Read Yourself Holy, Thin, Organized and Rich

This Friday our Upstate Christian Business Network will have Mark Hoyt, professional organizer, speak on bringing order in our business lives and offices. Leaning against several garbage bags stuffed with thrift store donoations, a month overdue for dropoff, I phoned Mark to interview him to prepare for his introduction. He is certified with NAPO, National Association of Professional Organizers, and he must stay up on the current information in this field. We talked about our favorite books on organizing. Glancing at the bookshelf with over twenty books on organizing, I admitted to Mark, "I've probably read it, if it's in print on organizing." I shared with Mark how I had battled being overwhelmed with too much stuff, procrastination and lack of organization most of my life. Placing the phone back on the hook was difficult because of the desk running over with piled up overdue correspondence.

I walked down the hall and sighed at the closed dining room door. That's the room I stick things in until I decide on where they will permanently reside. That usually occurs when I have an event that requires using the dining room. Bam! Instantly I get insight...panic is a great initiator. Oh, yeah, if you could read your way to self discipline on neatness and order I would be Martha Stewart and Monk all rolled up in one.

I love to read the Bible and I have invested much of my life in study, conferences, small group Bible studies and listening to audio about Scripture.

I've wanted to read myself holy, thin, organized and rich.

Somehow, lying down in front of the TV, reading nutrition and physical fitness books while muching down on salty chips is a self portrait I'd rather avoid revisiting in my mind. Talking to Mark, I was challenged with my absurb quest for knowledge without the commitment for putting the new found knowledge into action.

"Never mind how much we know, do we do what the Word says? It is no good saying that you know the highway code and then behaving like you do not. Obedience to the Bible is critical. Head knowledge is important, but we need to be obedient. We each have to say, 'My life must come under the authority of the Bible.' The critical thing is that God's Word can be trusted and relied upon. God always gives what He says He will give; His promises absolutely, unequivocally never fail." Battleground , by Stephen Gaukroger, Christian Focus, UK.

Gaukroger continues in his book on Joshua, " But, it was no good Joshua sitting down on the side of Jordan saying, "'Well, God, You're going to be with me. That's really great! Wonderful!' Joshua would have to go over the Jordan. It is not until leaders and other Christians take action that the promise is tested. So many want a promise from God, but they want proof before they act, whereas God says to act on the promise."

I spent part of my early years in the hills of Northeast Georgia. From those country roots I can hear some farmer chewing on hay saying, "Book larnin' aint worth spit without some proof in your doin's!"

It's time for me to get out of my reading chair and dare to put to work some of this head knowledge. Thriving as a Christian empowers me to believe I can do what I've been hesitant to think I can. My weaknesses are setups for Christ in me to be glorified. Got to get moving .... I want to try out some organizing tips before tomorrow morning when I get to hear Mark lay out some more wisdom.

Get moving!!! That's my motto today.