Just me trying to be honest with God.

Are you listening?

How can I become a better listener? Well, if my mouth is moving, I am not listening. If I am thinking about my response while someone is talking, I am not listening. If I am not giving people my full attention, I am not listening. To listen better, listen deliberately.

“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” Prov.18 “Conversations Within” ts 5/19/25



“Seek first to understand; then to be understood.” Stephen Covey

What better way to gain a new perspective on living than to be a good listener. Everyone has something to offer and listening is the key to learning. It has been observed by many that God did give us two ears and one mouth.

“Be quick to listen and slow to speak...” James 1 “Conversations Within” ts 5/18/25





“Measure twice. Cut once.” Woodworking adage

I need to measure the cost of my decisions, not after I make them, but before. This means that I learn how to weigh the worth of any choice I make to walk down a road or not.

“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 5/17/25



“I took a long, hard look at myself this morning. I won't be doing that again.”

Self-examination is an encouraged skill for people of faith. It not only helps to know that I have put my trust in something truly reliable, but also if my faith is reliable. I can count on Jesus, can He count on me?

“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.” “Conversations Within” ts 5/16/25





Finding the fun

Not everything in life is enjoyable. Some things can be down right hard. But learning how to find the fun in a necessary task is a valuable skill. It may be that if I am not having fun, I should simply change my attitude and approach.

“...everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil--this is God’s gift to man.” Ecc.3.13 “Conversations Within” ts 5/16/25