No Regrets!!!!

    Since this is my first actual post.  Here are my directions to you.

• Get a Bible.  (I have a small leather one that was a gift from my wife.  I love it.)
• Next get yourself a pen and something to write on. (A nice little journal with blank lines in it is great, or worst case scenario just a pad of paper.) Remember, many of you (especially men) are going to get out of your comfort zone with the writing part.
• Separate your journal or paper into three sections.  The first section is SCRIPTURE CONTEMPLATION.  Now that might sound deep, but it just means to write down what it means to you.  The second section is THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE.  This section is your chance to agree, disagree or contemplate similar situations that you may have experienced.  Don't worry if you disagree with my thoughts.  I didn't always agree with Oswald Chambers when I started journaling.  Finally, the third section is for PRAYERS.  This is up to you whether it is a PRAISE, REQUEST or just talking with Jesus.  The important thing is to WRITE IT DOWN!!!!!!
• Next read the scripture
• Then read the monologue.
• Write down your prayers.

My friend and wife, Cecelia

Any questions?  Ok good, now we will begin.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE:  2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no REGRET, but worldly sorrow brings death.

    I watched the HOME ALONE MARATHON three times this week.  Now before you go thinking that I am the president of the McCauley Caulkin fan club, this happened because the condo and hospital don't believe in having more channels than network soap operas and AMC.  COME ON, how come they don't carry at least ESPN????? GEEZ!!!!
   Sorry, I digress.  Anyway, The recurring theme that came to my mind while watching was that of REGRET.  At the end of Home Alone the main character expresses REGRET for his behavior and that if his family is returned to him, he would better.
    It got me to thinking about a conversation I had recently with one of my brothers about this topic.  We were talking about a couple of things that have happened in my life.  He asked me if I had any regrets about them.  The things that we talked about were my first marriage and the loss of my parents.  I thought about them carefully for a minute and then gave the following answers.
   FIRST MARRIAGE:  The only regrets that I ever had were; I should have given it to God and listened more closely to my friends.  I also would have liked it to end in a dignified manner.
    In the end, I recognized that there were things in myself that I needed to change that led to my poor decisions.  I also prayed for forgiveness and felt grace for the first time.  I also believe that with God's forgiveness and the changes I made, helped me develop the relationship I have with Cecelia.
  MY PARENTS:  As for my mom I had know regrets after she died.  We had a great relationship up until her death.  My dad and I did not see eye to eye on everything, but in the end he and I had a good relationship.  When I quit blaming him for his mistakes and started being proud of myself instead of looking for his approval, we became closer.  I know that before he died he was proud of what I have accomplished.  He must have had a premonition about his passing, because he made me promise that if anything happened to him that I would not return from China.  If I had not had that type of relationship with him, I would not have been able to honor his request.
   So, I believe that REGRET is something that we chose to live with.  One of the things I learned a long time ago is that if Jesus forgives me, then I need to forgive myself.  Also, the best way to do away with REGRET when we make mistakes is to pray and change our behavior.  Remember the saying, "actions speak louder than words"?  If we focus on doing better than we did before, we will be too busy to think about REGRET!!!!
    NOW GET THOSE JOURNALS AND START WRITING!!!!  LET GO OF THE REGRETS AND LIVE LIFE WELL!!!!