I am all about making lists. I like using long, narrow notepads and my favorite Bic Round SticGrip, fine tipped, blue inked pen. A notepad with a magnetic strip stays on my refrigerator and I keep a running list of food items that need to be purchased the next time I run into town. Another pad stays with my planner so I can easily keep track of things I hope to accomplish each day.

I’m also enamored with fluorescent yellow highlighters. I first used them in college and I’ve found uses for them ever since, even in my list building. It is a source of particular amusement to all three Klope kids.

I own an iPhone as well and absolutely love all the ways it helps me stay organized. I recently downloaded an application that resembles a selection of colorful sticky notes. I can easily type messages to myself, which I occasionally do when I’m away from my notepad. At this stage in my life, thoughts blow through my mind with great velocity. If I don’t get those thoughts listed, I’m apt to forget them the very minute I get involved in another endeavor.

You can probably understand, with all this list making, that I would be drawn to the book, Lists to Live By: The Christian Collection for Everything that Really Matters. It is the first of 9 Lists to Live By books published by Multnomah and is a wonderful source of practical information and surprising insights, wonderfully presented in…you guessed it…list form.

Because these books are compilations from various writers, there is a great diversity of topics and presentation styles. The list that caught my eye this week was created by broadcaster June Hunt, whose daily half-hour radio program focuses on Christ-centered counsel and is accessible online. She titles her list, “Tests for Decision Making,” and I offer them to you this week as you walk through the quagmire of decisions you are probably making.

Hunt suggests we ask ourselves these questions:

1. Has God already spoken about it in His Word? This is called the Scriptural Test and the biblical reference is 2 Timothy 3:16.

2. Would it bother me if everyone knew this was my choice? This is called the Secrecy Test and the biblical reference is Proverbs 11:3.

3. What if everyone followed my example? This is called the Survey Test and the biblical reference is 1 Timothy 4:12.

4. Am I being people-pressured or spirit-led? This is called the Spiritual Test and the biblical reference is Galatians 1:10.

5. Could this cause another person to stumble? This is called the Stumbling Test and the biblical reference is Romans 14:21.

6. Have I prayed and received peace about this decision? This is called the Serenity Test and the biblical reference is Philippians 4:6-7.

7. Will this keep me from growing in my faith? This is called the Sanctification Test and the biblical reference is 2 Corinthians 3:18.

8. Does this glorify God? This is called the Supreme Test and the biblical reference is 1 Corinthians 10:31.

List it. Ask it. Listen for the answer.

Reach Joan Bay Klope, faithfulliving@hotmail.com.