“If you have just been going through the motions spiritually, don’t be surprised when God allows pain in your life. Pain is the fuel of passion — it energizes us with an intensity to change that we don’t normally possess. C. S. Lewis said, “Pain is God’s megaphone.” It is God’s way of arousing us from spiritual lethargy. Your problems are not punishment; they are wake-up calls from a loving God. God is not mad at you; he’s mad about you, and he will do whatever it takes to bring you back into fellowship with him.”
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Rick Warren
“When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize that life is just preparation for eternity, you will begin to live differently. You will start living in light of eternity, and that will color how you handle every relationship, task, and circumstance. Suddenly many activities, goals, and even problems that seemed so important will appear trivial, petty, and unworthy of your attention. The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears.”
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Rick Warren
“Can I trust God? Trust is an essential ingredient to surrender. You won’t surrender to God unless you trust him, but you can’t trust him until you know him better. Fear keeps us from surrendering, but love casts out all fear. The more you realize how much God loves you, the easier surrender becomes.”
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Rick Warren
“the moment you stop learning, you stop leading.”
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Rick Warren
“God was thinking of you long before you ever thought about him.”
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Rick Warren
“Knowing your purpose focuses your life.”
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Rick Warren
“If you want French fries, then make them yourself from whole potatoes and unrefined, unprocessed oil.”
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Rick Warren
“Happiness isn't getting all that you want. It's enjoying all that you have.”
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Rick Warren
“You must make a counter-culture decision to focus on becoming more like Jesus. Otherwise, other forces like peers, parents, coworkers, and culture will try to mold you into their image.”
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Rick Warren
“To be a friend of God, you must care about all the people around you whom God cares about. Friends of God tell their friends about God.”
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Rick Warren
“Repetition is the mother of character and skill.”
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Rick Warren
“We're not completely happy here because we're not supposed to be!”
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Rick Warren
“The most damaging aspect of contemporary living is short-term thinking.”
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Rick Warren
“God determines greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you.”
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Rick Warren
“Bringing enjoyment to God, living for his pleasure, is the first purpose of your life. When you fully understand this truth, you will never again have a problem with feeling insignificant. It proves your worth. If you are that important to God, and he considers you valuable enough to keep with him for eternity, what greater significance could you have?”
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Rick Warren