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. 49). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) That is so true.   My writing this and sending it out on a holiday for you to read is done in light of my believing that this life you and I are living is not the end.   My belief is that this life I am living now is only a very small part of the life that I will live.   My 90 or so years is only a drop in the bucket of my life. Rick says, “You use your time and money more wisely. You place a higher premium on relationships and character instead of fame or wealth or achievements or even fun. Your priorities are reordered. Keeping up with trends, fashions, and popular values just doesn’t matter as much anymore.” I know some would say that I don’t want anyone to tell me about eternity.   That is your belief and I don’t want you to try to push your beliefs on me.   But here

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For ? (p. 183). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) And that can be very difficult to do can’t it?   But as Rick says, “Whenever you are hurt by someone, you have a choice to make: Will I use my energy and emotions for retaliation or for resolution? You can’t do both. Many people are reluctant to show mercy because they don’t understand the difference between trust and forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past. Trust has to do with future behavior.   And that is very good to see. Forgiveness must be immediate, whether or not a person asks for it. Trust must be rebuilt over time. Trust requires a track record. If someone hurts you repeatedly, you are commanded by God to forgive them instantly, but you are not expected to trust them immediately, and you are not expected to continue allowing them to hurt you.” I don’

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (p. 96). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) So many think that God is in the anti-pleasure business but that just isn’t true.   Rick says, “God also gains pleasure in watching you enjoy His creation. He gave you eyes to enjoy beauty, ears to enjoy sounds, your nose and taste buds to enjoy smells and tastes, and the nerves under your skin to enjoy touch.” 1 st Timothy 6: 17 (TEV) says, “God … generously gives us everything for our enjoyment.” Margaret, my wife and I every Saturday head out for a day of exploring and adventure.   We live close to the San Gabriel Mountains and close to the Pacific Ocean and we love to see God’s creation.   He created all of that for our pleasure.   Whenever we drive through downtown LA I marvel at what man can create and build.   Right now they are in the process of building the ta

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