Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Dr. Kevin Leman (2013-02-01) from His book, Way of the Wise, The: Simple Truths for  Living Well (Kindle Location 455). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. What a great thing to realize.   That shows that God is different even from us.   I mean, I know me and I’m not always sure I love me but He really knows me and He really loves me. And that fact can make a difference in how I really view me and how I love others.    When I see how He loves me in spite of my flaws my imperfections then He is showing me how I can and I must love myself and love others.  So many times though, we love because of instead of in spite of. That kind of love is what all of us need to have and need to give.   But I can’t experience it or give it without a relationship with God.   He can place that kind of in spite of love inside of each one of us.   All we need to do is to ask for it and then cultivate a relationship with Him. Without His love in us we live with this I love

A thought by Dr. Kevin Leman (2013-02-01) from his book, Way of the Wise, The: Simple Truths for Living Well (Kindle Locations 396-397). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. For most of us we think that stress comes from outside of us – work, family, husband, wife, expectations.   But Dr. Leman says we produce it.   He says, “We manufacture it from our life circumstances, then distribute it, so to speak, by ‘shoulding’ on ourselves or other people.” …I should have gotten the house cleaned yesterday. …I should get a higher-paying job. …He should care more about me. If he did, life would be easier. …She should help out more around here. …I should lose weight so I look better. Then maybe I’d… That is where your stress comes from.   Listen you have no control over what you should have done yesterday, what you should do tomorrow, what someone else should do.   What you have control over is what you should/could do right now.   If it is something that should be done

A thought by Dr. Kevin Leman (2013-02-01) from his book, Way of the Wise, The: Simple Truths for Living Wel l (Kindle Location 181). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. I have found that to be so very true in my own life and through my life.   I have for many years had a way that I have started each morning of my day.   I would get up get ready and then head out to a Starbucks that I was drawn to that particular morning.   Right now I live between two different Starbucks about the same distance apart.   Now I walk each morning and I have settled on one particular Starbucks out of inner drawing inside.   It just feels right.   With doing that I have built through the years some very close relationships where God has used me to say the right things they needed at the right time.   They may not have had a relationship with God but they had one with me and God used my relationship with Him to deal with areas of need in their lives.   It is such an unbelievable thing to ex

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2012-10-02) from his book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: LiveThem and Reach Your Potential (p. 243). Center Street. Kindle Editio n. That is so true.   My life isn’t over even if I am retired if I am striving each day to do something that will make a difference in someone’s life.   There is always a thought to be dug out and shared that can be a defining moment in someone’s life.   There is always a person that I will touch that needs to be encouraged to hold on.   Even when a person is flat on their back they still have the potential to make a difference through their fight, through their attitude, through their words.   No matter what circumstance you are in there is someone watching, waiting to see how you handle it.   We all have so much potential that God built into us that hasn’t been realized yet.   We can’t stop growing, doing, living out our purpose each day.   Oh, it is so easy to wallow in self-pity and anger when the circ

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2012-10-02) from his book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential (p. 232). Center Street. Kindle Edition. I want to, though, don’t you?   I mean, I am 65+ and I really want to control my future.   I want to feel that I am secure and that everything is going to be great.   That would be great but it is impossible.   I can’t control my future and I can’t even know what it is going to be like. But John goes on and says that “Knowing today is essential; controlling today is possible.”   Today is all I have to work with, tomorrow I give to God.   But to emphasize, I do have today.   I have the potential to still make choices of how I am going to live each day. I am also reading a book by Bill Hybels called, The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God,Having the Guts to Respond.   And on page 79 he says, “Many of God’s whispers are offered to save us from difficulties and pain that we don’t have the wisdom or maturity to fore

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2012-10-02) from his book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Themand Reach Your Potential (pp. 203-204). Center Street. Kindle Edition. Do you enjoy your life?   On my other blog, Bill’s Front Porch , I’m de aling with the subject of happiness.  Today I said, “ The accepted idea of happiness is having the right circumstances. But God’s way to happiness is having the right attitude.”   So I ask again, “Do you enjoy your life?” Now John says here that if you do, then the lines between your work and your play begin to blur.   You see, it is an attitude thing.   I chose to enjoy my life.   It is a choice.   I love reading the Psalms in the Old Testament.   Usually the writer starts with a lament, a bad attitude but as he changes his focus it becomes a praise.   His focus changes his attitude.   He has control over his attitude and so do you. Yes, life can be tough.   Yes there may be some real problems at work but you can see work as a

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2012-10-02) from his book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential (p. 203). Center Street. Kindle Edition. I did that today.   I was dealing with not only a sluggish mind but a sluggish metabolism.    Instead of a coffee and a banana for breakfast I had a bowl of oatmeal with nuts and fruit and then I went on a longer walk.   I had brought my computer to Starbucks and instead of walking home to do some work I came down to Peet’s Coffee and Tea. I am outside in a great spot doing my work.   Then I will take a longer walk back home.   I disturbed my routine. How about you?   Are you in a rut in your routine and you are sluggish in your mind?   Change it up a little bit.   You might be surprised at what happens. Why not try it today?