“Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so extraordinary a God.” Jim Elliot

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Jesus

Every Christian should live a remarkable life. Our best witness to the value of faith in Christ is to live in such a manner that others sit up and take notice. Of course there is a fine line between drawing attention to ourselves to satisfy some silly pride, and living to highlight the beauty of God as our Father and Friend. If Christ does indeed live in us, His glory will certainly shine through us. Some people try to look cool, others are cool. Some people try to look Christlike others are Christlike. We must each discover Christ within before others will see Christ without. Conversations Within” ts 1/24/2013 (Selma, AL)

“Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so extraordinary a God.” Jim Elliot

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Jesus

Every Christian should live a remarkable life. Our best witness to the value of faith in Christ is to live in such a manner that others sit up and take notice. Of course there is a fine line between drawing attention to ourselves to satisfy some silly pride, and living to highlight the beauty of God as our Father and Friend. If Christ does indeed live in us, His glory will certainly shine through us. Some people try to look cool, others are cool. Some people try to look Christlike others are Christlike. We must each discover Christ within before others will see Christ without. Conversations Within” ts 1/24/2013 (Selma, AL)

“We might be wise to follow the insight of the enraptured heart rather than the more cautious reasoning of the theological mind.” ― A.W. Tozer,

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart.” Jesus

There are many dangers if we choose to live by our feelings instead of what we know is good, right, and true. But there are also a good many dangers if we ignore our emotions altogether. We are told to love God with “all” of our heart, not just some of it. What good is head knowledge without the affections of the heart, especially in a relationship? If we love God with our actions, then we should naturally come to love Him with our affections as well. Our affections can be a good way to determine if what we are learning in our head is flowing down into our heart. Feelings are not the final measure; obedience is! Conversations Within” ts 1/23/2013 (Selma, AL)

“We might be wise to follow the insight of the enraptured heart rather than the more cautious reasoning of the theological mind.” ― A.W. Tozer,

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart.” Jesus

There are many dangers if we choose to live by our feelings instead of what we know is good, right, and true. But there are also a good many dangers if we ignore our emotions altogether. We are told to love God with “all” of our heart, not just some of it. What good is head knowledge without the affections of the heart, especially in a relationship? If we love God with our actions, then we should naturally come to love Him with our affections as well. Our affections can be a good way to determine if what we are learning in our head is flowing down into our heart. Feelings are not the final measure; obedience is! Conversations Within” ts 1/23/2013 (Selma, AL)

“It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.” C.S. Lewis

“So if any one be in Christ, there is a new creation; the old things have ... he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.” 2Cor.5

Christ is the seed of our final transformation. God fully intends that we grow up to be a son just like His Son. If we want to see where God is leading us we need only to look at Christ. He wants nothing less than a harvest of little Jesus’ to fill heaven and earth. If you plant an apple seed you get an apple tree; is there any question then of our final metamorphosis if the seed of Christ enters the soil of our heart? Conversations Within” ts 1/23/2013 (Selma, AL)

“It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.” C.S. Lewis

“So if any one be in Christ, there is a new creation; the old things have ... he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.” 2Cor.5

Christ is the seed of our final transformation. God fully intends that we grow up to be a son just like His Son. If we want to see where God is leading us we need only to look at Christ. He wants nothing less than a harvest of little Jesus’ to fill heaven and earth. If you plant an apple seed you get an apple tree; is there any question then of our final metamorphosis if the seed of Christ enters the soil of our heart? Conversations Within” ts 1/23/2013 (Selma, AL)

Everyone who has invited Christ into their heart invites Him to join them in every single thing they do.

“I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one.” Jesus

The practical application of Christ's presence in our lives means that every interaction, no matter how small, can be changed into goodness. If Christ participants in it with us, it is sure to be made into something sacred, even if it is only eating a tuna sandwich. If Christ cannot sanction what we are doing, doing it is surely a sacrilege simply because we bring Christ along with us. Imagine taking your child with you while you watch a pornographic movie and we catch a glimpse of the horror of involving Christ in our sins. If we are joined to Christ and He to us, do we not set before His eyes what we set before our own? Conversations Within” ts 1/22/2013 (Selma, AL)

Everyone who has invited Christ into their heart invites Him to join them in every single thing they do.

“I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one.” Jesus

The practical application of Christ's presence in our lives means that every interaction, no matter how small, can be changed into goodness. If Christ participants in it with us, it is sure to be made into something sacred, even if it is only eating a tuna sandwich. If Christ cannot sanction what we are doing, doing it is surely a sacrilege simply because we bring Christ along with us. Imagine taking your child with you while you watch a pornographic movie and we catch a glimpse of the horror of involving Christ in our sins. If we are joined to Christ and He to us, do we not set before His eyes what we set before our own? Conversations Within” ts 1/22/2013 (Selma, AL)

The Christian life is more than accepting Christ’s teaching; it is accepting the very person of Christ into our life.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” John 1

A Christian does more than just follow the teachings of Jesus, the resurrected Christ takes up residence in us. This life is the union of our soul to the soul of Christ. This means that wherever we go, whatever we do, we are never alone, Christ is with us. This is not to say that He is around us, but that He is actually living inside us. Realizing this will have a profound influence on our thoughts and actions. Before I say something or do something do I want to involve Jesus in it. To know that Christ lives in you makes our every act either sacred or sacrilege. Conversations Within” ts 1/21/2013 (Selma, AL)

The Christian life is more than accepting Christ’s teaching; it is accepting the very person of Christ into our life.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” John 1

A Christian does more than just follow the teachings of Jesus, the resurrected Christ takes up residence in us. This life is the union of our soul to the soul of Christ. This means that wherever we go, whatever we do, we are never alone, Christ is with us. This is not to say that He is around us, but that He is actually living inside us. Realizing this will have a profound influence on our thoughts and actions. Before I say something or do something do I want to involve Jesus in it. To know that Christ lives in you makes our every act either sacred or sacrilege. Conversations Within” ts 1/21/2013 (Selma, AL)

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.” Marcel Proust

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2Pet.1

God is the greatest adventure. When we have lived forever we will still be discovering the endless shores of His goodness. What we think we know of Him now we will discover at deeper levels of understanding. We, not He, will be different. And, that difference will not be a mere change in geography but a transformation in us. Boredom will be a thing of the past. Imagine singing the hymn “Amazing Grace” but every time we sing it, it will be as though we are singing it for the first time. Conversations Within” ts 1/17/2013 (Jax, FL)

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.” Marcel Proust

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2Pet.1

God is the greatest adventure. When we have lived forever we will still be discovering the endless shores of His goodness. What we think we know of Him now we will discover at deeper levels of understanding. We, not He, will be different. And, that difference will not be a mere change in geography but a transformation in us. Boredom will be a thing of the past. Imagine singing the hymn “Amazing Grace” but every time we sing it, it will be as though we are singing it for the first time. Conversations Within” ts 1/17/2013 (Jax, FL)

“Like when you sit in front of a fire in winter — you are just there in front of the fire. You don't have to be smart or anything. The fire warms you.” Desmond Tutu

“In your presence is fulness of joy.” Ps.16

Some of my best moments with God have been without words. Nothing is said because nothing needs to be said. Such times are precious to me. The shared moment and its silent communion is itself the richest communication. There is a knowing, a joining of my heart to His, where a whole conversation takes place in a single joined experience. It may be a shared joy or sorrow; there is even laughter, but I sense in these moments that God and I are on the same page and I catch a glimpse of Heaven’s reality. Conversations Within” ts 1/16/2013 (Jax, FL)

“Like when you sit in front of a fire in winter — you are just there in front of the fire. You don't have to be smart or anything. The fire warms you.” Desmond Tutu

“In your presence is fulness of joy.” Ps.16

Some of my best moments with God have been without words. Nothing is said because nothing needs to be said. Such times are precious to me. The shared moment and its silent communion is itself the richest communication. There is a knowing, a joining of my heart to His, where a whole conversation takes place in a single joined experience. It may be a shared joy or sorrow; there is even laughter, but I sense in these moments that God and I are on the same page and I catch a glimpse of Heaven’s reality. Conversations Within” ts 1/16/2013 (Jax, FL)

The difference between duty and delight is the difference between obligation and love.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”. Jesus

The first commandment to love God is often perceived as our duty, but as we give ourselves to it, it becomes our delight. Once we understand that God is inviting us to enjoy Him in every interaction, then every other command, even negative ones, become a means to do so. The Spirit imparts His wisdom to us when He tells us not to do something. He isn’t laying a religious burden on us, but showing us the path of joy. Every child who has eaten too much candy has learned this the hard way. Conversations Within” ts 1/15/2013 (Jax, FL)

The difference between duty and delight is the difference between obligation and love.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”. Jesus

The first commandment to love God is often perceived as our duty, but as we give ourselves to it, it becomes our delight. Once we understand that God is inviting us to enjoy Him in every interaction, then every other command, even negative ones, become a means to do so. The Spirit imparts His wisdom to us when He tells us not to do something. He isn’t laying a religious burden on us, but showing us the path of joy. Every child who has eaten too much candy has learned this the hard way. Conversations Within” ts 1/15/2013 (Jax, FL)

“Faith is not knowledge of an object but communion with it.” Nicolás Gómez Dávila

“I pray... that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” Jesus

Jesus came that we might have personal knowledge of God not just believe certain facts about Him. He leads us to a very real sharing--a deep interaction not only with God the Father but with everyone else who loves Him. It is sad that we often shy away from such intimacy and fear it as an intrusion into our personal space. But this is exactly the wall Christ comes to takes down. In the end we must open our heart not only to God but to one another. Only then can we experience life as God intends. Conversations Within” ts 1/13/2013 (Jax, FL)

“Faith is not knowledge of an object but communion with it.” Nicolás Gómez Dávila

“I pray... that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” Jesus

Jesus came that we might have personal knowledge of God not just believe certain facts about Him. He leads us to a very real sharing--a deep interaction not only with God the Father but with everyone else who loves Him. It is sad that we often shy away from such intimacy and fear it as an intrusion into our personal space. But this is exactly the wall Christ comes to takes down. In the end we must open our heart not only to God but to one another. Only then can we experience life as God intends. Conversations Within” ts 1/13/2013 (Jax, FL)

“The modern habit of doing ceremonial things unceremoniously is no proof of humility; rather it proves the offender's inability to forget himself in the rite, and his readiness to spoil for everyone else the proper pleasure of ritual.” C.S. Lewis

“God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." Jesus

Ritual is regarded by some to be empty and dead and it certainly can be. But for thousands it is one means to express great love for God. This is why some can recite the Lord’s Prayer with deep emotion and ardent love, and others just repeat it. Praying a written prayer can be just as sincerely expressed as one made up on the spot. Indeed, written prayers may do a better job of expressing not only the sincerity of our spirit but the accuracy of His truth. Conversations Within” ts 1/13/2013 (Jax, FL)

“The modern habit of doing ceremonial things unceremoniously is no proof of humility; rather it proves the offender's inability to forget himself in the rite, and his readiness to spoil for everyone else the proper pleasure of ritual.” C.S. Lewis

“God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." Jesus

Ritual is regarded by some to be empty and dead and it certainly can be. But for thousands it is one means to express great love for God. This is why some can recite the Lord’s Prayer with deep emotion and ardent love, and others just repeat it. Praying a written prayer can be just as sincerely expressed as one made up on the spot. Indeed, written prayers may do a better job of expressing not only the sincerity of our spirit but the accuracy of His truth. Conversations Within” ts 1/13/2013 (Jax, FL)

God offers us a relationship but we settle for a religion.

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest.” Jesus

Religion without relationship will take the regular practice of talking to God in prayer and turn it into some superstitious ritual. There is a considerable difference between meeting with God three times a day to deepen a relationship with Him as a Father and Friend and observing some ritual of prayer because of a superstition that God will visit good or bad luck on me because I have or have not done so. God may choose to meet someone in their practice of religion but when He does it is to lead them into a relationship. Conversations Within” ts 1/12/2013 (Jax, FL)

God offers us a relationship but we settle for a religion.

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest.” Jesus

Religion without relationship will take the regular practice of talking to God in prayer and turn it into some superstitious ritual. There is a considerable difference between meeting with God three times a day to deepen a relationship with Him as a Father and Friend and observing some ritual of prayer because of a superstition that God will visit good or bad luck on me because I have or have not done so. God may choose to meet someone in their practice of religion but when He does it is to lead them into a relationship. Conversations Within” ts 1/12/2013 (Jax, FL)

Choose, and only choose the superior delights of goodness.

“Keep in step with the Spirit and you will not fulfil the lust of your flesh.” Gal.5

Imagine a life devoted only to what is good--one that aggressively seeks only what benefits--never what harms. There would be no negative words, only positive affirmations. We would choose love over lust; kindness over anger; joy over depression. Trust would weed out worry, and hope would melt all despair. We would never know a single moment of boredom or laziness but lay hold of a life of endless discovery and experience a true rest that refreshes. Our body and its appetites would never enslave us but only serve our joy. Give yourself to goodness and only to goodness and goodness will follow you all the days of your life. God is good! Conversations Within” ts 1/11/2013 (Jax, FL)

Choose, and only choose the superior delights of goodness.

“Keep in step with the Spirit and you will not fulfil the lust of your flesh.” Gal.5

Imagine a life devoted only to what is good--one that aggressively seeks only what benefits--never what harms. There would be no negative words, only positive affirmations. We would choose love over lust; kindness over anger; joy over depression. Trust would weed out worry, and hope would melt all despair. We would never know a single moment of boredom or laziness but lay hold of a life of endless discovery and experience a true rest that refreshes. Our body and its appetites would never enslave us but only serve our joy. Give yourself to goodness and only to goodness and goodness will follow you all the days of your life. God is good! Conversations Within” ts 1/11/2013 (Jax, FL)

“You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage but He is building a palace. He intends to come & live in it Himself.” C.S. Lewis

“O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Is.64 NIV

I am often dissatisfied with some of the things I think and do, I can even use the word disgusted. Part of these feelings come from my own hurt pride. The other part comes from the Spirit who lives inside me, but this is a different kind of dissatisfaction. His is more like that of an Artist who is not yet finished with some painting that He is patiently working to complete. The changes I see give me confidence that I will one day be satisfied with who I am when He puts down His brush. Until then, let me submit to each stroke of His hand. Conversations Within” ts 1/10/2013 (Jax, FL)

“You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage but He is building a palace. He intends to come & live in it Himself.” C.S. Lewis

“O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Is.64 NIV

I am often dissatisfied with some of the things I think and do, I can even use the word disgusted. Part of these feelings come from my own hurt pride. The other part comes from the Spirit who lives inside me, but this is a different kind of dissatisfaction. His is more like that of an Artist who is not yet finished with some painting that He is patiently working to complete. The changes I see give me confidence that I will one day be satisfied with who I am when He puts down His brush. Until then, let me submit to each stroke of His hand. Conversations Within” ts 1/10/2013 (Jax, FL)

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.” C. S. Lewis

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? Ps.119 NASB

I am so easily lulled into that sleep that robs me of the joy of God’s presence. I want to wake up to Him and never sleep again. His friendship has enriched my every interaction and His company completes my joy. Sadly, I not only fall asleep to His presence, I sometimes choose to ignore Him--usually when I want something I know He does not approve of. I am never happy when I do this. What a mess I make of myself. Like an unruly toddler, He is always cleaning me up. Grow up, Tim! Conversations Within” ts 1/8/2013 (Jax, FL

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.” C. S. Lewis

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? Ps.119 NASB

I am so easily lulled into that sleep that robs me of the joy of God’s presence. I want to wake up to Him and never sleep again. His friendship has enriched my every interaction and His company completes my joy. Sadly, I not only fall asleep to His presence, I sometimes choose to ignore Him--usually when I want something I know He does not approve of. I am never happy when I do this. What a mess I make of myself. Like an unruly toddler, He is always cleaning me up. Grow up, Tim! Conversations Within” ts 1/8/2013 (Jax, FL

"What would it be to taste at the fountainhead that stream of which even these lower reaches prove so intoxicating?" C. S. Lewis

“You give them drink from your river of delights...” Ps.36 NIV

Every fleeting pleasure is a shadow of the lasting joy that is found in God. Everything beautiful to our senses or to our soul is a means to enjoy not only the thing itself but to delight in its Creator. Wake to God and we wake to life. Drink deeply the wine of His presence and be intoxicated with His love. Lay hold of all God desires to be for us and we will at last come to that place of rest and discover all we can be to Him. Conversations Within” ts 1/7/2013 (Jax, FL

"What would it be to taste at the fountainhead that stream of which even these lower reaches prove so intoxicating?" C. S. Lewis

“You give them drink from your river of delights...” Ps.36 NIV

Every fleeting pleasure is a shadow of the lasting joy that is found in God. Everything beautiful to our senses or to our soul is a means to enjoy not only the thing itself but to delight in its Creator. Wake to God and we wake to life. Drink deeply the wine of His presence and be intoxicated with His love. Lay hold of all God desires to be for us and we will at last come to that place of rest and discover all we can be to Him. Conversations Within” ts 1/7/2013 (Jax, FL

God shares with us the precious truth of living in the now not as the great end all secret but as the first step of discovering that He is the great “I Am.”

“This is what you are to say...: 'I AM has sent me to you.” God (Speaking to Moses)

The popular notion of learning to be where you are--of living in the NOW is gaining momentum in our hurried society. It is a precious skill that certainly enriches the quality of our interactions. I am coming to discover it, not as a goal but as a means--a necessary means to the purpose of life. Being where you are is the first step on the journey of discovering all that God desires to be for us in life. To wake to His presence in and around us and to enjoy Him in every activity, a conversation with a friend, a sunrise, a movie is to find “life in every breath” and every breath of Christ. Conversations Within” ts 1/6/2013 (Jax, FL)

God shares with us the precious truth of living in the now not as the great end all secret but as the first step of discovering that He is the great “I Am.”

“This is what you are to say...: 'I AM has sent me to you.” God (Speaking to Moses)

The popular notion of learning to be where you are--of living in the NOW is gaining momentum in our hurried society. It is a precious skill that certainly enriches the quality of our interactions. I am coming to discover it, not as a goal but as a means--a necessary means to the purpose of life. Being where you are is the first step on the journey of discovering all that God desires to be for us in life. To wake to His presence in and around us and to enjoy Him in every activity, a conversation with a friend, a sunrise, a movie is to find “life in every breath” and every breath of Christ. Conversations Within” ts 1/6/2013 (Jax, FL)

Respect a person’s right to their opinion even if you don’t agree with it.

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” Rom.14 ESV

We can learn to value people with whom we disagree and even find value in their point of view if we center our focus not on “who” is right and wrong but “what” is right and good. For instance, Voltaire said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” I may even disagree with what Voltaire said but I do value freedom of speech. There is some goodness to be found in most points of view even if you are forced for conscience sake to agree to disagree. Practice finding goodness in opinions with which you have strong disagreement--be an ambassador not an adversary. Conversations Within ts 1/5/2013 (Jax, FL)

Respect a person’s right to their opinion even if you don’t agree with it.

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” Rom.14 ESV

We can learn to value people with whom we disagree and even find value in their point of view if we center our focus not on “who” is right and wrong but “what” is right and good. For instance, Voltaire said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” I may even disagree with what Voltaire said but I do value freedom of speech. There is some goodness to be found in most points of view even if you are forced for conscience sake to agree to disagree. Practice finding goodness in opinions with which you have strong disagreement--be an ambassador not an adversary. Conversations Within ts 1/5/2013 (Jax, FL)

“If you want me to treat your ideas with more respect, get some better ideas.” John Scalzi

“Give respect to whom respect is due.” Rom.13

If we are supposed to respect those who deserve respect, does this mean that we withhold it when someone does not deserve it? I can think of some reasons why this is wise. Jesus had little respect for the religious leaders of His day because they were hurting people by weighing them down with religious rules instead of modeling a relationship with God. Sometimes the best way to respect someone isn’t to pander to their foolishness but to point it out. Respect what is respectable if you want the people to value what you value. Conversations Within ts 1/4/2013 (Jax, FL)

“If you want me to treat your ideas with more respect, get some better ideas.” John Scalzi

“Give respect to whom respect is due.” Rom.13

If we are supposed to respect those who deserve respect, does this mean that we withhold it when someone does not deserve it? I can think of some reasons why this is wise. Jesus had little respect for the religious leaders of His day because they were hurting people by weighing them down with religious rules instead of modeling a relationship with God. Sometimes the best way to respect someone isn’t to pander to their foolishness but to point it out. Respect what is respectable if you want the people to value what you value. Conversations Within ts 1/4/2013 (Jax, FL)

“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” Oscar Wilde

“He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.” Prov.18

I do not mind using someone else's ideas if they are good ideas. Why should I re-invent the wheel? Individualism should inspire us to contribute to the community, not keep us from drawing from its wisdom. It is a foolish person who separates himself from the wisdom of the collective just for the sake of being different. Such a life is defined by pride, not by love. If there is any “personal” distinction, let it be in my passions to love others and contribute to the welfare of my neighbors. Conversations Within ts 1/3/2013 (Jax, FL)

“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” Oscar Wilde

“He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.” Prov.18

I do not mind using someone else's ideas if they are good ideas. Why should I re-invent the wheel? Individualism should inspire us to contribute to the community, not keep us from drawing from its wisdom. It is a foolish person who separates himself from the wisdom of the collective just for the sake of being different. Such a life is defined by pride, not by love. If there is any “personal” distinction, let it be in my passions to love others and contribute to the welfare of my neighbors. Conversations Within ts 1/3/2013 (Jax, FL)

“Don't judge a man by his opinions, but what his opinions have made of him.” Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

“By their fruit you will know them.” Jesus

In the final analysis, the fruit of my life will show if I am a good or bad banana. My beliefs, opinions, and actions will be judged good or bad by what they have produced. I am not referring to our standing before God. Forgiveness and acceptance is a gift--freely given to all who trust Christ, and that cannot be improved upon. Fruitfulness is different. Fruit is the worth and value of my life to God. I cannot repay God for His kindness, but I wish to be a good and fruitful son, not a worthless one who bums off grace. Conversations Within ts 1/2/2013 (Jax, FL)

“Don't judge a man by his opinions, but what his opinions have made of him.” Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

“By their fruit you will know them.” Jesus

In the final analysis, the fruit of my life will show if I am a good or bad banana. My beliefs, opinions, and actions will be judged good or bad by what they have produced. I am not referring to our standing before God. Forgiveness and acceptance is a gift--freely given to all who trust Christ, and that cannot be improved upon. Fruitfulness is different. Fruit is the worth and value of my life to God. I cannot repay God for His kindness, but I wish to be a good and fruitful son, not a worthless one who bums off grace. Conversations Within ts 1/2/2013 (Jax, FL)

“The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.” William Blake

“Your word is truth.” Jesus (speaking to His Father)

One distinction that should be made but is often confused is knowing the difference between an opinion and a truth about which an opinion is formed. The confusion comes when our perception of what is true does not match up with what is really true. Christians believe that truth is a Person. In other words, we believe that God is and creates reality. What Christians need to remember is that some would call our belief an opinion. And, from their point of view it is. We should remember this in every spiritual discussion and sprinkle a little humility over every conversation about our faith. Conversations Within ts 1/1/2013 (Jax, FL)

“The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.” William Blake

“Your word is truth.” Jesus (speaking to His Father)

One distinction that should be made but is often confused is knowing the difference between an opinion and a truth about which an opinion is formed. The confusion comes when our perception of what is true does not match up with what is really true. Christians believe that truth is a Person. In other words, we believe that God is and creates reality. What Christians need to remember is that some would call our belief an opinion. And, from their point of view it is. We should remember this in every spiritual discussion and sprinkle a little humility over every conversation about our faith. Conversations Within ts 1/1/2013 (Jax, FL)

“My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I'm right.” Ashleigh Brilliant

“Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.” Job 12

When we have an opinion we usually agree with it. Of course I have changed my opinions from time to time which means I should probably be humble when I express my current point of view. Life has a way of communicating this to those who listen. Life also has a way of showing us the difference between our opinions and our faith. This is why you see wise old people who are increasingly secure in matters of faith but rarely dogmatic about their opinions. Conversations Within ts 12/31/2012 (Gadsden, AL)

“My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I'm right.” Ashleigh Brilliant

“Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.” Job 12

When we have an opinion we usually agree with it. Of course I have changed my opinions from time to time which means I should probably be humble when I express my current point of view. Life has a way of communicating this to those who listen. Life also has a way of showing us the difference between our opinions and our faith. This is why you see wise old people who are increasingly secure in matters of faith but rarely dogmatic about their opinions. Conversations Within ts 12/31/2012 (Gadsden, AL)

"In absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia. Author Unknown

He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. Prov.28

To set a goal without defining the steps to accomplish it is only to dream. To make our dream come true we must create it one material step at a time. Taking the first step is often the hardest. Staying with it is second, but just as important. Doing so requires and results in proven character. Of course, some goals are not worth pursuing. The late Stephen Covey is noted for saying that many people “climb the ladder of success only to find it leaning against the wrong wall.” Define your goals well or you may find yourself in a place you don’t want to be--or worse, become someone you hate being. Conversations Within ts 12/29/2012 (Gadsden, AL)

"In absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia. Author Unknown

He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. Prov.28

To set a goal without defining the steps to accomplish it is only to dream. To make our dream come true we must create it one material step at a time. Taking the first step is often the hardest. Staying with it is second, but just as important. Doing so requires and results in proven character. Of course, some goals are not worth pursuing. The late Stephen Covey is noted for saying that many people “climb the ladder of success only to find it leaning against the wrong wall.” Define your goals well or you may find yourself in a place you don’t want to be--or worse, become someone you hate being. Conversations Within ts 12/29/2012 (Gadsden, AL)

“If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.”.Yogi Berra

“So never worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Jesus

As with most things, there is a delicate balance needed to attend to the present but also plan for the future. We should never worry about the future; worry does nothing constructive. The best use of the present is to set out on the journey of lasting fruitfulness and give ourselves fully to the one condition that yields it--living in partnership the Creator who promises to guide and provide.. Conversations Within ts 12/28/2012 (Selma, AL)

“If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.”.Yogi Berra

“So never worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Jesus

As with most things, there is a delicate balance needed to attend to the present but also plan for the future. We should never worry about the future; worry does nothing constructive. The best use of the present is to set out on the journey of lasting fruitfulness and give ourselves fully to the one condition that yields it--living in partnership the Creator who promises to guide and provide.. Conversations Within ts 12/28/2012 (Selma, AL)

”Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is.” Vince Lombardi

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ.” Jesus. Phil.3

Everybody falls down in the race of life; the key is to get back up and keep running. It may seem futile to run after something you cannot attain--for the Christian this is of course to be like Christ. It is futile unless you realize that what you are striving for is an attitude. That attitude is the desire He puts in us to know and do God’s will. We may fail doing it but this does not mean we do not want it. Conversations Within ts 12/27/2012 (Selma, AL)

”Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is.” Vince Lombardi

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ.” Jesus. Phil.3

Everybody falls down in the race of life; the key is to get back up and keep running. It may seem futile to run after something you cannot attain--for the Christian this is of course to be like Christ. It is futile unless you realize that what you are striving for is an attitude. That attitude is the desire He puts in us to know and do God’s will. We may fail doing it but this does not mean we do not want it. Conversations Within ts 12/27/2012 (Selma, AL)

It takes more than resolve to keep our resolutions; we need humility.

“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

We assume that God wants to help us in our efforts to improve. This is probably a good assumption as long as we remember that God will stand in our way if our improvements feed our pride. Personal accomplishment is often a platform for our pride. We boast that we used to do this or that but now have risen above such things. All virtues can feed the vice of pride if they are not learned in humility and the recognized help of the Spirit. Conversations Within ts 12/25/2012 (Bham, AL)

It takes more than resolve to keep our resolutions; we need humility.

“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

We assume that God wants to help us in our efforts to improve. This is probably a good assumption as long as we remember that God will stand in our way if our improvements feed our pride. Personal accomplishment is often a platform for our pride. We boast that we used to do this or that but now have risen above such things. All virtues can feed the vice of pride if they are not learned in humility and the recognized help of the Spirit. Conversations Within ts 12/25/2012 (Bham, AL)