“If you can’t be kind, be quiet.” Meme

 I cannot see any reason why we cannot be kind, ever. Sometimes being quiet is an act of kindness. But gentleness and quietness are first an attitude embraced in the soul before they are expressed in words. As such, there are times when kindness demands that we speak on behalf of others, especially those who cannot speak up for themselves. Even then, we can speak kindly. 

“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.” 1Pet.3.4 Conversations Within” ts 10/23/2018

“Sometimes not telling people anything is a good thing.” Meme

The effectiveness of our counsel is often flooded out in the multitude of giving it too much. Wait for the right moment to speak and if it doesn’t arrive, refrain from speaking. Remember that good counsel is generally sought after, and therefore not given before it is ready to be received. 

“A man finds joy in giving an apt reply — and how good is a timely word!” Prov.15.23 Conversations Within” ts 10/23/2018

“No comment.”

Lord give me the wisdom to realize that I do not need to comment on everything. Teach me to keep my opinions to myself and when asked to give them let me sprinkle them with a good dose of humility.

“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak…” James 1.19 Conversations Within” ts 10/22/2018

“Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” Rumi

Speak less. Use fewer words. Consider the value of your “two cents” before you put them into a conversation. Are my words worth hearing? There is a considerable difference in justifying what we want to say and wisely discerning whether we should say it. 

“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” Prov.17.28 “Conversations Within” ts 10/21/2018

”My best prayer wasn’t on my knees, but was when I was hanging by my ankle 30 feet in the air from a power pole.” Lineman

There are times when we realize that we need help and we ask for it. Wise move, but wiser still is when we realize that we need help more than we realize. I do not need a “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps” religion. I do need the help that God offers each day. The simple truth is that I cannot affect many of the changes that need to take place in my life. God can and will when I stop trying and start trusting.

“My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare. Ps.25 15” Conversations Within” ts 10/18/2018

“I am” is a powerful sentence construction.

I like to begin the day with a personal mantra as a reminder of who I am. “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.” In Christ I am love, I am joy, I am peace, I am patience,  I am kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  I am in Christ. In Christ, I am. Reboot as needed.

“By the grace of God I am what I am and His grace was not without effect.” Conversations Within” ts 10/17/2018

“It's a cold world, better pack your own heat.” Redman

Cold is the natural state of the space when there is no heat source. Our fallen desires are the natural state of our heart without the warmth of divine fire. If you want to stay warm, stay close to the fire of God’s Spirit. Life in the Spirit is an intentional thing. 

“Keep in step with the Spirit.” Gal.5 Conversations Within” ts 10/17/2018

“The starting point of all achievement is desire.” Napoleon Hill

I believe in the value of self-control. I tell myself to practice it, but experience has taught me that the strongest desire often wins out over what I believe. I may want to eat less at the start of the day, but by days end my desire to eat more has grown stronger. Surely this suggests that if we have a desire for something good now, we must nurture it if we want to practice it later. 

“I discipline my body and keep it under control” (1 Corinthians 9:27) Conversations Within” ts 10/16/2018

”Yet not I but the grace of God with me.”

It is a good thing that we are not alone in the makeup of who we are. God is there, and He is pouring His grace into the mix. It is important to cooperate with the kind intentions of that grace. To say “I am a work of grace” and know it in our heart, we highlight the great value of our faith and remind ourselves of the real catalyst of positive transformation. The humility that recognizes this is one thing we can bring to the table of change. 

“By the grace of God I am what I am…” Conversations Within” ts 10/15/2018

”I am who I am.”

How would you finish this sentence? “I am ….” There is a measure of truth that says we become what we say and think about ourselves. To say, “I am bored,” “I am tired,” “I am frustrated,” can actually reinforce, or create that reality. We often lay claim to  things simply by saying them. “I am...” is a powerful sentence construction. Thank God we can also say things like, “I am grateful.” “I am ready to take on this day.” I am patient with this.” 

“As a man thinks in his heart, so he is.” Prov.23.7 Conversations Within” ts 10/14/2018

“It may look like I'm doing nothing, but I'm actively waiting for my problems to go away.” Meme

Sometimes the best way to deal with a problem, is simply to ignore it until it goes away. In one sense we could say, it will go away the minute we begin to ignore it. What I mean is that some problems have become problems because they are distracting us from doing what is really important. Learning how to ignore distractions is an important way we can stay focused. 

“Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.” Prov.4.25 Conversations Within” ts 10/13/2018

“Keep it simple. Keep it honest. Keep it real.” Meme

Jesus gives us a straightforward and simple formula for a wholesome life in two simple encouragements. First, love God. Second, love others as you love yourself. One can even reverse the order. One of the best ways to love yourself, is to love others, and doing so is one way we love God. The rest of the Bible is mainly wisdom on how we can effectively love. 

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 10/12/2018

“People say nothing is impossible but I do nothing everyday.” A.A Milne- Winnie The Pooh

“La dolce far niente,” is one of my favorite Italian phrases and it means, “the joy of doing nothing.” It is also a skill that needs to be nurtured if we want balance in our lives. You can call it learning how to chill, do the “mellow yellow,” or just simply unwind, but we all need to balance work and rest. Do not let the business of life keep you from stopping by the house at Pooh corner.

“It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 10/11/2018

“My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have, to try to make a difference.” Jimmy Carter

There are certain things I do everyday. One question that I ask myself is do I make a positive difference in the lives of people? Life is surely more than just personal pursuits. Do I contribute? Am I useful to others? Do I intentionally and purposefully set out to benefit the quality of people’s lives?

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone” Gal.6.10 Conversations Within” ts 10/10/2018

Give your energy doing the tasks at hand, not worrying “if this,” or “if that,” or “if only.”

Think less, do more. Talk less, do more. Worry less, do more. Complain less, do more.

“Be doers…” Conversations Within” ts 10/9/2018

“I do not worry about what will happen, only what needs to be done.” Lucius Hunt (The Village)

If something needs doing, and you are able to do it, why not jump in and get it done? Don’t waste energy talking about it, complaining about it, thinking too much about it. Just do it. Make positive changes anytime you are able, and when you are not, trust it to God. Prayer means that we can always affect wholesome change. 

“Be doers…” Conversations Within” ts 10/8/2018

Just keep quiet and do what needs to the done.

We should avoid pretending we are maturing spiritually by simply talking about rather than acting out what we know is good. There is no benefit in mere talk. In fact talking may lead us to believe that because we are well versed discussing the subject, we have somehow mastered it. What value is a Karate class if all you can do is talk about Karate. Faith is something that must be lived not just discussed.

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Prov.14.23 Conversations Within” ts 10/6/2018

”You are never too old to set a new goal or a dream a new dream.” CS Lewis

New Year’s Resolutions often have something to do with eating better, exercising more, or saving money. All of these have some value, but not just for the temporal benefits they bring, but because inner discipline is nurtured keeping them. Give priority to spiritual resolutions- godliness in particular.  And what is godliness? In short, it is a life inclined toward pleasing God. When you think about it, everything that God approves, is good for the body and the soul as well. 

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1Tim.4.8 Conversations Within” ts 10/5/2018

”It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.” David Henry Thoreau

Use the temptation to be frustrated with things that don’t  matter as a reminder to focus on things that do. Provocation can remind us to be patient. Someone's rudeness can remind us to be kind. The loss of something temporal can sharpen our desires for what is eternal. Declining health can stimulate attitudes that foster spiritual wholeness. Let go of that which matters little and embrace those things that matter most.

“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal.5.6 Conversations Within” ts 10/4/2018

“Live in the light of eternity.” Meme

The prospect of living forever excites me. It can bring focus to the present moment like nothing else. One of life’s purposes is enjoyment and living in the light of eternity sharpens what I choose to enjoy. Temporal pleasures? Sure, when they are taken from God’s hand. But Christ offers so much more than mere pleasure; He offers joy. Not one day in Heaven, but the unfading joy of this moment joined inseparably to all the other moments to come, and all in the rapture of God’s love for me and my love for Him.

“I tell you these things that my joy be in you and you joy made complete.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 10/3/2018

“The older you get the better you get, unless you're a banana.” Betty White

Work out everyday in the gym of your inner life. Condition the spiritual muscles of faith, hope and love. Nurture attitudes and actions that foster lasting health. Prioritize what is temporal and what is eternal and give energy to those things that will never fade. Your body may decline with age, but the soul can flourish in spiritual maturity. 

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment...Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.” Conversations Within” ts 10/2/2018

Peace comes from within, do not seek it without.” Buddha.

Weeds may surround our outer life, but a well cultivated soul can always feast on the delights of its inner fruit. If we look for happiness in our circumstances we will know many disappointments, but there is a deep satisfaction and peace to live life from within, and eat the fruit of a well tended inner life.

“Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2Cor.4.16 Conversations Within” ts 10/1/2018

“There's no substitute for a great love who says, 'No matter what's wrong with you, you're welcome at this table.’” Tom Hanks

It is always possible to express some measure of love to someone, even if they refuse it. We can still show kindness at the very moment someone walks away. Of course wisdom may direct our love to show disapproval of another’s harmful behavior. But even then, the goal of love is an unconditional commitment to the other’s highest good. May God give us all wisdom in loving people who are making bad and destructive choices.

 “..and it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment…” Phil.1.9  “Conversations Within” ts 9/29/2018

”Conflict cannot survive without your participation.” Wayne Dyer

Learning to meet provocation with silence is a powerful way to promote peace, if only your own. But to speak a kind word may take the wind out of a brewing storm. It is hard, if not impossible, to argue with someone who simply refuses to argue back.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Prov.15.1 Conversations Within” ts 9/27/2018

“Say what you mean, but don't say it mean.” Andrea Wachter,

We should pay attention not only to what we say to our family, but the tone we use saying it. Whatever we say, we should say it with respect and with kindness or don’t say it at all. Let every word be spoken with tenderness, even rebuke. We could say, especially rebuke. Such is the fruit of a humble heart. 

“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit.” 1Pet.3.8 Conversations Within” ts 9/26/2018

“Treat your family like friends and your friends like family.” Anonymous

When I think of the word family my thinking is being shaped more by a Spirit that includes not excludes. Family is far more than just blood relatives. Don’t get me wrong, Blood matters. But it is the blood of Christ that matters more than my physical blood. His blood means that people from all over the world are blood relatives. This surely implies that the family table is set for “whosoever will.” 

“Whosoever will may come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Jesus  Conversations Within” ts 9/25/2018

“I smile because you’re my family. I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it.” Meme

Being family affords certain privileges. One is input. There are times when the people in my life probably wish I didn’t give it. And, that’s OK! We should not be bothered too much when our family and friends do not take our counsel. Being family gives us the privilege to give it anyway. We just need to remember that being family also gives them the right to ignore it. Be serious about your family and friends but don’t take your opinions too seriously. 

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.” Prov.21.2 Conversations Within” ts 9/24/2018