“You can have no dominion greater or less than that over yourself.” Leonardo Da Vinci

“...how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” Rom.5

I believe that God created us to rule over, not be slaves under. This is never more true than over our own nature. We must learn to rule our passions or they will certainly rule us. Do not be a prisoner to your anger, lusts, or even apathy. Live like a King not through indulgence but with self-control.  Conversations Within” ts 2/22/2014 (Hayneville, AL)

“You can have no dominion greater or less than that over yourself.” Leonardo Da Vinci

“...how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” Rom.5

I believe that God created us to rule over, not be slaves under. This is never more true than over our own nature. We must learn to rule our passions or they will certainly rule us. Do not be a prisoner to your anger, lusts, or even apathy. Live like a King not through indulgence but with self-control.  Conversations Within” ts 2/22/2014 (Hayneville, AL)

“Life ain’t a rehearsal the camera’s always rollin.” Drake

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” Jesus

People usually pay more attention to the way they behave when they know they are being recorded. One of the things that Jesus told us that we should remember is that Heaven’s camera is always rolling. As someone said, “Life is not a dress rehearsal. This is it!” If you are going to change something, change it--change it now.   Conversations Within” ts 2/21/2014 (Hayneville, AL)

“Life ain’t a rehearsal the camera’s always rollin.” Drake

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” Jesus

People usually pay more attention to the way they behave when they know they are being recorded. One of the things that Jesus told us that we should remember is that Heaven’s camera is always rolling. As someone said, “Life is not a dress rehearsal. This is it!” If you are going to change something, change it--change it now.   Conversations Within” ts 2/21/2014 (Hayneville, AL)

“When was the last time you did something for the first time?” Unknown

“And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over...” Gen.1

In this place of moth and rust we need new challenges just to keep putting the life back in living. Never stop exploring! If you stop exploring, you stop changing, if you stop changing, you stop growing; if you stop growing, well, you’re dead. This is never more true than it is of the soul. The world was created for us to fill, to explore, to rule. We were created to grow.    Conversations Within” ts 2/20/2014 (Selma, AL)

“When was the last time you did something for the first time?” Unknown

“And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over...” Gen.1

In this place of moth and rust we need new challenges just to keep putting the life back in living. Never stop exploring! If you stop exploring, you stop changing, if you stop changing, you stop growing; if you stop growing, well, you’re dead. This is never more true than it is of the soul. The world was created for us to fill, to explore, to rule. We were created to grow.    Conversations Within” ts 2/20/2014 (Selma, AL)

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” Socrates

“Against such things there is no law.” Gal.5

Some Christians spend all their time and energy living on the fence. They look sadly at everything forbidden to them on the other side or spend all of their time trying not to cross back over to the old life. Let me turn my back to the fence and run as children let loose on a playground. There is so much joy to be had playing on the positive side of life. Do not spend all your time dying the old life, rise up and live the new. Conversations Within” ts 2/19/2014 (Selma, AL)

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” Socrates

“Against such things there is no law.” Gal.5

Some Christians spend all their time and energy living on the fence. They look sadly at everything forbidden to them on the other side or spend all of their time trying not to cross back over to the old life. Let me turn my back to the fence and run as children let loose on a playground. There is so much joy to be had playing on the positive side of life. Do not spend all your time dying the old life, rise up and live the new. Conversations Within” ts 2/19/2014 (Selma, AL)

"Nothing happens until the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change" Arthur Burt

“I die daily.”

We must grow tired, not only of being unhappy but of the root cause creating it. The root cause is not people, or outer circumstances but our inner disposition towards them. When I think about it, just about  every unhappy moment in my life is when I am thinking about what “I” want; what “I” deserve; what is keeping “me” from having it. Selfish people only do what they enjoy. People governed by love, enjoy whatever they do. It is painful to put our selfishness to death, but not nearly as painful as continuing in the hell it creates.  Conversations Within” ts 2/18/2014 (Selma, AL)

"Nothing happens until the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change" Arthur Burt

“I die daily.”

We must grow tired, not only of being unhappy but of the root cause creating it. The root cause is not people, or outer circumstances but our inner disposition towards them. When I think about it, just about  every unhappy moment in my life is when I am thinking about what “I” want; what “I” deserve; what is keeping “me” from having it. Selfish people only do what they enjoy. People governed by love, enjoy whatever they do. It is painful to put our selfishness to death, but not nearly as painful as continuing in the hell it creates.  Conversations Within” ts 2/18/2014 (Selma, AL)

"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading." - Lao Tzu

“Be clean, and change your garments.” Gen.35.2

Change is not only a desired but necessary condition of life. Changes which are bad usually reflect our fallen nature in one way or another. Changes which are good reflect the gracious inner workings of God who desires to raise us up out of our fallen condition. We are all born selfish babies, He would mature us to think of others. Positive change comes when we cooperate with Him.  Conversations Within” ts 2/17/2014 (Jax,)

"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading." - Lao Tzu

“Be clean, and change your garments.” Gen.35.2

Change is not only a desired but necessary condition of life. Changes which are bad usually reflect our fallen nature in one way or another. Changes which are good reflect the gracious inner workings of God who desires to raise us up out of our fallen condition. We are all born selfish babies, He would mature us to think of others. Positive change comes when we cooperate with Him.  Conversations Within” ts 2/17/2014 (Jax,)

“When life is rough pray; when life is great pray.” April Sims

“Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.” Ps.86.2

Do I think of myself as a godly person? I have no problem thinking of myself as a sinner. Why do I hesitate to think of myself as godly? I think one reason is because I believe godly people rarely think of themselves at all. They do not waste energy on selfish thoughts. A godly person has a unique leaning. They are inclined to seek God and serve others. Conversations Within” ts 2/15/2014 (Jax,)

“When life is rough pray; when life is great pray.” April Sims

“Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.” Ps.86.2

Do I think of myself as a godly person? I have no problem thinking of myself as a sinner. Why do I hesitate to think of myself as godly? I think one reason is because I believe godly people rarely think of themselves at all. They do not waste energy on selfish thoughts. A godly person has a unique leaning. They are inclined to seek God and serve others. Conversations Within” ts 2/15/2014 (Jax,)

“Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.” H. G. Wells

“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.” 2Cor.11.2

The word jealous and the word zealous translate the same New Testament word. There is  self-centered jealousy that is harmfully possessive and a loving jealousy which is protectively possessive. To believe that someone you love will one day stand in judgment before God is to encourage them by every wise means to help them prepare for it. Of course one of the best ways to do this is to prepare for it ourselves. Conversations Within” ts 2/14/2014 (Jax, FL)

“Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.” H. G. Wells

“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.” 2Cor.11.2

The word jealous and the word zealous translate the same New Testament word. There is  self-centered jealousy that is harmfully possessive and a loving jealousy which is protectively possessive. To believe that someone you love will one day stand in judgment before God is to encourage them by every wise means to help them prepare for it. Of course one of the best ways to do this is to prepare for it ourselves. Conversations Within” ts 2/14/2014 (Jax, FL)

“Most of the problems in life are because of two reasons-we act without thinking or we keep thinking without acting.” Unknown

“Godly sorrow brings repentance.” 2Cor.8.10

True godliness is an action thing. When our hearts are inclined toward God, our feet and hands follow. We are moved to do, not just feel strongly about some matter affecting the well-being of others. Belief becomes more than approval or agreement, it becomes an active trust.  Conversations Within” ts 2/13/2014 (Jax, FL)

“Most of the problems in life are because of two reasons-we act without thinking or we keep thinking without acting.” Unknown

“Godly sorrow brings repentance.” 2Cor.8.10

True godliness is an action thing. When our hearts are inclined toward God, our feet and hands follow. We are moved to do, not just feel strongly about some matter affecting the well-being of others. Belief becomes more than approval or agreement, it becomes an active trust.  Conversations Within” ts 2/13/2014 (Jax, FL)

Don’t just believe in God, trust what He desires to be in and through you.

“...having a form of godliness but denying its power.” 2Tim.3.5

What fool would have electrical service but then leave everything unplugged? I actually behave no better when I believe in God, think about God, talk to Him all through the day but then refuse to lay hold of His wisdom and power to live life as it should be lived. There are few things worse than to always be talking to God but then never listening and leaning on His counsel.   Conversations Within” ts 2/12/2014 (Jax, FL)

Don’t just believe in God, trust what He desires to be in and through you.

“...having a form of godliness but denying its power.” 2Tim.3.5

What fool would have electrical service but then leave everything unplugged? I actually behave no better when I believe in God, think about God, talk to Him all through the day but then refuse to lay hold of His wisdom and power to live life as it should be lived. There are few things worse than to always be talking to God but then never listening and leaning on His counsel.   Conversations Within” ts 2/12/2014 (Jax, FL)

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness”

‘Be holy for I am holy.” God

Truly a lot of things are next to godliness; holiness is one of them. Holiness is one of those words which has fallen out of use in our culture. Many people associate it with stiff nosed christians who seem to be against just about everything that most people consider fun. But holiness is simply the practice of loving God with one’s actions and attitudes. One person may go see a movie to love Him; another may refrain from going for the same reason. This is not hard to understand if we remember that sometimes the reason we do a thing is as important as the thing we do.  Conversations Within” ts 2/10/2014 (Jax, FL)

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness”

‘Be holy for I am holy.” God

Truly a lot of things are next to godliness; holiness is one of them. Holiness is one of those words which has fallen out of use in our culture. Many people associate it with stiff nosed christians who seem to be against just about everything that most people consider fun. But holiness is simply the practice of loving God with one’s actions and attitudes. One person may go see a movie to love Him; another may refrain from going for the same reason. This is not hard to understand if we remember that sometimes the reason we do a thing is as important as the thing we do.  Conversations Within” ts 2/10/2014 (Jax, FL)

Blessed are those who knows they are blessed.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”1Tim.6.6

What value is it when we are wealthy but do not know that we are? What values is it to believe in God but not know the wealth of trusting Him? Which is worse: to dismiss Jesus or to believe in Him yet live as if His companionship makes no difference at all? Godliness only has value when we are satisfied with all that God is for us in life.    Conversations Within” ts 2/10/2014 (Jax, FL)

Blessed are those who knows they are blessed.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”1Tim.6.6

What value is it when we are wealthy but do not know that we are? What values is it to believe in God but not know the wealth of trusting Him? Which is worse: to dismiss Jesus or to believe in Him yet live as if His companionship makes no difference at all? Godliness only has value when we are satisfied with all that God is for us in life.    Conversations Within” ts 2/10/2014 (Jax, FL)

Bitter disappointment falls from the tree of envy but the heart that rejoices for another has the fruit of contentment and the sweetness of lasting joy.

“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” Prov.14

Be happy for people when God gives them some blessing even if he has not given it to you. Find joy in their prosperity and smile that your Father has smiled on them. To rejoice for others is evidence that Christ has taken up residence in your heart. To have Christ is to have all things. Conversations Within” ts 2/8/2014 (Jax, FL)

Bitter disappointment falls from the tree of envy but the heart that rejoices for another has the fruit of contentment and the sweetness of lasting joy.

“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” Prov.14

Be happy for people when God gives them some blessing even if he has not given it to you. Find joy in their prosperity and smile that your Father has smiled on them. To rejoice for others is evidence that Christ has taken up residence in your heart. To have Christ is to have all things. Conversations Within” ts 2/8/2014 (Jax, FL)

“When something good happens to someone else it takes nothing away from you.” Nasreddin Hodja

“Love does not envy.” 1Cor.13

You can be green with envy or have rosy red cheeks that smile at the success of others. To rejoice with people when good things come to them is to know the joy of love. Even in competition, love is always happy for the victory of others.To live this way means you will always be a winner. Why  be green with envy when you can share the gold of gladness. Conversations Within” ts 2/7/2014 (Jax, FL)

“When something good happens to someone else it takes nothing away from you.” Nasreddin Hodja

“Love does not envy.” 1Cor.13

You can be green with envy or have rosy red cheeks that smile at the success of others. To rejoice with people when good things come to them is to know the joy of love. Even in competition, love is always happy for the victory of others.To live this way means you will always be a winner. Why  be green with envy when you can share the gold of gladness. Conversations Within” ts 2/7/2014 (Jax, FL)

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” Theodore Roosevelt

“You shall not covet.” Ex.20

I can covet my neighbor’s house or car, even their spouse, their wealth, job, talent or health. There is no joy when we look with envy on another’s lot in life. Why not give thanks for the blessings they have received instead? Thanksgiving is the death of envy, especially when we give thanks for the blessings that God has given our neighbor. Don’t covet the blessings of your neighbor, celebrate them.     Conversations Within” ts 2/6/2014 (Jax, FL)

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” Theodore Roosevelt

“You shall not covet.” Ex.20

I can covet my neighbor’s house or car, even their spouse, their wealth, job, talent or health. There is no joy when we look with envy on another’s lot in life. Why not give thanks for the blessings they have received instead? Thanksgiving is the death of envy, especially when we give thanks for the blessings that God has given our neighbor. Don’t covet the blessings of your neighbor, celebrate them.     Conversations Within” ts 2/6/2014 (Jax, FL)

Contentment is not the death of our dreams and aspirations but a firm acceptance of the process God uses to fine tune them.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Prov.29

Contentment is not an expression of apathy nor an attitude which tells us to ignore our desires. It embraces the roadblocks and detours that God puts in the way of desires which need his direction. God is the Father of desires and even offers to give us the desires of our heart as we delight in Him. He does ask that we gratefully accept his leading while He matures what we want into something that we really want. Conversations Within” ts 2/5/2014 (Jax, FL)

Contentment is not the death of our dreams and aspirations but a firm acceptance of the process God uses to fine tune them.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Prov.29

Contentment is not an expression of apathy nor an attitude which tells us to ignore our desires. It embraces the roadblocks and detours that God puts in the way of desires which need his direction. God is the Father of desires and even offers to give us the desires of our heart as we delight in Him. He does ask that we gratefully accept his leading while He matures what we want into something that we really want. Conversations Within” ts 2/5/2014 (Jax, FL)

Contentment is a choice of faith within us, and not the result of circumstances without us.

“Be satisfied with what you have.” Heb.13

I think we come to discover that we are content with what we have, when we content ourselves with what we have. Content is an action word as much as a state of being. Tell yourself that you are satisfied, that you are happy with all that God is and all that He has provided for the present moment. The best way to curb your wants is to say thank you for what you have. Drink deeply from the cup of thanksgiving to quench the thirst of discontent.  Conversations Within” ts 2/4/2014 (Jax, FL)

Contentment is a choice of faith within us, and not the result of circumstances without us.

“Be satisfied with what you have.” Heb.13

I think we come to discover that we are content with what we have, when we content ourselves with what we have. Content is an action word as much as a state of being. Tell yourself that you are satisfied, that you are happy with all that God is and all that He has provided for the present moment. The best way to curb your wants is to say thank you for what you have. Drink deeply from the cup of thanksgiving to quench the thirst of discontent.  Conversations Within” ts 2/4/2014 (Jax, FL)

“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor. Seneca

“...one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Jesus

Jesus did not own a house and had little; Abraham, the father of faith, was wealthy and had much. Both had the blessing of God the Father because both used what they had to advance the Kingdom of God. Money is not the root of evil, the love of it is. Money and possessions are only a tool to be used to live and love others, or to sacrifice in order to live and love others. Do not serve your possessions, make your possessions serve you. Conversations Within” ts 2/3/2014 (Jax, FL)

“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor. Seneca

“...one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Jesus

Jesus did not own a house and had little; Abraham, the father of faith, was wealthy and had much. Both had the blessing of God the Father because both used what they had to advance the Kingdom of God. Money is not the root of evil, the love of it is. Money and possessions are only a tool to be used to live and love others, or to sacrifice in order to live and love others. Do not serve your possessions, make your possessions serve you. Conversations Within” ts 2/3/2014 (Jax, FL)

“Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." - Alfred Lord Tennyson

“Love believes all things.” 1Cor.13

When you love, you risk injury. Those you love may not love you in return; they may leave, betray, even die on you. One person advised to never give your love to anyone, even to a pet, if you want to escape the hurt. Pain is inevitable where love is concerned. So, why love? The reason is that love is the only activity that helps us escape the gravity of our selfishness. Without love our hearts grow cold, self-centered and dead. The dead may not hurt, but they are nonetheless dead.  Conversations Within” ts 2/1/2014 (Jax, FL)

“Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." - Alfred Lord Tennyson

“Love believes all things.” 1Cor.13

When you love, you risk injury. Those you love may not love you in return; they may leave, betray, even die on you. One person advised to never give your love to anyone, even to a pet, if you want to escape the hurt. Pain is inevitable where love is concerned. So, why love? The reason is that love is the only activity that helps us escape the gravity of our selfishness. Without love our hearts grow cold, self-centered and dead. The dead may not hurt, but they are nonetheless dead.  Conversations Within” ts 2/1/2014 (Jax, FL)

“I can't promise to fix all your problems but I can promise you won't have to face them alone.” Unknown.

“I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. Assuredly not!” Heb.13 AMP

With all the assurances of God’s love, not just in words but also in realized blessings, you would think we have no reason whatsoever to worry about a single thing. But we do. One reason is that we focus on something that can potentially go wrong rather than on God’s promises. All worries concern the future instead of the present. If God is caring for you now why would this change?  Conversations Within” ts 1/31/2014 (Jax, FL)

“I can't promise to fix all your problems but I can promise you won't have to face them alone.” Unknown.

“I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. Assuredly not!” Heb.13 AMP

With all the assurances of God’s love, not just in words but also in realized blessings, you would think we have no reason whatsoever to worry about a single thing. But we do. One reason is that we focus on something that can potentially go wrong rather than on God’s promises. All worries concern the future instead of the present. If God is caring for you now why would this change?  Conversations Within” ts 1/31/2014 (Jax, FL)

“Only the broken-hearted know the truth about love.” Mason Cooley

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.” Ps.34.18 ESV

Sometimes our heart must be broken before God can teach us the true nature of love. He will use our brokenness to show us the difference between the love of feelings and the love of actions. Namely, it is possible to love a person by treating them good even if they have hurt you. We are never closer to God than when we love in the face of unreturned love. He walks this path everyday. Conversations Within” ts 1/30/2014 (Jax, FL)

“Only the broken-hearted know the truth about love.” Mason Cooley

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.” Ps.34.18 ESV

Sometimes our heart must be broken before God can teach us the true nature of love. He will use our brokenness to show us the difference between the love of feelings and the love of actions. Namely, it is possible to love a person by treating them good even if they have hurt you. We are never closer to God than when we love in the face of unreturned love. He walks this path everyday. Conversations Within” ts 1/30/2014 (Jax, FL)

“Anger is the fluid that love bleeds when it gets cut.” C. S. Lewis

“Love is not easily angered,” 1Cor.13

To say that love is not easily angered does not mean that it never is. I should think that anger is an appropriate response when those we love are threatened. A commitment to loving what is good is also a commitment to resist what is bad. We should not be surprised that God gets angry over things which harm his children--even if we are ones doing the harm. Conversations Within” ts 1/29/2014 (Jax, FL)

“Anger is the fluid that love bleeds when it gets cut.” C. S. Lewis

“Love is not easily angered,” 1Cor.13

To say that love is not easily angered does not mean that it never is. I should think that anger is an appropriate response when those we love are threatened. A commitment to loving what is good is also a commitment to resist what is bad. We should not be surprised that God gets angry over things which harm his children--even if we are ones doing the harm. Conversations Within” ts 1/29/2014 (Jax, FL)

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.” C.S. Lewis

“Love endures all things.” 1Cor.13

If you love someone you will undoubtedly be hurt by them. If we are to love and I mean love in the sense of giving, we must learn to deal with our disappointments. Love endures. The driving force in love is goodness. We love when we seek what is good for those around us. There may be feelings which help us patiently endure whatever is needed, but often our feelings are the very thing we must endure in order to love people.  Conversations Within” ts 1/28/2014 (Jax, FL)

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.” C.S. Lewis

“Love endures all things.” 1Cor.13

If you love someone you will undoubtedly be hurt by them. If we are to love and I mean love in the sense of giving, we must learn to deal with our disappointments. Love endures. The driving force in love is goodness. We love when we seek what is good for those around us. There may be feelings which help us patiently endure whatever is needed, but often our feelings are the very thing we must endure in order to love people.  Conversations Within” ts 1/28/2014 (Jax, FL)

Love is all you need, but wisdom communicating it helps.

“The greatest of these is love.” 1Cor.13

Love is like the life-giving water of a river that brings nourishment to those who live on its banks. The banks that channel love are wisdom. Without wisdom, love can flood, drown and damage the ones we love. We can hurt our partner, our children and our friends trying to do what is good for them if our love is not guided by wisdom. Wisdom teaches us the best way to go about seeking what is best for the ones we love. Conversations Within” ts 1/27/2014 (Jax, FL)

Love is all you need, but wisdom communicating it helps.

“The greatest of these is love.” 1Cor.13

Love is like the life-giving water of a river that brings nourishment to those who live on its banks. The banks that channel love are wisdom. Without wisdom, love can flood, drown and damage the ones we love. We can hurt our partner, our children and our friends trying to do what is good for them if our love is not guided by wisdom. Wisdom teaches us the best way to go about seeking what is best for the ones we love. Conversations Within” ts 1/27/2014 (Jax, FL)