”It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” Chinese Proverb

Work your problems, don’t let them work you. Contribute, don't complain.

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Prov.14 Conversations Within ts 11/10/2022

I long for the day when I can run through a world naked and feel no shame.

I say “a world,” not this one, because innocence has been lost to me here in this place. I am well acquainted with the baggage of self. Heal me Lord Jesus, that I may become unacquainted with the pettiness of pride, and learn again to interact with everything untouched by judgment. Only your grace can restore us to innocence.

“Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” Gen.2 Conversations Within ts 11/9/2022

“If it's not going to matter in five years, don't spend more than five minutes being upset by it.” 5 by 5 rule

 I am starting to think that nothing is worth getting upset about, certainly insignificant stuff, but even over matters of great importance. A calm calculated response will always yield better results than an upset reaction. Let peace guide your reply.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And be thankful.” Col.3.15 Conversations Within ts 11/20/2022

“Peace train holy roller” Dolly Parton

I rose this morning thinking that we are entering, yet again, into the season of the Prince of Peace. But, In truth, the peace of Jesus is for every season. And, it is celebrated everyday, and every time someone says a simple prayer, believing that God has the best intentions for our lives. Hop aboard.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Conversations Within ts 11/21/2022

Hey cuz!

We are all sons or daughters of someone. We all descend from that first family. This of course means that we are all related. That young lady at the cash register is your kin. The old man passing you on the street has the same blood. Every single human soul on the planet is your relative. We each may have family, and that is important, but it should not keep us from loving the person in front of us. They too are kin. 

“I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” Conversations Within ts 11/12/2022

“Life is a Church” David Phelps

I am so grateful for family and friends. My true wealth is in my relationships. We bear witness to one another’s lives, and share all the many wonders of being alive. The open sky is our cathedral, and the joys and struggles of daily life is our church service. “Bless be the tie that binds.” Happy Thanksgiving!

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 11/19/2022 

“The things you take for granted, someone else is praying for.” Meme

The other day I was drinking a bottle of chocolate milk I grabbed on a whim in the store. How privileged we are to have so many wonderful pleasures at our fingertips. I can only imagine what a child in some poor third world country would think if they had a bottle of it. The simplest pleasures we take for granted, would be treasures to some. Lord help me remember this, the next time I want to complain.

“Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” Ps.103.2 Conversations Within ts 11/16/2022

Rainbows are reminders that God keeps His promises.

Reminders are good. I use them everyday or I forget things. There is a kind of active remembering when we purposefully observe something, like a birthday, Christmas, or Thanksgiving. We actively celebrate the value of these things to us. The rainbow’s value is not just in its beauty but in its message. Despite God’s disapproval of much of what we do, He is still gracious and forgiving.

“Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” Gen.9 Conversations Within ts 11/16/2022

“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.” George Santayana

Learning to stay in step, is a skill of healthy living. Knowing when to plant, when to harvest, when to rise and when to rest is wise. Our Father established the seasons, all of them. Do not despair a passing season, embrace and enjoy the season that is now. Be where you are.

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Conversations Within ts 11/15/2022

The morning you…

The other day, walking with my wife, I suggested a new goal I thought would be good for both of us. She perceptively remarked, “Sounds like the morning you.” After all these years, she knows that everyday I rise determined to live healthier and better, but often by the end of the day my determination has given way to some weakness. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. Thank God for the fresh resolve birthed in every new sunrise.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lam.3.22-23 Conversations Within ts 11/14/2022

“It's not easy to write an understated score over a loud one.” Alexandre Desplat

I was rereading the account of Creation in Genesis and came to the fourth day where God put the finishing touches on the skies above and read one short sentence, “He also made the stars.” Talk about an understatement! It’s like God said, “Oh yeah, let's sprinkle a few stars here for background!” I suppose He knew we would need something to keep us humble.

“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”Is.40.26 Conversations Within ts 11/8/2022

James Webb Telescope

“Do you think I wouldn’t obey my own rules?” Aslan

Recently, my spouse did me a favor, and in the process accidentally broke something. Now I could not help but wonder why God allowed it to happen, especially when she was acting in love. I mean why didn't He intervene, and reward her unselfish act? It helps to understand that what we call an accident is actually a result of the law of cause and effect written in the blueprints of creation by our wise Creator. Accidents happen. But whatever the effect, they can never affect, or undo God’s love and purposes for our lives.

“He who digs a pit may fall into it…and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.” Ecc.10.8-9 Conversations Within ts 11/8/2022

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

 Obedience is not a pleasant word in the ears of many adults, unless they are referring to children they are trying to raise. But it is precisely obedience that God wants from His children. This is never to be confused with forced compliance. Like love, true obedience to God is voluntary. The heart of true obedience is love and respect.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance…” 1Pet.1.14 Conversations Within ts 11/7/2022

When we have sincerely asked for God’s guidance and truly look for it as a manner of living, we should rest confident that He is in fact leading us.

 How do we know what God wants from us moment to moment? I feel confident that God is not a micromanager, standing over us trying to control our every move. When we have truly surrendered our hearts to Him, His will is pretty much reflected in what a surrendered heart desires. To want His will is the larger percentage of discovering it.

“Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.” 2Sam.7.3 Conversations Within ts 11/6/2022

“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” Pablo Picasso

I keep a “To Do” list. I will not finish it today, or tomorrow, so it stands to reason that one day I will die with some things still on my list that will be left undone. Not to worry. If I attend everyday to that “one thing” Jesus spoke about, which is simply to know what God is asking of me right now, and to seek His grace to do it, I will come to the end of my life being found exactly where I want to be, doing what is required of me.

“Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 11/5/2022

“Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” Dale Carnegie

It is easy to get overwhelmed by all the stuff of life. When this happens to me, it is usually because I am trying to focus on too many things at once. Don’t worry about everything that has to be done, just do the one thing you know needs doing at this moment. Father knows what that is. Ask Him!

“Only one thing is needed.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 11/4/2022

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky

I sometimes find it stressful to make decisions. This means that I will often put things off. Doing so just prolongs any stress I am having. I am learning the value of thinking things through but not overthinking them. Don't let indecision cripple you. Discuss your plans with your Heavenly Father, commit them to His oversight, then take your best shot.

“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” Ecc.11.4 Conversations Within ts 11/3/2022

“Be the change you want to see...”

Thinking about something, or talking about it should never be confused with doing it. Don’t just think or talk about matters that are important. Translate them into being! Change comes by decisive living, and that, by becoming a person of action. Merge into the stream of goodness.

“But be doers…” James 1.22 Conversations Within ts 11/2/2022

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” John Piper

One way to content the soul is to drink our fill from the cup that God has set before us. He sets the table before us, even in the presence of all that opposes our joy in Him. Whatever He has allowed this moment, He has filled our cup with His goodness and mercy and they follow us wherever we go.

“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup, you make my lot secure. Ps.16 Conversations Within ts 11/1/2022

The quiet soul is a mirror of contentment.

A weaned child rests content in the arms of its mother. To be still and know that God is God, is to rest from the mental labors to "figure it out.“ To be able to say, “I am content.” is to know the fullness of a faith firmly satisfied with what God is providing. Gratitude is its aroma.

“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Ps. 131 Conversations Within ts 10/31/2022

One cannot listen while talking, nor hear over the noise of incessant thinking.

I have learned the great value, not just of quiet places, but having a quiet heart. I do not quiet my soul, so that I can melt into the universe, or into nothingness, or focus only on my breathing. I quiet the soul to hear truth speak. Learning to quiet the soul is an essential first step in listening to God.

“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Ps. 131 Conversations Within ts 10/27/2022

“The happy life be these...the quiet mind…” Sir Henry Surrey

I understand that a quiet mind is not so much, not thinking, as it is a settled, level headed kind of thinking. This is in contrast to a seesawing, back and forth, unsettled kind of mind. Set your thoughts in place, on the foundation of goodness. Here is the first step to a quiet mind--a mind at rest.

“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Ps. 131 Conversations Within ts 10/27/2022

“And miles to go before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep.” Robert Frost

It is interesting to watch people pull up to a beautiful overlook, jump out the car and take a quick picture, jump back in the car and head off. I have done it myself. Somehow I can’t help but think there is a better way to interact with where I am than to just snap a quick picture. The joy of living is not in the future, but the now. I want to slow down and take it in. Who knows what will come our way just being where we are? Less can be more.

“And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming.” Gen.24.63 Conversations Within ts 10/27/2022

“This Magic Moment.” The Drifters

They all are, you know? Every moment of every day is precious. Thank you for patiently waking me to this Father. Let’s go for a walk. 

“And Enock walked with God, and He was not, for God took him.” Gen.5.24  Conversations Within ts 10/26/2022

"Don‘t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t botherin' you none. Curtis Rutledge

“If it ain't broke don’t fix it,” has always worked for me. Now I am learning the value that if something is broken don’t let it bother you, just fix it. Sometimes things break and there is nothing you can do about it. It is what it is. All of this dawned on me the other day when my internet speed was painfully slow. I realized my impatience was causing all of the pain. If something can’t be fixed why bother with it, why let it bother you?

“Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that bother you. Of course, if you have a chance to become free, take advantage of the opportunity.” 1Cor.7.21 Conversations Within ts 10/25/2022

“You fight when the necessity arises--no matter the mood! Mood's a thing for cattle or making love or playing the baliset. It's not for fighting.” Frank Herbert

 Sometimes I’m just not feeling it. Still, right is right and if something needs doing you just do it. Do not let emotion, or mood lead the journey. Lead with your head, what you know is good, right, and true, and your heart will catch up.

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Eph.4.23 Conversations Within ts 10/2/2022