Carmen Horne

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You Can’t Plan Life

by Carmen Horne 4 Comments

Picture illustrating someone writing in a planner to plan life

The devo below from “Jesus Calling” reminds me of advice my mom gave me so many times. “Carmen, you can’t plan life. No matter how hard you try.” Y’all, I try hard. Way too hard. Mom and I had different personalities. She was not a planner, and it served her well…most of the time. 

I am learning to trust more. I want to stop the craziness of strategizing (and visualizing) every negative impact to mitigate it. I. Me. What in the whirl? Fear. Pride. Arrogance. Distrust. I’m still working with the Holy Spirit to sort it out. I am so thankful that in Jesus, there is no condemnation. He loves, corrects, forgives, empowers, leads, and loves some more. He knows our hearts. It’s all about our heart.

So, if you are like me and keep struggling with some hard stuff, remember that Jesus sets us free to stay free. He has committed Himself to help us. We do not carry this burden alone.

“I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you [will continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of his return]. Philippians 1:6, AMP

“God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him.” Philippians 2:13, CEV

Friend, that’s shouting grounds, right there! God is working in us to grow us, and He ain’t givin’ up. 

Through it all, through it all
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus
I’ve learned to trust in God
Through it all, through it all
I’ve learned to depend upon his word. ~ Ray Boltz “Through it All”

P.S. I have discovered this about all my mitigation measures. When faced with the situation, I usually do something completely different than the plan. Mom was right. We can’t plan life.

****************
September 17
JESUS CALLING


YOU WILL NOT FIND MY PEACE by engaging in excessive planning, attempting to control what will happen to you in the future. That is a commonly practiced form of unbelief. When your mind spins with multiple plans, Peace may sometimes seem to be within your grasp; yet it always eludes you. Just when you think you have prepared for all possibilities, something unexpected pops up and throws things into confusion.

I did not design the human mind to figure out the future. That is beyond your capability. I crafted your mind for continual communication with Me. Bring Me all your needs, your hopes, and fears. Commit everything into My care. Turn from the path of planning to the path of Peace.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

—1 Peter 5:6–7
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. 
—Proverbs 16:9
Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. 
—Psalm 37:5 nkjv

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Filed Under: Anxiety, Growing Spiritually, Peace, Trust Tagged With: Anxiety, Growth, Trust

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Comments

  1. Dee Drost says

    September 18, 2020 at 12:24 pm

    Thank you Carmen I learned as a child not to plan. I was wearing my rose color glasses at a young age. Hoping there was something like my friends home waiting for me! I was a wanderer. Some one introduced me to Jesus and I sat my glasses down. I may not understand alot about life but walking with Jesus I realize He alone understands! Learning to trust Jesus for me has its hills and valleys! Lessons are not always easy! I still don’t plan! I walk out my door and ask Jesus to give me opportunity. I want to share who Jesus is to who He places in my path! When I was stumbling on my crooked path I met someone who introduced me to a Wonderful God! Thank for the reminder that stirred my spirit! Blessings!

    Reply
    • Carmen Horne says

      September 18, 2020 at 12:52 pm

      Not planning is so contrary to my personality, Dee. I’m such a work in progress! Thank you for encouraging me to wander the path with Jesus and let Him lead.

      Reply
  2. Judy Hales says

    September 18, 2020 at 8:47 am

    Thank you Carmen for reaffirming what I have known but sometimes tend to forget. If nothing is learned from 2020 this message will sustain us. I always tried to plan and then manipulate things to make my plans work. Sometimes I would think my momma should have named me Jacob, Although my plans were not to deceive, I would move things around until they worked. Ha Ha Ha…Not on a huge scale but only in my family life but sometimes or most times it is easier to go with the flow…. To enjoy the unexpected.

    Reply
    • Carmen Horne says

      September 18, 2020 at 12:53 pm

      Oh, Judy, I too do my best to help God out with the results. Thank you for the reminder to enjoy the unexpected.

      Reply

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"Carmen spoke to us from her heart.  She encouraged us be women of faith. Carmen is very genuine in her love of God and people. Her heart for God is evident in her devotion and also the life she leads."

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Deana G.

"Carmen spoke to us from her heart.  She encouraged us be women of faith. Carmen is very genuine in her love of God and people. Her heart for God is evident in her devotion and also the life she leads."
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"Carmen always has a word of encouragement for everyone. She makes you feel good about yourself by just being in her presence. She loves Jesus and wants all to know Jesus; the broken, the wounded, the desperate, the empty and the guilty."

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"Carmen always has a word of encouragement for everyone. She makes you feel good about yourself by just being in her presence. She loves Jesus and wants all to know Jesus; the broken, the wounded, the desperate, the empty and the guilty."
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/norah-a/
"It takes a depth of pride to accept our way might not be the best way or the only way...' If Carmen had not already made me a follower of her blog, that one sentence would have had me hooked. It's not always easy to find someone who writes in ways we can relate. Carmen makes me stop and take a deep long look at who I am and where I want to be in my walk with Christ. I trust her to be a truth teller and a peace maker. Not only has she encouraged me so many times, but often my heart is pierced to make a change."

Judy H.

Carmen Horne, Life Coach
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2016-06-25T01:26:03-05:00

Judy H.

"It takes a depth of pride to accept our way might not be the best way or the only way...' If Carmen had not already made me a follower of her blog, that one sentence would have had me hooked. It's not always easy to find someone who writes in ways we can relate. Carmen makes me stop and take a deep long look at who I am and where I want to be in my walk with Christ. I trust her to be a truth teller and a peace maker. Not only has she encouraged me so many times, but often my heart is pierced to make a change."
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/judy-h/
"Carmen writes from her heart and her own life experiences. What she says is always spot on for me. She is a gifted teacher and her love for the Word shows. Carmen is easy to understand and her words always leave me with a deeper understanding of God's love and grace. Her wit and charm make her a joy to listen to. She speaks truth, even when the truth is hard to hear and does it with understanding and compassion."

Karen S.

Carmen Horne, Life Coach
5
2016-06-25T01:23:50-05:00

Karen S.

"Carmen writes from her heart and her own life experiences. What she says is always spot on for me. She is a gifted teacher and her love for the Word shows. Carmen is easy to understand and her words always leave me with a deeper understanding of God's love and grace. Her wit and charm make her a joy to listen to. She speaks truth, even when the truth is hard to hear and does it with understanding and compassion."
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/karen-s/
"Rarely will you find a woman with such a servant’s heart as Carmen Horne. I have had the pleasure of attending many church events, trips, and girl lunches with Carmen over the past sixteen years. She continues to be one of my favorite mentors whether in North Louisiana or on the beach in Florida, which is probably OUR FAVORITE place! She uses her kind and faithful heart when giving advice or mentoring others. Carmen is truly a light to many and guides you to find the light in yourself no matter how faint it may be. Hebrews 13:7"

Dianne A.

Carmen Horne, Life Coach
5
2016-06-25T01:22:56-05:00

Dianne A.

"Rarely will you find a woman with such a servant’s heart as Carmen Horne. I have had the pleasure of attending many church events, trips, and girl lunches with Carmen over the past sixteen years. She continues to be one of my favorite mentors whether in North Louisiana or on the beach in Florida, which is probably OUR FAVORITE place! She uses her kind and faithful heart when giving advice or mentoring others. Carmen is truly a light to many and guides you to find the light in yourself no matter how faint it may be. Hebrews 13:7"
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/dianne-a/
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