There may be feelings which help us patiently endure whatever is needed, but often our feelings are the very thing we must endure in order to love people.

“Love endures all things.”  1Cor.13

Feelings often get in the way of constructive dialogue. Hurt feelings come from the unfulfilled expectations we have of others. You might wonder if we have a right to expect certain things from a spouse or friend. Perhaps so, but expectations can be the death or life of a relationship depending on where we set our hope for happiness. Humans are much too fickle for that. Give your expectations, especially of others, to God and give your very best efforts to what you can give, not just receive. Conversations Within” ts 7/25/2015

There may be feelings which help us patiently endure whatever is needed, but often our feelings are the very thing we must endure in order to love people.

“Love endures all things.”  1Cor.13

Feelings often get in the way of constructive dialogue. Hurt feelings come from the unfulfilled expectations we have of others. You might wonder if we have a right to expect certain things from a spouse or friend. Perhaps so, but expectations can be the death or life of a relationship depending on where we set our hope for happiness. Humans are much too fickle for that. Give your expectations, especially of others, to God and give your very best efforts to what you can give, not just receive. Conversations Within” ts 7/25/2015

“I can't promise you a perfect relationship without arguments and differences, but I can promise you that as long as you're trying, I'm staying.” Unknown

“A friend loves at all times.” Prov.17

True friendship can stand the test of disagreement. This is because the relationship is based on the commitments of love, not on being right. After a heated argument, some will see it as an end to the friendship. On the other hand, true friends may argue but will inevitably call the next day to make up. In true friendship, there is the understanding that arguments are expected if they are to learn from one another. True friendship is forever because love itself is forever.  Conversations Within” ts 7/24/2015

“I can't promise you a perfect relationship without arguments and differences, but I can promise you that as long as you're trying, I'm staying.” Unknown

“A friend loves at all times.” Prov.17

True friendship can stand the test of disagreement. This is because the relationship is based on the commitments of love, not on being right. After a heated argument, some will see it as an end to the friendship. On the other hand, true friends may argue but will inevitably call the next day to make up. In true friendship, there is the understanding that arguments are expected if they are to learn from one another. True friendship is forever because love itself is forever.  Conversations Within” ts 7/24/2015

“I don’t argue I just explain why I am right very loudly.” Unknown

“After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19

I have volume control problems. My wife says that I have a natural microphone and she is always trying to turn down the volume. Increased volume may communicate our passion about something, but it does not validate what we are saying. Yelling is probably a no no in a constructive conversation. God preferred to speak to the Prophet in a quiet whisper, not the raging fire. I should think it wise to follow His lead and tone it down. Yelling is rarely effective unless you are shouting a warning like, “SHARK!” Even then, the result may be panic and not what you would prefer. Conversations Within” ts 7/23/2015

“I don’t argue I just explain why I am right very loudly.” Unknown

“After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19

I have volume control problems. My wife says that I have a natural microphone and she is always trying to turn down the volume. Increased volume may communicate our passion about something, but it does not validate what we are saying. Yelling is probably a no no in a constructive conversation. God preferred to speak to the Prophet in a quiet whisper, not the raging fire. I should think it wise to follow His lead and tone it down. Yelling is rarely effective unless you are shouting a warning like, “SHARK!” Even then, the result may be panic and not what you would prefer. Conversations Within” ts 7/23/2015

"We don't have to agree on anything to be kind to one another." Unknown

“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” Amos 3

Just because I disagree with someone, it does not follow that I cannot treat them with respect, even kindness. This does not mean that we must support them in some venture that we strongly oppose. We can still love them in many ways. Not supporting them may very well be one of the ways we do so, especially if we believe that what they are doing is not in their best interest. Even so, we should still be gracious and kind in our refusal.  Conversations Within” ts 7/22/2015

"We don't have to agree on anything to be kind to one another." Unknown

“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” Amos 3

Just because I disagree with someone, it does not follow that I cannot treat them with respect, even kindness. This does not mean that we must support them in some venture that we strongly oppose. We can still love them in many ways. Not supporting them may very well be one of the ways we do so, especially if we believe that what they are doing is not in their best interest. Even so, we should still be gracious and kind in our refusal.  Conversations Within” ts 7/22/2015

“The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply.” Unknown

Be quick to listen and slow to speak...” James 1

An argument does not have to be destructive because we can deliberately choose to make it constructive. Why tear down when you can build up? When our friend or spouse disagrees with us, we can wisely listen to a point of view that may enhance our understanding and help us see things we may not have noticed. Seeing a new point of view can complement our own. It does not have to compete with it. Do not let the winds of disagreement ruffle the feathers of your pride, rather let it lift the wings of your relationship and help you soar above conflict.  Conversations Within” ts 7/21/2015

“The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply.” Unknown

Be quick to listen and slow to speak...” James 1

An argument does not have to be destructive because we can deliberately choose to make it constructive. Why tear down when you can build up? When our friend or spouse disagrees with us, we can wisely listen to a point of view that may enhance our understanding and help us see things we may not have noticed. Seeing a new point of view can complement our own. It does not have to compete with it. Do not let the winds of disagreement ruffle the feathers of your pride, rather let it lift the wings of your relationship and help you soar above conflict.  Conversations Within” ts 7/21/2015

“Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you.” John Wooden

“As iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another.” Prov.27

True friends are not afraid to argue. Their commitment is to the relationship not to being right. Differences do not need to divide us, for it is often in disagreement that we discover how to complement rather than compete with each other. A wise person learns the true value of friendship not only when people agree but also when they disagree with them. How can we learn anything if we surround ourselves with people who only share the same opinion?  Conversations Within” ts 7/20/2015

“Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you.” John Wooden

“As iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another.” Prov.27

True friends are not afraid to argue. Their commitment is to the relationship not to being right. Differences do not need to divide us, for it is often in disagreement that we discover how to complement rather than compete with each other. A wise person learns the true value of friendship not only when people agree but also when they disagree with them. How can we learn anything if we surround ourselves with people who only share the same opinion?  Conversations Within” ts 7/20/2015

I can think of few things in life that can surpass the beauty, simplicity, and value of a small band of true friends--individuals who play together and pray together. Here is church in its purest form.

“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." Matt.18

The word “church” probably invokes a number of mental images, but a definition of the word simply describes a gathering. People congregate for many reasons: a sports event, a reunion, a funeral, or a celebration of one kind or another. A Christian church is a gathering of people who are drawn together because of a common love for all things Christ. Where they gather is inconsequential. The reason is everything. In short, it is to nurture and express friendship with one another and with God. Conversations Within” ts 7/18/2015

I can think of few things in life that can surpass the beauty, simplicity, and value of a small band of true friends--individuals who play together and pray together. Here is church in its purest form.

“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." Matt.18

The word “church” probably invokes a number of mental images, but a definition of the word simply describes a gathering. People congregate for many reasons: a sports event, a reunion, a funeral, or a celebration of one kind or another. A Christian church is a gathering of people who are drawn together because of a common love for all things Christ. Where they gather is inconsequential. The reason is everything. In short, it is to nurture and express friendship with one another and with God. Conversations Within” ts 7/18/2015

”A friend is not only someone who you can confide in, it is someone who can mirror the trust you have shown by confiding in you as well.” Ashley Young

“I have called you friends.” Jesus

Jesus is certainly my friend. I feel comfortable talking with Him about my greatest joys, my deepest fears and failings. One relevant question to ask myself is if I am a friend to Jesus?” A friend is someone who can confide in you and Jesus has certainly done that. He has entrusted His greatest concerns to us and asked us to be His hands and feet in this world. Is there a greater trust He can put in us than to ask us to deliver His love to all people everywhere?  Conversations Within” ts 7/17/2015

”A friend is not only someone who you can confide in, it is someone who can mirror the trust you have shown by confiding in you as well.” Ashley Young

“I have called you friends.” Jesus

Jesus is certainly my friend. I feel comfortable talking with Him about my greatest joys, my deepest fears and failings. One relevant question to ask myself is if I am a friend to Jesus?” A friend is someone who can confide in you and Jesus has certainly done that. He has entrusted His greatest concerns to us and asked us to be His hands and feet in this world. Is there a greater trust He can put in us than to ask us to deliver His love to all people everywhere?  Conversations Within” ts 7/17/2015

“Be a friend, and thou shalt have friends.” Ivan Panin

“Give and you will receive.” Jesus

It is possible to be a friend to someone even though they may never be a friend to you. Even so, the promise of Jesus cannot be undone. Love is its own reward. We are never more like God than when we love in the face of unreturned love. The one who is a friend to the friendless will have God as a friend. The one who loves in the face of unreturned love is being loved by God, and immeasurably so. Conversations Within” ts 7/16/2015

“Be a friend, and thou shalt have friends.” Ivan Panin

“Give and you will receive.” Jesus

It is possible to be a friend to someone even though they may never be a friend to you. Even so, the promise of Jesus cannot be undone. Love is its own reward. We are never more like God than when we love in the face of unreturned love. The one who is a friend to the friendless will have God as a friend. The one who loves in the face of unreturned love is being loved by God, and immeasurably so. Conversations Within” ts 7/16/2015

“It's better to have a few faithful friends than numerous shallow friendships.” Jonathan Anthony Burkett

“A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Prov.18

At first glance we may question the wisdom of this bit of wisdom. I mean why would we not want a lot of friends? Well, a person who is a friend to a lot of friends is probably a friend of no one. The reason is twofold. If we open our lives to too many people without investing quality time in them, they will wind up judging and probably avoiding us. A second reason is that person with too many friends may actually have no true friends because they never really open up to anyone. Better one true friend than a thousand shallow relationships. Conversations Within” ts 7/15/2015

“It's better to have a few faithful friends than numerous shallow friendships.” Jonathan Anthony Burkett

“A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Prov.18

At first glance we may question the wisdom of this bit of wisdom. I mean why would we not want a lot of friends? Well, a person who is a friend to a lot of friends is probably a friend of no one. The reason is twofold. If we open our lives to too many people without investing quality time in them, they will wind up judging and probably avoiding us. A second reason is that person with too many friends may actually have no true friends because they never really open up to anyone. Better one true friend than a thousand shallow relationships. Conversations Within” ts 7/15/2015

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” Donna Roberts

“Two are better than one...For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.” Ecc.4

We all need at least one good friend just as we all need help from time to time. We were never meant to go through life alone. Be there for your friends, and let your friends be there for you. There is a skill to finding this kind of friend. It has everything to do with being this kind of friend. Of course you cannot rush friendships of this kind, just as you cannot harvest crops for seeds just planted. Conversations Within” ts 7/15/2015

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” Donna Roberts

“Two are better than one...For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.” Ecc.4

We all need at least one good friend just as we all need help from time to time. We were never meant to go through life alone. Be there for your friends, and let your friends be there for you. There is a skill to finding this kind of friend. It has everything to do with being this kind of friend. Of course you cannot rush friendships of this kind, just as you cannot harvest crops for seeds just planted. Conversations Within” ts 7/15/2015

“A faithful friend is the medicine of life.” The Aprograph

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Prov.27

You cannot sharpen a knife blade with butter, and a person who tells you only what you want to hear will not sharpen you. A true friend is not someone who will coddle your weaknesses but hone them away with a rebuke if necessary. Seek out the kind of friends who will love and accept you as you are, but who will also love you enough not to leave you that way. And while we are at it, we would do well to remember that God offers such a friendship. Conversations Within” ts 7/15/2015

“A faithful friend is the medicine of life.” The Aprograph

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Prov.27

You cannot sharpen a knife blade with butter, and a person who tells you only what you want to hear will not sharpen you. A true friend is not someone who will coddle your weaknesses but hone them away with a rebuke if necessary. Seek out the kind of friends who will love and accept you as you are, but who will also love you enough not to leave you that way. And while we are at it, we would do well to remember that God offers such a friendship. Conversations Within” ts 7/15/2015

"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” Martin Luther King

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1

Good or bad character grows in our hearts one decision at a time. Christian character begins the moment we invite Jesus to live in our hearts. His presence also matures in us one decision at a time. At first it may seem that we are crawling in our efforts to be like Him. The important thing is to follow our initial decision to trust Christ with another, then another. Forward is forward, and every decision of faith expressing itself in love, no matter how small, will deepen His presence in us.  Conversations Within” ts 7/12/2015

"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” Martin Luther King

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1

Good or bad character grows in our hearts one decision at a time. Christian character begins the moment we invite Jesus to live in our hearts. His presence also matures in us one decision at a time. At first it may seem that we are crawling in our efforts to be like Him. The important thing is to follow our initial decision to trust Christ with another, then another. Forward is forward, and every decision of faith expressing itself in love, no matter how small, will deepen His presence in us.  Conversations Within” ts 7/12/2015

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” C. S. Lewis

“It is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” Titus 3

Die trying! Sounds good unless you are trying to do something you should not do. One thing none us can do, nor should we even try to do is to earn Heaven. Heaven is a gift and it is foolish to try and buy it with our good works. Jesus earned it and offers it free. One thing we can do is to cooperate with God while He helps prepares us to be happy when we get there. Goodness is air of Heaven and only people made good by God’s grace will enjoy breathing it.  Conversations Within” ts 7/11/2015

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” C. S. Lewis

“It is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” Titus 3

Die trying! Sounds good unless you are trying to do something you should not do. One thing none us can do, nor should we even try to do is to earn Heaven. Heaven is a gift and it is foolish to try and buy it with our good works. Jesus earned it and offers it free. One thing we can do is to cooperate with God while He helps prepares us to be happy when we get there. Goodness is air of Heaven and only people made good by God’s grace will enjoy breathing it.  Conversations Within” ts 7/11/2015

“The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” Amelia Earhart

“Be doers of the word and not just hearers.” James 1

I have often said that the key to fruitful prayer is simply to pray. The truth is, the key to most things is simply to quit talking about them and do them. Let’s face it; knowing isn’t doing, talking isn’t doing, doing is doing. For the Christian, obedient action is the only action that matters.  Someone has said that the goal isn’t just to get things done but to get the right things done. Conversations Within” ts 7/9/2015

“The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” Amelia Earhart

“Be doers of the word and not just hearers.” James 1

I have often said that the key to fruitful prayer is simply to pray. The truth is, the key to most things is simply to quit talking about them and do them. Let’s face it; knowing isn’t doing, talking isn’t doing, doing is doing. For the Christian, obedient action is the only action that matters.  Someone has said that the goal isn’t just to get things done but to get the right things done. Conversations Within” ts 7/9/2015

“Just keep swimming!” Dory (Finding Nemo)

“But when you are tested, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1Cor.10

When the way is clear just stick with it. When God promises to make our way straight, He is not saying that He will make the path easy, but clear. He also promises to give us the strength to stay the course. People have called it “the light at the end of the tunnel” because the light itself is the strength. Once you know where you are going, just take the next step, then another, then another, and another. There is no other way to get anywhere but one step at a time. Conversations Within” ts 7/8/2015

“Just keep swimming!” Dory (Finding Nemo)

“But when you are tested, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1Cor.10

When the way is clear just stick with it. When God promises to make our way straight, He is not saying that He will make the path easy, but clear. He also promises to give us the strength to stay the course. People have called it “the light at the end of the tunnel” because the light itself is the strength. Once you know where you are going, just take the next step, then another, then another, and another. There is no other way to get anywhere but one step at a time. Conversations Within” ts 7/8/2015

“The only time you should ever look back is to see how far you've come.” -Author Unknown

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil.3

I suppose it is good to review and consider our progress, not so much to bolster our pride but to determine if we are actually growing under grace. When I look back at the person I was, I am encouraged.  When I look forward to the person I want to be I am challenged. I don't think it is wise to spend too much time and energy looking back or forward. Just keep running, feel the wind in your hair and remember “Winners forget they are in a race, they just love to run.”     Conversations Within” ts 7/7/2015

“The only time you should ever look back is to see how far you've come.” -Author Unknown

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil.3

I suppose it is good to review and consider our progress, not so much to bolster our pride but to determine if we are actually growing under grace. When I look back at the person I was, I am encouraged.  When I look forward to the person I want to be I am challenged. I don't think it is wise to spend too much time and energy looking back or forward. Just keep running, feel the wind in your hair and remember “Winners forget they are in a race, they just love to run.”     Conversations Within” ts 7/7/2015

“Look up not down. Look forward not back. Look out not in.” Edward Hale

“For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Heb.11

Faith captures the present moment by helping us envision a favorable future--one promised by God. Faith lifts our eyes above our circumstances to see the One who can use them to strengthen us. Faith moves us forward, realizing that what lies ahead is far more important than what is behind. Faith helps us to stop centering our focus on ourselves. We progress from weakness to strength and from selfishness to love.  Conversations Within” ts 7/6/2015

“Look up not down. Look forward not back. Look out not in.” Edward Hale

“For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Heb.11

Faith captures the present moment by helping us envision a favorable future--one promised by God. Faith lifts our eyes above our circumstances to see the One who can use them to strengthen us. Faith moves us forward, realizing that what lies ahead is far more important than what is behind. Faith helps us to stop centering our focus on ourselves. We progress from weakness to strength and from selfishness to love.  Conversations Within” ts 7/6/2015

“Celebrate what you want to see more of.” Tom Peters

“Let your clothes be white all the time…” Ecc.9

The wisdom literature of the Bible encourages us to always dress in our finest or to put it another way, to dress in our celebration clothes. Celebrate life! Find joy in life’s simple pleasures. Do more of what you like and learn to like what you do. If you must do it, find ways to enjoy it. Embrace your work and do not forget to play. Eat the chocolate of life every day at least in attitude!   Conversations Within” ts 7/3/2015

“Celebrate what you want to see more of.” Tom Peters

“Let your clothes be white all the time…” Ecc.9

The wisdom literature of the Bible encourages us to always dress in our finest or to put it another way, to dress in our celebration clothes. Celebrate life! Find joy in life’s simple pleasures. Do more of what you like and learn to like what you do. If you must do it, find ways to enjoy it. Embrace your work and do not forget to play. Eat the chocolate of life every day at least in attitude!   Conversations Within” ts 7/3/2015

“I love you! End of story!”

“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him…” Ps.103

Is there anything more wonderful than being loved by God? If I am not convinced of it yet, I will be. God declared His love for us before the world began and long after it is gone He will still be loving all who look to Him in faith. Indeed, we look to Him in faith because He has loved us and made faith a most precious gift. Is there a sweeter description of life’s denouement than, “He loved them, and they lived happily ever after?”   Conversations Within” ts 7/3/2015

“I love you! End of story!”

“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him…” Ps.103

Is there anything more wonderful than being loved by God? If I am not convinced of it yet, I will be. God declared His love for us before the world began and long after it is gone He will still be loving all who look to Him in faith. Indeed, we look to Him in faith because He has loved us and made faith a most precious gift. Is there a sweeter description of life’s denouement than, “He loved them, and they lived happily ever after?”   Conversations Within” ts 7/3/2015

“Jesus (is the) joy of man’s desiring” Sebastian Bach

“In Your presence is fullness of joy.” Ps.16

Joy is the companion of a faith which rests in the absolute goodness of God and in His power to turn adversity into advantage and the worst day into the best. But even in the midst of trial, joy can spring up within. This is because joy comes not only when bad circumstances are made good, but from the simple knowledge that God is with us, despite our circumstances. His company is preferred even if it means hardship, even if standing for His Kingdom is the cause of it. Conversations Within” ts 7/2/2015

“Jesus (is the) joy of man’s desiring” Sebastian Bach

“In Your presence is fullness of joy.” Ps.16

Joy is the companion of a faith which rests in the absolute goodness of God and in His power to turn adversity into advantage and the worst day into the best. But even in the midst of trial, joy can spring up within. This is because joy comes not only when bad circumstances are made good, but from the simple knowledge that God is with us, despite our circumstances. His company is preferred even if it means hardship, even if standing for His Kingdom is the cause of it. Conversations Within” ts 7/2/2015

“Never trust a spiritual leader who cannot dance.” Mr. Miyagi

“I will celebrate before the LORD.” 2Sam.6

Do not forget to dance when the music starts. The music starts every morning--the moment the sun comes up. Every day can be a celebration, every moment a feast. Celebrate the goodness of God in and around you. Highlight the value of your faith not in the things you do not do, but in every single thing you embrace. Smile, laugh, and by all means, dance to the wondrous rhythm of life. Conversations Within” ts 6/30/2015

“Never trust a spiritual leader who cannot dance.” Mr. Miyagi

“I will celebrate before the LORD.” 2Sam.6

Do not forget to dance when the music starts. The music starts every morning--the moment the sun comes up. Every day can be a celebration, every moment a feast. Celebrate the goodness of God in and around you. Highlight the value of your faith not in the things you do not do, but in every single thing you embrace. Smile, laugh, and by all means, dance to the wondrous rhythm of life. Conversations Within” ts 6/30/2015

“Joy is the flag flown high from the castle of my heart!”

“His banner over me is love!” Song of Solomon 2

I would celebrate life under the banner of God’s love. There is much to celebrate! God has loved me in many ways. Friends and family enrich my life. Abundant provision surrounds me. I have freedoms that many in this world only dream about. How wonderful also His correction and counsel. His words to me are wisdom and His guiding hand both gentle and firm. His spankings may not be enjoyable, but the fruit of them is life, health and peace. Conversations Within” ts 6/30/2015

“Joy is the flag flown high from the castle of my heart!”

“His banner over me is love!” Song of Solomon 2

I would celebrate life under the banner of God’s love. There is much to celebrate! God has loved me in many ways. Friends and family enrich my life. Abundant provision surrounds me. I have freedoms that many in this world only dream about. How wonderful also His correction and counsel. His words to me are wisdom and His guiding hand both gentle and firm. His spankings may not be enjoyable, but the fruit of them is life, health and peace. Conversations Within” ts 6/30/2015

“Negativity can only affect you if you are on the same frequency.” Vibrate higher!” Unknown

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God.” Phil.2

Water flows freely off the back of the duck, and so too should the cares of the world from hearts of those who trust God. Why should I be drawn into some polarized argument when I can contribute the actions of love over the words of criticism? If words are necessary, speak them in love, which is another way of telling us to speak wisely. “The tongue of the wise makes counsel acceptable”--not obnoxious.  Conversations Within” ts 6/29/2015

“Negativity can only affect you if you are on the same frequency.” Vibrate higher!” Unknown

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God.” Phil.2

Water flows freely off the back of the duck, and so too should the cares of the world from hearts of those who trust God. Why should I be drawn into some polarized argument when I can contribute the actions of love over the words of criticism? If words are necessary, speak them in love, which is another way of telling us to speak wisely. “The tongue of the wise makes counsel acceptable”--not obnoxious.  Conversations Within” ts 6/29/2015

"We rise by lifting others." Robert Ingersoll

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” 1Thess.5

Many people have found the strength to rise up after a fall by helping others who share the same plight. Someone said, “I am just one beggar telling another beggar where I found bread.” We are all in it together. Everybody falls, everybody needs help getting up. If you happen to be standing, give thanks for it humbly and help your fallen neighbor to his feet. If you have fallen, one way to insure that you rise is to help someone next to you get up. Conversations Within” ts 6/27/2015

"We rise by lifting others." Robert Ingersoll

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” 1Thess.5

Many people have found the strength to rise up after a fall by helping others who share the same plight. Someone said, “I am just one beggar telling another beggar where I found bread.” We are all in it together. Everybody falls, everybody needs help getting up. If you happen to be standing, give thanks for it humbly and help your fallen neighbor to his feet. If you have fallen, one way to insure that you rise is to help someone next to you get up. Conversations Within” ts 6/27/2015

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius

“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again.” Prov.24

Is it not encouraging to see someone get up after they mess up? Of course, it’s an entirely different story to see someone plan to mess up with the assumption that they can always recover. It is a very dangerous game to play around with one’s soul. It is one thing to expect that you will fall from time to time and another to make plans to jump.  Conversations Within” ts 6/26/2015

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius

“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again.” Prov.24

Is it not encouraging to see someone get up after they mess up? Of course, it’s an entirely different story to see someone plan to mess up with the assumption that they can always recover. It is a very dangerous game to play around with one’s soul. It is one thing to expect that you will fall from time to time and another to make plans to jump.  Conversations Within” ts 6/26/2015

“If you ever find yourself in a hole stop digging.” Will Rogers

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Ps.34

Everybody makes bad decisions, everybody! The key when we do, is not to follow a bad decision with another bad decision. Stop digging the hole deeper and start climbing out. We can only live one choice at a time. Focus on your next right choice. Put one foot in front of the other and make your way up. Helping hands are always to be found. God is everywhere, even in holes. Some would say, especially in holes. Conversations Within” ts 6/25/2015

“If you ever find yourself in a hole stop digging.” Will Rogers

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Ps.34

Everybody makes bad decisions, everybody! The key when we do, is not to follow a bad decision with another bad decision. Stop digging the hole deeper and start climbing out. We can only live one choice at a time. Focus on your next right choice. Put one foot in front of the other and make your way up. Helping hands are always to be found. God is everywhere, even in holes. Some would say, especially in holes. Conversations Within” ts 6/25/2015