“In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.” The Good Book

Of all the good that I want in my life, I want God’s favor most of all. I want to see His hand establish the work of my hand. I want His provision and protection over me and my loved ones. I often ask for it in the middle of the night. These desires are themselves a means of having His protection because they motivate us to walk on the path He desires for us, one we know He loves, and therefore blesses with goodness and favor.

“Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Ps.5.12 Conversations Within” ts 1/24/2019

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”C.S. Lewis

Who would not want the favor of God? There is a difference in trying to earn God’s favor and realizing that you already have it and simply want to please Him. Imagine the difference in a child trying to bribe a parent by being good, and a child being good because they have adopted their parents values. Don’t sully a good thing with bad motives.

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” Titus 3.5 Conversations Within” ts 1/24/2019

”The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made.” Groucho Marx

The Shepherd of our soul is said to lead us in the paths of righteousness. Righteousness has many paths simply because there are many ways to do right. Doing right certainly has application in our treatment of others. There is a right way to treat others which means of course that there is a wrong way as well. Do right by others and we do right by ourselves.

“He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” Ps.23  Conversations Within” ts 1/23/2019

“When you're righteous, you don't have to tell people that you're righteous.” Shaquille O'Neal

Righteousness isn’t for show. A righteous act is simply doing what we know is good, right and true. It isn’t to impress others, nor even to impress God. It is the practical application of loving Him, of loving others, even loving ourselves. Make no mistake about it, a right standing with God is the gift He gives for trusting Christ. Righteous living grows from gratitude not need for bragging rights.

“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.5.17 Conversations Within” ts 1/22/2019

“My future is righteousness.” Bob Marley

I love Marley’s song, “Every little thing’s gonna be alright.”The every little thing includes me. I'm gonna be “all right.” Our life in Glory will be healed and brought into that rightness. Because of the grace given in Jesus, my future home is Glory and I too will possess its goodness. But why wait? We can cooperate with the workings of God’s healing grace and make righteousness our reality this very moment.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/21/2019

“I used to think I was indecisive. But now I'm not too sure.” Unknown

Indecision may be as simple as a lack of commitment to something we know we should be committed to do. People often waver because they doubt, and doubt certainly weakens resolve. Live decisively.  Make up your mind, and sleep in the bed you’ve made. Just be sure of where you want to wake up in the morning. 

“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” Josh.24.15 Conversations Within” ts 1/18/2019

“Never let your emotions overpower your intelligence.” Unknown

Our emotions, desires, and even our pride can compete with what we know is good, right and true. We should not allow what we know is right to take a back seat to any of these things. Don’t yield the driver’s seat to something as fickle as feelings or temporal desires. When you practice self-control make sure which part of yourself is in control. Do not be held captive by what is less than what is best. 

“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Prov.25.28 Conversations Within” ts 1/17/2019

”Follow your heart but remember to bring your brain along.” Unknown

Some say follow your heart not your head while others say the opposite. Which is it? Christ tells us to follow Him with both. Our head and heart work together well when the mind of Christ leads and everything else follows. The point is that our faculties serve us well only if we are serving the directives of an all wise Creator.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Jesus

“When you cannot control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control how you respond to what’s happening.” Unknown

Learning to talk to yourself is of great value if we want to control our responses. We can tell ourselves to gracefully, even confidently accept matters beyond our control. This can keep what is happening around us from disturbing the peace within us. It is good to remind ourselves not only that "it is, what it is," it is also as God has allowed, and His grace is always sufficient for it. 

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God will for you who are in Christ Jesus.” 1Thess.5.18 Conversations Within” ts 1/16/2019

“Keep a lid on it.” Adage

One consistent bit of wisdom repeated the world over is that it is in our best interest to watch what we say. The best place to do this starts by watching what we think. If we are not careful, the stew we are brewing in our thoughts may boil over past our lips. At the very least let us brew good thoughts and perhaps what escapes our mouth will at least be worth hearing. 

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/15/2019

“One’s greatest challenge is to control oneself.” Kazi Shams

Learning self-restraint is a mark of spiritual maturity. It is wise to throttles back our emotions, and channel our energy to think clearly so we can act decisively. Self-restraint also works a marvelous grace in what we say simply because we say less. There are few places better to practice self-control than with what we let out of our mouth.

“The heart of the wise instructs his mouth…” Prov.16.23 Conversations Within” ts 1/14/2019

“I have called you friends.” Jesus

Wisdom is more than just a collection of experiences, knowledge and understanding. Wisdom in its purest form is the very presence of God in our life. As such, Wisdom can be our living companion the result of a healthy relationship with God. What could be wiser than having God for a friend. Of course it pays to listen to friends when they are looking after you. 

“We have the mind of Christ.” 1Cor.2.16 Conversations Within” ts 1/11/2019

“A loving heart is the truest wisdom.” Charles Dickens

The heart that loves wants what is best for themselves and others and therefore seeks to discover it. Without wisdom, even the best intentions of love can produce more harm than good. We must grow equally in love and in wisdom if we would love wisely. Love is all you need, but wisdom communicating it helps.

“May your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best…” Phil.1 Conversations Within” ts 1/11/2019

“The older you get the quieter you become.” Unknown

There seems to be a correlation between wisdom and how much we talk. Wise people talk less. There are a good many reasons for this. Words can get us into trouble. Our words can hurt others. Humility usually accompanies wisdom, and humble people generally keep their opinions to themselves or at least wait until they are asked. It may just be that keeping a tight lid on our mouth may make us wiser, or at least appear so.

“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” Prov.17.28 Conversations Within” ts 1/10/2019

“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.” Unknown

Jesus made an interesting point when he said that the children of this world are sometimes wiser than the children of God. Basically He is implying that one can be wise one way and not wise in another. To wisely handle money means little if our soul is impoverished toward God. Wisdom is generally praised, but a humble faith in God can be of greater value. Do not be wise in somethings but foolish in the one thing that matters most in life.

“Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. Ecc.11 Conversations Within” ts 1/9/2019

“I’m not a “glass half full” kind of person. I am a “where did I put my glass? kind of person.” Unknown

 We should reasonably expect to see some decline in our physical abilities as we get older. But, we should also expect to see an increase in other areas as we age. One that comes to mind, is wisdom. It is wise to learn from experiences, and older people certainly have more of them. There are many things I know now I wish I knew twenty years ago. Of course, talking with your elders is always another good option. Why wait, learn from the wisdom of older people.

“Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.” Job 32.7 Conversations Within” ts 1/7/2019

“So far you've survived 100% of your worst days. You're doing great!” Unknown

We are not promised a life free from troubles only that God will see us through them. I smile when I realize that He has brought me through every single trial I have faced. I can think of no reason why He would stop now. Whatever you are facing this moment, remember your Father’s past faithfulness. You’ve got this, because He has got you. 

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Ps.34.17 Conversations Within” ts 1/7/2019

Real food doesn’t require labels telling you it is 100% natural.

We generally know when something is authentic. As such, I want to strip my life from all advertisements, from any need to impress others with words when who I am should be obvious from my behavior. I want nothing fake, and to be free from all political rhetoric before others because there is no politicking before the Almighty. Take me as I am Lord, a great sinner, but one who is trusting a greater Savior. 

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.” 1Tim.1.15 Conversations Within” ts 1/5/2019

“Begin with the end in mind.”Stephen Covey

Jesus challenges us to think about how we will end up when God writes “The End” on our final screen shot. I used to think in terms of how I would want to be remembered by the people in my life. I am beginning to realize that people have a poor way of remembering. Consider how Scrooge is remembered. Sadly, most associate him with greed even though he ended up a very generous man. I think it wiser to focus in how we want God to view us in the end, and then live in such a way that would cause Him to see us that way. 

“...and then the end shall come.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/5/2019

“You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” Zig Ziglar

Translate your goals into action. As important as starting is to the process, finishing what we start is the final measure. But one thing is for certain. We cannot finish what we do not start. Get on with it.

“Be doers.” James 1 Conversations Within” ts 1/3/2019

“The starting point of all achievement is desire.” Napoleon Hill

It is one thing to know what God is asking from us, and another to desire it. Thank God, grace often comes to us in the simple desire to be different than we are. The point is to realize that many of the changes we start to desire because of His grace, will only be ours on the other side of struggle--the struggle with others desires. 

“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Ps.37.4 Conversations Within” ts 1/2/2019

”Never let a stumble in the road be the end of your journey.” Author Unknown

Expect failure and see it in process. None of us would have ever learned to walk without it. And, when you fall down, immediately get up, and get after it again. It is important to do this after some moral failure as it is with any other kind of failure. Nurturing a mature spiritual walk will also have moments of falling down and getting back up. Get back up as many times as it takes. Just keep getting up, keep learning to walk that spiritual walk.

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…” Prov.24.16 Conversations Within” ts 1/1/2019

“You will never be completely ready. Start from wherever you are.” C.J. Hayden

It is often a mental not physical block timpedes our personal growth and progress. Waiting until everything is just right often means we get stuck on the starting line. There is a significant difference in wisely making adequate preparation as a part of beginning, and foolishly making excuses for not doing something. Begin right here, right now.

“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” Ecc.11.4 Conversations Within” ts 12/31/2018

“Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.” Unknown

Lord I spend entirely too much time thinking about myself. I’m doing it now. Lift my gaze to see the world as you do--to think the sweet thoughts of Christ. Raise my awareness of the feeling and struggles of others instead of being caught up in my own.. Help me be a “there you are” kind of guy instead of a “here I am” kind of person. 

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Phil.2.3 Conversations Within” ts 12/28/2018

“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” Robin Sharma

Certain studies suggest that people live longer when they get out of bed with a sense of purpose. The wisdom found in the Good Book teaches this as well, living life with purpose and on purpose is wholesome and healthy. I cannot find fault with living life to be happy. The fault maybe in what makes us happy. A selfish existence can actually take happiness from others. Christ encourages us to find happiness, not using others for selfish ends but by being useful to them.

“And become useful and helpful and kind to one another…” Eph.4.32 Conversations Within” ts 12/27/2018

”When nothing goes right go left.” Unknown

This year is as good a year as any to let go of all the bad choices that ruin our physical and spiritual health. We cannot change the past but we certainly don’t need to keep repeating it. Refuse to take another bag of potato chips to the living room couch. Dismiss every critical thought. Don’t waste another moment on worry. And, don’t neglect the good choices. Always choose joy in every thought, word, action. 

“Be joyful always; pray continually’ give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16,17  Conversations Within” ts 12/24/2018

“You're fat. Don't sugarcoat it cause you'll eat that too.” Dr Phil

One of the few times it pays to be brutally honest is when you speak to yourself. Sometimes the only way to move forward is to have a good sense of where we are, and where we want to be. Being honest with ourselves is a good thing, something we can be glad about when we use it to begin the process of positive change. The birthplace of true integrity often begins with a little self honesty.

“The integrity of the upright guides them…” Prov.11.3 Conversations Within” ts 12/23/2018