Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (p. 94). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) My son, Brett who is entering his second year of Law School texted me last night about his grade that he got in a summer class.   And I loved it.   It brought me great pleasure.   And if that brought me great pleasure don’t you think my Heavenly Father takes great pleasure in how I use the abilities He created me with?   He loves it. Over in Psalm 37: 23 (NLT) it says, “The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives.” As Rick says, “Like a proud parent, God especially enjoys watching you use the talents and abilities he has given you. God intentionally gifted us differently for his enjoyment. He has made some to be athletic and some to be analytical. You may be gifted at mechanics or mathematics or music or a thousand other skill

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (p. 90). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I know how important it is for us to please people, especially with so many unpleasable people around.   I mean to get a smile out of some meaningful person to you can make all of the difference in your day.   I pleased them and they like me.   Now to get a smile out of someone that you don’t ever expect one from is a real accomplishment.   Maybe you have never seen them smile and then they smile at you.   Wow I did it.   And for some they never expect that God would ever smile at them.   I mean some think that all He does is judge us.   But God smiles when we trust Him completely.   So  what does that mean to trust him completely? Well Rick says, “Trusting God completely means having faith that He knows what is best for your life. You expect Him to keep His promises, help

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (p. 161). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Then Rick says, “How you treated other people, not your wealth or accomplishments, is the most enduring impact you can leave on earth. As Mother Teresa said, ‘It’s not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters.’ Love is the secret of a lasting heritage.” I was thinking the other day of a very special friend of mine and his funeral.   There were over a thousand people at his funeral.   It was an unbelievable time.   And they didn’t come to celebrate his life for his corporate success but because of his relational success.   People knew he really loved them and they loved him.   That is what a real legacy is all about. I hope you are finding that people really do matter.   How you treat them, how you react to them and how you love them makes the difference

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (pp. 159-160). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) 1 Corinthians 14: 1a (LB) in the Bible says, “Let love be your greatest aim.”   Paul also wrote in 1 Corinthians 13: 3 (MSG), “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.”   It is so very important. Rick said, “Often we act as if relationships are something to be squeezed into our schedule. We talk about finding time for our children or making time for people in our lives. That gives the impression that relationships are just a part of our lives along with many other tasks. But God says relationships are what life is all about.” I know that many people come to the later years of their life and then realize that they have built their lives on the wrong priorities.   And this is a great reminder to us to make our relationships a grea

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?   (p. 154). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Retired Now if you believe that this is all there is to life that it ends when you die then that doesn't make sense but as a Christ follower I understand and agree with it.   1 Peter 1: 4 (NLT) says, “God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” As Rick says, “This eternal inheritance, not retirement, is what you should be looking forward to and working for.”   Paul wrote in Colossians 3: 23 – 24a (NIV) in the Bible, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” That’s why Rick says, “Retirement is a short-sighted goal. You should be livi

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (p. 128). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) That is true for every relationship.   I hear people say they are lonely and they have no friends but the reality is that is their choice.   Oh they may not think that is true but when they are sitting back waiting for people to reach out to them then they are choosing to not have friends.   To have friends you must take the first step and reach out.   I am doing that right now.   I get on a train every day and come to Hollywood to two different coffee shops to meet new people.   I am right now right across the street from the Hollywood Palladium on Sunset near Hollywood and Vine where my church meets and I am here to reach out to people who don’t have a relationship with Christ.   I am making new friends and then eventually I will invite then to my church and they will show t

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (p. 39). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Have you found yet that trying to please everyone is an impossible situation?   You just can’t do it.   As a Pastor I knew I was in trouble when I tried to preach sermons that everyone would like.   And the music was a major hassle.   No way could I please everyone.   Have you found that even striving to please yourself can be a problem?   I mean what I want right now can change in an hour.   My mood changes and there I am.   Rick says, “Many people are driven by the need for approval. They allow the expectations of parents or spouses or children or teachers or friends to control their lives. Many adults are still trying to earn the approval of unpleasable parents. Others are driven by peer pressure, always worried by what others might think. Unfortunately, those who follow