“Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can” John Wesley

“Be doers...” James

We should each narrow the gap between what we can do and what we actually do, especially where goodness is concerned. The ability to do something is a precious grace. The abuse of our abilities is surely measured by all that could have been accomplished but wasn’t. When an opportunity to do something good presents itself do not let the thief of veiled excuses rob you of the wealth to be had in doing. Conversations Within” ts 5/25/2013 (Shenandoah, AL)

“Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can” John Wesley

“Be doers...” James

We should each narrow the gap between what we can do and what we actually do, especially where goodness is concerned. The ability to do something is a precious grace. The abuse of our abilities is surely measured by all that could have been accomplished but wasn’t. When an opportunity to do something good presents itself do not let the thief of veiled excuses rob you of the wealth to be had in doing. Conversations Within” ts 5/25/2013 (Shenandoah, AL)

“Badness is only spoiled goodness.” C.S. Lewis

“At Your right hand are eternal pleasures. Ps.16

Just about everything that is bad is a corruption of something good. The abuse of lawful pleasures provides many examples of this. Sex without the commitment, eating, work or play without moderation are all forbidden simply because something good is turned into something bad. God is not anti-pleasure; He is pro-life. His prescription for pleasure is not only pleasure as an end to itself, but also the enjoyment of life, health and peace. Conversations Within” ts 5/24/2013 (Birmingham, AL)

“Badness is only spoiled goodness.” C.S. Lewis

“At Your right hand are eternal pleasures. Ps.16

Just about everything that is bad is a corruption of something good. The abuse of lawful pleasures provides many examples of this. Sex without the commitment, eating, work or play without moderation are all forbidden simply because something good is turned into something bad. God is not anti-pleasure; He is pro-life. His prescription for pleasure is not only pleasure as an end to itself, but also the enjoyment of life, health and peace. Conversations Within” ts 5/24/2013 (Birmingham, AL)

The question we should ask is not does it feel good, but is it good?

“Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept correction will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.” Prov.29

Not everything that feels good is good, yet knowing this hasn’t eradicated bad decisions. The universal lie is that we believe that there is still plenty of time to recover from bad choices. Of course, believing this is also a bad choice--the worse part of which isn’t the feel-good experience that we trade for physical and spiritual health, but that we reinforce a gambling habit where the house ultimately will win. Conversations Within” ts 5/22/2013 (Birmingham, AL)

The question we should ask is not does it feel good, but is it good?

“Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept correction will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.” Prov.29

Not everything that feels good is good, yet knowing this hasn’t eradicated bad decisions. The universal lie is that we believe that there is still plenty of time to recover from bad choices. Of course, believing this is also a bad choice--the worse part of which isn’t the feel-good experience that we trade for physical and spiritual health, but that we reinforce a gambling habit where the house ultimately will win. Conversations Within” ts 5/22/2013 (Birmingham, AL)

Why do something if it is not good--why not do it if it is?

“And God saw that it was good.”

I often tell friends to “Be good.” By it I do not mean that they should behave. I want for them what I want for myself--that we would individually and collectively be a source of goodness spilling goodness wherever we are and whatever we are doing. When you think about it, why would I want to be any other way? Perhaps thinking about it is exactly what we should do before we do it. Is that which I am about to say, about to do, wholesome, good? Conversations Within” ts 5/22/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

Why do something if it is not good--why not do it if it is?

“And God saw that it was good.”

I often tell friends to “Be good.” By it I do not mean that they should behave. I want for them what I want for myself--that we would individually and collectively be a source of goodness spilling goodness wherever we are and whatever we are doing. When you think about it, why would I want to be any other way? Perhaps thinking about it is exactly what we should do before we do it. Is that which I am about to say, about to do, wholesome, good? Conversations Within” ts 5/22/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Desmond Tutu

“Be kind and compassionate to one another...” Eph.4

Put your shopping cart back. Pick up trash left by others. Yield that parking spot instead of racing to get it. Pay for the coffee at the drive-though for the car behind you. Keep gift cards for McDonalds in the car to give to the hungry. Take flowers to a stranger in a nursing home. Fill your days with random but deliberate acts of kindness and you fill your life with goodness and your heart with joy. Conversations Within” ts 5/21/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Desmond Tutu

“Be kind and compassionate to one another...” Eph.4

Put your shopping cart back. Pick up trash left by others. Yield that parking spot instead of racing to get it. Pay for the coffee at the drive-though for the car behind you. Keep gift cards for McDonalds in the car to give to the hungry. Take flowers to a stranger in a nursing home. Fill your days with random but deliberate acts of kindness and you fill your life with goodness and your heart with joy. Conversations Within” ts 5/21/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

If you want a good life, then make good choices. It doesn’t get any simpler than this.

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good.” Eph.2

It is a great grace that goodness comes to us one choice at a time. If a battle is won before it is fought, then let me pause before every action and ask if it is good; will it result in goodness? Imagine a life devoted only to what is good--one that aggressively seeks only what benefits--never what harms, and we catch a glimpse of Heaven itself. God is good and dwells in goodness, He graciously offers us this goodness every time we make a choice. Conversations Within” ts 5/20/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

If you want a good life, then make good choices. It doesn’t get any simpler than this.

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good.” Eph.2

It is a great grace that goodness comes to us one choice at a time. If a battle is won before it is fought, then let me pause before every action and ask if it is good; will it result in goodness? Imagine a life devoted only to what is good--one that aggressively seeks only what benefits--never what harms, and we catch a glimpse of Heaven itself. God is good and dwells in goodness, He graciously offers us this goodness every time we make a choice. Conversations Within” ts 5/20/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

“Wag more, bark less.”

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God.” Phil.1 NIV

I recently read one of those quotes that grab you the very moment you see it. “Wag more, bark less.” No one likes a barking dog but who can resist the pure pleasure of a tail- wagging, never- meet-a-stranger, ball of excited fur. The resonance of this quote speaks volumes about our social interaction. Am I a joy to the people I meet or just more noise in an already noisy world? Conversations Within” ts 5/18/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“Wag more, bark less.”

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God.” Phil.1 NIV

I recently read one of those quotes that grab you the very moment you see it. “Wag more, bark less.” No one likes a barking dog but who can resist the pure pleasure of a tail- wagging, never- meet-a-stranger, ball of excited fur. The resonance of this quote speaks volumes about our social interaction. Am I a joy to the people I meet or just more noise in an already noisy world? Conversations Within” ts 5/18/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

Escape the gravity of self if you would be free to soar the heavens.

“You must be born again!” Jesus

Thinking about yourself is normal. The problem is when we are thinking about ourself when we should be thinking about something or someone else. Avoid being self absorbed. Symptoms of this dreaded disease are feeling sorry for yourself, getting your feelings hurt everyday, talking about yourself too much, complaining, comparing and criticizing others. All in all thinking about yourself too much is a miserable existence. Unfortunately we are all born to it, this is precisely one of the reasons why Jesus said we must be born again. Conversations Within” ts 5/17/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

Escape the gravity of self if you would be free to soar the heavens.

“You must be born again!” Jesus

Thinking about yourself is normal. The problem is when we are thinking about ourself when we should be thinking about something or someone else. Avoid being self absorbed. Symptoms of this dreaded disease are feeling sorry for yourself, getting your feelings hurt everyday, talking about yourself too much, complaining, comparing and criticizing others. All in all thinking about yourself too much is a miserable existence. Unfortunately we are all born to it, this is precisely one of the reasons why Jesus said we must be born again. Conversations Within” ts 5/17/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

I may not be able to perform a totally selfless act, but I can choose to avoid a totally selfish one.

“Love...is not self-seeking.” 1Cor.13

There are no truly selfless acts. Even Jesus went to the cross because of the joy it would give to Him to be our Redeemer. True love does not ask us to perform completely selfless acts but sacrificial ones when necessary, and always to further our own joy. Looking out for our well being is not the problem. Looking out “only” for my well being is. The best thing for me is to care for more than me. Conversations Within” ts 5/16/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

I may not be able to perform a totally selfless act, but I can choose to avoid a totally selfish one.

“Love...is not self-seeking.” 1Cor.13

There are no truly selfless acts. Even Jesus went to the cross because of the joy it would give to Him to be our Redeemer. True love does not ask us to perform completely selfless acts but sacrificial ones when necessary, and always to further our own joy. Looking out for our well being is not the problem. Looking out “only” for my well being is. The best thing for me is to care for more than me. Conversations Within” ts 5/16/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” Charles Dickens

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Jesus

I once heard a teacher ask a group of ministers if they ever wondered what the people in the congregation were thinking about them while they were sitting up front in church. He answered by telling them that he knew--that the congregation was not thinking about them at all. The happiest moments of my life are those when I completely forget about myself because I am occupied with caring for others. The simple economy of God taught by Jesus is that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Conversations Within” ts 5/15/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” Charles Dickens

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Jesus

I once heard a teacher ask a group of ministers if they ever wondered what the people in the congregation were thinking about them while they were sitting up front in church. He answered by telling them that he knew--that the congregation was not thinking about them at all. The happiest moments of my life are those when I completely forget about myself because I am occupied with caring for others. The simple economy of God taught by Jesus is that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Conversations Within” ts 5/15/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

It is possible to think too much, not only of oneself, but also about oneself.

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Jesus

When Jesus encourages us to treat others the way we want to be treated, He is pretty much saying that it is healthy to love yourself. As with most things, we can focus too much or too little where self is concerned. We should avoid both extremes. One of the best ways we can love others is to love ourselves. This is one of those vice-versa things. Conversations Within” ts 5/13/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

It is possible to think too much, not only of oneself, but also about oneself.

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Jesus

When Jesus encourages us to treat others the way we want to be treated, He is pretty much saying that it is healthy to love yourself. As with most things, we can focus too much or too little where self is concerned. We should avoid both extremes. One of the best ways we can love others is to love ourselves. This is one of those vice-versa things. Conversations Within” ts 5/13/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

Finding joy in life is not so much a search for something that is hidden; it is after we stop hiding our head in the sand of selfishness that we find it everywhere.

“my joy in you and your joy made full.” Jesus

The pursuit of pleasure can be a selfish thing; it doesn't have to be but it often is. The pursuit of joy is never selfish.. Pleasure can add to or subtract from our joy depending on our focus. If our focus is love there is joy in the pleasure; if it is lust there is only selfishness. Pleasure with joy is the fire that warms; pleasure with lust is the fire that consumes. Conversations Within” ts 5/13/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

Finding joy in life is not so much a search for something that is hidden; it is after we stop hiding our head in the sand of selfishness that we find it everywhere.

“my joy in you and your joy made full.” Jesus

The pursuit of pleasure can be a selfish thing; it doesn't have to be but it often is. The pursuit of joy is never selfish.. Pleasure can add to or subtract from our joy depending on our focus. If our focus is love there is joy in the pleasure; if it is lust there is only selfishness. Pleasure with joy is the fire that warms; pleasure with lust is the fire that consumes. Conversations Within” ts 5/13/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” David Brower

“the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants.” Lev 25

Leave a place better than you find it. Make it your business to improve whatever and wherever. Conservation of the planet begins in something as simple as picking up trash someone else left behind in a public park. The spirit of love is always looking for ways to make things better. One of the ways we love the people we leave behind is to leave the planet not as we found it but better than we found it. Conversations Within” ts 5/10/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” David Brower

“the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants.” Lev 25

Leave a place better than you find it. Make it your business to improve whatever and wherever. Conservation of the planet begins in something as simple as picking up trash someone else left behind in a public park. The spirit of love is always looking for ways to make things better. One of the ways we love the people we leave behind is to leave the planet not as we found it but better than we found it. Conversations Within” ts 5/10/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“The difference between the man who just cuts lawns and a real gardener is in the touching.” Ray Bradbury

“Each man’s work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light” 1Cor.3

For those who believe in God all work should be an offering of worship. After all, the worth of our work will ultimately be measured by Someone who only values eternal things. Of course, even mundane chores like washing dishes and cutting grass have a lasting fragrance when offered in faith and love. Conversations Within” ts 5/10/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“The difference between the man who just cuts lawns and a real gardener is in the touching.” Ray Bradbury

“Each man’s work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light” 1Cor.3

For those who believe in God all work should be an offering of worship. After all, the worth of our work will ultimately be measured by Someone who only values eternal things. Of course, even mundane chores like washing dishes and cutting grass have a lasting fragrance when offered in faith and love. Conversations Within” ts 5/10/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“No legacy is so rich as honesty.” William Shakespeare

“For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.” 2Cor.8 ESV

Honesty is honorable--most of us highly appraise its value. Its worth is measured by the benefit it brings to others and to ourselves. Honesty before God reveals the hidden motives of the heart. Honesty with ourselves is a good self-diagnostic skill. Honesty with others, when coupled with love, is a great way to assist people. The funny thing about honesty is that it only has value when it is partnered with love. Conversations Within” ts 5/9/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“No legacy is so rich as honesty.” William Shakespeare

“For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.” 2Cor.8 ESV

Honesty is honorable--most of us highly appraise its value. Its worth is measured by the benefit it brings to others and to ourselves. Honesty before God reveals the hidden motives of the heart. Honesty with ourselves is a good self-diagnostic skill. Honesty with others, when coupled with love, is a great way to assist people. The funny thing about honesty is that it only has value when it is partnered with love. Conversations Within” ts 5/9/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones.” Shannon L. Alder

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Heb.6

If I am to be remembered, let it be by my family and friends, and let it be because I have loved them. If i am to make any mark worth making, let it surely be in the heart of God for I certainly want Him to remember me. Of course, He has made it abundantly clear that loving others is one of His preferred ways that we show our love to Him. Conversations Within” ts 5/8/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones.” Shannon L. Alder

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Heb.6

If I am to be remembered, let it be by my family and friends, and let it be because I have loved them. If i am to make any mark worth making, let it surely be in the heart of God for I certainly want Him to remember me. Of course, He has made it abundantly clear that loving others is one of His preferred ways that we show our love to Him. Conversations Within” ts 5/8/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” Benjamin Franklin

“Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Jesus

Making a name for yourself and making a difference are not the same. Who cares if people remember you after you are gone. The important thing isn’t fame but faithfulness in loving others--not how many people remember you, but how many people were touched by the influences of your love. Remember the value that Jesus assigned to anonymous givers. Conversations Within” ts 5/7/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” Benjamin Franklin

“Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Jesus

Making a name for yourself and making a difference are not the same. Who cares if people remember you after you are gone. The important thing isn’t fame but faithfulness in loving others--not how many people remember you, but how many people were touched by the influences of your love. Remember the value that Jesus assigned to anonymous givers. Conversations Within” ts 5/7/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“The only thing you take with you when you’re gone is what you leave behind.” John Allston

“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul.” Jesus

Most of us want to “make a difference” in some small way before we leave this place. The late Stephen Covey wrote about four great needs in humans; our need to live, to learn, to love and the need to leave a legacy. Leaving a lasting legacy isn’t so much making a name for yourself as it is truly making a positive difference in the lives of people. Am I living in such a way that benefits others? Be the difference in someone else’s day--an advantageous difference. Conversations Within” ts 5/6/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“The only thing you take with you when you’re gone is what you leave behind.” John Allston

“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul.” Jesus

Most of us want to “make a difference” in some small way before we leave this place. The late Stephen Covey wrote about four great needs in humans; our need to live, to learn, to love and the need to leave a legacy. Leaving a lasting legacy isn’t so much making a name for yourself as it is truly making a positive difference in the lives of people. Am I living in such a way that benefits others? Be the difference in someone else’s day--an advantageous difference. Conversations Within” ts 5/6/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)

“I realize there's something incredibly honest about trees in winter, how they're experts at letting things go.” Jeffrey McDaniel

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jer.29

The notion of growing old and letting go this life is starting to take shape around the edges of my sojourn. I know the appointment is inevitable, but like most I manage to push it out of my day to day life. All that I know of God comforts me that grace will accompany me into my autumn years. I once wrote my mother that autumn precedes winter, but autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons of life. It is in autumn that we show the colors of our faith and begin to let go the temporal leaves of this world. Conversations Within” ts 5/3/2013 (Demorest, Ga)

“I realize there's something incredibly honest about trees in winter, how they're experts at letting things go.” Jeffrey McDaniel

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jer.29

The notion of growing old and letting go this life is starting to take shape around the edges of my sojourn. I know the appointment is inevitable, but like most I manage to push it out of my day to day life. All that I know of God comforts me that grace will accompany me into my autumn years. I once wrote my mother that autumn precedes winter, but autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons of life. It is in autumn that we show the colors of our faith and begin to let go the temporal leaves of this world. Conversations Within” ts 5/3/2013 (Demorest, Ga)

“The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.” Steve Maraboli

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” Ps.103 ESV

Holding on the hurts is never a good thing. I doesn’t not matter if the hurt comes from others or is self inflicted; we must not only forgive it, we must let it go if we want to experience healing. It does no good to keep revisiting the matter once it is forgiven. The power to forgive and move on comes in part from our firm persuasion of God forgiveness. He assures us that when He forgives He erases every mark against us.  Conversations Within ts

“The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.” Steve Maraboli

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” Ps.103 ESV

Holding on the hurts is never a good thing. I doesn’t not matter if the hurt comes from others or is self inflicted; we must not only forgive it, we must let it go if we want to experience healing. It does no good to keep revisiting the matter once it is forgiven. The power to forgive and move on comes in part from our firm persuasion of God forgiveness. He assures us that when He forgives He erases every mark against us.  Conversations Within ts

“Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.” Ann Landers

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.” Eph.4

The adage “Let go and let God” has never been one of my favorites. I suppose I have viewed it as a kind of cop-out where personal responsibility is concerned. But clearly there are times, especially where other people are concerned, when we must do precisely that. If we have exhausted every effort to be at peace with someone and they refuse, then we must put the matter in God’s hands. Conversations Within” ts 5/2/2013 (Demorest, Ga)

“Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.” Ann Landers

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.” Eph.4

The adage “Let go and let God” has never been one of my favorites. I suppose I have viewed it as a kind of cop-out where personal responsibility is concerned. But clearly there are times, especially where other people are concerned, when we must do precisely that. If we have exhausted every effort to be at peace with someone and they refuse, then we must put the matter in God’s hands. Conversations Within” ts 5/2/2013 (Demorest, Ga)

“Letting go doesn't mean that you don't care about someone anymore. It's just realizing that the only person you really have control over is yourself.” Deborah Reber

“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” Prov.16

Some have said that control is an illusion. I suppose there are many instances where this may be true, but I believe there are times when the only illusion is that we have no say in the matter. One of these of course is the God given ability to adjust our attitude. It is wise to stop trying to change people or circumstances beyond our control and change ourselves instead. Once we learn to right our own attitudes, we may not be able to encourage them, if only by example to consider changing theirs. Of course we should give our expectations to God that they will do so. Conversations Within” ts 5/1/2013 (On the Road)

“Letting go doesn't mean that you don't care about someone anymore. It's just realizing that the only person you really have control over is yourself.” Deborah Reber

“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” Prov.16

Some have said that control is an illusion. I suppose there are many instances where this may be true, but I believe there are times when the only illusion is that we have no say in the matter. One of these of course is the God given ability to adjust our attitude. It is wise to stop trying to change people or circumstances beyond our control and change ourselves instead. Once we learn to right our own attitudes, we may not be able to encourage them, if only by example to consider changing theirs. Of course we should give our expectations to God that they will do so. Conversations Within” ts 5/1/2013 (On the Road)

Learn to let some feelings go or they won’t let go of you.

“I will not be mastered by anything.” 1Cor.6

It is sad to be ruled by one’s emotions. We can experience things like anger, sadness even fear without being controlled by them. The important thing is to keep one’s emotions in their proper place. They should never be the engine that powers our train down the tracks of life but more like the caboose that follows good decisions. “Conversations Within” ts 4/30/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

Learn to let some feelings go or they won’t let go of you.

“I will not be mastered by anything.” 1Cor.6

It is sad to be ruled by one’s emotions. We can experience things like anger, sadness even fear without being controlled by them. The important thing is to keep one’s emotions in their proper place. They should never be the engine that powers our train down the tracks of life but more like the caboose that follows good decisions. “Conversations Within” ts 4/30/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

“Get mad, then get over it.” Colin Powell

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” Eph.4 ESV

Everybody gets upset from time to time. One key to dealing with it is to not make a habit of it; another is to get over it quickly. Why waste time doing something that clearly steals your joy? Borrow energy from your anger and turn it in the positive direction of dealing with its cause. Use anger; don’t let anger use you. Conversations Within” ts 4/29/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

“Get mad, then get over it.” Colin Powell

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” Eph.4 ESV

Everybody gets upset from time to time. One key to dealing with it is to not make a habit of it; another is to get over it quickly. Why waste time doing something that clearly steals your joy? Borrow energy from your anger and turn it in the positive direction of dealing with its cause. Use anger; don’t let anger use you. Conversations Within” ts 4/29/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

“I would rather feel things in extreme than not at all.” Bonnie Raitt

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!” Jesus

We should not confuse avoiding extremes with having no passion for life. We may be passionate about something, even extremely so, and still let wisdom guide us. I want to give myself wholly to whatever I do and bring all my faculties to bear doing it. This means engaging my mind, my will and my emotions; in other words, my whole heart. Don’t live life halfway or lukewarm but fervently. Conversations Within” ts 4/28/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

“I would rather feel things in extreme than not at all.” Bonnie Raitt

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!” Jesus

We should not confuse avoiding extremes with having no passion for life. We may be passionate about something, even extremely so, and still let wisdom guide us. I want to give myself wholly to whatever I do and bring all my faculties to bear doing it. This means engaging my mind, my will and my emotions; in other words, my whole heart. Don’t live life halfway or lukewarm but fervently. Conversations Within” ts 4/28/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

“Two extremes: to exclude reason, to admit reason only.” Blaise Pascal

“There are three things which are too wonderful for me, four which I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky,the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the middle of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid.” Prov 31

Just because I cannot explain something does not mean that it is not valid or any less true. There are many mysteries beyond my ability to explain--some in the physical world, and some in the world of spirits. Conversely, just because I have an explanation for something does not remove its mystery. I believe it was Einstein who said, "There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle." Conversations Within” ts 4/26/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

“Two extremes: to exclude reason, to admit reason only.” Blaise Pascal

“There are three things which are too wonderful for me, four which I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky,the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the middle of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid.” Prov 31

Just because I cannot explain something does not mean that it is not valid or any less true. There are many mysteries beyond my ability to explain--some in the physical world, and some in the world of spirits. Conversely, just because I have an explanation for something does not remove its mystery. I believe it was Einstein who said, "There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle." Conversations Within” ts 4/26/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

“Extremism is so easy...when you go far enough to the right you meet the same idiots coming around from the left.” Clint Eastwood

“Be not overly righteous...Be not overly wicked...” Ecc.7

I don’t want a lazy man to tell me how to rest or a work-a-holic to show me how to work. I do not want to feed my soul on the the teachings of fanatical preachers or the rantings of an ardent atheist. Polarized points of view serve no cause but their own, and therefore have little or no value to ordinary people. Extremism is, by its nature extreme. The far left and the far right may help you find life’s center as long as you avoid them both. Conversations Within” ts 4/25/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)

“Extremism is so easy...when you go far enough to the right you meet the same idiots coming around from the left.” Clint Eastwood

“Be not overly righteous...Be not overly wicked...” Ecc.7

I don’t want a lazy man to tell me how to rest or a work-a-holic to show me how to work. I do not want to feed my soul on the the teachings of fanatical preachers or the rantings of an ardent atheist. Polarized points of view serve no cause but their own, and therefore have little or no value to ordinary people. Extremism is, by its nature extreme. The far left and the far right may help you find life’s center as long as you avoid them both. Conversations Within” ts 4/25/2013 (Camp Farrington, AL)