Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by John Bevere from his book, Killing Kryptonite: Destroy What Steals Your Strength (p. 8). Messenger International. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) We opened our presents this year on Christmas Eve and we had so much fun.   Especially watching our five-year-old granddaughter open hers.   She would open one and be so thankful and excited and then it was on to the next one.   Of course, we adults were more mature but it was also true of us.   We all believe that the next gift is the one but we find that it isn’t. John says, “If we’re honest, deep inside we all know that there is more. The true satisfaction every man and woman longs for, whether they realize it or not, can only be found in an intimate relationship with our Creator. No matter what you think about God, He is your deepest yearning. The contentment and fulfillment all human beings seek can only be found in reuniting with our Creator.” ...

A thought by David Jeremiah from his book, What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do (p. 54). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Ok, did you get what you wanted for Christmas?   We were at our daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters home for Christmas.   One morning I was out at Starbucks reading my newspapers and I got a call, my wife Margaret asked me to go to Dunkin Donuts and get a dozen donuts.   Now I love donuts, I don’t eat donuts anymore, I had at least two donuts.   Christmas is the time to get what we want but here comes New Years and that is a different story, isn’t it?   We now need to deal with temptation and how to handle it. David says, “The way to deal with temptation is not to grit our teeth and make up our minds that we will not do a certain thing. The key is to fill our minds with other things.” He continues, “Instead of resisting, refocus.  The more  ...

A thought by Chris Hodge from his book, The Daniel Dilemma: How to Stand Firm and Love Well in a Culture of Compromise (Kindle Locations 549-550). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) What is your name?  Do you like it?   Chris says, “Of course, we all have names. Whether or not we reflect the characteristics of our given names at birth is not the point. What matters most is the name we have written on our hearts and minds. It’s what we believe about ourselves and then live out. “Maybe you were labeled ‘stupid’ or ‘fat’ as a kid, and despite earning a college degree or running 5Ks, you still see yourself based on those childhood labels.   Perhaps you’ve let sickness define you. Cancer or diabetes or MS is not only your disease, but it’s also become your identity.   You might let your relationships define you. You’re a husband or wife, an ex, a sister or brother, a boss, an employee.   Y...

A thought by Max Lucado from his book, Because of Bethlehem  (with Bonus Content): Love Is Born, Hope Is Here (p. 132). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) We, parents and grandparents, make such big deals of birthdays, don’t we?   But what about God the Father? Max says, “God made so little of his Son’s coming. He didn’t even circle the date on the calendar. Ancient Christmases bounced from date to date before landing on December 25. Some early leaders favored dates in March. For centuries, the Eastern Orthodox church celebrated Christmas on January 6, and some still do. Only in the fourth century did the church choose December 25 as the date to celebrate Jesus’ coming. We’ve made bigger deals out of lesser comings. How could this be? No exact date of birth. No hoopla at his birth. Is this a mistake?   Or is this the message? “Maybe your life resembles a Bethlehem stable. Crude in some spots, smel...

A thought by Max Lucado from his book, Because of Bethlehem (with Bonus Content): Love Is Born, Hope Is Here (p. 108). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Have you ever given a significant gift that you wrapped in an ordinary box so they wouldn’t guess what it was?   It was an incredible gift that you gave them to show them you loved them.   And they were really surprised.  It's a fact,  “ a remarkable gift can arrive in an unremarkable package. ” Max says, “One did in Bethlehem.  No one expected God to come the way he did.” Max later says, “He entered the world not to demand our allegiance but to display his affection.”   He continues, “Jesus descended the ladder of incarnation one rung at a time. In nature, God. He did not grasp equality with God. He made himself nothing. He took on the form of a servant. He submitted himself to death. Even death on a cross. Down, down, down, d...