Making Plans
Scripture
You can make plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
Proverbs 19:21, NLT
Quote
One thing is certain; we are not in control.
~Joe David Bailey
My Thoughts
There is an old adage, “He who plans nothing does exactly that…nothing.” There is no sin in planning, but you must understand that human plans are not sat in stone. If we are not flexible, we will get bent out of shape. My first international mission trip was in 1986. My orientation was at Shocco Springs where they briefed us for several hours. They even gave us a note book but the notebook was no help. Nothing went according to the notebook. I chunked it on about the third day. This doesn’t mean that planning is unnecessary or a waste of time, but it does mean that circumstances can change in a hurry. It is impossible to plan for accidents, emergencies, or natural disasters. These things just happen and we have to make ajustments. Three years ago on a Friday I think, June and I had big plans and our first stop was Hannahs. Shortly after getting to Hannah’s, I got a phone call from a weeping baby sister saying, “Get here ASAP, June Daphney {oldest sister} has been killed in a car wreck.” Immediately our plans changed.
So my advice is this: make plans for your day, but understand that the LORD has the final say. I have learned that you never know what a day will produce. That being said, I want to share with you my plans. LORD willing, we will move the office building on Friday February 6. I have not cleared this with my mover, but I have been looking at the weather forecast and I am shooting for February 6 or the next week. My next option would be the 7th. I have decided to shut the blog down during the process. I will try to give you a heads up but if all goes according to plan; the last blog would be february 6 and then a week off, giving me time to get set up at the new location. There is one alternative, I can post from the I-pad using my phone as a hot spot but this means I have to write at least five blogs in advance. In other words, I would have to spend one whole day writting blogs between now and next Friday. I’m just letting you know that if you don’t get the blog, I am probably in the process of moving.
We have been living here in Rockyford for 25 years; longer than we have lived at any location and it feels like home, but we are renting and getting old. We have a great landlord but we also have some needs that older people have. A walk-in shower is one…ground level entry is another and my big concern is June. So this relieves me of the burden of worrying about what would happen to her if the LORD promotes me first. There is one distinct advantage; our new location is off the beaten path and right now we live some 35 feet from the Lawrence County Turnpike or the Moulton Speedway. There is almost no traffic on James Road because it is a dead end.
Extra
Moving is a headache and the more I do, the more I see that I have not done. Sunday is COMMUNION which is a good thing.
Extra/Extra
Paul’s Exhortation to the Romans
Romans 12
- Don’t pretend to love others, love them sincerely
- Hate what is wrong with
- Cling to what is good
- Love each other with geniune affection
- Take delight in honoring others
- Never be lazy. Work hard and serve the LORD with enthusiasm
- Rejoice in confident hope
- Be patient in trouble
- Keep praying
- Be ready to help those in need
- Be eager to practice hospitality
- Bless, not curse, those who persecute you
- Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep
- Live in harmony with each other
- Don’t be too proud to enjoy company with ordinary people
- Don’t be a know-it-all
- Never pay back evil for evil
- Do things in such a way that everyone can see that you are honorable
- Do all you can to live in peace with everyone
- Never, never take revenge. Vengeance belongs to God. It is not yours so don’t take it