News shows regularly expose foolish behavior of respected pastors, powerful politicians, and successful athletes. It is the tip of the iceberg. What the leader does in moderation the people do in excess. When you think you have a great idea, run it by God first. He is the source of wisdom.
God answers prayer. Always. Not sometimes. Every time someone prays they get an answer from God. It may be: YES. NO. WAIT, or my personal favorite, YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! WHEN DID THAT START SOUNDING LIKE A GOOD IDEA TO YOU?!" There I was screaming at the TV. This is becoming a regular habit the older I get. I was reacting to the comments of a highly respected leader of another state government. He was holding an excruciatingly painful press conference. "WHEN YOU'RE IN THAT DEEP, STOP DIGGING! THROW OUT THE SHOVEL!" I was yelling at the screen again. He was going on and on about how he had found his soul-mate in South America, but he was going to sacrifice that great love and try to work things out with his wife in the states. Note: This does not make a wife feel special to be told in public that she came in second to your first love. And no, he did not think this disqualified him from continuing to guide the affairs of state. "YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" See I told you I had heard this before.
I meet with a man in our church on a regular basis for prayer and Proverbs. He is a business man and a friend. When we met the day after this conference, I processed with him what I had been yelling at the day before. Some of the thoughts that came to mind were, "When did this start sounding like a good idea?
- While praying to God to see if He thought this was a good idea? (See answers listed above)
- While praying with his wife to discern if this was a good idea?
- While talking with his pastor about his good idea?
- While reading "Discretion will guard you...to deliver you from the the strange (foreign) woman." Proverbs 2:11-16?
- While talking with his accountability group or prayer partner?
- While packing for the trip?
- While making the travel plans?
- While paying for the tickets?
- While loading the trunk?
- While driving to the airport?
- While standing in line to check in at the airport?
- While going through security?
- While waiting in the gate area for the flight to leave?
- While waiting in the plane at the gate for the flight to leave?
- While waiting in the plane on the runway to get permission from the tower to leave?
- While flying in the plane and thinking about this idea for hours?
- While talking with fellow passengers about the purpose of his trip to South America.
- While going through passport control and being asked the purpose his trip: "Business/Pleasure." Multiple choice question: pause think about it.
- While walking thru the airport to meet his soul-mate?
- While riding in the cab from the airport to the hotel to meet his soul-mate?
"I didn't plan for this to happen. It just happened. It is what it is." This has become the new mantra for the morally challenged. With a look at the Top Twenty Steps of a Fool listed above, it becomes clear that there are a number of ways that stinking thinking can be stopped before it becomes rotten living. The wisest choice for right living is right at the top of the list. Ask God first. Why? "So you will walk in the way of good men, and keep to the paths of the righteous." Prov. 2:20
Had any good ideas lately? Run 'em by God. He always loves to hear from you. Now that's a great idea!
GMillerLight4U
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