Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Rick Warren from his book, God's Answers to Life's Difficult Questions (Living with Purpose) (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) We are in the season of celebrating Christ’s birth.   If we hear the whole story we know that he was born with a purpose.   The Bible shows why he was born.   But the same is true of you and me. Rick says, “No person is born by accident, regardless of the circumstances of one’s birth. You are not here on earth just to take up space; God has a specific purpose and plan for your life. Storms are simply temporary setbacks toward fulfilling that purpose. Absolutely nothing can change God’s ultimate purpose for your life unless you choose to disobey him. If you choose to reject his plan, he will allow you to do that, but the Scriptures teach that no outside person can change God’s plan for your life. God leaves that up to you. You can either accept it or you can reject

A thought by Rick Warren from his book, God's Answers to Life's Difficult Questions (Living with Purpose) (p. 13). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) It sounds like us, especially at this time of the year. Rick says, “There were grueling demands on his time; he rarely had any personal privacy; he was constantly interrupted. People repeatedly misunderstood him, criticized him, and ridiculed him. He had enormous stress, which would have caused any of us to cave in.” And some of you are feeling so much stress at trying to please all of the people in your life.   You want them to be so happy and like you. Rick says that one of the principles that Jesus lived by in his handling stress was the principle, “ Know whom you’re trying to please. ” He goes on, “You can’t please everybody, because, by the time one group becomes pleased with you, another group gets upset with you. Even God doesn’t please everybody,

A thought by Rick Warren from his book. God's Power to Change Your Life (Living with Purpose) (p. 55). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) And that is what we want, isn’t it?   We want the easier way. Rick says, “If I act as if I’m enthusiastic, I will soon begin to feel enthusiastic. If I act as if I’m happy, before you know it I will feel happy. Try right now putting the biggest smile on your face that you can muster up; then make yourself laugh — really laugh inside. At first it will seem forced, but dig deep and create the body movement of laughter. You will begin to feel happier. If we begin to act lovingly, we will soon feel loving.” That is so true.   I wonder how that person at work or that relative you will see during the holiday season would respond if you began to act lovingly toward them rather than the way you feel about them?   You might say that is dishonest.   No  that is the way that Jesus would wa