Grace modeste- an "unassuming grace." Any discussion of a spiritual nature should reflect this mutual kindness. The following are simply my devotional reflections each morning. I cast them like "bread upon the waters," hoping that all who find them will find something of value to nurture their own inner life.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Grace is the defining difference in everything good.
Grace is the defining difference in everything good.
Friday, June 28, 2013
The desire to be happy is a powerful weapon against every inner demon that comes to steal it.
The desire to be happy is a powerful weapon against every inner demon that comes to steal it.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." Beverly Sills
"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." Beverly Sills
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
"Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There's plenty of movement, but you never know if it's going to be forward, backwards, or sideways." H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” 1Cor.12
"Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There's plenty of movement, but you never know if it's going to be forward, backwards, or sideways." H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” 1Cor.12
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
"The first and best victory is to conquer self." Plato
"The first and best victory is to conquer self." Plato
Monday, June 24, 2013
A large part of living is learning to manage not so much your surroundings, but yourself.
A large part of living is learning to manage not so much your surroundings, but yourself.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
It is tragic to center your happiness on your environment—on all the “if onlys.”
It is tragic to center your happiness on your environment—on all the “if onlys.”
Friday, June 21, 2013
"May you live all the days of your life." Jonathan Swift
“Wake! Why are you sleeping?” Jesus
One tragic result of living in a fallen world is that humans have the tendency of going through the motions of living but not really living. We show up, but don’t show up. God is all of the time nudging me to wake, to be where I am and embrace the magic around me. Conversations Within” ts 6/17/2013 (On the Road in Utah)
"May you live all the days of your life." Jonathan Swift
“Wake! Why are you sleeping?” Jesus
One tragic result of living in a fallen world is that humans have the tendency of going through the motions of living but not really living. We show up, but don’t show up. God is all of the time nudging me to wake, to be where I am and embrace the magic around me. Conversations Within” ts 6/17/2013 (On the Road in Utah)
Thursday, June 20, 2013
”You don’t choose a life, you live one.” “The Way” (The Movie)
”You don’t choose a life, you live one.” “The Way” (The Movie)
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart” Helen Keller
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart” Helen Keller
“To know life in every breath, every cup of tea...” The Last Samurai
“To know life in every breath, every cup of tea...” The Last Samurai
Monday, June 17, 2013
It is not doubt, but desire, that trips us up.
It is not doubt, but desire, that trips us up.
Do not take this moment for granted. for the next may not be.
“Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone.” James 4 NLTChoose more than to exist; enjoy life for what it is. Do not survive the day, savor it. Do more than make a living; make living the aim of your life. Don’t just show up to work; make a fruitful and positive contribution. See your life as a precious gift, a valuable treasure. Do not take this moment for granted. for the next may not be. Conversations Within” ts 6/10/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
Do not take this moment for granted. for the next may not be.
“Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone.” James 4 NLTChoose more than to exist; enjoy life for what it is. Do not survive the day, savor it. Do more than make a living; make living the aim of your life. Don’t just show up to work; make a fruitful and positive contribution. See your life as a precious gift, a valuable treasure. Do not take this moment for granted. for the next may not be. Conversations Within” ts 6/10/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
Friday, June 14, 2013
“My father always told me never to love anything that cannot love you back.” Imelda Marcos
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Prov.22
“My father always told me never to love anything that cannot love you back.” Imelda Marcos
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Prov.22
Thursday, June 13, 2013
The King of Creation is not diminished when we approach Him as our Father; He is wonderfully distinguished. We finally see Him as He wants to be seen. GOD is spelled DAD.
The King of Creation is not diminished when we approach Him as our Father; He is wonderfully distinguished. We finally see Him as He wants to be seen. GOD is spelled DAD.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
There is much comfort from knowing that Jesus’ favorite designation for God is Father; is there a better way to see Him?
There is much comfort from knowing that Jesus’ favorite designation for God is Father; is there a better way to see Him?
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
“Dad, a son’s first hero a daughter's first love.” Anonymous
“Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” James 3 NIVSome people spend their whole lives trying to get over dear ‘ole dad. Others have come to value the positive influences they picked up from him. We get from our parents and give to our children both good and bad stuff. One of my prayers is that God would sift out the bad and water the good. Conversations Within” ts 6/5/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
“Dad, a son’s first hero a daughter's first love.” Anonymous
“Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” James 3 NIVSome people spend their whole lives trying to get over dear ‘ole dad. Others have come to value the positive influences they picked up from him. We get from our parents and give to our children both good and bad stuff. One of my prayers is that God would sift out the bad and water the good. Conversations Within” ts 6/5/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
Monday, June 10, 2013
”A smile from him was sunshine, his scowl a bolt of thunder.” Rachel Vincent
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Prov.1There is not a doubt in my mind that my relationship with my dad planted many seeds that affect interactions with God. I can remember my heart skipping a beat every time my dad caught me misbehaving. I can also remember how wonderful it felt to have his praise. It is proper to fear and love God--not fear in the sense of terror but of deep appreciation of His commitment to goodness. We may start out afraid of Him just as a misbehaving child is afraid of his father’s anger. Over time the child grows up and fear is replaced with respect and love. Conversations Within” ts 6/4/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
”A smile from him was sunshine, his scowl a bolt of thunder.” Rachel Vincent
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Prov.1There is not a doubt in my mind that my relationship with my dad planted many seeds that affect interactions with God. I can remember my heart skipping a beat every time my dad caught me misbehaving. I can also remember how wonderful it felt to have his praise. It is proper to fear and love God--not fear in the sense of terror but of deep appreciation of His commitment to goodness. We may start out afraid of Him just as a misbehaving child is afraid of his father’s anger. Over time the child grows up and fear is replaced with respect and love. Conversations Within” ts 6/4/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
Sunday, June 9, 2013
“I want to be a dad. Sorry, I’m dyslexic. I meant to write dad. ” Jarod Kintz
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Eph.6Every father I know wants to be a better one. Simply being a father will do that to you. Nothing will empower this desire more than the prayers we pray for our kids. When I talk to the Father about each of my children, He is always talking to me about my role. I cannot talk to God about them without His Spirit talking with me about me. He is, of course, full of ideas and suggestions on being a better dad. I can think of no better place to begin being a better dad than to pray for your kids. Conversations Within” ts 6/3/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
“I want to be a dad. Sorry, I’m dyslexic. I meant to write dad. ” Jarod Kintz
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Eph.6Every father I know wants to be a better one. Simply being a father will do that to you. Nothing will empower this desire more than the prayers we pray for our kids. When I talk to the Father about each of my children, He is always talking to me about my role. I cannot talk to God about them without His Spirit talking with me about me. He is, of course, full of ideas and suggestions on being a better dad. I can think of no better place to begin being a better dad than to pray for your kids. Conversations Within” ts 6/3/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
Friday, June 7, 2013
“There's enough grief in this world without always getting into whose fault it is.” Lisa Samson
“The man said, ‘The woman you put here with me--she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.’" Gen.3 NIVAdam blamed Eve; Eve blamed the serpent. We all blame something. Actually, when Adam blamed Eve, he was also blaming God for giving him Eve. Blame points the finger at others and is one of the first fruits of a selfish life. A humble admission of our own fault is one of the first fruits of love. Own up to your own actions and be happier and healthier for it. Conversations Within” ts 6/1/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
“There's enough grief in this world without always getting into whose fault it is.” Lisa Samson
“The man said, ‘The woman you put here with me--she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.’" Gen.3 NIVAdam blamed Eve; Eve blamed the serpent. We all blame something. Actually, when Adam blamed Eve, he was also blaming God for giving him Eve. Blame points the finger at others and is one of the first fruits of a selfish life. A humble admission of our own fault is one of the first fruits of love. Own up to your own actions and be happier and healthier for it. Conversations Within” ts 6/1/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
Thursday, June 6, 2013
“Never blame anyone in your life. Good people give you happiness;Bad people give you experience; Worse people give you a lesson.” Anonymous
“A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.” Prov.19 NIVSo many things in life are good or bad depending on how we choose to see them. Choose to find the lesson. Choose to overlook an offense. Choose to forgive. Choose to move forward. Conversations Within” ts 5/30/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
“Never blame anyone in your life. Good people give you happiness;Bad people give you experience; Worse people give you a lesson.” Anonymous
“A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.” Prov.19 NIVSo many things in life are good or bad depending on how we choose to see them. Choose to find the lesson. Choose to overlook an offense. Choose to forgive. Choose to move forward. Conversations Within” ts 5/30/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Do not blame God for your troubles, credit Him for loving you enough to humble your hard head.
“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1Pet.5Most of the time we bring trouble on our own heads and sometimes have the audacity to blame God for it. And, even though we often deserve what we get, God is still able to work everything for our good when we will humble ourselves and let His Spirit teach us. Any time I find myself blaming God, I have failed to appreciate just how far He is willing to go to help me share the image of His Son. Conversations Within” ts 5/29/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
Do not blame God for your troubles, credit Him for loving you enough to humble your hard head.
“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1Pet.5Most of the time we bring trouble on our own heads and sometimes have the audacity to blame God for it. And, even though we often deserve what we get, God is still able to work everything for our good when we will humble ourselves and let His Spirit teach us. Any time I find myself blaming God, I have failed to appreciate just how far He is willing to go to help me share the image of His Son. Conversations Within” ts 5/29/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
“Was it you or I who stumbled first? It does not matter. The one of us who finds the strength to get up first, must help the other.” Vera Nazarian
“...first be reconciled to your brother...” JesusBe the first to forgive. Be the frontrunner to begin the healing. Be the first to say “I’m sorry” and “Will you forgive me?” Don’t waste another minute waiting on the other person. Go right now to them and make peace. If you are going to put yourself first, be first in showing humility and love. Conversations Within” ts 5/28/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
“Was it you or I who stumbled first? It does not matter. The one of us who finds the strength to get up first, must help the other.” Vera Nazarian
“...first be reconciled to your brother...” JesusBe the first to forgive. Be the frontrunner to begin the healing. Be the first to say “I’m sorry” and “Will you forgive me?” Don’t waste another minute waiting on the other person. Go right now to them and make peace. If you are going to put yourself first, be first in showing humility and love. Conversations Within” ts 5/28/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
Monday, June 3, 2013
”It is a very common, ancient, well-perfected device for trying to feel better. Blame others....” Pema Chödrön
“For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” Gal.6 NLTIt is never right to excuse our own bad behavior because of the behavior of another. Take responsibility for your own actions and do not play the blame game. What I do, I do. Blaming someone else for your actions is blaming the rain for getting you wet when you forgot your umbrella. Conversations Within” ts 5/28/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
”It is a very common, ancient, well-perfected device for trying to feel better. Blame others....” Pema Chödrön
“For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” Gal.6 NLTIt is never right to excuse our own bad behavior because of the behavior of another. Take responsibility for your own actions and do not play the blame game. What I do, I do. Blaming someone else for your actions is blaming the rain for getting you wet when you forgot your umbrella. Conversations Within” ts 5/28/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Fixing blame, doesn’t fix anything.
“Why do you condemn your brother?” Rom.14You do not clean dirt by flinging mud. Finding someone to blame solves nothing.. We must change our thinking from “who” is right and “who” is wrong to “what” is right and “what” is wrong. Put your energies into fixing the problem, not into fixing blame. Conversations Within” ts 5/27/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)
Fixing blame, doesn’t fix anything.
“Why do you condemn your brother?” Rom.14You do not clean dirt by flinging mud. Finding someone to blame solves nothing.. We must change our thinking from “who” is right and “who” is wrong to “what” is right and “what” is wrong. Put your energies into fixing the problem, not into fixing blame. Conversations Within” ts 5/27/2013 (Atlantic Beach, FL)