“Stuff happens!”

Once I left my expensive camera on the back of the car, and destroyed it when I drove away. I could not help but think, “Now why didn’t God tell me about it?” I mean I would have told anyone if I knew they were fixing to do the same. This simple truth is that God allows a lot of stuff like this to happen. We may never understand all the ins and outs of His decision to not interfere, but He has asked that we trust His goodness and that while not everything that He allows is good, He can still work it out for our good. 

 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Rom.8.28 Conversations Within” ts 2/18/2022

“When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased.” C.S. Lewis

What is the essence of loving God with all of our heart, and why is it the most important admonition? In a word, it is priority. There are clearly some matters more important than others, and to get them out of order is to get them out of whack, and as a consequence, everything that follows after. To put God first is the right way to do everything else. 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart…” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 2/24/2022

“Don’t repeat yourself. It’s not only repetitive, it’s redundant, and people have heard it before.” Lemony Snicket

 A good communicator knows when something should be repeated. There is a time when it clarifies and sheds light, and a time when it casts a shadow over our attempt to be understood. Be sure you are communicating, not wearing people out.  

“And when you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 2/17/2022

“Share your story and you may help someone find their own.” Demi Levato

God gave us stories. How precious that He did, and everyone who trusts in Him has a story worth telling. I love telling people about a new hike, or park, or experience that has enriched my life. Why would my relationship with God be any different?  

“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.” Ps.66.16 Conversations Within” ts 2/16/2022

“The best way to multiply your happiness is to share it with others.” Meme

 I find that sharing my story rather than sharing my opinion is more often than not gracefully received. I have never had someone tell me to keep my story to myself, my opinion, well, that is another story all together. 

 “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Ps.126.3 Conversations Within” ts 2/15/2022

“The world is changed by your example, not your opinion.” Paulo Coelho

 The way we share our point of view can have great influence on how it will be received. It does little, if no good, to share our opinion if it isn’t heard because of the way we communicate it. Example talks. 

“The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable.” Prov.15.2 Conversations Within” ts 2/14/2022

“You are the 2nd best teacher ever. Love you!” Kids say the Darndest Things

 The honesty of children can teach us some valuable lessons. One, is that being honest in the raw sometimes demands from others a reflective honesty about themselves. Not everybody is ready for this kind of honesty. Perhaps we should be, and never be threatened by someone telling us the truth. 

“He acknowledges the truth in his heart.” Ps.15 Conversations Within” ts 2/11/2022

“The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.” Peter Drucker

 Communication is not just what you say. It is also what people think you said. Be sure the other party has heard you correctly. When they tell you something, respond by saying these simple words, “This is what I heard you say.” We might also find it profitable to find out what they think we said. It doesn’t hurt to ask.  

“Be quick to hear and slow to speak.” The Good Book Conversations Within” ts 2/12/2022

“I’m looking forward to the future, and grateful for the past.” Mike Rowe

 Our gratitude can be as much about blessings in the days to come as it is for all the goodness in days past. This is especially true for those who put faith and hope in God. He assures us that our best days are before us, and His blessings will “follow us all the days of our life.” Believe it!  

"Those who hope in me will not be disappointed. “ Is.49.23 Conversations Within” ts 2/10/2022

“Happiness can exist only in acceptance.” George Orwell

We do not give thanks for everything, but we can certainly give thanks in everything. When we do, we humbly accept that God in His wisdom has allowed it, that He is able to use it for our good, and He is ready to help us face it with enabling grace.  

“In everything give thanks…” 1Thess.5 Conversations Within” ts 2/9/2022

“Appreciate life even if it's not perfect. Happiness is not the fulfillment of what we wish for but an appreciation of what we have.” Unknown

 Learning to press on in less than perfect circumstances is a quality of a mature soul, one seasoned with gratitude. Nothing is ever perfect in this place, so appreciate what God has set before you each morning and get on with living the day with wholehearted and thankful energy. 

“Rejoice always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1Thess.5 Conversations Within” ts 2/8/2022

Giving thanks should be easy.

Some words can and should be repeated everyday. “Thank you” is one of them. When these words roll easy off the tongue, I know grace is working in my heart and my attitude is where it needs to be. Like many blessings, a grateful heart is its own reward. 

 “Giving thanks always…” Eph.5.20 Conversations Within” ts 2/7/2022

Don’t be shy about giving thanks to someone.

We are all grateful for things, but in truth there is always “someone” behind them. I am grateful for the many wonders found in nature. I don’t give my thanks to them, but the One who made them and set them in motion.  

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Ps.107.1 Conversations Within” ts 2/6/2022

Thank you!

Two simple words but oh how precious and valuable the attitude that expresses them. To be overwhelmed with gratitude is a rich blessing and blessed is the person who knows that they are. I bet you are thinking of something or someone right now.  

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;” Ps.9.1 Conversations Within” ts 2/5/2022

“Your habits will determine your future.” Jack Canfield

 Have I given thought to my habits? Could I make a list of them? Do I know which ones are bad and which are good? Seriously! If I do not want to wind up somewhere undesirable, why would keep turning down a road I know is leading me there?  

“...whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” The Good Book Conversations Within” ts 2/4/2022

“I don’t have any bad habits. I’m good at all of them.” Meme

 We all have bad habits that need changing. But any change comes first in the wanting. This is why a bad habit is often broken by feeding a desire for something better. For instance, I certainly want to be healthy, which is why I give up some desire tempting me now, to obtain something better in the long run.  

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope…” Ps.130.5 Conversations Within” ts 2/3/2022

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” Beverly Sills

 Expect to put in time, and energy for everything of value. God’s wisdom is reflected not only in the outcome but in the process leading to it. Learn to value what it takes to get there as much as the reward for doing so. A person who is always present is never in a hurry. 

 “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Prov.21.5 Conversations Within” ts 2/2/2022

There are many areas in our lives that could benefit from a good pruning.

God is said to prune our lives to encourage greater fruitfulness. He uses circumstances, even people to cut away everything that is unfruitful or hinders our growth. We should cooperate with HIm and let go of “stuff” that holds us back from our best life. 

 “...every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 2/1/2022

“There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs.” Zig Ziglar

 It is a common grace when we embrace the simple truth that everything worth having is on the other side of demanding effort. We say demanding because we must demand from ourselves whatever is needed to achieve our goal.  

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Gal.6.9 Conversations Within” ts 2/1/2022

“Healthy habits are learned in the same way as unhealthy ones--through practice.” Wayne Dyer

We become what we do, and do, and do. Practice what is healthy. Abandon and totally forsake the unhealthy. Decide, then do, decide again, then do again. They say that “practice makes perfect.” Another observed that "practice makes perfect whatever we are practicing."  

“...whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Gal.6.7 Conversations Within” ts 1/30/2022

“Discernment is God's call to intercession, never to faultfinding.” Corrie Ten Boom

 Wise discernment is wise in its application. What good is discernment if we use it for destructive purposes like judging or criticizing others. When the Spirit of Jesus gives us insight, we can sure it is to give wisdom to our expressions of love and service,   

“And this I pray, that your love may overflow still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment.” Phil.1.9 Conversations Within” ts 1/28/2022

“When I do good I feel good, when I do bad I feel bad, and that’s my religion.” Unknown

 There are few things that can bless the soul more than knowing you have grown to choose goodness with ease, and that everyday you seek to put first things first. What a great life it is when we confidently approach each day doing what we know we should be doing. Anyone can have this life.  

“How blessed are those who keep justice, Who practice righteousness at all times!” Ps.106.3 Conversations Within” ts 1/27/2022

“Don't put the cart before the horse.” Idiom

It is easy to get distracted where our priorities are concerned. Do I even know what my priorities are? Could I write them down? Do I have the right priorities? Do not wind up at the end of the day, or infinitely worse, at the end of your life, having given priority to the wrong things.  

“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.” Prov.24.27 Conversations Within” ts 1/26/2022

“Instead of saying ‘I don't have time,’ try saying ‘it's not a priority,’ and see how that feels. Laura Vanderkam

 It is a valuable skill to give priority to matters that truly matter and even more so, to know what these things are. This means that we should make it a priority to determine our true priorities.  

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/25/2022