Just Continue That Thought...

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. 164). Center Street. Kindle Edition. I listen to people almost every day tell me why they are in the situation they are in and a big part of it is because of something else not them.  They play the blame game. . Now if I am young and still at home and I don’t have a lot of control over my life then I am not totally responsible for where I am but if I am 65+ which I am, I can’t blame anyone else but me.  I am responsible for my life.  You see for the most part in my life I am where I am because of the choices I have made. Someone said, “It’s my wife’s fault” but you chose to marry her.  “But it’s my boss, it’s his fault.  He’s holding me back.”  But you were not forced to work for him or to continue to work for him. Now granted there are some things that are beyond our control but our attitude toward them is our choice and our responsibility.  Under

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. I rented a van for Brett, Marissa, Ashlyn, Addiso

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 love them and they trust you. So w

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 your imagination to wander down

A thought by Timothy Keller (2012-04-01) from his book, The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness (Kindle Locations 292-293). 10Publishing. Kindle Edition. Maybe that is the thought that you needed today.   I have been to two different coffee shops this morning and finished two different books and moved to this book by Tim Keller and came upon this thought.   All I can say is, you must really need this encouragement today. And the beginning of a new week could be the right time to understand this.   Last week is over and you have the potential to start over.   So whose opinion have you given too much value to?   I am giving you permission to stop and reassess their value and their control over what they think of you.   God loves you and accepts you and He believes in you and He will forgive you.   Let what He thinks be what really matters to you. Why not start today?

A thought by Dr. Kevin Leman (2013-02-01) from his book, Way of the Wise, The: Simple Truths forLiving Well (Kindle Location 577). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. Now if your definition is that love is a sexual act then for sure that is true.   You do it then it’s over.   If your definition is love is an emotion, then for sure that wears thin.   But if your definition is love is a choice then that can lead to 39 years together through good times and bad.   Margaret and I celebrate that fact tomorrow. Now there are parts of those other definitions in our love towards each other but the choice is what has kept us together. Dr. Leman also says, “Love is not two young lovers entwined in each other’s arms, gazing moonstruck at the lake on a summer night. If you simply love your spouse, it’s not enough for the long haul. All the experts agree that the moony-eyed love— the honeymoon effect—lasts about two years. So what do you do between then and 48 years later, when you

A thought by Dr. Kevin Leman (2013-02-01) from his book, Way of the Wise, The: Simple Truths forLiving Well (Kindle Location 560). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Editio n. Wow, is that ever the truth and it takes on more meaning the older I get.   I don’t want to waste one minute living it in a negative attitude because I could at a moment’s notice be facing God.    Life can be so short.  This day is a gift from Him. There are so many gifts that God gives to us that He doesn’t want us to waste, for instance our health.   Health is such a gift.   That is something I can abuse and it can be taken away from me.   So no sweet stuff and a lot of walking are very important parts of my life.   Another is relationships, they are also a gift from God.   My wife, Margaret and I are celebrating Saturday our 39 th anniversary.   We have had 36 wonderful years and three really bad ones.   Those three were because of what I call my three year jerk time.   It is only because of God’s gr