Dear Andy Stanley,
I want to thank you for writing such a great book that details a simple principle that I have always known but have never fully grasped. Your book, The Principle of the Path, was a Christmas present from my in-laws, and I finally got the chance to read it during a vacation to Puerto Rico. Andy, this book is great, and I am going to do my best to hold on to the following scripturally-based points of your book as I progress through this life journey God has granted me.
Andy, your prayer based on Proverbs 27:12, which states, "Lord, help us to see trouble coming long before it gets here. And give us the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it," is going to be a part of mine and my wife's daily prayers. God has given us a brain to detect danger, but too often, I like to "flirt" with that danger. I struggle with taking "refuge." Instead, I plow forward and "suffer." Now, I have this prayer in my "tool box," and I know God will grant both my wife and I wisdom if we simply ask.
Secondly, the questions you provided for decision making are very helpful. These questions, listed below, cause me to truly reflect on the decisions I am making.
1. Why am I doing this, really?
2. If someone in my circumstances came to me for advice, what course of action would I recommend?
3. In light of my past experience, future hopes, and my dreams, what is the wise thing to do?
You are correct that truthfully answering these questions will force me not to allow my heart, which the Bible states is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), to factor into my decision. My answers to these questions will allow me to make a decision which will result in circumstances that are best for me.
Finally, Andy, I thank you for detailing an Old Testament story that I was not too familiar with. Your account of David as he left Jerusalem after Absalom's reign began was insightful and a reminder to me that God cannot be manipulated, and I must submit to whatever future God holds for me. Thank you for pointing me to the verses in 2 Samuel which say, "Then the king (David) said to Zadok, 'Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the Lord's eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. But if he says, "I am not pleased with you," then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him'" (v. 15:25-26). David's humble submission to God's sovereign plan was inspiring, and a great pre-cursor to the ultimate example of submission exemplified by Jesus Christ, when he states, "Yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42).
Andy, thanks again for offering this great principle. I hope others will adhere to these practical thoughts as they pursue a God-honoring walk in this world.
Stuart Saulters
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Dear Rush...
Dear Rush,
I enjoy your radio show, and I believe you are quite the entertainer, despite what my wife may call you. On Friday, June 17th, I was off from work, and I decided to go for a run while your daily radio show was being broadcasted. I tuned into the local radio station on “I Heart Radio” and listened to your commentary.
During your show, you discussed Sarah Palin, and you noted that most people assume Sarah Palin cannot be President. However, these people also reason that the eventual Republican Presidential nominee must have Ms. Palin’s endorsement. You made the comment that this discrepancy was incredibly confusing and just didn’t make sense to you. Rush, I have to agree that Sarah Palin will never be President, but I strongly believe that whoever walks on the stage in Tampa, Florida in 2012 as the Republican contender will have a supporter that used to be the Governor of Alaska. To explain my thinking, I want to re-introduce a term, which I know you are familiar with, but seem to have forgotten. The term is “kingmaker.”
Over the past years, America has seen several kingmakers, and I want to talk about one in particular, James Dobson.
Dr. James Dobson is the founder of Focus on the Family, and now, hosts a radio show with his son, Ryan Dobson. Dr. Dobson was the leader of Focus on the Family for several years, and through this organization touched many people’s lives by encouraging them and teaching them incredible moral lessons. He also had an outreach to hundreds of people, and honestly, these people would do whatever he said. His opinion on past Presidential nominees determined the vote of numerous social conservatives who tuned into the daily Focus on the Family radio broadcast, which, to me, made Dr. Dobson a kingmaker.
Dr. Dobson would never have been and will never be elected as the President of this great land. His socially conservative opinions are considered “too extreme” by many, but he has probably endorsed more eventual Presidents than not. And, as the 2012 election approaches, Dr. Dobson may be a little closer to backing away from the microphone, but I guarantee there are several individuals who are going to seek his wisdom and insight to determine who will gain their vote. Would you agree?
Karl Rove and James Carville would also be “kingmakers,” and if you would like to discuss my thoughts about these individuals, just let me know!
Have a great day!
Stuart Saulters
I enjoy your radio show, and I believe you are quite the entertainer, despite what my wife may call you. On Friday, June 17th, I was off from work, and I decided to go for a run while your daily radio show was being broadcasted. I tuned into the local radio station on “I Heart Radio” and listened to your commentary.
During your show, you discussed Sarah Palin, and you noted that most people assume Sarah Palin cannot be President. However, these people also reason that the eventual Republican Presidential nominee must have Ms. Palin’s endorsement. You made the comment that this discrepancy was incredibly confusing and just didn’t make sense to you. Rush, I have to agree that Sarah Palin will never be President, but I strongly believe that whoever walks on the stage in Tampa, Florida in 2012 as the Republican contender will have a supporter that used to be the Governor of Alaska. To explain my thinking, I want to re-introduce a term, which I know you are familiar with, but seem to have forgotten. The term is “kingmaker.”
Over the past years, America has seen several kingmakers, and I want to talk about one in particular, James Dobson.
Dr. James Dobson is the founder of Focus on the Family, and now, hosts a radio show with his son, Ryan Dobson. Dr. Dobson was the leader of Focus on the Family for several years, and through this organization touched many people’s lives by encouraging them and teaching them incredible moral lessons. He also had an outreach to hundreds of people, and honestly, these people would do whatever he said. His opinion on past Presidential nominees determined the vote of numerous social conservatives who tuned into the daily Focus on the Family radio broadcast, which, to me, made Dr. Dobson a kingmaker.
Dr. Dobson would never have been and will never be elected as the President of this great land. His socially conservative opinions are considered “too extreme” by many, but he has probably endorsed more eventual Presidents than not. And, as the 2012 election approaches, Dr. Dobson may be a little closer to backing away from the microphone, but I guarantee there are several individuals who are going to seek his wisdom and insight to determine who will gain their vote. Would you agree?
Karl Rove and James Carville would also be “kingmakers,” and if you would like to discuss my thoughts about these individuals, just let me know!
Have a great day!
Stuart Saulters
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Beginning
Hello y'all!
First, I want to explain that I am new to this whole "blogging" thing, and I have to admit that I was a little skeptical to blogs in the beginning. My wife is an avid blogger, and she is always frustrated with me that random people in Timbuktu read her blog more than me. I simply say that I live the writings, so why do I have to read it? And, gentlemen, let me tell you that you should probably stray away from comments similar to that one!
Since I see my wife's enjoyment with blogging and I also hear several friends and acquaintances embellish their blogs, I thought I should give it a try, so...
To begin, a little about me. I am a 20-something engineer who works in Mississippi but lives in Alabama on the shores of the Mobile Bay. From the title of this blog, hopefully you can discern that initially, I am a Christian, who believes that Jesus Christ is God's son, and His death on the cross allowed anyone that believes in salvation through Jesus Christ to have a relationship with God and live eternally. Secondly, bowties symbolizes "all things Stuart," which encompasses a various assortment of "my favorties" including golf, cigars, seersucker, and a delectable dinner. Lastly, the title includes elephants, not to say that I have a deep love for the mammoth beasts, but to show that I thoroughly enjoy politics, and with this delight comes my belief that the Republican Party is, no doubt, the party with the ideals that will allow the USA to be a properous nation.
Now, the thoughts behind my blog, which is going to be a little different...
Have you ever wanted to write a letter and share your opinion with someone who you would have no chance at ever talking to, such as Jesus, Abraham Lincoln, or Ke$ha?
Probably not, but I have, and because of this thinking, I have created this blog as my attempt to share my thoughts with a person in the form of a written letter. I hope you enjoy reading my letters, and please feel free to share your thoughts and comments.
Happy reading!!
First, I want to explain that I am new to this whole "blogging" thing, and I have to admit that I was a little skeptical to blogs in the beginning. My wife is an avid blogger, and she is always frustrated with me that random people in Timbuktu read her blog more than me. I simply say that I live the writings, so why do I have to read it? And, gentlemen, let me tell you that you should probably stray away from comments similar to that one!
Since I see my wife's enjoyment with blogging and I also hear several friends and acquaintances embellish their blogs, I thought I should give it a try, so...
To begin, a little about me. I am a 20-something engineer who works in Mississippi but lives in Alabama on the shores of the Mobile Bay. From the title of this blog, hopefully you can discern that initially, I am a Christian, who believes that Jesus Christ is God's son, and His death on the cross allowed anyone that believes in salvation through Jesus Christ to have a relationship with God and live eternally. Secondly, bowties symbolizes "all things Stuart," which encompasses a various assortment of "my favorties" including golf, cigars, seersucker, and a delectable dinner. Lastly, the title includes elephants, not to say that I have a deep love for the mammoth beasts, but to show that I thoroughly enjoy politics, and with this delight comes my belief that the Republican Party is, no doubt, the party with the ideals that will allow the USA to be a properous nation.
Now, the thoughts behind my blog, which is going to be a little different...
Have you ever wanted to write a letter and share your opinion with someone who you would have no chance at ever talking to, such as Jesus, Abraham Lincoln, or Ke$ha?
Probably not, but I have, and because of this thinking, I have created this blog as my attempt to share my thoughts with a person in the form of a written letter. I hope you enjoy reading my letters, and please feel free to share your thoughts and comments.
Happy reading!!
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