Just me trying to be honest with God.

Thursday, December 31, 2015

"Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness." Martin Luther.

God is able to make us sure-footed even on unlevel ground. Believing God’s promises enables confidence on the slopes of all uncertainty; obeying His commandments provides direction through the fog of any indecision. “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3 Conversations Within” ts 12/25/2015

"Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness." Martin Luther.

God is able to make us sure-footed even on unlevel ground. Believing God’s promises enables confidence on the slopes of all uncertainty; obeying His commandments provides direction through the fog of any indecision. “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3 Conversations Within” ts 12/25/2015

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Do not put your confidence in prayer. Put your confidence in God. The same can be said of living for Him.

To be in the King’s highway and on the King’s business is to be under the King’s provision and protection. Here and here alone are we safe from all fears without and within. Our own frailty and failings offer us nothing. Why trust them? We express our faith in God by committing our lives not only to His care but also to His concerns. “In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence...” Prov.14 Conversations Within” ts 12/24/2015

Do not put your confidence in prayer. Put your confidence in God. The same can be said of living for Him.

To be in the King’s highway and on the King’s business is to be under the King’s provision and protection. Here and here alone are we safe from all fears without and within. Our own frailty and failings offer us nothing. Why trust them? We express our faith in God by committing our lives not only to His care but also to His concerns. “In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence...” Prov.14 Conversations Within” ts 12/24/2015

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

“Don't pray for things as if you were making wishes at a wishing well.” Anonymous

Great confidence in God is the mark of a mature faith. None of these “mealy-mouthed” prayers, we should learn to be bold in our request. If anything is worth praying about in Jesus’ name, pray over it with the confidence that God is pleased that you have asked it from Him. “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.” Ps.2.8 ESV Conversations Within” ts 12/23/2015

“Don't pray for things as if you were making wishes at a wishing well.” Anonymous

Great confidence in God is the mark of a mature faith. None of these “mealy-mouthed” prayers, we should learn to be bold in our request. If anything is worth praying about in Jesus’ name, pray over it with the confidence that God is pleased that you have asked it from Him. “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.” Ps.2.8 ESV Conversations Within” ts 12/23/2015

Monday, December 28, 2015

“If I had asked my customers what they wanted they would have said a faster horse.” Henry Ford

It is a good thing that God does not always give us all we ask from Him. Prayer is not an opportunity for us to counsel Him about what needs to be done, but an opening for us to put matters into His wise hands. And, like any good parent, He answers us with an infinitely greater understanding of what is needed. He gives us so much more than our weak imaginations can conjure.  “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…” Eph.3 Conversations Within” ts 12/21/2015

“If I had asked my customers what they wanted they would have said a faster horse.” Henry Ford

It is a good thing that God does not always give us all we ask from Him. Prayer is not an opportunity for us to counsel Him about what needs to be done, but an opening for us to put matters into His wise hands. And, like any good parent, He answers us with an infinitely greater understanding of what is needed. He gives us so much more than our weak imaginations can conjure.  “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…” Eph.3 Conversations Within” ts 12/21/2015

Sunday, December 27, 2015

The prayer you prayed today was probably answered yesterday.

Recently I felt lead to pray for someone who became a quadriplegic at a young age. She has spent the greater part of her life staring at the ceiling. I prayed fervently for God’s mercies even that He would take her home and free her from the prison of a broken body. Later that day I found out she had already died. I could not help but wonder why I felt so strongly about praying for her that morning. Almost immediately the Spirit whispered in my heart, “I am always a step ahead of you son.” “Before you call I will answer.” Is.65 Conversations Within” ts 12/21/2015

The prayer you prayed today was probably answered yesterday.

Recently I felt lead to pray for someone who became a quadriplegic at a young age. She has spent the greater part of her life staring at the ceiling. I prayed fervently for God’s mercies even that He would take her home and free her from the prison of a broken body. Later that day I found out she had already died. I could not help but wonder why I felt so strongly about praying for her that morning. Almost immediately the Spirit whispered in my heart, “I am always a step ahead of you son.” “Before you call I will answer.” Is.65 Conversations Within” ts 12/21/2015

Friday, December 25, 2015

“Four A.M. knows all my secrets!” Poppy Z. Brite

Nights are not just for sleeping. The Scripture say much about watching at night: being vigilant at night: and of praying in the night. Jesus is said many times to have prayed all night.  And while we are told to work while it is day before the night comes, surely there are times required of us to remain awake even at night. When it is required remember this:  ~”The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, Ps.42 Conversations Within” ts 12/18/2015

“Four A.M. knows all my secrets!” Poppy Z. Brite

Nights are not just for sleeping. The Scripture say much about watching at night: being vigilant at night: and of praying in the night. Jesus is said many times to have prayed all night.  And while we are told to work while it is day before the night comes, surely there are times required of us to remain awake even at night. When it is required remember this:  ~”The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, Ps.42 Conversations Within” ts 12/18/2015

Thursday, December 24, 2015

“I will be home Christmas!”

Bring it home for Christmas! God not only loved the world so very much when He gave us His Son, He loved me that much. St. Augustine brought it home when He said,  “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” We each have our very own personal gift to open from God. Bring it home and make it yours. Embrace it with your heart, “God so loved me that He gave His only begotten Son that when I believe in Him, I will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3,16

“I will be home Christmas!”

Bring it home for Christmas! God not only loved the world so very much when He gave us His Son, He loved me that much. St. Augustine brought it home when He said,  “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” We each have our very own personal gift to open from God. Bring it home and make it yours. Embrace it with your heart, “God so loved me that He gave His only begotten Son that when I believe in Him, I will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3,16

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” C.S. Lewis

Here is the true meaning of Christmas. I am sure that becoming a man was not an easy transition for Jesus; nor is our transition into sons of God. We must acquire a taste for all things eternal having lived so long eating this world’s stale bread. Not to worry! God has not left us alone in this metamorphosis. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the strength to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,” John 1 Conversations Within” ts 12/17/2015

“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” C.S. Lewis

Here is the true meaning of Christmas. I am sure that becoming a man was not an easy transition for Jesus; nor is our transition into sons of God. We must acquire a taste for all things eternal having lived so long eating this world’s stale bread. Not to worry! God has not left us alone in this metamorphosis. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the strength to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,” John 1 Conversations Within” ts 12/17/2015

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

“O Holy Night!” Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure

We all have romantic notions about the birth of Jesus and well we should. But we would do well to remember that His birth, the star filled night, the angels singing, his humble entrance into our world was also an act of great sacrifice on His part. God was sending His son into harms way, into a world in rebellion, to people who would reject and crucify Him. O Holy Night indeed! ~“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”  Conversations Within” ts 12/16/2015

“O Holy Night!” Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure

We all have romantic notions about the birth of Jesus and well we should. But we would do well to remember that His birth, the star filled night, the angels singing, his humble entrance into our world was also an act of great sacrifice on His part. God was sending His son into harms way, into a world in rebellion, to people who would reject and crucify Him. O Holy Night indeed! ~“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”  Conversations Within” ts 12/16/2015

Monday, December 21, 2015

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” Victor Hugo

Each of the seven days of creation began with the coming of night. We are told that the Lord gives His counsel even at night. The angels keep watch at night. The Artist of creation paints the portrait of His redemptive love in sending us Jesus at night. He has made night, in all its forms, the backdrop of the day of Jesus who is the Morning Star rising in our hearts. If you are in the darkness of some night, remind your heart of these precious words.  ~”O God...Yours is the day, yours also the night.” Ps.74 Conversations Within” ts 12/15/2015

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” Victor Hugo

Each of the seven days of creation began with the coming of night. We are told that the Lord gives His counsel even at night. The angels keep watch at night. The Artist of creation paints the portrait of His redemptive love in sending us Jesus at night. He has made night, in all its forms, the backdrop of the day of Jesus who is the Morning Star rising in our hearts. If you are in the darkness of some night, remind your heart of these precious words.  ~”O God...Yours is the day, yours also the night.” Ps.74 Conversations Within” ts 12/15/2015

Sunday, December 20, 2015

“Silent night, Holy night all is calm all is bright.” Franz Xaver Gruber

Jesus was probably not born in the month of December but His arrival into our world was surely at night, and in more ways than one. He entered the night of our fallen world in order to become its light. He has brought the light of love to overcome the darkness of selfishness. He leads us out of the darkest night of sorrow and worry into the brightest day of joy and peace.  ~”In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1 Conversations Within” ts 12/14/2015

“Silent night, Holy night all is calm all is bright.” Franz Xaver Gruber

Jesus was probably not born in the month of December but His arrival into our world was surely at night, and in more ways than one. He entered the night of our fallen world in order to become its light. He has brought the light of love to overcome the darkness of selfishness. He leads us out of the darkest night of sorrow and worry into the brightest day of joy and peace.  ~”In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1 Conversations Within” ts 12/14/2015

Friday, December 18, 2015

The only thing standing between me and the man I want to be, is the man that I am.

To become the man I want to be, the man that I am must surely die. I am not speaking about my physical demise, but dying every day to things that will never give me lasting happiness. Of course we must do more than just die to what robs, we must embrace those activities which bring love to us. ~”I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal.2 Conversations Within” ts 12/12/2015

The only thing standing between me and the man I want to be, is the man that I am.

To become the man I want to be, the man that I am must surely die. I am not speaking about my physical demise, but dying every day to things that will never give me lasting happiness. Of course we must do more than just die to what robs, we must embrace those activities which bring love to us. ~”I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal.2 Conversations Within” ts 12/12/2015

Thursday, December 17, 2015

“The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want now.” Zig Ziglar

When we are able, we always do what we want the most at that moment. My dilemma has always been how to keep what I want most in life at the forefront of my list of desires, to make sure that what I want now is what I really want most. The Christian answer for this dilemma rests in one word: grace!  It is grace that enables us to “cast down every imagination and every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2Cor.10 Conversations Within” ts 12/11/2015

“The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want now.” Zig Ziglar

When we are able, we always do what we want the most at that moment. My dilemma has always been how to keep what I want most in life at the forefront of my list of desires, to make sure that what I want now is what I really want most. The Christian answer for this dilemma rests in one word: grace!  It is grace that enables us to “cast down every imagination and every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2Cor.10 Conversations Within” ts 12/11/2015

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

“It is not willingness to know, but willingness to do (obey) God's will that brings certainty.” Eric Liddell

We become what we do and do and do. The other day I stopped by a friends house to pick something up. It was one of the few occasions when I drive alone. When I got back in the car, without thinking, I went to the passenger side to get in. Brenda has been driving so long and I am so used to riding as a passenger I could only laugh at myself. I was also in a conversation with Father about being more like Jesus. His quiet voice said, “You will see lasting change when doing what I tell you becomes as second nature as what you just did.”  Conversations Within” ts 12/10/2015

“It is not willingness to know, but willingness to do (obey) God's will that brings certainty.” Eric Liddell

We become what we do and do and do. The other day I stopped by a friends house to pick something up. It was one of the few occasions when I drive alone. When I got back in the car, without thinking, I went to the passenger side to get in. Brenda has been driving so long and I am so used to riding as a passenger I could only laugh at myself. I was also in a conversation with Father about being more like Jesus. His quiet voice said, “You will see lasting change when doing what I tell you becomes as second nature as what you just did.”  Conversations Within” ts 12/10/2015

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

“In partnership, the result is harmony, respect, love, and an explosion of creativity and joy.” Marc Allen

The partnership that God offers each of us is the mutual enjoyment of life together. He has pledged Himself to provide all we need to accomplish this. I think the reason He wants us to ask for this “daily bread” is to deepen both our faith in Him and also fine tune our knowledge of all that His wants to give us. ~“If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you want and it will be given to you.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 12/9/2015

“In partnership, the result is harmony, respect, love, and an explosion of creativity and joy.” Marc Allen

The partnership that God offers each of us is the mutual enjoyment of life together. He has pledged Himself to provide all we need to accomplish this. I think the reason He wants us to ask for this “daily bread” is to deepen both our faith in Him and also fine tune our knowledge of all that His wants to give us. ~“If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you want and it will be given to you.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 12/9/2015

Monday, December 14, 2015

“I like your last name. We should share it.” Unknown

Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God. I am certain this is just another way of saying that our greatest task in life is to lay hold of all that God is for us in the present moment, for surely He offers Himself as a partner to do so. Without His help we can really do nothing of lasting value. If we think about it, God is offering us nothing short of marriage and surely all of its blessings.  ~“For your Maker is your husband--the LORD Almighty is his name.” Is.54  Conversations Within” ts 12/8/2015

“I like your last name. We should share it.” Unknown

Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God. I am certain this is just another way of saying that our greatest task in life is to lay hold of all that God is for us in the present moment, for surely He offers Himself as a partner to do so. Without His help we can really do nothing of lasting value. If we think about it, God is offering us nothing short of marriage and surely all of its blessings.  ~“For your Maker is your husband--the LORD Almighty is his name.” Is.54  Conversations Within” ts 12/8/2015

Sunday, December 13, 2015

“One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don't mean (nothing).” Curley (City Slickers the movie)

I am coming to believe that there is only one necessary pursuit in life, and when I give myself wholly to it, everything else will fall in line. What is that one thing? According to Jesus the one thing is to know what God is requiring from you this very moment, and to trust His help to do it. ~“You are worried and anxious about so many things, but only one thing is needed.” Jesus   Conversations Within” ts 12/7/2015

“One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don't mean (nothing).” Curley (City Slickers the movie)

I am coming to believe that there is only one necessary pursuit in life, and when I give myself wholly to it, everything else will fall in line. What is that one thing? According to Jesus the one thing is to know what God is requiring from you this very moment, and to trust His help to do it. ~“You are worried and anxious about so many things, but only one thing is needed.” Jesus   Conversations Within” ts 12/7/2015

Friday, December 11, 2015

“Your job is not to figure out if someone deserves something.Your job is to lift the fallen, to restore the broken, and to heal the hurting.” Joel Osteen

I am so very grateful that God has been immeasurably kind to me even though both of us know I do not deserve it. I suppose that we should remember this anytime we wonder if we should give assistance to people who will not, for whatever the reason, help themselves. Blaming people for the predicament they have gotten themselves into is not loving them. If love is anything, it is without condition, and motivated purely by a desire to benefit everyone, regardless of what they have or have not done. Love is its own reason. ~”As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Jesus  Conversations Within” ts 12/5/2015

“Your job is not to figure out if someone deserves something.Your job is to lift the fallen, to restore the broken, and to heal the hurting.” Joel Osteen

I am so very grateful that God has been immeasurably kind to me even though both of us know I do not deserve it. I suppose that we should remember this anytime we wonder if we should give assistance to people who will not, for whatever the reason, help themselves. Blaming people for the predicament they have gotten themselves into is not loving them. If love is anything, it is without condition, and motivated purely by a desire to benefit everyone, regardless of what they have or have not done. Love is its own reason. ~”As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Jesus  Conversations Within” ts 12/5/2015

Thursday, December 10, 2015

“Accept responsibility for your actions. Be accountable for your results. Take ownership of your mistakes.” Unknown

If we would see positive transformation in our character, we must stop blaming, or making excuses, and take responsibility for our lives. The grace that God gives does not stop with forgiveness. It moves beyond it to enable us to see real and lasting change in the way we behave. God comes both to pardon our transgressions, and empower us to rise above them. ~”The grace of God...teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” Titus 2 Conversations Within” ts 12/4/2015

“Accept responsibility for your actions. Be accountable for your results. Take ownership of your mistakes.” Unknown

If we would see positive transformation in our character, we must stop blaming, or making excuses, and take responsibility for our lives. The grace that God gives does not stop with forgiveness. It moves beyond it to enable us to see real and lasting change in the way we behave. God comes both to pardon our transgressions, and empower us to rise above them. ~”The grace of God...teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” Titus 2 Conversations Within” ts 12/4/2015

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

“Making bad decisions is a part of life. Blaming others for your bad decisions is immature.” Mi

Blaming others, even blaming ourselves will not correct what is wrong. There is a big difference in taking the blame for something and in assuming responsibility for it. Don’t waste energy accusing others, or even accusing yourself. We should assume responsibility for what we have done by doing what needs to be done to fix it.  ~”the accuser of our brethren is cast down.” Conversations Within” ts 12/3/2015

“Making bad decisions is a part of life. Blaming others for your bad decisions is immature.” Mi

Blaming others, even blaming ourselves will not correct what is wrong. There is a big difference in taking the blame for something and in assuming responsibility for it. Don’t waste energy accusing others, or even accusing yourself. We should assume responsibility for what we have done by doing what needs to be done to fix it.  ~”the accuser of our brethren is cast down.” Conversations Within” ts 12/3/2015

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

"When you blame others, you give up your power to change." - Robert Anthony

The other day Brenda and I took our lab Maggie for a walk in the park. Half way through the walk Maggie starting giving us that look that said, “I need to go to the bathroom.” I immediately asked Brenda why we didn’t have anything to clean up after her. No sooner than I said it, I remembered this week that I have been reflecting on blaming others. The simple fact of the matter is that we often blame others because we do not want to take responsibility for our own lack of responsibility. ~“How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye?” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 12/2/2015

"When you blame others, you give up your power to change." - Robert Anthony

The other day Brenda and I took our lab Maggie for a walk in the park. Half way through the walk Maggie starting giving us that look that said, “I need to go to the bathroom.” I immediately asked Brenda why we didn’t have anything to clean up after her. No sooner than I said it, I remembered this week that I have been reflecting on blaming others. The simple fact of the matter is that we often blame others because we do not want to take responsibility for our own lack of responsibility. ~“How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye?” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 12/2/2015

Monday, December 7, 2015

“Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes the reason is that you are stupid and make bad decisions.” Unknown

I am not surprised when people blame God for bad stuff; I have done so myself. Most of the time I eventually come to realize that the reason something bad happened is because I made a bad choice somewhere along the way. God gets blamed for a lot of stuff these days. Adam started this ball rolling when He blamed God for his own sin. ~“The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Conversations Within” ts 12/1/2015

“Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes the reason is that you are stupid and make bad decisions.” Unknown

I am not surprised when people blame God for bad stuff; I have done so myself. Most of the time I eventually come to realize that the reason something bad happened is because I made a bad choice somewhere along the way. God gets blamed for a lot of stuff these days. Adam started this ball rolling when He blamed God for his own sin. ~“The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Conversations Within” ts 12/1/2015

Sunday, December 6, 2015

“Fix the problem not the blame.” Unknown

It is easy for me to play the blame game when something doesn’t go my way. I have found this to be true in a good many families. I am saddened by the times I blamed my wife for lost keys, lights left on, and other insignificant inconveniences. Of course blaming somebody has significant consequences and will often strain relationships. The best way to play the blame game is to not play. ~“Rid yourself of all anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.” Col.3 Conversations Within” ts 11/29/2015

“Fix the problem not the blame.” Unknown

It is easy for me to play the blame game when something doesn’t go my way. I have found this to be true in a good many families. I am saddened by the times I blamed my wife for lost keys, lights left on, and other insignificant inconveniences. Of course blaming somebody has significant consequences and will often strain relationships. The best way to play the blame game is to not play. ~“Rid yourself of all anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.” Col.3 Conversations Within” ts 11/29/2015

Friday, December 4, 2015

“If there is an itch one does want to scratch: but it is much nicer to have neither the itch nor the scratch. As long as we have the itch of self-regard we shall want the pleasure of self-approval.” C. S. Lewis

We covet so many things. A good many of them are downright bad for us. Most of the time it is the pursuit of some pleasure that gets us into trouble. God imparts joy to put the last touches on pleasures when they are rightly taken from His hand. We would be wise to choose nothing that offers pleasure, yet has no joy in it.  Pleasure should add to our joy instead of stealing from it. ~“At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Ps.16 Conversations Within” ts 11/29/2015

“If there is an itch one does want to scratch: but it is much nicer to have neither the itch nor the scratch. As long as we have the itch of self-regard we shall want the pleasure of self-approval.” C. S. Lewis

We covet so many things. A good many of them are downright bad for us. Most of the time it is the pursuit of some pleasure that gets us into trouble. God imparts joy to put the last touches on pleasures when they are rightly taken from His hand. We would be wise to choose nothing that offers pleasure, yet has no joy in it.  Pleasure should add to our joy instead of stealing from it. ~“At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Ps.16 Conversations Within” ts 11/29/2015

Thursday, December 3, 2015

"But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive." - William Shakespeare

We are told to never covet some things, but to earnestly covet others. Everyone of us, when we are able, go after what we desire most. If we want real and lasting happiness, it would be wise to feed those desires which promote it, and put to death those that will take it away. A good question to ask ourselves might be, “If I do what I want right now, will it hurt or help what I really want in the long run?” ~”But covet earnestly the best gifts.” 1Cor.12 Conversations Within” ts 11/27/2015

"But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive." - William Shakespeare

We are told to never covet some things, but to earnestly covet others. Everyone of us, when we are able, go after what we desire most. If we want real and lasting happiness, it would be wise to feed those desires which promote it, and put to death those that will take it away. A good question to ask ourselves might be, “If I do what I want right now, will it hurt or help what I really want in the long run?” ~”But covet earnestly the best gifts.” 1Cor.12 Conversations Within” ts 11/27/2015

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Lust hungers only to take; love only to give.

It is at the level of our desires that God directs us to put our energies, not just our actions. The reason is that we eventually become what we think about. It is not enough to never steal from my neighbor, we are also told to not entertain even the desire to do so. Love strips the power from such desires. ~"The leech has two daughters. 'Give! Give!” Conversations Within” ts 11/26/2015

Lust hungers only to take; love only to give.

It is at the level of our desires that God directs us to put our energies, not just our actions. The reason is that we eventually become what we think about. It is not enough to never steal from my neighbor, we are also told to not entertain even the desire to do so. Love strips the power from such desires. ~"The leech has two daughters. 'Give! Give!” Conversations Within” ts 11/26/2015

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

If we would know joy's contentment, we must learn to embrace, and not resent the boundaries that are placed over us.

We experience contentment when we are satisfied with God, and give HIm thanks for all He has provided for us in the present moment. The lustful heart is a languished heart--wasting away under the desert sun of always wanting more. Come to the oasis of peace and drink the fresh waters of gratitude. ~“I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” Is.43 Conversations Within” ts 11/25/2015

If we would know joy's contentment, we must learn to embrace, and not resent the boundaries that are placed over us.

We experience contentment when we are satisfied with God, and give HIm thanks for all He has provided for us in the present moment. The lustful heart is a languished heart--wasting away under the desert sun of always wanting more. Come to the oasis of peace and drink the fresh waters of gratitude. ~“I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” Is.43 Conversations Within” ts 11/25/2015