Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Mark Batterson (2014-09-02) from his book, The Grave Robber: How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible (p. 38). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I find it amazing what people, even Christians fixate on and how it makes such a difference on their quality of life.   I don’t know if you realize it but what you fixate on is a choice.   I love what Mark says, “I love the fact that this first miracle of Jesus (turning the water into wine) is not about saving a life. It’s about saving face! And it reveals how much God cares about the minute details of our lives. God is great not just because nothing is too big. God is great because nothing is too small. If it’s a big deal to you, it’s a big deal to God.” Somehow we need to see how much He really cares about us and how that can make such a difference in our daily lives.   He loves you, He cares for you even though you are not perfect, even though yo

A thought by Mark Batterson (2014-09-02) from his book, The Grave Robber: How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible (p. 14). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I like how Mark puts this, “And if you follow Jesus long enough and far enough, you’ll eventually find yourself in the middle of some miracles. Everyone wants a miracle. But here’s the catch: no one wants to be in a situation that necessitates one! Of course, you can’t have one without the other. The prerequisite for a miracle is a problem, and the bigger the problem, the greater the potential miracle.” I have lived long enough as a Christian to have Christ work in my life in some unbelievable ways.   That is one of the benefits of having a relationship with Him.   As I put my trust in Him He works things out for His glory.   He brings things into my life that only He can bring about a solution.  The miracles come about because He has control of my life.

A thought from Rick Warren (2012-10-23) from his book,  The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For ? (p. 375). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I love the Dodgers.   I have been a big Dodger fan since they were in Brooklyn and I am so excited about the fact that they are headed to the playoffs to play the St Louis Cardinals and then on to the World Series. I hope.   But I don’t write a blog five days a week about the Dodgers.   I write about my biggest passion which is my relationship with Jesus Christ and what a difference He has made in my life.   That is what I have a passion to share. What about you?   What do you care about the most?   What do you want to share with people? I love Jesus Christ.   There is no way I can live each day without Him in my life.   Yes I sometimes mess up but He is only a confession away.   My guilt is taken care of by His forgiveness.   When I confess my sin to Him He cleans

A thought from Rick Warren (2012-10-23) from his book,  The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For ? (p. 354). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Yes there is a risk of rejection in there but there is also freedom.   As Rick says, “Of course, vulnerability is risky. It can be scary to lower your defenses and open up your life to others. When you reveal your failures, feelings, frustrations, and fears, you risk rejection. But the benefits are worth the risk. Vulnerability is emotionally liberating. Opening up relieves stress, defuses your fears, and is the first step to freedom.” He continues, “The more honest you are, the more of God’s grace you get. You will also receive grace from others. Vulnerability is an endearing quality; we are naturally drawn to humble people. Pretentiousness repels but authenticity attracts, and vulnerability is the pathway to intimacy.” God has built you just the way you are with your

A thought from Rick Warren (2012-10-23) from his book,  The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For ? (p. 350). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Now we are only limited by our limitations when we aren’t honest about them or try to hide them.   But when we are honest about them then God can use them to bring glory to Himself.   But our dishonesty shows that our desire is to make us look good not Him. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4: 7 (CEV), “We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.”   God can do so much in and through us if we really accept that fact. Rick says, “Admit your weaknesses. Own up to your imperfections. Stop pretending to have it all together, and be honest about yourself. Instead of living in denial or making excuses, take the time to identify your personal weaknesses. You might make a list of them.”   Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:

A thought from Rick Warren (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (p. 337). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) But we spend most of our time and effort and money on those things that can be seen.  We spend so much on our complexion, our looks, our outside but we let our stress, our worries slowly rob us of what really matters, those parts of our body that we cannot see. I went to a drug seminar at the University of Kansas and we were dealing with the problem of smoking and how it takes years off of our lives.  And they said that it would be easier to get people to stop smoking because it causes bad breath than that it will kill us.  It is all about our misplaced priorities. Rick says, “You have several prominent features on your body that you could live without. It is the hidden parts of your body that are indispensable. The same is true in the Body of Christ. The most significant servi

A thought from Rick Warren (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For ? (p. 300). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) At certain times in our life, we stop and search for God’s call on our life and when we find that it seems He’s not calling us into fulltime Christian service, Pastor, Missionary then we head out and start planning our life for what we want to do.   But that is not the reason why we were created.   God made each one of us for a specific ministry.   You see He has shaped you to do something.   For some it is law, other’s teacher, some mothers, it might be to be a salesman or a policeman or even a writer, maybe computers, it could be a doctor or a nurse.   But He has create each one of us for specific tasks at specific times.   And as you grow they may change. Rick says, “He planned exactly how he wanted you to serve him, and then he shaped you for those tasks.” The Bible say