Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Erwin Raphael McManus, (2003-09-04) from his book,  Uprising: A Revolution of the Sou l (Kindle Location 240). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition . I understand the desire that we have to live in a free country.   The USA came in existence because of a desire to have religious freedom and we will do all we can to keep it.   It seems that some of those freedoms are slowly being taken away from us.   But if you read the book in the New Testament called the Acts of the Apostles you will see that the church was born under the rule of the dominion of a pagan empire. That is what this thought by Erwin was talking about.     Now I said that to say that we need to be careful to live with an expectation of God to provide us with this freedom.   We are no better than those Christians who live in the Peking Jerusalem Corridor who are under persecution every day.   God loves them just as much as He loves us.   We need to be thankful every day that we have this privilege but we al

A thought by Erwin Raphael McManus, (2003-09-04) from his book, Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul (Kindle Locations 237-238). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. There are so outside situations that can stop us from living free.   There are people who live in Red China who are living freer than people who live in the United States.   There are people who are poor who are living freer than people who have wealth.   There are people who are sick in bed who are freer than those who are young and healthy.   There are married people who are living freer than single people.   The Apostle Paul was free while in prison.   He wrote a big part of the New Testament.   The Apostle John was free on the Isle of Patmos. He wrote 5 books of the NT including the Revelations.   Jesus was free on the Cross.   He was free to save us.   Corrie Ten Boom was free in a Nazi Concentration Camp.   Her story has transformed so many people’s lives. Your situation doesn’t make you free, your Savior does

A thought by Darren Whitehead, Jon Tyson and Bill Hybels, (2011-07-19) from their book, Rumors of God: Experience the Kind of Faith You´ve Only Heard About (p. 33). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. That is true with the world but not God.   Yes it seems like I am wearing out each day but the best is yet to come.   My mind isn’t wearing out.   My love for my wife, Margaret isn’t wearing out.   My anticipation to see my kids and grandkids grow to God’s full potential is not wearing out.   My passion to make a difference with God isn’t wearing out.   My wisdom from God isn’t wearing out.   My experience isn’t wearing out.   My excitement for life isn’t wearing out.   My challenge to see people come to their full potential isn’t wearing out.   My desire to serve Jesus isn’t wearing out.   My yearning to share with you each day is not wearing out.   My longing to learn isn’t wearing out.   My wonderment of what is around the corning isn’t wearing out.     My craving to know more ab

A thought by Darren Whitehead, Jon Tyson and Bill Hybels, (2011-07-19) from their book, Rumors of God: Experience the Kind of Faith You´ve Only Heard About (p. 29). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. I am reading the Gospel of Matthew right now in the Message paraphrase.   There are some things Jesus says in chapter 10 that speak to this situation.   Jesus says, “ Be content – please.”   That would help wouldn’t it?   We maybe wouldn’t need to consume so much.   We could maybe give some that we have to those who really need. He also says, “ Don’t think that I have come to make life cozy .”   But isn’t that what life is all about?   I mean I work so that I will be cozy.   I need that comfortable house, that comfortable chair, that comfortable bed.   Isn't that what life is all about?   I wonder.. Here’s another one.   “ If you don’t go all the way with me, through thick or thin, you don’t deserve me.   If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find

A thought by Erwin Raphael McManus from his book, Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment (Kindle Location 1147). Kindle Edition. My dad was a minister and there were many phrases that he said that have stayed with me.   One was, “A short pencil is better than a long memory.”    I use my notes app on my iPhone all the time.   Another was, “No paper is so thin that is doesn’t have two sides.”   I strive to always see the other side.   But one that came to my mind this morning was, “What your faith covers you now have.” I was just reading on my Kindle, Matthew 9 in the Message paraphrase and Jesus said something to a couple of blind guys that reaffirms my dad’s phrase.   It says , “He touched their eyes and said, ‘ Become what you believe. ’”   Become what you believe.   The reality was they were blind but the reality was Jesus could give them sight.   He said, “It’s up to you.   Choose what you’re going to believe and that will become a reality.”   What are you

A thought by Erwin Raphael McManus from his book, Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment (Kindle Location 179). Kindle Edition . In this moment I have two choices.    One is to stay here at Starbucks and finish the thought that I have been given or go home and turn the Dodgers on TV and maybe be frustrated. Now granted either choice does not have life or death complications but they do set out the choice of self or others.   You see I do not write just for my own enjoyment.   I hopefully write for your encouragement and edification.   I watch the Dodgers for me.   Of course I could do both.   I could go home and watch the Dodgers and then when the game is over write this blog but there are some problems attached to that choice.   One is, the thought I have right now may not be there when I’m ready to write and the thought may be exactly what you may need.   You also may not be there when I post it later.   This is the moment.   The other reason is because

A thought by Erwin Raphael McManus. Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment (Kindle Locations 436-437). Kindle Edition . The last couple of days have been interesting.   As I was getting ready to write down my thoughts I heard a commotion and looked up and a young guy was running out of the Starbucks with my iPhone.   That kind of stopped what I was doing but I’m back.   What I was doing when I was so rudely interrupted was reading about a young guy that this thought Erwin McManus made me think about.   His name is Blake Mycoskie who is the Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS. Do you know the story of TOMS?   Do you have a pair of TOMS?   I am wearing mine right now.   “While traveling in Argentina in 2006, Blake witnessed the hardships faced by children growing up without shoes. His solution to the problem was simple, yet revolutionary: to create a for-profit business that was sustainable and not reliant on donations. Blake’s vision soon turned into the simple