U-turns are allowed!

“Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” Jesus

We don’t have to reach bottom before we start climbing back up. Sadly, many do, and as a result continue to cause more damage, both to themselves and others. If I have made a bad decision, it does not necessarily mean that I must follow it with another. The best response to falling down is to get up. There is great value in turning around the moment you realize you made a wrong turn. Nobody likes going back, but sometimes going back is the only way to move forward. Conversations Within” ts 6/24/2015

U-turns are allowed!

“Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” Jesus

We don’t have to reach bottom before we start climbing back up. Sadly, many do, and as a result continue to cause more damage, both to themselves and others. If I have made a bad decision, it does not necessarily mean that I must follow it with another. The best response to falling down is to get up. There is great value in turning around the moment you realize you made a wrong turn. Nobody likes going back, but sometimes going back is the only way to move forward. Conversations Within” ts 6/24/2015

“Talk to yourself like someone you love.” Unknown

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret,” 2 Cor.7

Don’t waste time beating yourself up over some moral failure; that is just wasting more time. Instead, turn around, and start walking back. A friend of mine once said, “Five miles out is five miles back.” The sooner we start the journey to healing the sooner we will get there. When you are headed in the right direction, every step leads further up and further into that blessed life of all who have found redemption. By the way, everybody needs redemption, even those who do not realize it yet. Conversations Within” ts 6/23/2015

“Talk to yourself like someone you love.” Unknown

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret,” 2 Cor.7

Don’t waste time beating yourself up over some moral failure; that is just wasting more time. Instead, turn around, and start walking back. A friend of mine once said, “Five miles out is five miles back.” The sooner we start the journey to healing the sooner we will get there. When you are headed in the right direction, every step leads further up and further into that blessed life of all who have found redemption. By the way, everybody needs redemption, even those who do not realize it yet. Conversations Within” ts 6/23/2015

“And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” J.K. Rowling

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost.” Jesus

It is at the end of our foolish self that we begin to find our true and intended self. We cannot be set free until we realize that we are imprisoned. We cannot be fixed if we do not realize that we are broken. God often will give us over to our various lusts to bring us to that place where we want to be changed. Only those who know they are lost can ever be truly found. Conversations Within” ts 6/22/2015

“And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” J.K. Rowling

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost.” Jesus

It is at the end of our foolish self that we begin to find our true and intended self. We cannot be set free until we realize that we are imprisoned. We cannot be fixed if we do not realize that we are broken. God often will give us over to our various lusts to bring us to that place where we want to be changed. Only those who know they are lost can ever be truly found. Conversations Within” ts 6/22/2015

“Respect for one’s parents is the highest duty of civil life.” Proverb

“Honor your father and mother…”  Exo.20

God was a Father long before He created fathers. He did not borrow the idea of fatherhood from us. He assigned it to us when He created man in His image. To honor your parents is ultimately to honor Him. To dishonor them is surely the same. Respect for authority is the mark of the mature. Without it, life disintegrates into the tyranny and horror of a self-centered rule. With it, life thrives under the light and warmth of God’s love and protection. Conversations Within” ts 6/20/2015

“Respect for one’s parents is the highest duty of civil life.” Proverb

“Honor your father and mother…”  Exo.20

God was a Father long before He created fathers. He did not borrow the idea of fatherhood from us. He assigned it to us when He created man in His image. To honor your parents is ultimately to honor Him. To dishonor them is surely the same. Respect for authority is the mark of the mature. Without it, life disintegrates into the tyranny and horror of a self-centered rule. With it, life thrives under the light and warmth of God’s love and protection. Conversations Within” ts 6/20/2015

“Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice.” Charles F. Kettering

“He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers…” Mal.4

Every father should aspire to be the kind of father that God is to us. Our children may not follow our advice or our example but a good father should at least make sure that both share the same message. In the end, every child will ultimately decide to honor his father and mother or not. Parents have no control over whether their children will or won't honor them, but we can make sure there is something worth honoring.  Conversations Within” ts 6/19/2015

“Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice.” Charles F. Kettering

“He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers…” Mal.4

Every father should aspire to be the kind of father that God is to us. Our children may not follow our advice or our example but a good father should at least make sure that both share the same message. In the end, every child will ultimately decide to honor his father and mother or not. Parents have no control over whether their children will or won't honor them, but we can make sure there is something worth honoring.  Conversations Within” ts 6/19/2015

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

“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Gal.4

By telling us to address God as Father, Jesus clearly wants to dispel the notion that God is some distant deity. Our relationship with Him is to become something up-close and personal rather than remain coldly impersonal. I do not think it is possible to call God Father and be a Deist. I feel certain that God does not want superstitious worshippers either. By encouraging us to call Him Father, He is offering to adopt us as sons and daughters not mere supplicants. Conversations Within” ts 6/18/2015

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

“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Gal.4

By telling us to address God as Father, Jesus clearly wants to dispel the notion that God is some distant deity. Our relationship with Him is to become something up-close and personal rather than remain coldly impersonal. I do not think it is possible to call God Father and be a Deist. I feel certain that God does not want superstitious worshippers either. By encouraging us to call Him Father, He is offering to adopt us as sons and daughters not mere supplicants. Conversations Within” ts 6/18/2015

“Discipline is guidance. If there is love, there is no such thing as being too tough with a child.” Betty Davis

“It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline.” Heb.12

Father loves His own and because He does, He takes an active part in our upbringing. This is especially true where our character is concerned. It should come as no surprise to us when He chooses to discipline us, i.e train us to make better choices. Every time I call Him Father I hope to gain a greater appreciation for the love He shows us when He does not let us have our own way and teaches us His.  Conversations Within” ts 6/17/2015

“Discipline is guidance. If there is love, there is no such thing as being too tough with a child.” Betty Davis

“It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline.” Heb.12

Father loves His own and because He does, He takes an active part in our upbringing. This is especially true where our character is concerned. It should come as no surprise to us when He chooses to discipline us, i.e train us to make better choices. Every time I call Him Father I hope to gain a greater appreciation for the love He shows us when He does not let us have our own way and teaches us His.  Conversations Within” ts 6/17/2015

“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” C.S. Lewis

“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Jesus

I think one reason Jesus encourages us to see God as our Father is to help sharpen our understanding of God’s motives and kind intentions. The universe can be a cold and cruel place. Believing that God created it, might lead us to believe that God is cold and cruel. To see God as a loving Father is itself an act of faith. By it we acknowledge God’s displeasure with the transgressions which made cursing this place necessary. At the same time, we look to Him to see us safely through it to our new home. Our Father condemns one place to raise our hearts to another. He is, after all, our “Father in Heaven.” Conversations Within” ts 6/16/2015

“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” C.S. Lewis

“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Jesus

I think one reason Jesus encourages us to see God as our Father is to help sharpen our understanding of God’s motives and kind intentions. The universe can be a cold and cruel place. Believing that God created it, might lead us to believe that God is cold and cruel. To see God as a loving Father is itself an act of faith. By it we acknowledge God’s displeasure with the transgressions which made cursing this place necessary. At the same time, we look to Him to see us safely through it to our new home. Our Father condemns one place to raise our hearts to another. He is, after all, our “Father in Heaven.” Conversations Within” ts 6/16/2015

Father! – to God himself we cannot give a holier name. – William Wordsworth.

“When you pray, say, ‘Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name.’” Jesus

We use the word God to speak about God; Jesus preferred to speak of God simply by using the word Father. I should think that seeing God as your Father would change our interactions with Him. One example would be that  it would raise our level of confidence when we pray. I do not mean that we would expect Him to give us everything we ask for. What good Father would do that? But, to really speak to God as your Father would carry with it, the absolute certainty that He will always give us what is best. Conversations Within” ts 6/15/2015

Father! – to God himself we cannot give a holier name. – William Wordsworth.

“When you pray, say, ‘Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name.’” Jesus

We use the word God to speak about God; Jesus preferred to speak of God simply by using the word Father. I should think that seeing God as your Father would change our interactions with Him. One example would be that  it would raise our level of confidence when we pray. I do not mean that we would expect Him to give us everything we ask for. What good Father would do that? But, to really speak to God as your Father would carry with it, the absolute certainty that He will always give us what is best. Conversations Within” ts 6/15/2015

”When walking through the 'valley of shadows,' remember, a shadow is cast by a Light." Austin O'Malley

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.” Ps.23

Even death’s shadow is cast in the light of God’s presence. I am still very much a child in the way I view death. I still view it as something that carries us away when it is really an entrance into a world of wonder--that place where I truly want to live. A child is afraid of many things the grown up knows to be safe. It is time I grow up. Because of Christ’s accomplishments, death does not need to carry us away from our hearts desire but can usher us to it.  Conversations Within” ts 6/13/2015

”When walking through the 'valley of shadows,' remember, a shadow is cast by a Light." Austin O'Malley

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.” Ps.23

Even death’s shadow is cast in the light of God’s presence. I am still very much a child in the way I view death. I still view it as something that carries us away when it is really an entrance into a world of wonder--that place where I truly want to live. A child is afraid of many things the grown up knows to be safe. It is time I grow up. Because of Christ’s accomplishments, death does not need to carry us away from our hearts desire but can usher us to it.  Conversations Within” ts 6/13/2015

“Fear can keep you up all night, but faith makes one fine pillow.” Philip Gulley.

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Prov.3

Sweet sleep is the fruit of wisdom. Wisdom is not just knowing, but doing and doing always bears fruit. When you have done all that God has asked of you, why would we worry or fret over anything else. We should trust God to watch over matters beyond the reach of our actions. Nothing is beyond His reach or influence. All is well, when all is well with God. Attend to that “one thing,” and sleep safe in His arms. Conversations Within” ts 6/12/2015

“Fear can keep you up all night, but faith makes one fine pillow.” Philip Gulley.

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Prov.3

Sweet sleep is the fruit of wisdom. Wisdom is not just knowing, but doing and doing always bears fruit. When you have done all that God has asked of you, why would we worry or fret over anything else. We should trust God to watch over matters beyond the reach of our actions. Nothing is beyond His reach or influence. All is well, when all is well with God. Attend to that “one thing,” and sleep safe in His arms. Conversations Within” ts 6/12/2015

"Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death." ~Author Unknown

“In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid…” Ps.56

Fears feed themselves easy enough. Faith, on the other hand, must be a proactive expression, deliberately nurtured. Even so, the more we aggressively nurture faith, the weaker our fears become. Fear would have us focus on circumstances while faith lifts our hearts to the kind intentions of God. If we truly believe that God loves us and that He is all powerful, is there any reason to fear anything? Conversations Within” ts 6/11/2015

"Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death." ~Author Unknown

“In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid…” Ps.56

Fears feed themselves easy enough. Faith, on the other hand, must be a proactive expression, deliberately nurtured. Even so, the more we aggressively nurture faith, the weaker our fears become. Fear would have us focus on circumstances while faith lifts our hearts to the kind intentions of God. If we truly believe that God loves us and that He is all powerful, is there any reason to fear anything? Conversations Within” ts 6/11/2015

"When fear knocks, let faith answer the door." Robin Roberts

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” Ps.56

Lord, I thank you that most of the time I feel secure, because I tell my heart that You are ever watching, always protecting. But sometimes I lie awake at night, fretting over some something that may or may never happen. I thank you that even my fears cause me to turn to You, and every time I do, You remind me of Your constant faithfulness and Your commitment to my well being. How could I ever doubt You? I do sometimes. Forgive me, and teach me how to live unafraid. Conversations Within” ts 6/10/2015

"When fear knocks, let faith answer the door." Robin Roberts

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” Ps.56

Lord, I thank you that most of the time I feel secure, because I tell my heart that You are ever watching, always protecting. But sometimes I lie awake at night, fretting over some something that may or may never happen. I thank you that even my fears cause me to turn to You, and every time I do, You remind me of Your constant faithfulness and Your commitment to my well being. How could I ever doubt You? I do sometimes. Forgive me, and teach me how to live unafraid. Conversations Within” ts 6/10/2015

“Fear is the cancer.” Simon Holt

“Do not be afraid.” Jesus

How can we deal with our fears? Can we really control them? In one since, fear is a God-given response to danger. Used properly, fear can energize us to take action and escape it. What we need to avoid is allowing our fears to cripple us. Panic can actually worsen any danger and become a danger itself. Of course, there are always dangers outside our control. What do we do then? We can still use the energy of fear to help us transfer our faith to God--much like the drowning man who looks to a lifeguard or the child who runs to daddy’s arms.  Both will tell you to relax and trust them. We should! Conversations Within” ts 6/9/2015

“Fear is the cancer.” Simon Holt

“Do not be afraid.” Jesus

How can we deal with our fears? Can we really control them? In one since, fear is a God-given response to danger. Used properly, fear can energize us to take action and escape it. What we need to avoid is allowing our fears to cripple us. Panic can actually worsen any danger and become a danger itself. Of course, there are always dangers outside our control. What do we do then? We can still use the energy of fear to help us transfer our faith to God--much like the drowning man who looks to a lifeguard or the child who runs to daddy’s arms.  Both will tell you to relax and trust them. We should! Conversations Within” ts 6/9/2015

“The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future.” Will Smith (After Earth-the movie)

“You hold my lot.” Ps.16

To say that there are some very real fears in this life is just another way of describing the way people see the future--a future which may or may never happen. Fear always involves the future. Wisdom teaches us to decisively deal with any fear we may have of the future by focusing on the present--by reminding ourselves of this one simple truth. God holds me now, He will still be holding me then.   Conversations Within” ts 6/8/2015

“The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future.” Will Smith (After Earth-the movie)

“You hold my lot.” Ps.16

To say that there are some very real fears in this life is just another way of describing the way people see the future--a future which may or may never happen. Fear always involves the future. Wisdom teaches us to decisively deal with any fear we may have of the future by focusing on the present--by reminding ourselves of this one simple truth. God holds me now, He will still be holding me then.   Conversations Within” ts 6/8/2015

“You are what comes out of your mouth.” Unknown

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Ps.19

More than likely, if our meditations are acceptable to God, our words will be as well. Jesus said that the mouth speaks what flows from the heart. The best way to control our tongue is to govern what we think about. We may have negative thoughts, but we do not have to embrace them. Rejecting a critical thought can keep us from critical words. Conversations Within” ts 6/7/2015

“You are what comes out of your mouth.” Unknown

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Ps.19

More than likely, if our meditations are acceptable to God, our words will be as well. Jesus said that the mouth speaks what flows from the heart. The best way to control our tongue is to govern what we think about. We may have negative thoughts, but we do not have to embrace them. Rejecting a critical thought can keep us from critical words. Conversations Within” ts 6/7/2015

You cannot take back a word once it is spoken.

“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” Prov.10.19

Just because I can comment, does not mean that I should. Words are like salt, use just enough to season a conversation, not oversalt it. Oversalted food is ruined, so too an oversalted conversation. You can always add too, but once added, you can’t take it back.  Conversations Within” ts 6/5/2015

You cannot take back a word once it is spoken.

“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” Prov.10.19

Just because I can comment, does not mean that I should. Words are like salt, use just enough to season a conversation, not oversalt it. Oversalted food is ruined, so too an oversalted conversation. You can always add too, but once added, you can’t take it back.  Conversations Within” ts 6/5/2015

“'If you propose to speak, always ask yourself, is it true, is it necessary, is it kind?” Buddha

“Speak the truth in love.” Eph.4

Usually if it is necessary, my words will probably be both true and kind. It is a kindness to tell someone something when they need to hear it. However, this is not always the case because something is true. Just because something is true does not make it kind nor necessary to say it. The wisdom of love will help us decide if a true something needs to be said and the proper way to say it. Conversations Within” ts 6/4/2015

“'If you propose to speak, always ask yourself, is it true, is it necessary, is it kind?” Buddha

“Speak the truth in love.” Eph.4

Usually if it is necessary, my words will probably be both true and kind. It is a kindness to tell someone something when they need to hear it. However, this is not always the case because something is true. Just because something is true does not make it kind nor necessary to say it. The wisdom of love will help us decide if a true something needs to be said and the proper way to say it. Conversations Within” ts 6/4/2015

“Words are free. It's how you use them that may cost you.” Anonymous.

“Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

My precious wife will sometimes take my hand and gently squeeze it to help remind me that I am being overly talkative. We hold hands a lot :). There are times when we will both start to say something but stop. The reason we stop is because Jesus gives our heart a retraining squeeze. When we ask each other what we were starting to say, both of us us have gotten used to hearing the other reply, “I decided it’s not worth saying.”  Conversations Within” ts 6/3/2015

“Words are free. It's how you use them that may cost you.” Anonymous.

“Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

My precious wife will sometimes take my hand and gently squeeze it to help remind me that I am being overly talkative. We hold hands a lot :). There are times when we will both start to say something but stop. The reason we stop is because Jesus gives our heart a retraining squeeze. When we ask each other what we were starting to say, both of us us have gotten used to hearing the other reply, “I decided it’s not worth saying.”  Conversations Within” ts 6/3/2015

“Nip it! Nip it in the bud!” Barney Fife

“Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all.”  Ps.139

When people know someone is recording their words, they tend to choose them with greater care.  According to the good Book, some One is always recording our words. Our thoughts are not as private as we think. Even our most intimate contemplations are known to God. It is considered wise to think before we speak. But surely it is wiser still, to consider carefully even what we are thinking.  Conversations Within” ts 6/2/2015

“Nip it! Nip it in the bud!” Barney Fife

“Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all.”  Ps.139

When people know someone is recording their words, they tend to choose them with greater care.  According to the good Book, some One is always recording our words. Our thoughts are not as private as we think. Even our most intimate contemplations are known to God. It is considered wise to think before we speak. But surely it is wiser still, to consider carefully even what we are thinking.  Conversations Within” ts 6/2/2015

“The quieter you become the more you can hear.” Ram Dass

“Be quick to listen, slow to speak.” James1

I talk too much! I talk too much when it would be better to listen. Sometimes I catch myself thinking about what I want to say next while the other person is talking instead of really paying attention to them. When someone else is talking, we shouldn’t see this as an opportunity just to catch our breath. Someone said, ”Listening is not waiting to talk.”

“The quieter you become the more you can hear.” Ram Dass

“Be quick to listen, slow to speak.” James1

I talk too much! I talk too much when it would be better to listen. Sometimes I catch myself thinking about what I want to say next while the other person is talking instead of really paying attention to them. When someone else is talking, we shouldn’t see this as an opportunity just to catch our breath. Someone said, ”Listening is not waiting to talk.”

“Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion…” Prov.30

“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.” 1Tim.6

Money is not the root of evil, the love of it is. Money is a tool, a resource that we use to live. There is no sin in having it or securing it (even in abundance), but only as it enables not enslaves. The problem is preoccupation with it. As such, it can be the bane of both the poor and the rich. Poor people often think too much about getting money, and the rich about keeping it, or getting more than is needed. Use money, but don’t let money use you. Conversations Within” ts 5/30/2015

“Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion…” Prov.30

“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.” 1Tim.6

Money is not the root of evil, the love of it is. Money is a tool, a resource that we use to live. There is no sin in having it or securing it (even in abundance), but only as it enables not enslaves. The problem is preoccupation with it. As such, it can be the bane of both the poor and the rich. Poor people often think too much about getting money, and the rich about keeping it, or getting more than is needed. Use money, but don’t let money use you. Conversations Within” ts 5/30/2015

Before you get in bed with something make sure you want to wake up next to it the next morning.

“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Jesus

The old adage “What you own owns you” gives us a wonderful bit of perspective--one that encourages us to give thought to our purchases from the vantage point of their value to us versus the commitment they will require from us. Before I buy a goldfish, I should take into account the time needed to feed it and clean its bowl. What we purchase should enable our enjoyment of life, not enslave us. It is good to consider not only the worth of our purchases but also the work they will require from us to own them. Conversations Within” ts 5/29/2015

Before you get in bed with something make sure you want to wake up next to it the next morning.

“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Jesus

The old adage “What you own owns you” gives us a wonderful bit of perspective--one that encourages us to give thought to our purchases from the vantage point of their value to us versus the commitment they will require from us. Before I buy a goldfish, I should take into account the time needed to feed it and clean its bowl. What we purchase should enable our enjoyment of life, not enslave us. It is good to consider not only the worth of our purchases but also the work they will require from us to own them. Conversations Within” ts 5/29/2015

"Give your kids enough money to do something, but not enough to do nothing." The Descendants

“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” 1Jo.3

I can think of a number of reasons why God would give His children an overabundance of material blessings and surely none of them have anything to do with hoarding or living lavishly. Jesus actually encourages us to give even when we might have to sacrifice to do so. How much more would God expect His children to share wealth when we have it, especially with so many who are in need? Conversations Within” ts 5/28/2015

"Give your kids enough money to do something, but not enough to do nothing." The Descendants

“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” 1Jo.3

I can think of a number of reasons why God would give His children an overabundance of material blessings and surely none of them have anything to do with hoarding or living lavishly. Jesus actually encourages us to give even when we might have to sacrifice to do so. How much more would God expect His children to share wealth when we have it, especially with so many who are in need? Conversations Within” ts 5/28/2015

“A harvest of peace is produced from a seed of contentment.” Proverb

“If we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1Tim.6

A man may have plenty of money but live a tragically impoverished life. History is also replete with people who lived marvelously rich lives, but had little or no money. Learning to live on less may be a better choice than seeking more. Contentment is a sweet nectar. It grows in the soil of a mature attitude--an attitude of gratitude. Turn your gaze on all you have, not on all you do not have if you would taste its sweetness. Conversations Within” ts 5/27/2015

“A harvest of peace is produced from a seed of contentment.” Proverb

“If we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1Tim.6

A man may have plenty of money but live a tragically impoverished life. History is also replete with people who lived marvelously rich lives, but had little or no money. Learning to live on less may be a better choice than seeking more. Contentment is a sweet nectar. It grows in the soil of a mature attitude--an attitude of gratitude. Turn your gaze on all you have, not on all you do not have if you would taste its sweetness. Conversations Within” ts 5/27/2015

Money money money money money! Money! The O Jays (For the Love of Money.)

“...money is the answer to everything.” Ecc.10

Many might find it surprising that the Bible records these words. Actually, just because the Bible records something, does not mean that it is endorsing it. The Scriptures often make simple observations on the human experience and this is certainly one of them. People tend to think this way. “If I only had more money, then...” I often ask people what they would do with their life if money was not an issue. Money should not be the deciding factor of your life’s focus, but sometimes the limitations of money, or lack thereof, provide good guidance. Conversations Within” ts 5/26/2015

Money money money money money! Money! The O Jays (For the Love of Money.)

“...money is the answer to everything.” Ecc.10

Many might find it surprising that the Bible records these words. Actually, just because the Bible records something, does not mean that it is endorsing it. The Scriptures often make simple observations on the human experience and this is certainly one of them. People tend to think this way. “If I only had more money, then...” I often ask people what they would do with their life if money was not an issue. Money should not be the deciding factor of your life’s focus, but sometimes the limitations of money, or lack thereof, provide good guidance. Conversations Within” ts 5/26/2015