"In all of our relationships we are either plusses or minuses in the lives of others."

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2012-10-02) from his book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential (p. 148). Center Street. Kindle Edition.

There seems to be a choice in there, doesn’t there? I have the choice of building up or tearing down and it starts inside of me.

Think of your relationships, how are you doing? Think of your family, are you building them up, feeding into their lives, making them better people or are you constantly tearing them down? Is there any person out there who is a better person because of you? I sure hope so. I really do.

Now the key is what is inside of you. Are you a person of moral character? Does who you really are matter to you? If it does then you have the potential to make a real difference in this world. You see people are what really matters. Nothing else lasts, just people. Everything else you work toward building will one day go away.

I just spent a weekend with Margaret, my wife, Brett my son and his family, Marissa, Ashlyn, Addison and Stef my daughter and her family, Andrew and Harper. It was such a meaningful time. There were nine of us together feeding into each other’s lives. That is what life is all about. People, people.

So who are you feeding your life into? Is it just you? Are you the only important person in your life? I’m so sorry. That is a real waste of your life. There has to be someone out there to whom you can be a plus to their life. Go find someone. Feed into their life. Make a difference in them. May they become a better person because they have known you. You may need to start inside of you first. But do start.

So have you been a plus or a minus in someone's life?

Comments

“Hurry and love are incompatible.”

A thought by John Mark Comer from his book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (p. 23). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Wow, pretty strong thought isn’t it? John says, “All my worst moments as a father, a husband, and a pastor, even as a human being, are when I’m in a hurry—late for an appointment, behind on my unrealistic to-do list, trying to cram too much into my day. I ooze anger, tension, a critical nagging—the antitheses of love. If you don’t believe me, next time you’re trying to get your type B wife and three young, easily distracted children out of the house and you’re running late (a subject on which I have a wealth of experience), just pay attention to how you relate to them. Does it look and feel like love? Or is it far more in the vein of agitation, anger, a biting comment, a rough glare? Hurry and love are oil and water: they simply do not mix.” He goes on, “Hence, in the apostle P...

"Lie 2: The more you worry about it, the better your odds of avoiding it."

A thought by Louie Giglio in his book, Winning the War on Worry (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Here is another lie that the Enemy uses with us. And Louie says, "This is a tricky lie. Yes, we often have cause for concern and preparation. But the Enemy wants you to believe that if you worry or fret over a certain outcome long enough, you can keep something bad from happening." But this is so important to realize. He says, "The reality is worrying has never once prevented something negative from happening. Planning might. Prayer has. But worry never will." He continues, "The Enemy tells you that by worrying about a situation (or every situation) you can make your tomorrow better. Really, worry just robs you of today. Jesus implored us: 'I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body mor...

“The gospel is good news, not good advice.”

A thought by Timothy Keller (2016-10-25) from his book, Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ (p. 21). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I’m glad you stopped to catch a glimpse of what this thought really means. Tim says, “Advice is counsel about what you must do. News is a report about what has already been done. Advice urges you to make something happen. News urges you to recognize something that has already happened and to respond to it. Advice says it is all up to you to act. News says someone else has acted.” He then gives an illustration, “Let’s say there is an invading army coming toward a town. What that town needs is military advisers; it needs advice. Someone should explain that the earthworks and trenches should go over there, the marksmen go up there, and the tanks must go down there.” That’s advice He goes on, “However, if a great king has intercepted and ...

Just Continue That Thought...

Search This Blog