toddcast

Some people live by the motto, "Rules are made to be broken." I see this philosophy played out especially on the highways. For instance: Driving north on highway 75 through Sherman as you approach the downtown area there is a very conspicuous yellow sign accompanied by flashing yellow lights that directs all through traffic to merge to the left hand lane. Being a naturally-born rule keeper, I dutifully merge to the left and correspondingly decrease my speed as mandated by the speed limits signs. I traveled this route several times over the last month and almost without exception as I pulled to the left and decreased my speed others would pass me on the right. Warning signs and flashing lights didn't faze them - this was a rule to be broken! At face value, this is a rule that seems to have no reasonable explanation for someone passing through our fair region. The right hand lane doesn’t close, there is no impediment, there seems to be no logical explanation for me...

As we begin a new year I hope all of you have resolved to make this year a year of spiritual growth. Here are a few tips to help that come to pass: ConsistenCY Make church, prayer, fellowship, and service a habit in your life. Rarely, if ever, does anyone reach a goal haphazardly. If you want to be more spiritual by the end of 2012 it will come as a result of a conscious effort. Jesus says in Matthew 7:24, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” We are influenced by the things we hear. Consistently hear the voice of God in your life and put those words into practice - making them a part of your life. ResilienCY Don’t give up when you fail. You will fail, but God will always be there to get you back on your feet. God is a God of forgiveness and second (and third, fourth ...) chances. Listen to the words of John in 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgiv...