Just Continue That Thought...

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“Once we get fixated on the happiness option, we assign our brains the task of coming up with a list of very convincing reasons to support our choice.”

A thought by Andy Stanley (2009-03-31) in his book, The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to B e (p. 61). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. Have you noticed that? You set your heart on getting something that you know will make you happy but it really isn’t a good thing to have; maybe it is a girl or a guy that doesn’t hold your same values. But you want it or you have fallen for them so your mind sets into gear to come up with a set of reasons why it is a good thing when it really isn’t. Your will, your heart is a powerful thing so it is very important to have it set in the right direction. Oh your mind is also important but most of the time it just goes along for the ride. For example: In today’s USA Today there was a survey that said that the number one reason people divorce is growing apart and the number two is unable to talk together . Now when your heart says there needs to be a change in your life, yo...

“Biblically, it doesn’t matter what you get out of worship, it’s not for you.”

A thought by Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson (2011-07-19) from their book, Rumors of God: Experience the Kind of Faith You´ve Only Heard About (Kindle Location 1440). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. It is so interesting how self-absorbed we as professed Christ-followers can be. We think that life is all about us. An individual came up to Jon Tyson after one of their Worship Gatherings here in New York City and they said, “I didn’t mind the teaching, but I didn’t like the worship.” Jon then said to him, “Biblically, it doesn’t matter what you get out of worship, it’s not for you.” And that is true. We need to be reminded of that fact don’t we? I’ve been to Jon’s church, Trinity Grace and I do appreciate what they are doing. His preaching really speaks to issues of our day and their worship leaders at the three different locations that I have been to truly do lead us in worship. But in this day of production in the church worship world it s...

“Much depends on how we perceive life—as threat or opportunity.”

A thought by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch (2011-04-15) in the book, The Faith of Leap, (Shapevine) (p. 31). Baker Books. Kindle Edition. I don’t know how some people get up in the morning. If they look at life as a threat then they must want to hide. No way do they want to get out of bed. Life has been ruff for some people. I understand that but I also know of people who have also had it ruff who get up and are ready for whatever life has for them. To them life is not a threat but an opportunity. The truth is there is so much in our life that we have no control over. But how we handle it starts in our mind, in how we view life and that is under our control. I’ve learned that if I take the worst that life can throw at me and I figure out a way to handle it then no matter what else comes I can handle that. Now I’ve started with what is the worst for many which is death and I have settled that in my mind. I believe that a righ...

“The best counsel in the world is wasted counsel if our minds are already made up.”

A thought by Andy Stanley (2009-03-31) in his book, The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be (p. 129). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. We all realize how true that is, don’t we? My dad said, “Advice not asked for stinks.” It doesn’t matter if you have the right answer if the person in need is not seeking advice it won’t make a difference. I used to have wives come up and ask me if I would talk to their husbands or parents would come and want me to talk to their kids and I would always say, “Have them call me.” If they’re not seeking they’re not listening. Of course you know some people who have advice for everything and they want to give it all the time to everyone they meet. It seems to be a self-worth thing. They may be right some of the time but they are not usually the ones you will go to for advice. There are others who you see their life and you know their life view is built on wisdom and mat...

“Creating instead of criticizing takes discipline.”

A thought by Gabe Lyons (2010-10-05) from his book, The Next Christians: The Good News About the End of Christian America (p. 108). Doubleday Religion. Kindle Edition. Have you ever tried to create something? Oh I know you did when you were in Kindergarten but somewhere we changed from being creators to critics. I mean it is so much more important for people to do things right or as we view right than it is to create something new. At least that is how some people think. But creating is so vital in life. I know some people say they aren’t creative but they really are creators who have been beaten down by critics. Now as a preacher I created a new message every week from scratch. I would start on Monday or Tuesday finish it on Saturday and then give it 2 times on Sunday and 1 time on Monday or Tuesday and then start all over again. I did that every week for 25+ years. I have now retired from doing that but I now write 2 blogs. ...

“When we give in secret, we break the cycle of obligation that is so often present in our relationships.”

A thought by Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson, (2011-07-19) in their book, Rumors of God: Experience the Kind of Faith You´ve Only Heard About (Kindle Location 632). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition . I had never thought about that but it is true. Let’s say you have a friend who gives you a birthday card. It is just a simple little card. Now of course you must try to find out when their birthday is so you can send them a card. It is the correct thing to do. It is your obligation. I remember when my daughter got married and of course all those wedding gifts and then all of those thank you cards. One person kept asking when they were going to get their thank you card. I know that is the right thing to do, it is your obligation but somehow that made their gift more for them than for my daughter and son-in-law. They needed to be affirmed, it was for them. Now I don’t want to get in the middle of the correct thing to do stuff in gift ...

“I wonder if we’re so afraid of doing the wrong thing that we never do the right thing.”

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2009-12-09). Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity (Kindle Locations 2042-2043). Multnomah Books. Kindle Edition. Here I am sitting in my Oceanside, NY Starbucks thinking of what I want to write. Now if I was afraid of saying the wrong thing I wouldn’t even try. I would just keep reading but never writing. It is all in the focus. There are so many people who have unbelievable potential and ability; they have so much to offer but because they are afraid of being wrong or doing the wrong thing they never try. What a loss. What if God had viewed His creation project the same way? What if He had said, “I know creating humanity is a risky thing to do. They may reject me, do their own thing. I’m sure it isn’t going to work so why should I try? I know it is going to fail. I’m afraid it is the wrong thing to do.” What if He hadn’t even tried? B...