“Be faithful in small things because it is in them your strength lies.” Mother Teresa

Faithfulness begins with our thoughts. So does betrayal. The line that faithfulness draws refuses to entertain even a single thought that would betray the commitments we have promised another. Faithfulness is in right thoughts as much as in right action.

“Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?” Prov.20.6 Conversations Within” ts 9/22/2019

“If you truly love someone being faithful is easy.” Unknown

A mature love is the merging of the love of action and the love of our affections. Our affections make our actions easier. It is easy to love what you love. But it is faithfulness in our actions that deepen our affections for someone. Faithfulness is not so much how we feel about someone as it is the way we act towards them. It is often expressed despite our feelings not because of them, but when the two come together, it's "easy like Sunday morning."

“Where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 9/21/2019

“Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a believer would stake his life on it a thousand times.” Martin Luther

In the book of Daniel three servants of God, on pain of death, refused to bow down to their captor king. They boldly explained that God was able to deliver them; that He would; but even if He didn’t, they would bow down only to God. Our confidence in God isn’t that He will always give us what we ask, but that He will never give us anything short of His goodness. Such confidence promotes a bold faith not in our prayers, but in the loving Father who answers them.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb.4.16  Conversations Within” ts 9/20/2019

“Worry fades away when we know our future is in God’s hands.” Unknown

Our future security does not lie in our smarts or abilities, but in God. This gives us every reason to live confidently. I may make mistakes, He does not. God has already taken into account every misstep I may make and He is ready to out maneuver me and put me back on the path. We may suffer some very real loss while He does, but nothing can ultimately separate us from the love of God, not even my dumb decisions.

“For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” Prov.3.26 Conversations Within” ts 9/19/2019

Like many things, confidence often comes in stages.

Our confidence in God and in our service to Him often grows over time. Compare it to young children learning to surf. God will sometimes put us in water over our head and ask us to trust Him. There is no shortcut to the process, but over time we learn to confidently trust His instructions. Whatever deep water you’re in today, understand that your Father will not let us drown while teaching us to surf.

Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said “Come…” But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me! Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. Matt.14 Conversations Within” ts 9/18/2019

“Just because we have a bad chapter doesn’t mean our story has a bad ending.” Unknown

I saw this recently on a Facebook post as a note in the margin of someone’s Bible in reference to the book of Job. Job, as you may remember, had some pretty bad days. Who doesn’t? This does not mean that our final chapter cannot end with, "they lived happily ever after.” An abundant and eternal life is the promise of Jesus to all who look to Him in faith. A happy ending begins when we accept joint authorship with Him and leave the last chapter to His grace and mercy.

“So the LORD blessed Job’s latter days more than his first.” Job 42.12 Conversations Within” ts 9/17/2019

”Confidence is not "they will like me.” Confidence is "I'll be find if they don't.” Christina Grimmie

Trying to please people can be a major distraction, one that keeps us from our primary purpose, which for a Christian is to please God. This is not to say that we should ignore people and give them a reason to pass judgment on any foolish behavior. Don’t judge others and don’t give others a reason to judge you. But, and this is an important but, don’t let the opinion of people keep you from doing what you know God wants you to do.

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?” Gal.1.10 Conversations Within” ts 9/15/2019

“If your path demands you walk through hell, walk as if you own the place.” -Unknown

There are many encouragements to walk with confidence when we walk with God. And, why shouldn’t we be confident if we know that God approves what we're doing? The key then isn’t to create in ourselves some false bravado, but to know with certainty that God is with us simply because we are with Him doing those things which He has promised to do alongside of us. Own it because He owns you.

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Phil.4.13 Conversations Within” ts 9/14/2019

Saying yes to peace and happiness is saying no to anything that would hijack them.

When something interrupts your joy and peace, stop, and interrupt the interruption. Don’t keep going down any path that steals your joy. Don’t take another step unless it is a step back in the direction of peace. Really, stop everything and reboot yourself.  Hijack the hijacker. Speak, even preach to your heart the spiritual affirmations that define your joy and your happiness.

Keep in step with the Spirit...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience...Gal.5 Conversations Within” ts 9/14/2019

“Whistle while you work.” Larry Morey

Great joy can be found when we attend to every task with gratitude and give ourselves wholeheartedly to it. Be where you are and find the joy that dwells in the present moment. Do not dread going to work, find ways to make it pleasurable. Live productively and enjoy the work of your hands.

“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil.” Ecc.2.24 Conversations Within” ts 9/13/2019

“Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place." Unknown

Do not doubt God’s ability to take what you are going through right now and use it to accomplish something wonderful in your life. We say that it is “darkest just before dawn,” because time and time again God has shown that some of the darkest times in our life have brought us the most light when we trust His goodness. Could it have been any darker at the cross? Yet consider all that is accomplished when Jesus declared that the end was the beginning of all things new.

“It is finished.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 9/12/2019

If a rock comes through your window, use it as a paper weight. There are few things that cannot be turned into something good.

God is able to work all things for good; we should at least try, with His help, to do the same. Attitude is an important part of this, and may be the single greatest factor in doing so. Find the “silver lining” as we say, and if one is missing trust God's promise that it is there. Goodness expresses positive energy and what is more positive than faith. Bring it with you everywhere. Overwhelm darkness with light and sadness with joy.

 “Serve the Lord with gladness.” Ps. 100 Conversations Within” ts 9/11/2019

“A better world starts with a better me.” Meme

Be a better person. Something as simple and direct as this could top my “To Do” list each day. Being better should not be confused with being a perfectionist. There is a difference is striving for excellence, and seeking some of our impractical notions of perfection. It seems an honest couple of questions we might ask ourselves could be, “How can I do better?” “How can I be better?”

“You are good and do good; Teach me Your statutes.” Ps.119.68 Conversations Within” ts 9/10/2019

Leave people and places better than you find them.

Improvement is the hallmark of generous people. They look for ways to make whatever better. When they do, they don’t just make things better for themselves, but for everyone. Be generous in giving; in service; and in encouraging others. Make the world a better place. Begin where you are, and with whatever and whoever is in front of you.

“Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” Rom.15 Conversations Within” ts 9/10/2019

Live humbly, simply, modestly and with compassion.

A humble spirit motivates us to show compassion. Living simply frees us from entanglements that make us too busy to show it. Living modestly will help us live on less so we can add hands and feet to our compassion and give more. The world needs all the compassion we can give it, and we have the privilege to wake each day and find new ways to show it.

“...Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col.3.12 “Conversations Within” ts 9/6/2019

“If your compassion doesn’t include yourself, it is incomplete.” Jack Kornfield

Compassion doesn’t ask God to show mercy, grace and forgiveness on “them” but on “us.” The word “us” reminds me that I, as much as anyone else need mercy. It reflects that humble attitude so pleasing to God, and helps us to focus on the simple truth that when the Bible says “all have sinned,” I am included in that calculation. God is not interested in our condemnation of others, or of ourselves, He wants us to humbly seek mercy for all, moi included.

“When you pray say...Forgive us our debts...Lead us not into temptation.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 9/4/2019

“Jesus didn't say, "Blessed are the peace-lovers." He says peacemakers. He is referring to a life vocation, not a hobby on the sidelines of life.” Jim Wallis

Many things are certain in this life  and one of them is the need for peace in the world, in our communities and in the home. Who will make peace? Everyone of us can choose to promote peace and do so with the person in front of us. Our contribution to world peace may start behind the wheel in traffic. Fighting for an oil field or a parking spot are not so distant cousins.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 9/4/2019

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.” Rick Warren

These words are never more true than when we are persecuted or provoked by another. We do well to remember that Jesus was thinking of the welfare of others when He was being crucified. The hand of love is too occupied with serving, than to be raised in self defense. Our security isn’t in what people think about us, but in a Christ like attitude to seek goodness, even for those attacking you.

“Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 9/3/2019

“Anything that costs your peace is too expensive.” Unknown

We should not confuse true peace with peaceful surroundings. A peaceful person doesn’t focus on protecting their personal space but in spreading peace and goodness to others. In truth, we must often sacrifice a peaceful environment to do this. We cannot close our doors to protect our own personal peace and at the same time be a peacemaker in a world desperate for it.

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 9/2/2019

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” Dalai Lama

Compassion is an expression of heartfelt mercy. Compassion loves mercy not simply because we know we need it, we also know that others need it as much as we. It is interesting that this is one of the few times we are encouraged to act on our feelings-those that move the soul to express kindness even when the other does not deserve it, hasn’t asked for it and probably don’t know that they need it.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col.3.12 “Conversations Within” ts 9/1/2019

”Discipline is remembering what you want.” David Campbell

Our greatest desire at any given moment will always determine our choices. The key to a healthy and fruitful life is to make sure that our strongest desire is always for goodness. Define what you really want in life; in marriage; relationships, and health. Then make sure these things define you. The brightest fire is the one you feed the most.

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1John2.17  “Conversations Within” ts 8/31/2019

“A moment of patience in a moment of anger, saves a thousand moments of regret.” Unknown

Everyone has moments, you know, moments of passion or deep feeling or worry or anger or any one of a thousand emotions and desires. Before we turn these inclinations loose on the world, we need that moment of pause to ask if we really want what we want, or want to express what we are feeling. Never trade what may wind up being permanent for a temporary something or other.

“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Prov. 25:28” “Conversations Within” ts 8/30/2019

"Self discipline begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don’t control what you think you can’t control what you do.” Unknown

Imagine the joy of always choosing what is good, and only what is good. Imagine never eating, or drinking more than you should, or being out of shape because you didn’t make time to exercise.  Imagine being disciplined, so much so, that you always say no to unhealthy temptations. Imagine it, because the battle is won or lost in your thoughts.

"The fruit of the Spirit is... self-control." Gal.5 “Conversations Within” ts 8/29/2019

“And now my lifesong sings.” Casting Crowns

I gratefully acknowledge that I am Yours, and overwhelmed by the promise that You are mine. With gratitude I wholeheartedly join You in the joy of this moment, and in faith lay hold of all that You are for me in Christ. I offer myself as an instrument of Your peace--to love and serve everyone we meet on this day’s journey. Help me to live humbly, simply, modestly and with compassion. I ask to be found doing these things when you come for me.

“I am my beloved, and my beloved is mine.” Song of Solomon 6.3 “Conversations Within” ts 8/28/2019

“Purity of heart is to will one thing.” Sören Kierkegaard

I want God’s will. The problem is that I also want things contrary to it. This inner conflict is a daily, and often a moment to moment battle. I am tempted to pass judgment, or be critical or angry or selfish or the many other “wrapped up in oneself” attitudes. But I also have the calming presence of Christ inside, calling me the other way. One is the path of peace, the other a path of turmoil. The peace comes from not only knowing what God wants, but in surrender to it.

“Your will be done.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 8/27/2019

“Your worst battle is between what you know and what you feel.” Unknown

We are all guilty of knowing what is good, but not doing it. Sometimes our feelings get in the way; other times our desires lead us in the wrong direction. A part of the healing that Christ works in us, is to merge what we know is good with a desire for it, and to let truth lead our actions. This is the new person Christ is creating in us. The first step is to believe that we need to take it, and the second is to take it with Him.

“For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” Rom.7.19 “Conversations Within” ts 8/26/2019