From 10 Rows Back...
(Written from the perspective of an anonymous congregation member)

Pastor Steve has been preaching about the 3 understandings that bring fulfillment to our journey: What we see, what we say and What we hear/listen to. These caused a lot of thought in me after church on Sunday, but I am going to expand on the third understanding with a few thoughts.

Be aware of your body language. Be aware of what is going on around you. Listen for wisdom; not listening can cause a downward spiral. When you come to church on Sunday, come ready to hear and listen for God's message to you. Pastor Steve expanded on listening, talking about 5 Ways we can Listen:

1. Gain wisdom by listening for insights on the world around you
Wisdom is crying out at the crossroads in our life. If we don't follow God's plan, which is wisdom, the stuff "we build" eventually breaks down.

2. Listen to instruction (for some reason I have no notes on this one???)

3. Listen to Success-
Ask questions and see how they made it happen

4. Listen to other people mistakes-
Mistakes shouldn't be wasted
"Our greatest mistakes can become our greatest wisdom"
"Don't judge other people mistakes, learn from them"

5. Listen to correction-
Don't be defensive. If you are wise, you'll listen and acknowledge what the person correcting or rebuking you is saying.

Here's my favorite quote from the day: "Listen with the intent to grow, to be bigger, and to be transformed." Pastor Steve finished up with a challenge to "Determine what you think about; it will direct your destiny." As we live our lives everyday, let us think on this: How could our world be different if what we saw, what we spoke and what we listened to were the way that God intended?


Feel free to add your feedback/commentary in the comments below!