Every unhappy moment can serve our awareness that something is not as it should be. I realize that when there is no joy or peace, I am giving into some distraction to simply embrace where I am. Listen, and return to the moment.
“Happy are the unhappy, for they will be comforted.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 5/23/2023
Do not be frustrated by things you cannot change. Accept with an attitude of faith that God knows what He is doing. It is what it is. It is as He has created it to be, or in His wisdom He has allowed. His grace is always sufficient for it.
“Consider what God has done: Who can
Contentment is realized one choice at a time. No matter what comes our way, we can be satisfied in the knowledge that our Father is loving on us, and as such, is always working everything for our good.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1Tim.6.6 Conversations Within ts 5/21/
We often make bad decisions because we foolishly believe that we have time to recover from them. The simple truth is that not even the next hour is guaranteed to any of us. Don’t get caught gambling with life when the buzzer sounds “times up!"
“You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4.14 Conversations Within ts 5/20/2023
I often feel the weight of my sins. The weight is more than I can carry. Jesus asks that I allow Him to carry them for me. The cost of my transgressions are more than I can pay. Jesus assures me to my great comfort. The debt is settled.
“It’s been paid.” Jesus on the cross Conversations Within ts 5/18/
When I bring my beliefs, and consequent actions into God’s light, I realize that I somehow have convinced myself that it is OK to fudge on certain personal morals. I mean, I know He condemns the behavior of those “other people” but surely He lets me
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Conversations Within ts 5/17/2023
Live with an aggressive love, the love that promotes only goodness. Abound everyday in actions that benefit everything and everyone you meet. Encourage, forgive, overlook offense, return blessing in response to hostility. Melt the cold cruelness of evil with the warm kindness of love.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom.12.21 Conversations Within ts 5/15/
Christian faith is more than wishful thinking, it is rooted in eyewitness history. I am reasonably certain that Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address. I’m just as certain that the disciples of Jesus saw and interacted with Him after He rose from the dead. I believe in the resurrection, as I believe that men walked on the moon. A wise faith is rooted in space and time, not religious fanaticism.
“He appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep…last of all he appeared to me also.” Paul the Apostle Conversations Within ts 5/15/
I want to be accessible. If I am too busy to serve others, I may be too busy, or too busy doing the wrong things. We were given life to be a gift to one another.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1Pet.4.10
I want my mind, surrendered to God's will, to lead the dance; my will to keep in step, and my emotions to follow happily along. Never lead the dance with just your feelings.
“’Love the Lord your God with all…” Jesus Conversations Within
Wisdom is a wonderful travelling companion. Wisdom seeks what is the best using the best approach. We know we are walking in wisdom when pleasantness and peace accompany us.
“The ways of wisdom are pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Prov.3.7 Conversations Within ts 5/11/
I am grateful that God’s grace has accepted me just as I am, but I am equally grateful that He is not leaving me that way. Accepting me does not mean that He is approving of my flawed attitudes and actions. He intends to enrich our lives, not leave us in our poverty. This is the first attitude spoken of by Jesus, because without admitting our spiritual poverty He cannot give us His wealth.
“Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 5/10/
There is a positive side to “reaping what you sow.” Sow goodness, and expect to reap goodness. Scatter seeds of kindness and watch a garden of grace spring up around you. Set compassion in motion and its energy will return to you seven times over. Live with the confidence that every act of love you show another will come back to you with interest.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 5/9/
Ideally, the love of feelings and the love of action merge into oneness. Until they do the love of action works well enough. I do not have to like someone, or agree with someone in order to love them. I can express the actions of love toward anyone, even an enemy.
“The greatest of these is love.” 1Cor.13 Conversations Within ts 5/8/
Feelings can sometimes get in the way of expressing the love of action. Hurt feelings, for whatever the reason, can tempt us to look at ourselves, rather than another’s well being. The energy of love as an action flows out toward others, never selfishly towards one’s self.
Love…does not seek its own; it is not provoked, it does not keep a record of wrongs. 1Cor.13.5 Conversations Within ts 5/7/
I do not always give it my best. When I ask myself why, I know my heart isn’t lined up with my head. When I was learning to surf I painted the Chinese word for “wholehearted” on my surfboard, right under my nose, to remind me to paddle, paddle, paddle with all my energy and focus. Its the only way to catch a wave and ride it if you catch my meaning.
“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 5/6/
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Work it by taking small steps, like your next step. A mountain of snow is laid one snowflake at a time. Ask yourself what can I do right now that will promote goodness in my life, my family, my world.
“Do not despise the day of small beginnings.” Zech.4.10 Conversations Within ts 5/3/
Having to stand by happens more often than we like. The good news is that we can change our approach to waiting. Instead of waiting on circumstances outside your control, wait instead for God. Understand that He is the one requiring you to wait, and always for good reason. Trust His wisdom, and embrace the waiting with creative energy.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” Lam.3.25 Conversations Within ts 5/3/
When I look in the mirror, I realize that there is too much of who I am, and not enough of the person I want to be. I am becoming, that’s for certain. Jesus is making sure of that. That was the deal when I invited HIm into my heart. I can see His life growing me, and my life changing from worm into winged beauty.
“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is” 1Jo.3.2
Jesus has made it clear that we should be willing to suffer persecution for the cause of love, but He never asks us to persecute anyone for any reason. There is no place for persecution in the heart of those who name His name and walk in the Way of His love.
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 4/30/
Ever felt trapped? Ill health, hard times, failing relationships, so many circumstances can leave us feeling this way. I appreciate that God will use such times to deepen our experience of His kind intentions. In this wondrous light, all hardship is His hand, stern at times, but always with the eternal purposes of His love. Appreciate the eddies as well as the flow.
“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Ps.139.5
I do not have control over everything that happens, but I do have control over my response to it. Approach life in control of your attitude, and discover that joy and abundance are found within you, not outside you.
“I have come that you might have
Live wholeheartedly. Put yourself into whatever you do. Do not perfection or let the fear of failure keep you from trying your best. Laugh off your mistakes, just keep playing and always play with gusto!
“Do it with all of your might.” Ecc.9 Conversations Within ts 4/27/
I can totally relate. This summary is true on so many levels. It is good to remember that we often wind up serving what we choose. And, this is just as true for a salad as it is for fries. Make choices that promote freedom not enslavement. This means we can have salad one day and fries another.
“Choose this day whom you will serve…” Josh.24.15 Conversations Within ts 4/26/
I believe this bit of wisdom offered by Lewis, but I still find myself at times, trading better spiritual vision for the eye candy and clickbait of this passing world.
“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mk.9.24 Conversations Within ts 4/25/
If I think this, say this, do this, will it be an expression of love? If not, then I am probably missing the mark of what really matters.
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love.” Gal.5.6
I remember asking God one morning if He really cared about the small matters on my daily to do list. My list for that day included putting a towing package on my truck for an upcoming camping trip. I asked Him if He really cared about something that simple. I kid you not, the phone instantly rang. It was a friend calling to ask for a favor. He wanted to borrow my truck to help him tow something he bought, and then offered to pay for a towing package for my truck.
“Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.” 1Pet.5.7 Conversations Within ts 4/23/2023
