“Jack, maybe a dogfight near a cheese farm is simply a dogfight near a cheese farm.” “The Way” (movie)

Sometimes a coincidence is just a coincidence. I remember once driving down the interstate and saw a billboard sign with the very words of a song that came on the radio the very moment I passed it. I did not take this a sign from God that I should become a country music singer. God can certainly use coincidence to communicate just as He can use all things. We should avoid the temptation to superstitiously read too much into events or incidents and instead nurture a heart that wills His will.

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”  Prov.16.3 Conversations Within” ts 2/5/2020

”When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don't, they don't.” William Temple

Is it a coincidence when I ask my wife a question and she answers? Of course not.  Is it a coincidence that when I ask God a question, He chooses to answer by speaking to my soul. He is after all a Spirit. Is it a coincidence that dinner is cooked daily, and the table set? Certainly not. Is it a coincidence that every day I have all I need for life? I think not. God may be invisible, but “He is here and He is not silent.”  “

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Rom.1.20 Conversations Within” ts 2/4/2020

“Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous." Albert Einstein

What we consider coincidence may very well be the deliberate design of God. Is it coincidence or design that most if not all living things live in some kind of symbiotic relationship . Consider the singular importance of the honey bee. They are crucial to the world’s food supply. They take but contribute as they do. Life is designed not to simply consume but to contribute.

“This is my command that you love one another.”  Jesus Conversations Within” ts 2/3/2020

“There are...no coincidences. All events are blessings given to us to learn from. Elizabeth Ross

I recently sat with a new friend and asked him what centered his life. He answered that “Jesus” did. When I asked him to explain what he meant, he replied “I blame Jesus for everything. If something good happens I blame Him, If something bad happens I blame Him. Then I talk to Him about it.“ I was impressed not only by his candor,  but his simple faith that God is in control of everything. We may not like how things fall out under God’s direction, and this is the reason why He invites us to talk with Him about it. 

“Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.” Ps.135.6 Conversations Within” ts 2/2/2020

“I will hold myself to a standard of grace, not perfection.” Unknown

It is often our unfulfilled expectations that get in the way of kindness. We expect people to drive the speed we do, and when they don’t, we get exasperated. We expect people to do things or see things the way we do, and when they don’t, our frustrations spill out instead of kindness. Slow down for kindness. Instead of demanding our way from others, we can demand grace from ourselves when interacting with them.

“Love is patient, love is kind….” 1Cor.13 Conversations Within” ts 2/1/2020