I wish you a good day today, and that it will add up to a good year, and so on, to a good life.

 It is not so much a New Year that matters as it is a new day has dawned, and how I use the precious time entrusted to me. Make it a point to live a good day today, tomorrow is in this day’s keeping.

“Wealth gathered little by little makes it grow.” Prov.13.11 Conversations Within ts 12/27/2022

“Never quit!” Meme

Ever had a day when you just blew it? It happens, and I would venture to say it happens to everybody. Don’t let wounded pride take your focus away from what needs doing. Get over yourself, and pursue love. 

“Though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up…” Prov.24.16 Conversations Within ts 12/27/2022

“Struggle is our friend for it takes us to the edge of all we can control and exposes our need for God. What safer place is there to be?” Lynda Barron

The struggle is real for us all. So too, is the opportunity to deepen our faith in the midst of it.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1 Conversations Within ts 12/6/2022

The quality of my interactions on the journey is why I hope for greater goodness in my final destination.

I sojourn as a lifestyle. Even so, I ultimately sojourn in order to settle down in green pastures. Life is a journey, but it is also the destination. It is good to refocus, and renew our hearts to desires worthy of life. Call it a New Year’s resolution, call it what you will. Just call it, and keep the vision at the top of your priorities.

“Without a vision the people perish.” Prov.29 Conversations Within ts 12/26/2022

Define your life’s center; remind yourself every day what it is; and measure every activity by asking, is what I am doing right now to express it?

String all the moments of this day together into a good life. Start with this moment. Be sure that you know what is good.

“The Lord is good.” Ps.100 Conversations Within ts 12/26/2022

“Filter your pain through the brevity of this life and the unending beauty of the next.” Max Lucado

 Without apology, Jesus encourages us to center our hope and dreams on everything eternal, over, even against everything temporal. This doesn't mean He isn’t concerned about our life in the here and now. It simply means everything that truly matters now can follow us. If it can’t, it won’t matter.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:1 Conversations Within ts 12/5/2022

”That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” Linus

 If there is any one message God wants us to take away from Christmas, it is not that we just love one another, although that is a close second, and the natural evolution of the first. The message of Christmas is how much God loves us, and that because of the crib and the cross, He is able to be just and loving at the same time.

“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them.” 2Cor.5.19 Conversations Within ts 12/25/2022

“Peace on earth? I would settle for peace in my home.”

If we are not mindful, the joy of Christmas can be lost in the rush of trying to celebrate it. Trying to get everything just right, decorations, meals, and presents can turn an intended celebration into chaos. Remember Martha trying to feed Jesus and the disciples getting all out of sorts because her sister Mary wasn’t living up to her expectations. Keep your celebrations simple and all your preparations a wonderful part of them.

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 12/23/2022

“Now the story of Christ is simply a true myth: a myth working on us the same way as the others, but with this tremendous difference that it really happened… C. S. Lewis

 Christians are asked to believe some amazing things in the Bible, no less in the story of Christmas. The virgin birth of Christ is one of many miracles cherished by Christians. This miracle, and others are not fabricated amendments to the stories about the life of Jesus. The miracles surrounding Christ are the story. God coming to dwell with us is nothing less than miraculous.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way.” Matt.1 Conversations Within ts 12/14/2022

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Albert Einstein

I have no trouble with the miracles recorded in the Bible simply because most of what I see everyday is no less a miracle. It is like God says, “Merry Christmas” to us every day in all the wonders of life. How much more when He decides to become a baby and enter the world as one of us? Miracle of miracles!

“So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.” Conversations Within ts 12/14/2022

“I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I'm quite a baby.” Ebeneezer Scrooge

 Love everyone. Don’t just love the deserving. Love the unlovely. Love your enemy. Love haters. They need to be loved the most. Who knows, our love may transform a Scrooge into a friend. Celebrate your faith with loving kindness toward all.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1Jo.4 Conversations Within ts 12/18/2022

Tis the season. Tis always the season.

Leave people, animals and places better than you find them. Give someone an encouraging word, help a turtle cross the road, pick up trash left by others. Carry extra food in the car to give to the homeless. Adopt a pet. Plant a tree. Pursue a lifestyle of showing kindness. 

“Be kind. (The Good Book) Conversations Within ts 12/14/2022

When you see someone in need, you don’t ask how they got there, you help them out.

I recently saw a moving video that shows a turtle on its back in water struggling to upright himself. Fellow turtles swam toward him and working together they helped turn him over. What impressed me is that not a single turtle stayed on the side lines asking how that turtle got himself in that fix. They all just stopped what they were doing, and saved him.

“If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?  1Jo.17 Conversations Within ts 12/14/2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDrZmbtwWsY

“The optimist says, "My cup runneth over, what a blessing." The pessimist says, "My cup runneth over, what a mess.” Meme

I have grown dissatisfied with the fruit of negativity. There is no joy in it. You would think that this alone would be enough for us to purge it from our lives. Embrace gratitude and experience the positive vibe of joy. 

“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.” Ps.23 Conversations Within ts 12/4/2022

Fortune doesn’t smile on people, God does.

To have God’s favor is everything. As I understand it, His favor is mainly conditioned upon His own goodness, not our own. This does not mean that we cannot move Him to show us favor by adopting attitudes and actions that please Him. He does, after all, give grace to the humble.

“Abraham was now very old, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.” Gen.23.1 Conversations Within ts 12/3/2022

The one sacrifice that we can all give to the Lord is the one thing He has first given to us, and that is our life.

 Sacrifice is sometimes necessary when we love. But whatever is sacrificed, God has already made provision for it. Every breath we use to praise God is first borrowed from HIm. Every sacrifice we make on His behalf is first provided by His gracious hand.

“God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” (Abraham to Issac on the mountain where it was provided) Gen.22 Conversations Within ts 11/30/2022

“It was his time.” Kingdom of Heaven (the movie)

I am going to die. This is a fact of life. It is what it is, I can do nothing to alter the appointment. Oh, there are a few things that I can do about it. I can fret or worry about it, or I can make my peace with it. In either case, I will most certainly cross the river. Unless of course, and this is a big “unless,” unless Jesus decides to return before I do. That would be more than fine with me. “Come Lord Jesus!”

“all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Ps.139 Conversations Within ts 11/30/2022

"It is solved by walking." St. Augustine.

Walk everyday for physical health. Keep in step with the Spirit for spiritual health. Walk in love for healthy relationships. Walk wholeheartedly for contentment. Everything we do promotes health or not. Why do anything that's unhealthy? Why not do everything that is?

“May you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.” 3Jo. Conversations Within ts 11/29/2022

Wake to the moment, then stay there!.

I reflect a great deal on being in the present moment, probably because I struggle to do so. I am always headed off somewhere, even though I can only be one place at a time, and can only live one moment at a time. Bring it down to now. Rein in every wandering thought that has nothing to do with now. Just be.

“I am” God (telling His name to Moses) Conversations Within ts 11/28/2022

“If God should have a reasonable defense for being the god who permits war, poverty, and disease, [modern man] is ready to listen… The trial may even end in God’s acquittal. But the important thing is that man is on the bench and God is in the dock.” C. S. Lewis

Dare I judge God? Forgive me Lord, but You know I have. Then I realize that any justice or goodness I use to pass judgment on You, is You. All I know of goodness is from You.

“Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Abraham Conversations Within ts 11/26/2022

Because I said so

Children often ask parents “Why.” Parents will often answer, “Because I said so.” Our Father in Heaven seems comfortable saying the same thing to us. I may not understand, in fact He doesn't require my understanding, He requires my trust and my obedience. It boils down to this, “Father knows best.”

“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.” 1Pet.1.14 Conversations Within ts 11/25/2022

“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” Helen Keller

It is often said that some people get all the breaks; while others clearly do not. How are we to make sense of God’s love in light of those blessed with something as simple as sight and those born blind. Well, it is often the blind who help us see so very much.

“Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD?” Ex.4.11 Conversations Within ts 11/24/2022 

                                                Bettman Archive

“Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King Jr.

Trust is fundamental to any relationship, especially with Someone who asks us to take Him at His word for so many things. It has always come down to faith, where God is concerned. Truly, many died without seeing what God promised would come to pass. But who can deny that He kept His promise to Abraham. 

“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing…and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Gen.12 Conversations Within ts 11/23/2022

“Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end. ”John Lennon

“How can God tell us not to be afraid, when He let Jesus suffer so horribly at the cross? How does He expect us to believe that everything will be alright, in light of all the suffering He allows in the world? Well, He did tell us that in the world we will have tribulation, and then followed it by saying, “I have overcome the world.” Every encouragement to not be afraid is followed by the encouragement to trust that He has written the final chapter. Conversations Within ts 11/22/2022

“Do not be afraid.” God

One encouragement, often repeated by God in the Bible, is the comforting words. “Do not be afraid.” It means a great deal to me to know that God wants us to feel safe. Is there any greater feeling than knowing that “Every little thing's gonna be alright.” Believe it!

"Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." Jesus Conversations Within ts 11/22/2022

“Not all who wander are lost.” J.R.R. Tolkien

My wife and I are sojourners. We camp as a lifestyle, and know the wonder of wandering. We also know the value of living with purpose, not drifting aimlessly without ties to family, friends and community. It is one thing to wander with purpose and another to waste time wandering without one.

“You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” (The LORD to Cain after he killed his brother Able) Conversations Within ts 11/11/2022

“It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.” Mark Twain

 There are some things in the creation narrative over my head. I do not need to understand why God forbid certain things. It should be enough for me to take note that God takes disobedience seriously and so should we. Therein lies the moral of the story.

“‘Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?’” Gen.3 Conversations Within ts 11/10/2022

”It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” Chinese Proverb

Work your problems, don’t let them work you. Contribute, don't complain.

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Prov.14 Conversations Within ts 11/10/2022

I long for the day when I can run through a world naked and feel no shame.

I say “a world,” not this one, because innocence has been lost to me here in this place. I am well acquainted with the baggage of self. Heal me Lord Jesus, that I may become unacquainted with the pettiness of pride, and learn again to interact with everything untouched by judgment. Only your grace can restore us to innocence.

“Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” Gen.2 Conversations Within ts 11/9/2022

“If it's not going to matter in five years, don't spend more than five minutes being upset by it.” 5 by 5 rule

 I am starting to think that nothing is worth getting upset about, certainly insignificant stuff, but even over matters of great importance. A calm calculated response will always yield better results than an upset reaction. Let peace guide your reply.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And be thankful.” Col.3.15 Conversations Within ts 11/20/2022

“Peace train holy roller” Dolly Parton

I rose this morning thinking that we are entering, yet again, into the season of the Prince of Peace. But, In truth, the peace of Jesus is for every season. And, it is celebrated everyday, and every time someone says a simple prayer, believing that God has the best intentions for our lives. Hop aboard.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Conversations Within ts 11/21/2022

Hey cuz!

We are all sons or daughters of someone. We all descend from that first family. This of course means that we are all related. That young lady at the cash register is your kin. The old man passing you on the street has the same blood. Every single human soul on the planet is your relative. We each may have family, and that is important, but it should not keep us from loving the person in front of us. They too are kin. 

“I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” Conversations Within ts 11/12/2022

“Life is a Church” David Phelps

I am so grateful for family and friends. My true wealth is in my relationships. We bear witness to one another’s lives, and share all the many wonders of being alive. The open sky is our cathedral, and the joys and struggles of daily life is our church service. “Bless be the tie that binds.” Happy Thanksgiving!

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 11/19/2022 

“The things you take for granted, someone else is praying for.” Meme

The other day I was drinking a bottle of chocolate milk I grabbed on a whim in the store. How privileged we are to have so many wonderful pleasures at our fingertips. I can only imagine what a child in some poor third world country would think if they had a bottle of it. The simplest pleasures we take for granted, would be treasures to some. Lord help me remember this, the next time I want to complain.

“Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” Ps.103.2 Conversations Within ts 11/16/2022

Rainbows are reminders that God keeps His promises.

Reminders are good. I use them everyday or I forget things. There is a kind of active remembering when we purposefully observe something, like a birthday, Christmas, or Thanksgiving. We actively celebrate the value of these things to us. The rainbow’s value is not just in its beauty but in its message. Despite God’s disapproval of much of what we do, He is still gracious and forgiving.

“Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” Gen.9 Conversations Within ts 11/16/2022

“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.” George Santayana

Learning to stay in step, is a skill of healthy living. Knowing when to plant, when to harvest, when to rise and when to rest is wise. Our Father established the seasons, all of them. Do not despair a passing season, embrace and enjoy the season that is now. Be where you are.

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Conversations Within ts 11/15/2022

The morning you…

The other day, walking with my wife, I suggested a new goal I thought would be good for both of us. She perceptively remarked, “Sounds like the morning you.” After all these years, she knows that everyday I rise determined to live healthier and better, but often by the end of the day my determination has given way to some weakness. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. Thank God for the fresh resolve birthed in every new sunrise.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lam.3.22-23 Conversations Within ts 11/14/2022

“It's not easy to write an understated score over a loud one.” Alexandre Desplat

I was rereading the account of Creation in Genesis and came to the fourth day where God put the finishing touches on the skies above and read one short sentence, “He also made the stars.” Talk about an understatement! It’s like God said, “Oh yeah, let's sprinkle a few stars here for background!” I suppose He knew we would need something to keep us humble.

“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”Is.40.26 Conversations Within ts 11/8/2022

James Webb Telescope

“Do you think I wouldn’t obey my own rules?” Aslan

Recently, my spouse did me a favor, and in the process accidentally broke something. Now I could not help but wonder why God allowed it to happen, especially when she was acting in love. I mean why didn't He intervene, and reward her unselfish act? It helps to understand that what we call an accident is actually a result of the law of cause and effect written in the blueprints of creation by our wise Creator. Accidents happen. But whatever the effect, they can never affect, or undo God’s love and purposes for our lives.

“He who digs a pit may fall into it…and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.” Ecc.10.8-9 Conversations Within ts 11/8/2022

“It is not willingness to know, but willingness to DO (obey) God's will that brings certainty.” Eric Liddell

 Obedience is not a pleasant word in the ears of many adults, unless they are referring to children they are trying to raise. But it is precisely obedience that God wants from His children. This is never to be confused with forced compliance. Like love, true obedience to God is voluntary. The heart of true obedience is love and respect.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance…” 1Pet.1.14 Conversations Within ts 11/7/2022