“Raisin cookies that look like chocolate chip cookies are the main reason I have trust issues.” Unknown

I confess that trusting God is one of those things where I often feel cornered into doing. If I think I can handle a situation I just handle it, and many times without looking to Him. It is when I face things I can’t handle that I gaze in His direction for help. The truth is that I need to find the rhythm of trusting Him in all things and at all times. Trust realizes the value of partnership with God.

"Trust in him at all times.” Ps.62.8 Conversations Within” ts 1/26/2020

“Be an encourager!”

The right words at the right time can lift others up, support and comfort them. Choose to show this kindness and say nothing but words that build people up. When was the last time you spoke with the deliberate intention to inspire the people in your life. It is always the right time, just look for the right words. 

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1Thess.5.11 Conversations Within” ts 1/25/2020

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

Much of life with Christ is learning to trust His word over and against your own. I think in terms of keeping, He in giving away. I think about holding on to something and He in letting it go. I think about defending myself and He tells me to turn the other cheek. Over time His word has always proven the better path. The more we know Him the easier it becomes to transfer our trust to Him. 

"Those who know your name trust in you…” Ps.9.10 Conversations Within” ts 1/22/2020

"It is quite useless knocking at the door of heaven for earthly comfort. It's not the sort of comfort they supply there." C. S. Lewis

I find in my experience that I often look to God for one thing and He supplies another. What I mean is that my focus is often on some temporal comfort while His is on something of eternal value. It is not that He is uncaring about what goes on around us, I just think He is more interested in what is going on in us.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Ps.23 Conversations Within” ts 1/21/2020

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us.” C. S. Lewis

We have all heard children trying to take selfish advantage of the love their parents have for them. We too do this with our heavenly Father. Sometimes when we pray we look to His promise to give us what we ask for, but tend to forget that He has placed the unique condition that His words guide our prayer. As we grow in wisdom, and in our relationship to His Spirit within, the promise that God will give us what we ask for is channeled in the right direction and away from silly requests.

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/22/2020

”No Worries”

Do not cast some of your cares, but all of your cares upon God. Nothing is too big or too small for His tender attention. Repeat this wonderful assurance to yourself. “My Father cares for me.” He is pleased when we bring Him our concerns. Don’t let that pass you by. He is pleased when we "take to the Lord in prayer."

“Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you.” 1Pet.5.7 Conversations Within” ts 1/18/2020

“None knew thee but to love thee, nor named thee but to praise.” Fitz-Greene Halleck

I am an open book kind of person. Bump me and I generally spill out what is stirring inside. This has a positive as well as a negative side to it. I get excited about something and I cannot help but tell you about it. I suppose I don’t want others to miss out on something good and I also want to double my own joy.

I will praise your name for ever and ever. "Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." Ps.145 Conversations Within” ts 1/17/2020

“It’s hard to play a sad song on a Ukulele.” Stephen Curtis Chapman (Paraphrase)

There is a time for sad songs. They can work a special grace. One of which is that we often wind up singing a song of praise in the end. Sadness can lead us back to gladness. Sing a sad song when you need to, but don’t forget the power of praise, to lift the soul in sweet comfort.

“I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” Ps.13.6 Conversations Within” ts 1/16/2020

“May you live all the days of your life.” Jonathan Swift

One precious experience in my life is calling to mind my blessings and then communing with the One who blessed me with them. I think it is valuable to nurture our appreciation for all that is good in life. Sweet memories, certainly! But there is fresh baked bread every day to feast upon.

“I will praise the LORD all my life…” Ps.146.2 Conversations Within” ts 1/15/2020

“Caelum certe patet, ibimus illi”..."surely the sky lies open, let us go that way". Aeronauts

Who is not humbled when gazing into the vast reaches of the sky above? The word infinite seems a finite description of the grand canvas of our Creator. Yet, He holds that infinite in the hollow of His hand and has the unique distinction of being the only being outside space and time. The sky beckons the soul to explore not only the vast reaches above but the vast reaches within. It is here the one true Infinite and be known and loved.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Ps.19.1 Conversations Within” ts 1/14/2020

Don’t be afraid to “give credit where credit is due”.

It is good to know one’s place before the Creator. It is equally good to know His place in our world. Some seem reluctant to acknowledge this, maybe because of not wanting to look like a religious fanatic. I often hear people speak in praise of Mother Nature, or Father Time, but it seems politically incorrect to give praise to the Creator. 

“I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Ps.16:2 Conversations Within” ts 1/12/2020

“We praise what we prize.” John Piper

Why does God encourage us to praise Him? I do not think for a moment that this is some vain glorious expression on His part. Love, after all is not self seeking. When God tells us to praise Him, He is inviting us to measure His value to our lives. Why would He not want us to value the best there is? The very best gift that God can can each of us is the gift of Himself. Open this gift everyday and know the wondrous value of knowing and trusting Him. 

“It is good to praise the LORD” Ps.92.1 NIV Conversations Within” ts 1/13/2020

“The changes somehow frighten me but still I have to smile. It turns me on to think I’m growing old.” “Poems Prayers and Promises” John Denver’

There is a graceful ambiance surrounding those who have made their peace with aging. A humble acceptance of God’s designs promotes such maturity. There is as much beauty in the autumn and winter years of life as in the spring and summer. It is an honor to live long, to see gray mist settle upon one’s beard and brow. As it is said by one poet, “Grow old with me! The best is yet to be.”

“Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you.” Is.46.4 Conversations Within” ts 1/11/2020

“You have to embrace getting older.” Meryl Streep

There is joy when we learn to age with grace. A gentle acceptance bows to this wisdom of God that is expressed in our fallen world. Growing old is more than the way of it, it is the best way God has found to deal with a world of people out of sync in order to get us all back on the same page. Age has its beauty as well as its pains.

“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” Prov.16.31 “Conversations Within” ts 1/10/2020

“Live long and prosper.” Vulcan Salutation

We ordinarily consider a long life as a desired blessing. I think God would have us think so as well, even though His son Jesus only lived into His early thirties. God has special assignments for some that involve a shorter stay in this place. But on the whole I think we should seek the blessings of growing old and see it as a gift from His hand. In any case, embrace the life you have right now, and use your time in this place wisely. Life is too precious to waste.

"With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation." Ps.91.16 “Conversations Within” ts 1/9/2020

“The Lord has appointed the day for my death. I need not concern myself with that, only that I am ready when He comes for me.” Stonewall Jackson

There is an appointed day for each of us. If I know anything about my Father, He has already made provision for it. My departure from this place will not take Him by surprise nor will I find His grace lacking when the moment comes. I too do not want to be caught unaware when the moment arrives. Travel with your bags packed--your affairs in order, ready to depart when the call comes and the Son’s light touches your face. 

“And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.” Ps.139.16  “Conversations Within” ts 1/7/2020

What good is existence if it is not life?

It is not so much the number of years that we achieve, as it is the quality of life in them. Both are the gift of God. The question is how to open these precious gifts? Well, accept them of course by accepting Him into your life. C. S. Lewis put it this way. “Once a man is united to God, how could he not live forever?” God invites us to life by inviting us into partnership with Him. We accept His invitation to embrace the joy of life this very moment and into the next.

“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom.6 “Conversations Within” ts 1/7/2020

“Prescription for long life...Eat half as much, Walk twice as much, Laugh thrice as much, Love without measure.” Tibetan Proverb

The Creator offers His own list for a long life. Reverence His place in all things. Honor your parents, and respect authority. Value wisdom. A wise life adds up to a long life. All in all make healthy choices and shun reckless and foolish ones. Grow in wisdom and let it give hands and feet to your expressions of faith and love. 

“For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.” Prov.9.11 “Conversations Within” ts 1/6/2020

“Ain’t no hill for a stepper.“

This is one of my favorite sayings shared with me by one of my favorite friends. Interestingly enough He shared it with me when I was walking miles everyday in head high Mississippi cotton. It brings home the great value of attitude when facing the challenges of life. Embrace an attitude that focuses on getting it done, and enjoying it, rather than getting stressed out over having to do it.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Rom.8:37 “Conversations Within” ts 1/5/2020

“Easy Street”

It is proper to say that God makes our path straight and clear. Does this imply that it will be easy? My own experience as well as the life of Jesus leads me to believe that this is not always so. Yet, Christ did say that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. How should we understand this? Well, it is the gentle and humble heart of Christ that levels the path, and lightens the load. A humble attitude knows how to take it easy, and this alone may very well be the one thing that makes our way easy.

“The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous.” Isaiah 26:7 “Conversations Within” ts 1/4/2020

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

Progress under God’s direction is always purposeful and positive. However slow, and, it may seem ever so slow, progress is progress. This is especially true where character development is concerned. Moving in the right direction is what matters most. This is a personal journey and we have the direction of a personal God who gives customized guidance. 

“I will guide you with my eye upon you.” Ps.32.8 “Conversations Within” ts 1/3/2020

“I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going. And I have trained myself to love it.” C. JoyBell

Sojourning is an attitude as much as a manner of living. Move through life, and learn to accept that much of it is not knowing where you are going. Find happiness in the transitional stages, and with the confident faith that while the details may be unknown to us, our Navigator knows exactly what He is doing,

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”Heb.11.8. “Conversations Within” ts 1/2/2020

”There is nothing better than the right word at the right time.” Unknown

It is truly liberating to get the word to go when you have been waiting to do so. Living life on hold can press your patience. But let "patience have its perfect work," and when you haven’t gotten the word to go, listen to that wise word, that when the time is right, God will give you the thumbs up, not before. Sometimes we must wait for it in order to possess it.

“A person finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word!” Prov.15.23 “Conversations Within” ts 1/2/2020

”One of the names of Jesus is “Wonderful Counselor.” Seek His counsel in everything.”

It would be impossible to overestimate the value of God’s counsel. His wise prescriptions always lead us down the path of life, health and peace. His sweet counsel is more than knowing wrong from right, which is valuable enough, His word also teaches us the very best outcome to pursue, and the best way to pursue it.

“I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel… Ps.16 “Conversations Within” ts 1/1/2020

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” Eleanor Roosevelt

A new year needs new mercies from God. He already waits for us there with an abundant supply. The new year can only come to us one day at a time, and so we need new blessings every single day. If the center of your life is to please God, then know that He is pleased every time we look to Him for fresh expressions of grace and the new mercies amply waiting us.

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lam.3.22-23  Conversations Within” ts 12/31/2016

”Happy New Year!”

We have a new year, now the heart’s desire is that it be a “Happy” one. Happiness is so many things to each of us. Are you happy, and if not why? Our daily life can nurture and deepen it, or keep it always just out of our reach. Center your life, not around temporal pleasures but around all that is life indeed. Rise each day in the pursuits of loving others and happiness will follow you all the days of your life.

"Those who abide in love, abide in God and God abides in them." 1Jo.4.16 Conversations Within” ts 12/29/2016

May you rise each day, not for money, but for the joy of your work.

If we desire God’s blessing on our new year, we surely must include our work seeing that it will make up a large part of it. I have always believed that our work should be an expression of the gifts, talents and resources that God has entrusted to us. Use whatever is in your power to lay hold of an abundant life. Find joy in the labor of your hands and His joy will rise to meet you every day. 

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” Conversations Within” ts 12/29/2016