Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Erwin Raphael McManus, (2006-11-14) from his book, Soul Cravings: An Exploration of the Human Spirit (p. 53). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. The problem with the “we” is that for so many there is pain.   They can handle the “me” and the “you” but have problems with the “we”.   And that is where the despair, the loneliness, the isolation come from.   “You” and I, (“me”) were created for “we”. Now in looking at the “you” there can be a wall of separation but not with the “we”.   I mean the “you” has hurt me.   I can’t trust “you”.   “You” have disappointed me.   But with the “we” there can be connection, relationship, community, support, love and power. Everyone is looking for the “we”.   But there is danger in connecting with the wrong “we”.   The key is to first connect with the right “we” and then go from there. Scott Daniels the Pastor of Pasadena 1 st Nazarene Church was talking about the problem of kids growing up in the church and then leaving at ar

A thought by Erwin Raphael McManus, (2006-11-14) from his book, Soul Cravings: An Exploration of the Human Spirit (p. 16). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Editio n. And hate will consume you.   It is all encompassing.   That is why love is so important. It is amazing how love overlooks the small stuff but hate sees everything.   Nothing goes unnoticed even things that aren’t there.   Hate takes little things and builds its own stories to prove that you should hate.   The story doesn’t even have to be the truth. Love is life giving but hate kills.   It kills relationships. It kills hope and it can even kill you.   Love is your best friend and hate is your worst enemy. Erwin also says, “When we love, we are moved toward forgiveness. When we allow hate to take over, we begin to live for vengeance.” People aren’t perfect.   Even people we love so there is always a choice to be had when we are hurt.   We can dwell on it, build on it, let it consume us which in turn turns to bitt

A thought by Erwin Raphael McManus, (2006-11-14) from his book, Soul Cravings: An Exploration of the Human Spirit (p. 19). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. Many people don’t realize that what they have is so great.   They can take it for granted and look over the fence and think that the grass is greener over there.   But the truth is the grass is greener where you feed it and water it. There are so many who wish that they could be with someone who really cherishes them.   So many at thirty have been used to the point that they think that is all love is about,   Some of those are even married but there is more than that. Listen, real authentic love is not self-seeking but other-minded.   There is real authentic love out there.   Now it starts with a real authentic relationship with God.   That is where you initially get that kind of love.   David in the psalms said that in sin did my mother conceive me.   That means we came into this world as self-seeker, as users.   I

A thought by Erwin Raphael McManus, (2006-11-14) from his book, Soul Cravings: An Exploration of the Human Spirit (Kindle Location 224). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. Pain is such a horrible thing for so many people.   Now it is something that can be your enemy or your friend.   It is all in how you view it but it is for sure something that you can’t ignore. Pain as an enemy drives people to excessive use of something that will mask it, dull it but as a friend it leads to finding the cause so something can be done about it.   Pain as a friend is a red light that there is a problem.   If we don’t see it as a friend that leads us to the cause then it can potentially lead to death.    Pain in a relationship not dealt with can lead to bitterness which can damage ones potential to love and be loved.   That is what is happening today inside of so many very lonely hurting people.   If they would just stop and seek the cause then they could look for the cure.  E motional pa