What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

I saw this title on a YouTube real estate channel that I watch fairly regularly. I thought about what I would say to an 18 year old Mike Jewell. I didn't think too long about that subject, though maybe I should so as to be able to communicate with my grand kids.

However, a conversation with my younger self is just a dream talk. Because it can't happen nor can it change anything. I think that it might be better to talk to my old self. That talk can still yield some positive impact and might even help the younger members of my family in the process.

So, what would I say to my current version Mike? Focus on the goal. That goal is to be more like Christ everyday. Forget what is in the past that didn't have a positive effect on your walk with Jesus. Spend time in the word of God on a daily basis. Don't just read to read, though that will happen sometimes. Read to see Christ in every part of the scriptures. It is possible because he is the focus throughout.

Plan for the future like James told his readers to plan. "Say, if the Lord wills I will do this or that." I once told my mom, after she scolded me for not saying the above phrase, "I don't care if it's the Lord's will or not! I'm not doing it!" I almost got smacked in the head. Kids say the cutest things. That wasn't cute, however. God's will must be my will and yours.

Planning for the future is not a bad thing. It is prudent. However, don't hyperventilate over how things are going to turn out. Remember always that God is in control and he is taking care of all the details. He wants moldable clay not rock heads or rock hearts.

Look for opportunities to help others. It is so rewarding to see God work his work through you. When God opens up an opportunity to help and you do just that, it is what the Bible calls, "being a servant". Jesus went so far as to say that when we help others, we are helping him (Matthew 25:40).

Enjoy life. Remember that you don't have to do everything and that if you were to die today, life would go on, for the most part, normally. You would be missed for sure, but life would go on. You can take it easy at times. It's not a sin to take a trip and see different stuff. Laugh, play and spend intimate time with your family. You won't regret that time invested.

Watch your P's and Q's! I don't know what P's and Q's are but you know what I mean. Behave yourself. Be polite and careful about what you say and do. Don't hurt people's feelings. Laugh with those who laugh and be ready to cry when they are crying. Contrary to what some people think, real men do cry! Don't be so tough that you don't. Another thing, real men embrace too. Don't be ashamed to hug when one is needed.

Go to church! Not just any old church mind you. Go where the preacher loves God and his Word. Church should be 90% of your social activity. Bass your family life around the ministries of your church. Set the example here. Be involved with your whole family in church. It is not a "fortress" mentality it is what good Christian people do. We go to church to learn ever more about God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Those are some of the most important things that I would emphasize to a younger me. What would you say to a younger you?

Tottering!

I was watching my one year old grandson, Brandon, today. He had on some baggy little shorts, weird flip-flops over his socks, and he was tottering. It made me think about how I often feel these days. Funny how that when we are little and "innocent" and tottering in our baggy pants, with our little potbelly sticking out from under our t-shirt we look precious. When we are older and tottering in our low slung trousers and the same potbelly, we looks pathetic! I guess that the two drastically opposite points of view are based on the viewer's chronological perspective. Brandon is growing and I'm dying. He is cute because the little guy has a lot to learn and we love to see him progress. The old guy has already had his chance at learning and what he is progressing toward is not quite so much fun to ponder. When I have these weird thoughts I praise my God because He never lets go of my hand whether a tottering little guy or an old one. And I found this verse to prove my po...

What Are You Worth?

What are you Worth? Have you ever thought about what you are worth? In investing circles there is a term used to gauge this exact question, it's called Net Worth. You take all of your assets, like property owned, funds in your bank account, clothes, jewelry, car, etc.. You total all of these things. You then take everything you owe, like mortgage, car loan, and credit card debt, and you subtract these items from the first total. This gives you your net worth. That number represents where you are financially. Most people never stop to think about this number because they don't understand anything about it. They never have two nickels to rub together. They live from hand to mouth and know (or at least believe) nothing will ever change so, they fall into the "daily grind" mentality. Psalm 49 should be a great encouragement to such as these. The sons of Korah write about them. These sons write about all of us. They call all people everywhere to listen to their wisdom. Bo...

Church Isn't a Place

Many times we say, I'm going to church on Sunday. What some fail to understand is that "church" isn't a building. I remember our pastor saying, "the church is an organism, not an organization." He was teaching us the Bible truth about the church. Jesus Christ is the head of the body, and the church is his body on earth. Another pastor once said, "God's hands have human fingers." This is a difficult concept for some to grasp, pun intended. However, it is important to understand that God accomplishes his work through human beings. He uses us, the church, to do his will and work. It's not that if we don't do his will that he is stymied. But he does use willing servants. To be in the church, one must be a part of the family. You cannot be in the church if you don't have the Savior. The church is not for the lost; it is for the edification of the saved. The lost can come and hear the message of salvation. But the church is made up of t...

jewellpage.com

Search This Blog