"Be still, and know that I am God.” Ps.46 ESV (Doc's driveway)
Plato said that the unexamined life is not worth living and who in these hurried and overbooked days sits still long enough to do it. Each in their own way must give priority to coming to the quiet, to remind ourselves and be reminded that God is the center. Until we do this we will continue to be as Bilbo Baggins put it, “too little butter spread over too much toast.” But consider the simple value of sitting still, resting the body and spirit. The Maker invites us to bask in the rays of the Son, to feel the warmth of His favor, the light of His direction, the energy of His life coursing in us. Be still! Cease all movement! Quiet the soul. Shush every distracting thought. And then in quiet repose open your eyes and behold that God is God, that He is in Heaven and that earth and everything in it is His footstool. 8/25/2010 Conversations Within ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
“All human evil comes from a single cause, man's inability to sit still in a room.” Blaise Pasca
"Be still, and know that I am God.” Ps.46 ESV (Doc's driveway)
Plato said that the unexamined life is not worth living and who in these hurried and overbooked days sits still long enough to do it. Each in their own way must give priority to coming to the quiet, to remind ourselves and be reminded that God is the center. Until we do this we will continue to be as Bilbo Baggins put it, “too little butter spread over too much toast.” But consider the simple value of sitting still, resting the body and spirit. The Maker invites us to bask in the rays of the Son, to feel the warmth of His favor, the light of His direction, the energy of His life coursing in us. Be still! Cease all movement! Quiet the soul. Shush every distracting thought. And then in quiet repose open your eyes and behold that God is God, that He is in Heaven and that earth and everything in it is His footstool. 8/25/2010 Conversations Within ts
Plato said that the unexamined life is not worth living and who in these hurried and overbooked days sits still long enough to do it. Each in their own way must give priority to coming to the quiet, to remind ourselves and be reminded that God is the center. Until we do this we will continue to be as Bilbo Baggins put it, “too little butter spread over too much toast.” But consider the simple value of sitting still, resting the body and spirit. The Maker invites us to bask in the rays of the Son, to feel the warmth of His favor, the light of His direction, the energy of His life coursing in us. Be still! Cease all movement! Quiet the soul. Shush every distracting thought. And then in quiet repose open your eyes and behold that God is God, that He is in Heaven and that earth and everything in it is His footstool. 8/25/2010 Conversations Within ts
Monday, August 30, 2010
“Sit still. Stop thinking.” Aleister Crowley, Eight Lectures on Yoga
“But I have calmed and quieted my soul...” Ps.131 ESV
No Christian should hesitate borrowing from other religions if what is borrowed is wholesome, and true. After all, Christians do not believe that everything other religions believe and practice is false. For instance, I find sitting still and quieting the mind spiritually profitable just as I find yoga physically so. Indeed, learning to quiet the soul is downright essential if I am to silence the loud voices of this world and center myself around those things that really matter and, if sitting in a lotus position and breathing deeply facilitates this, why not. Of course one can do it sitting in chair just as well. What good is all our knowledge about God and life in Christ if we do not know where begin to access it, especially when life starts to smothers out His peace. Learning to quiet the soul is an essential first step in listening to Him. But this is where our practice goes beyond some of our Buddhist friends. We do not seek only to quiet the soul, to melt into the universe or into nothingness. We quiet the soul to hear God speak. He is life and health and peace not an empty state of mind. 8/24/2010 Conversations Within ts
No Christian should hesitate borrowing from other religions if what is borrowed is wholesome, and true. After all, Christians do not believe that everything other religions believe and practice is false. For instance, I find sitting still and quieting the mind spiritually profitable just as I find yoga physically so. Indeed, learning to quiet the soul is downright essential if I am to silence the loud voices of this world and center myself around those things that really matter and, if sitting in a lotus position and breathing deeply facilitates this, why not. Of course one can do it sitting in chair just as well. What good is all our knowledge about God and life in Christ if we do not know where begin to access it, especially when life starts to smothers out His peace. Learning to quiet the soul is an essential first step in listening to Him. But this is where our practice goes beyond some of our Buddhist friends. We do not seek only to quiet the soul, to melt into the universe or into nothingness. We quiet the soul to hear God speak. He is life and health and peace not an empty state of mind. 8/24/2010 Conversations Within ts
“Sit still. Stop thinking.” Aleister Crowley, Eight Lectures on Yoga
“But I have calmed and quieted my soul...” Ps.131 ESV
No Christian should hesitate borrowing from other religions if what is borrowed is wholesome, and true. After all, Christians do not believe that everything other religions believe and practice is false. For instance, I find sitting still and quieting the mind spiritually profitable just as I find yoga physically so. Indeed, learning to quiet the soul is downright essential if I am to silence the loud voices of this world and center myself around those things that really matter and, if sitting in a lotus position and breathing deeply facilitates this, why not. Of course one can do it sitting in chair just as well. What good is all our knowledge about God and life in Christ if we do not know where begin to access it, especially when life starts to smothers out His peace. Learning to quiet the soul is an essential first step in listening to Him. But this is where our practice goes beyond some of our Buddhist friends. We do not seek only to quiet the soul, to melt into the universe or into nothingness. We quiet the soul to hear God speak. He is life and health and peace not an empty state of mind. 8/24/2010 Conversations Within ts
No Christian should hesitate borrowing from other religions if what is borrowed is wholesome, and true. After all, Christians do not believe that everything other religions believe and practice is false. For instance, I find sitting still and quieting the mind spiritually profitable just as I find yoga physically so. Indeed, learning to quiet the soul is downright essential if I am to silence the loud voices of this world and center myself around those things that really matter and, if sitting in a lotus position and breathing deeply facilitates this, why not. Of course one can do it sitting in chair just as well. What good is all our knowledge about God and life in Christ if we do not know where begin to access it, especially when life starts to smothers out His peace. Learning to quiet the soul is an essential first step in listening to Him. But this is where our practice goes beyond some of our Buddhist friends. We do not seek only to quiet the soul, to melt into the universe or into nothingness. We quiet the soul to hear God speak. He is life and health and peace not an empty state of mind. 8/24/2010 Conversations Within ts
Saturday, August 28, 2010
“Human beings, vegetables, or comic dust...
...we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player” Albert Einstein
“By faith...he endured as seeing him who is invisible.” Heb.11 ESV
That God is invisible used to bother me until I realized that wanting Him to be visible was like wanting the sun to not be hot. God is as God is, how else could He be. I have come to appreciate the invisibility of my own soul, the air I breath even thoughts within me. I think I am finally getting used to the fact that He is invisible even growing comfortable with it. I am also coming to appreciate the unique manner He uses to speak with me. A younger me wanted the audible voice and even these days I confess I sometimes wish he would tell me things “out loud.” But He speaks well enough. Conversations within are no less real than the ones I have without. I know the difference between His voice and my own. My favorite conversations are when hear Him affirming my thoughts not when He has to interrupt them. That I don't experience that enough tells me I have a long way to go. 8/24/2010 Conversations Within
“By faith...he endured as seeing him who is invisible.” Heb.11 ESV
That God is invisible used to bother me until I realized that wanting Him to be visible was like wanting the sun to not be hot. God is as God is, how else could He be. I have come to appreciate the invisibility of my own soul, the air I breath even thoughts within me. I think I am finally getting used to the fact that He is invisible even growing comfortable with it. I am also coming to appreciate the unique manner He uses to speak with me. A younger me wanted the audible voice and even these days I confess I sometimes wish he would tell me things “out loud.” But He speaks well enough. Conversations within are no less real than the ones I have without. I know the difference between His voice and my own. My favorite conversations are when hear Him affirming my thoughts not when He has to interrupt them. That I don't experience that enough tells me I have a long way to go. 8/24/2010 Conversations Within
“Human beings, vegetables, or comic dust...
...we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player” Albert Einstein
“By faith...he endured as seeing him who is invisible.” Heb.11 ESV
That God is invisible used to bother me until I realized that wanting Him to be visible was like wanting the sun to not be hot. God is as God is, how else could He be. I have come to appreciate the invisibility of my own soul, the air I breath even thoughts within me. I think I am finally getting used to the fact that He is invisible even growing comfortable with it. I am also coming to appreciate the unique manner He uses to speak with me. A younger me wanted the audible voice and even these days I confess I sometimes wish he would tell me things “out loud.” But He speaks well enough. Conversations within are no less real than the ones I have without. I know the difference between His voice and my own. My favorite conversations are when hear Him affirming my thoughts not when He has to interrupt them. That I don't experience that enough tells me I have a long way to go. 8/24/2010 Conversations Within
“By faith...he endured as seeing him who is invisible.” Heb.11 ESV
That God is invisible used to bother me until I realized that wanting Him to be visible was like wanting the sun to not be hot. God is as God is, how else could He be. I have come to appreciate the invisibility of my own soul, the air I breath even thoughts within me. I think I am finally getting used to the fact that He is invisible even growing comfortable with it. I am also coming to appreciate the unique manner He uses to speak with me. A younger me wanted the audible voice and even these days I confess I sometimes wish he would tell me things “out loud.” But He speaks well enough. Conversations within are no less real than the ones I have without. I know the difference between His voice and my own. My favorite conversations are when hear Him affirming my thoughts not when He has to interrupt them. That I don't experience that enough tells me I have a long way to go. 8/24/2010 Conversations Within
Friday, August 27, 2010
“Don't worry Wilson, I'll do all the paddling. You just hang on.” Cast Away (The Movie)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1Co.10 ESV
If seeking God's glory means first and foremost that we enjoy Him, how exactly does one do this? Well, pretty much the same as we enjoy the company of any friend. Good conversation, sharing experiences, learning together, working on joint projects, just about anything we share with a friend we may share with God. One of the best aspects of friendship is getting to know the other person and what better way to do that than spending time together, doing things together. And, where God is concerned we are never truly alone. I remember feeling how very sad it was that the character in the movie “Cast Away” had to invent a companion out of a soccer ball when the creator of every rock and tree and wave was all around him. One could spend an eternity getting to know God just by exploring all He has made. Perhaps this is why Jesus defined eternal life as knowing God because it will take an eternal life to do so. 8/23/2010 Conversations Within ts
If seeking God's glory means first and foremost that we enjoy Him, how exactly does one do this? Well, pretty much the same as we enjoy the company of any friend. Good conversation, sharing experiences, learning together, working on joint projects, just about anything we share with a friend we may share with God. One of the best aspects of friendship is getting to know the other person and what better way to do that than spending time together, doing things together. And, where God is concerned we are never truly alone. I remember feeling how very sad it was that the character in the movie “Cast Away” had to invent a companion out of a soccer ball when the creator of every rock and tree and wave was all around him. One could spend an eternity getting to know God just by exploring all He has made. Perhaps this is why Jesus defined eternal life as knowing God because it will take an eternal life to do so. 8/23/2010 Conversations Within ts
“Don't worry Wilson, I'll do all the paddling. You just hang on.” Cast Away (The Movie)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1Co.10 ESV
If seeking God's glory means first and foremost that we enjoy Him, how exactly does one do this? Well, pretty much the same as we enjoy the company of any friend. Good conversation, sharing experiences, learning together, working on joint projects, just about anything we share with a friend we may share with God. One of the best aspects of friendship is getting to know the other person and what better way to do that than spending time together, doing things together. And, where God is concerned we are never truly alone. I remember feeling how very sad it was that the character in the movie “Cast Away” had to invent a companion out of a soccer ball when the creator of every rock and tree and wave was all around him. One could spend an eternity getting to know God just by exploring all He has made. Perhaps this is why Jesus defined eternal life as knowing God because it will take an eternal life to do so. 8/23/2010 Conversations Within ts
If seeking God's glory means first and foremost that we enjoy Him, how exactly does one do this? Well, pretty much the same as we enjoy the company of any friend. Good conversation, sharing experiences, learning together, working on joint projects, just about anything we share with a friend we may share with God. One of the best aspects of friendship is getting to know the other person and what better way to do that than spending time together, doing things together. And, where God is concerned we are never truly alone. I remember feeling how very sad it was that the character in the movie “Cast Away” had to invent a companion out of a soccer ball when the creator of every rock and tree and wave was all around him. One could spend an eternity getting to know God just by exploring all He has made. Perhaps this is why Jesus defined eternal life as knowing God because it will take an eternal life to do so. 8/23/2010 Conversations Within ts
Thursday, August 26, 2010
“Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin.” Aesop
“But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction...” Josh.6 ESV
In the Old Testament we find an interesting if not brutal practice where God asked the children of Israel to devote certain things to destruction so that they would not be enticed by them to sin against Him. Household idols taken as plunder are one example. As Israel conquered city to city they were to utterly destroy everything on the list. Each of us should likewise have a list of things “devoted to destruction,” and we should mercilessly turn against them until they are purged from our promised land of faith. Paul puts it this way, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” I still find myself playing around or making excuses for certain sins. They are copperheads and black widows in the nursery of my faith and as such should be devoted to complete destruction. This explains why Christ comes to us with a sword in His hand, instead of an olive branch. He comes to rid our nursery of dangers. 8/20/2010 Conversations Within ts
In the Old Testament we find an interesting if not brutal practice where God asked the children of Israel to devote certain things to destruction so that they would not be enticed by them to sin against Him. Household idols taken as plunder are one example. As Israel conquered city to city they were to utterly destroy everything on the list. Each of us should likewise have a list of things “devoted to destruction,” and we should mercilessly turn against them until they are purged from our promised land of faith. Paul puts it this way, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” I still find myself playing around or making excuses for certain sins. They are copperheads and black widows in the nursery of my faith and as such should be devoted to complete destruction. This explains why Christ comes to us with a sword in His hand, instead of an olive branch. He comes to rid our nursery of dangers. 8/20/2010 Conversations Within ts
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before.” Rajneesh
“Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.” Ps.29 ESV
When Jesus awakens us to life with God, holiness is born in our hearts. Holiness touches everything we do as a newborn does to its young mother. The baby is never far from anything the mother does, everything is influenced by the life of the child. In the same way, God is center of holiness. He is the hub, the axle of life, the point around which everything revolves. He is never far from our thoughts and everything from eating a sandwich, watching a movie, or listening to a song not only brings Him to mind but becomes a means of enjoying Him. Capture my heart Lord, as a newborn captures its mother. 8/19/2010 Conversations Within ts
When Jesus awakens us to life with God, holiness is born in our hearts. Holiness touches everything we do as a newborn does to its young mother. The baby is never far from anything the mother does, everything is influenced by the life of the child. In the same way, God is center of holiness. He is the hub, the axle of life, the point around which everything revolves. He is never far from our thoughts and everything from eating a sandwich, watching a movie, or listening to a song not only brings Him to mind but becomes a means of enjoying Him. Capture my heart Lord, as a newborn captures its mother. 8/19/2010 Conversations Within ts
“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before.” Rajneesh
“Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.” Ps.29 ESV
When Jesus awakens us to life with God, holiness is born in our hearts. Holiness touches everything we do as a newborn does to its young mother. The baby is never far from anything the mother does, everything is influenced by the life of the child. In the same way, God is center of holiness. He is the hub, the axle of life, the point around which everything revolves. He is never far from our thoughts and everything from eating a sandwich, watching a movie, or listening to a song not only brings Him to mind but becomes a means of enjoying Him. Capture my heart Lord, as a newborn captures its mother. 8/19/2010 Conversations Within ts
When Jesus awakens us to life with God, holiness is born in our hearts. Holiness touches everything we do as a newborn does to its young mother. The baby is never far from anything the mother does, everything is influenced by the life of the child. In the same way, God is center of holiness. He is the hub, the axle of life, the point around which everything revolves. He is never far from our thoughts and everything from eating a sandwich, watching a movie, or listening to a song not only brings Him to mind but becomes a means of enjoying Him. Capture my heart Lord, as a newborn captures its mother. 8/19/2010 Conversations Within ts
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
“How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing it is irresistible.” C. S. Lewis
“Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness...” Ps.96 ESV
Holiness is an old fashioned word that in most circles, has fallen out of any practical use. And, though the word is rarely used, there are still expressions of it today. If someone keeps themselves wholly and solely for their chosen mate they are acting out one expression of holiness. Anytime we reserve or set something aside as special or unique we are expressing this sacred idea. To worship God in the beauty of holiness would then mean a number of things. One is that we give ourselves in worship to Him alone and since worship is always closely connected to service, every single thing we do for others, we do it as an offering to Him. This means when we carry our neighbors trash down to the street we may be serving the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 8/18/2010 Conversations Within ts
Holiness is an old fashioned word that in most circles, has fallen out of any practical use. And, though the word is rarely used, there are still expressions of it today. If someone keeps themselves wholly and solely for their chosen mate they are acting out one expression of holiness. Anytime we reserve or set something aside as special or unique we are expressing this sacred idea. To worship God in the beauty of holiness would then mean a number of things. One is that we give ourselves in worship to Him alone and since worship is always closely connected to service, every single thing we do for others, we do it as an offering to Him. This means when we carry our neighbors trash down to the street we may be serving the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 8/18/2010 Conversations Within ts
“How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing it is irresistible.” C. S. Lewis
“Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness...” Ps.96 ESV
Holiness is an old fashioned word that in most circles, has fallen out of any practical use. And, though the word is rarely used, there are still expressions of it today. If someone keeps themselves wholly and solely for their chosen mate they are acting out one expression of holiness. Anytime we reserve or set something aside as special or unique we are expressing this sacred idea. To worship God in the beauty of holiness would then mean a number of things. One is that we give ourselves in worship to Him alone and since worship is always closely connected to service, every single thing we do for others, we do it as an offering to Him. This means when we carry our neighbors trash down to the street we may be serving the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 8/18/2010 Conversations Within ts
Holiness is an old fashioned word that in most circles, has fallen out of any practical use. And, though the word is rarely used, there are still expressions of it today. If someone keeps themselves wholly and solely for their chosen mate they are acting out one expression of holiness. Anytime we reserve or set something aside as special or unique we are expressing this sacred idea. To worship God in the beauty of holiness would then mean a number of things. One is that we give ourselves in worship to Him alone and since worship is always closely connected to service, every single thing we do for others, we do it as an offering to Him. This means when we carry our neighbors trash down to the street we may be serving the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 8/18/2010 Conversations Within ts
Monday, August 23, 2010
“They always think you are recommending Christianity not because it is 'true' but because it is 'good'. C. S. Lewis
“True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” Jesus
By telling us that there are many ways not to worship God, Jesus is helping us find the right way to do so. One would think that people would appreciate this. After all, who likes driving down dead end streets. Unless of course there is something down a dead end street I really want. In that case, one may care a great deal more about what they want rather than what is true. People often opt for a feel good religion over the kind of friendship offered by Jesus. His friendship will never allow us to choose what is convenient over what is true. I quite agree with one dear brother who said, “One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and if it is true, of infinite importance.” 8/13/2010 Conversations Within ts
By telling us that there are many ways not to worship God, Jesus is helping us find the right way to do so. One would think that people would appreciate this. After all, who likes driving down dead end streets. Unless of course there is something down a dead end street I really want. In that case, one may care a great deal more about what they want rather than what is true. People often opt for a feel good religion over the kind of friendship offered by Jesus. His friendship will never allow us to choose what is convenient over what is true. I quite agree with one dear brother who said, “One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and if it is true, of infinite importance.” 8/13/2010 Conversations Within ts
“They always think you are recommending Christianity not because it is 'true' but because it is 'good'. C. S. Lewis
“True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” Jesus
By telling us that there are many ways not to worship God, Jesus is helping us find the right way to do so. One would think that people would appreciate this. After all, who likes driving down dead end streets. Unless of course there is something down a dead end street I really want. In that case, one may care a great deal more about what they want rather than what is true. People often opt for a feel good religion over the kind of friendship offered by Jesus. His friendship will never allow us to choose what is convenient over what is true. I quite agree with one dear brother who said, “One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and if it is true, of infinite importance.” 8/13/2010 Conversations Within ts
By telling us that there are many ways not to worship God, Jesus is helping us find the right way to do so. One would think that people would appreciate this. After all, who likes driving down dead end streets. Unless of course there is something down a dead end street I really want. In that case, one may care a great deal more about what they want rather than what is true. People often opt for a feel good religion over the kind of friendship offered by Jesus. His friendship will never allow us to choose what is convenient over what is true. I quite agree with one dear brother who said, “One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and if it is true, of infinite importance.” 8/13/2010 Conversations Within ts
Saturday, August 21, 2010
“I only know how to do things 3 ways: the WRONG way. the RIGHT way. and MY way. Which is really the WRONG way, only faster!” Anonymous
“You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way.” Dt.12 ESV
Everyday life teaches us that there is a right and wrong way to do things. Who would open a soda can upside down. It seems ludicrous that people rebel against the idea that the there is a right and wrong way to approach God--especially after He tells there is. Today people insist that there are many roads to Him and that Jesus is just one of those roads. Of course Jesus did not believe this and told us in no uncertain terms that no one can come to God unless we come through Him. Our “do it your own way” society doesn't approve such a narrow road (pun intended)). I think this is exactly why Jesus preached repentance. In effect He is saying we must surrender our ideas, our own approach to life and adopt His. But to do that, we must admit that we are wrong and that is so very hard on our pride. 8/13/2010 Conversations Within ts
Everyday life teaches us that there is a right and wrong way to do things. Who would open a soda can upside down. It seems ludicrous that people rebel against the idea that the there is a right and wrong way to approach God--especially after He tells there is. Today people insist that there are many roads to Him and that Jesus is just one of those roads. Of course Jesus did not believe this and told us in no uncertain terms that no one can come to God unless we come through Him. Our “do it your own way” society doesn't approve such a narrow road (pun intended)). I think this is exactly why Jesus preached repentance. In effect He is saying we must surrender our ideas, our own approach to life and adopt His. But to do that, we must admit that we are wrong and that is so very hard on our pride. 8/13/2010 Conversations Within ts
“I only know how to do things 3 ways: the WRONG way. the RIGHT way. and MY way. Which is really the WRONG way, only faster!” Anonymous
“You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way.” Dt.12 ESV
Everyday life teaches us that there is a right and wrong way to do things. Who would open a soda can upside down. It seems ludicrous that people rebel against the idea that the there is a right and wrong way to approach God--especially after He tells there is. Today people insist that there are many roads to Him and that Jesus is just one of those roads. Of course Jesus did not believe this and told us in no uncertain terms that no one can come to God unless we come through Him. Our “do it your own way” society doesn't approve such a narrow road (pun intended)). I think this is exactly why Jesus preached repentance. In effect He is saying we must surrender our ideas, our own approach to life and adopt His. But to do that, we must admit that we are wrong and that is so very hard on our pride. 8/13/2010 Conversations Within ts
Everyday life teaches us that there is a right and wrong way to do things. Who would open a soda can upside down. It seems ludicrous that people rebel against the idea that the there is a right and wrong way to approach God--especially after He tells there is. Today people insist that there are many roads to Him and that Jesus is just one of those roads. Of course Jesus did not believe this and told us in no uncertain terms that no one can come to God unless we come through Him. Our “do it your own way” society doesn't approve such a narrow road (pun intended)). I think this is exactly why Jesus preached repentance. In effect He is saying we must surrender our ideas, our own approach to life and adopt His. But to do that, we must admit that we are wrong and that is so very hard on our pride. 8/13/2010 Conversations Within ts
Friday, August 20, 2010
“There is a fellowship more quiet even than solitude, and which, rightly understood, is solitude made perfect.” Robert Louis Stevenson
“...not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some.” Heb. 10 ESV
These words used so often by clergy to exhort people to go to church have been twisted into something dreadful. Many religious leaders believe that people exist for the benefit of the church meetings not vise-versa. Such an emphasis has led people to mistakenly believe that the principle practice of Christians is to go to meetings. But though this encouragement has been abused, these words reveal an important aspect of a healthy spiritual life. The Christian life is not a go it alone affair. We need one another. And, whenever or however we meet, formally or informally we assemble in the name to help each other. We should never get in the habit of not getting together with Christian friends. 8/13/2010 Conversations Within ts
These words used so often by clergy to exhort people to go to church have been twisted into something dreadful. Many religious leaders believe that people exist for the benefit of the church meetings not vise-versa. Such an emphasis has led people to mistakenly believe that the principle practice of Christians is to go to meetings. But though this encouragement has been abused, these words reveal an important aspect of a healthy spiritual life. The Christian life is not a go it alone affair. We need one another. And, whenever or however we meet, formally or informally we assemble in the name to help each other. We should never get in the habit of not getting together with Christian friends. 8/13/2010 Conversations Within ts
“There is a fellowship more quiet even than solitude, and which, rightly understood, is solitude made perfect.” Robert Louis Stevenson
“...not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some.” Heb. 10 ESV
These words used so often by clergy to exhort people to go to church have been twisted into something dreadful. Many religious leaders believe that people exist for the benefit of the church meetings not vise-versa. Such an emphasis has led people to mistakenly believe that the principle practice of Christians is to go to meetings. But though this encouragement has been abused, these words reveal an important aspect of a healthy spiritual life. The Christian life is not a go it alone affair. We need one another. And, whenever or however we meet, formally or informally we assemble in the name to help each other. We should never get in the habit of not getting together with Christian friends. 8/13/2010 Conversations Within ts
These words used so often by clergy to exhort people to go to church have been twisted into something dreadful. Many religious leaders believe that people exist for the benefit of the church meetings not vise-versa. Such an emphasis has led people to mistakenly believe that the principle practice of Christians is to go to meetings. But though this encouragement has been abused, these words reveal an important aspect of a healthy spiritual life. The Christian life is not a go it alone affair. We need one another. And, whenever or however we meet, formally or informally we assemble in the name to help each other. We should never get in the habit of not getting together with Christian friends. 8/13/2010 Conversations Within ts
Thursday, August 19, 2010
“Speak your mind. Don't let anyone censor you… You have to express yourself no matter what anyone else thinks about it.” Quotes from Teenagers
“Speak your mind. Don't let anyone censor you… You have to express yourself no matter what anyone else thinks about it.” Quotes from Teenagers
“The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.” Pr.12 ESV
I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve. What this means is that people around me are never at a loss about how I am feeling. This is neither good nor desirable, though some might take it as a form of sincerity. Truly some books are private and should not be left open for others to read. To always spill your inner thoughts reflects poor self-discipline. I have never had a problem speaking my mind but this means when I am angry I often spew it out on whoever is around. When I don’t feel good, I tell you about it. This not only reflects poor self-discipline it reveals that the arrow of my concern is often pointed the wrong direction. Instead of telling people how I feel I might try asking them how they feel. Instead of spewing out my feelings, I might try soothing the frustrations of others. Instead of expressing my vexations, I should try to get over myself and start thinking about those around me. 8/12/2010 Conversations Within ts
“The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.” Pr.12 ESV
I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve. What this means is that people around me are never at a loss about how I am feeling. This is neither good nor desirable, though some might take it as a form of sincerity. Truly some books are private and should not be left open for others to read. To always spill your inner thoughts reflects poor self-discipline. I have never had a problem speaking my mind but this means when I am angry I often spew it out on whoever is around. When I don’t feel good, I tell you about it. This not only reflects poor self-discipline it reveals that the arrow of my concern is often pointed the wrong direction. Instead of telling people how I feel I might try asking them how they feel. Instead of spewing out my feelings, I might try soothing the frustrations of others. Instead of expressing my vexations, I should try to get over myself and start thinking about those around me. 8/12/2010 Conversations Within ts
“Speak your mind. Don't let anyone censor you… You have to express yourself no matter what anyone else thinks about it.” Quotes from Teenagers
“Speak your mind. Don't let anyone censor you… You have to express yourself no matter what anyone else thinks about it.” Quotes from Teenagers
“The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.” Pr.12 ESV
I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve. What this means is that people around me are never at a loss about how I am feeling. This is neither good nor desirable, though some might take it as a form of sincerity. Truly some books are private and should not be left open for others to read. To always spill your inner thoughts reflects poor self-discipline. I have never had a problem speaking my mind but this means when I am angry I often spew it out on whoever is around. When I don’t feel good, I tell you about it. This not only reflects poor self-discipline it reveals that the arrow of my concern is often pointed the wrong direction. Instead of telling people how I feel I might try asking them how they feel. Instead of spewing out my feelings, I might try soothing the frustrations of others. Instead of expressing my vexations, I should try to get over myself and start thinking about those around me. 8/12/2010 Conversations Within ts
“The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.” Pr.12 ESV
I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve. What this means is that people around me are never at a loss about how I am feeling. This is neither good nor desirable, though some might take it as a form of sincerity. Truly some books are private and should not be left open for others to read. To always spill your inner thoughts reflects poor self-discipline. I have never had a problem speaking my mind but this means when I am angry I often spew it out on whoever is around. When I don’t feel good, I tell you about it. This not only reflects poor self-discipline it reveals that the arrow of my concern is often pointed the wrong direction. Instead of telling people how I feel I might try asking them how they feel. Instead of spewing out my feelings, I might try soothing the frustrations of others. Instead of expressing my vexations, I should try to get over myself and start thinking about those around me. 8/12/2010 Conversations Within ts
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
“Discipline is remembering what you want.” David Campbell
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Pr.25 ESV
If a person without discipline is defenseless before personal appetites, imagine how well defended is the disciplined soul. A person who has learned to assign true value to what they really want is powerful. We might think that a person without self-control is weak willed. Actually, there is no such thing as a weak will, only an untrained one. The Spirit of Christ offers to serve as our personal trainer. He encourages us to examine our desires and through simple repetition, He helps incline our hearts to chose superior ones. The key in one sense is not wanting less but wanting more. Saying no to a lesser desire is only waiting for another train to a better destination. 8/11/2010 Conversations Within ts
If a person without discipline is defenseless before personal appetites, imagine how well defended is the disciplined soul. A person who has learned to assign true value to what they really want is powerful. We might think that a person without self-control is weak willed. Actually, there is no such thing as a weak will, only an untrained one. The Spirit of Christ offers to serve as our personal trainer. He encourages us to examine our desires and through simple repetition, He helps incline our hearts to chose superior ones. The key in one sense is not wanting less but wanting more. Saying no to a lesser desire is only waiting for another train to a better destination. 8/11/2010 Conversations Within ts
“Discipline is remembering what you want.” David Campbell
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Pr.25 ESV
If a person without discipline is defenseless before personal appetites, imagine how well defended is the disciplined soul. A person who has learned to assign true value to what they really want is powerful. We might think that a person without self-control is weak willed. Actually, there is no such thing as a weak will, only an untrained one. The Spirit of Christ offers to serve as our personal trainer. He encourages us to examine our desires and through simple repetition, He helps incline our hearts to chose superior ones. The key in one sense is not wanting less but wanting more. Saying no to a lesser desire is only waiting for another train to a better destination. 8/11/2010 Conversations Within ts
If a person without discipline is defenseless before personal appetites, imagine how well defended is the disciplined soul. A person who has learned to assign true value to what they really want is powerful. We might think that a person without self-control is weak willed. Actually, there is no such thing as a weak will, only an untrained one. The Spirit of Christ offers to serve as our personal trainer. He encourages us to examine our desires and through simple repetition, He helps incline our hearts to chose superior ones. The key in one sense is not wanting less but wanting more. Saying no to a lesser desire is only waiting for another train to a better destination. 8/11/2010 Conversations Within ts
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
“Being taken for granted can be a compliment. It means that you've become a comfortable, trusted element in another person's life.” Joyce Brothers
“But the centurion replied, "Lord…only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Mt.8 ESV
We know something is reliable when we can take it for granted. Most of us took the rising sun this morning that way. We usually frown on people who take things for granted but sometimes taking something or someone for granted can be a good thing. Take God for instance. I do not mean that we are unappreciative of His faithfulness. No, we come to that place where we are so confident that God will do as He promised that we don’t give it a second thought. Consider the number of things that we believe are covered by our prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.” 8/10/2010 Conversations Within ts
We know something is reliable when we can take it for granted. Most of us took the rising sun this morning that way. We usually frown on people who take things for granted but sometimes taking something or someone for granted can be a good thing. Take God for instance. I do not mean that we are unappreciative of His faithfulness. No, we come to that place where we are so confident that God will do as He promised that we don’t give it a second thought. Consider the number of things that we believe are covered by our prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.” 8/10/2010 Conversations Within ts
“Being taken for granted can be a compliment. It means that you've become a comfortable, trusted element in another person's life.” Joyce Brothers
“But the centurion replied, "Lord…only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Mt.8 ESV
We know something is reliable when we can take it for granted. Most of us took the rising sun this morning that way. We usually frown on people who take things for granted but sometimes taking something or someone for granted can be a good thing. Take God for instance. I do not mean that we are unappreciative of His faithfulness. No, we come to that place where we are so confident that God will do as He promised that we don’t give it a second thought. Consider the number of things that we believe are covered by our prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.” 8/10/2010 Conversations Within ts
We know something is reliable when we can take it for granted. Most of us took the rising sun this morning that way. We usually frown on people who take things for granted but sometimes taking something or someone for granted can be a good thing. Take God for instance. I do not mean that we are unappreciative of His faithfulness. No, we come to that place where we are so confident that God will do as He promised that we don’t give it a second thought. Consider the number of things that we believe are covered by our prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.” 8/10/2010 Conversations Within ts
Monday, August 16, 2010
To appreciate God’s faithfulness we sometimes must adjust our grasp of His goodness.
“The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.” Ps.145 ESV
We say that someone is a “person of their word,” and by it, we mean that you can count on them to do as they have said. This is not always a good thing where people are concerned. A wife may count on her abusive husband to beat her when he threatens to do so. God is not only faithful He is committed to kindness in all His works. Even when God appears harsh He is being kind. As one old hymn puts it, “Behind a frowning providence. He hides a smiling face.” We can count on God and we can count on Him to relentlessly work all things for our good. The problem is that sometimes His definition of good and ours are not the same. 8/10/2010 Conversations Within ts
We say that someone is a “person of their word,” and by it, we mean that you can count on them to do as they have said. This is not always a good thing where people are concerned. A wife may count on her abusive husband to beat her when he threatens to do so. God is not only faithful He is committed to kindness in all His works. Even when God appears harsh He is being kind. As one old hymn puts it, “Behind a frowning providence. He hides a smiling face.” We can count on God and we can count on Him to relentlessly work all things for our good. The problem is that sometimes His definition of good and ours are not the same. 8/10/2010 Conversations Within ts
To appreciate God’s faithfulness we sometimes must adjust our grasp of His goodness.
“The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.” Ps.145 ESV
We say that someone is a “person of their word,” and by it, we mean that you can count on them to do as they have said. This is not always a good thing where people are concerned. A wife may count on her abusive husband to beat her when he threatens to do so. God is not only faithful He is committed to kindness in all His works. Even when God appears harsh He is being kind. As one old hymn puts it, “Behind a frowning providence. He hides a smiling face.” We can count on God and we can count on Him to relentlessly work all things for our good. The problem is that sometimes His definition of good and ours are not the same. 8/10/2010 Conversations Within ts
We say that someone is a “person of their word,” and by it, we mean that you can count on them to do as they have said. This is not always a good thing where people are concerned. A wife may count on her abusive husband to beat her when he threatens to do so. God is not only faithful He is committed to kindness in all His works. Even when God appears harsh He is being kind. As one old hymn puts it, “Behind a frowning providence. He hides a smiling face.” We can count on God and we can count on Him to relentlessly work all things for our good. The problem is that sometimes His definition of good and ours are not the same. 8/10/2010 Conversations Within ts
Saturday, August 14, 2010
"The only debt that grace creates is the "debt" of relying on more grace for all that God calls us to be and do." John Piper Future Grace
“Set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1Peter 1 ESV
I hope to travel safe today. I hope to be useful. I hope to bring joy to others and hope please the Lord. Every hope I have is ultimately tied to the one hope I have of the future grace, promised when Jesus is revealed. That grace gives meaning to every worthwhile hope we possess. What is hope without a future and what is our future without God’s grace. Grace and nothing else defines our whole relationship with God and therefore our whole relationship to life. 8/9/2010 Conversations Within ts
I hope to travel safe today. I hope to be useful. I hope to bring joy to others and hope please the Lord. Every hope I have is ultimately tied to the one hope I have of the future grace, promised when Jesus is revealed. That grace gives meaning to every worthwhile hope we possess. What is hope without a future and what is our future without God’s grace. Grace and nothing else defines our whole relationship with God and therefore our whole relationship to life. 8/9/2010 Conversations Within ts
"The only debt that grace creates is the "debt" of relying on more grace for all that God calls us to be and do." John Piper Future Grace
“Set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1Peter 1 ESV
I hope to travel safe today. I hope to be useful. I hope to bring joy to others and hope please the Lord. Every hope I have is ultimately tied to the one hope I have of the future grace, promised when Jesus is revealed. That grace gives meaning to every worthwhile hope we possess. What is hope without a future and what is our future without God’s grace. Grace and nothing else defines our whole relationship with God and therefore our whole relationship to life. 8/9/2010 Conversations Within ts
I hope to travel safe today. I hope to be useful. I hope to bring joy to others and hope please the Lord. Every hope I have is ultimately tied to the one hope I have of the future grace, promised when Jesus is revealed. That grace gives meaning to every worthwhile hope we possess. What is hope without a future and what is our future without God’s grace. Grace and nothing else defines our whole relationship with God and therefore our whole relationship to life. 8/9/2010 Conversations Within ts
Friday, August 13, 2010
“Have you found joy in your life? Has your life brought joy to others?” “The Bucket List” (movie)
“...a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Pr.13 ESV
I have always wanted to hike the Narrows, at Zion National Park. And, while I did get to play around the entrance scouting it out for the next day with a good friend, I never did get to complete the trip up the river. Brenda wasn’t feeling well; there were potential flash floods. A younger me would have been greatly disappointed. All in all, I realize that such things are no longer the driving force they used to be. Because of Jesus I believe I am going to live forever and I have no need to complete some “Bucket List” before I leave this place. One great value of Christ in my life is that He is teaching me to be where I am and to live each moment for God’s enjoyment by enjoying all that He is for me in the it. Laying hold of all that God is for us in this moment is the tree of life. Helping others to discover this is part of its joy.
I have always wanted to hike the Narrows, at Zion National Park. And, while I did get to play around the entrance scouting it out for the next day with a good friend, I never did get to complete the trip up the river. Brenda wasn’t feeling well; there were potential flash floods. A younger me would have been greatly disappointed. All in all, I realize that such things are no longer the driving force they used to be. Because of Jesus I believe I am going to live forever and I have no need to complete some “Bucket List” before I leave this place. One great value of Christ in my life is that He is teaching me to be where I am and to live each moment for God’s enjoyment by enjoying all that He is for me in the it. Laying hold of all that God is for us in this moment is the tree of life. Helping others to discover this is part of its joy.
“Have you found joy in your life? Has your life brought joy to others?” “The Bucket List” (movie)
“...a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Pr.13 ESV
I have always wanted to hike the Narrows, at Zion National Park. And, while I did get to play around the entrance scouting it out for the next day with a good friend, I never did get to complete the trip up the river. Brenda wasn’t feeling well; there were potential flash floods. A younger me would have been greatly disappointed. All in all, I realize that such things are no longer the driving force they used to be. Because of Jesus I believe I am going to live forever and I have no need to complete some “Bucket List” before I leave this place. One great value of Christ in my life is that He is teaching me to be where I am and to live each moment for God’s enjoyment by enjoying all that He is for me in the it. Laying hold of all that God is for us in this moment is the tree of life. Helping others to discover this is part of its joy.
I have always wanted to hike the Narrows, at Zion National Park. And, while I did get to play around the entrance scouting it out for the next day with a good friend, I never did get to complete the trip up the river. Brenda wasn’t feeling well; there were potential flash floods. A younger me would have been greatly disappointed. All in all, I realize that such things are no longer the driving force they used to be. Because of Jesus I believe I am going to live forever and I have no need to complete some “Bucket List” before I leave this place. One great value of Christ in my life is that He is teaching me to be where I am and to live each moment for God’s enjoyment by enjoying all that He is for me in the it. Laying hold of all that God is for us in this moment is the tree of life. Helping others to discover this is part of its joy.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Pr.13 ESV
Disappointment, to say the least is disappointing. I remember as a boy my parents would sometimes take us to “Holiday Beach” for a day of swimming. I would always get up early and look out the window for rain clouds having prayed the night before that it wouldn’t rain. If I remember right, there were clouds almost as many times as there weren’t and I would direct my disappointments to God. I would even dare to blame Him for ruining my day, after all who’s in charge of the clouds.
Now that I am older, I think one important lesson in life is learning to accept disappointments as a necessary part of life. To do that we make peace with what that God sends our way and humbly accept from His hand any alterations He makes to plans. 8/6/2010 Conversations Within ts
Disappointment, to say the least is disappointing. I remember as a boy my parents would sometimes take us to “Holiday Beach” for a day of swimming. I would always get up early and look out the window for rain clouds having prayed the night before that it wouldn’t rain. If I remember right, there were clouds almost as many times as there weren’t and I would direct my disappointments to God. I would even dare to blame Him for ruining my day, after all who’s in charge of the clouds.
Now that I am older, I think one important lesson in life is learning to accept disappointments as a necessary part of life. To do that we make peace with what that God sends our way and humbly accept from His hand any alterations He makes to plans. 8/6/2010 Conversations Within ts
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Pr.13 ESV
Disappointment, to say the least is disappointing. I remember as a boy my parents would sometimes take us to “Holiday Beach” for a day of swimming. I would always get up early and look out the window for rain clouds having prayed the night before that it wouldn’t rain. If I remember right, there were clouds almost as many times as there weren’t and I would direct my disappointments to God. I would even dare to blame Him for ruining my day, after all who’s in charge of the clouds.
Now that I am older, I think one important lesson in life is learning to accept disappointments as a necessary part of life. To do that we make peace with what that God sends our way and humbly accept from His hand any alterations He makes to plans. 8/6/2010 Conversations Within ts
Disappointment, to say the least is disappointing. I remember as a boy my parents would sometimes take us to “Holiday Beach” for a day of swimming. I would always get up early and look out the window for rain clouds having prayed the night before that it wouldn’t rain. If I remember right, there were clouds almost as many times as there weren’t and I would direct my disappointments to God. I would even dare to blame Him for ruining my day, after all who’s in charge of the clouds.
Now that I am older, I think one important lesson in life is learning to accept disappointments as a necessary part of life. To do that we make peace with what that God sends our way and humbly accept from His hand any alterations He makes to plans. 8/6/2010 Conversations Within ts
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
“All mortals tend to turn into the things they are pretending to be.” C. S. Lewis
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col.1 ESV
Do Christians try to copy Christ, or is it something more. Actually, we do try to copy Him, at least at first. After a while we begin to realize it is something more, more than we could have imagined. We discover that Christ is actually living in us--His very presence, His very life becoming one with ours. Children often pretend to be like their father or mother, then one day the pretending stops and we actually become fathers or mothers. As His life grows in us, we stop the pretending. There will no need for it. We will be like Him because He has made us so. For now all that is left is to play grown up, that is, until we actually are all grown up, grown up into Him. Lord help us as we play make believe, until we actually do believe. 8/5/2010 Conversations Within ts
Do Christians try to copy Christ, or is it something more. Actually, we do try to copy Him, at least at first. After a while we begin to realize it is something more, more than we could have imagined. We discover that Christ is actually living in us--His very presence, His very life becoming one with ours. Children often pretend to be like their father or mother, then one day the pretending stops and we actually become fathers or mothers. As His life grows in us, we stop the pretending. There will no need for it. We will be like Him because He has made us so. For now all that is left is to play grown up, that is, until we actually are all grown up, grown up into Him. Lord help us as we play make believe, until we actually do believe. 8/5/2010 Conversations Within ts
“All mortals tend to turn into the things they are pretending to be.” C. S. Lewis
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col.1 ESV
Do Christians try to copy Christ, or is it something more. Actually, we do try to copy Him, at least at first. After a while we begin to realize it is something more, more than we could have imagined. We discover that Christ is actually living in us--His very presence, His very life becoming one with ours. Children often pretend to be like their father or mother, then one day the pretending stops and we actually become fathers or mothers. As His life grows in us, we stop the pretending. There will no need for it. We will be like Him because He has made us so. For now all that is left is to play grown up, that is, until we actually are all grown up, grown up into Him. Lord help us as we play make believe, until we actually do believe. 8/5/2010 Conversations Within ts
Do Christians try to copy Christ, or is it something more. Actually, we do try to copy Him, at least at first. After a while we begin to realize it is something more, more than we could have imagined. We discover that Christ is actually living in us--His very presence, His very life becoming one with ours. Children often pretend to be like their father or mother, then one day the pretending stops and we actually become fathers or mothers. As His life grows in us, we stop the pretending. There will no need for it. We will be like Him because He has made us so. For now all that is left is to play grown up, that is, until we actually are all grown up, grown up into Him. Lord help us as we play make believe, until we actually do believe. 8/5/2010 Conversations Within ts
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
“What we become to Him [God] is far more consequential than all we shall ever do for him.” Francis Frangipane
“…and bear fruit with patience.” Jesus
We all seem to have a hurried nature. But some things cannot be rushed. Personal growth cannot. We must wait patiently for the seed to become plant, for the plant to mature enough to produce fruit and for the fruit itself to mature enough to harvest. So, it is with much of life.
I used to believe that fruitfulness is what we do for God. That may be part of it, but Jesus has made it clear that God is more concerned with what we become than what we do. And what are we to become, but little Christs--the life of Christ becomes our own. Every thing else God desires is the result of that. 8/5/2010 Conversations Within ts
We all seem to have a hurried nature. But some things cannot be rushed. Personal growth cannot. We must wait patiently for the seed to become plant, for the plant to mature enough to produce fruit and for the fruit itself to mature enough to harvest. So, it is with much of life.
I used to believe that fruitfulness is what we do for God. That may be part of it, but Jesus has made it clear that God is more concerned with what we become than what we do. And what are we to become, but little Christs--the life of Christ becomes our own. Every thing else God desires is the result of that. 8/5/2010 Conversations Within ts
“What we become to Him [God] is far more consequential than all we shall ever do for him.” Francis Frangipane
“…and bear fruit with patience.” Jesus
We all seem to have a hurried nature. But some things cannot be rushed. Personal growth cannot. We must wait patiently for the seed to become plant, for the plant to mature enough to produce fruit and for the fruit itself to mature enough to harvest. So, it is with much of life.
I used to believe that fruitfulness is what we do for God. That may be part of it, but Jesus has made it clear that God is more concerned with what we become than what we do. And what are we to become, but little Christs--the life of Christ becomes our own. Every thing else God desires is the result of that. 8/5/2010 Conversations Within ts
We all seem to have a hurried nature. But some things cannot be rushed. Personal growth cannot. We must wait patiently for the seed to become plant, for the plant to mature enough to produce fruit and for the fruit itself to mature enough to harvest. So, it is with much of life.
I used to believe that fruitfulness is what we do for God. That may be part of it, but Jesus has made it clear that God is more concerned with what we become than what we do. And what are we to become, but little Christs--the life of Christ becomes our own. Every thing else God desires is the result of that. 8/5/2010 Conversations Within ts
Monday, August 9, 2010
“Happy trails to you, until we meet again.” Dale Evans
“Greet one another with a holy kiss.” 2Co.13 ESV
Recently I was speaking with a fellow camper as we both packed up to go our separate ways. As the conversation drew to a close he said, “God’s blessings and Jesus loves you.” I was glad He spoke so freely about his faith in Christ. I had already offered our brief visit up in a whispered prayer to the one who arranges everything. His benediction moved us to speak our mutual faith a while longer.
Dolly Pardon is credited with saying, “Whatever you do, do it on purpose.” I suppose greeting people should be included in this. Instead of a perfunctory, “Hello,” or “goodbye,” every meeting is as opportunity to give a blessing to someone, if only in a genuine kind word. However we chose to convey it, people generally know and appreciate a kindness when it is given. May you live all the days of your life and may you live forever in the peace of Jesus. 8/4/2010 Conversations Within ts
Recently I was speaking with a fellow camper as we both packed up to go our separate ways. As the conversation drew to a close he said, “God’s blessings and Jesus loves you.” I was glad He spoke so freely about his faith in Christ. I had already offered our brief visit up in a whispered prayer to the one who arranges everything. His benediction moved us to speak our mutual faith a while longer.
Dolly Pardon is credited with saying, “Whatever you do, do it on purpose.” I suppose greeting people should be included in this. Instead of a perfunctory, “Hello,” or “goodbye,” every meeting is as opportunity to give a blessing to someone, if only in a genuine kind word. However we chose to convey it, people generally know and appreciate a kindness when it is given. May you live all the days of your life and may you live forever in the peace of Jesus. 8/4/2010 Conversations Within ts
“Happy trails to you, until we meet again.” Dale Evans
“Greet one another with a holy kiss.” 2Co.13 ESV
Recently I was speaking with a fellow camper as we both packed up to go our separate ways. As the conversation drew to a close he said, “God’s blessings and Jesus loves you.” I was glad He spoke so freely about his faith in Christ. I had already offered our brief visit up in a whispered prayer to the one who arranges everything. His benediction moved us to speak our mutual faith a while longer.
Dolly Pardon is credited with saying, “Whatever you do, do it on purpose.” I suppose greeting people should be included in this. Instead of a perfunctory, “Hello,” or “goodbye,” every meeting is as opportunity to give a blessing to someone, if only in a genuine kind word. However we chose to convey it, people generally know and appreciate a kindness when it is given. May you live all the days of your life and may you live forever in the peace of Jesus. 8/4/2010 Conversations Within ts
Recently I was speaking with a fellow camper as we both packed up to go our separate ways. As the conversation drew to a close he said, “God’s blessings and Jesus loves you.” I was glad He spoke so freely about his faith in Christ. I had already offered our brief visit up in a whispered prayer to the one who arranges everything. His benediction moved us to speak our mutual faith a while longer.
Dolly Pardon is credited with saying, “Whatever you do, do it on purpose.” I suppose greeting people should be included in this. Instead of a perfunctory, “Hello,” or “goodbye,” every meeting is as opportunity to give a blessing to someone, if only in a genuine kind word. However we chose to convey it, people generally know and appreciate a kindness when it is given. May you live all the days of your life and may you live forever in the peace of Jesus. 8/4/2010 Conversations Within ts
Saturday, August 7, 2010
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” Lewis B. Smedes,
“Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” Mt.18 ESV
Jesus is big on forgiveness. He not only forgives our transgressions and does so every time we ask Him to, He wants us to do the same when others transgress against us. Seventy times seven is his way saying we are to forgive people every time they hurt us. I think one of keys to forgiveness, isn’t so much to step into our neighbor’s shoes, our own shoes will do just fine. If I want forgiveness from God and forgiveness every time I ask for it, He asks us to offer forgiveness under same terms to those who need it from us. I have always been amazed that God forgives us today even though He knows the sins we will commit against Him tomorrow. 8/3/2010 Conversations Within ts
Jesus is big on forgiveness. He not only forgives our transgressions and does so every time we ask Him to, He wants us to do the same when others transgress against us. Seventy times seven is his way saying we are to forgive people every time they hurt us. I think one of keys to forgiveness, isn’t so much to step into our neighbor’s shoes, our own shoes will do just fine. If I want forgiveness from God and forgiveness every time I ask for it, He asks us to offer forgiveness under same terms to those who need it from us. I have always been amazed that God forgives us today even though He knows the sins we will commit against Him tomorrow. 8/3/2010 Conversations Within ts
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” Lewis B. Smedes,
“Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” Mt.18 ESV
Jesus is big on forgiveness. He not only forgives our transgressions and does so every time we ask Him to, He wants us to do the same when others transgress against us. Seventy times seven is his way saying we are to forgive people every time they hurt us. I think one of keys to forgiveness, isn’t so much to step into our neighbor’s shoes, our own shoes will do just fine. If I want forgiveness from God and forgiveness every time I ask for it, He asks us to offer forgiveness under same terms to those who need it from us. I have always been amazed that God forgives us today even though He knows the sins we will commit against Him tomorrow. 8/3/2010 Conversations Within ts
Jesus is big on forgiveness. He not only forgives our transgressions and does so every time we ask Him to, He wants us to do the same when others transgress against us. Seventy times seven is his way saying we are to forgive people every time they hurt us. I think one of keys to forgiveness, isn’t so much to step into our neighbor’s shoes, our own shoes will do just fine. If I want forgiveness from God and forgiveness every time I ask for it, He asks us to offer forgiveness under same terms to those who need it from us. I have always been amazed that God forgives us today even though He knows the sins we will commit against Him tomorrow. 8/3/2010 Conversations Within ts
Friday, August 6, 2010
Perform some random act of kindness but be deliberate about it.
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones… kindness, humility, meekness…” Co.3 ESV
Lord, yesterday was a good day. I had the privilege to push a woman in a wheelchair to the bus station. You put a stranded couple in our path that had locked their keys in the car in the middle of the desert. Thank you for the opportunity to help them. It was fun when Brenda and I realized that we both were trying to give each other the last sip of Starbuck’s coffee. I also wrote several letters, and made phones calls to people who needed some encouragement. We ended the day spending it with a family from Holland who wanted to practice their English. Turns out they were all atheist. Hope we represented You well. You fill our days with opportunities to love and serve others. Then You patiently remind us of the humility and meekness of Your Son when we become too aware that we are starting to act like Him. 8/2/2010 Conversations Within ts
Lord, yesterday was a good day. I had the privilege to push a woman in a wheelchair to the bus station. You put a stranded couple in our path that had locked their keys in the car in the middle of the desert. Thank you for the opportunity to help them. It was fun when Brenda and I realized that we both were trying to give each other the last sip of Starbuck’s coffee. I also wrote several letters, and made phones calls to people who needed some encouragement. We ended the day spending it with a family from Holland who wanted to practice their English. Turns out they were all atheist. Hope we represented You well. You fill our days with opportunities to love and serve others. Then You patiently remind us of the humility and meekness of Your Son when we become too aware that we are starting to act like Him. 8/2/2010 Conversations Within ts
Perform some random act of kindness but be deliberate about it.
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones… kindness, humility, meekness…” Co.3 ESV
Lord, yesterday was a good day. I had the privilege to push a woman in a wheelchair to the bus station. You put a stranded couple in our path that had locked their keys in the car in the middle of the desert. Thank you for the opportunity to help them. It was fun when Brenda and I realized that we both were trying to give each other the last sip of Starbuck’s coffee. I also wrote several letters, and made phones calls to people who needed some encouragement. We ended the day spending it with a family from Holland who wanted to practice their English. Turns out they were all atheist. Hope we represented You well. You fill our days with opportunities to love and serve others. Then You patiently remind us of the humility and meekness of Your Son when we become too aware that we are starting to act like Him. 8/2/2010 Conversations Within ts
Lord, yesterday was a good day. I had the privilege to push a woman in a wheelchair to the bus station. You put a stranded couple in our path that had locked their keys in the car in the middle of the desert. Thank you for the opportunity to help them. It was fun when Brenda and I realized that we both were trying to give each other the last sip of Starbuck’s coffee. I also wrote several letters, and made phones calls to people who needed some encouragement. We ended the day spending it with a family from Holland who wanted to practice their English. Turns out they were all atheist. Hope we represented You well. You fill our days with opportunities to love and serve others. Then You patiently remind us of the humility and meekness of Your Son when we become too aware that we are starting to act like Him. 8/2/2010 Conversations Within ts
Thursday, August 5, 2010
“What would it be to taste at the fountain-head that stream of which even these lower reaches prove so intoxicating?” C. S. Lewis
“We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Ro.5 ESV
Hope is a precious thing. Without it, the strength of life can melt into despair. But if we have hope, the expectation that our future is secure, that better days even our best days are before us, no matter how dark the night hope sustains and strengthens us until the sun rises. To hope in the glory of God tomorrow is to delight in all He desires to be for us today. The best way to strengthen our hope of His future goodness is to give myself to His present goodness offered to us everyday in Christ. They abound! 8/1/2010 Conversations Within ts
Hope is a precious thing. Without it, the strength of life can melt into despair. But if we have hope, the expectation that our future is secure, that better days even our best days are before us, no matter how dark the night hope sustains and strengthens us until the sun rises. To hope in the glory of God tomorrow is to delight in all He desires to be for us today. The best way to strengthen our hope of His future goodness is to give myself to His present goodness offered to us everyday in Christ. They abound! 8/1/2010 Conversations Within ts
“What would it be to taste at the fountain-head that stream of which even these lower reaches prove so intoxicating?” C. S. Lewis
“We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Ro.5 ESV
Hope is a precious thing. Without it, the strength of life can melt into despair. But if we have hope, the expectation that our future is secure, that better days even our best days are before us, no matter how dark the night hope sustains and strengthens us until the sun rises. To hope in the glory of God tomorrow is to delight in all He desires to be for us today. The best way to strengthen our hope of His future goodness is to give myself to His present goodness offered to us everyday in Christ. They abound! 8/1/2010 Conversations Within ts
Hope is a precious thing. Without it, the strength of life can melt into despair. But if we have hope, the expectation that our future is secure, that better days even our best days are before us, no matter how dark the night hope sustains and strengthens us until the sun rises. To hope in the glory of God tomorrow is to delight in all He desires to be for us today. The best way to strengthen our hope of His future goodness is to give myself to His present goodness offered to us everyday in Christ. They abound! 8/1/2010 Conversations Within ts
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
“God protect me from your followers.” (Bumper sticker)
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Rom.12 ESV
One popular bumper floating around these days is the word “Coexist,” spelled out using the symbols of various world religions. At first, I thought about getting one until I realized what it would require of me. Recently, it was reported that one country had hanged a seven-year-old boy for being a spy. I am quite certain that I do not want to coexist with that. Nor do I want to coexist with governments that commit genocide against their own civilian population? I am also certain that I do not want to coexist with misguided Christians who persecute people of a different faith or people of no faith. I’m not even sure I want to coexist with myself at least in my unchanged state. The question is what to do about it. Work for change of course. The how is just as important as the why? We can start by cooperating with the changes Christ is working in us, and then as Gandhi said, “Be the change you would see in the world.” 7/31/2010 Conversations Within ts
Rom.12 ESV
One popular bumper floating around these days is the word “Coexist,” spelled out using the symbols of various world religions. At first, I thought about getting one until I realized what it would require of me. Recently, it was reported that one country had hanged a seven-year-old boy for being a spy. I am quite certain that I do not want to coexist with that. Nor do I want to coexist with governments that commit genocide against their own civilian population? I am also certain that I do not want to coexist with misguided Christians who persecute people of a different faith or people of no faith. I’m not even sure I want to coexist with myself at least in my unchanged state. The question is what to do about it. Work for change of course. The how is just as important as the why? We can start by cooperating with the changes Christ is working in us, and then as Gandhi said, “Be the change you would see in the world.” 7/31/2010 Conversations Within ts
“God protect me from your followers.” (Bumper sticker)
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Rom.12 ESV
One popular bumper floating around these days is the word “Coexist,” spelled out using the symbols of various world religions. At first, I thought about getting one until I realized what it would require of me. Recently, it was reported that one country had hanged a seven-year-old boy for being a spy. I am quite certain that I do not want to coexist with that. Nor do I want to coexist with governments that commit genocide against their own civilian population? I am also certain that I do not want to coexist with misguided Christians who persecute people of a different faith or people of no faith. I’m not even sure I want to coexist with myself at least in my unchanged state. The question is what to do about it. Work for change of course. The how is just as important as the why? We can start by cooperating with the changes Christ is working in us, and then as Gandhi said, “Be the change you would see in the world.” 7/31/2010 Conversations Within ts
Rom.12 ESV
One popular bumper floating around these days is the word “Coexist,” spelled out using the symbols of various world religions. At first, I thought about getting one until I realized what it would require of me. Recently, it was reported that one country had hanged a seven-year-old boy for being a spy. I am quite certain that I do not want to coexist with that. Nor do I want to coexist with governments that commit genocide against their own civilian population? I am also certain that I do not want to coexist with misguided Christians who persecute people of a different faith or people of no faith. I’m not even sure I want to coexist with myself at least in my unchanged state. The question is what to do about it. Work for change of course. The how is just as important as the why? We can start by cooperating with the changes Christ is working in us, and then as Gandhi said, “Be the change you would see in the world.” 7/31/2010 Conversations Within ts
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Reason is our soul's left hand, Faith her right. ~John Donne
“…that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1Co.2 ESV
To say that faith rests on the power of God, not to say that we don’t use reason. God’s power is most reasonable because it is the most concrete thing there is. What the apostle does mean is that it is God’s power creates and sustains our faith not human wisdom. Oh, God may certainly use reasoning processes to lead us to faith even strengthen it but faith itself is His gift to us; He creates it not we. And, it is a free gift as all gifts are. My word processor just told me that I was being unnecessarily redundant when I wrote “free gift,” and that I should only say “gift.” Point taken. But even though the gift is free, we can misuse it, or not use it at all. But once we dare put it to use, all things are possible. 7/30/2010 Conversations Within ts
To say that faith rests on the power of God, not to say that we don’t use reason. God’s power is most reasonable because it is the most concrete thing there is. What the apostle does mean is that it is God’s power creates and sustains our faith not human wisdom. Oh, God may certainly use reasoning processes to lead us to faith even strengthen it but faith itself is His gift to us; He creates it not we. And, it is a free gift as all gifts are. My word processor just told me that I was being unnecessarily redundant when I wrote “free gift,” and that I should only say “gift.” Point taken. But even though the gift is free, we can misuse it, or not use it at all. But once we dare put it to use, all things are possible. 7/30/2010 Conversations Within ts
Reason is our soul's left hand, Faith her right. ~John Donne
“…that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1Co.2 ESV
To say that faith rests on the power of God, not to say that we don’t use reason. God’s power is most reasonable because it is the most concrete thing there is. What the apostle does mean is that it is God’s power creates and sustains our faith not human wisdom. Oh, God may certainly use reasoning processes to lead us to faith even strengthen it but faith itself is His gift to us; He creates it not we. And, it is a free gift as all gifts are. My word processor just told me that I was being unnecessarily redundant when I wrote “free gift,” and that I should only say “gift.” Point taken. But even though the gift is free, we can misuse it, or not use it at all. But once we dare put it to use, all things are possible. 7/30/2010 Conversations Within ts
To say that faith rests on the power of God, not to say that we don’t use reason. God’s power is most reasonable because it is the most concrete thing there is. What the apostle does mean is that it is God’s power creates and sustains our faith not human wisdom. Oh, God may certainly use reasoning processes to lead us to faith even strengthen it but faith itself is His gift to us; He creates it not we. And, it is a free gift as all gifts are. My word processor just told me that I was being unnecessarily redundant when I wrote “free gift,” and that I should only say “gift.” Point taken. But even though the gift is free, we can misuse it, or not use it at all. But once we dare put it to use, all things are possible. 7/30/2010 Conversations Within ts
Monday, August 2, 2010
“Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or by the handle of faith.” ~Author Unknown
“Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Jesus
The formula Jesus gave us for prayer seems simple enough. I have seen a good many answers to prayers so when I ask for something and don’t get what I ask for, I sometimes wonder what I did or didn’t do to mess up things up. Well, there is any number of considerations and none of them has anything to do with the way we hold our mouth when we ask. I think the problem is that I am trying to hard, wondering if my faith is strong enough instead of simply trusting God. Most of the answers I have seen in prayer come when I am confident that God will answer not wondering if He will. Confident prayers are almost a passing thought, sort of like asking God to pass the mash potatoes. Why wouldn’t He? Of course, it helps to know that Jesus would happily stand with your request. 7/29/2010 Conversations Within ts
The formula Jesus gave us for prayer seems simple enough. I have seen a good many answers to prayers so when I ask for something and don’t get what I ask for, I sometimes wonder what I did or didn’t do to mess up things up. Well, there is any number of considerations and none of them has anything to do with the way we hold our mouth when we ask. I think the problem is that I am trying to hard, wondering if my faith is strong enough instead of simply trusting God. Most of the answers I have seen in prayer come when I am confident that God will answer not wondering if He will. Confident prayers are almost a passing thought, sort of like asking God to pass the mash potatoes. Why wouldn’t He? Of course, it helps to know that Jesus would happily stand with your request. 7/29/2010 Conversations Within ts
“Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or by the handle of faith.” ~Author Unknown
“Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Jesus
The formula Jesus gave us for prayer seems simple enough. I have seen a good many answers to prayers so when I ask for something and don’t get what I ask for, I sometimes wonder what I did or didn’t do to mess up things up. Well, there is any number of considerations and none of them has anything to do with the way we hold our mouth when we ask. I think the problem is that I am trying to hard, wondering if my faith is strong enough instead of simply trusting God. Most of the answers I have seen in prayer come when I am confident that God will answer not wondering if He will. Confident prayers are almost a passing thought, sort of like asking God to pass the mash potatoes. Why wouldn’t He? Of course, it helps to know that Jesus would happily stand with your request. 7/29/2010 Conversations Within ts
The formula Jesus gave us for prayer seems simple enough. I have seen a good many answers to prayers so when I ask for something and don’t get what I ask for, I sometimes wonder what I did or didn’t do to mess up things up. Well, there is any number of considerations and none of them has anything to do with the way we hold our mouth when we ask. I think the problem is that I am trying to hard, wondering if my faith is strong enough instead of simply trusting God. Most of the answers I have seen in prayer come when I am confident that God will answer not wondering if He will. Confident prayers are almost a passing thought, sort of like asking God to pass the mash potatoes. Why wouldn’t He? Of course, it helps to know that Jesus would happily stand with your request. 7/29/2010 Conversations Within ts
Sunday, August 1, 2010
“He who moves not forward, goes backward” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith…Phil.1 ESV
What is our progress and joy in the faith if it isn’t to broaden and deepen our experiences of God? And, there are many opportunities for that each day. We look to Him for purpose in life, for daily bread, for forgiveness, to keep us from evil and, to seek these things not only for ourselves but also for others. This is the reason Father gave us the gift of faith. The purpose of faith is to grow it in. I would think that joy is one measure of the progress we are making. Sadly, my prayers often express more of my doubts than my faith. When this happens I experience little joy. If anything is worth asking from God, it is worth asking for in confident faith. I know I am expressing confident faith when joy is rising in my heart. 7/28/2010 Conversations Within ts
What is our progress and joy in the faith if it isn’t to broaden and deepen our experiences of God? And, there are many opportunities for that each day. We look to Him for purpose in life, for daily bread, for forgiveness, to keep us from evil and, to seek these things not only for ourselves but also for others. This is the reason Father gave us the gift of faith. The purpose of faith is to grow it in. I would think that joy is one measure of the progress we are making. Sadly, my prayers often express more of my doubts than my faith. When this happens I experience little joy. If anything is worth asking from God, it is worth asking for in confident faith. I know I am expressing confident faith when joy is rising in my heart. 7/28/2010 Conversations Within ts
“He who moves not forward, goes backward” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith…Phil.1 ESV
What is our progress and joy in the faith if it isn’t to broaden and deepen our experiences of God? And, there are many opportunities for that each day. We look to Him for purpose in life, for daily bread, for forgiveness, to keep us from evil and, to seek these things not only for ourselves but also for others. This is the reason Father gave us the gift of faith. The purpose of faith is to grow it in. I would think that joy is one measure of the progress we are making. Sadly, my prayers often express more of my doubts than my faith. When this happens I experience little joy. If anything is worth asking from God, it is worth asking for in confident faith. I know I am expressing confident faith when joy is rising in my heart. 7/28/2010 Conversations Within ts
What is our progress and joy in the faith if it isn’t to broaden and deepen our experiences of God? And, there are many opportunities for that each day. We look to Him for purpose in life, for daily bread, for forgiveness, to keep us from evil and, to seek these things not only for ourselves but also for others. This is the reason Father gave us the gift of faith. The purpose of faith is to grow it in. I would think that joy is one measure of the progress we are making. Sadly, my prayers often express more of my doubts than my faith. When this happens I experience little joy. If anything is worth asking from God, it is worth asking for in confident faith. I know I am expressing confident faith when joy is rising in my heart. 7/28/2010 Conversations Within ts
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