Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Leonard Sweet (2014-02-21) from his book, The Well-Played Life: Why Pleasing God Doesn't Have to Be Such Hard Work (p. 13). Tyndale Momentum. Kindle Edition. He says right before this that “Every person we meet is a hurting human being. We don’t all hurt in the same places, but we all hurt. Find the hurt and mainline the soul with blessing.” I believe that is so important to realize.   Somehow we seemed to be so focused on our self and believe that the world revolves around us.   And because of that we can take things so personal and so our feelings can be hurt so easily.   But the truth is they are so focused on their hurts that they don’t feel they can notice anyone else’s hurts. The key is to give people the benefit of doubt and not take it personal.   To strive to reach out to give them a blessing by showing them they are not alone.   What would happen if each one of us would do that?   It would change you and it would change your world. Leonard

A thought by Leonard Sweet, (2012-02-01) from his book, 11: Indispensable Relationships You Can’t Be Without (Kindle Location 1035). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition. It’s in my genes is an excuse that many people use about not changing a certain personality or character trait in themselves.   Now David did say in the Psalms that “In sin did my mother conceive me” but that isn’t where it stopped.   Jesus came to earth and died for us so that can be taken care of and also the many personality and character bents within us. But there are some things that can’t be changed.   I have to accept the fact that I am going to be short.   That was handed to me but the fact that I have a tendency to be heavy just means I have to work harder at losing weight.   I can’t use it’s in my genes as an excuse. Now somewhere in my background I was handed the trait to be moody.   It was a pain through many of my years but by the grace of God and a lot of maturing I don’t have to any more accept

A thought by Kyle Idleman, (2013-02-19) from his book, Gods at War: Defeating the Idols that Battle for Your Heart (Kindle Location 397). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. Kyle goes on to say, “Whining shows what has power over us. Whining, in many ways, is the opposite of worshiping the Lord. Worship is when we glorify God for who he is and acknowledge what he has done for us, but whining is ignoring who God is and forgetting what he has done for us.”   That is so true.   We want comfort don’t we and when we don’t get it we really complain.   Comfort can become an idle for us.   Maybe God doesn’t want us to be comfortable.   Maybe He has something for us that we are to do. I was tempted to go to a Starbucks this morning that was just down the block from where we live.   I usually take the bus to a Starbucks that is a couple of miles away then I walk home after I’m done.   I usually have to stand out waiting on the bus to come, then when I get there I usually sit outside.   So

A thought by Kyle Idleman, (2013-02-19) from his book, Gods at War: Defeating the Idols that Battle for Your Heart (Kindle Location 387). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. That makes sense doesn’t?   Not comforting sense but challenging, honest introspective sense.   It is too easy to put our intense hope and longing in the wrong things. Kyle continues, “So if you were to identify your greatest disappointments, where would you point? The realm of career? The lives of your children? Your marriage or your sex life? Erwin Lutzer writes, ‘Have you ever thought that our disappointments are God’s way of reminding us that there are idols in our lives that must be dealt with?’” I have been looking at some of the disappointments that I have had as a retired pastor.   I mean there was so much more that I wanted to do and therein is my problem, that I wanted to do.   God has been so good to me.   I didn’t deserve the opportunities that I have had and that I today have.   He is so graciou

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2013-09-24) from his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Location 1126). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. A scientific study on the brain seemed to come up with that fact and I’m sure if you looked at your life you would also say that is true.   But it doesn’t need to hold us back even though for many it does. Think about the successes that you have had at your work but then think of that time when you were reprimanded.   Or when you were in school and the A’s and B’s but it is that D or C that you really remember.   It was Latin, Chemistry and Biology that I got my C’s.   Or in your relationships and all those good friends you have who would be there but it’s that one person who didn’t want to be your friend.   There is still pain after all these years.   That memory many times holds you back from reaching out to someone new.   But it doesn’t need too. Yes it is easier to remember your losses.   That is t

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2013-09-24) from his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Location 1106). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. We each have to make decision every day.   Sometimes they are life changing decisions.   Mark was talking to an influential man in Washington D.C. where Mark is the pastor of National Community Church.   At the end of the conversation he asked the man if he could pray for him.   Mark said, “…his profoundly honest response was the result of some serious introspection. He looked me in the eye and said, ‘Pray that I don’t let fear dictate my decisions.’” That is a prayer that we each need to make because so many of the decisions we make in life are dictated by fear.   Mark continued, “You have to choose a dictator. You can let fear dictate your decisions, or you can let faith dictate your decisions.” What decision do you have to make today?   It may be a defining moment in your life decision.   O

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2013-09-24) from his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Locations 996-997). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. Margaret and I watched the Oscar’s last night and I was taken back there when I read this quote.   I was thinking of all the people who were sitting in their front rooms watching the show and criticizing everyone on there.   Of course they had never risked doing anything out of the ordinary but they can criticize from the comfort of the front room. We go to a very large church that has a very large sanctuary.    Margaret wasn’t feeling well so I went along but sat with my son, Brett and my daughter-in-law. Marissa.   And we sat in the last row because Brett had hurt his ankle and was on crutches.   Now not all people who sit in the back have crutches but many do.   They have the crutches of non-involvement except for criticizing those up front.   Now not everyone does that back there.     Right now