily the people that you spend lots of time with and hang out with every weekend, but they are the ones that have been loyal and have stood by you in times of joy and sorrow. Thank you to my loyal friends.
2. Along the way, I’ve learned that you will always have those that criticize what you’re doing if you’re really doing something that has an eternal impact. If you aren’t causing waves, then nothing is moving. Even in the last week, I’ve come to realize that as long as humans are human, everyone won’t like me or what I do. That’s ok.
3. Along the way, I’ve learned as stated in Proverbs 18:22 that a man who finds a wife is highly favored. I have come to realize that there are few women, if any other than Charlene, that could or would stand by me and make me complete. She is truly a treasure.
4. Along the way, I’ve learned that kids are a blessing. So much could be said on this topic. It’s an amazing thing to pour life into your children and see them finally “get it.” It’s amazing to try to teach kids to be worshipers and then to look down from the stage and see them really going after God. It’s amazing that when you need to laugh the most, they can do the craziest things to break right through. I could go on . . .
5. Along the way, I’ve learned that not everyone has a pastoral staff like ours. I am amazed at the horror stories that I read about and hear about, and they seem so foreign. I have grown to realize that a pastor that supports you and releases you to do what God has called you to do a rare and unique gift that should NEVER be taken for granted. Pastor Ron & Dr. Pastor, you two are a treasure.
6. Along the way, I’ve learned to not stress over the little things. (Those of you that have known me for some time HOPEFULLY can see that I am growing in this area.) When I get to the “stress point” is when I have learned and am learning that it’s at that point that I am out of control and need someone else to be in control. In those times, it reminds me to get out of the driver’s seat and allow God to lead and for me to follow. I am still learning and when I do this, life is much more pleasant.
7. Along the way, I’ve learned that I really LOVE Apple products. OK . . . I digress but it was getting a bit heavy!!! Seriously, I HAVE learned that. I used to be the biggest critic of Mac users and now I’m Apple’s biggest marketing member. I should get a paycheck from them because I’m always sneezing over them. (If you don’t know what sneezing is, I’ll have to explain it in a later post.) I have completely left the PC world for the exciting world of Apple products.
8. Along the way, I’ve learned the incredible blessing of Godly parents. More and more I realize that Charlene and I are both INCREDIBLY blessed to have been raised by Godly parents who still love God and each other. Many of the issues that we see in so many people have never been issue for us because of this incredible blessing. We are blessed. Thank you Mom & Dad and Mom & Dad Shively.
9. Along the way, I’ve learned following God’s instructions are not always easy or popular, but the long term result of obedience is blessing. WOW – I could write a book on this one. On several occasions, God has asked me to make some very unpopular and touch decisions. Many of them have been related to the direction of worship at Living Stones. In the midst of those times, the decisions weren’t always the most popular. Yet, looking back on those times, I can see the incredible fruit of obedience. Worship is at an unprecedented place at Living Stones. We have experienced an increased level of freedom in the last six to nine months. It’s exciting to see where God will take us from here . . .
10. Along the way, I’ve learned that I care more what God thinks about me than what man thinks about me. I think I’m still learning this and will be tested on it from time to time. But, as JC would say, “at the end of the day,” I would much rather have pleased my Father than have pleased man. My choice would be to do both but I’ve also learned that that’s not usually possible!What have you learned or are you learning “along the way?” Leave a comment; that’s what makes this blog more fun!

Never & Always

Here are some really great lines to live by. I read it from one of the blogs that I read quite often (PerryNoble.com). These really embrace what life is all about and what we embrace at Living Stones.

• NEVER be satisfied with where we are!
• ALWAYS be thankful for what God has done!
• NEVER limit what God can do!
• ALWAYS dream big…and take bold steps!
• NEVER stop reaching people for Christ!
• ALWAYS spend money on ministry!
• NEVER let the critics and skeptics silence us!
• ALWAYS be willing to make NOISE for Christ!
• NEVER forget where we came from!
• ALWAYS celebrate where we are going!
• NEVER allow creativity to trump Scripture!
• ALWAYS show the world how relevant the Gospel is!
• NEVER lift up a personality!
• ALWAYS lift up the name of Jesus!