Compromise---it's your call!

Compromise. It's a good word or a bad word, depending on your perspective and the situation. For instance, if you have a decided preference about where you'd like to eat when a whole group is going out together, willingness to compromise for something most people prefer wins friends, makes for peace, and actually is a mature course of action. On the other hand, if you are in a situation where the general pull of the gang is away from your moral principles, and you decide to compromise, and do "just a little bit wrong", you may win friends, temporarily keep the peace, but it's an immature decision.

Either way, we don't compromise in an instant. "Compromise is not an event; it's an evolution." We think our way into whatever action we take. When we work our way through self-focus, and determine to compromise for the good of the whole, maintaining our convictions but surrendering our preferences as we do so, we have engaged in a evolution of thought that prioritizes what is best and unselfish. Again, on the other hand, when I think myself away from my convictions, and talk myself in to making a decision my heart and integrity cannot 100% endorse, I have let my "evolution" DE-volve me into someone less than I was.

Compromise. Is it good or evil? It's your call. Every single situation, it's your call.

Blessed, rich, and happy!

It's my birthday today. I have been surprised and delighted by all the greetings, prayers, best wishes received, courtesy of all the technology available at this point of my journey. I have "tweeted", emailed, facebooked all around the world in celebration, and even got a phone call from Romania and another from South Africa carrying birthday wishes. How amazing is that??

I am so blessed by friends and family--admittedly, far more than I deserve. I am aware, though, that at this point of life (57 incredibly full years!), my life and my blessings to a significant degree are a reflection of the choices I have made and the paths I have walked. I am so glad that at 16 years of age, I made a personal and deep commitment to follow Jesus with my whole heart for my whole life. I am very thankful that while I was in graduate school I was advised to develop a "wisdom council" and actively seek counsel, submitting my decisions courses of action to wise, godly people who know me well. Inviting these people into "my business" over the years has saved me many heartaches, and kept me on the "paths of righteousness"---for His name's sake and MY name's sake as well! I am so appreciative of the books I have read, the tapes, cds, and podcasts I have heard--the seminars I have attended and the sermons I have heard. I am blessed because God has used those things to counsel me, shape me, prune me, develop me, stretch me--as I put into action the things I have been taught.

I could go on for a very long time, listing the things that bless me and make today such a happy day for me. But, I have to get back to the job I love (another great blessing!) and eventual birthday time with the family I love (another wonderful treasure!). As I do, this verse keeps a constant melody playing in my mind: "The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and he adds no sorrow with it." Proverbs 10:22

FUTURE-PRESENT

Max Lucado says a version of something I have heard all my life. "It's what we do in the here and now that will make a difference in the then and there." He is talking specifically about the after-life, and he couldn't be more on track. When we get to "that day", when this life is done, there's no more time to make a difference. Only what we DID will matter.

It's not just true about the after life, however. It's true about right now. I am making my tomorrows by my choices today--in every arena. I make my choices, then my choices make me. I need to be doing NOW what tomorrow will find me wishing I HAD done.

So...back to the task. First things first. Tomorrow starts right now.