Forward,Backward,or Still Unfolding

Forward, Backward or Still Unfolding?

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the
surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have
suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order
that I may gain Christ.
Phillipians 3:8

In one of Charles Shultz's "Peanuts" cartoons, Charlie Brown was
sitting in a deck chair near the front of a large boat when Lucy
walked up. "Some people go through life with their deck chair facing
forward, gazing out where they are going," Lucy said philosophically.
"Others go through life with their deck chair facing backwards,
looking at where they've been." Then, looking directly into Charlie
Brown's sunglasses, she asked him, "Charlie Brown, which way is your
deck chair facing?"

Charlie Brown shrugged his shoulders, "I really don't know-I've never
been able to get my deck chair unfolded!"

In these days when family issues have become not only a major issue
for private citizens but also in political campaigns, Christians need
to get their deck chairs unfolded. Unfortunately, many people have
not taken a thoughtful look at what they believe in as family values
and, even more important, the basis for those beliefs.

But with our culture in crisis over the issue, this is not a time to
be struggling with our deck chairs. We need to be speaking up in the
political arena and the marketplace about what matters.
A few years ago, when our whole family was in the car, I asked the
kids what they thought our family values were. The words started
popping furiously like premium popcorn. Here's what they said:
God, limited TV, responsibilities, chores, friendship, kindness,
respectful speaking, education, church, encouragement, servanthood,
obedience, discipline, sharing, giving, boundaries, keeping your
word, home life, prayer, perseverance, doing what you're supposed to
do, love, dignity of kids, food and shelter, spending time with each
other, resolving conflicts, forgiveness, physical affection, our
siblings, laughter, having fun together, memorizing verses, wholesome
speaking, reading, wise council.