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by Brother Carlton

01/05/16
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When I was younger I read several books that always mentioned the importance of goal setting and/or having dreams.

Have you run across this idea too in your own reading or study?

Recently I found an old piece of paper with some of my old goals that I had written down which I would like to share with my readers. At the top of the binder paper reads Academic Dreams and so that is what I have titled this writing.

Some of these have been achieved but many have not and when I think about it many of my goals were nothing more than materialistic in nature.

There are 52 goals or dreams (call them what you will) that I had listed back when I was in my late 20's or perhaps early 30's. There is no date on this paper so I do not know when I came up with this list but my guess is when I was in my mid to late 20's or early 30's.

1. To speak Spanish, read and write

2-6 To read Hebrew, Greek, Latin (speak some) French, German

7. To write and publish books, articles

8. To become an outstanding speaker/lecturer

To become proficient in the following fields of knowledge

9-13 Theology, history, philosophy, education, economics,

14-18 Investments, physics, chemistry, geography, literature

19-23 Biographies (100), civics/government, politics, medicine, nutrition

24. Travel across America at least twice all 50 states

25. Travel across most of Europe at least once

26. Purchase a 35mm SLR camera

27. Purchase slide projector/screen

28. Purchase VCR 4 head

29. Purchase VCR camcorder

30. Purchase medium size microwave oven

31. Become a professional consultant in at least two fields

32. Purchase sports car

33. To produce several works of art (painting oil)

34. To attain intermediate-advanced level of piano playing

35. To own at least 3 profitable businesses

36. To publish newsletter

37. To own a radio station

38. To own several income producing properties

39. To play intermediate level guitar

40. To take voice lessons and or produce a record or song

41. To attain proficient skills in boxing

42. To attain proficient skills in karate

43. To attain proficient skills in wrestling

44. To bench press 260 lbs at 160 lb body weight

45. Learn to fly an airplane

46. To help teenagers and/or adults in community service e.g. drug abuse, suicide prevention or prison ministries, abortion, homosexuality, Satanism

47. Own computer and printer

48. To attain at least 1/3 of these goals before I'm married

49. To Marry a godly, intelligent, attractive woman by age 36-40

50. To own extensive library: books, magazines, cassettes VCR's and information systems, photo copier, fax machine etc

51. To make at least one significant invention

52. Run for political office- possibly city council or mayor or Board of Supervisors by age 45-50

Looking back on this list you might wonder how many of these goals I attained. Well not enough but maybe that is for the better. In summary I can quickly state

I never became a professional consultant. I owned 2 not three businesses. I never published a newsletter but sure enjoyed reading and subscribing to them.

I never owned a radio station or income properties.

I bench pressed only 240 lbs twice at 156 lbs when I was about age 33. I never learned to fly an airplane but had wanted to ever since my uncle Ron took me flying as a young boy. I once had a "better mouse trap" in mind but never patented it.

Finally, I never ran for political office and have no desire to do so now.

I suppose I didn't quite attain to the 1/3 of this list by the time I was married but I got close.

I am surprised that I didn't mention reading the Bible through or reading certain books because that was a big part of my life but it didn't get written down for some strange reason even though I did and have read through the scriptures almost ten times and have read perhaps a few hundred books which isn't that many. I say this to my shame. It would be nice if I could read faster with better comprehension. Can I use the fact that I am a slow reader as an excuse?

Now I'm wondering which of these goals of worthy of my attention and/or should I make a new list?

Your feedback would be appreciated.

NOTE: If you are of a mind to set goals be sure to write them down and evaluate them carefully to see if they align with Biblical desires. Everything we own belongs to the Lord because He enabled us to get them with wealth. How can we use what we possess for the glory of God? We may have dreams or goals but are they in keeping with the desires of the Lord or are we just trying to gratify our own ego? These are the questions you should ask when setting goals. Whatever you do whether you eat or drink do all to the glory of God as the apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Carlton Pruitt ministers the gospel to the Los Angeles area. Formerly a Hollywood actor (SAG member) and junk removal expert he now spends most of his time studying the scriptures, writing articles, hymns and poems and doing street preaching. See all his videos on https://www.YouTube.com/user/LAStreetPreacher CONTACT at [email protected]

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