I am sure there are times when “winning” might be a worthy goal, say like a fight against cancer. But on the whole, life isn’t about winning so much as it is about simply giving each day your best shot. Play on.
“By your endurance you will gain your lives.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 1/
Everything in life is process. We live in an incomplete state. I learned this partly from living for years on a sailboat. There is always something to be maintained or repaired. If you wait for everything to be finished, you will never set sail.
“For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter…” Ecc.8.6 Conversations Within
If someone suddenly took to flight without any artificial means, I suppose most would call it a miracle. But truely, do we see the miracle when God uses gravity to hold our feet to the ground? If a miracle is anything of supernatural origin, then everything made by God is a miracle, because everything, even natural processes find their existence in Him.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Rom.1.20 Conversations Within
Wisdom decided long ago that it is better to live in family, rather than live alone. We were wisely designed for tribal life. Give thanks for family, and friends, and the privilege and joy of traveling together. Someone said, "Find your tribe and love them hard."
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Ecc.4.9 Conversations Within ts 1/21/
When I come face to face with any of my doubts, the simplicity of knowing that God loves me anchors my soul in peace. I believe! I believe in God because I believe in love, and have experienced its transforming grace and power. I could just as easily say that I believe in love, because I believe in God.
“God is love. Those who abide in love abide in God and God in them.” Conversations Within ts 1/20/2024
It is an active faith that taps into the unlimited resources of God. Water the seed that lies dormant in you, and create the reality waiting to germinate in your heart. That tug you feel within right now is His Spirit working in you. Rise! Take up your bed and walk.
“...who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Eph.3.20 Conversations Within ts 1/19/
My best life is when my choices reflect the positive energy of love. Negative words, thoughts, actions or feelings cannot survive in the warm light of optimistic love. Love’s forward looking force always keeps working for greater heights of inclusive goodness.
“Love…always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always
Stop looking for shortcuts when God has wisely designed travel into the journey from where our character is, and where our character needs to be. It is effort plus time that shapes us into the person God wants us to be.
“Make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control,
Love is and isn’t so many things. What love is, defines what it isn’t. Because love is kind, it does not dishonor others. I am always at peace when I am purposefully loving others, and rarely at peace when I am not.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1Cor.13 Conversations Within ts 1/16/
A recent and prolonged sickness has taught me that like other hardships, infirmity can train me to deepen my experience of God, and the focus He wants to bring to my life. I have been encouraged to remember others who are sick in my prayers. There is nothing like a shared experience to help us identify with others.
“I share these things with you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 1/15/
It is great when you are having a good day, and a great opportunity to spread compassion and kindness to those who are not. Use the energy of good health and blessings to love on people oppressed by poor health or circumstances. Be the reason someone holds on to the goodness of God, even in a bad time.
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the
I figure that I am not as young as I used to be. No matter, I plan on going and doing until I can’t go and do any more. I’m pretty sure I will know when that day arrives, but until then, “I toast each sundown with wine.”
“Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 Conversations Within ts 1/11/
Blessings surround me everyday. I have lived a blessed life, enriched with family and friends. Blessings also await me in glory. Beyond my imagination my best days lie before me. Lord grant that I am a blessing to others!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Eph.1 Conversations Within ts 1/9/
It is hard to hear spiritual rhythms when physical ailments shout so loudly. Recently my wife and I have battled COVID, flu, and bacterial infections back to back. Talk about yuck! You don’t feel like doing anything. It comforts me to know that nothing has changed where spiritual realities are concerned. The sun is always there, even if hidden behind the clouds.
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lam.3 Conversations Within ts 1/8/
What I do every day adds up to a life well lived or poorly lived. God of course is the Judge. There is no “condemning judgment” for those who trust in Christ. This does not mean that we will not be judged from the standpoint of our fruitfulness. God is a gardener, and His crop is one our character and good deeds.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. That each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” Conversations Within ts 1/
Practically speaking we show kindness to someone by simply being useful to them. Whatever the need, a kind person offers themselves, and their resources to meet it. Here's to the "good life."
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” 1Jo.3.17 Conversations Within ts 1/6/
There are so many magical moments offered us in the world. Even now a gift presents itself. Nothing quite like the sound of rain falling on our tent--ice melting after a winter storm, the glazed limbs of trees surrendering to the warmth of sunrise, light sparkling everywhere.
“How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them
How we experience life depends to a large degree on how we choose to look at it. Own your circumstances but don’t let them own you.
“All things are yours...the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ belongs to God.” 1Cor.
I am quite certain I have erroneous beliefs. My understanding is incomplete. When I hear what other people believe I should keep this in mind. We are all working through our beliefs. I see God patiently helping me work through mine. Why should I question that He is helping others as well.
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we
The sooner we accept the fact that we all fall short, the easier it becomes to stop judging others. Because none of us “have a leg to stand on,” it will be God’s amazing grace that carries us into glory. He has made a gift out of what none of us deserve.
“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them.” 2Cor.5.19 Conversations Within ts 1/2/
All life is sacred because its Source is sacred. I feel the inner encouragement to only make choices that reflect this. I would train myself to be reverent of God in all things by treating others as made in His image, to view the world as a sacred trust, and to offer myself in the service of His love.
“Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be your
It not only feels good, but actually is good, when we follow one healthy decision after another. This is, of course, one of the joys of self-control.
“The fruit of the Spirit
My wife is a “matter of fact” kind of person. She doesn't waste energy on what is and can’t be changed. She simply accepts it, and deals with it as best she can. Her acceptance is more than an “O well, it is what it is” attitude. It is also adjusting expectations to the reality that God is at the helm steering the course of those who trust Him.
“You hold my future.” Ps.16 Conversations Within ts 12/
There are a lot of things to think about. But not everything is worthy of the energy of our thoughts. It is prudent to think about what we think about. Wisely sift our line of reasoning through the colander of praiseworthy goodness. At the end of the day decide if your thoughts have added to or taken your joy away.
“if anything is worthy of praise, think about these things.” Phil.4.8 Conversations Within
I try to watch what I eat. Sometimes I watch it with my appetite rather than a health conscious attitude. As usual, I find that Father's guidelines are rather simple and cut to the heart of it. Whatever He sets on the table is worthy of our thanks. It is gratitude that seasons our food with goodness.
“For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected. because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” 1Tim.4.4 Conversations Within ts 12/27/
Like most people, there are things that rub me the wrong way. What I am discovering is that Jesus does not really care about what ruffles me. He asks that I simply get over myself, and get on with the business of loving others.
“This is my
I realize more and more that if I am to love others as I should, I must often deny myself to do so. Self interest or better perhaps, self-centeredness often gets in the way of effective love. Never deny yourself just for the sake of denying yourself, but to put yourself in a better position to love someone.
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Conversations Within ts 12/25/2023
