“You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” C. S. Lewis

If you are able to make a choice, it is never too late to make the right one. Start from where you are, turn around and crawl, if this is all you can do.  Just be sure to crawl in a direction that leaves no regret. What a gracious encouragement from Jesus, that if we turn our gaze and look in God’s direction, we will find Him running in ours. 

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15.20 Conversations Within” ts 11/22/2018

“At the end of the day, let there be no excuses, no explanations, no regrets.” Steve Maraboli

I have often wondered why people say that “regret is a waste of time.” I suppose it is if all we do is sit around and feel sad because we messed up, or failed to take advantage of some opportunity. The truth is that we should bemoan both of these things but only as a precursor to not repeating them by learning from them, even making restitution for them if necessary. 

"Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Joel 2.12 Conversations Within” ts 11/20/2018

“I have no regrets.” Meme

Such a declaration could be written either by a very wise or a very foolish person. It is a worthwhile goal to live each day without regret. But to have no regret when we have not acted as we should, means that we will not learn from our hurtful decisions.  Regret in the sense of remorse can be a good thing if we acknowledge a wrong. But our sorrow should lead us to right a wrong, not wallow in a self remorse.

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.” 2Cor.7.10 Conversations Within” ts 11/21/2018

I regret that I have regrets. And, it does not help to ask, “Who doesn't?”

It is generally considered wise to learn from one’s mistakes. Don’t be guilty of not learning from your regrets; repent and regret no more. It is before we say something, before we do something, before we eat or drink, or participate in any activity that the battle of not regretting is won or lost. Decide before so there we be no regret after.

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.” 2Cor.7.10 Conversations Within” ts 11/19/2018

“Better to embrace the pain of discipline than the pain of regret.” Unknown

The power to choose is valuable but not near as valuable as a self-mastery that always chooses the right thing. Imagine a life where you always choose what is best for yourself and others. Such a life is found when love, guided by wisdom, directs us to overcome obstacles even if the obstacle is our own desire for anything less.

“The fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Gal.5.22 Conversations Within” ts 11/18/2018

“Regrets, I have a few.” My Way

Regrets, I myself have quite a few, and most, if not all of them, are because I did it my way. Doing it “my way” is the sad arrogance of Adam and Eve passed down to all of us. It is one thing to regret doing it my way, and another to stop it, and do it the Father’s way. Regrets, you bet. But beyond regret, I would repent--turn around reverse my selfish ways.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” Is.59.8 Conversations Within” ts 11/17/2018

“I wanted to go jogging but the Bible says ‘the wicked run when nobody is chasing them.’” Meme

We can pretty much use the Bible to justify just about anything we want to do. Of course this is not a wise thing to do. God’s word and wisdom are a precious gift, and surely to be used, not to justify our silly notions, but direct our path into all that is good, right and true. Don’t just quote the Bible for your own ends, listen to your Father’s words.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Ps.119.105 Conversations Within” ts 11/16/2018

Is this a Christian thing to do?

Jesus has made the measure of whether something is Christian or not rather simple: does it meet the criteria of loving others? How do we decide if we are loving someone? When we are able, love seeks the wellbeing of the people around us. Of course, love needs the guidance of wisdom to measure if an action will truly benefit, and wisdom comes from loving and listening to God.

“Love one another as i have loved you.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 11/15/2018

Happy Thanksgiving!

One thing I encourage myself to do is not talk about dieting when I am seated around the Thanksgiving table. There is a time to feast, and a time to fast. Don’t talk about one when you are doing the other. Be where you are and relish the moment by giving sincere, joyful thanks for it. Fill your plate, give thanks, and dig in. Oh! It will taste better if your share your meal with others. Happy thanksgiving!

“Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good;His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” Ps.100 Conversations Within” ts 11/14/2018

”God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for this food. By His hands we are fed. Thank you God for daily bread.” The Blessing

If we want to be more thankful it is as simple as expressing it often. This is easily accomplished if we pause every time we eat to say an ole fashioned blessing. I like to pick up my plate and smell my food before I eat it. When I do, I breathe in the meals wonderful aroma and breathe out a word of grateful praise to the One who has provided it.

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all of my heart.” Ps.9.1 Conversations Within” ts 11/13/2018

“Gratitude is the gateway to joy.” Elaine S. Marshall

 oy is gladness of heart. Gratitude nurtures it. Ever expression of thanksgiving can both create and at the same time express our joy. Our Father is a happy God; what better news is there that He wants us as His children to be glad. We walk the path of this gladness when we not only know how blessed we are, and from whom all these blessing flow. It has nothing to do with luck.

"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” Ps.95.2 Conversations Within” ts 11/12/2018

“Let joy be your compass.” Unknown

Live decisively and always decide to take the path of joy. One way we find joy is when we pursue peace in our interactions, not just with people but with everything. The pursuits of peace always show proper respect- respect for the world around you, respect your neighbor, respect yourself, your body, soul and spirit, and of course, respect for God. He has made this easy. We show respect to Him by showing respect to everything and everyone else. 

“Those who promote peace have joy.” Prov.12.20 Conversations Within” ts 11/11/2018

“I am with you always.” Jesus

Do I believe that God is with me? I am not speaking about God being with me in some general way, but in a favorable way. To lay hold of this in faith is to possess not only the the greatest comfort but also a profound confidence that whatever I face, I face with God’s grace. To have God’s favor is to have everything we need.

“Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28 Conversations Within” ts 11/10/2018

“Faith is seeing light with your heart when all your eyes can see is darkness.” Unknown

Faith believes a promise before it is fulfilled. God has made a good many promises to His children and made good on them. Faith lays hold of them and energizes the comfort found in them. This is what Jesus was speaking about when He told us that we live by every word of God. When the smoke clears we, not our doubts, worries or fears, will be the last one standing.

“The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.” Ps127.7-8 Conversations Within” ts 11/9/2018

It is easy to smile when you know that God is smiling at you.

How can we be sure that God is smiling when He looks our way? It’s actually a simple thing. God delights in people who trust Him, who believe that He loves them, not because they are lovely, but because He is unfailing in His love. Every time we take a step of faith, no matter how small, He is delighted, and a lifetime of trust adds up to a life pleasing to Him. Go ahead, make Him smile today.

“The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Ps.147.11 Conversations Within” ts 11/5/2018

Hope helps us visualize the finished painting as we feel the brush strokes God is making on our canvass today.

Hope fine tunes our trust when it begins to take shape in our heart. Hope visualizes our faith in God and helps us to see what He desires to accomplish. It nurtures a clear picture of the outcome of the faith we are putting in Him. Hope patiently and confidently waits for the Lord to bring that goodness to sight even as it trusts God to tweak it with His perfect wisdom.

 “The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Ps.147.11 Conversations Within” ts 11/4/2018

“Trusting God starts when you can give up what you want, for what you know God wants.” Unknown

Faith in God is mainly about the transfer of our trust. We stop trusting our own understanding and shift our trust to His. This transfer is often expressed when we stop doing one thing and start doing another; faith is put into action. It is also expressed when we stop fiddling with our worries and confidently trust God’s promises; faith put into attitude. 

“Cast all your cares of Him, because He cares for you.” 1Pet.5.7 Conversations Within” ts 11/4/2018

“If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down.” Unknown

Faith enables us to fly above the cares of this world. Do not let the worries of this world rob your joy. Spread the wings of trust and take flight. Leave your worries behind and soar confident of God’s love for you and in the absolute goodness of His plans for your life.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer.29.11 Conversations Within” ts 11/4/2018

“The goal of marriage is not to think alike, but to think together.” Robert Dodd

Not thinking alike, but thinking together should be the tool of all good communication. Thinking together is just another way of working together. A wise person learns the true value of partnership, not only when they see things the same way, but also when they see things differently. This is as much as attitude as it is an action. Learn the value of a different point of view.

“Two are better than one.” Ecc.4.9 Conversations Within” ts 11/3/2018

“He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the Universe.” Marcus Aurelius

If I live with a divided heart, why should I not expect to live in a divided world. Christ is the ultimate peacemaker. He begins by healing our relationship with the Father. This healing, like ripples in a pond, spreads out creating a harmonious healing within our own heart, then out to others, even further to the natural world. 

“Live in harmony with one another.” Rom.12.16 Conversations Within” ts 11/1/2018

”The proof of order is the absence of strife.” Mike Murdock

 If you tug on a towel in a dog’s mouth he will most likely tug back. The harder you tug one way, the harder they will tug the other. Drop it, and the dog will simply lose interest. One of the best ways to keep away from strife is to just drop it. Don’t not get drawn into an argument. Do not sit down at the table of strife. Keep order, if only in your soul. 

“Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel.” Prov.20.3 Conversations Within” ts 10/30/2018

“Agree to disagree.” Adage

We can respectfully disagree with someone without strife or getting into an argument. There is common ground to be found, even if it is only showing mutual respect. We can even show respect to one who does not show respect to us. Just because someone is disrespectful doesn’t mean that we “jump off the bridge too.” 

“Show proper respect to everyone…” 1Pet.2.17 Conversations Within” ts 10/27/2018

"Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; an argument an exchange of ignorance." - Robert Quillen

The only way to win an argument is to avoid getting into one. We can train ourselves to listen to a different point of view without getting into an argument over it. It is wise to consider if the topic is even worth discussing. What good is talk if it will not accomplish anything. Better to do something about matters that matter, rather than just talking about them. 

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.” 2Tim.2.23 Conversations Within” ts 10/27/2018

“It’s OK for you to disagree with me. I cannot force you to be right.” Meme

Learning how to agreeably disagree is a must if we would live peacefully with our neighbors. Refuse an argument before it breaks out and do so by making up your mind that it takes two to argue and you will not be attending. 

“The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.” Prov.17.14 Conversations Within” ts 10/27/2018

“Have more than you show, speak less than you know.” William Shakespeare

Do I show off what I know, or do I use knowledge to serve others?  Learn how to share what you have learned without being viewed as a “know it all.” The goal is never to impress, but to express goodness and a wise person knows when to keep quiet and let people learn for themselves. 

“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint.” Prov.17.27 Conversations Within” ts 10/25/2018

“Life is a song. Sing it!” Unknown

Sometimes the best way to say it is to sing it. Singing has always been an expression of life as it is of faith, hope and love. Do not neglect its power to work grace in the soul. Need a lift? Sing a song, or at least listen to one. Need to lift someone else up? Sing them a song or sing with them. Singing puts wings to our words and lifts the soul to breathe Heaven's air. 

 “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” Eph.5.19 Conversations Within” ts 10/25/2018