Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Craig Groeschel (2012-04-24) from his book, Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World (p. 166). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. That is so true.   Craig made this statement dealing with young couples going into deep debt to go on an expensive honeymoon.   Again I say, what he says is so true.   Back some 39 years ago when Margaret and I got married I knew that one of the major marriage problems was finances.   Money problems hurt marriages.   I had a new car that had payments and Margaret had an older car that didn’t.   My dad also had an older car that was paid for so we switched cars.   My dad took over the payments on my new Plymouth Duster and I took his old Oldsmobile.   A big switch but it was worth it.   Our marriage was worth it. I was thinking during my time of connection with God this morning about how very fortunate I am.   I love my family.  I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world....

A thought by Craig Groeschel (2012-04-24) from his book, Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World (p. 148). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. What is it in your life that has the most “what-ifs” attached to it?    As you identify it you will probably see it is that which you value the most.   You are afraid of what would happen to you if you lost it and that terrifies you.   So identifying it is important. But you also can see can’t you that you will do everything you can to protect it.   It probably is the thing that you haven’t really given over to God because you’re afraid of what He will do with it.   It becomes your god, your highest priority and of course there goes your potential because of your fear of losing it and that shows your lack of trust in God. Why is it that we think we know best?   I mean do you give gifts to your kids and then take them away from them.   Of course not and they know you won’t because they know you...

A thought by Craig Groeschel (2012-04-24) from his book, Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World (p. 143). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. We only have two fears from birth so where did all those other fears that hold us back come from?  That’s a good question, a very good question.  Determining that could go a long way to conquering your fears and potentially those that you influence around you.  For instance, if you are a parent your kids may take on those same fears. Craig says that our adult fears basically fall into four categories:  The fears of loss, of failure, of rejection and the fear of the unknown.  I’m sure you can see how each one of those could limit what you do in life. Some would say that fear is the opposite of faith but Craig disagrees with that.  He says, “The way I see it, fear actually relies on faith — it’s simply faith in the wrong things. Fear is placing your faith in ‘what-ifs’ rather than in ‘God is.’ It’s allowing yo...

A thought by Craig Groeschel, (2012-04-24)from his book, Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World (p. 120). Zondervan   Kindle Edition . . I know this isn’t a new thought but it is an important reminder.   It is all about this matter of comparison.   If I look at someone who has more I can get discouraged.   But if I look at someone who has less I can get proud.   Both are not God accepted qualities. Now I understand the need to strive, to not accept mediocrity in ourselves but I also understand the need to be thankful.   God is so good.   He gives us so much in each day but He also gives us so much potential.   He is so very good.   Enjoy what He has given you, both what you have today and the opportunity for tomorrow. I love my life, both the good in it and the difficult.   They are both there for my good.   He has taken a special interest in my life and a special interest in your life.   He didn’t cre...

A thought by Craig Groeschel, (2012-04-24) from his book, Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World (p. 65). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. This is so true for so many people.  They burn their toast in the morning and they say inside, “Well this is going to be a horrible day ”  and with that thought they set out to prove they were right.  All they would have had to do was throw the burnt toast away and start over. My day today was great.  Just like yesterday and the day before.  How about yours?

A thought by Craig Groeschel, (2012-04-24) from his book, Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World (p. 64). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. Toxic, negative, put down, angry words tear down relationships.  And up-lifting, reinforcing, positive, encouraging words build up relationships.  If you want to know why your relationship is struggling then you need to check out your own words.  Not your mate’s words but your words. Why are you so negative?  Where is it coming from?  Is the problem in you?  Remember, you have no control over them; you just have control over you and your attitude toward them.  Start saying loving words to them and then see if it kindles a spark inside of you.  As the old song said, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going.”    Now I know this is simplistic but why don’t you give it I try? 

A thought by Craig Groeschel, (2012-04-24) from his book, Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World (p. 63). Zondervan. Kindle Edition What a great thing to do.  The world does everything it can to put negative things into our mind especially now at election time.  But what if someone needs an encouraging word; they are just about to drop emotionally so God puts a positive thought into your mind to lift them but you let it pass.  What if you had shared it?  What would have happened?  How would they have felt and how would you have felt? Oh we think we are God’s tool to condemn them because they are so down and we are God’s voice to tell them what they should be or could be doing.  We are too quick to be that kind of person because it makes us feel important.  Maybe that thought is not from God but from our pride.  Maybe they don’t need a critic but a fan.  They may need someone who believes in them, who wants to lift them up...