… or at least try to live by. (smile)
1. Forgiveness. Not always the easy thing to do, but always the right thing to do. Travel through life lightly.
2. Generosity. Proverbs 3:27, “Withhold not good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.” I cannot name one thing I ever missed after giving it away. I have never regretted doing good for someone, even if it later seemed to be wasted. Doing good glorifies God and grows me. Goodness is never wasted.
3. Trust. I have a tendency to trust people until they prove themselves untrustworthy. In the past this has made me vulnerable to being played for a fool. Thankfully, the years have brought wisdom as a balance, but I still choose to believe the best about people. I refuse to let suspiscion and doubt shrink my world.
4. Faithfulness. “Let love and faithfulness never leave you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Prov. 3:3-4)
5. Humility. It is always so much better to just admit when you are wrong, to ask for forgiveness first, to look at yourself before pointing the finger at someone else. We all know we are not perfect, but humility frees us from pretending to be.
6. Responsibility. Edwin Louis Cole once said, “The mark of maturity is accepting responsibility for your mistakes. The mark of immaturity is blaming others for your failures.”
7. Releasing others. People have to be free to be who they are and follow God. That sometimes means they can’t be in our lives on a daily basis. That stinks, but it is a value I live by.
8. Proactivity. I always try to be ahead of the curve on whatever it is that I’m working on. It’s easier to make frequent, small tweaks than to do a whole renovation. I apply that concept to life. I’m constantly tweaking.
9. Honor. For our leaders, for our elders, for those who serve, for people who have sown into our lives, for those who have gone before us. Honoring others prepares a way for you. Anytime I go into a new situation, I ask myself, “How can I show honor to those who are already there? How can I show respect?” When you honor and respect others, it opens hearts and great partnerships can be formed.
10. Being Positive. I’m not a naturally optimistic person, so this doesn’t come easy for me. I am married to the king of optimism, though, so I have a great role model. You can choose to focus on and belabour the negative things in life, or the magnify that which is postive. I take Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:8 and think about what true, noble, right, pure, lovely,admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.
Kerri
LB xoxo
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
This is so good, I need to print and hang on my refrigerator!!
Thank you!
Lisa xox
Kerri,
That was so awesome and it really spoke to my heart. I loved the Releasing the others part. This is something I am learning to do. Keep doing what you do and blessing us!! This is going on my fridg and on my desk at work as reminder to me.
Wow,Pastor Kerri
Thank you for sharing your heart with us.These are some awesome values to live by!
Thank you
These are perfect words to live by, and definitely challenging ones. I continue to learn and grow, not only by avenues such as this, but in stepping out myself and searching God’s word. Last night I listened to the second DVD of Priscilla Shriver (sp?) from the Shine series and it hit home. Especially the part about the water overflowing being what is already in us just coming out. I am still thinking it through……trying it blame it on someone else, but between her and you….you pretty much ruined all those theories.
You sharing your heart is very helpful. Thank you.
Ps Kerri,
I love your ‘Top 10′! These things so reflect the heart and nature of God. Can you imagine if ALL the women at Celebration Church made it their goal to pattern after these values? What kind of difference could we make in our sphere of influence? WOW! …Ok, I’m fired up!
Rachel
1 and 7 is what I am dealing with right now. Thank you for the sound advice. Its hard, but I will make it with God’s grace!
Kerri, I am always inspired and encouraged each time I read what you have written. Your postings are incredibly valuable. I struggle with releasing others, It’s extreamly difficult for me, but all things are possible with God and I will continue pressing into him for strenghth in this area. Thanks!