Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Christine Cane, from her book,  How Did I Get Here?   (p. xxiv). Thomas Nelson, Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Drifting can be a real problem when you are swimming where there is a strong undertow and also in our Christian lives. Christine says, " He also knew there was an even greater danger if we did." She goes on, "No matter how good a swimmer each of us kids was, no matter how confident, how strong, how knowledgeable we were of the sea and her currents, if we drifted too far, then drowning was the real threat. "As the old saying goes, 'It’s the strong swimmers who drown.' Dad understood the meaning of this saying all too well: those you think would never drown, could never drown, are the least likely to drown, are actually the ones who do. Those who think they are impervious to the power of the water and take the risky chances that a novice never would are more likely to perish. And once they star...

A thought by Christine Cane, from her book, How Did I Get Here?   (p. xxi). Thomas Nelson, Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) And that would be a yes, wouldn't it?  Christine says, " Don’t we all lose loved ones? Don’t we all grow weary in our callings and careers? Don’t we all experience disappointments? And struggle with being disillusioned? Don’t we all want to walk away from time to time?" She goes on, "Truth be told, I’ve lost count of the number of times I thought of walking away from it all and opening a small café in Santorini, Greece. Just Nick and me and our girls tucked away in my favorite corner of the world. Can’t you picture me suggesting another cup of coffee to go with your baklava? I imagine we all run to our own little escape destinations in our minds. To the lives we thought we might have but never will. Because deep down we love Jesus and his plans more." She then says, "Instead of letting myself ...

A thought by Louie Giglio, from his book,  Never Too Far   (p. 90). Thomas Nelson, Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) And that is such good news! Louie asks, " Did you catch that? We’re not out. "We’re not out because the thing we need most is not to be perfect but to be in love with Jesus." He says, "Sure, there are consequences to our decisions, and Scripture says that whatever we sow, we reap. But guess what? Grace overwhelms consequences. Even with consequences, there is love and grace and the mercy of God in Christ. God is bigger. Even if you’ve denied Christ, he will still use you to build his church." He goes on, "The Bible promises that God’s faithfulness is great and his mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). That means Jesus’ breakfast is served and served and served and served and served, again and again. And the meal comes first. Mercy is served as the first course, before any problems are s...

  A thought by Louie Giglio, from his book,  Never Too Far   (p. 88). Thomas Nelson, Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) And that is true of us too. Louie says, " Peter needed to depend on Jesus first. "Here’s this same truth taught earlier in John’s gospel. Jesus said, 'Apart from me you can do nothing. . . . If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.' (15:5–7)" Louie goes on, "Peter had forgotten that. But Jesus was teaching this truth to Peter all over again, saying, 'You went out and did your thing, but that didn’t work. Yet if you follow me and my ways and put the net where I say, then look—the net is full of fish.' "When the disciples landed on shore, they saw a fire with fish on it and some bread. Don’t you just love a campfire on a beach? It’s in this environment of gentle wood smoke and crackling warmth and relaxed vibrancy that Jesus began t...

A thought by Louie Giglio, from his book,  Never Too Far   (p. 78). Thomas Nelson, Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Yes He does. Louie earlier shares, " My dad was disabled for a long while before he died. Before that, he worked as a graphic designer and did a lot of commercial work for Coca-Cola and other companies. He also had a penchant for painting, particularly abstract art. "He painted an amazing abstract of a magician. The whole painting was huge, taller and wider than a door. My mom never liked the painting that much; it just wasn’t her style. But Dad loved it and wanted to display it. So they reached a compromise. Dad and I cut the bottom off the length of it and an eight-inch strip off the side. Then he and I reframed the reduced painting and hung it in the landing of the stairwell in our townhouse. Because it was abstract art, it still looked cool—at least my dad and I thought so." He goes on, "Before he died, I ...

A thought by Louie Giglio, from his book,  Never Too Far   (p. 63). Thomas Nelson, Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Louis says, " You can be a champion." And that may be great news for you today. He says, "God the Son, Jesus Christ, offers genuine redemption. Have you ever noticed the powerful 'but' in some Bible stories? This is the intervening moment." Judges 16:22 (NIV) says, "But the hair on [Samson’s] head began to grow again after it had been shaved. " Louie is telling the story of Samson. He says, "Samson’s hair started making a comeback, and his hair symbolized his strength vested in the Spirit of God. "The prophet Micah preached to his downtrodden people, 'Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light' (Micah 7:8 NIV). "The consequences of sin were very real for Samson. He was blinded and condemned to b...

A thought by Louie Giglio, from his book,  Never Too Far   (p. 50). Thomas Nelson, Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Yes, yes He does! Louie says, " You think that sounds too easy? Easy isn’t the right word for this welcome. . . The price has been paid in full and forgiveness is on the table today. All you have to say is, 'I want to come back home.' The Father is waiting to throw his arms around you. "That kind of comeback is available to you." He goes on, "But be careful. Just when you’re dancing with the Father on the great dance floor, Satan tries to cut in and tell you it was all a dream. The Father doesn’t really love you after all. He was just kidding when he ran down the road to greet you." Louie then says, "That’s a lie. If you’re still breathing, it’s not too late." And that is the truth! So, would you just come back to Him? Would you let Him show you how much He really, really loves you? Wou...