“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?” Jesus
Love is its own reward so when we set limits on our love we set limits on its returns to us. This is somewhat like un-invested money or un-used talent. Jesus encourages his followers to uncap the potential of our reward by un-capping our investments of love to others. He tells us to devote our energies not only to family and friends but also to strangers and even enemies. God helps us in this and will either bring them to us like coming across someone broke down on the side of the road or else send us to them when we take the initiative to sign up as a foster parents. The point is that Christ wants to make us rich in love and its rewards and to do that we must be like live like the entrepreneur who is always looking for new opportunities and not the miser who sits on what he has. 5/26/2010 Conversations Within ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
Monday, May 31, 2010
“Rich people believe: ‘I create my life.’ Poor people believe: ‘Life happens to me.’” T. Harv Eker
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?” Jesus
Love is its own reward so when we set limits on our love we set limits on its returns to us. This is somewhat like un-invested money or un-used talent. Jesus encourages his followers to uncap the potential of our reward by un-capping our investments of love to others. He tells us to devote our energies not only to family and friends but also to strangers and even enemies. God helps us in this and will either bring them to us like coming across someone broke down on the side of the road or else send us to them when we take the initiative to sign up as a foster parents. The point is that Christ wants to make us rich in love and its rewards and to do that we must be like live like the entrepreneur who is always looking for new opportunities and not the miser who sits on what he has. 5/26/2010 Conversations Within ts
Love is its own reward so when we set limits on our love we set limits on its returns to us. This is somewhat like un-invested money or un-used talent. Jesus encourages his followers to uncap the potential of our reward by un-capping our investments of love to others. He tells us to devote our energies not only to family and friends but also to strangers and even enemies. God helps us in this and will either bring them to us like coming across someone broke down on the side of the road or else send us to them when we take the initiative to sign up as a foster parents. The point is that Christ wants to make us rich in love and its rewards and to do that we must be like live like the entrepreneur who is always looking for new opportunities and not the miser who sits on what he has. 5/26/2010 Conversations Within ts
Saturday, May 29, 2010
“Daddy's hand weren't always gentle but I've come to understand there was always love in daddy's hands” Holly Dunn
“The Lord… is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
Father’s patience always has a purpose. He bears with us so that we do not perish. He is tenacious in pursuing us and in bringing us to the one thing that enables us to escape the terrible consequences of life without Him. This is spelled out plain and simple, we must repent. Turning from sin and self is the only means to find the life He intends for us. His kindness leads us to repentance even if it is often veiled in a harsh hand. He is known to hand us over to sin that we may learn to hate it and turn from it. He is also known to use the sins of others against us to bring into focus our sins against Him. Forgiving those who have betrayed us is often the first step in asking and receiving His forgiveness. 5/24/2010 Conversations Within ts
Father’s patience always has a purpose. He bears with us so that we do not perish. He is tenacious in pursuing us and in bringing us to the one thing that enables us to escape the terrible consequences of life without Him. This is spelled out plain and simple, we must repent. Turning from sin and self is the only means to find the life He intends for us. His kindness leads us to repentance even if it is often veiled in a harsh hand. He is known to hand us over to sin that we may learn to hate it and turn from it. He is also known to use the sins of others against us to bring into focus our sins against Him. Forgiving those who have betrayed us is often the first step in asking and receiving His forgiveness. 5/24/2010 Conversations Within ts
“Daddy's hand weren't always gentle but I've come to understand there was always love in daddy's hands” Holly Dunn
“The Lord… is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
Father’s patience always has a purpose. He bears with us so that we do not perish. He is tenacious in pursuing us and in bringing us to the one thing that enables us to escape the terrible consequences of life without Him. This is spelled out plain and simple, we must repent. Turning from sin and self is the only means to find the life He intends for us. His kindness leads us to repentance even if it is often veiled in a harsh hand. He is known to hand us over to sin that we may learn to hate it and turn from it. He is also known to use the sins of others against us to bring into focus our sins against Him. Forgiving those who have betrayed us is often the first step in asking and receiving His forgiveness. 5/24/2010 Conversations Within ts
Father’s patience always has a purpose. He bears with us so that we do not perish. He is tenacious in pursuing us and in bringing us to the one thing that enables us to escape the terrible consequences of life without Him. This is spelled out plain and simple, we must repent. Turning from sin and self is the only means to find the life He intends for us. His kindness leads us to repentance even if it is often veiled in a harsh hand. He is known to hand us over to sin that we may learn to hate it and turn from it. He is also known to use the sins of others against us to bring into focus our sins against Him. Forgiving those who have betrayed us is often the first step in asking and receiving His forgiveness. 5/24/2010 Conversations Within ts
Friday, May 28, 2010
There are two freedoms - the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where he is free to do what he ought. Charles Kingsley
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Gal.5 NIV
Just because I am free to do something, does not mean that I should do it. Someone has said, “Freedom is not the right to do what I want but the power to do as I ought.” I may chose to limit my freedoms for the benefit of another just as I may exercise them for the same reason. Freedom like all other endowments is another means to enjoy God and to be enjoyed by Him. Since I am free to choose any number of activities each day, let me at least choose those things that generate joy in me and in others. And what is that but “faith expressing itself through love.” 5/21/2010 Conversations Within ts
Just because I am free to do something, does not mean that I should do it. Someone has said, “Freedom is not the right to do what I want but the power to do as I ought.” I may chose to limit my freedoms for the benefit of another just as I may exercise them for the same reason. Freedom like all other endowments is another means to enjoy God and to be enjoyed by Him. Since I am free to choose any number of activities each day, let me at least choose those things that generate joy in me and in others. And what is that but “faith expressing itself through love.” 5/21/2010 Conversations Within ts
There are two freedoms - the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where he is free to do what he ought. Charles Kingsley
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Gal.5 NIV
Just because I am free to do something, does not mean that I should do it. Someone has said, “Freedom is not the right to do what I want but the power to do as I ought.” I may chose to limit my freedoms for the benefit of another just as I may exercise them for the same reason. Freedom like all other endowments is another means to enjoy God and to be enjoyed by Him. Since I am free to choose any number of activities each day, let me at least choose those things that generate joy in me and in others. And what is that but “faith expressing itself through love.” 5/21/2010 Conversations Within ts
Just because I am free to do something, does not mean that I should do it. Someone has said, “Freedom is not the right to do what I want but the power to do as I ought.” I may chose to limit my freedoms for the benefit of another just as I may exercise them for the same reason. Freedom like all other endowments is another means to enjoy God and to be enjoyed by Him. Since I am free to choose any number of activities each day, let me at least choose those things that generate joy in me and in others. And what is that but “faith expressing itself through love.” 5/21/2010 Conversations Within ts
Thursday, May 27, 2010
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Abraham Lincoln
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing…” 1Cor.1 NKJV
It is generally agreed that it is best not to send mixed messages especially when you are under scrutiny. Any group of people, who want to be taken seriously, should at the very least, agree on what they want to be taken seriously about. How is this possible for Christians who are divided into so many different factions? Well at this stage in the game, it may just be that the best thing we can do is talk less and let our actions convey what it means to be followers of Jesus. It is after all what we do not what we say that best conveys what we really say. Words become necessary when our actions solicit questions from those who are watching. 5/21/2010 Conversations Within ts
It is generally agreed that it is best not to send mixed messages especially when you are under scrutiny. Any group of people, who want to be taken seriously, should at the very least, agree on what they want to be taken seriously about. How is this possible for Christians who are divided into so many different factions? Well at this stage in the game, it may just be that the best thing we can do is talk less and let our actions convey what it means to be followers of Jesus. It is after all what we do not what we say that best conveys what we really say. Words become necessary when our actions solicit questions from those who are watching. 5/21/2010 Conversations Within ts
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Abraham Lincoln
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing…” 1Cor.1 NKJV
It is generally agreed that it is best not to send mixed messages especially when you are under scrutiny. Any group of people, who want to be taken seriously, should at the very least, agree on what they want to be taken seriously about. How is this possible for Christians who are divided into so many different factions? Well at this stage in the game, it may just be that the best thing we can do is talk less and let our actions convey what it means to be followers of Jesus. It is after all what we do not what we say that best conveys what we really say. Words become necessary when our actions solicit questions from those who are watching. 5/21/2010 Conversations Within ts
It is generally agreed that it is best not to send mixed messages especially when you are under scrutiny. Any group of people, who want to be taken seriously, should at the very least, agree on what they want to be taken seriously about. How is this possible for Christians who are divided into so many different factions? Well at this stage in the game, it may just be that the best thing we can do is talk less and let our actions convey what it means to be followers of Jesus. It is after all what we do not what we say that best conveys what we really say. Words become necessary when our actions solicit questions from those who are watching. 5/21/2010 Conversations Within ts
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
“ Two are better than one.” Ecclesiastes
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.” Ro.15 NIV
Most of us know what we need to do. We may have even started doing it but, as human nature has it, we somehow slip away from following through. Most of the changes we want to see in ourselves require that we simply stick with the wise choices we made when we were thinking clear. People often look to God for encouragement and help and He sends it. He puts people in our life that have the same problems we have and who share the same tendencies to be inconsistent. He does this because many things that can’t be done alone are easily accomplished when walking with others. A bamboo forest can grow two feet a day and up to a 120 ft. high because under ground each stalk shares interlocking roots. It may be that we will finally follow through what start when we lock roots with our brothers. 5/20/2010 Conversations Within ts
Most of us know what we need to do. We may have even started doing it but, as human nature has it, we somehow slip away from following through. Most of the changes we want to see in ourselves require that we simply stick with the wise choices we made when we were thinking clear. People often look to God for encouragement and help and He sends it. He puts people in our life that have the same problems we have and who share the same tendencies to be inconsistent. He does this because many things that can’t be done alone are easily accomplished when walking with others. A bamboo forest can grow two feet a day and up to a 120 ft. high because under ground each stalk shares interlocking roots. It may be that we will finally follow through what start when we lock roots with our brothers. 5/20/2010 Conversations Within ts
“ Two are better than one.” Ecclesiastes
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.” Ro.15 NIV
Most of us know what we need to do. We may have even started doing it but, as human nature has it, we somehow slip away from following through. Most of the changes we want to see in ourselves require that we simply stick with the wise choices we made when we were thinking clear. People often look to God for encouragement and help and He sends it. He puts people in our life that have the same problems we have and who share the same tendencies to be inconsistent. He does this because many things that can’t be done alone are easily accomplished when walking with others. A bamboo forest can grow two feet a day and up to a 120 ft. high because under ground each stalk shares interlocking roots. It may be that we will finally follow through what start when we lock roots with our brothers. 5/20/2010 Conversations Within ts
Most of us know what we need to do. We may have even started doing it but, as human nature has it, we somehow slip away from following through. Most of the changes we want to see in ourselves require that we simply stick with the wise choices we made when we were thinking clear. People often look to God for encouragement and help and He sends it. He puts people in our life that have the same problems we have and who share the same tendencies to be inconsistent. He does this because many things that can’t be done alone are easily accomplished when walking with others. A bamboo forest can grow two feet a day and up to a 120 ft. high because under ground each stalk shares interlocking roots. It may be that we will finally follow through what start when we lock roots with our brothers. 5/20/2010 Conversations Within ts
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The purity of heaven’s wisdom lies in its singular focus.
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure…” Jam.3 KJV
I am a skilled sinner, savvy in the ways of selfishness. I am experienced in compromise and can figure out a thousand ways to justify what I want to do. Yet, with all my worldly wisdom I cannot conger the simplest delights of joy. Lord, You have ruined all selfish pleasure by letting me taste Heaven’s pure wine, that supreme vintage kept only in the celestial cellars of Christ, served only at the table of Your glory and sipped from the cup of Heaven’s wisdom--that singular focus of living for Your pleasure and finding You to be mine. 5/18/010 Conversations Within ts
I am a skilled sinner, savvy in the ways of selfishness. I am experienced in compromise and can figure out a thousand ways to justify what I want to do. Yet, with all my worldly wisdom I cannot conger the simplest delights of joy. Lord, You have ruined all selfish pleasure by letting me taste Heaven’s pure wine, that supreme vintage kept only in the celestial cellars of Christ, served only at the table of Your glory and sipped from the cup of Heaven’s wisdom--that singular focus of living for Your pleasure and finding You to be mine. 5/18/010 Conversations Within ts
The purity of heaven’s wisdom lies in its singular focus.
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure…” Jam.3 KJV
I am a skilled sinner, savvy in the ways of selfishness. I am experienced in compromise and can figure out a thousand ways to justify what I want to do. Yet, with all my worldly wisdom I cannot conger the simplest delights of joy. Lord, You have ruined all selfish pleasure by letting me taste Heaven’s pure wine, that supreme vintage kept only in the celestial cellars of Christ, served only at the table of Your glory and sipped from the cup of Heaven’s wisdom--that singular focus of living for Your pleasure and finding You to be mine. 5/18/010 Conversations Within ts
I am a skilled sinner, savvy in the ways of selfishness. I am experienced in compromise and can figure out a thousand ways to justify what I want to do. Yet, with all my worldly wisdom I cannot conger the simplest delights of joy. Lord, You have ruined all selfish pleasure by letting me taste Heaven’s pure wine, that supreme vintage kept only in the celestial cellars of Christ, served only at the table of Your glory and sipped from the cup of Heaven’s wisdom--that singular focus of living for Your pleasure and finding You to be mine. 5/18/010 Conversations Within ts
Monday, May 24, 2010
The meaning of life is to enjoy and to be enjoyed.
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him…” Heb.6 NIV
We can be certain that if imperfect people have expressed appreciation for services we’ve done, that our Heavenly Father will do no less. No act of love will go unnoticed by the God of love. He is the spring from which every act of love flows and the field into which every seed of service is sown. All the service we have rendered to each other is a service rendered to Him. God’s character is such that it would be impossible for Him to forget our labors of love. He could no more forget us than a tree could forget to be a tree or water could forget to be wet. There are a number of good reasons to desire God’s appreciation, one is not only to know His value but also our own when we are joined to Him. 5/18/010 Conversations Within ts
We can be certain that if imperfect people have expressed appreciation for services we’ve done, that our Heavenly Father will do no less. No act of love will go unnoticed by the God of love. He is the spring from which every act of love flows and the field into which every seed of service is sown. All the service we have rendered to each other is a service rendered to Him. God’s character is such that it would be impossible for Him to forget our labors of love. He could no more forget us than a tree could forget to be a tree or water could forget to be wet. There are a number of good reasons to desire God’s appreciation, one is not only to know His value but also our own when we are joined to Him. 5/18/010 Conversations Within ts
The meaning of life is to enjoy and to be enjoyed.
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him…” Heb.6 NIV
We can be certain that if imperfect people have expressed appreciation for services we’ve done, that our Heavenly Father will do no less. No act of love will go unnoticed by the God of love. He is the spring from which every act of love flows and the field into which every seed of service is sown. All the service we have rendered to each other is a service rendered to Him. God’s character is such that it would be impossible for Him to forget our labors of love. He could no more forget us than a tree could forget to be a tree or water could forget to be wet. There are a number of good reasons to desire God’s appreciation, one is not only to know His value but also our own when we are joined to Him. 5/18/010 Conversations Within ts
We can be certain that if imperfect people have expressed appreciation for services we’ve done, that our Heavenly Father will do no less. No act of love will go unnoticed by the God of love. He is the spring from which every act of love flows and the field into which every seed of service is sown. All the service we have rendered to each other is a service rendered to Him. God’s character is such that it would be impossible for Him to forget our labors of love. He could no more forget us than a tree could forget to be a tree or water could forget to be wet. There are a number of good reasons to desire God’s appreciation, one is not only to know His value but also our own when we are joined to Him. 5/18/010 Conversations Within ts
Saturday, May 22, 2010
"Child, I am telling you your story, not hers. I tell no one any story but his own." — C.S. Lewis (The Horse and His Boy)
“When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “…what is that to you? You follow me!” John 21 ESV
There is a difference in being my brother’s keeper and acting as a busy body. Knowing when it is time to mind our on business or get involved in the affairs of those we love is a wisdom issue. We do not need to be concerned when to do which if we make it our business to follow the One who is over all business.
If we understand what Jesus said to Peter, it is a mistake to assume that Christ will lead me the same way He has led another, or vice-versa. Guidance is as personal a thing as fingerprints. This means that we should learn to respect even value the different ways people serve the Lord. If anything is abundantly clear, God not only loves variety, it is an integral part of how people and things can function as one. 5/14/010 Conversations Within ts
There is a difference in being my brother’s keeper and acting as a busy body. Knowing when it is time to mind our on business or get involved in the affairs of those we love is a wisdom issue. We do not need to be concerned when to do which if we make it our business to follow the One who is over all business.
If we understand what Jesus said to Peter, it is a mistake to assume that Christ will lead me the same way He has led another, or vice-versa. Guidance is as personal a thing as fingerprints. This means that we should learn to respect even value the different ways people serve the Lord. If anything is abundantly clear, God not only loves variety, it is an integral part of how people and things can function as one. 5/14/010 Conversations Within ts
"Child, I am telling you your story, not hers. I tell no one any story but his own." — C.S. Lewis (The Horse and His Boy)
“When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “…what is that to you? You follow me!” John 21 ESV
There is a difference in being my brother’s keeper and acting as a busy body. Knowing when it is time to mind our on business or get involved in the affairs of those we love is a wisdom issue. We do not need to be concerned when to do which if we make it our business to follow the One who is over all business.
If we understand what Jesus said to Peter, it is a mistake to assume that Christ will lead me the same way He has led another, or vice-versa. Guidance is as personal a thing as fingerprints. This means that we should learn to respect even value the different ways people serve the Lord. If anything is abundantly clear, God not only loves variety, it is an integral part of how people and things can function as one. 5/14/010 Conversations Within ts
There is a difference in being my brother’s keeper and acting as a busy body. Knowing when it is time to mind our on business or get involved in the affairs of those we love is a wisdom issue. We do not need to be concerned when to do which if we make it our business to follow the One who is over all business.
If we understand what Jesus said to Peter, it is a mistake to assume that Christ will lead me the same way He has led another, or vice-versa. Guidance is as personal a thing as fingerprints. This means that we should learn to respect even value the different ways people serve the Lord. If anything is abundantly clear, God not only loves variety, it is an integral part of how people and things can function as one. 5/14/010 Conversations Within ts
Friday, May 21, 2010
"It’s life. You don’t figure it out. You just climb up on the beast and ride." Rebecca Wells
“How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Rom.11 NIV
The child wants an explanation for everything; the adult knows that some things will never be explained, or at least we should. This doesn’t mean that life’s mysteries do not bother us from time to time. When they do, it is usually because some tragedy has struck close to home and trying to understand the why behind the what it is like trying to touch bottom when the water is simply too deep. Being persuaded of God’s goodness serves us during such times. Faith in God’s goodness helps us to have faith in God’s wisdom. Better to swim in the ocean of God’s grace than drown trying figure out the depths of His wisdom. 5/17/010 Conversations Within ts
The child wants an explanation for everything; the adult knows that some things will never be explained, or at least we should. This doesn’t mean that life’s mysteries do not bother us from time to time. When they do, it is usually because some tragedy has struck close to home and trying to understand the why behind the what it is like trying to touch bottom when the water is simply too deep. Being persuaded of God’s goodness serves us during such times. Faith in God’s goodness helps us to have faith in God’s wisdom. Better to swim in the ocean of God’s grace than drown trying figure out the depths of His wisdom. 5/17/010 Conversations Within ts
"It’s life. You don’t figure it out. You just climb up on the beast and ride." Rebecca Wells
“How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Rom.11 NIV
The child wants an explanation for everything; the adult knows that some things will never be explained, or at least we should. This doesn’t mean that life’s mysteries do not bother us from time to time. When they do, it is usually because some tragedy has struck close to home and trying to understand the why behind the what it is like trying to touch bottom when the water is simply too deep. Being persuaded of God’s goodness serves us during such times. Faith in God’s goodness helps us to have faith in God’s wisdom. Better to swim in the ocean of God’s grace than drown trying figure out the depths of His wisdom. 5/17/010 Conversations Within ts
The child wants an explanation for everything; the adult knows that some things will never be explained, or at least we should. This doesn’t mean that life’s mysteries do not bother us from time to time. When they do, it is usually because some tragedy has struck close to home and trying to understand the why behind the what it is like trying to touch bottom when the water is simply too deep. Being persuaded of God’s goodness serves us during such times. Faith in God’s goodness helps us to have faith in God’s wisdom. Better to swim in the ocean of God’s grace than drown trying figure out the depths of His wisdom. 5/17/010 Conversations Within ts
Thursday, May 20, 2010
"May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door" Celtic salutation
“Peace be with you.” John 19 ESV
I can always tell when my children give thought to a greeting card. It is never generic, but wonderfully personal. Now we might think that the salutation, “Peace be with you,” sounds like one of those impersonal archaic greetings. I suppose it could be just that. These were the first words Jesus said to the disciples after the resurrection, and certainly, they express more than a perfunctory greeting. I believe that He chose them to convey everything He came to accomplish for us--peace with God, peace with others, wholeness within. His salutation announces that He has bound together all that was broken and put together all that was fragmented. “Peace be with you.” 5/13/010 Conversations Within ts
I can always tell when my children give thought to a greeting card. It is never generic, but wonderfully personal. Now we might think that the salutation, “Peace be with you,” sounds like one of those impersonal archaic greetings. I suppose it could be just that. These were the first words Jesus said to the disciples after the resurrection, and certainly, they express more than a perfunctory greeting. I believe that He chose them to convey everything He came to accomplish for us--peace with God, peace with others, wholeness within. His salutation announces that He has bound together all that was broken and put together all that was fragmented. “Peace be with you.” 5/13/010 Conversations Within ts
"May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door" Celtic salutation
“Peace be with you.” John 19 ESV
I can always tell when my children give thought to a greeting card. It is never generic, but wonderfully personal. Now we might think that the salutation, “Peace be with you,” sounds like one of those impersonal archaic greetings. I suppose it could be just that. These were the first words Jesus said to the disciples after the resurrection, and certainly, they express more than a perfunctory greeting. I believe that He chose them to convey everything He came to accomplish for us--peace with God, peace with others, wholeness within. His salutation announces that He has bound together all that was broken and put together all that was fragmented. “Peace be with you.” 5/13/010 Conversations Within ts
I can always tell when my children give thought to a greeting card. It is never generic, but wonderfully personal. Now we might think that the salutation, “Peace be with you,” sounds like one of those impersonal archaic greetings. I suppose it could be just that. These were the first words Jesus said to the disciples after the resurrection, and certainly, they express more than a perfunctory greeting. I believe that He chose them to convey everything He came to accomplish for us--peace with God, peace with others, wholeness within. His salutation announces that He has bound together all that was broken and put together all that was fragmented. “Peace be with you.” 5/13/010 Conversations Within ts
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Mark Twain
“Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” John 19 ESV
We say that a person “has their affairs in order” and by it, we mean that they have prepared for matters after they die. I am impressed, not so much that Jesus waited until the last hour of His life to make preparations for the care of his mother but that His Father had already provided the means for Him to do so. When it comes to the care of His children, no detail will escape God’s attention. When we give ourselves to the affairs of God we may be sure that He will to attend to our affairs, at least the ones that matter. If we set our affairs in their proper order today we can rest assured that God will put our affairs in order tomorrow. 5/12/010 Conversations Within ts
We say that a person “has their affairs in order” and by it, we mean that they have prepared for matters after they die. I am impressed, not so much that Jesus waited until the last hour of His life to make preparations for the care of his mother but that His Father had already provided the means for Him to do so. When it comes to the care of His children, no detail will escape God’s attention. When we give ourselves to the affairs of God we may be sure that He will to attend to our affairs, at least the ones that matter. If we set our affairs in their proper order today we can rest assured that God will put our affairs in order tomorrow. 5/12/010 Conversations Within ts
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Mark Twain
“Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” John 19 ESV
We say that a person “has their affairs in order” and by it, we mean that they have prepared for matters after they die. I am impressed, not so much that Jesus waited until the last hour of His life to make preparations for the care of his mother but that His Father had already provided the means for Him to do so. When it comes to the care of His children, no detail will escape God’s attention. When we give ourselves to the affairs of God we may be sure that He will to attend to our affairs, at least the ones that matter. If we set our affairs in their proper order today we can rest assured that God will put our affairs in order tomorrow. 5/12/010 Conversations Within ts
We say that a person “has their affairs in order” and by it, we mean that they have prepared for matters after they die. I am impressed, not so much that Jesus waited until the last hour of His life to make preparations for the care of his mother but that His Father had already provided the means for Him to do so. When it comes to the care of His children, no detail will escape God’s attention. When we give ourselves to the affairs of God we may be sure that He will to attend to our affairs, at least the ones that matter. If we set our affairs in their proper order today we can rest assured that God will put our affairs in order tomorrow. 5/12/010 Conversations Within ts
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
"Give us this day our daily bread" is probably the most perfectly constructed and useful sentence ever set down in the English language. ~P.J. Wingat
“And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” Jo.17 ESV
Jesus is always encouraging His disciples to ask for anything that grows out of His words living in us. It is not surprising then to find that when He camped here, the Lord practiced this Himself. When His appointed hour came, Jesus asked His Father to validate His claims so that He might accomplish the task that grew out of His Father’s words living in Him. He prayed that after His death that He be resurrected and restored to His former glory.
Whenever the words of Christ live in us, whatever we need to express them is but a prayer away. Jesus promised that the Father will give us everything needed not when we ask for anything but for anything that comes from the words of His Son working in us. The promise of Jesus that He will give us whatever we ask in His name may be compared to a personal business account, the sole purpose of which is to provide us what is needed to conduct the company’s business. 5/10/010 Conversations Within ts
Jesus is always encouraging His disciples to ask for anything that grows out of His words living in us. It is not surprising then to find that when He camped here, the Lord practiced this Himself. When His appointed hour came, Jesus asked His Father to validate His claims so that He might accomplish the task that grew out of His Father’s words living in Him. He prayed that after His death that He be resurrected and restored to His former glory.
Whenever the words of Christ live in us, whatever we need to express them is but a prayer away. Jesus promised that the Father will give us everything needed not when we ask for anything but for anything that comes from the words of His Son working in us. The promise of Jesus that He will give us whatever we ask in His name may be compared to a personal business account, the sole purpose of which is to provide us what is needed to conduct the company’s business. 5/10/010 Conversations Within ts
"Give us this day our daily bread" is probably the most perfectly constructed and useful sentence ever set down in the English language. ~P.J. Wingat
“And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” Jo.17 ESV
Jesus is always encouraging His disciples to ask for anything that grows out of His words living in us. It is not surprising then to find that when He camped here, the Lord practiced this Himself. When His appointed hour came, Jesus asked His Father to validate His claims so that He might accomplish the task that grew out of His Father’s words living in Him. He prayed that after His death that He be resurrected and restored to His former glory.
Whenever the words of Christ live in us, whatever we need to express them is but a prayer away. Jesus promised that the Father will give us everything needed not when we ask for anything but for anything that comes from the words of His Son working in us. The promise of Jesus that He will give us whatever we ask in His name may be compared to a personal business account, the sole purpose of which is to provide us what is needed to conduct the company’s business. 5/10/010 Conversations Within ts
Jesus is always encouraging His disciples to ask for anything that grows out of His words living in us. It is not surprising then to find that when He camped here, the Lord practiced this Himself. When His appointed hour came, Jesus asked His Father to validate His claims so that He might accomplish the task that grew out of His Father’s words living in Him. He prayed that after His death that He be resurrected and restored to His former glory.
Whenever the words of Christ live in us, whatever we need to express them is but a prayer away. Jesus promised that the Father will give us everything needed not when we ask for anything but for anything that comes from the words of His Son working in us. The promise of Jesus that He will give us whatever we ask in His name may be compared to a personal business account, the sole purpose of which is to provide us what is needed to conduct the company’s business. 5/10/010 Conversations Within ts
Monday, May 17, 2010
“The weakest link in the chain is also the strongest. It can break the chain.” Stanislaw Jerzy Lec
“Peter said, ‘I am not.’” John 18 ESV
When Peter denied that he was Jesus’ disciple, most would compassionately say that he had a moment of weakness. These moments come to every one of us and only reveal the weaknesses already present in us. This is of course one reason why trials come to us. It is good to find the weakest links in our character, how else will we cooperate with the Spirit when He comes to strengthen us. This is why Paul said that he gloried in his weakness not the weakness itself, but how each weakness encourages us to transfer our trust to His strength. Someone has said that the only real failure is the failure to learn. Every failure then is but an opportunity to discover the weak link, which can be nailed down to trusting our own abilities. It is what we do after we discover them that has the last word. 5/10/010 Conversations Within ts
When Peter denied that he was Jesus’ disciple, most would compassionately say that he had a moment of weakness. These moments come to every one of us and only reveal the weaknesses already present in us. This is of course one reason why trials come to us. It is good to find the weakest links in our character, how else will we cooperate with the Spirit when He comes to strengthen us. This is why Paul said that he gloried in his weakness not the weakness itself, but how each weakness encourages us to transfer our trust to His strength. Someone has said that the only real failure is the failure to learn. Every failure then is but an opportunity to discover the weak link, which can be nailed down to trusting our own abilities. It is what we do after we discover them that has the last word. 5/10/010 Conversations Within ts
“The weakest link in the chain is also the strongest. It can break the chain.” Stanislaw Jerzy Lec
“Peter said, ‘I am not.’” John 18 ESV
When Peter denied that he was Jesus’ disciple, most would compassionately say that he had a moment of weakness. These moments come to every one of us and only reveal the weaknesses already present in us. This is of course one reason why trials come to us. It is good to find the weakest links in our character, how else will we cooperate with the Spirit when He comes to strengthen us. This is why Paul said that he gloried in his weakness not the weakness itself, but how each weakness encourages us to transfer our trust to His strength. Someone has said that the only real failure is the failure to learn. Every failure then is but an opportunity to discover the weak link, which can be nailed down to trusting our own abilities. It is what we do after we discover them that has the last word. 5/10/010 Conversations Within ts
When Peter denied that he was Jesus’ disciple, most would compassionately say that he had a moment of weakness. These moments come to every one of us and only reveal the weaknesses already present in us. This is of course one reason why trials come to us. It is good to find the weakest links in our character, how else will we cooperate with the Spirit when He comes to strengthen us. This is why Paul said that he gloried in his weakness not the weakness itself, but how each weakness encourages us to transfer our trust to His strength. Someone has said that the only real failure is the failure to learn. Every failure then is but an opportunity to discover the weak link, which can be nailed down to trusting our own abilities. It is what we do after we discover them that has the last word. 5/10/010 Conversations Within ts
Friday, May 14, 2010
“There is no neutral ground in the universe...
“There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan” C.S. Lewis
“Neutral men are the devil's allies.” Edwin Hubbel Chapin
“Because you are not of the world…therefore the world hates you.” John 15 ESV
In what sense are Christians not of the world? Christians share a common humanity with those who have not come to faith in Christ. We all have family we love. Both Christian and non-Christian feel deeply, have the capacity to appreciate beauty and want life to have purpose and meaning. But the same is true of soldiers on both sides of any war. The difference isn’t in our shared humanity but in our loyalties. Christians have an allegiance to a King not of this world, to a Kingdom set at odds against the values of this world. We want nothing less than the preeminence of Christ over all things and the overthrow of every evil, this includes of course, His conquest of my own heart. 5/7/010 Conversations Within ts
“Neutral men are the devil's allies.” Edwin Hubbel Chapin
“Because you are not of the world…therefore the world hates you.” John 15 ESV
In what sense are Christians not of the world? Christians share a common humanity with those who have not come to faith in Christ. We all have family we love. Both Christian and non-Christian feel deeply, have the capacity to appreciate beauty and want life to have purpose and meaning. But the same is true of soldiers on both sides of any war. The difference isn’t in our shared humanity but in our loyalties. Christians have an allegiance to a King not of this world, to a Kingdom set at odds against the values of this world. We want nothing less than the preeminence of Christ over all things and the overthrow of every evil, this includes of course, His conquest of my own heart. 5/7/010 Conversations Within ts
“There is no neutral ground in the universe...
“There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan” C.S. Lewis
“Neutral men are the devil's allies.” Edwin Hubbel Chapin
“Because you are not of the world…therefore the world hates you.” John 15 ESV
In what sense are Christians not of the world? Christians share a common humanity with those who have not come to faith in Christ. We all have family we love. Both Christian and non-Christian feel deeply, have the capacity to appreciate beauty and want life to have purpose and meaning. But the same is true of soldiers on both sides of any war. The difference isn’t in our shared humanity but in our loyalties. Christians have an allegiance to a King not of this world, to a Kingdom set at odds against the values of this world. We want nothing less than the preeminence of Christ over all things and the overthrow of every evil, this includes of course, His conquest of my own heart. 5/7/010 Conversations Within ts
“Neutral men are the devil's allies.” Edwin Hubbel Chapin
“Because you are not of the world…therefore the world hates you.” John 15 ESV
In what sense are Christians not of the world? Christians share a common humanity with those who have not come to faith in Christ. We all have family we love. Both Christian and non-Christian feel deeply, have the capacity to appreciate beauty and want life to have purpose and meaning. But the same is true of soldiers on both sides of any war. The difference isn’t in our shared humanity but in our loyalties. Christians have an allegiance to a King not of this world, to a Kingdom set at odds against the values of this world. We want nothing less than the preeminence of Christ over all things and the overthrow of every evil, this includes of course, His conquest of my own heart. 5/7/010 Conversations Within ts
Thursday, May 13, 2010
“Nobody ever did, or ever will, escape the consequences of his choices.” Alfred A. Montapert
“And when he comes, the Spirit will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…” John 16 ESV
God knows we need help. Jesus promised to send it. His Spirit is called the Helper and He serves us in a number of ways. He tells us what is wrong (sin); He tells what is right (righteousness); He helps us understand the consequences of both (judgment). There is one sin that yields all the others and that is the sin of unbelief. There is one righteous act that over flows into all the others and that is faith. The consequences of right and wrong point to a single defining moment for each of us—in faith we either begin life forever with God or in unbelief continue forever without Him. 5/8/010 Conversations Within ts
God knows we need help. Jesus promised to send it. His Spirit is called the Helper and He serves us in a number of ways. He tells us what is wrong (sin); He tells what is right (righteousness); He helps us understand the consequences of both (judgment). There is one sin that yields all the others and that is the sin of unbelief. There is one righteous act that over flows into all the others and that is faith. The consequences of right and wrong point to a single defining moment for each of us—in faith we either begin life forever with God or in unbelief continue forever without Him. 5/8/010 Conversations Within ts
“Nobody ever did, or ever will, escape the consequences of his choices.” Alfred A. Montapert
“And when he comes, the Spirit will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…” John 16 ESV
God knows we need help. Jesus promised to send it. His Spirit is called the Helper and He serves us in a number of ways. He tells us what is wrong (sin); He tells what is right (righteousness); He helps us understand the consequences of both (judgment). There is one sin that yields all the others and that is the sin of unbelief. There is one righteous act that over flows into all the others and that is faith. The consequences of right and wrong point to a single defining moment for each of us—in faith we either begin life forever with God or in unbelief continue forever without Him. 5/8/010 Conversations Within ts
God knows we need help. Jesus promised to send it. His Spirit is called the Helper and He serves us in a number of ways. He tells us what is wrong (sin); He tells what is right (righteousness); He helps us understand the consequences of both (judgment). There is one sin that yields all the others and that is the sin of unbelief. There is one righteous act that over flows into all the others and that is faith. The consequences of right and wrong point to a single defining moment for each of us—in faith we either begin life forever with God or in unbelief continue forever without Him. 5/8/010 Conversations Within ts
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
One cannot look at the child without seeing something of the parent...
One cannot look at the child without seeing something of the parent nor can one look at a Christian without seeing something of Christ.
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14 ESV
“Whoever has seen me has seen Christ.” I used to think boy, how I wish this were true. Even when I say it now, it sounds too much like a tee shirt something. But the truth is that when I invited Christ into my life, He came to live in me just as the Father lives in Him. This means of course that people actually do see Christ in me. The problem is that they still see me in me. And, what people witness when they see a Christian is the presence of Jesus patiently expressing His life in our struggles to be like Him. Some might think that this struggle is a kind of role-playing on our part, and for some it probably is. But real transformation comes to us from the joining of His life with our own. That marriage forms some kind of new creation the conclusion of which means we will look like the Son as the Son looks like His Father. 5/6/010 Conversations Within ts
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14 ESV
“Whoever has seen me has seen Christ.” I used to think boy, how I wish this were true. Even when I say it now, it sounds too much like a tee shirt something. But the truth is that when I invited Christ into my life, He came to live in me just as the Father lives in Him. This means of course that people actually do see Christ in me. The problem is that they still see me in me. And, what people witness when they see a Christian is the presence of Jesus patiently expressing His life in our struggles to be like Him. Some might think that this struggle is a kind of role-playing on our part, and for some it probably is. But real transformation comes to us from the joining of His life with our own. That marriage forms some kind of new creation the conclusion of which means we will look like the Son as the Son looks like His Father. 5/6/010 Conversations Within ts
One cannot look at the child without seeing something of the parent...
One cannot look at the child without seeing something of the parent nor can one look at a Christian without seeing something of Christ.
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14 ESV
“Whoever has seen me has seen Christ.” I used to think boy, how I wish this were true. Even when I say it now, it sounds too much like a tee shirt something. But the truth is that when I invited Christ into my life, He came to live in me just as the Father lives in Him. This means of course that people actually do see Christ in me. The problem is that they still see me in me. And, what people witness when they see a Christian is the presence of Jesus patiently expressing His life in our struggles to be like Him. Some might think that this struggle is a kind of role-playing on our part, and for some it probably is. But real transformation comes to us from the joining of His life with our own. That marriage forms some kind of new creation the conclusion of which means we will look like the Son as the Son looks like His Father. 5/6/010 Conversations Within ts
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14 ESV
“Whoever has seen me has seen Christ.” I used to think boy, how I wish this were true. Even when I say it now, it sounds too much like a tee shirt something. But the truth is that when I invited Christ into my life, He came to live in me just as the Father lives in Him. This means of course that people actually do see Christ in me. The problem is that they still see me in me. And, what people witness when they see a Christian is the presence of Jesus patiently expressing His life in our struggles to be like Him. Some might think that this struggle is a kind of role-playing on our part, and for some it probably is. But real transformation comes to us from the joining of His life with our own. That marriage forms some kind of new creation the conclusion of which means we will look like the Son as the Son looks like His Father. 5/6/010 Conversations Within ts
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
“You can bend it and twist it... You can misuse and abuse it... But even God cannot change the Truth.” Michael Levy
“Truly, truly, I say to you…” Jesus (used 25 times in John’s Gospel)
I sometimes use fillers when I am speaking and most of them add nothing to what I am saying. I frequently will say, “Ok,” or “You know,” before saying what I really want to say. Jesus frequently used the words, “Truly, truly, I say to you,” but I don’t believe this was just a habit of speech. I think this was His way of saying, “Listen up, it will serve you well to embrace what I am about to tell you,” or something like that. Actually, we get our word “Amen,” from the repeated expression, “Truly, truly.” When we say these words it usually means, “I hear you, I am right there with everything you’re saying.” I think the practical point to all this is to remind ourselves of it when we have temptations to the contrary. Every “truly, truly” spoken by Jesus is a truth to free us from the lies we tell ourselves. 5/5/010 Conversations Within ts
I sometimes use fillers when I am speaking and most of them add nothing to what I am saying. I frequently will say, “Ok,” or “You know,” before saying what I really want to say. Jesus frequently used the words, “Truly, truly, I say to you,” but I don’t believe this was just a habit of speech. I think this was His way of saying, “Listen up, it will serve you well to embrace what I am about to tell you,” or something like that. Actually, we get our word “Amen,” from the repeated expression, “Truly, truly.” When we say these words it usually means, “I hear you, I am right there with everything you’re saying.” I think the practical point to all this is to remind ourselves of it when we have temptations to the contrary. Every “truly, truly” spoken by Jesus is a truth to free us from the lies we tell ourselves. 5/5/010 Conversations Within ts
“You can bend it and twist it... You can misuse and abuse it... But even God cannot change the Truth.” Michael Levy
“Truly, truly, I say to you…” Jesus (used 25 times in John’s Gospel)
I sometimes use fillers when I am speaking and most of them add nothing to what I am saying. I frequently will say, “Ok,” or “You know,” before saying what I really want to say. Jesus frequently used the words, “Truly, truly, I say to you,” but I don’t believe this was just a habit of speech. I think this was His way of saying, “Listen up, it will serve you well to embrace what I am about to tell you,” or something like that. Actually, we get our word “Amen,” from the repeated expression, “Truly, truly.” When we say these words it usually means, “I hear you, I am right there with everything you’re saying.” I think the practical point to all this is to remind ourselves of it when we have temptations to the contrary. Every “truly, truly” spoken by Jesus is a truth to free us from the lies we tell ourselves. 5/5/010 Conversations Within ts
I sometimes use fillers when I am speaking and most of them add nothing to what I am saying. I frequently will say, “Ok,” or “You know,” before saying what I really want to say. Jesus frequently used the words, “Truly, truly, I say to you,” but I don’t believe this was just a habit of speech. I think this was His way of saying, “Listen up, it will serve you well to embrace what I am about to tell you,” or something like that. Actually, we get our word “Amen,” from the repeated expression, “Truly, truly.” When we say these words it usually means, “I hear you, I am right there with everything you’re saying.” I think the practical point to all this is to remind ourselves of it when we have temptations to the contrary. Every “truly, truly” spoken by Jesus is a truth to free us from the lies we tell ourselves. 5/5/010 Conversations Within ts
Monday, May 10, 2010
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” Nelson Henderson
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12 ESV
It is said that the trees of a thousand forests live in a single acorn. Of course, the acorn must die before it can yield such incredible fruit. Jesus is certainly the God’s best illustration of this. Each of us is a living seed. We may selfishly consume our precious kernel or sow it in the soil of service. Our greatest potential is powerfully released when we stop living only for ourselves and begin living for benefit of others. 5/3/010 Conversations Within ts
It is said that the trees of a thousand forests live in a single acorn. Of course, the acorn must die before it can yield such incredible fruit. Jesus is certainly the God’s best illustration of this. Each of us is a living seed. We may selfishly consume our precious kernel or sow it in the soil of service. Our greatest potential is powerfully released when we stop living only for ourselves and begin living for benefit of others. 5/3/010 Conversations Within ts
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” Nelson Henderson
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12 ESV
It is said that the trees of a thousand forests live in a single acorn. Of course, the acorn must die before it can yield such incredible fruit. Jesus is certainly the God’s best illustration of this. Each of us is a living seed. We may selfishly consume our precious kernel or sow it in the soil of service. Our greatest potential is powerfully released when we stop living only for ourselves and begin living for benefit of others. 5/3/010 Conversations Within ts
It is said that the trees of a thousand forests live in a single acorn. Of course, the acorn must die before it can yield such incredible fruit. Jesus is certainly the God’s best illustration of this. Each of us is a living seed. We may selfishly consume our precious kernel or sow it in the soil of service. Our greatest potential is powerfully released when we stop living only for ourselves and begin living for benefit of others. 5/3/010 Conversations Within ts
Saturday, May 8, 2010
“There is no medicine like hope,
“There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonics so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.” -O. Swett Marden
“The sisters sent Jesus a message: "Lord, the one you love is sick."” Jo.11
It comforts me to know that sickness does not separate us from God’s love—not in the smallest way. God is with His own in sickness in ways not known to us in health, for some things, like the stars, can only be revealed at night. We never know the full extent of the purposes He has in store for times of ill health but several things are abundantly clear. Cancer cells and snowflakes move only at His direction; nothing separates us from His love; all things work together for our good and His glory is surely our highest good. Even now, I visit a recovering friend. I rejoice that he is getting better, but surely, the child of God is never in a state where we are not getting better. Because of the resurrection, we are always recovering, always moving in the direction of the rising Son. For the Christian even death carries us to God never away from Him. 5/3/010 Conversations Within ts
“The sisters sent Jesus a message: "Lord, the one you love is sick."” Jo.11
It comforts me to know that sickness does not separate us from God’s love—not in the smallest way. God is with His own in sickness in ways not known to us in health, for some things, like the stars, can only be revealed at night. We never know the full extent of the purposes He has in store for times of ill health but several things are abundantly clear. Cancer cells and snowflakes move only at His direction; nothing separates us from His love; all things work together for our good and His glory is surely our highest good. Even now, I visit a recovering friend. I rejoice that he is getting better, but surely, the child of God is never in a state where we are not getting better. Because of the resurrection, we are always recovering, always moving in the direction of the rising Son. For the Christian even death carries us to God never away from Him. 5/3/010 Conversations Within ts
“There is no medicine like hope,
“There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonics so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.” -O. Swett Marden
“The sisters sent Jesus a message: "Lord, the one you love is sick."” Jo.11
It comforts me to know that sickness does not separate us from God’s love—not in the smallest way. God is with His own in sickness in ways not known to us in health, for some things, like the stars, can only be revealed at night. We never know the full extent of the purposes He has in store for times of ill health but several things are abundantly clear. Cancer cells and snowflakes move only at His direction; nothing separates us from His love; all things work together for our good and His glory is surely our highest good. Even now, I visit a recovering friend. I rejoice that he is getting better, but surely, the child of God is never in a state where we are not getting better. Because of the resurrection, we are always recovering, always moving in the direction of the rising Son. For the Christian even death carries us to God never away from Him. 5/3/010 Conversations Within ts
“The sisters sent Jesus a message: "Lord, the one you love is sick."” Jo.11
It comforts me to know that sickness does not separate us from God’s love—not in the smallest way. God is with His own in sickness in ways not known to us in health, for some things, like the stars, can only be revealed at night. We never know the full extent of the purposes He has in store for times of ill health but several things are abundantly clear. Cancer cells and snowflakes move only at His direction; nothing separates us from His love; all things work together for our good and His glory is surely our highest good. Even now, I visit a recovering friend. I rejoice that he is getting better, but surely, the child of God is never in a state where we are not getting better. Because of the resurrection, we are always recovering, always moving in the direction of the rising Son. For the Christian even death carries us to God never away from Him. 5/3/010 Conversations Within ts
Friday, May 7, 2010
”It is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.” Henry Ward Beecher
”I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jo.10 ESV
There are a thousand ways to serve, all of them ask some kind of sacrifice from us but not always as we might expect. I say this because some things are sacrificed after the fact not before. One young lady became paralyzed for life after an accident on a mission trip. God did not tell her ahead of time just how much this service to Him was going to cost her. It does little good to ask if she would have made the trip if she knew it would cost so much. Soldiers understand that everything is offered or nothing is offered when you join an army in service to its king. The soldiers of His Kingdom certainly understand no less is required of them. For some, God receives their sacrifice all at once, for others He accepts it one act at a time. The Lord may not be able, at least in the in present state, to show us the value of our sacrifices but the war will not go on forever. The day approaches where every sacrifice will find its reward as every seed its harvest. 5/2/010 Conversations Within ts
There are a thousand ways to serve, all of them ask some kind of sacrifice from us but not always as we might expect. I say this because some things are sacrificed after the fact not before. One young lady became paralyzed for life after an accident on a mission trip. God did not tell her ahead of time just how much this service to Him was going to cost her. It does little good to ask if she would have made the trip if she knew it would cost so much. Soldiers understand that everything is offered or nothing is offered when you join an army in service to its king. The soldiers of His Kingdom certainly understand no less is required of them. For some, God receives their sacrifice all at once, for others He accepts it one act at a time. The Lord may not be able, at least in the in present state, to show us the value of our sacrifices but the war will not go on forever. The day approaches where every sacrifice will find its reward as every seed its harvest. 5/2/010 Conversations Within ts
”It is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.” Henry Ward Beecher
”I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jo.10 ESV
There are a thousand ways to serve, all of them ask some kind of sacrifice from us but not always as we might expect. I say this because some things are sacrificed after the fact not before. One young lady became paralyzed for life after an accident on a mission trip. God did not tell her ahead of time just how much this service to Him was going to cost her. It does little good to ask if she would have made the trip if she knew it would cost so much. Soldiers understand that everything is offered or nothing is offered when you join an army in service to its king. The soldiers of His Kingdom certainly understand no less is required of them. For some, God receives their sacrifice all at once, for others He accepts it one act at a time. The Lord may not be able, at least in the in present state, to show us the value of our sacrifices but the war will not go on forever. The day approaches where every sacrifice will find its reward as every seed its harvest. 5/2/010 Conversations Within ts
There are a thousand ways to serve, all of them ask some kind of sacrifice from us but not always as we might expect. I say this because some things are sacrificed after the fact not before. One young lady became paralyzed for life after an accident on a mission trip. God did not tell her ahead of time just how much this service to Him was going to cost her. It does little good to ask if she would have made the trip if she knew it would cost so much. Soldiers understand that everything is offered or nothing is offered when you join an army in service to its king. The soldiers of His Kingdom certainly understand no less is required of them. For some, God receives their sacrifice all at once, for others He accepts it one act at a time. The Lord may not be able, at least in the in present state, to show us the value of our sacrifices but the war will not go on forever. The day approaches where every sacrifice will find its reward as every seed its harvest. 5/2/010 Conversations Within ts
Thursday, May 6, 2010
“No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means”. --George Bernard Shaw
"Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind.” Jo.9 ESV
The religious leaders of Christ’s day had such faith in their understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures that they refused to believe that Jesus was from God even after He healed a man born blind. The problem wasn’t with their faith in the Scriptures but the faith in the understanding that they had of them. These experts in the law were so proud they refused to consider that the uneducated former blind man might actually teach them something. I think we all could use a healthy dose of skepticism about our personal understanding of the Bible. The trick is to doubt our understandings of the Bible without doubting the Bible itself. I think this more than any other thing should persuade us to seek more in our relationship with God than just our doctrinal summaries of Scripture. The Holy Spirit offers us a dynamic relationship with the risen Christ. 4/30/2010 Conversations Within ts
The religious leaders of Christ’s day had such faith in their understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures that they refused to believe that Jesus was from God even after He healed a man born blind. The problem wasn’t with their faith in the Scriptures but the faith in the understanding that they had of them. These experts in the law were so proud they refused to consider that the uneducated former blind man might actually teach them something. I think we all could use a healthy dose of skepticism about our personal understanding of the Bible. The trick is to doubt our understandings of the Bible without doubting the Bible itself. I think this more than any other thing should persuade us to seek more in our relationship with God than just our doctrinal summaries of Scripture. The Holy Spirit offers us a dynamic relationship with the risen Christ. 4/30/2010 Conversations Within ts
“No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means”. --George Bernard Shaw
"Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind.” Jo.9 ESV
The religious leaders of Christ’s day had such faith in their understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures that they refused to believe that Jesus was from God even after He healed a man born blind. The problem wasn’t with their faith in the Scriptures but the faith in the understanding that they had of them. These experts in the law were so proud they refused to consider that the uneducated former blind man might actually teach them something. I think we all could use a healthy dose of skepticism about our personal understanding of the Bible. The trick is to doubt our understandings of the Bible without doubting the Bible itself. I think this more than any other thing should persuade us to seek more in our relationship with God than just our doctrinal summaries of Scripture. The Holy Spirit offers us a dynamic relationship with the risen Christ. 4/30/2010 Conversations Within ts
The religious leaders of Christ’s day had such faith in their understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures that they refused to believe that Jesus was from God even after He healed a man born blind. The problem wasn’t with their faith in the Scriptures but the faith in the understanding that they had of them. These experts in the law were so proud they refused to consider that the uneducated former blind man might actually teach them something. I think we all could use a healthy dose of skepticism about our personal understanding of the Bible. The trick is to doubt our understandings of the Bible without doubting the Bible itself. I think this more than any other thing should persuade us to seek more in our relationship with God than just our doctrinal summaries of Scripture. The Holy Spirit offers us a dynamic relationship with the risen Christ. 4/30/2010 Conversations Within ts
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
“The years teach much which the days never knew.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.”
Age carries some unique graces. Beyond just having more experience, the bumps and bruises of life tend to soften the rigidity of our response toward failure in others. When Jesus told the accusing crowd, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone,” it was the older ones who understandably walked away first. Compassion is often born in us from personal failures and nurtured by the mercies we’ve received. I once saw a cartoon that depicted a huge stone falling from heaven crushing the woman just as Jesus uttered the words, “Let him who is without sin” Jesus then replied, “Father I’m trying to make a point here.” I thought it quite funny but it makes a striking point if you can overlook the pun. God’s compassion does not rise from any personal failure but from His absolute unstained goodness and for that He is to be uniquely praised. 4/27/2010 Conversations Within ts
Age carries some unique graces. Beyond just having more experience, the bumps and bruises of life tend to soften the rigidity of our response toward failure in others. When Jesus told the accusing crowd, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone,” it was the older ones who understandably walked away first. Compassion is often born in us from personal failures and nurtured by the mercies we’ve received. I once saw a cartoon that depicted a huge stone falling from heaven crushing the woman just as Jesus uttered the words, “Let him who is without sin” Jesus then replied, “Father I’m trying to make a point here.” I thought it quite funny but it makes a striking point if you can overlook the pun. God’s compassion does not rise from any personal failure but from His absolute unstained goodness and for that He is to be uniquely praised. 4/27/2010 Conversations Within ts
“The years teach much which the days never knew.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.”
Age carries some unique graces. Beyond just having more experience, the bumps and bruises of life tend to soften the rigidity of our response toward failure in others. When Jesus told the accusing crowd, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone,” it was the older ones who understandably walked away first. Compassion is often born in us from personal failures and nurtured by the mercies we’ve received. I once saw a cartoon that depicted a huge stone falling from heaven crushing the woman just as Jesus uttered the words, “Let him who is without sin” Jesus then replied, “Father I’m trying to make a point here.” I thought it quite funny but it makes a striking point if you can overlook the pun. God’s compassion does not rise from any personal failure but from His absolute unstained goodness and for that He is to be uniquely praised. 4/27/2010 Conversations Within ts
Age carries some unique graces. Beyond just having more experience, the bumps and bruises of life tend to soften the rigidity of our response toward failure in others. When Jesus told the accusing crowd, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone,” it was the older ones who understandably walked away first. Compassion is often born in us from personal failures and nurtured by the mercies we’ve received. I once saw a cartoon that depicted a huge stone falling from heaven crushing the woman just as Jesus uttered the words, “Let him who is without sin” Jesus then replied, “Father I’m trying to make a point here.” I thought it quite funny but it makes a striking point if you can overlook the pun. God’s compassion does not rise from any personal failure but from His absolute unstained goodness and for that He is to be uniquely praised. 4/27/2010 Conversations Within ts
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
“It is not willingness to know, but willingness to do (obey) God's will that brings certainty.” Eric Liddell
“Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?” Jo.7 ESV
The religious leaders of Christ’s day serve as a sober warning that people can know the Bible but not know God. It is one thing to know about God and entirely another to know Him. And, while Christians are encouraged to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly not poorly, the abundance of His word in us is not measured by how much we know but how much we live by what we know. Some are said to be ever learning but never coming to knowledge of the truth. Others are said to have a zeal for God but lack knowledge. Knowledge is valuable when it serves our love of God not our love of knowledge. 4/27/2010 Conversations Within ts
The religious leaders of Christ’s day serve as a sober warning that people can know the Bible but not know God. It is one thing to know about God and entirely another to know Him. And, while Christians are encouraged to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly not poorly, the abundance of His word in us is not measured by how much we know but how much we live by what we know. Some are said to be ever learning but never coming to knowledge of the truth. Others are said to have a zeal for God but lack knowledge. Knowledge is valuable when it serves our love of God not our love of knowledge. 4/27/2010 Conversations Within ts
“It is not willingness to know, but willingness to do (obey) God's will that brings certainty.” Eric Liddell
“Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?” Jo.7 ESV
The religious leaders of Christ’s day serve as a sober warning that people can know the Bible but not know God. It is one thing to know about God and entirely another to know Him. And, while Christians are encouraged to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly not poorly, the abundance of His word in us is not measured by how much we know but how much we live by what we know. Some are said to be ever learning but never coming to knowledge of the truth. Others are said to have a zeal for God but lack knowledge. Knowledge is valuable when it serves our love of God not our love of knowledge. 4/27/2010 Conversations Within ts
The religious leaders of Christ’s day serve as a sober warning that people can know the Bible but not know God. It is one thing to know about God and entirely another to know Him. And, while Christians are encouraged to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly not poorly, the abundance of His word in us is not measured by how much we know but how much we live by what we know. Some are said to be ever learning but never coming to knowledge of the truth. Others are said to have a zeal for God but lack knowledge. Knowledge is valuable when it serves our love of God not our love of knowledge. 4/27/2010 Conversations Within ts
Monday, May 3, 2010
“One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don't mean….” Curley (City Slickers the movie)
“Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” Jo.6 ESV
For the Christians there is one thing and one thing only that is needed in any and every circumstance and that is to listen to the Spirit of Christ then look to Him for strength to do as He leads. What He instructs us to do in each circumstance may be different but the initial action, the one thing that is needed, is always the same, listen and lean on His understanding. Jesus called this abiding in Him. Paul called it walking by the Spirit. Peter referred to it as being holy. The funny thing is that this is precisely the one thing needed if you wonder how to hear the Spirit speaking to you. Listen to what Jesus said, “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will and it shall be done for you.” 4/27/2010 Conversations Within ts
For the Christians there is one thing and one thing only that is needed in any and every circumstance and that is to listen to the Spirit of Christ then look to Him for strength to do as He leads. What He instructs us to do in each circumstance may be different but the initial action, the one thing that is needed, is always the same, listen and lean on His understanding. Jesus called this abiding in Him. Paul called it walking by the Spirit. Peter referred to it as being holy. The funny thing is that this is precisely the one thing needed if you wonder how to hear the Spirit speaking to you. Listen to what Jesus said, “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will and it shall be done for you.” 4/27/2010 Conversations Within ts
“One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don't mean….” Curley (City Slickers the movie)
“Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” Jo.6 ESV
For the Christians there is one thing and one thing only that is needed in any and every circumstance and that is to listen to the Spirit of Christ then look to Him for strength to do as He leads. What He instructs us to do in each circumstance may be different but the initial action, the one thing that is needed, is always the same, listen and lean on His understanding. Jesus called this abiding in Him. Paul called it walking by the Spirit. Peter referred to it as being holy. The funny thing is that this is precisely the one thing needed if you wonder how to hear the Spirit speaking to you. Listen to what Jesus said, “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will and it shall be done for you.” 4/27/2010 Conversations Within ts
For the Christians there is one thing and one thing only that is needed in any and every circumstance and that is to listen to the Spirit of Christ then look to Him for strength to do as He leads. What He instructs us to do in each circumstance may be different but the initial action, the one thing that is needed, is always the same, listen and lean on His understanding. Jesus called this abiding in Him. Paul called it walking by the Spirit. Peter referred to it as being holy. The funny thing is that this is precisely the one thing needed if you wonder how to hear the Spirit speaking to you. Listen to what Jesus said, “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will and it shall be done for you.” 4/27/2010 Conversations Within ts
Saturday, May 1, 2010
What would it be to taste at the fountain-head that stream of which even these lower reaches prove so intoxicating? C. S. Lewis
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.” Jo.5 ESV
Just about everyone believes in life after death. Christians are not the only people who hope that there is more to life than just this life. The Judeo-Christian Scriptures tell us that God has set eternity in hearts of men. For me life is so precious, so delicious I want it to go on forever. For some, life is so very bad they hunger for a better one after they pass. People ultimately decide not only why they believe they will continue after death, but also why they hope it will be a better one. Since we will spend the greater part of our life after this one, it seems expedient to me to give considerable thought not only to the journey but also to the destination. But it is exactly the quality of my interactions on this Christian journey why I hope for greater goodness in my final destination. Only a Christian Heaven could taste better than the fair I eat each day. 4/26/2010 Conversations Within ts
Just about everyone believes in life after death. Christians are not the only people who hope that there is more to life than just this life. The Judeo-Christian Scriptures tell us that God has set eternity in hearts of men. For me life is so precious, so delicious I want it to go on forever. For some, life is so very bad they hunger for a better one after they pass. People ultimately decide not only why they believe they will continue after death, but also why they hope it will be a better one. Since we will spend the greater part of our life after this one, it seems expedient to me to give considerable thought not only to the journey but also to the destination. But it is exactly the quality of my interactions on this Christian journey why I hope for greater goodness in my final destination. Only a Christian Heaven could taste better than the fair I eat each day. 4/26/2010 Conversations Within ts
What would it be to taste at the fountain-head that stream of which even these lower reaches prove so intoxicating? C. S. Lewis
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.” Jo.5 ESV
Just about everyone believes in life after death. Christians are not the only people who hope that there is more to life than just this life. The Judeo-Christian Scriptures tell us that God has set eternity in hearts of men. For me life is so precious, so delicious I want it to go on forever. For some, life is so very bad they hunger for a better one after they pass. People ultimately decide not only why they believe they will continue after death, but also why they hope it will be a better one. Since we will spend the greater part of our life after this one, it seems expedient to me to give considerable thought not only to the journey but also to the destination. But it is exactly the quality of my interactions on this Christian journey why I hope for greater goodness in my final destination. Only a Christian Heaven could taste better than the fair I eat each day. 4/26/2010 Conversations Within ts
Just about everyone believes in life after death. Christians are not the only people who hope that there is more to life than just this life. The Judeo-Christian Scriptures tell us that God has set eternity in hearts of men. For me life is so precious, so delicious I want it to go on forever. For some, life is so very bad they hunger for a better one after they pass. People ultimately decide not only why they believe they will continue after death, but also why they hope it will be a better one. Since we will spend the greater part of our life after this one, it seems expedient to me to give considerable thought not only to the journey but also to the destination. But it is exactly the quality of my interactions on this Christian journey why I hope for greater goodness in my final destination. Only a Christian Heaven could taste better than the fair I eat each day. 4/26/2010 Conversations Within ts
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