“Instead of complaining try to smile.” Unknown

“A merry heart does good like medicine.” Prov.17

We can drain the joy of living with little leaks of complaint. “Boy it’s hot outside.” “Will this light ever change?” “This is got to be the slowest line in the store.” “I can’t believe it’s Monday, again!” Listen to what leaks out and discover what needs changing within. We can discover a great deal about the disposition of our heart by what spills out of it when we get bumped. Conversations Within” ts 9/24/2014  

“Instead of complaining try to smile.” Unknown

“A merry heart does good like medicine.” Prov.17

We can drain the joy of living with little leaks of complaint. “Boy it’s hot outside.” “Will this light ever change?” “This is got to be the slowest line in the store.” “I can’t believe it’s Monday, again!” Listen to what leaks out and discover what needs changing within. We can discover a great deal about the disposition of our heart by what spills out of it when we get bumped. Conversations Within” ts 9/24/2014  

The seeds of complaint cannot grow in the soil of a grateful heart.

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Phil.2

Sometimes we have to give God thanks before we actually feel thankful. Thanksgiving is many times an act of faith that expresses the attitude that no matter what, God is working good in my life. We can choose this approach to living by choosing an attitude of gratitude over and against grumbling and complaining. Conversations Within” ts 9/23/2014

The seeds of complaint cannot grow in the soil of a grateful heart.

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Phil.2

Sometimes we have to give God thanks before we actually feel thankful. Thanksgiving is many times an act of faith that expresses the attitude that no matter what, God is working good in my life. We can choose this approach to living by choosing an attitude of gratitude over and against grumbling and complaining. Conversations Within” ts 9/23/2014

“I never met a bitter person who was thankful. Or a thankful person who was bitter.” Nick Vujicic

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Heb.12

If a dog with no front legs can scoot happily around, is there any real reason for me to complain? A happy disposition springs out of a grateful heart. It is not enough to rid yourself of complaint, celebrate the life God has given you. Dance with delight and you will have no time to be down on life. Someone made a comment on a video of an enthusiastic two legged dog, “The world just lost it's right to whine.”  Conversations Within” ts 9/22/2014

“I never met a bitter person who was thankful. Or a thankful person who was bitter.” Nick Vujicic

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Heb.12

If a dog with no front legs can scoot happily around, is there any real reason for me to complain? A happy disposition springs out of a grateful heart. It is not enough to rid yourself of complaint, celebrate the life God has given you. Dance with delight and you will have no time to be down on life. Someone made a comment on a video of an enthusiastic two legged dog, “The world just lost it's right to whine.”  Conversations Within” ts 9/22/2014

“A stranger is just a friend I haven't met yet.” Will Rogers

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Jesus

Father give us an unassuming grace that greets everyone with the smile of unconditional love. May the only judgment we pass on another person be that they need the same encouragements that we do. May kindness disarm every hostility, forgiveness every offense, and patience every provocation. Let unconditional love turn every stranger, even every enemy into a friend. Conversations Within” ts 9/20/2014

“A stranger is just a friend I haven't met yet.” Will Rogers

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Jesus

Father give us an unassuming grace that greets everyone with the smile of unconditional love. May the only judgment we pass on another person be that they need the same encouragements that we do. May kindness disarm every hostility, forgiveness every offense, and patience every provocation. Let unconditional love turn every stranger, even every enemy into a friend. Conversations Within” ts 9/20/2014

“That “Love thy neighbor” thing… I meant that.” God (billboard)

“Owe no one anything except to love one another.” Rom.12

Am I really indebted to help others, even strangers? Jesus said that we are our brother’s keeper when He told us to love others as we love ourselves. God has put us all in the same boat. To look after the concerns of others is to care for yourself. There is an unwritten rule the moment we are born--we are tied inseparably to one another, each with an obligation to look after the herd of humanity. Conversations Within” ts 9/19/2014

“That “Love thy neighbor” thing… I meant that.” God (billboard)

“Owe no one anything except to love one another.” Rom.12

Am I really indebted to help others, even strangers? Jesus said that we are our brother’s keeper when He told us to love others as we love ourselves. God has put us all in the same boat. To look after the concerns of others is to care for yourself. There is an unwritten rule the moment we are born--we are tied inseparably to one another, each with an obligation to look after the herd of humanity. Conversations Within” ts 9/19/2014

“Whether it's public or private life, nothing is devoid of moral obligations.” Marcus Tullius Cicero

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1Tim.5

A mother is obligated to care for her newborn and a father his family. This does not mean they do not delight in doing so. It does mean that both will get up in the middle of the night to do their duty even though they would rather sleep. Faith will hold us to keep our moral obligations when delight does not. Conversations Within” ts 9/17/2014

“Whether it's public or private life, nothing is devoid of moral obligations.” Marcus Tullius Cicero

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1Tim.5

A mother is obligated to care for her newborn and a father his family. This does not mean they do not delight in doing so. It does mean that both will get up in the middle of the night to do their duty even though they would rather sleep. Faith will hold us to keep our moral obligations when delight does not. Conversations Within” ts 9/17/2014

"Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it." William Penn

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Prov.12

We are warned that the rebellious heart often has no real basis for right and wrong but only what grows out of a hardened conscience. The moral compass in such people is missing the magnet. Their moral values point it in whatever direction feels right to them. The Spirit of God promises to point us in the right direction but we must surely listen and follow His advice and especially when it contradicts our own. Conversations Within” ts 9/17/2014

"Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it." William Penn

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Prov.12

We are warned that the rebellious heart often has no real basis for right and wrong but only what grows out of a hardened conscience. The moral compass in such people is missing the magnet. Their moral values point it in whatever direction feels right to them. The Spirit of God promises to point us in the right direction but we must surely listen and follow His advice and especially when it contradicts our own. Conversations Within” ts 9/17/2014

“I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity an obligation; every possession a duty.” John D. Rockefeller

“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required.” Jesus

Our very existence demands an allegiance to the God who gave us life. To live is to owe--to owe Him our lives. We borrow from God the very air we breathe, even the breath we use to thank Him. All that is given to us is a trust--a grant not for selfish gain but for service to Him and to others.  Conversations Within” ts 9/16/2014

“I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity an obligation; every possession a duty.” John D. Rockefeller

“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required.” Jesus

Our very existence demands an allegiance to the God who gave us life. To live is to owe--to owe Him our lives. We borrow from God the very air we breathe, even the breath we use to thank Him. All that is given to us is a trust--a grant not for selfish gain but for service to Him and to others.  Conversations Within” ts 9/16/2014

“The woods are lovely dark and deep but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.” Robert Frost

“Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2Tim.2

Obligations exist in this world of conflicting desires. We must often do our duty until we reach that place where everything we do is delight. Duty may require that we endure something we would rather not do but we do it anyway to secure what we know is right. Every soldier knows this. And, we must all be soldiers, from time to time, if we are to follow Jesus.  Conversations Within” ts 9/14/2014

“The woods are lovely dark and deep but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.” Robert Frost

“Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2Tim.2

Obligations exist in this world of conflicting desires. We must often do our duty until we reach that place where everything we do is delight. Duty may require that we endure something we would rather not do but we do it anyway to secure what we know is right. Every soldier knows this. And, we must all be soldiers, from time to time, if we are to follow Jesus.  Conversations Within” ts 9/14/2014

I have seen dogs with nothing but a stump for a tail but the stump was still wagging.

“Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.” Ps.63

It is hard to feel sorry for yourself when you see a dog missing a leg, hopping around, wagging its tail and full of the excitement of just seeing you. The joyful disposition of a dog is a precious gift from God. Be alive with life, and you will always find a reason to be happy and grateful. Conversations Within” ts 9/13/2014

I have seen dogs with nothing but a stump for a tail but the stump was still wagging.

“Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.” Ps.63

It is hard to feel sorry for yourself when you see a dog missing a leg, hopping around, wagging its tail and full of the excitement of just seeing you. The joyful disposition of a dog is a precious gift from God. Be alive with life, and you will always find a reason to be happy and grateful. Conversations Within” ts 9/13/2014

“Fall seven times stand up eight.” Tatoo

“A righteous person may fall seven times, but he gets up again.” Prov.24

It does not matter if you fall down, jump down, or get knocked down, the point is to get back up. Don't waste another minute lying there--get up. Get up every time and the sooner the better. There is not much difference in feeling sorry for yourself and in feeling defeated. Both will get you nowhere. Conversations Within” ts 9/12/2014

“Fall seven times stand up eight.” Tatoo

“A righteous person may fall seven times, but he gets up again.” Prov.24

It does not matter if you fall down, jump down, or get knocked down, the point is to get back up. Don't waste another minute lying there--get up. Get up every time and the sooner the better. There is not much difference in feeling sorry for yourself and in feeling defeated. Both will get you nowhere. Conversations Within” ts 9/12/2014

“There are no short and easy paths to a long and lasting happiness.” Nick Vujicic

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,” Phil.2

Attitude adjustment is a moment to moment exercise and we must tenaciously work at it if we would purge ourselves of negative thoughts. People are born with a negative disposition. The promise of Christ is that when He enters our life He brings with Him the cure. The very joy of living is discovered in spiritual union with Him. He becomes our constant companion, always encouraging us to rise above the stale air of earth and breathe the fresh air of Heaven. Conversations Within” ts 9/11/2014

“There are no short and easy paths to a long and lasting happiness.” Nick Vujicic

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,” Phil.2

Attitude adjustment is a moment to moment exercise and we must tenaciously work at it if we would purge ourselves of negative thoughts. People are born with a negative disposition. The promise of Christ is that when He enters our life He brings with Him the cure. The very joy of living is discovered in spiritual union with Him. He becomes our constant companion, always encouraging us to rise above the stale air of earth and breathe the fresh air of Heaven. Conversations Within” ts 9/11/2014

"A negative mind will never give you a positive life." ~Unknown …

“Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2Cor.10

Conquer criticism with compassion. Purge every negative thought with the power of love. Always channel your mental energy into activities which build up yourself and others. Freedom is in the power to choose your next thought; make it a good one. Listen to your speech and may you always hear grateful praise instead of bitter complaint. Conversations Within” ts 9/10/2014

"A negative mind will never give you a positive life." ~Unknown …

“Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2Cor.10

Conquer criticism with compassion. Purge every negative thought with the power of love. Always channel your mental energy into activities which build up yourself and others. Freedom is in the power to choose your next thought; make it a good one. Listen to your speech and may you always hear grateful praise instead of bitter complaint. Conversations Within” ts 9/10/2014

”If you can't get a miracle, become one.” Nick Vujicic

“You are the God who performs miracles.”  Ps.77

We sometimes ask God to perform a miracle to change some difficulty facing us and He often answers by working the miracle in the attitude we have facing it. God’s best work is not the beauty He creates around us but in us. Teaching people how to overcome a physical problem by overcoming a spiritual one is Spirit’s specialty. Attend to what is going on in you before you deal with what is going on around you.  Conversations Within” ts 9/9/2014

”If you can't get a miracle, become one.” Nick Vujicic

“You are the God who performs miracles.”  Ps.77

We sometimes ask God to perform a miracle to change some difficulty facing us and He often answers by working the miracle in the attitude we have facing it. God’s best work is not the beauty He creates around us but in us. Teaching people how to overcome a physical problem by overcoming a spiritual one is Spirit’s specialty. Attend to what is going on in you before you deal with what is going on around you.  Conversations Within” ts 9/9/2014

“Its all good!”

“If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.” Rom.12

Sometimes two surfers paddle for the same wave and wind up getting in each other’s way. When this happens you often hear the words, “It’s all good,” meaning everything is OK. This  attitude expresses the idea that if we’re alive and out here surfing or doing whatever, it’s all good. One person put it this way, “It is well with my soul.” It is good to know that God has graced you with another day. “It’s all good!”  Conversations Within” ts 9/8/2014

“Its all good!”

“If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.” Rom.12

Sometimes two surfers paddle for the same wave and wind up getting in each other’s way. When this happens you often hear the words, “It’s all good,” meaning everything is OK. This  attitude expresses the idea that if we’re alive and out here surfing or doing whatever, it’s all good. One person put it this way, “It is well with my soul.” It is good to know that God has graced you with another day. “It’s all good!”  Conversations Within” ts 9/8/2014

”And they lived happily ever after.”

"Watch, for you do not know the day or the hour when the Son of Man comes.” Jesus

We may watch for the coming of Christ with apprehension and fear or with anticipation and hope. One is like a lazy worker caught goofing off by his boss. The other is like a groom watching the doors to open at the back of the church to see his bride coming down the aisle.   Conversations Within” ts 9/5/2014

”And they lived happily ever after.”

"Watch, for you do not know the day or the hour when the Son of Man comes.” Jesus

We may watch for the coming of Christ with apprehension and fear or with anticipation and hope. One is like a lazy worker caught goofing off by his boss. The other is like a groom watching the doors to open at the back of the church to see his bride coming down the aisle.   Conversations Within” ts 9/5/2014

Watch, but don’t worry.

"But keep on the alert at all times.” Jesus

I suppose I am one of those people who is always on the lookout for danger in one form or another. I have a “what could go wrong” disposition. This has its advantages and disadvantages. It is one thing to be alert and another to anxious. It is one thing to be prepared and another to be paralyzed with fear. Faith teaches us how to be watchful without worry.  Conversations Within” ts 9/5/2014

Watch, but don’t worry.

"But keep on the alert at all times.” Jesus

I suppose I am one of those people who is always on the lookout for danger in one form or another. I have a “what could go wrong” disposition. This has its advantages and disadvantages. It is one thing to be alert and another to anxious. It is one thing to be prepared and another to be paralyzed with fear. Faith teaches us how to be watchful without worry.  Conversations Within” ts 9/5/2014

“I am prepared for the worst but hope for the best.” Benjamin Disraeli

“Deliver us from evil” Jesus

Most people understand vigilance when watching children playing around water. When you love something, you never let your guard down to protect it. Unfortunately, from time to time, we do! What can we do but to put our hope and trust in the God who never sleeps.  Conversations Within” ts 9/4/2014

“I am prepared for the worst but hope for the best.” Benjamin Disraeli

“Deliver us from evil” Jesus

Most people understand vigilance when watching children playing around water. When you love something, you never let your guard down to protect it. Unfortunately, from time to time, we do! What can we do but to put our hope and trust in the God who never sleeps.  Conversations Within” ts 9/4/2014

“I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me.” Stonewall Jackson (speaking of death)

“Always keep your lamps lit.” Jesus

If today proves to be my last, am I ready for what follows? We usually think about such things when we speak of an untimely death. The truth is, all death is untimely. It is one thing to worry about it and another to be prepared for it. Make your soul ready by tending the light of faith. When darkness falls, faith will light the way.  Conversations Within” ts 9/3/2014

“I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me.” Stonewall Jackson (speaking of death)

“Always keep your lamps lit.” Jesus

If today proves to be my last, am I ready for what follows? We usually think about such things when we speak of an untimely death. The truth is, all death is untimely. It is one thing to worry about it and another to be prepared for it. Make your soul ready by tending the light of faith. When darkness falls, faith will light the way.  Conversations Within” ts 9/3/2014

“Don’t wait until you are ready to take action. Instead take action to be ready.” Jensen Siaw

“Commit your work to the Lord and He will establish your plans.” Prov.16

There is no better way for your plans to succeed than to roll the weight of them over to God’s keeping. When we give ourselves to the affairs of God we may be sure that He will to attend to our affairs, at least the ones that matter. If we set our affairs in their proper order today we can rest assured that God will safeguard our affairs tomorrow. Conversations Within” ts 9/2/2014

“Don’t wait until you are ready to take action. Instead take action to be ready.” Jensen Siaw

“Commit your work to the Lord and He will establish your plans.” Prov.16

There is no better way for your plans to succeed than to roll the weight of them over to God’s keeping. When we give ourselves to the affairs of God we may be sure that He will to attend to our affairs, at least the ones that matter. If we set our affairs in their proper order today we can rest assured that God will safeguard our affairs tomorrow. Conversations Within” ts 9/2/2014

“The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him.” Sun Tzu

“Be dressed in readiness. Jesus

It is hard to be ready for everything but surely there are some things where a little preparation would help. Teach yourself to think ahead! A little forethought can go a long way not only in preventing a crisis but also to simply enjoy life more. With this in mind, it is probably wise if we plan to plan. It is easier to keep your affairs in order than in a panic try to get them that way. Conversations Within” ts 9/1/2014

“The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him.” Sun Tzu

“Be dressed in readiness. Jesus

It is hard to be ready for everything but surely there are some things where a little preparation would help. Teach yourself to think ahead! A little forethought can go a long way not only in preventing a crisis but also to simply enjoy life more. With this in mind, it is probably wise if we plan to plan. It is easier to keep your affairs in order than in a panic try to get them that way. Conversations Within” ts 9/1/2014

I do not have the confidence that God will always give me what I want, but I am confident He will always give me what is need.

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1Jo.5

If there is to be any confidence in our prayers let it be first, that we have done all we can to ask only for those things that Christ would gladly pray with us and second, that we have an unwavering faith in God’s kind intentions when He answers us. Do we not communicate such confidence when we surround our prayers with thanksgiving. Conversations Within” ts 8/30/2014

I do not have the confidence that God will always give me what I want, but I am confident He will always give me what is need.

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1Jo.5

If there is to be any confidence in our prayers let it be first, that we have done all we can to ask only for those things that Christ would gladly pray with us and second, that we have an unwavering faith in God’s kind intentions when He answers us. Do we not communicate such confidence when we surround our prayers with thanksgiving. Conversations Within” ts 8/30/2014

”In the matter of boots, I defer to the authority of the boot-maker.” Mikhail Bakunin

“Not my will but your be done.” Jesus

People pray for all kinds of reasons, one, of course, is simply that our prayers will be answered. But when we think about it, we would not want God to answer us like some genie in a bottle, rather we would prefer that He only give us what we ask for only if what we ask is truly good. Isn’t this pretty much another way of saying, “not my will but thy will be done?” The wisdom in this attitude would have us defer to the wisdom of God when He answers our request.   Conversations Within” ts 8/29/2014

”In the matter of boots, I defer to the authority of the boot-maker.” Mikhail Bakunin

“Not my will but your be done.” Jesus

People pray for all kinds of reasons, one, of course, is simply that our prayers will be answered. But when we think about it, we would not want God to answer us like some genie in a bottle, rather we would prefer that He only give us what we ask for only if what we ask is truly good. Isn’t this pretty much another way of saying, “not my will but thy will be done?” The wisdom in this attitude would have us defer to the wisdom of God when He answers our request.   Conversations Within” ts 8/29/2014

"He that cannot obey cannot command" Benjamin Franklin

“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Jesus

Some prayers are not so much asked of God as they are delegated by Him. When we are confident that something is God’s will, Jesus gives us the authority to speak it in His name. We become a field officer of the Commander and Chief in order to communicate His orders into a particular situation. When we command something in His name, it is accomplished with His power and authority, not our own. Conversations Within” ts 8/28/2014

"He that cannot obey cannot command" Benjamin Franklin

“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Jesus

Some prayers are not so much asked of God as they are delegated by Him. When we are confident that something is God’s will, Jesus gives us the authority to speak it in His name. We become a field officer of the Commander and Chief in order to communicate His orders into a particular situation. When we command something in His name, it is accomplished with His power and authority, not our own. Conversations Within” ts 8/28/2014

Perhaps instead of waiting on God, God is waiting on us.

"I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Ezek. 22

I am convinced that God wants partners not pawns. In the matter of prayer, we often think we must wait on God, but the truth I think is that He is often waiting on us. He waits on us to aggressively seek out and work some goodness in the world by calling out to Him in prayer. There are some matters He has delegated to us. We wonder why He sits idly by.The question may very well be why we haven’t prayed?  Conversations Within” ts 8/26/2014

Perhaps instead of waiting on God, God is waiting on us.

"I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Ezek. 22

I am convinced that God wants partners not pawns. In the matter of prayer, we often think we must wait on God, but the truth I think is that He is often waiting on us. He waits on us to aggressively seek out and work some goodness in the world by calling out to Him in prayer. There are some matters He has delegated to us. We wonder why He sits idly by.The question may very well be why we haven’t prayed?  Conversations Within” ts 8/26/2014