Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Christine Caine from her book, Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure (p. 197). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) It is so much easier for us to complain than it is to step out. You may remember the story of the invalid who lay by a pool and of Jesus asking him if he wanted to be healed.   And, the man came up with reasons why he wasn’t healed.   Is that true of us? Christine says, “All that man had ever known was his infirmity. His pain and place of limitation were his comfort zone. Instead of saying an enthusiastic yes, he placed blame on others for his plight, and held onto his condition. “It’s incredible, isn’t it? But the truth is, we’ve all been there. We’ve all done that. We’ve clutched the reasons why we can’t fulfill our purpose. We’ve held onto our anger or disappointment, unforgiveness or offense, bitterness or rejection, addiction or greed. ...

A thought by Christine Caine from her book, Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure (p. 176). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Oh, the temptations that are out there.   But oh, the success that is out there. Christine says, “God uses the desert roads of our lives to protect us and to prepare us. Sometimes our long road takes the form of anonymity, obscurity, long hours, or uncomfortable conditions. It’s that place where we think, Whatever God had for me, I’ve missed it. Or, I feel parched and empty and far from God. Or, I’ve blown it and now God has no use for me. Or, I thought God gave me a dream and a promise, but maybe I got it all wrong. Long roads are also where the waiting can wear us down and dim our hopes. We wait years and pray fervently . . . for the salvation of a loved one, healing in our marriage, a breakthrough in our struggles, an open door to our d...

A thought by Christine Caine from her book, Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure (p. 174). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I’m sure glad He is in my life. Christine says, “He knows the road closures and the accidents blocking the way. So he reroutes us the way he knows is best for us. Instead of letting us take a misguided shortcut, he leads us little by little, step by step, the long way around. “When God first led the children of Israel out of Egypt, he knew the route that would best prepare them to live and thrive in the Promised Land—and it wasn’t a shortcut: ‘When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.” ’ Exodus 13:17–18, emphasis added.” ...