“Relationships fail when people take their own insecurities and project them as their partner's flaws.” Steve Maraboli

 I often feel defeated when I know in my head that true love is not self centered, and yet hurt feelings dominate my focus. My insecurities poison the kind of person I want to be. What can one do when overpowered by a self centered “looking to blame” kind of focus? I am pretty sure I need to unlearn the practice of listening to my feelings, and choose instead to speak love’s truth to my heart. 

“Love…is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1Cor.13 Conversations Within ts 6/21/2023 

“Having a clear mind and a clear space allows you to think and act with purpose.”- Ellen Kramer

I sometimes set a timer to remind me to stay hydrated. I would be wise to set another to remind me to clear my mind of the clutter that accumulates throughout the day. Clear headed thinking is one step to living life with purpose and on purpose. Another of course is to discover, and establish what my purpose should be.

“The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out” Prov. 20:5 Conversations Within ts 6/20/2023

“Be the change you would see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

I don’t really pay much attention when people talk about changing the world, until I look at how successful they are in changing themselves. Perhaps I could adjust this focus a bit. I may need to keep my mouth shut about the changes I want to see around me, and cooperate with God on the changes He is working in me.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom.12 Conversations Within ts 6/19/2023

“How do you expect to defeat the devil if you can’t even defeat a chocolate chip cookie?” Joyce Meyer

 Self control is learned one decision at a time. Its value is in its fruit, and according to Jesus, fruit is the measure that matters. Does my physical shape, my attitudes, the way I interact with others reflect the kind of person I want to be? We can be sure they reflect the measure of our self control.

“All things are permitted for me, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”1Cor.6.12 Conversations Within ts 6/18/2023

“When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. And that’s my religion.” Abraham Linchon

I believe that negative consequences to our bad choices when we learn from them are as much a blessing as positive outcomes are to good choices. Every result can teach those willing to learn, and doing so will lead us to a healthy spiritual and physical life.

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” Duet.30.19 Conversations Within ts 6/18/2023 

“Some people are so poor all they have is money.” Bob Marley

An important skill is learning how to measure what has real and lasting value. One example is when we teach our children the value of healthy teeth. In truth, every decision we make reflects a value judgment. A helpful question is "what do I choose to treasure" because establishing this will determine where I spend my time and energy. 

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 6/16/2023

“Don’t make space for more stuff. Make space for more life.” Courtney Carver

Travel light. Life is meant to be lived, not entrapped by stuff. Life becomes cluttered when we spend all of our time, paying for, then maintaining stuff. Be frugal in ownership.

 “Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 6/14/2023

“The Dude abides.” The Big Lebowski

If we are going to go with the flow, it may be wise to know where the flow is going. Find the river that flows into goodness. Jump in, abide, and go with it.

“God is love. Whoever abides in love abides in God and God abides in them.” Conversations Within ts 6/13/2023

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.” (With Honors)

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil.3 Conversations Within ts 6/12/2023

“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anybody going faster than you is a maniac?” Unknown

 I sense the displeasure of God anytime I judge others. His Spirit encourages me to turn my judgments toward my own need for His grace and mercy. At the same time Jesus nurtures in me a growing compassion. My own shortcomings should be enough to silence any temptation to condemn. At the same time His compassion prompts a gentle patience toward others.

“...clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col.3.12 Conversations Within ts 6/11/2023

“As it is the business of tailors to make clothes, and cobblers to make shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.” Martin Luther

I talk with God all through the day as I talk with my spouse. It is a kind of hanging out together. But God is certainly inviting me, as does my wife with daily chores, to spend time with Him doing the business of interceding for others. His garden needs tending, and our prayers are His tools.

“Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 6/10/2023

“I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.” Mary Queen of Scots

Something may be outside the influence of my ability to change it, but not outside the influence of my prayers. Never underestimate, not only God’s power to affect change, but His willingness to do so when our prayers line up with His purposes. 

“Call to me, and I will answer you…” Jer.33.3 Conversations Within ts 6/9/2023

“It's inevitable to lose now and again. The trick is not to make a habit of it.” A Good Year (the movie) I

 t seems easy enough that when we fall down, we just get back up! But, it is often not easy as most of us know. It helps to know that it is our pride, or better our wounded pride keeping us down. We convince ourselves that feeling bad about failing is just being humble. It is not. True humility does not look at ones failure but at the grace of God to get back up.

“Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” Prov.24.16 Conversations Within ts 6/8/2023

Taking a break, doesn’t mean you’ve quit.

If it takes a thousand steps to get there, decide every day to take at least one. Do not forget the wisdom that deciding to take a break can be one of those steps and an important one at that. The idea is to keep working it, and planning to rest aids this.

“Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor…” Ex.23.12 Conversations Within ts 6/7/2023

“One who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” Confucius

Change may seem overwhelming, exhausting, even impossible. Tackle it with small moves. A little each day adds up. If a thousand things need to be done, choose one and do it. If the whole garden needs planting, plant one row today.

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 6/6/2023

“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” John Maxwell

What can I do today to bring me one step closer to the change I want to see in myself? Break the long journey into small steps.

“Abide in me and I in you.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 6/4/2023 

“Miserable people focus on what they hate about their life. Happy people focus on what they love about their life.” Zig Ziggler

 Something as simple as giving thanks first thing in the morning can shape our attitude and actions throughout the day. It also may be a great way to end the day as well. What comes to mind?

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.” Ps.92 Conversations Within ts 6/4/2023

“Your focus needs more focus.” Karate Kid

Find the proper focus, then keep it. It is in day to day life that we practice it, not just in our prayer closet, but when we cut the grass, or do the dishes. Every activity can be done mindlessly, or mindfully. Wake, and “practice the presence of God” as one brother called it. He is everywhere and in everything.

“For in Him we live and move and exist…” Acts 17.28 Conversations Within ts 6/1/2023

“I can't explain the science, but the cup you use to drink coffee out of matters.” Meme

I find a good measure of comfort in my daily routines. I read, reflect and write every morning, sitting quietly in the front seat of my van (my favorite chair), drinking coffee from my favorite cup (a Yeti), listening to instrumental music in the background on my favorite Pandora station. Even Jesus had routines. Wisdom instructs me to make sure they nurture goodness with what has real and lasting value.

“And He came out and went, as was His habit, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him.” Lk.22.39 “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;  you make my lot secure.” Ps.16 Conversations Within ts 5/31/2023

“Do not let pain define you, let it refine you.” Tim Fargo

Pain is certainly one prescription for what ails our fallen world. God sometimes uses it to refine our character, and remove whatever is keeping us from becoming like Him. This means that the essence is already there, despite the baggage we have added. Cooperate with the process. 

“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.” Ps.48.10 Conversations Within ts 5/30/2023

“I was watching a show called “Ten Ways To Avoid A Shark Attack” and was surprised that stay out of the water wasn’t on the list.” Meme

It makes sense that if we want to avoid certain negative outcomes that we simply stay clear of anything that would produce them. There are times when “Stay away!” is the best advice we can give ourselves. I know if I take this bit of wisdom seriously, I would probably talk less.

“Abstain from every form of evil.” 1Thess.5.22 Conversations Within ts 5/29/2023 

”Listening is not waiting to talk.” – Scott Ginsberg

Yep, I’m guilty of doing just that. Sweet Lord, work in me a spirit that truly listens to others. Instead of thinking about what I want to say when they finish talking, keep me focused on hearing not only what is spoken, but what is unspoken. It may be that no reply is needed, or at least said after I give thought to it.

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”James 1 Conversations Within ts 5/28/2023

No one rallies to the side of negative people except other negative people.

Find a way to contribute to positive change rather than sitting on the bleachers of blame. Criticizing and condemning rarely, if ever, helps a cause, and in truth can do real damage to it. Don’t make a hobby of verbally bashing others, bathe the wounds of the world in real and lasting change.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom.12.21 Conversations Within ts 5/27/2023

“Love doesn’t demand to be loved back, but it doesn’t mean it exists to be taken for granted.” Unknown

Ever felt taken for granted, or unappreciated? When it happens feelings can surge, and temp us to respond with an “Appreciate what you have, before it turns into what you had” attitude. But true love will refuse these feelings. The sad truth is that it is the one taking another for granted who is losing, and even if we do not want that to happen, it doesn't mean they won’t. You can’t force love.

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God.” Heb.12. Conversations Within ts 5/26/2023

“No matter where you go I will find you if it takes a thousand years.” The Last of the Mahicans

Humans often make promises that exceed our abilities. No one lives for a thousand years under this sun. Yet, we say things like “I will love you forever” because deep down forever is the yearning of our heart. Doesn’t the Good Book say, “He has put eternity into man’s heart?”

“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me, even though he dies like anyone else, shall live again.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 5/25/2023

 

“Happiness can exist only in acceptance.” George Orwell

    I sometimes find myself getting angry when something doesn't go the way I think it should. I strip the head of the last screw, or drop it in the grass and can’t find it. I hit my thumb, instead of the nail. I wonder if God is behind it, or at least why didn't He prevent it. He then reminds me that He is also working, not to make things easy for me, but to mature my patience.

“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Job 2.10 Conversations Within ts 5/24/2023