There is no peace in an envious and jealous heart. The cure for envy is to love. Love seeks the blessing of others, not just oneself. Love will help us find ways to include, not exclude, to not possess but to promote sharing.
“Love does not seek its own.” 1Cor.13 Conversations Within” ts 4/21/
I would rather be content and watch its quiet joy flow over into whatever I do, than to just do stuff that makes me happy. Live life from within and create happiness, rather than looking for happiness outside you.
“Eat your bread with joy.” Ecc.9.7 Conversations Within” ts 4/20/
It is hard for me to confess that I am sometimes envious of attention, especially from my wife. I can be possessive, and would rather I spend the day with her rather than her spend the day with her daughters. Such possessiveness is unhealthy not only for me but for her. The energy of love flows out, never possessively in.
“Love is not jealous.” 1Cor.13 Conversations Within” ts 4/21/
Understanding that God made this day, appointed today, and made provision for it, means that we can count on Him to bless our efforts to live this day in the discovery of all He desires to be for us in it. Let the adventure begin!
“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps.118.24 Conversations Within” ts 4/19/2022
If we are dragging ourselves out of bed rather than rising up ready to greet the day, it may be that we need to make preparations for a better night’s sleep. Sleep is just as important as eating right and exercising where health is concerned. What changes can you make tonight to insure that your rest and refreshment will enable you to rise and shine tomorrow?
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid, when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” (Proverbs 3:24) Conversations Within” ts 4/18/
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Another day has been entrusted to us. How precious each passing moment. Accept the invitation of our Creator to wake to the joy of now. May the quality of our interactions match the Father's, so that when the sun sets, it will be as though we have lived a thousand years in this day.
“With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” 2
It does little good to desire what is good if we don’t know what is good. There is certainly a learning curve where good judgment is concerned. The place to learn wisdom is in the school of humility. Admitting that we don’t understand something is a good place to begin understanding it.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 Conversations Within” ts 4/17/2022
It is possible to be overly cautious, but on the whole it is wise to be careful. Don’t invent danger, but never ignore it. It doesn’t hurt to take note of what can go wrong in a situation, but people get hurt all the time from not paying attention.
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” Prov.22.3 Conversations Within” ts
I tend to overthink everything. Once we reach a place of cognitive rest about something, just live it with ease and grace. Don’t keep stressing over something you have already thought through. Let the energy of your life flow in the direction of doing. But one thing we should certainly do, is to think things through before we do them.
“As a man thinks in his heart, so he is.” Prov.23.7 Conversations Within” ts 4/12/2022
Emotions and desires serve us best when we choose to be guided by what we know is good, right and true. Unguided, emotions and desires can lead us into a prison of our own making. Our emotions and desires are not intended to lead the dance, but to follow the lead of all that is true. Be sure that what you think is true is actually true.
“And your will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 4/12/
The best way to stop hurtful words is to purge hurtful thoughts. Take caution first in what you think. Measure your thoughts and you will measure your words. Put up a flashing caution light in your mind that reads, “Is it kind? “Is it kind?” “Is it kind?”
“For the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 4/11/2022
We all have done something costly and foolish. Something as simple as not telling others where we are going, or impatiently crossing a median on an interstate instead of going to the next exit to turn around can be disastrous. Usually we have not thought something through before we do it. Moral of the story? Think through your words and actions before they become consequences.
“The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.” Prov.14.16 Conversations Within” ts 4/10/2022
Who could not be impressed by the unique life of Jesus when the leader of another world religion confesses Him. Consider also that the sacrificial death of Christ is pointedly praised by His resurrection. The miracle expresses God’s attitude about the life Jesus lived and the offering He made on our behalf.
“But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” Acts 2.24 Conversations Within” ts 4/10/
Jesus lived what He taught. His death on the cross was probably the greatest example of suffering abuse not only without seeking retaliation, but seeking to benefit the ones causing the abuse. To love those who hate you is to be a follower of the "Way" Be rad! Follow Jesus!
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 1Pet.3.9 Conversations Within” ts 4/6/
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I suppose I am putting all my eggs in the one basket that Jesus rose from the dead. Believing this is arranging my priorities and my pursuits on a daily basis. I do not mean I am trying to earn points with God to go to Heaven. I think that Heaven is already the possession of people who love, who choose the unseen over the seen and the eternal over the temporal.
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 4/5/
I think it is notable that God the Father chose Easter to coincide with Spring. What better season to celebrate resurrection. Spring is the rebirth of life. May your celebrations deepen your hope of all things eternal.
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish." Jesus Conversations Within” ts 4/4/
I want my celebrations of Easter to deepen my understanding that Jesus came not just for the world, but for me. He died for me, and rose for me personally. He decided that my life was worth the sacrifice He made. He loves and values my life, which simply, but profoundly means that so should
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3.16 Conversations Within” ts 4/2/2022
When I say that I hope to live forever, it is because the life I am learning to live today is giving birth to it. I am being reborn every day as I understand Jesus better. I am waking to the difference between love and lust, and between service and selfishness. My hope of Heaven is simply an extension of my experience of it, every time I choose to follow Christ in the here and now.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us
Some decisions are made once, and once made can’t be unmade. We simply live with the consequences of these choices. Other choices, some very good ones, have to be made every day if they are to bring the change we desire. The power to choose is a powerful thing. Make the choices you want to live with.
“Choose this day whom you will serve.” Josh.24 Conversations Within” ts 3/31/2022
My reactions to people do not always reflect the kind of person I want to be. Most reactions don’t. Wisdom teaches me that it is better to respond with kindness than to react with emotion. Jesus will not let me give up on learning this, even though I fail most days. If at first we don’t succeed….
“Love is kind.” 1Cor.13 Conversations Within” ts 3/29/2022
Adopt a gentle approach to living. Live with ease and grace. Be where you are. Attend to the challenges of each day with the smile of patience and kindness. Enjoy what you do by finding the joy in it. If you feel like you are fighting something, you probably are. Find the flow and live with the soulful rest that God promises.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 3/29/2022
Fire is a wonderful gift providing light, warmth and makes possible so many good and beneficial things. Our desires are no less a beautiful gift from God, and they too give precious meaning to so much in this life. But desire, like fire, must be managed properly. Let loose both can consume and destroy all that was given for our enjoyment. The hearth of gratitude is a safe way to enjoy everything.
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” 1Tim.4.4 Conversations Within” ts 3/28/
f you are not satisfied with the life you are living, ask yourself, “Why.” As for me, I have times at the end of the day where I am satisfied, and I have days when I am anything but. On the days that I am, I have usually followed Jesus down the path of loving and serving the people around me. Accept His invitation to discover this joy every moment of every day.
“I tell you these things so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 3/27/2022
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I am grateful for the enlightenment that comes from the Spirit of Jesus. He lights up the path that brings us joy and peace. When I follow Him, I experience them, when I don’t, well, I don’t. This is one of the reasons we see some very unhappy Christians at times. Christ promises to lead us in the path, but He never forces us to follow. All the submissions of love are voluntary.
“Be filled with the Spirit.” Gal.5 Conversations Within” ts 3/26/
Make sure that what you want now is what you always want, because the consequences of what we do now can follow us forever.
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1Jo.2.17 Conversations Within” ts 3/24/
