“My liberty depends on you being free too.” Barack Obama

Christ was sent as a liberator of souls and commissions us to work for the same. It is not just my own personal freedom that matters, but also the freedom of my neighbor. Adopt the tribal mentality that holds to heart the belief that we should never cross the finish line alone. Cherish your own freedom, and work for the freedom of others.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”  Is.61.1 “Conversations Within” ts 2/19/2019

“Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to.” Gladiator

 Do I consider the responsibilities that I perform each day as expressions of my freedom, or impediments to it. One thing is for certain, we are free to choose our attitude about doing them. I may not want to cut my grass, and may prefer to do something else, but am I being responsible to myself and my neighbors if I don’t. Duty should not be an infringement of our freedom but the delight of it. Duty becomes delight when love directs our choices. Here is freedom worth having.

“We were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”  “Conversations Within” ts 2/19/2019

“Freedom is the oxygen of the soul.” Moche Dayon

The power to choose is one aspect of freedom that we all enjoy, in varying degrees of course. There are natural limitations. Most of us cannot choose to go to Paris for lunch. But the privilege of choice is a sacred gift and those choices within our reach are designed to enrich out life not enslave us. God blessed Adam and Eve with this precious freedom in the garden and it would do us well to remember the consequences of how they chose.

“And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;  but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Gen.2.16-17 “Conversations Within” ts 2/16/2019

”What then is freedom? The power to live as one wishes.” Unknown

I think most of us place great value on our freedom. I also think most of us get miffed when something, or someone attempts to restrict it. The simple truth is that all of us need laws, even circumstances that limit us from doing all of the things we might want to do. The reason is that some of those things are harmful to others. We do well to remember that our freedoms end where the freedom of others begin.

“But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Gal.5   “Conversations Within” ts 2/16/2019

“Plans are nothing. Planning is everything.” Dwight D. Eisenhower

Plans often fail for lack of planning properly. I have come to realize that if I want to get the most out of something, I need to think it through and make adequate preparation for it. An ordinary event may become extraordinary simply by giving it some forethought. This is not to say that some events may be enriched simply by planning to have no plans and take it as it comes. Balance is everything. 

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Prov.16.3 “Conversations Within” ts 2/15/2019

“Plan to plan.” Adage

Even God makes plans. He takes counsel with Himself and executes all things with perfect wisdom. I think it wise to follow His example and set aside time each day to plan. Readiness requires forethought. Planning takes into account not only our goals, but the steps and resources needed to accomplish them. What are your plans this day? What are the most important tasks you need to accomplish this day to reach your goals. The first might be to plan them.

“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 2/14/2019

“Chance favors the prepared mind.” Louis Pasteur

“Be prepared” is a great approach and attitude to living. Do what is needed to ready yourself to do what is needed. Being useful to others means that we position ourselves to be useful. What good are buried talents covered up by an “I don’t want to be bothered now attitude. Drop everything that competes with usefulness to the people in your life.

“Always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you.” 1 Pet.3.15 “Conversations Within” ts 2/13/2019

“Direction is so much more important than speed. Many are going nowhere fast.” Unknown

Am I satisfied with the direction I am taking with my life? How happy am I about the pace of my day? If the answer is “not really,” the good news is that God allows course and speed corrections. If fact He encourages them and even offers to be our personal coach.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Ps.32.8 “Conversations Within” ts 2/12/2019

It is before I am slapped on the cheek, that I do the dress rehearsal to turn the other.

Knowing what you will do before a confrontation happens is better than seeing what you will do after it has occurred. Plan ahead. Rehearse the response in your mind. Decide what you will do before you have the opportunity to do it. Anyone can be tempted to lie, steal, or cheat on a loved one. A great deal of sorrow can be avoided when we know what roads we refuse to drive down long before we drive by them.

“But test everything; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil.” 1Thess.5.21-22 Conversations Within” ts 2/11/2019

“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anybody going faster than you is a maniac?” Unknown

Some stories never have a happy ending. Road rage is one of them. Decide what you will do to avoid joining a story like this before you are ever tempted to do so. By the way, there are many such stories with many tragic endings. There is great wisdom in deciding before you decide to be a part of them. Rehearse your response to every temptation that will lead you down the road to an unhappy ending.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1  Conversations Within” ts 2/10/2019

“Fatigue is the common enemy of us all-- so slow down, rest up, replenish and refill.” -Jeffrey R. Holland

If we are not careful, we can become too busy, and consequently too tired to be good at anything. Fatigue takes its greatest toll on our relationships. We should never be too busy, or too tired to be a good spouse, a good parent, or a good friend. Slow the pace down. Learn to say “no” to matters that matter little so you can say “yes” to matters that matter most.  “Then Jesus said, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.

" He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat.” Mk.6.31 Conversations Within” ts 2/7/2019

“Take it easy!”

Don’t wear yourself out, not with worry, not with work, not with anything. Burnout is bad. We all know there is such a thing as having a good tired, the kind after a satisfying day of hard work, even play. But a tiredness or weariness of soul can leave us exhausted, and steal the very joy of living. Learn how to relax, and find the rhythm of work and rest. Take it easy, give it easy, live easy.

“Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich.” Prov.23.4 Conversations Within” ts 2/6/2019

“For fast acting relief, try slowing down.” Lily Tomlin

Hurry appears contrary to a peaceful life. Who wants to be overly busy? Fruitfulness grows out of focused energy, not just seeking to accomplish a lot, but to accomplish matters that matter. And, what matters comes from the quiet repose of sitting with the Shepherd of our soul, and listening to His sweet and restful songs.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters.” Ps.23 Conversations Within” ts 2/5/2019

Slow down, especially to show kindness.

How many opportunities do we let pass to show kindness to a stranger simply because we did not think we had the time. Give priority to kindness. In fact, place it at the top of your to do list. Set out in the morning and give special attention to finding even making an opportunity to express it. It helps if we slow down our hectic pace and find a slower more deliberate rhythm of caring for others.

“Whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.” Prov.19 ESV Conversations Within” ts 2/4/2019

To be still and know that God is God, is to rest from the mental labors to "figure it out.“

It is one thing to rest in God, and another to constantly try and figure out why He does what He does. Father’s ways can certainly be hard. That all persistent “why” can steal our peace and joy. Why did He allow this to happen? Why me? Why doesn’t He do something? Why all the suffering? It comes down to trust really. Do I believe in the goodness of God? Do I believe that He can work good out of what I am facing? The answer lies in the word "Father".

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Ps.46.10 Conversations Within” ts 2/3/2019

“Life is hard yard by yard, Life a cinch inch by inch.” Saying

It is easy to get overwhelmed when we look at whatever mountain is looming in front of us on the path of life. If it needs climbing just keep plodding upward, but it is often easier when we keep our eyes fixed on the next step, not the whole mountain. Be sure footed and realize that every summit can be conquered one step at a time. Accept God’s invitation to live fully in the present moment and enjoy each step you take today.

“I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Ps.61.2 Conversations Within” ts 2/1/2019

“Those who aren't following Jesus aren't his followers. It's that simple. Followers follow, and those who don't follow aren't followers.” Scot Mcknight

Any attempt to follow Christ begins by listening to what He is saying. Many times, listening to what He is saying is listening to what he has said. Take time to read His words every day; prayerfully reflect on His teachings; remember them by storing them in your heart; then request His promised help to keep them. He spoke, He still speaks and He will lead all who will follow Him on the path of life.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/31/2019

“Be the person your dog thinks you are.” Unknown

Perhaps if we nurtured a better view of the kind of person we want to be, we may actually start acting like such a person. It will certainly help if we start looking at ourselves the way our Father looks at us. And how is that? God sees us as His adopted children, members of His household, ambassadors of His kingdom, and sons and daughters of light.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Eph.5.8 Conversations Within” ts 1/30/2019

”Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

No doubt, following Christ will lead us to some difficult choices. In fact following Him may result in a fair amount of rejection by others. Having said this, we should not add to any hostility we receive by acting foolish. If we are persecuted, it should be for following Christ in what is right not for some silly crusade that has nothing to do with true justice.

“For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.” 1Pet.3.17 Conversations Within” ts 1/29/2019

“Following Jesus is simple not easy. Love until it hurts and then love some more.” Mother Teresa

Why would I want to do something that hurts? Because God assures us that on the other side of the pain there is something worth having. Just about everything of value comes on the other side of one kind of pain or another. Sacrifice is woven into the fabric of love. In the present order, there can be no love without it. If we are serious about being a follower of Christ, we need to reconcile ourselves to the fact that there will be sacrifice involved.

“In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/28/2019

“Somewhere along the way we had missed what was radical about our faith and replaced it with what is comfortable.” David Platt

If we are serious about following Jesus, we better prepare ourselves for some pretty rad responses to the behavior of others. Turn your cheek when slapped. Love your enemies. If they steal your coat, give them your shirt. Radically serve and go the extra mile. Treat others better than you treat yourself. Personal safety and security are secondary to loving people. Be willing to sacrifice your life if necessary to love someone.  Pretty rad stuff indeed! 

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/27/2019

“Do unto others before they do unto you.” Modern day Golden Rule

What would Jesus do about…immigrants at the border, the homeless; drug addicts, the unborn? Well his answer is pretty simple really. Do unto others… we know the rest, the question is do we practice it? The application of doing so can be complex at times, but that is why God offers us His wisdom and love. Before you act, give it your best shot to put yourself in the other’s shoes, unless of course they are not wearing any, then take yours off and think about it some more. But be sure to return to the bottom line...

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/26/2019

“The righteous ones are always exhausting to have around.” Alexandra Adornetto

 We all know how annoying it is to be around someone who is on a diet and thinks that everybody should be on it with them. The diet they are on may even be healthy, but their constant selling can be aggravating. True righteousness is often polluted by a self-righteous attitude. Adorn right living by letting others see its value in humble practice.

"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/25/2019