LESSONS LEARNED

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Contents

Forward...........................................................xiiiIntroduction......................................................xvChildhood to Manhood..............................................1Some Advice.......................................................51Connections.......................................................55A Decision To Love................................................57Put Forth Your Best Effort........................................59Using your Talent.................................................61The Test Of Suffering.............................................63A Test Of Faith...................................................65Seed Faith........................................................67Life And Restoration..............................................69Two Ears, One Tongue..............................................71There Is Life In Your Words.......................................73Apprehension......................................................75Courage...........................................................77Don't Panic, God Has A Plan.......................................79Do Not Doubt......................................................81You Should Get To Know Your Enemy.................................84The Audacity To Trust God.........................................87Understanding And Forgiveness.....................................89Forgiveness Moves Us Into Freedom.................................91Take Time.........................................................93True Contentment..................................................94Setting Hopes And Goals...........................................96My Hope Is That You Fail..........................................98Home Building.....................................................100The Foundation Of Marriage........................................105Being Bridge Builders.............................................108Spiders...........................................................110Eagles Wings......................................................112Butterflies And The Change Of Life................................114Overcoming Selfishness............................................116Shoes.............................................................119Relationships, Responsibilities And Decisions.....................121Dealing With Friction.............................................124Mixed Emotions....................................................126Get A Grip And Move On Up.........................................128These are Practical Tools For Success.............................131You Already Have What You Pray For................................134The Fullness of Time..............................................137Concepts, Suppositions And Assumptions............................139Ethics And Conduct................................................141Kindness..........................................................143Slow Down.........................................................145Patience's Perfect Work...........................................147A Parent's Ear....................................................149Learning To Hear..................................................151Learning Lessons..................................................154Learning To Follow Instructions...................................156Determined To Follow..............................................160Whatever Is Necessary.............................................161Growing Up........................................................163Growing Like A Tree...............................................165Sight Problems....................................................168The Rearview Mirror...............................................170Vision............................................................172Foresight.........................................................174Make Sure You See What You Think You See..........................176Rationality.......................................................179Wisdom............................................................181Lip Service.......................................................182Christians, In Deed Or By Word Only...............................184Time Travel.......................................................187Work Vs. Grace....................................................189God's Ownership...................................................191Destiny's Essence.................................................193Our Course In Life................................................195The Icebergs of Life..............................................196A Kite's Flight...................................................198Don't Spend Major Time With Minor People..........................199Company Keepers...................................................201Reunions..........................................................203Dealing With People...............................................205Friends Who Care..................................................207True Fellowship...................................................209Walking In The Rain...............................................210Storm Warnings and Storm Chasers..................................212Tangible and Intangible...........................................215Comparisons And Measurements......................................217Obstacles And Opportunities.......................................219Preparation & Priorities..........................................221Preparing Meals...................................................223Popularity And Power..............................................225The Difference Between Joy And Happiness..........................227The Gift of Life..................................................229

Chapter One

A CHILD IS BORN

I was born in my grandfather's country home, near the small town of Bowling Green, Virginia; the eldest son of seven children, four girls and three boys. Many of the most significant and life-changing moments on my journey along this river occurred when I was a child. Those lessons were prevalent in my life because they formed my character and shaped my destiny. Had I not experienced them, I would be a very different man in a very different place from where I am today.

JOY IN THE EARLY STAGES OF LIFE

We lived in the country, about five miles outside of town. Country living was a lazy, yet energetic time for me. As children, we loved visiting our neighbors and often times we became so engaged in the activities of the day that we lost the track of time. Before we knew it the sun had begun to fade in the iridescent evening sky. The time had come for us to make our way home and we would have to hurry if we were to arrive before dark.

Often times we had enjoyed ourselves so much that we procrastinated in leaving and were ill prepared to make it home before the darkness fell. There were no streetlights along those winding country roads and we often found it quite joyful just walking briskly along in the moonlight of the summer night; listening to the frogs, crickets and hoot owls as we rounded every turn. We would look behind us every now and then to see how far we had come as we anticipated the end of our journey home....