“Tell the story of the mountain you climbed. Your words could become a page in someone else's survival guide.” Morgan Harper Nichols.

Storytelling has been around since the dawn of time. The Scriptures are full of stories about God’s faithful interactions with His people. Each of us have stories to tell, stories of how God protected, provided, guided, and blessed our lives. Tell your stories. What better way to spread the good news of God’s love than to simply share how He is loving you, and by listening to how He is loving others.  

“Tell your sons about it, And let your sons tell their sons, And their sons the next generation.” Joel 1.3 “Conversations Within” ts 1/24/2021

”You are my greatest adventure.” Meme

As I explore the wonders of the world around me, it makes perfect sense to me that life’s greatest adventure would be to know the One who created it all. Jesus made it pretty clear that knowing Him is eternal life simply because it will take an eternity to do so. He also made it clear that God is experienced on the pathways of love and service, and that our relationship with Him begins when we embrace Him as our Father and accept the gift of His Son.  

“And this is eternal life, that they might know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you sent.” John 17 “Conversations Within” ts 1/22/2021

(Photo: January Moon by my friend Ellin Durden)

“Sky above me. Earth below me. Fire within me.” Anonymous

 The open sky is my favorite sanctuary and its endless canopy never fails to stir my soul in adoration and praise. I want to know and experience the being that Created the majesty above me, the beauty around me, and the longing within me. What a fascinating person He is to have made such glory around us. How humbling to dwell in the sanctuary of His love.  

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Ps.19.1 “Conversations Within” ts 1/21/2021

(Photo: McWay Falls Big Sur CA) 

”My wife tells me I am a worry wart.”

I don’t like it when my wife says these things. I would say that I am conscientious, aware of my surroundings and cautious. But honestly, I would also say that worry is a family trait. I have long been persuaded that worry accomplishes nothing good, and truthfully it can wreak havoc on one’s inner life and health. This is reason enough to nurture sober thinking over overthinking and abandon every expression of worry.  

“Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Prov.12.25 “Conversations Within” ts 1/20/2021

(Photo: Yellowstone National Park)

”Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” William Carey

 Like many, I learned the childhood prayer that begins, “God is great, God is good.” What would God’s greatness be without His goodness to give it meaning? God is great in goodness. The origins of the word “great,” in Hebrew, refers to a cord of rope made strong by twisting and binding it together.  God is great because His strength and goodness are bound together with singular purpose. We can experience this same strength when we are bound to that same purpose of blessing others. 

“O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with honor and majesty.” Ps.104.1 “Conversations Within” ts 1/19/2021

(Photo: Angels Landing Zion National Park)

”God’s love is like the ocean. You can see its beginning, but not its end.” Rick Warren

 It excites me that God’s love for me is eternal. This is the guarantee of everlasting life, and I want so very much to live forever. When the setting sun is no longer a measure of time, all who love and trust Him will be somewhere playing in the warmth of His eternal love. Live life today in the light of this eternal pledge.  

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jer.31.3 “Conversations Within” ts 1/18/2021

(Photo: The Big Blue, First time to sail the Atlantic) 

”You’re the reason God made Oklahoma” David Frizzell and Shelly West.

When God sent His Son into the world, it pretty much defined the reason He made each of us. You’re the reason. You’re the reason God made the Universe. You’re the reason He hung the sun moon and stars above. You’re the reason for every fascination of nature, and why music stirs the soul. Take it personally. God doesn’t just love the world, He loves you! 

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Rom.8.32  “Conversations Within” ts 1/14/2021

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen - not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” C. S. Lewis

My faith makes sense to me. I think most of us trust what we believe. I do not mind if my faith is tested, in fact this is one of the ways that it is shaped and made to grow stronger. What I find thought-provoking is that God seems more interested in my faith in Him, rather than my faith in faith. Don’t get me wrong. Faith is important because it is necessary to know Him, but it is easy sometimes to get sidetracked on the means to the end, rather than the end  

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Heb.11.1 “Conversations Within” ts 1/14/2021

                                                                (Photo-Glacier Nation Park)

When money talks…

Money surely does talk in our world, but I am starting to realize that unless God is listening, nothing matters. His judgments are the final measure of human interaction and accomplishment. It is not what others think, say or do, but how our attitudes and actions impress or don’t impress Him. It staggers me that we can actually do something that will make the Creator sit up and listen. There are two recorded instances of Jesus being amazed. One was when faith was expressed, and the other was when it wasn’t. Take the step of faith before you, and make God sit up with joyful surprise. 

 “When Jesus heard this, HE WAS AMAZED. Turning to the crowd that was following Him, He said, ‘I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!’ Luke 7 “Conversations Within” ts 1/13/2021

I want reason to guide my faith just as surely as I want faith to guide my reason.

God has asked us to trust Him. The benefits of His love are reason enough to do so. Love itself is proof enough to entrust my life to my Father’s commandments. One reason I believe in God is simply because I believe in love, and God is love. People generally know goodness when they see it, and God is good. The existence of love and goodness are proof enough for me not only to believe in the existence of God, but to commit myself to His care.  

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God...” Heb.11 ESV “Conversations Within” ts 1/12/2021 

(Photo: Above the US Virgin Islands)

“All the time in the world.”

I know I do not have all the time in the world, even if I have forever in the world to come. Right now time is a limited resource, there is only so much of it. My life seems to be flying by, and there is so much I want to do. I also know that there are tasks expected of me during this stage of my life. Age will put limitations on many things I want to do, but the urgency of finishing my chores also compelled me to put aside some of the things I want to do in favor of some of the things I need to do. Some things can only be accomplished in this life.  

“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 1/11/2021

”Reason and faith are both banks of the same river.” Doménico Cieri Estrada

Understanding the science behind rain does not diminish the fact that it is a loving God that grants it. Faith does not call us to deny reason, but to understand the spiritual realities working behind the physical universe He has made. The movements of the sun and moon are simply the means that the Creator uses to move the tides.   

"Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar-- the Lord of hosts is his name.” Jer.31.35 “Conversations Within” ts 1/10/2021 (Photo: North Jetty Jacksonville FL)

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Albert Einstein

 Most of us would say that if we saw God make a man fly without using any artificial means, we would have witnessed a miracle. The real question is do we believe it is a miracle that God is using gravity right now to hold us to the earth? If a miracle is anything of supernatural origin, then everything made by God is a miracle, because everything, even natural processes find their existence in Him.  

“You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. The river of God has plenty of water; it provides a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so.” Ps.65.9 “Conversations Within” ts 1/9/2021     (Photo: Westport WA kite festival) 

“Keep it in the middle of the road.”

 You know those rattle ridges on the side of the road, the ones that tell you that you are drifting off the road? They are unpleasant to say the least, but they serve to help us get back on the road. When our inner peace is disrupted, we are being nudged to recenter our lives around those attitudes and actions that promote it. If there is a blessing to losing your peace, it is that we are being reminded that we have drifted off the road of grace and need to make an adjustment.  

“Keep in step with the Spirit.” Gal.5 “Conversations Within” ts 1/7/2021

“Every little thing’s gonna be alright.” Bob Marley

I have to reboot my thoughts every day. I remind myself it’s “gonna” be alright even if it isn’t alright right now. How can we know this? We have God’s word on it. And, if we exercise our faith, hope and love while we wait for what’s around us to be alright, everything will be “alright” within us right now.  

“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God...Do not fear, you are of more value than many sparrows.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 1/6/2021

“If it's out of your hands it deserves freedom from your mind too.” Ivan Nuru

I need to remind myself not to take back what I have put in God’s hands. I also need to quit trying to take hold of matters that I will never control. While I am at it, it is good advice to refuse even to think about any of these things. Turn your thoughts away from worries and turn them to see the glory of life.  

“Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.” 1Pet.5 “Conversations Within” ts 1/5/2021

“The joys of Heaven are, for most of us in our present condition, “an acquired taste”.” C. S. Lewis

The trick to acquiring a taste for things which are good for us, seems to be that we fine tune our desires to want some things more than we want other things. If I want to be healthy, I will need to love the fruit of exercise more than the fruit of laying around on the couch. It is then, not just a desire for something that matters, but also visualizing the results of what will happen when I get it. Feed a love for what is good and wholesome, by visualizing the end result, and kill off a love for anything that will harm you the same way.  

 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 1/4/2021

”Faithfulness lives where love is stronger than instinct.” Paul Carvel

 I like this quote. It has directed my reflections a number of times. It reminds me how important it is to keep my instincts and desires on the leash of self-control. I want what I know is good, right and true to define my life, not my feelings, or my animal inclinations. Feelings and physical desires are meant to compliment, not direct our choices. Hold only to decisions that reflect the goodness of love, not the gluttony of instinct.  

“Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Prov.3.3 “Conversations Within” ts 1/4/2021

To have God’s favor is to have everything.

 I cannot imagine anything better than to belong to God, not as I understand belonging, but as He defines what it means to belong to Him. We catch a glimpse of this when the Scriptures assert that “ All things are yours.” What does this imply? Creation is the playground of His love. Even though it is fallen, He is always transforming all things for the benefit of His children. This makes sickness, even death an advantage. Consider all the ramifications of this precious truth.   

“All things are yours... the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” 1Cor.3 “Conversations Within” ts 1/3/2021

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” Charles R. Swindoll

 A noted philosopher rightly observed that the kind of day, or the kind of year that we have will greatly depend, not on what comes our way but on how we respond to it. Pause when something comes your way and give yourself time to respond not react. Unless you are reacting to an emergency, there is great value in moving slow and and with conscious deliberation.  

“be quick to listen and slow to speak…” James 1.19 Conversations Within” ts 1/1/2020

It really comes down to our attitude. Really!

OK, we have all heard how important attitude is. So, how can we make sure we have the right one? One way is simply to stop what we are doing, and check our attitude meter by asking ourselves a few questions. Am I at peace? Am I optimistic? Do I readily see things for which I am grateful? Am I clear headed but light hearted? In other words, look at the fruit of the attitude directing your present thoughts and actions. If the answer to these questions is “I don’t see these things inside me”, then make an adjustment. Adjust your attitude. 

 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Gal.5 Conversations Within” ts 12/31/2020

“Positive is how I live.” U.S. Virgin Islands

It has been wisely suggested that we  consider what spills out of us when life gives us a bump. I want to spill the pure goodness of a positive soul. Every time we decide to express a positive attitude we nurture and create the disposition of possessing one. My faith teaches me that Christ lives in me,  and because He does, there is little doubt that His presence should be clearly reflected in our attitudes and actions.  

"I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living." Ps.27.13 Conversations Within” ts 12/30/2020

“Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.” Gordon B. Hinckley

 How precious life is and more so when we realize its value. How good it is just to be alive. We are so very blessed that our Creator wants us to do more than just exist, He desires that we live our lives to the max, that we embrace the goodness and beauty of all He has made. There is no greater wealth than to experience all that God desires to be for us in life.  

“I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 12/29/2020

“Do what you love. Love what you do.” Life is Good

 There are people who only do what they enjoy, and others who enjoy whatever they do. The latter seems to have a much better approach to living. Someone who enjoys whatever they do has learned a skill that transforms every task into a pleasure. Joy grows within them, and overflows from them, rather than those who only look for happiness outside them. 

“There is nothing better for a person than that they should eat and drink and find enjoyment in their work. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,” Ecc.2 Conversations Within” ts 12/28/2020

“Winners forget they’re in a race, they just love to run.” With Honors

 There are activities that I simply love to do. Surfing is one. Sailing and walking in nature is another. Sharing these things with my family and friends only makes them better. I never have to work hard at these things. How wonderful it would be if everything good for you, came with such pleasure. Father help me learn to love what you love, and to find pleasure in those activities that are good for me even if I still find them hard to do.  

“I always do what pleases him." Jesus Conversations Within” ts 1/2/2021

“I’m not buying a 2021 planner until I see a trailer.” Anonymous

 Our faith, hope and love, when properly placed, are enough to approach the new year with confidence. Our faith in God’s trustworthiness, our hope of a sure future in His gracious hands, and the purpose and directions of His love are so much more than wishful thinking. They are the governing dynamic of an abundant and lasting life. No matter what 2021 brings, God’s grace is abundantly sufficient for each of His children to smile and expect a Happy New Year.  

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer.29.11 Conversations Within” ts 1/2/2021