"Graduation Advice"

The rumor is true. Millennium ago I used to be a teacher. One of the "traditions" I carried on was to give each senior class right before graduation a whole page of unsolicited advice. Rather than break the tradition--horrors!--I'm going to give you a whole page of unsolicited advice. Pretend you're about to graduate from high school or you're heading on to some new phase of your life, or . . . whatever. Here is your page of "graduation" advice from your chubby. old. bald. "teacher."

1. It's not the money, it's the mornings. If you can't stand to get up in the morning and go to work, you're doing the wrong thing.
2. If you can buy it, it's not worth much.
3. Godliness + Contentment = real riches. The wisdom of God is anti-materialism. Contentment is not measured by contents.
4. The earth is His creation and He has put His people in charge of taking care of it. Pick up where Adam left off and make your part of the world a beautiful garden. (Don't talk to the snakes.)
5. Lights were not made to be hidden. Shine. The most useless thing in the world is saltless salt. Make the invisible God visible--every moment.
6. When God calls, love doesn't ask "where" or "when," It just says, "Yes, send me."
7. Love and obedience are synonyms. The depth of your faith will be measured by the depth of your obedience.
8. A moment's indiscretion can lead to a lifetime of regrets. Nothing is more difficult to restore than a lost reputation.
9. "There is no substitute for excellence; not even success."
10. To reap kindness, you must sow kindness. To reap kindness, you must sow righteousness.
11. Be sure the person you marry loves the Lord more than they love you.
12. You don't know how to love until you have learned to accept the love of others.
13. Two days are completely out of your control--yesterday and tomorrow. You cannot change yesterday nor can you guarantee what tomorrow will bring. Today is all you've got. Use it for Him.
14. The Devil's biggest lie is "There are no consequences." God is patient, longsuffering, with His beloved children. But in this life, it's not an infinite patience. If you persist, He'll let you fully reap what you sow.
15. If it hasn't been broken, God can't use it. Broken things are His specialty.
16. The crucial issue--since the Garden of Eden until today--is: Do you believe and confidently rest in the truth that "God is good. God is so good! He's so good to me!"
17. The only way to endure the "snapshots" of life is to focus on what you know: Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus; righteousness wins, wickedness loses, and it's a shutout. Focusing: Rejoice in the Lord. Love your neighbor as He loves you.
18. Say "thank you" as often as you can.
19. Hugs are good.
20. "Honor your Father and Mother" is followed by a period.
21. Anybody can follow the crowd.
22. You will never prove that you are unique and independent by doing what everyone else is doing to prove that they are unique and independent.
23. Forgive. Always forgive.
24. Love others right where they are spiritually by encouraging them to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord. If you don't, you will be a stumbling block to their growth. It would be better if Mount Everest were tied around your neck, and you were cast into the sea. Man-made rules always hinder the work of the Holy Spirit. Love does not manipulate; it sets free.
25. Sing!