The greatest weapon against death is life. The greatest weapon against dying is living. Are you living your best life? Want to live forever?
Lord help me discover the eternal life you have promised by discovering the life You have graced me with now. This day touches eternity as eternity touches this day. I will be there, so let me be here.
I somewhat agree, and disagree with this quote from Lewis. I have asked for a number of temporal things from our Father and received them. The bread I eat today is an earthly comfort. But on the whole, I think Father is weaning us all off of this camping experience and preparing us for our real home.
“...fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1Pet.1.13 Conversations Within” ts 12/21/
I realize that a good many things that I think about are in reality not real. This is not
“Be where you are…” Ecc.9 Conversations Within” ts 12/13/2024
I can hear God saying these words to me in a number of circumstances. One is when I try to convince myself that I can avoid the consequences of my choices, like reaping what you sow doesn’t apply. Another is when He reminds me of the consequences of His choice to forgive all my sins. Jesus said, “It is finished.” We’re way past that now.
“There is no condemning judgment for those in Christ Jesus.” Ro.8.1 Conversations Within” ts 12/12/2024
When God the Father sent Jesus into the world He did so on purpose. His love is a proactive love and so ours should be. Go out of your way to show kindness. Look for opportunities to love people. With so much hurt in the world, opportunities abound to bring healing.
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 12/19/2024
I pray that the ambiance of Christmas morning be the joy of every morning. I would never grow beyond the joy of Christmas, but only deeper into it, and it message deeper in me. Merry Christmas indeed!
“And the word became flesh and dwelt among
Faith opens God’s present. We open it when we open our hearts to Jesus. He opens His arms in love and forgiveness. Will I refuse His embrace by failing to see my need for it.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3.16 Conversations Within” ts 12/15/2024
I am sure that becoming a man was not an easy transition for Jesus; nor is our transition into sons of God. Here's to Ebeneezer Scrooge for helping us to see the beauty of transformation! May God stand us all on our heads.
“Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Is.1.18 Conversations Within” ts 12/16/
Why breathe the bitter air of criticism when joy and happiness abound in the air of love? When we choose love as the governing dynamic of our attitudes and actions, a wonderful wholeness and peace will save us from the miserable life of finding perverted pleasure in judging others.
“The
Faith requires that we look beyond. It teaches that there is more to life than just this life. What must surely pass here cannot touch or take from what God has destined to provide for us there. We must let go of the temporal trinkets of this life and embrace all that is eternal.
“What does it profit to gain the whole world and lose your soul?” Jesus Conversations Within” ts
There is so much comfort and assurance in these three words of Jesus. Whatever I am willing to give, God will give more. I remember stopping once to help a struggling worm get off a hot sidewalk by putting it in the grass. Will God show less mercy? We can expect God to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine.
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Conversations Within” ts 12/9/2024
I experience life in the Spirit, and the fruit it produces when I interact with the words that God is speaking to me. His words are life, health and peace. Abide in them, live in them and allow them to live in me. Life is so much more than gratifying physical desires. Live life from within. Give expression to the word of God living in you.
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 12/8/2024
It is not normal for God to work above, without or even against natural means. The norm is that He works through them. The fact that God does not give me a miracle every time I ask for one, should not deter me from asking. When He doesn’t, I can trust in His goodness and wisdom that He has something better in
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you." Jesus Conversations Within” ts 12/4/2024
My birthday and the day of my passing are known to God. I want today, this day, to be known to me. Cherish each moment. Revel in it! Celebrate it! I do not mean a gasping for your last breath panic before the air runs out. Lay hold of the joy that is found in the present moment, and rest in the knowledge that in Christ, there will always be more moments to come.
Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 12/3/
My wife recently asked if our new wood burning stove was going to kill me. I replied that It may be just the thing that saves my life. I know what she means. She knows it is hard to get up in the middle of the night to keep it burning, and to rise early in the morning to stoke it again to keep us warm. But experience has taught me that just about everything good in life demands hard work.
“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” Prov.
How privileged it is to wake up each day. Even the pains of aging, and diminishing strength cannot compete with the joy of simply being alive. I am so very grateful for life.
“The joy of the Lord is my strength” Neh.8.10 Conversations Within” ts 12/3/
Sound reason directs us to transfer trust to what is truly reliable. We transfer our trust from our own flawed works to His perfect accomplishments. We stop trusting our own understanding, and put our trust in His wisdom. We reassign our values from things temporal to things eternal. We relocate our faith in a person, not in religion. We stop living our way and start trusting His.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Prov.3 Conversations Within” ts 12/2/
The cry of a drowning person is a good picture of what it means to trust God for life. We know we need saving, we know there is nothing we can do to rescue ourselves. The lifeguard doesn’t need our help, doesn’t want it, and asks that we simply relax, and let them do what they alone can do. The transfer of trust is all God wants from
“Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Rom.10.13 Conversations Within” ts 12/1/2024
Experience is teaching me that I can confidently put matters in God’s hands, especially those outside my control. As the song says, "Every little thing’s gonna be alright." We are assured that when we trust God, His final answer will not disappoint. In fact, we will undoubtedly be pleasantly overjoyed.
“Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Rom.10.11 Conversations Within” ts 11/30/
Faith believes in the goodness and wisdom of God, even when He chooses not to answer us the way we think He should. We may wonder what is the value of claiming some promise in His word if He changes what we can expect. We do well to remember that sometimes He says “no” because He has in fact, already said “yes” to a greater good.
“All the promises of God are “Yes in Christ.” 2Cor.1 Conversations Within” ts 11/26/2024
Sometimes I read a provocative post or at least one that provokes my own sensitivities. In these moments the Spirit of Jesus reminds me that love is the only proper response to others. Choose love as the governing dynamic of life. Love everyone without exception. When in doubt, love the person in front of you.
“Love your neighbor…” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 11/26/
It is not the turkey and dressing no more than it is the Christmas tree. It is the precious need in those who believe to give expression to a heart overwhelmed with gratefulness and joy. The joy of our faith must be expressed, must be shared and surely celebrated! But the true celebration of faith is never an arrogant “in your face” kind of thing. We let our light shine, not in the face but on the path.
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.” Ps.57.9 Conversations Within” ts 11/25/2024
Gratitude can transform every event into a celebration of faith, hope and love. Consider how you think about what is coming your way, and look for matters for which to be thankful. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of one of His saints.” How is that, for changing the way we see life and death?
“Oh death, where is your sting?” 1Cor.15 Conversations Within” ts 11/22/2024
Everyday I answer the needs of my body. I eat, sleep, go to the bathroom. The idea is not that my body dictates my day, but I take care of it so that I can live the life I desire. A healthy body serves the soul. A healthy soul knows the value of keeping a healthy body.
“I discipline my body and make it my slave.” Conversations Within” ts 11/21/2024
If I loved healthy activities as much as I love health, I would probably be healthier. Walk everyday for physical health. Walk with the Spirit for spiritual health. Walk in love for healthy relationships. Walk wholeheartedly to embrace all that God desires to be for you right now.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 1John3 Conversations Within” ts 11/20/
I often find that I am not ready to publish my thoughts. I realize that what is baking in my oven is not ready to be served. It is better to wait until faith and love have matured my thinking, because until they do, I should just keep it in the oven.
“The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.” Prov.16.25 Conversations Within” ts 11/
To view all things from an eternal point of view is one perspective that Jesus offers the world. Someone said that if something will not matter in five years, don't waste more than five minutes on it. I am sure there are exceptions to this rule, but it is wise to consider matters that really matter, and will matter forever.
“I appointed you to bear fruit, fruit that will
Gobble it up! Family and friends around the table, food piled high on each plate, holding hands in grateful praise while saying the blessing, pumpkin pie, an after dinner nap, texting or calling friends to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving, and leftovers-turkey breast sandwich on toasted bread, Miracle Whip and of course lays potato chips. Gobble it up!
"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His
Giving thanks becomes a habit that defines you. It also defines the kind of day/year you’re going to have. After a while, giving thanks comes almost without effort. There is always something to value and appreciate.
“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good…” Ps.100 Conversations Within” ts 11/16/
Every morning the beauty of nature is brought into our yurt living room via a wide screen TV playing music in the background. Gratitude swells in me, especially when I look up from writing and realize that we have walked, hiked or paddled in many of these places. God has made our life rich with experiences, and more so, with family and friends with which to share them.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving.” Ps.100 Conversations
Physical health improves by eating less and exercising more. Spiritual health will no doubt improve by consuming less and giving more. Live on less in order to give more.
"There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And...a poor man...who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table.” Lk.16 Conversations Within” ts 11/17/
I confess that I generally look for the path of least resistance. This somewhat goes against the wisdom of Jesus who said that the way that leads to life is “hard.” And while He also said that His burden is easy, it does not discount the simple truth that many good things only come to us after a long hard hike.
"For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Jesus Conversations Within” ts 11/14/2024
It pleases me that the Spirit of Jesus encourages us to think about what is “lovely.” The word means likable, pleasant, beautiful, that which you are friendly towards, or fond of. There are times when I am overwhelmed by something or someone and staggered by my feelings about them.
“Whatever is…lovely…think on these things.” Phil.4.8 Conversations Within” ts 11/13/
I know what holiness to the Lord is supposed to look like. I have even experienced it. I want more of it. I want holiness to define me, rather than me just reciting a definition of it. I want to be wholly yours Lord, and know every day what is to be holy unto You.
"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
I am so grateful for the gift of music, and for those who make it. It is one of those extras in life, and as someone rightly said, “It is only goodness that gives extras.“ Music is a powerful medium of meditation, and reflection. Dance to its rhythm, and see the answer unfold.
“I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.” Ps.49 ESV Conversations Within” ts 11/11/
We must often seek peace. Living in harmony is something we do on purpose. It doesn't just happen. Kindness is a universal language. We can show it even to an enemy, much less to someone with a different point of view.
"Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it" Ps.
I am grateful for the power to choose. And although I do not always choose what is healthy, or wise, I understand that love can only exist in the air of freedom to decide. This in no way removes the destructive consequences when we choose selfishly. Don’t place more value on the freedom to choose over the fruit the choice produces.
“Choose this day whom you will serve.” Josh.24 Conversations Within”
God gardens my soul. He prunes all that is worthless. He does this by teaching me to not entertain unprofitable thoughts and to watch and weigh my words and measure if they heal or hurt. He removes the worthless fruit so that the fruit of love, joy and peace may flourish in my life.
“I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 11/08/
Now I must confess that I had to look up the origins of the word “dickens.” As it turns out, “dickens” is an expression used to intensify or strengthen the experience of something, and interestingly enough, comes from the word “devil.” Now that’s appropriate. Devils can worry the dickens out of you, but only if we let them.
“Do not worry…” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 11/04/
I like the morning me--quiet, calm, peaceful and eager to listen. As the day merges into the afternoon, I am less so. At some point I entertain a thought that leads me away from the person I want to be. It always begins in our thoughts.
“Take every thought captive…” Conversations
