Life is worth it. Give it a worthy effort. Put your heart into whatever you do. Embrace every activity that needs your attention and give it fully. On the whole decide to play life offensively, robustly, with bold energy. Choose a home plate that really matters and give it your best.
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2Tim.1.7 Conversations Within” ts 4/20/2020
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True humility does not over or underestimate one’s value. Instead humility helps us see ourselves in truthful light and to act in a manner that reflects it. We must often see our weaknesses before we can truly realize our strengths. We have both. There is no pride in knowing one’s strengths as long as we realize having them is similar to knowing the color of our eyes.
“Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 1Cor.2.23 Conversations Within” ts 4/17/2020
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You don’t have to feel it to make it real. A clear mind knows that our reality and the way we feel about it are two differ things. God loves each of us, even when we don’t feel it. Peace is often something you do before it is something you feel. Live life by what you know is good, right and true, not by fickle feelings.
“Be sober minded…” 1Pet.5.8 Conversations Within” ts 4/17/2020
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It is wise to accept the limitations in life. Several of them are set out as a measure of God's grace and wisdom. We will not live forever in this place, and it is wise to make our peace with it. This is not to say that we should not strive for health, but to recognize that as we age it is normal to see our strength decline. Our future appointment with death is certain as is our appointment with our Maker.
“It is appointed unto men once to die and after this comes judgment.” Conversations Within” ts 4/16/2020
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I have gotten pretty good at telling people I’m sorry, I just wish I didn’t need to say it so often. I think it is good to be able to see your faults, but better to deal with and forsake them.
“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” Psalm 51:3 Conversations Within” ts 4/15/2020
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It is wise to consider our words, and perhaps wiser simply to not say any. Learn the grace of holding back, of using words like salt. Use speech sparingly. It is easy to over salt a conversation. Season with words, don’t dump them all over people.
“Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.” Prov.17.28 Conversations Within” ts 4/14/2020
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If I learn anything from listening to myself talk, is that I talk too much. I need to pay more attention to the quality of what I say, and reduce the quantity. Speak only if somethings needs to be said, and say it with fewer words, and always with kindness.
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Ps.19.14 Conversations Within” ts 4/13/2020
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Do I look for ways to encourage people? When I think about it, I want to spread positive energy everywhere I go. It is so simple to thank someone for their service. I remember once telling a group of old veterans how much I appreciated my freedom because of their service. Later that day, a young man came up to me who had overheard, and told me how much my grateful words to the veterans had impacted him, and he thanked me. Sow positive vibes.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” 1Thess.5.11 Conversations Within” ts 4/12/2020
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I am increasingly convinced that listening to what we “want” to say before we say it, can reveal how in step we are to the spirit of this world or the Spirit of Christ. Before airing my words, I would be wise to ask what benefit will my words bring to the hearer, and whether I should say it at all.
“Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Ps.141.3 Conversations Within” ts 4/11/2020
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Neither be commanding nor condescending in speech. Consider that the tone of our words often overshadows what is said. Lord, teach me to not only tune my words, but the tone I use when speaking them.
“Let your conversation always be seasoned with grace.” Col.4.6 Conversations Within” ts 1/31/2020
I am yours Lord and You are mine. All your promises are “Yes” in Christ. I gratefully accept all you set on the table this day, I join you in the joy of this moment. Direct me with wisdom in the path of love and service. Enrich my life with the Spirit of humility, simplicity, gentleness and compassion. And find me Lord doing these things when You come.
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Rom.12 “Conversations Within” ts 4/9/2021
Greet the day with a smile. Truly, why not greet everything with one. An obstacle can be transformed into an opportunity and every trial into character training, by simply smiling inwardly and reminding yourself who holds your future. Hold the present moment in the confidence of all that is promised, and smile because of who promised it.
“This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps.118.24 “Conversations Within” ts 4/8/2021
Adding a smile to our words is like sprinkling them with kindness. It may just be that something should not be said at all, if it cannot be said with a smile.
“A glad heart makes a cheerful face...” Pro.15 ESV “Conversations Within” ts 4/7/2021
Nurture a friendly disposition. Purposefully practice being friendly, and not just to people but to every living thing. Communicate with a smile, and live in such a manner that people would experience the delights of unconditional friendship.
“I have called you friends.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 4/6/2021“Conversations Within” ts 4/6/2021
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I love being happy. When I am not, I have the perfect opportunity to make whatever adjustments to my attitude that will restore it to me. I have discovered what many have, attitude, more than circumstances shapes our joy.
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Phil.4.11 “Conversations Within” ts 4/3/2021
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We might question whether everyone can win, especially in our competitive world. But even when we lose we can win, if we sincerely rejoice in the victories of another. Winners have learned to direct their energy toward loving others and away from self-centered pursuits. If you want to win, adopt the attitude of Christ on the path of love and service.
“I have told you these things that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 4/3/2021
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Everybody I know has had a bad day. When we do, the last thing we need is for others to treat us badly in response to it. Be good to people having a bad day. Give them room to express it. Be there for them and remember the last time you had one. That’s part of the wonder and beauty of compassion.
"Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Colossians 3:12. “Conversations Within” ts 3/25/2021
Lord incline my heart away from judging, from criticizing, and condemning. Work in me instead to see with eyes of compassion, understanding, and empathy. I ask your help with this especially when I disagree with others. Help me learn not what I think is good, but what is actually good, and once discovered, to give my best efforts to work positively toward it.
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.” Is.1.17 “Conversations Within” ts 3/24/2021
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Our hope of Heaven is like our hope of springtime; not if it will happen, but when it will happen. Christian hope is not wishful thinking but a yearning and patient expectation.
“Come Lord Jesus!” Rev.22.20 “Conversations Within” ts 4/1/2021
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I am pretty sure that God does not want His children stressed out by life. He repeatedly tells us to not worry or be afraid and offers us instead a life of peace when we place our trust in His unfailing love. Lord teach me to live with ease and grace and to accept your invitation to live in the joy of the present moment.
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but only one thing is needed.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 3/27/2021
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I love that God calls Himself the God of hope and that He wants us to overflow with it. It is as though He is saying keep on hoping and I will keep on granting fulfillment. How great is my hope. I can hope for a lot, but I am sure my hoping will never outdo His ability to satisfy. Can we ever hope too much?
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Rom. 15 “Conversations Within” ts 4/2/2021
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I am not sure that all my desires qualify, but there are many things that I want that will not be satisfied in this life. One very important one, is that it will end. I find life so wonderful that I could do this forever. This is my sincere hope as a Christian. Wishful thinking? If the resurrection of Christ is a myth, then it is. I am coming to realize that His resurrection is the single greatest support for the hope I have of so many things.
“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” “Conversations Within” ts 3/28/2021
When our lab died, I remember going down to her favorite lake; I pitched a stick in the water and prayed, “Lord Jesus, all my hopes are in you.” I do hope to meet my dog in glory. We are not told many details about life in Heaven but we can be sure they are all glorious. One reason we can know this is simply because Jesus is looking forward to it, and He knows all the details. We can not only trust Him to get there, we can trust Him for what is waiting there for us when we do.
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” “Conversations Within” ts 3/29/2021
The end of the matter in this place and time is not the end. The final review is coming. The final word will be spoken. All matters will be settled, and infinitely so.
“Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1Pet.1.13 “Conversations Within” ts 3/30/2021
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The hope of hopes began in darkness, in suffering and death. But, as poetically expressed by one author, the death of death was realized in the death of Christ. The cross narrative echoes the end of all human suffering. The resurrection narrative announces the beginning of all glory. The gift has been paid for, there is nothing left to pay on this transaction, Open the gift of forgiveness, of reconciliation with God, of life itself.
“It is finished!” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 3/31/2021
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