I like butter, and I like honey. I especially like them mixed, and sandwiched on a hot biscuit. The best way to enjoy them is to pile on a heap of gratitude, and a serving of moderation as you eat them. This way you will be healthy as well as happy.
“Butter and honey shall he eat, when he knows to refuse the evil, and choose the good.” Is.7.15 Conversations Within” ts 1/23/
The other day I asked my wife how old she would like to live. In her matter of fact manner, she told me that she would not want to live past usefulness or being able to get around well. I can attest that usefulness defines how she spends her time.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" Jesus
It is better to wisely deal with life, than to deal with drama. It is wise to realize that dealing with other people's drama is simply a part of dealing with life. Dealing wisely with myself, and my responses, will keep drama at bay. We can train ourselves to process problems without creating drama.
“Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.” Prov.29.11 Conversations Within”
A peaceful confidence flows when I remind myself who controls my future. Jesus has assured us that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from God’s love and care. When we ascend by faith into the height of these assurances, our worries cannot follow us there.
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To look at the night sky, the sheer number of stars, staggers the soul. One feels so small, so insignificant. Yet, the Spirit gently reminds me that all of it, made in the span of six days, was made at least in part for the people inhabiting this small planet. How great is our God, the maker of Heaven and earth, How great His love for each of us.
“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” Ps.8 Conversations Within” ts 1/19/2025
Jesus issued a grave warning, that holding something to be true when it is really false, puts us much further from knowing the truth. I believe a good example of this, especially in our age, is the false notion that what is true for me is true for me, and what is true for you is true for you. If something is true in the absolute sense, then it is always true. Lord, shine your light in our heart.
“So if the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness!” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/19/2025
Repentance is needed daily. The Spirit of Jesus encourages me to change my thinking. Of course my actions are to follow. Repentance is first an attitude that says, "Show me my faults." It is then a resultant action to change my ways. Repenting is a necessary prerequisite to abide in God’s love.
“Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/24/
Throw off what hinders. Rid yourself of the attitude and the action that is holding you back. Often if it isn’t helping, it is hindering. Identify what hinders and abandon it. Then run joyfully in the air of freedom.
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” Heb.12.1 Conversations Within” ts 1/11/
How do I humble myself before God? I am pretty sure that beating myself up with shame has nothing to do with it. Nurturing a realistic appraisal of our need for grace and His willingness to give it is a good first step. The humblest thing we can do is accept His love and mercy and move on in loving service to others.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand,
It is one thing to want for nothing because you already have everything, and another to simply want for nothing, because you have learned to be satisfied without everything.
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I
The word perfect, as used in Scripture, is strongly tied to the notion of maturity. To be perfect, as our Father in Heaven is, in context, refers to a mature response to one's enemies. In other words, we imitate God’s response to our enemies by loving, forgiving and blessing them, not by returning the immature response of condemning, criticizing, or seeking to harm them.
“Be perfect as your Father in
I realize the value of living
“The prudent give thought to their steps. Prov.14.15 Conversations Within” ts 1/7/2025
Emotions can cloud the day of decision. Approach life from a “matter of fact” point of view. I do not imply that we should be cold and indifferent, just calculated and self-controlled. Accept what is, and decide to run with the determination and joy of a three legged dog.
“You hold my future.” Ps.16 Conversations Within” ts 1/15/
Make preparations in the morning for the battle you know is coming this evening.
“Put on the whole armor of God.” Eph.6 Conversations Within” ts 1/14/2025
If you have ever told a child to do something just to show them that they cannot do it without help, then you begin to understand some of why Jesus is telling us to be perfect. By telling us to be perfect He is at once showing us our imperfections, and likewise helping us to understand our need to approach God under a different set of rules. Instead of trying to earn God's favor,we accept the favor He freely offers us in forgiveness and grace.
“Be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/6/2025
I am grateful that light surrounds me. I know what has true and lasting value. I know that love is the greatest. Truly, Lord, You have made known to me the path of life. Unfortunately I do not always walk on it. What is there for me to do, but to immediately make my way back to the path, and love as I should.
God is love. Those who abide in love abide in God and God in them. 1Jo.4.16 Conversations Within” ts 1/5/2025
Hurricane Hellene, now California wildfires; suffering abounds in our world. When it does, there always follows a powerful witness of enduring faith. People reach out in love to others, and families endure their loss with grace. One family sang "Hallelujah" standing outside the ruins of their fire ravaged home. There are some beautiful masterpieces painted over the canvas of human suffering.
“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
I love a good story. God gave us stories in the Bible. Jesus told stories to teach. Each of us has a story to tell. In every story there is a dilemma--a dragon to be slain. In every story there is a turning point that leads to a moral, a lesson and wisdom to be gleaned. Keep telling the stories to your heart and to others.
“Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and
It is one thing to inconsistently hit and miss doing good, and another to be faithfully good. Excel everyday at bringing goodness to others.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” 1Tim.1 Conversations Within” ts 1/2/
To hear Jesus say that He is returning soon, after two thousand plus years have passed, means that He surely measures time differently than we do. And of course He would, He was around before the sun moon and stars became a measure of time. Still, I add my voice like the prayers of children before Christmas morning, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
“Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” Rev.22.20 Conversations Within” ts 1/1/
Thoughts pop in my head all day long. Some are introduced to me by others. I am so grateful for the ability to choose how I respond to them. As a Christian, I am learning a new way of thinking, and every day is an opportunity to put it into practice.
“Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” Conversations Within” ts 12/25/
The name of Jesus was called over me at my baptism. I name His name, and as such, my life should remind others of Him. I am sure it does sometimes, just as I am sure there are times it does not. At best I am a mixed message. Someone said that “purity of heart is to will one will.” Instead of feeling the weight of these words, I would that they set me free to fly above the clouds of a divided life.
“Blessed are the pure in
God’s love and acceptance does not mean that He will leave us as He finds us. His love goes beyond acceptance, it is the offer of transformation. The question before us is not will God accept us, but will we accept His transforming work in our hearts?
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom.12.2 Conversations Within” ts 12/23/2024
I want to believe that God is intimately acquainted with me. Jesus made it clear that some will hear Him say, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” How can we be sure that we will never hear these horrible words? Well, Jesus also said, "My sheep hear my voice, and follow me.” I am sure this invitation is equally offered to everyone as much as it is necessary to be accepted.
"Lead me in the everlasting way." Ps.139 Conversations Within” ts 12/22/
My wife recently reminded me that you can't make anyone do anything. We can set an example, offer an encouraging word, even a gentle rebuke, but the bottom line is that true love can never be forced. The reason we know this is that God designed it so that people are free to love Him or not.
“Come to me and I will give you rest.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 12/28/
I may be slowly withering away on the outside, but my soul is and always will be eternally young. The Good Book reminds us that God has placed in us our desire to live forever. It is not wishful thinking that keeps this hope real, but the very word of Jesus that nurtures it in our soul.
“We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2Cor.4.16 Conversations Within” ts 12/25/
Looking at life through the lens of faith, and in particular a faith that believes that God works all things for our good, will turn a passive acceptance into an active one. This faith teaches us to say with confidence, “I accept this trial, and embrace what God is working in me.
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God…” Rom.8 Conversations Within” ts 12/21/2024
