”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

Am I able to affirm that my life has been, and is even now a good one? Surely so! Much, if not most of this, is outside the influence of my own actions. I credit the God of Christ, not fate or dumb luck. I also credit God’s grace not my worthiness. Can I affirm that my life in the future will be a good one? Surely so! Here I have some influence. My faith in God’s continued mercies seems to be logical. I credit and thank Him for it all, and know behind it all, is God’s love for Jesus. 

“The lines have been drawn for me in pleasant places. I have a beautiful inheritance.” Ps.16 Conversations Within” ts 2/18/2020

“Little by little, a little becomes a lot.” Adage

Every towering redwood began as a small sapling inching it way upward. The Grand Canyon was carved one grain of sand at a time. Our journey into space began with a longing glance skyward. That great challenge in front of you is accomplished one step at a time. Begin. 

“Whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” Prov.13.11 Conversations Within” ts 2/17/2020

“The wealth of the soul is the only true wealth.” Lucian

If it is worth pursuing, keep at it till it is yours. Gain it little by little, walk it, climb it, finish it, acquire it one step at a time. The most important step of course, is deciding if it is worth having at all. Nurture a vision of true wealth and don’t be fooled into thinking that it is anything less than a loving relationship with God, with others, and with yourself. It is good to remember that this kind of wealth cannot be acquired with haste.

 “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” Prov.13.11  Conversations Within” ts 2/16/2020

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Henry Ford

As important as attitude is, it is not simply attitude that overcomes. God has the final say in all matters and if He favors our efforts we will certainly succeed. If not, well why would we want to? Sometimes His grace teaches us to conquer our own self-centered aspirations in order to be a true conqueror. Love teaches us to conquer what truly needs conquering. 

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Conversations Within” ts 2/15/2020

“The last three or four reps is what makes the muscle grow. This area of pain divides a champion from someone who is not a champion.” Arnold Schwarzenegger

I want to be a peaceful and patient person. The truth is that I get opportunities to practice both everyday. Life is a workout. We work out those spiritual qualities that the Spirit of God is working in us. Do not let distressing circumstances distress you but discipline you.

“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” “Conversations Within” ts 2/16/2020

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” William James

Learning to take your thoughts captive is one of the most valuable skills for a happy and peaceful life. When something happens, mindfully choose to think about it in a manner that is positive and peaceful. There are times that this will take some creative effort, but on the whole “the silver lining” is always there.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11 “Conversations Within” ts 2/16/2020

Think soberly!

 Worry clouds our ability to think clearly, as does fear, doubt, anger and a host of other emotions. All of them grow in the muck of our fallen nature. All of them can be and should be forsaken. Choose the fresh air of clear headed thinking. Focus on the spiritual as well as physical realities that govern life, and most of all remember that our Father in Heaven governs them all. 

“For no word from God will ever fail.” Lk.1.37 Conversations Within” ts 2/13/2020

“Instead of focusing on those circumstances that you cannot change – focus strongly and powerfully on the circumstances that you can.” Joy Page

Many things that stress us are mute points and we should learn to mute them in our thoughts. What I mean is that we often waste time and energy on matters that we can effectively do nothing about. Why not put our energy into matters under our control and leave everything else to God’s gracious hands. What we cannot change may certainly be addressed in our prayers. Any change there will have God’s blessings.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil.4.9 Conversations Within” ts 2/12/2020

“The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time.” Mozart

Life can be overwhelming. Stuff to do has a way of piling up, and often without any invitation on our part. It is the testimony of many productive people that the best approach is simply do one thing at a time, do it well and move on to what is next. I would add that if there is any fun to be had doing it, make it so. 

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps.118.24 Conversations Within” ts 2/11/2020

Happiness is making lists ...marking a task complete.

I make lists. Then I prioritize what to do first. I find that doing so not only helps me focus, it encourages me to get things done. Of course, making a list does not ensure that I will finish what’s on it no more than getting stuff done means that I am doing what really needs to be done. Productivity is not just doing, but doing the right things. The fruitful life, not only considers matters that really matter, but also then sticking with them until they are done. 

“Work brings profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” Prov.14.23 Conversations Within” ts 2/10/2020

”You can start over each morning.” Unknown

The maturity of our inner life isn’t a checklist kind of thing. We don’t wake up one day a completely humble or patient, or loving person. We always will need to nurture our character just as we need to maintain our physical health. I sometimes get frustrated because I think that at my age I should be further down the road where a mature inner life  is concerned. It seems that spiritual maturity, at least for us, is more like housework than finishing a painting. 

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” Heb.12.13 Conversations Within” ts 2/9/2020

“Until my ONE Thing is done — everything else is a distraction.” Gary Keller

Learning how to stay the mind is the skill that will not only lead us to the path of peace but help us to stay on it. Know what centers your life, then stay centered. Attend to the one thing you know needs to be done and do it. What is the one thing? For the child of God it is to know His will this present moment, and ask for His grace to do it. 

“Martha, Martha you are worried and upset about so many things, but only one thing is needed.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 2/8/2020

“The greatness of man's power is the measure of his surrender.” William Booth

The more we lose ourselves the further we find ourselves. The more we surrender, a greater freedom is ours. Give more, and we gain more. Let go and a greater increase will come to you.  The abundant life belongs to those who lay hold of a Christ-centered reality where love flows unhindered by only thinking of ourselves. 

“Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 2/7/2020

“There is no fate but what we make.” The Terminator (movie)

 I am comfortable with the understanding that God knows where I will be, and what I will be doing years from now. I can rest in the fact that since He already knows this, my choices, all of them, are set in the concrete of His foreknowledge. My choices are still my choices, and I see no contradiction in my ability to choose and His sovereignty over them. He is after all, the “Master Designer” and His wisdom can surely be trusted.

“He works all things after the counsel of His own will.” Conversations Within” ts 2/6/2020

“Jack, maybe a dogfight near a cheese farm is simply a dogfight near a cheese farm.” “The Way” (movie)

Sometimes a coincidence is just a coincidence. I remember once driving down the interstate and saw a billboard sign with the very words of a song that came on the radio the very moment I passed it. I did not take this a sign from God that I should become a country music singer. God can certainly use coincidence to communicate just as He can use all things. We should avoid the temptation to superstitiously read too much into events or incidents and instead nurture a heart that wills His will.

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”  Prov.16.3 Conversations Within” ts 2/5/2020

”When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don't, they don't.” William Temple

Is it a coincidence when I ask my wife a question and she answers? Of course not.  Is it a coincidence that when I ask God a question, He chooses to answer by speaking to my soul. He is after all a Spirit. Is it a coincidence that dinner is cooked daily, and the table set? Certainly not. Is it a coincidence that every day I have all I need for life? I think not. God may be invisible, but “He is here and He is not silent.”  “

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Rom.1.20 Conversations Within” ts 2/4/2020

“Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous." Albert Einstein

What we consider coincidence may very well be the deliberate design of God. Is it coincidence or design that most if not all living things live in some kind of symbiotic relationship . Consider the singular importance of the honey bee. They are crucial to the world’s food supply. They take but contribute as they do. Life is designed not to simply consume but to contribute.

“This is my command that you love one another.”  Jesus Conversations Within” ts 2/3/2020

“There are...no coincidences. All events are blessings given to us to learn from. Elizabeth Ross

I recently sat with a new friend and asked him what centered his life. He answered that “Jesus” did. When I asked him to explain what he meant, he replied “I blame Jesus for everything. If something good happens I blame Him, If something bad happens I blame Him. Then I talk to Him about it.“ I was impressed not only by his candor,  but his simple faith that God is in control of everything. We may not like how things fall out under God’s direction, and this is the reason why He invites us to talk with Him about it. 

“Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.” Ps.135.6 Conversations Within” ts 2/2/2020

“I will hold myself to a standard of grace, not perfection.” Unknown

It is often our unfulfilled expectations that get in the way of kindness. We expect people to drive the speed we do, and when they don’t, we get exasperated. We expect people to do things or see things the way we do, and when they don’t, our frustrations spill out instead of kindness. Slow down for kindness. Instead of demanding our way from others, we can demand grace from ourselves when interacting with them.

“Love is patient, love is kind….” 1Cor.13 Conversations Within” ts 2/1/2020

”Every beautiful thing you say to someone becomes a part of them and a part of you.” Bryant McGill

I struggle a great deal with the tone I use when I talk to people. I am guilty of talking to them instead of with them. My speech is  too loud, too dogmatic, too commanding and frankly too much. Pour a humbling grace upon me O Lord that I may fine tune not just my words but the tone of them. Let me communicate a gentle and quiet spirit in what I say, and how I say it. 

“Let your conversation always be seasoned with grace.” Col.4.6 Conversations Within” ts 1/31/2020

“There are no ordinary people.” C. S. Lewis

Kindness knows no prejudice. A kind person expresses it everywhere and to everyone. Be kind not just to friends and family but strangers and even enemies. It is sad when people refuse the company of critical and negative people in order to safeguard their own personal peace and tranquility. One reason is that negative and critical people are often the ones who need kindness. Conquer with kindness. 

“And if you are kind to those who are kind to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 1/29/2020

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” Unknown

I cannot think of a single reason why kindness should not rule our interaction with others. The simple truth is that we all struggle with attitudes and actions contrary to it. I still find myself talking at the people I love, rather than with them. I still get irritated and snap back at those closest to me. All in all, I think that kind actions grow in the garden of a gentle and humble attitude. Lord work on me, as I work on this.

“...as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col.3.12 Conversations Within” ts 1/28/2020

“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” Mr. Rogers

Love is, and isn’t many things. Love is kind, and is never envious. Love is patient and not easily angered. The negatives and positives all express the same commitment to goodness. I would think that the kindness expressed in love is deliberate. Kindness trains us to do something good for others. It also refrains us from doing something bad to others.  We choose to show goodwill in every interaction. Kindness is the redolence of a humble and gentle heart.

Love is kind.” 1Cor.13 Conversations Within” ts 1/27/2020

“Kindness is my religion.” Dali Lama

I really like this statement. It embodies much of what I believe about the Creator God we call Father. Love is kind and God is love. How unified is that? Kindness is the touch of love. It changes us when we express it, and changes others when we express it to them. What better activity should be religiously practiced.   

“Be kind to one another…” Eph.4.32 Conversations Within” ts 1/27/2020