A sick person hopes to get well. A person in pain hopes it will subside. A pregnant mother hopes to deliver a healthy child. Hope is sandwiched between faith and love, and shapes the direction and energy of them both. Hope may look to the future, but hope focuses on how we will use the present moment to journey there.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1
This is the Good News indeed, or the Gospel as we call it. When death came to Christ and touched Him, it was not Christ, but death itself that was forever changed. The door, which carried us away from God's presence, was made into an entrance into His presence. God has taken the sword of our enemy, and turned it into a healing scalpel. Believe
“…grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…Jesus has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the good news.” Conversations Within ts 2/19/2023
Staying in shape is one thing that comes to mind. Sit it out a few innings, and you know what I mean. It is so easy to lose it, and so hard to get it back. That is the nature of life under the sun. To humbly accept this is to embrace the wisdom of God. This struggle is one of the ways He reminds us that we are just passing through. We are journeying to a home we have never been before.
“Set your hope fully on the
The Greek word for “teacher” is person who extends their hand as people often do when talking. It would not surprise me to find that a cultural word for humility describes one sitting at the feet of another. Be teachable.
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I am not convinced that God wants us to have a religion so much as He desires to have a relationship with us. But if we are to practice anything religiously, we would be hard pressed to find something better than a life of kindness and love.
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 2/15/
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Compassion is the fruit of the humble heart. A truly humble person is first and foremost a compassionate person. It comes from a sober judgment about oneself, and the simple truth, we are not in it alone, and everyone needs help from time to
“Bear one another’s burdens.” Gal.6.2 Conversations Within ts 2/14/2023
The political arena, second only to the family arena, provides us an excellent opportunity to practice kindness. It is not in the company of those who agree with us, but who disagree with us, that kindness is put to a great test. It has been said many ways, that how we speak about others is not a reflection of them, but of our own heart.
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Eph.4.29 Conversations Within ts 2/12/
Compassion knows no boundaries. A compassionate person will show kindness to an enemy with as much ease as to a friend. Compassion helps us to see the need in others no matter who they are, and then moves us to meet it. Compassion is a condition of our heart, not conditions to be met by others before we treat them with love.
“If you love those who
Despite our feelings, we can choose a compassionate response in our conversations. Compassion can help us sincerely listen to others, which sometimes requires that we hear the hurts hidden in another’s harsh words. Do not get drawn into an arguing or accusing spirit. Spill only kindness when bumped by others.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Prov.15.1 Conversations Within ts 2/10/
I can honestly say, like so many others, that “I am my own worst enemy.” It seems like God is always rescuing me from myself. I am grateful that God helps me, even when I am the main reason I need help in the first place.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb.4
God has made it easy for us to know if we are walking with Him. if our lives bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, etc. we are. The moment we do not see these things, we aren’t.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..” Gal.5 Conversations Within
To hang around humans for any period of time makes it easy to appreciate God’s grace. We are a selfish lot. He abounds in love and compassion despite our many shortcomings. Is there any reason why He should not ask the same from us in our dealings with our imperfect brothers and sisters.
“If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we
The realization that my strength is, and will never be enough, puts me in the perfect position to discover all that God desires to be for me. It is in this humble state of mind that God’s grace can be energized in me.
“My grace is
What we affirm to be true, the attitude we have, and our actions all define the person we are. The final measure is not what we know, but what we do. Wisdom is doing. A wise person considers what they do, but a wise person is a doer.
“Be a doer.” James.1 Conversations Within ts 2/4/
It does not surprise me that God chooses to speak to me in my thoughts, and not in my eardrums. I inwardly talk to myself, or listen to my conscience, I even hear what I am sure is evil talking, but God’s voice is unmistakable. He speaks to me in circumstances, in the Bible, in nature, in the voice of others, but nothing compares to a resounding personal word.
"Speak, for your servant is listening." Samuel Conversations Within ts 2/3/
Most older people can relate with this.” If I knew then what I know now.” The wisdom that comes from experience can be passed down to a younger generation. Better to learn and live, than live and learn. Still, I find myself envious of youthful strength. As an old man I can work smarter not harder, but I find great comfort and feel more secure when my young sons are around and strength is needed.
“The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.” Prov.20.29 Conversations Within ts 2/2/
My brother, a physical therapist, once told me that you know you are getting old when you stop getting on the floor. Since that time, my wife and I have practiced getting on and off the floor most days. But more than just the physical aspects, staying young is an attitude of the heart, one that never lets go of the simple inquisitive joys of just being alive.
“I have come that you might have life, and have it abundantly.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 2/1/
I love watching the energy of children. And, even though mine has waned through the years, my heart is right there with them as they run and play. There are some things that we should never grow out of, only deeper into. Nurture the inquisitive, playful, and pliable heart of a child. Do not forget how to play.
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Surely if God takes pleasure in the play of animals in the field He delights in our own enjoyment of it. If life is devoid of play, life is devoid of life. Rise to watch the sunrise, take time to see it set. Lie on your back and connect the stars or watch leaves come in for a landing. If you wish to feel the pleasure of God, do not forget how to play in the fields of the Lord.
“And all the beasts of the field play there. ” Job 40 Conversations Within ts 1/30/
Can you picture Jesus playing? Well, I would think that when He walked on the water and surprised the disciples, that it would have been nothing, if not pure fun. And, who doesn't play when they have a child in their lap. I bet He loved bouncing them on His knees.
“Let the little children come to me.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 1/29/
I am grateful for another day. Let me be equally grateful for the opportunity to overcome any challenges that rise up in it. Why wouldn’t I give thanks for chances to develop the spiritual muscles of a Christ like character? Lord, teach me to smile with confidence at every challenge.
“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Jesus Conversations
Kindness finds a way. Kindness will often pair up with creativity to help others. If there is ever a time to improvise, adapt, and overcome, it is when kindness demands that we discover a way to address any challenge to help others in need.
“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 1/26/2023
I find in the course of a day that any number of things can steal my peace if I let them. Jesus encourages my heart that all is well, when my soul is well with God. He has removed everything standing between us, and promises to restore wholeness to my every concern. Peace is the condition of our heart when it is reconciled to God.
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.” Conversations Within ts 1/
When hardship hits, put on your game face. Embrace the training it offers. It is not our hardships, but the lesson we can take away from them that matters. Our inner life is nurtured and matured in the arena of affliction.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Heb.12.11 Conversations Within ts 1/25/
