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. 221). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Now that could be a statement that turns you totally off or it causes you to stop.  What does it mean?  Here is the total context of the thought.   Many Christians go through some very difficult circumstances in life.   Rick says, “You’ll wonder, ‘Why is this happening to me? Why am I having such a difficult time?’ One answer is that life is supposed to be difficult! It’s what enables us to grow. Remember, earth is not heaven! Many Christians misinterpret Jesus’ promise of the ‘abundant life’ (John 10:10) to mean perfect health, a comfortable lifestyle, constant happiness, full realization of your dreams, and instant relief from problems through faith and prayer. In a word, they expect the Christian life to be easy. They expect heaven on earth. This self-absorbed perspecti

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For ? (Kindle Location 2335). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) It is so amazing what we focus on in our first impressions.   I mean some people don’t want to get to know someone because of the color of their skin or their physical shape or their appearance or their age or so many other things.   And they miss out on so many very special people who would add so much to their lives. That even happens in the church, God’s supposed family.   I mean do you look down on people in your family who are different than you?   Now here is a thought, none of us are totally alike even if we are twins.   God made us different and He wants us to focus on what we have in common not on our differences. Rick says, “Conflict is usually a sign that the focus has shifted to less important issues, things the Bible calls ‘disputable matters.’

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For ? (p. 210). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) In this chapter, Rick is dealing with people in the church.   And it is also a good thought to be carried over to other relationships in our lives. In dealing with the church though Rick says, “It is always easier to stand on the sidelines and take shots at those who are serving than it is to get involved and make a contribution.”   And then the Apostle Paul in Romans 14:10 (PH) said, “Why, then, criticize your brother’s actions, why try to make him look small? We shall all be judged one day, not by each other’s standards or even our own, but by the standard of Christ.” Rick then says, “Whenever I judge another believer, four things instantly happen: I lose fellowship with God, I expose my own pride and insecurity, I set myself up to be judged by God, and I harm the fell

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For ? (p. 72). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) What is it that you are giving your life to achieve?   We all wake up and set out to achieve something every day.   In dealing with achievement, Rick says, “ None of us have given God the full glory He deserves from our lives. This is the worst sin and the biggest mistake we can make. On the other hand, living for God’s glory is the greatest achievement we can accomplish with our lives.”   There it is. The Bible says in Isaiah 43: 7 (TEV), “They are my own people, and I created them to bring me glory,” That is why we are here.   We are here to make God look good.   We are here to make Him look good in our relationships, in our work, in our health, in what we say, in what we do.    And I think that is a very good thing to desire to achieve every day.   Now the enem

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