You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales.

Interviewed by Paul Bradshaw, Rick said:

People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.

One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body -- but not the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth,but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.

This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer. I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys,  I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life. No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for. You can focus on your purposes, or  you can focus on your problems. If you focus on your problems,  you're going into self-centeredness,  'which is my problem, my issues, my pain.'
But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her. It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people. You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life. Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy. It also brought a lot of notoriety that  I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease. So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.

First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.
Second, about midway through last year,I stopped taking a salary from the church. 
Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.
Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.

We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity? Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?

When I get up in the morning,  I sit on the side of my bed and say,  God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better.  God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do. That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.

Title : Even When
Artist : Seven Places
Album : Hear Us Say Jesus (2004)

This week, i prayed, one time
My phone, it rang, i put You on the other line
And now my thoughts they drift around
My knees remain unacquainted with the ground
Unless my faith is put to the test and i am forced to bow
Although i'm in this flesh it doesn't mean You shouldn't have the best
from me, from me

[Chorus]
Even when my eyes are dry
Even when my soul is tired
Even when my hands are heavy, i will lift them up to You
It's not about how i feel, oh Lord i am here for You
i exist for You

i close my eyes but all i see
Is a background of black, bouncy squiggly lines
And this week's mistakes coming back to mind but
i will lift my voice and make a joyful sound
Forget about me, i only get me down
Although i cannot see it doesn't mean i shouldn't sing to You, to You

Chorus

You've given me Your life and have held mine together yet i find
Excuses to slouch in my pew
But when glory divine
Is sitting in my very presence, the least that i can do
Is give my all to You, give my all to You

Chorus

Title : Who Am I
Artist:  Casting Crowns

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You're

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

***I've posted the mp3 here.

A. Live by the bible
   - "Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 
    But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:" - Exodus 20:9-10
   - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13

B. God equips you for what He requires of you
   - "“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.  And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey." - Matthew 25:14-15

   How God shapes you?
   
   Things to remember when in learning mode:

A. Critics are Allies

Ten tips for taking criticism

1. Understand the difference between constructive and destructive criticism
   - use your head, be objective. Is it worth your attention
2. Don't take yourself too seriously
   - learn to laugh at yourself
3. Look beyond the criticism and see the critic
4. Watch your own attitude toward the critic
   "A negative reaction towards criticism can be more destructive than the criticism itself"
   - "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered 
      for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His 
      steps: “ Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His 
      mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; 
      when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself
      to Him who judges righteously;" - 1 Peter 2:21-23
5. Realize good people get criticized
6.  Keep physically and spiritually in shape.
7. Don't just see the critic, see if there's a crowd.
8. Wait for time to prove them wrong. 
9. Surround yourself with positive people.
10. Concentrate on your own mission; change your mistakes.

B. Comparisons are normal

   Learn by living with comparison
      - " And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this 
         Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of
         war from his youth.” " - 1 Samuel 17:33

   How should a child of God respond to rejection

   Realities Concerning Rejections

    1. Everybody experiences rejection

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
         You anoint my head with oil;
         My cup runs over." - Psalm 23:5

First, we fear what people will think of us.
Second, we fear what people may say about us
Third, we fear what people may fail to do to us.
Fourth, we fear what people may fail to do for us.

1. Fear God more than men
   - always respond well
   - when rejected, be quiet
   - "Be still, and know that I am God;
         I will be exalted among the nations,
         I will be exalted in the earth! " - Psalm 46:10

Q.U.I.E.T.

a. Quit revenge
   - "not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing." - 1 Peter 3:9
   - "Vengeance is Mine, and recompense;
      Their foot shall slip in due time;
      For the day of their calamity is at hand,
      And the things to come hasten upon them.’" - Deuteronomy 32:35
   - "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
      And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
       22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
      And the LORD will reward you. " - Proverbs 25:21-22

b. Unrealistic expectations are unfair
   - "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew 7:12

c. Inside you is still a work in progress
   - "He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep" - John 21:17

d. Expect good things to come out of the bad ones
   - "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

e. Trust the healer of broken hearts
   - "He heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds" - Psalm 147:3

2. You are meant for greater things

   A. You can be better than who you are today
      "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us," - Ephesians 3:20

Cowardice asks the question: Is it safe?
Consensus asks the question: Is it popular?
Conscience asks the question: Is it right?

                                          -  Martin Luther King

3rd Stage: Fight against Corrosion

"When you have eaten your fill, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.

    "But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and laws. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else" - Deutoronomy 8:10-13

"After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did what was evil in the LORD's sight and worshiped the images of Baal. They abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They chased after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the LORD. They abandoned the LORD to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth. This made the LORD burn with anger against Israel, so he handed them over to marauders who stole their possessions. He sold them to their enemies all around, and they were no longer able to resist them. Every time Israel went out to battle, the LORD fought against them, bringing them defeat, just as he promised. And the people were very distressed." - Judges 2:10-15

"The greatest hindrance to God's movement is not our weakness but our strength." -Charles H. Spurgeon

"A good reputation is more valuable than the most expensive perfume. In the same way, the day you die is better than the day you are born.

    It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time.

    Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.

    A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now." - Ecclesiastes 7:1b-4

Be friends with those who...
1. Stimulate you mentally.
"Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm." - Proverbs 13:20
"As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend" - Proverbs 27:17

2. Supports you emotionally
"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." - Proverbs 17:17
"Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. " - Galatians 6:2

3. Strengthen me spiritually
"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." - 1 Thesalonians 5:11
"Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds." - Hebrews 10:24
"Anyone who fears you is my friend--
       anyone who obeys your commandments." - Psalm 119:63

"The quality of your life will be determined by the kinds of relationship you choose to develop."

R.E.A.C.H.
1. Reach out - be courageous and take the initiative
Fear does 3 terrible things:
- defensive
- distant
- demanding
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. " - 2 Timothy 1:7
SMILE!
"A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit." - Proverbs 15:13
"Since you excel in so many ways--you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, such enthusiasm, and such love for us--now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving. " - 2 Corinthians 8:7

2. Encourage with your words - be constructive with your words
"Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." - Ephesians 4:29
-stop excusing
-talk less
-listen more
-start building
Be considerate of their needs
"You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" - Colossians 3:13
"Disregarding another person's faults preserves love; telling about them separates close friends" - Proverbs 17:9

3. Amplify confidentiality - be confidential with information
"A gossip goes around revealing secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence." - Proverbs 11:13
Gossip is talking about a situation with somebody who is neither a part of the solution or the problem

4. Commit to the friendship - be committed to the relationship
"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." - Proverbs 17:17
"There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." - Proverbs 18:24

5. Honest about problems - be candid about the problems in the relationship
"It is an honor to receive an honest reply" - Proverbs 24:26
- compliment in public but correct them in private
- correct them when theyre up & not when they're down 
- never offer correction until youve proven that youre open to it

Not too long ago my husband and one of his best friends had a tiff. After telling me what had happened, my husband told me to delete his friend's name from the cell phone speed dial.

I hesitated and told him he was just angry and not to act too quickly. He insisted he would attempt to do it himself if I didn't, so I did. That is when I had my MountainWings Moment.

I told him, "It's easy to delete his name from the phone, but be careful about deleting him from your life. Friends are blessings from God and even though sometimes they disappoint us, we should realize they are just human."

From nowhere (I know now it was the Holy Spirit) I said, "What if God deleted our names from the Book of Life every time we let Him down? I wouldn't have a chance because I know I fail to live up to His expectations everyday."

Nothing else was said but I thought about it for a very long time. We so often let anger cause us to banish people from our lives for the most trivial reasons, only to regret it, sometimes after it's too late.

Thankfully my husband and his friend worked things out and their friendship survived. What I learned most from the experience was how grateful I am that I serve a loving God who doesn't delete me just because I let Him down.

PRAYER Grant us Lord, that we may meekly accept the authority to rule our lives. Show us the way. Give us the grace and strength to follow Your teachings and do Your holy will.

SOURCE: FOODFORTHOUGHT