A healthy question; “How will I feel after eating this?”

One benefit of growing older is learning the joy of choosing a smaller portion. A small taste can be more satisfying than a big one.

“If you find honey, eat just enough-- too much of it, and you will vomit.”Prov.25.16 Conversations Within ts 4/19/2024

"It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it." Lou Holtz

If day to day life is burdensome, it would be wise to find a better approach to dealing with it. I have witnessed the wisdom of an easy approach, one that doesn’t stress over life, but simply and gently responds to it. Ask God for daily bread and trust that He is providing it.

“Give us today's bread.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 4/18/2024

I have seen dogs with nothing but a stump for a tail but the stump was still wagging.

I saw a beautiful post the other day of a blind dog splashing  joyfully in a puddle of water. Splashing joyfully sounds like a great approach to living life. Father let nothing dampen the spirit of joy you are creating in me. 

"And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets." Zach.8.5 Conversations Within ts 4/17/2024

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”Mother Teresa

I make choices but I also face choices. I face some of my choices as an enemy tempting me off the path of life, health and peace. Faithfulness to good choices is sown, nurtured and harvested in such moments. Give thanks for the training and remain faithful.

“Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!” Ps.119 Conversations Within ts 4/16/2024

Pure honey!

One way we use the word pure is to say that something is 100%. Pure honey is 100% honey, nothing added. Purity of heart is a heart 100% devoted to something or someone. How do we accomplish such devotion? We can open our heart and let God flood it with nothing but grace. Grace alone can wash out all impurities. 

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 4/14/2024 

Whatever it is, turn it into a reason to talk with God.

Grateful? Give thanks! Sad? Pour your sorrows out to Him. Happy? Rejoice! Worried? Stop it and turn your concern over to the Father who loves you. Tempted? Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you. Lacking wisdom? Ask for what He gives most freely.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1Thess.5 Conversations Within ts 4/13/2024

”I have given God a million reasons not to love me. None of them changed His mind.” Facebook Post from a friend

 Because it is the nature of love to “never cease,” I believe that when God sets His love on someone, it is forever. How could a person loved by God not be joined to Him in eternity? God’s love is our only hope of a future worth having.

“For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Conversations Within ts 4/15/2024

"Don't bother me, I'm busy," said the ostrich with its head in the sand.

There are things that bother me that shouldn’t, and things that don’t bother me but probably should. Being a member of the tribe of humanity has its responsibilities. 

“As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it. Jo.11.33 Conversations Within ts 4/12/2024

”Easy does it.”

Recently a good friend nudged me with a post and gently wrote “Easy does it.” What a refreshing reminder that possessing and practicing an“easy” attitude may be all that is needed to get something done. Walk it with ease and grace.

“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Jesus Conversations Within ts 4/11/2024

“It’s complete surrender.” Eric Liddell

The cross of Christ saves us in several ways. One is the free gift of forgiveness God offers each of us His Son paid for our sins so we don’t have to. Another way we are saved is when we take up our cross and voluntarily surrender to following Christ in love. Voluntary love is true freedom. 

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 4/10/2024

Final Performance

Last evening my wife and I picked a YouTube topic and watched the final performance of a number of artists. Some left us feeling, “Wow, what a way to go out.” Several left us feeling, “How tragic it ended like this.” We never know when our final performance will be. I hope I am caught loving and serving others, and surprised by joy.

“Blessed is that servant whom His master finds so doing when He comes.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 4/9/2024

“All joy reminds.” C. S. Lewis

There are times when I remind myself. Then there are times I am reminded. I suppose I need both to nurture gladness of heart. When I wake to the morning's light, there is plenty to remind me of how wonderful life is, and motivate me to rise with the joy of just being alive.

“Serve the Lord with gladness.” Ps.100 Conversations Within ts 4/8/2024

“Lust is a poor, weak, whimpering, whispering thing compared with that richness and energy of desire which will arise when lust has been killed.” C.S. Lewis

Lust takes. love gives. Lust needs. Love nurtures. Lust craves. Love enjoys. Lust says, “I want more.” Love says, “I am grateful and satisfied.” All in all, lust is just selfishly ugly while love is unselfishly beautiful. Choose love!

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the lusts of the flesh.” Gal.5.16 Conversations Within ts 4/6/2024 

“The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.” Abraham Lincoln

Living on a sailboat sort of dictates a “take it as it comes” approach to most days simply because of weather. We all have seasons where we feel this more than others. Of course there are all kinds of weather, if you catch my meaning, and, as always, it helps to remind yourself of those things that will see you through.

“Praise the Lord from the earth...lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding…” Ps.148.8  Conversations Within ts 4/4/2024

Keep it simple, even if it starts to get complex.

Simplicity is an approach to living. Even in the midst of disorder we can respond with ease and grace. A peaceful heart can bring a needed focus to any circumstance.

For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. 1Cor.14.33 Conversations Within ts 4/4/2024

”Jesus Was a Country Boy” Clay Walker

Jesus was born in a stable, fished with His friends. He walked in wheat fields, and plucked lunch from the stalks. He took naps in boats and spent a great deal of time outdoors. Keep life simple. Keep it country.

“Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow.” Mk.4 Conversations Within ts 4/3/2024

“A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.” Washington Irving

 Too happy to be sad. Too calm to worry.Too peaceful for strife. Too giving to be greedy. Too kind to be selfish. So occupied living a good life to even bother with anything bad.. This is your gift Father to simple folk who live a simple faith.

“They seldom reflect on the years of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.” Ecc.5.20 Conversations Within ts 4/2/2024

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary.” Edgar Allen Poe

There is a good tired, the kind after a day of hard and fruitful work. Then there is a not so good tired--the tiredness of the soul. We must learn to rest spiritually, if we are to keep away from having an exhausted spirit. Put your burdens down and trust in the goodness of God.

“I know how to sustain with a word the one who is weary.” Is.50.4 Conversations Within ts 3/31/2024

Pretty sure that I can fix that with some Duct Tape

Duct tape is surely one of the best resources to have on hand. With a little ingenuity, you can fix just about anything with it. Another resource you can count on to fix just about any problem in a relationship, is genuine love. Love also requires a little ingenuity, but mainly the simple willingness to show it. All love must be voluntarily given and received.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life.” Jo.3.16 Conversations Within ts 3/30/2024

“I can’t play the game anymore.” An old mariner who can no longer sail the seas.

I sometimes find myself overwhelmed with feelings that the adventure is ending and all too brief. But then I am confronted with the resurrection of Jesus. Do I really believe what I believe? If so, death is not the end, but the beginning of the real adventure. Do not let the nostalgia of what is passing smother the joy of what is to come. Eternal life doesn’t just await us, it is ours even now.

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1Jo.5.13 Conversations Within ts 3/29/2024

“I am not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.” Michael Scott

Did I hold my mouth right when I prayed? Did I say the words right, and in the right order? Or, maybe I should have prayed differently? Someone said, “You can't force God's hand by rubbing a rabbit's foot.” We should put our trust in God, not in our silly superstitions. Trust in God, not in the way you pray.

“But have nothing to do with irreverent folklore and silly myths rather train yourself to be godly.” 1Tim.4.7 Conversations Within ts 3/29/2024

“Aren’t you worried about being executed?” “Why, will it help?” (Reply of a convicted spy)

 There is a kind of peace that follows when we dismiss the powerless cries of our worries. Only then can we address what we face with a clear mind, and confident faith.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2Tim.1.7 Conversations Within ts 3/29/2024

“Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone; thou must save, and thou alone.” Rock of Ages

 Even our tears of remorse and repentance must be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Eph.1.7 Conversations Within ts 3/28/2024

“Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do, but never gets you anywhere.” Erma Bombeck

 Our temptations to worry can be transformed into simple reminders to pray. The moment I start to worry about something, can be the exact moment I turn to God with faith. Responding this way, our temptations, all of them, can nurture our spiritual life, not hinder it.

“Be anxious about nothing. Pray about everything.” Conversations Within ts 3/27/2024

“No man is free who cannot command himself.” Pythagoras

Ever said something that you wish you hadn’t? Ever ate too much, drank too much? Have you ever lost your temper or gave in to your frustrations? One great value of Jesus in our lives is that He helps us nurture self-control. We learn it one decision at a time. Command yourself then obey.

“The fruit of the Spirit is…self control.” Gal.5 Conversations Within ts 3/26/2024

“Easter is the only time when it’s perfectly safe to put all your eggs in one basket.” Evan Esar

 Once someone approached us and said, “You must love the Lord a lot to live in a tiny cargo trailer while traveling to minister. We smiled and said, “Not at all. We are having the time of our lives. 

“Rejoice in our confident hope.” Rom.12.12 Conversations Within ts 3/25/2024