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Christian Womens Blog by Laurie Cole of Priority Ministries

Laurie Cole

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March 2, 2012

Front Porch Friday: If I’d Known Then Session 1 — How To Avoid a Train Wreck

Whoo-hoo! I’m so excited because I’m starting my new video series today:   If I’d Known Then — 5 Things I Learned the Hard Way So You Won’t Have To. And on today’s video, I’m sharing How To Avoid a Train Wreck — A Lesson on Red Flags. So, c’mon! Join me on the front porch today as we talk about a very important lesson I learned the hard way so you won’t have to.

Click here to watch more videos in this series!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Melody Niel says

    March 2, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    Awesome idea Laurie…thanks for setting this up! I will look forward to it each week!

    Reply
    • Laurie Cole says

      March 2, 2012 at 4:19 pm

      You’re so welcome, Melody. I’m excited about this series too.

      Reply
  2. Melody Niel says

    March 2, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    p.s. I love you too!

    Reply
    • Laurie Cole says

      March 2, 2012 at 4:20 pm

      Love right back atcha!

      Reply
  3. Candace says

    March 2, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    What a great reminder. Thank you for posting this. So often I am tempted to step around those red flags, thinking I know better or that I must be making up that unsettling feeling on the inside simply because it makes ‘sense’ in my head, but every time I do, it leads to trouble! I AM learning though, so I praise the Lord for that! 🙂 I love what you said about peace being our umpire. That is a fantastic word picture. Imagine a baseball being a ‘decision’ of some sort, and it’s coming at you, the ‘batter’. Behind you stands the umpire, and he gets to ‘call the ball’, if you will. That’s our peace. If it calls a ‘strike’, we would be wise to put the bat down and leave it at that. If we were in a real game, we certainly wouldn’t turn around and argue or question that umpire, would we now? Lord, help us not to question or to always have to ‘figure it out’ before obeying. 🙂

    Reply
    • Laurie Cole says

      March 2, 2012 at 4:26 pm

      Girl, you’re preaching and I’m amen-ing every word! And I loved how you described red flags: “that unsettling feeling on the inside.” That’s exactly what a lack of peace feels like. Thank you for expounding upon God’s Word and for exhorting all of us to pay attention to those red flags. So grateful you shared! Love!

      Reply
  4. Jackey Ny says

    March 2, 2012 at 2:08 pm

    Thanks for sharing Laurie! So many times I feel the Holy Spirit giving me a red flag about certain things or people, but I tend to go around the red flags only to see that later, I should have listened to the Spirit and stay clear. I am still learning. Thanks for this. Can’t wait for next week’s. Love you!

    Reply
    • Laurie Cole says

      March 2, 2012 at 4:28 pm

      I’m still learning, too, Jackey. Bless you, sweet sister, for your honest, humble spirit. Love!

      Reply
  5. Linnell Taylor says

    March 2, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    Laurie…I loved this first in your new series. Thank you for blessing me. So many times we try to go around those red flags to get something done faster, easier, quicker…only to have it end in disaster. I needed this reminder. Love you..Linnell

    Reply
  6. davenport77 says

    March 3, 2012 at 10:19 am

    Holy red flags…definately something worth paying attention to. There have been times in my walk with Jesus that I listened and times I didn’t to those holy red flags! Hindsight is 20/20!! I can share an example of a flag of sorts…not exactly what you’re saying, but I hope it fits.
    There was a time when the Lord prepared my heart, very specifically, about depending my Him for my security. Seemed every time I opened His Word, He led me to verses regarding security, every sermon, every Bible study lesson…security in Him alone. Then my husband got laid off from his job. I am a homeschool mom, so his income was all we had. And now it was gone! Over and over the Lord reminded me…I alone am your security.
    After 16 months of prayer, trials and a roller coaster of faith, the Lord provided my man with a great job that he loves. I am thankful I paid attention to the road signs and flags the Lord put up as He lead me with His eye upon me to and through that season.
    Anyway, I think that is another way the Lord uses “holy red flags”.
    Thanks for these Friday sharings on your porch…makes me want to sit on my porch as I watch 🙂 hugs to you, Laurie! <3

    ~Mariel

    Reply
    • Christy says

      March 7, 2012 at 2:13 pm

      Thank you Mariel for this encouraging comment, what a faith building testimony! Alot of us are in a similiar situation & need to hear how the Lord saw them through & provided. I’m praying our Father provides for my man a great job that he loves as well. Blessings to you!

      Reply
  7. Gayle Decker says

    March 3, 2012 at 11:37 am

    Hi Laurie: Red Flag about 20 years ago…I was visiting my daughter in Naples, always planned on leaving at noon sharp to return to the east coast..But that particular Sunday, I put my hand on the door knob and my body did not want to move….scarey…..I laid down and at 1:45 my daughter worke me to say my Dad has passed on at noon. Not being on the road as previously planned, this delay that GOD gave me enabled me to go straight to my Mom without adding extra hours to my driving..GOD is so thoughtful……
    I will bring the lemonade for your next session on the porch Blessings Gayle

    Reply
  8. Robyn McKinney says

    March 3, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    Thank you Laurie for ALL of your wonderful series and this is a great way to stop everything and focus a few minutes on HIM, especially on Fridays. I used to always “fly by the seat of my pants”, never thinking anyone else knew anything but me and I would always disregard anything that might not seem right or give me a bad feeling. I’d just go for it, without even thinking and it ALWAYS got me into some kind of trouble. Now, I try to be more aware and listen first, instead of just be impulsive and jumping into something. I have had much more happiness when I do it that way. 🙂

    Thank you again for everything and sharing your love of Christ with us. My daughters and I just love watching your videos. With much christian love from Texas!! Robyn

    Reply
  9. Christy says

    March 3, 2012 at 11:51 pm

    Wow! 5 mins of wonderful words of wisdom. These messages of experience & discernment are just what all us little sisters in the Lord need to hear from big sisters like you. I’m also still learning to listen & watch when the Lord is throwing a flag on my play. I sense this most with relational red flags & He’s my referee. His calls are always good!!

    Reply
    • Laurie Cole says

      March 4, 2012 at 8:10 pm

      OK, now, sis. We gotta get a date on the calendar when you can come sit on my porch and let all of the glo girls get to know you better. They need to meet you! I’m so grateful for the way God has used you in my life. Love ya, sis!

      Reply
      • Christy says

        March 6, 2012 at 12:53 pm

        Ditto to that sis! Yes, would love the honor of getting to meet the glo girls sisters as well!

        Reply
  10. Sue Benfield says

    March 4, 2012 at 1:05 am

    ♥ this! I’m always quick to action instead of waiting on the Lord. I always say “I got this God” only to later find I should have listened to my Red Flag. I love this new little series. Cannot wait until next Friday.

    Reply
    • Laurie Cole says

      March 4, 2012 at 8:07 pm

      I can so totally relate to, “I got this God.” That’s just what I’ve said soooo many times right before I got myself into a HUGE mess. Loving your honesty, Sue!

      Reply
  11. Teri Crowder says

    March 4, 2012 at 8:26 am

    Love the new series…looking froward to part two! I have missed many red flags…LORD…I want to be sensitive to the HOLY SPIRIT

    Reply
    • Laurie Cole says

      March 4, 2012 at 8:05 pm

      Thanks, Teri! I love your heart’s cry, but God loves it more. You’re praying His Word and His will. Get ready for Him to give you exactly what you’ve asked for.

      Reply
  12. Jamie says

    March 4, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    So true…. i have ignored a few red flags when God said in His Holy Spirit inside me, “don’t say that out loud, don’t say what you are about to say” and the times i didn’t listen what a mess! i have learned to stop my tongue from getting me into a mess when God sends that red flag warning! : )

    Reply
    • Laurie Cole says

      March 4, 2012 at 8:01 pm

      Sounds like you’ve had to learn the hard way like I have, Jamie. But as I’ve often heard people say, “God takes our messes and gives us a message.” He is so good . . . and patient .And we could go on and on, couldn’t we, Jamie? Bless your heart for sharing you message!

      Reply
  13. Beth Denison says

    March 4, 2012 at 10:28 pm

    Great word. As one who has been given the gift of discernment I have seen many red flags. There is a temptation, especially when trying to explain it to “logical” people (usually of the male gender), to question the validity of the red flag when there may be nothing specific to cite. Fortunately we have the promise of James 1:5 and the God of the red flag will make it crystal clear when we ask for his wisdom.

    Reply
  14. Dottie Williams says

    March 4, 2012 at 11:49 pm

    Returning from our retreat today, how precious to hear your voice. I have seen a few of those red flags.

    Reply
  15. Tammy says

    March 10, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    Thank you Laurie for your front porch friday video’s. I’ve been a Christian coming up on 2 years and recently I got a red flag and I’m glad I listened. I’ve been trying to witness to my now 16 year old niece and have invited her numerous times to church and a class at church I’ve been attending because I want her to hear God’s truths but recently she texted me and told me that she didn’t want to go with me to church anymore, that she’s old enough to reach God her own way, and that she wants to be catholic. I read that text and I was so angry and I immediately started to text back in my anger but the thought that kept coming to my mind was ‘not to reply I needed to pray about it.’ So many responses kept coming to my mind to say to her but everytime I wanted to reach for my phone to reply the thought kept coming ‘pray about it, you need to pray about it.’ I’m glad I listened because I still have oppotunity to witness to her. Had I ignored the red flag that door might have closed.

    Reply
  16. Wanda Elliott says

    March 11, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    Thank you,Laurie for doing this series.This is something that I need a reminder of unfortunately quite often. Oh, if I would let go and really let myself always listen to God my life would be so much better. I loved your teaching of the Beauty by the Book and now look forward to each Friday. May God continue to richly bless you.

    Reply
  17. Kelley says

    March 19, 2012 at 11:55 am

    Thank you, Laurie! I just recently had someone wanting to start teaching Bible studies but I had a really weird feeling about it for various reasons. I was wrestling with just letting her try and watching to see what happens. Now you’ve made me rethink that. Thanks!

    Reply
  18. Marian says

    March 19, 2012 at 1:05 pm

    I missed this first one so I just watched. AMEN.
    During Open Enrollment for health insurance I encouraged my husband to change our health care provider. We became busy with life & my husband just wasn’t convinced that we should. As winter progressed I was diagnosed with cancer & received excellent care by our current Health care provider. Our Great Physician has made me cancer free. We had surgeons who were very competent and one had even trained under a surgeon I trust & respect. We were both confident in our Lord’s direction as His arms were so wrapped around us.
    We have since heard horrible accounts of similar cases as mine who used the Health Care providers I had considered changing to. Our God is faithful and yes, we MUST listen for His guidance & follow His lead.

    Reply
  19. Connie says

    March 29, 2012 at 8:20 am

    Laurie,
    I missed your first few sessions and just viewed the first one. It is so true about the red flags and yet many times I have moved forward even though having felt the tap on my shoulder to not do so. What a disaster!

    I have worked in healthcare as a manager most of my life and over the past ten years it just seems many companies are expecting employees to except and promote things which are not ethical in order to increase revenues. I have recently made a career move leaving a significant salary due to ethical issues which I just can’t agree with. Now I am praying that God will show me his will and that I will recognize the red flags God presents to me before moving forward. He will never lead us down the wrong path if we can just take time to listen. Bless you and your ministry.

    Reply

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