Scripture
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
~Joel 3:14, NIV
Quote
“It’s better to be boldly decisive and risk being wrong than to agonize at length and be right too late.”
~M.M. Kennedy
Every day we make decisions – what to wear, what to eat and what to do or where to go. There are little decisions and big decisions. Of course, the greatest of all decisions is our relationship to Christ. Adrian Rogers had a sermon on life’s big decisions: Choosing Life’s Master, Mission and Mate. The Prophet Joel was dealing with indecisive Israelites who could not make up their mind about committing to the LORD and His worship and service. A part of being a responsible adult is making decisions. After my bible reading and toward the end of my prayer time yesterday, I started thinking about my days activities. My options were the Pastor’s Conference which involves a good sermon and good fellowship. Then I have a project started here at the house which I would like to get completed and then I had some senior adults on my mind. After giving it some thought and prayer: I have decided to visit Senior Adults today. Yes, I do know that I too am a Senior Adult.
A lot of things go into making good decisions and most of them our found in Proverbs sixteen. I guess we could begin with WISDOM which is highlighted in Proverbs 16:16. True wisdom is from above. God has a corner on wisdom so when we need wisdom, we need to ask Him for it. MOTIVE is also important in making decisions. Solomon said, All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. I have learned the hard way that I cannot trust my heart. The only way I know how to sort out my motives is earnest prayer. The BIBLE is probably my number one assistant in decision making. The last thing I want to do is go against God’s word. ADVICE is another help: we all need good advice. Of course, not all advice is good so we have to be discerning. One thing that has helped me know when to listen is to understand that fear and discouragement does not come from the LORD. When I get discouraging advice or something that creates fear, I really question the advice. Timothy Keller adds CONSCIENCE to the list and I agree. I would think long and hard before I went against my conscience. Then I suppose we should also consider GIFTSs and ABILITIES. I doubt seriously that Joe David and I will do a duet this Sunday. There is nothing in the bible to prohibit our singing but we are lacking in the gifts and abilities department. Then the last thing I would mention in your decision making is RESOURCES. A very wise man once said, “Don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?” I would not put resources first on the list but neither would I leave it out. I am sure that Michael our astute treasurer would agree with this last point.
Felton and Nayola were doing pretty good. Felton goes back to the doctor this week. They are trying to find out why he has lost his sense of balance and strength in his legs. He can walk but he has to have the walker to keep his balance. They love the Block Party shirts and they also send greetings to the DBC family. Sarah Hooper is in Florence visiting her sister Lexie. Old Gregg is not doing well at all. Tracey is very concerned. He still has the back pain and pain in the leg. Sounds like a pinched nerve to me. He is not any better. Joyce Chaney is doing well. Joyce is the oldest member of DBC and has been for quiet some time. She became a member of DBC back in 1949 and was baptized by Bro. Prince in the old Danville pond. She has been a member of DBC for 71 years. She became a member at age 13 so there is not much likelihood that this record will be challenged. I’m not positive but Vellene may be second; if not she is close. I had a good porch visit with her. She is sharp as a tack and taking everything in stride. Vellene is a rock–she is solid. She is calm, cool and collected. Roger and Dot were also doing well. Dot is an expert in horticulture and she gave me a cutting of her oak leaf Geranium. I also checked in on Betty Sue and Kenneth. Kenneth was better than I expected: he answered the door bell. Betty Sue’s house was a mess, I had trouble finding a place to sit…JOKE! You could eat off the floor but not according to her. She said Jennifer was playing mind games with her. Betty has the towels in the bath room hung a certain way and Jennifer changes them every time she visits. Shame on you Jennifer, leave your mother’s towels alone. I visited some of the others last week. There are too many for me to visit in one day because I don’t get in a hurry.