“I have decided I no longer want to be an adult. So, if anyone needs me, I'll be in my blanket fort...coloring.”

“Unless you become like little children…” Jesus

Be the child but never childish. Celebrate innocence. Be adventurous but also accept that you do not need to know everything about everything. Believe the best without being naive or foolish. Hope in the future God has promised but live in the present moment. Lay hold of the joy of working with your hands; the wonder of discovery, and by all means do not forget to play. Conversations Within” ts 11/24/2014

“I have decided I no longer want to be an adult. So, if anyone needs me, I'll be in my blanket fort...coloring.”

“Unless you become like little children…” Jesus

Be the child but never childish. Celebrate innocence. Be adventurous but also accept that you do not need to know everything about everything. Believe the best without being naive or foolish. Hope in the future God has promised but live in the present moment. Lay hold of the joy of working with your hands; the wonder of discovery, and by all means do not forget to play. Conversations Within” ts 11/24/2014

“We all need a gratitude adjustment from time to time.” Unknown

“Be joyful always; pray continually; in everything give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

How delightful that God wants His children to always be joyful. His instructions to make this so is for us to nurture a habit of giving thanks in all circumstances. We should take special notice that it does not say give thanks “for” everything, but “in” everything. Everything that happens to us is not necessarily good, but God is able to work good out of everything that happens to us. Nothing will remind us of this better than giving Him thanks. Conversations Within” ts 11/22/2014

“We all need a gratitude adjustment from time to time.” Unknown

“Be joyful always; pray continually; in everything give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

How delightful that God wants His children to always be joyful. His instructions to make this so is for us to nurture a habit of giving thanks in all circumstances. We should take special notice that it does not say give thanks “for” everything, but “in” everything. Everything that happens to us is not necessarily good, but God is able to work good out of everything that happens to us. Nothing will remind us of this better than giving Him thanks. Conversations Within” ts 11/22/2014

”If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” Meister Eckhart

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving.” Ps.100

There have been a number of occasions when I asked for something only to realize that God had already provided it. Truthfully, I could just as easily thank Him instead of asking Him. Most of the time He has given before I have asked anyway. It doesn't hurt, and surely it will help our faith if we practice giving HIm thanks before He actually answers. There are few things like gratitude that will express and strengthen faith in a single breath. Conversations Within” ts 11/21/2014

”If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” Meister Eckhart

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving.” Ps.100

There have been a number of occasions when I asked for something only to realize that God had already provided it. Truthfully, I could just as easily thank Him instead of asking Him. Most of the time He has given before I have asked anyway. It doesn't hurt, and surely it will help our faith if we practice giving HIm thanks before He actually answers. There are few things like gratitude that will express and strengthen faith in a single breath. Conversations Within” ts 11/21/2014

Discovery: If you eat all the healthy food that you are supposed to eat in a day, you will be too full to eat all the junk food you shouldn’t eat.

“My cup runneth over.” Ps.23

Be proactive in your thanksgiving and you will put to death every inclination to complain. One cannot express discontent and gratitude at the same time. Fill your heart with the sweetness of grateful praise and there will be no room left for bitter complaint. Conversations Within” ts 11/20/2014

Discovery: If you eat all the healthy food that you are supposed to eat in a day, you will be too full to eat all the junk food you shouldn’t eat.

“My cup runneth over.” Ps.23

Be proactive in your thanksgiving and you will put to death every inclination to complain. One cannot express discontent and gratitude at the same time. Fill your heart with the sweetness of grateful praise and there will be no room left for bitter complaint. Conversations Within” ts 11/20/2014

"The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities." - Stephen Covey

“I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving.” Ps.116

Spontaneous gratitude after someone has done you a good turn is a beautiful thing, but probably not as meaningful when someone goes the extra mile to show you how much they appreciate you. If you appreciate the people in your life, go out of your way to let them know you do. Doing the unexpected is the special ingredient to give special thanks to special people. By the way, have you done anything special lately for God? Conversations Within” ts 11/19/2014

"The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities." - Stephen Covey

“I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving.” Ps.116

Spontaneous gratitude after someone has done you a good turn is a beautiful thing, but probably not as meaningful when someone goes the extra mile to show you how much they appreciate you. If you appreciate the people in your life, go out of your way to let them know you do. Doing the unexpected is the special ingredient to give special thanks to special people. By the way, have you done anything special lately for God? Conversations Within” ts 11/19/2014

“Dig the well before you are thirsty.” Chinese Proverb

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends.” Jesus

Faith is a deliberate thing. When one interacts with God, especially when we give Him thanks, we become partners in the project of life. And, because God desires partners not pawns, we do not sit around and wait for goodness, we join HIm in creating it. Generosity is the child of the heart that is gratefully His.  Conversations Within” ts 11/19/2014

“Dig the well before you are thirsty.” Chinese Proverb

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends.” Jesus

Faith is a deliberate thing. When one interacts with God, especially when we give Him thanks, we become partners in the project of life. And, because God desires partners not pawns, we do not sit around and wait for goodness, we join HIm in creating it. Generosity is the child of the heart that is gratefully His.  Conversations Within” ts 11/19/2014

All one needs to do to stifle gratitude is nothing.

“I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles…” Prov.24

Thanksgiving is a proactive activity. In other words, all one has to do in order to be ungrateful is nothing. The garden of gratitude is easily overrun with the weeds of indifference. Gardens require effort and tender care; a grateful heart requires no less. Thanksgiving is something you do on purpose. Conversations Within” ts 11/18/2014

All one needs to do to stifle gratitude is nothing.

“I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles…” Prov.24

Thanksgiving is a proactive activity. In other words, all one has to do in order to be ungrateful is nothing. The garden of gratitude is easily overrun with the weeds of indifference. Gardens require effort and tender care; a grateful heart requires no less. Thanksgiving is something you do on purpose. Conversations Within” ts 11/18/2014

"I think the fall in Eden was ultimately a failure to give thanks." - Ann Voskamp

“You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor." Exodus 20

I think that to be truly grateful for the blessings we have is the surest way to deal with our inclination to covet what we do not have. Would I covet my neighbor’s house or spouse if I am really satisfied with my own?  Would we trade anything for those blessings which have captured our hearts?  Graze in the grass on your own hill. Blessed are those who know they are blessed.  Conversations Within” ts 11/12/2014

"I think the fall in Eden was ultimately a failure to give thanks." - Ann Voskamp

“You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor." Exodus 20

I think that to be truly grateful for the blessings we have is the surest way to deal with our inclination to covet what we do not have. Would I covet my neighbor’s house or spouse if I am really satisfied with my own?  Would we trade anything for those blessings which have captured our hearts?  Graze in the grass on your own hill. Blessed are those who know they are blessed.  Conversations Within” ts 11/12/2014

“Prayer is the most important conversation of the day.” Unknown

“God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” Jesus

God is a Spirit, so it makes sense that to know Him must be a spiritual experience. This is why He spends more time working to bless our character rather than our circumstances. He is not against our physical existence, indeed He will meet us there but only in-so-far as to waken the soul. What we are is ultimately that spiritual person inside, not the shell which houses it.   Conversations Within” ts 11/11/2014

“Prayer is the most important conversation of the day.” Unknown

“God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” Jesus

God is a Spirit, so it makes sense that to know Him must be a spiritual experience. This is why He spends more time working to bless our character rather than our circumstances. He is not against our physical existence, indeed He will meet us there but only in-so-far as to waken the soul. What we are is ultimately that spiritual person inside, not the shell which houses it.   Conversations Within” ts 11/11/2014

“If you are born once, you will die twice. If you are born twice, you will die once.” Unknown

“You must be born again.” Jesus

One must be born in order to live in this world and born again to live in the next. Life is so much more than physical existence, we are not the body with a soul but a soul which happens to have a body. We should care for the body because it houses the soul, but we must attend to the soul if we are to live that which is life indeed.  What our soul needs most, according to Jesus, is to experience a rebirth, one that directs us away from a mere earthly and temporal focus toward one which is heavenly and eternal.   Conversations Within” ts 11/11/2014

“If you are born once, you will die twice. If you are born twice, you will die once.” Unknown

“You must be born again.” Jesus

One must be born in order to live in this world and born again to live in the next. Life is so much more than physical existence, we are not the body with a soul but a soul which happens to have a body. We should care for the body because it houses the soul, but we must attend to the soul if we are to live that which is life indeed.  What our soul needs most, according to Jesus, is to experience a rebirth, one that directs us away from a mere earthly and temporal focus toward one which is heavenly and eternal.   Conversations Within” ts 11/11/2014

We care about things like reputation or possessions; God cares about our character.

“People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1Sam.16

We have within us the power to look at every provocation of circumstance or people as an exercise to develop our spiritual muscles. All of life affords us the opportunity to nurture the only part of us that will survive death. We spend so much time catering to our physical life all the while neglecting our true self. Am I the glove or the hand in the glove? The physical is passing away, the spiritual is forever. Conversations Within” ts 11/10/2014

We care about things like reputation or possessions; God cares about our character.

“People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1Sam.16

We have within us the power to look at every provocation of circumstance or people as an exercise to develop our spiritual muscles. All of life affords us the opportunity to nurture the only part of us that will survive death. We spend so much time catering to our physical life all the while neglecting our true self. Am I the glove or the hand in the glove? The physical is passing away, the spiritual is forever. Conversations Within” ts 11/10/2014

God is a gardener, and His crop is character.

“My Father is the gardener.” Jesus

God does more than look at the heart of His children, He works in it like a garden. His intent is to grow character in us, Christ’s character. Some of His gardening practices seem violent but one must break up the soil if it is to receive the seed. Even when the vines begin to grow, a good gardener prunes away unfruitful branches. These actions which seem harsh are in fact one of the greatest expressions of His tender affections.  Conversations Within” ts 11/9/2014

God is a gardener, and His crop is character.

“My Father is the gardener.” Jesus

God does more than look at the heart of His children, He works in it like a garden. His intent is to grow character in us, Christ’s character. Some of His gardening practices seem violent but one must break up the soil if it is to receive the seed. Even when the vines begin to grow, a good gardener prunes away unfruitful branches. These actions which seem harsh are in fact one of the greatest expressions of His tender affections.  Conversations Within” ts 11/9/2014

“The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.” Jack Sparrow

“In your patience possess your soul.” Jesus

We are so focused on the world around us that we neglect the important matters in us. We want stuff, we need character. We want our way, but what we need is patience. It would be nice if our partner always agreed with us, but what we need more is to learn to see someone else's point of view. Conversations Within” ts 11/8/2014

“The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.” Jack Sparrow

“In your patience possess your soul.” Jesus

We are so focused on the world around us that we neglect the important matters in us. We want stuff, we need character. We want our way, but what we need is patience. It would be nice if our partner always agreed with us, but what we need more is to learn to see someone else's point of view. Conversations Within” ts 11/8/2014

“Less is the new more.” Unknown

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.” Phil.4

The Christian goal is not to be poor for the sake of being poor, but to be content and responsible with what God has provided. If He has blessed us with abundance, then we should remember that  “to whom much is given much is required.” And if God has given us little, we should be happy with what we have and simply give out of our poverty.  Whatever our lot, the goal is to be rich with contentment and overflowing with generosity.  Conversations Within” ts 11/7/2014

“Less is the new more.” Unknown

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.” Phil.4

The Christian goal is not to be poor for the sake of being poor, but to be content and responsible with what God has provided. If He has blessed us with abundance, then we should remember that  “to whom much is given much is required.” And if God has given us little, we should be happy with what we have and simply give out of our poverty.  Whatever our lot, the goal is to be rich with contentment and overflowing with generosity.  Conversations Within” ts 11/7/2014

“Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within.” Eckhart Tolle

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace patience…” Gal.5

Everything of lasting value, love, joy, peace and patience, all rise from within us not from our circumstances. This truth alone highlights the great value of nurturing our inner life. This is why God puts a greater emphasis on what happens in us than around us. Of course, He often uses pressures without to stimulate trust within. Conversations Within” ts 11/6/2014

“Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within.” Eckhart Tolle

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace patience…” Gal.5

Everything of lasting value, love, joy, peace and patience, all rise from within us not from our circumstances. This truth alone highlights the great value of nurturing our inner life. This is why God puts a greater emphasis on what happens in us than around us. Of course, He often uses pressures without to stimulate trust within. Conversations Within” ts 11/6/2014

Don’t let your peace of mind declare war on everything else.

“Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” Ja. 4

If I choose personal peace over and against peace with others I may find myself at war with God. Just because I am comfortable with my life does not mean my life is at peace with God. I covet a laid back attitude, but not at the expense of the true peace that comes from doing the right thing and treating people the right way.  Conversations Within” ts 11/5/2014

Don’t let your peace of mind declare war on everything else.

“Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” Ja. 4

If I choose personal peace over and against peace with others I may find myself at war with God. Just because I am comfortable with my life does not mean my life is at peace with God. I covet a laid back attitude, but not at the expense of the true peace that comes from doing the right thing and treating people the right way.  Conversations Within” ts 11/5/2014

“People say "I want peace." If you remove I (ego), and your want (desire), you are left with peace.” Satya Sai Baba

“I have learned the secret of contentment.” Phil.4

What is the secret of contentment? The Apostle spells it out for us: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Of course, to draw on the strength of Christ is first to stop leaning on your own. Certainly, a part of doing that is to pray His prayer, “Not my will, but your will be done,” and to sincerely reconcile our hearts to it. Conversations Within” ts 11/4/2014

“People say "I want peace." If you remove I (ego), and your want (desire), you are left with peace.” Satya Sai Baba

“I have learned the secret of contentment.” Phil.4

What is the secret of contentment? The Apostle spells it out for us: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Of course, to draw on the strength of Christ is first to stop leaning on your own. Certainly, a part of doing that is to pray His prayer, “Not my will, but your will be done,” and to sincerely reconcile our hearts to it. Conversations Within” ts 11/4/2014

“Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.” Robert J. Sawyer

“Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul…” Ps.131

It is a valuable skill to be able to shut out distractions around you, better yet, to ignore the distractions rising within you. It is often an inner voice that tells us the greatest lies or lures us off the path of peace. Learn how to ignore your own bad advice, however it comes.  Conversations Within” ts 11/3/2014

“Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.” Robert J. Sawyer

“Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul…” Ps.131

It is a valuable skill to be able to shut out distractions around you, better yet, to ignore the distractions rising within you. It is often an inner voice that tells us the greatest lies or lures us off the path of peace. Learn how to ignore your own bad advice, however it comes.  Conversations Within” ts 11/3/2014

“Come on inner peace! I don't have all day!” Sachin Garg

“You will keep perfectly peaceful the one whose mind remains focused on You.” Is.26

It should come as no surprise that we can go from being confident to having doubts, or from intense worry to inner peace, and all in the span of a few minutes. It takes less time than that to shift our focus and without a doubt our feelings always follow our focus. We must learn to interrupt bad feelings when a particular focus is feeding them and redirect our attention on to promises that bring peace. Conversations Within” ts 11/2/2014

“Come on inner peace! I don't have all day!” Sachin Garg

“You will keep perfectly peaceful the one whose mind remains focused on You.” Is.26

It should come as no surprise that we can go from being confident to having doubts, or from intense worry to inner peace, and all in the span of a few minutes. It takes less time than that to shift our focus and without a doubt our feelings always follow our focus. We must learn to interrupt bad feelings when a particular focus is feeding them and redirect our attention on to promises that bring peace. Conversations Within” ts 11/2/2014

“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us...We are far too easily pleased.” C. S. Lewis

"A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud." 2Pet.2

Only a fool would trade peace for anxiety, or love for hate, or a grateful heart for a bitter one. I guess I have been such a fool. Most of the time when people trade something of value for something worthless it is because we follow our base instinct to be selfish. This is one of the reasons Jesus tells us we must be “born again.” When He comes into our lives He brings with Him a new instinct. Conversations Within” ts 11/1/2014

“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us...We are far too easily pleased.” C. S. Lewis

"A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud." 2Pet.2

Only a fool would trade peace for anxiety, or love for hate, or a grateful heart for a bitter one. I guess I have been such a fool. Most of the time when people trade something of value for something worthless it is because we follow our base instinct to be selfish. This is one of the reasons Jesus tells us we must be “born again.” When He comes into our lives He brings with Him a new instinct. Conversations Within” ts 11/1/2014

"Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither." - C. S. Lewis

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” Jesus

Some regard life as a trade off--you gain one thing only to lose another. Jesus tells it somewhat differently. He did not tell us to lose our life just for the sake of losing it. He promises that by losing it, we gain it and more. It should not surprise us that the Author of Creation puts it this way, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Conversations Within” ts 10/31/2014

"Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither." - C. S. Lewis

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” Jesus

Some regard life as a trade off--you gain one thing only to lose another. Jesus tells it somewhat differently. He did not tell us to lose our life just for the sake of losing it. He promises that by losing it, we gain it and more. It should not surprise us that the Author of Creation puts it this way, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Conversations Within” ts 10/31/2014

”Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe.” Elvina Hall

“You are not your own, for you have been redeemed at infinite cost.” 1Cor.6

If the Christian worldview is correct, we belong to God twice over. We owe Him our lives first because He made us, and second because He bought us with the very life of His Son. And, while this is true, God does not want slaves but sons and daughters. We can look at all of this as debt we owe Him or a gift He has freely given to us. In any case He deserves first place in our hearts.  Conversations Within” ts 10/30/2014

”Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe.” Elvina Hall

“You are not your own, for you have been redeemed at infinite cost.” 1Cor.6

If the Christian worldview is correct, we belong to God twice over. We owe Him our lives first because He made us, and second because He bought us with the very life of His Son. And, while this is true, God does not want slaves but sons and daughters. We can look at all of this as debt we owe Him or a gift He has freely given to us. In any case He deserves first place in our hearts.  Conversations Within” ts 10/30/2014

"Don't sell your soul to buy peanuts for the monkeys." - Dorothy Salisbury Davis

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?” Gal.1

It is one thing to care about your reputation as it reflects on the value of faith and another on how it reflects on you. If I am to make an impression on others, let it be to highlight the value of something worthwhile, not on something as worthless as petty pride. Care about others, but do not care one bit about their approval. In the end, only God’s opinion will count. Conversations Within” ts 10/29/2014

"Don't sell your soul to buy peanuts for the monkeys." - Dorothy Salisbury Davis

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?” Gal.1

It is one thing to care about your reputation as it reflects on the value of faith and another on how it reflects on you. If I am to make an impression on others, let it be to highlight the value of something worthwhile, not on something as worthless as petty pride. Care about others, but do not care one bit about their approval. In the end, only God’s opinion will count. Conversations Within” ts 10/29/2014

“Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts.” Buddha

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Is.26

The best way to guard your thoughts from evil is to direct them into something good. Drink deeply the wine of God’s  joy and be intoxicated with His love. Pour out your cup of troubles and dip it in the pool of God’s goodness and the peace of Christ will fill your heart and guard your mind from every anxious thought. Conversations Within” ts 10/28/2014

“Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts.” Buddha

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Is.26

The best way to guard your thoughts from evil is to direct them into something good. Drink deeply the wine of God’s  joy and be intoxicated with His love. Pour out your cup of troubles and dip it in the pool of God’s goodness and the peace of Christ will fill your heart and guard your mind from every anxious thought. Conversations Within” ts 10/28/2014

“Like a good chess player, Satan is always trying to maneuver you into a position where you can save your castle only by losing your bishop.” C..S. Lewis

“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul.” Jesus

Why trade your joy for pleasure, or your family for a career, or your health for a bad habit? The wisdom of Jesus teaches us how to balance life not trade it away. Under His tutoring every aspect of our life can complement all the others rather than compete against them. The skill of spiritual living does not burn us out, rather it builds us up.  Conversations Within” ts 10/27/2014

“Like a good chess player, Satan is always trying to maneuver you into a position where you can save your castle only by losing your bishop.” C..S. Lewis

“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul.” Jesus

Why trade your joy for pleasure, or your family for a career, or your health for a bad habit? The wisdom of Jesus teaches us how to balance life not trade it away. Under His tutoring every aspect of our life can complement all the others rather than compete against them. The skill of spiritual living does not burn us out, rather it builds us up.  Conversations Within” ts 10/27/2014