What I want out of the new year, is more what I want out of myself, and that is simply to love others more, and love them to a greater degree. I want love to really be the governing dynamic of my daily decisions. The reason this is a goal is because if i am honest, selfishness often is.
“May your love abound more and more…” Conversations Within ts 12/24/
This year, like others, has had its challenges. We have had to change a number of plans or abandon them all together. I am realizing that my personal peace fairs better when I simply embrace the inevitability that things won't always go as planned, and just be cool with it.
“The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Prov.
Every day we have the choice to be a better person than the day before. Our New Year’s resolutions might be better realized one day at a time, one choice at a time. What is one thing you can do today better than yesterday?
“Give us this day, our daily bread.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 12/19/
Most of us would settle for just having peace in our home. Peace is the binding together of what is broken. Jesus comes to bring peace with God, peace with others, peace within. His love is the glue that binds. Here is the path to peace on earth. It begins in the heart.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your
I bet you can think of something right now for which you are truly thankful. See how easy that is. Just keep dribbling that ball as you walk through this day and it is sure to be a great one.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving.” Ps.100 Conversations
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The greatest miracle of Jesus is when He figured out a way to forgive people without compromising justice. And, although there are many mysteries in this, we are never more like Him than when we forgive others. This means that we can share the greatest of His miracles every time we forgive someone.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” Jesus Conversations
Like the mother of Jesus, there is so much I do not know about Him. But, I am encouraged by what I do know. He embodies love and forgiveness. He refused to let the persecution of others deter Him from spreading His Father's purpose. Indeed, He spread blessings on them even as they crucified Him.
“Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus Conversations
The Spirit of Jesus encourages me daily to seek goodness for everyone without exception. His love beautifully moves us to cross the finish line, not ahead of others, but together.
“Love does not
Memories enable us to bring joy to the present by revisiting a beautiful moment in the past. What a chest of treasures is our power to remember and celebrate anew. Make memories, and store them up in your heart.
“Remember me.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 12/12/
I am hardly blameless, so when I consider all the goodness that God has sent my way I know He sees me through the eyes of grace. I do not understand its mystery, but God credits the blamelessness of Jesus to all who trust in Him.
“The LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” Ps.
It has been said that happiness is the primary motivation for every action of every person. Even so, the First Lady is right. Trying to muster feelings of happiness as a goal doesn’t work well. It is better that we train ourselves to discover happiness in goodness, and the actions that promote it.
“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Conversations Within ts 12/10/2023
Maintaining a positive attitude, even when faced with a serious situation, may be the difference between getting through it successfully, or not. I am not suggesting that we make lite of a serious moment, but there is beneficial energy to be tapped in those who are lighthearted.
“For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.” Prov.15.15
I am pretty sure that being serious about following Jesus is to get serious about helping people in need. I am not talking about the occasional act of kindness, but a delibert, strategic effort each day to address human suffering.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was
Let me love the world as God loved the world. He gave, let me also give. He sacrificed, let me sacrifice as well. Today let me show His love to the world by loving the person in front of me with kind action.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Conversations Within ts 12/7/
https://youtu.be/Sc8t6BZUSJs?si=Lz-NxRRwObEV7tWr
We are given the assurance that God will assist us when we are tempted. The real question is if we are serious about escaping them. The strongest desire always wins. Nurturing only healthy desires is His escape plan.
“God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your
Religion aside, the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus, by giving gifts, decorating with lights, and nurturing family memories all point to the remarkable life of Jesus, a life worth pondering. It is staggering to realize that over two thousand years after His birth, He is celebrated the world over. He is truly something else.
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took
How wonderful that so many people have crawled out of the hole of addiction and are living life breathing the fresh air of freedom. Equally wonderful is that this freedom is available to any and every person who desires it. “No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened.” C.S. Lewis
“Seek and you will find.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 12/4/
I realize that I am a “finish it” kind of person. This driven spirit is akin to the mountain climbing curse of “summit fever.” I want to teach myself how to enjoy the climb, working on a project, not just finishing it. Drive and take the scenic route, but don't be driven.
“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Ps.16.
God’s promise of an abundant life is not negated by anything this world can throw at it, unless we fail to meet any conditions He placed on it. It is wise to keep our side of a conditional promise E.g. God promises long life if we honor our parents. When we keep our side, we can be absolutely sure He will keep His.
“I am the gate for the sheep whoever enters through me will be saved…I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly. “ Jesus Conversations Within ts 12/2/
Jesus does not care much for pretense. He knows an act when He sees one, and importantly He wants us to know one too. The question I ask is, am I honest enough with myself to admit my own playacting?
“...on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” Jesus Conversations
I wake with the humble realization that I am given another day to enjoy. I intend to not waste it with worry or chasing after some temporal nothing when eternal joy is within my reach. Lord, I am ready. Let’s do this day, this moment!
“My times are in your hand.”
I have it better than I deserve. Blessings surround me every day. Lord help remind me just how good I have it if I ever complain, or feel sorry for myself. Forgive me for forgetting this.
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits…” Ps.103 Conversations Within ts 11/26/2023
I feel like God is teaching me how to trust Him with matters outside my control. Indeed peace is the fruit of doing so. Accept that there are many things in life over which you have no control, but with the knowledge that trusting God with it can make all the difference in the world.
“This is the confidence we have in
Some things must be repeated regularly to reap their benefits. It is not just action but consistent action that taps into the strength of doing them. Staying hydrated, eating healthy, exercise, and good sleep are hallmarks of health. Reading, reflecting and praying also promote spiritual health as does the exercises of loving others.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 11/25/
“Turning the cheek” is an attitude as much as it is an action. Christian love is at the core of this attitude. Love says I will seek what is best for you, even when you choose to abuse me. For Christ, this did not end at the cross where He paid for our sins, but will reach its greatest fulfillment when we sit at His table in glory and experience His love and care forever.
Love never fails.” 1Cor.13
Don’t wear your religion on your sleeve. Roll your sleeves up and get down to the business of loving people.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one
My first thought is that we should never talk about love in a hateful way. It is enough to praise two great Christian examples. Love everybody!
“Love is patient , love is kind.” 1Cor.13 Conversations Within ts 11/24/2023
There are so many wonderful opportunities available right now to enjoy the precious gift of life. Put your heart into it, commit your intentions to God’s care and go for it. But, do so with a humble realization, that if and when we accomplish them, it is because God has granted success or not.
“A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.” John the Baptist Conversations Within ts 11/20/
Let me deal with my own appetites rather than those of my neighbor. The best thing I can do for those I love is to deal with me, and leave them to deal with themselves.
“How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?” Jesus Conversations Within ts 11/19/
I find it interesting that there is a general interest in someone’s net worth. We want to know just how wealthy someone is. When the Good Book speaks of God’s glory it is speaking about His wealth i.e His value. Jesus invites us to discover and share in it. Indeed the “chief end” of our lives is to glorify God by enjoying all that He is for us.
“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the
I am bothered by imperfections like an misaligned picture frame or a smudge on my TV, or
We all stumble in many ways. James 3.2 Conversations Within ts 11/18/2023
I get the feeling that I have not asked enough from God. One day I am sure that I will wish I had asked for more. One reason is that Jesus says very clearly that praying and specifically asking is evidence that we abide in Him. We are never in a better position than when we are drawing sap from the Vine of Christ.
"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
A number of years ago I was having some health problems so I started a very strict diet. I was soon frustrated because I felt that all I was doing was thinking about food. One morning I asked God about it, and immediately I heard His reply, “Is not life more than food?” The fact that I already knew these words, and He simply reminded me of them, drove the point home.
“Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Conversations Within ts 11/
Try this on for size. Be happy, thankful, and filled with joy. Always be found celebrating life, feasting, and playing with delight every day. According to the Spirit of Jesus, this is always appropriate, the very best use of our time, and God’s will for each of us.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in
I am amazed by these video shorts that show celebrities, and the progression of their age from youthful beauty and strength to being wrinkled and weak with age. The transformation is staggering. Now that I am old, I see beauty in age, a different kind of beauty for certain, but beauty nonetheless. I also realize that it is our attitude that enables this sight, or blinds us to it.
“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life”
A friend once suggested to me that the “idea" of God was invented to explain everything we do not yet understand. Now I can appreciate that it is possible to find a scientific reason to explain away events that Christian’s credit to God. Of course, I believe that God is the very foundation of true science. Faith, after all, is faith, but believing doesn’t half to be blind or ignore reason.
“That
Someone you know is going through a dark time. Shine some light their way. An encouraging call, a text, a card or a visit can light up the darkness surrounding them. Rise with the sun this day to lift others up.
“You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” Ps.18.28 Conversations
We should not be surprised when we look to God for comfort and He sends us to comfort someone else. How marvelous that God would weave into the fabric of the world the simple equation that to give is to receive. It is absolutely impossible to bring refreshment to others without it splashing over on us.
“God of all comfort, who comforts
It is not so much the power of prayer, but the power of the One we pray to--and, not only God’s power, but His goodness. For what is God’s power without His goodness, and generosity to show it in answer to our prayers?
“Ask and it will be given to you.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 11/10/
In light of the remarkable assurance of Jesus that His Father will add to our lives every single thing we need if we simply put His kingdom first, it seems wise to know exactly how to do this. I would say that at the juncture of every decision, we should consider what He desires from us, and commit ourselves to His grace to do so. Because His Spirit lives in us, I think most of the time we already know what His will is, and we should simply do
“Seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things will be added to
A humble moment is when we tell ourselves the truth. A proud moment is when we tell ourselves a lie. Humility and honesty go hand in hand just as pride walks with self deception.
“There is more hope for a fool than for one who is wise in his own eyes.” So says the book of wisdom and so let my heart embrace it. Conversations Within ts 11/6/
I believe that true humility usually leads us to focus on others rather than ourselves. However, when we do think about ourselves, humility will lead us to do so in order to better serve others.
“Do nothing out of selfish
Contraptions can trap us in a wasteland of empty pursuits. Things are meant to serve us in our pursuit of the eternal, never imprison us to the trivia of the temporal. I use my smartphone every day. The trick is to not let it use me.
“For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the
