We Wish you a Merry Birthday

A couple of weeks ago I sent an e-mail to an old friend from high school. Logged onto my computer Monday morning at work, first thing a reminder popped up for his birthday. So I sent a quick message with warm birthday wishes. In a few minutes he called me. Seems he had forgotten it was his birthday, and to tell the truth wasn't altogether thrilled to be reminded he was getting older. Like a true friend, I assured him that this was indeed a sign he is getting much older and should start taking vitamins immediately.

I have another friend who's birthday was last Sunday. (On a strange side note, it seems like all my friends have birthdays. I haven't checked with every one of them but it would be quite a coincidence if they ALL did.) My wife and I have known her for a while, long enough to know, I guess, when her birthday is. But I don't remember it ever coming up in a conversation, and like most guys I'm not the sort to seek it out and try to remember it. Usually I'm doing good to remember any birthday other than my wife and kids. I didn't have a card or present since we were at church when I found out it was her birthday. I told her I hoped she had a great birthday and remarked on many ways that her life was really, really good. She could tell my comments were true and from the heart, which made for an appropriate and I think appreciated birthday gift.

My sister's birthday is also right near Christmas. Like my friend at church, her birthday is often overshadowed by Christmas. I will not join those who rant and rave about the commercialization, etc. but things can get very busy with all the extras on the calendar and to do list. My parents always made a special effort to make her birthday memorable and to make sure it didn't get lost in the shuffle (plus she was the only girl so always got special treatment anyway).

All this birthday stuff right near Christmas started me thinking about another friend who's birthday is on Christmas day. That would be really tough, I suppose, but I've never heard him complain. He is the sort of guy who gives without any strings and instead of being offended that you forgot his birthday, would look for an opportunity to strengthen the friendship. One year when he was little some potentates threw him a surprise party with some really expensive gifts, but much of the time I suspect his birthday too gets lost in the shuffle of Christmas.

This year I'm going to make a point of telling him happy birthday and giving him a present. He's pretty well off so there's nothing I could buy that he needs (or wants, for that matter), but I suspect that like my friend at church, a gift from the heart would be appropriate and just the sort of thing He would appreciate.

In the Know

My church The Branch has a monthly corporate prayer meeting. Last month during the prayer time the Lord spoke some specific things to my heart. Most of those were for me personally but there was one thing in particular that I wanted to share here. It applies to everyone because it is true, it will benefit anyone willing to embrace it. When I think about my last couple of entries, this one seems like it is going exactly opposite to what I just said about rambling on trying to make sense of things. Maybe the difference is this morning I have something to say. Maybe I shouldn't have laughed at Al Gore when the Republicans shouted "Flip Flop" at him, accusing him of changing his mind. Only God does not change, the rest of us do. And the rest of us need to. I remember one day as a young single man, fervently calling out to God for His will to be done in my life, hearing His voice in my heart, gently correcting and directing me:

"It is my love that demands you change."

Thank God He loves us too much to leave us alone. He has promised to finish the good work He started.



So here is the promised formula to help you gain understanding. This secret is so powerful it doesn't even have to be applied perfectly, just start in on it & keep at it & I expect you will see significant progress in whatever area of your life you use it. I'm not even sure this is a secret, it seems so plain and obvious. And yet when we look at our lives, and at the world around us, there obviously are principles being broken.



TO GAIN UNDERSTANDING

Wisdom herself speaks this out in Proverbs 9:4-6.

"Whoever is simle, let him turn in here! As for him who lacks
understanding, she says to him: Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the
wine I have mixed. Forsake foolishness and live. And go in the way
of understanding."

Here are the four steps:

Come

Eat & Drink

Forsake

Go

I will share a little more of my thoughts on these going forward, but if you're reading this you may want to give them consideration on your own. And by all means, share your insights with me. I have made a deep commitment to gain understanding in my life, and welcome you as the avenue for it.

Comin' Up

Comin' up - How to gain understanding about anything in every circumstance. Do you know the four steps to unlock unlimited growth in understanding? You will after reading this (and I'm not kidding).