I Told You So

This year I'm using the "Contemporary English Version" for my daily Bible reading.  I don't know why reading the same thing in a different version should have an impact on various portions but it does.  Perhaps it's just the difference in the wording that triggers a new or different reaction.

Today, Job 21:22 says ^"Who can tell God what to do?" (CEV)  Now Job is making the point that no one "instructs" God.  However, the more I read it the more I couldn't escape this answer:  I do!!  I tell Him all the time what I will do and what I won't do.  In a sense, I tell Him to leave me alone.

Job, as we know, followed God in full obedience.  He only wanted to know "the charges against him" that resulted in God turning His back on him.  Job's example is a stark contrast to my own.

I have no problem conjuring a long indictment with my name at the top.  That list is long enough to make me wonder why God would even bother with a worm like me.  Why my Job-like calamities didn't happen even sooner.

I believe that God has the power to do anything I need.  Unfortunately I believe I can do about anything as well.  I need to learn to be more "needy", to recognize my inabilities and shortcomings.  It's only then that I can truly appreciate His abilities and even more His desire to pour those blessings all over me. 

Who can instruct God?  No one even comes close.  Who can be instructed by Him?  Everyone who is willing.  May my willingness in this new year grow to the point it extinguishes my prideful supposition that I have the world on a string and it's Creator as well.

HANDBOOK 2011

This is a good start -

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2010.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Conflicts happen -- and usually cause smarter solutions.

(Sent to me by my loving Sister.)