I know my time is coming. If I took a guess, I would say, I will not be the kind of person I want to be when it happens. The reason I say this is because today I am not that person, and today could very well be my last. If so, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.“
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Eph.
We never know if today is the day. Christ may come today for us all. He may come for me. The day is appointed, and we need not concern ourselves with that, only that we are packed and ready when He does come.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 9/28/25
I see the wisdom in this advice, but there is another wise consideration. Don’t look for inner peace outside you. Bring it with you whatever route you take. This peace comes from complete surrender to God’s purposes and desires for our life.
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” “Conversations Within” ts 9/24/25
#ScenicRoute
I am grateful that I wake up in nature most days, and spend more time outdoors than indoors. When asked where we live, my wife and I usually say, “Well today we live right here.” Such is van life; you camp as a lifestyle. Our daily life embodies a simple truth that reflects all life; we are all just passing through.
“So Abram moved his tent..by the oaks of Mamre…and there he built an altar to the LORD.” Gen.13.18 “Conversations Within” ts 9/24/
#van life, just passing through
The father of lies, as Jesus called the Devil, is cunningly attempting to hijack the love that Jesus exemplified. I am convinced that everything Jesus did was a reflection of true love, from eating with sinners, to turning over tables with a whip in hand. Once we choose to love as He loves, we need His wisdom to define its expressions.
“Greater love has no one than this, that man lay down His life for his friends. Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 9/23/25
#Don't let the Devil hijack true love
Love should be universally shared, but it is not universally understood. What one person sees as love, another may see it as hate. The love that Christ spoke of, and lived is not a love of liking someone ,or agreeing with them, but the love of beneficial actions towards them.
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 9/22/25
#Love in Action, Not Agreement
God has woven so much value into the fabric of creation. The universe is as much a revelation about who He is as it is the story of mankind. He encourages us to explore, to be inquisitive, and to learn from all that He has made. It would be hard to spend time in nature and not meet Him there. Sadly some do. .
"Look at the birds of the air. ” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 9/21/
#Meeting God in Creation
I find that timing is an important part of speaking gracefully. Sometimes saying nothing is the most gracious response. Sometimes the best comment is no comment. Pray for wisdom to always be gracious when using words.
“Let your
I recently walked down a favorite boardwalk to the beach. Looking out over the water, smelling the salt in the air, listening to the waves breaking on the shore, I felt a wave of refreshment after a week of poison on the internet. “Turn off the news, listen to some music.”
“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Ps.23 “Conversations Within” ts 9/19/25
Social media can bombard us with poisonous rhetoric, and hateful words. The sad part is that I have exposed myself to it by just flipping through my phone. I recently realized that algorithms can feed me all the beauty in the world or all the ugly. I discover that when I deliberately seek out beauty, I find it. I now see wondrous beauty all over the world.
“Seek and you will find.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 9/18/
It is recorded that Mary Queen of Scots once said, "I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe." Gracious Lord, I pray that seeking You in prayer is not my last resort, but my first.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power
What better way of seeing everything and everybody than through the lens of love. Discover new ways to see and serve everyone in your life, EVERYONE! Love teaches us to consider what we can do to improve the lives of others, and the world we live in. Love teaches us not only who people are, but who they can be with our support.
“Let love be your greatest aim.” 1Cor.14 “Conversations Within” ts 9/16/
We must not only stop the hate, we must spread the love, not only to those who love us, but even to our enemies.
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all
I asked AI how someone could speak the truth in love and got these guidelines: “Pray for wisdom; Examine your motives; Be humble and patient; Choose the right setting; Listen before you speak.” I would say, Not a bad answer, not bad at all.
“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all
This is the life I desire. I want to be the helping hand, to be useful to others, to be a listening ear, an understanding heart, a servant for goodness, an encourager and a true friend to the person in front of me.
“I have called you friends.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 9/10/
I have to remind myself everyday to ignore everything that distracts from what is really important. The best way to do this is to stay actively engaged in what is.
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Gal.5.
All the commandments in Scripture are summarized by one, which is simply to let love be the governing dynamic in everything we do. I ask myself if this thought, this word, this action is an expression of love, for God, for another, for myself? This is the command I would give myself. I pray I keep it!
“The fruit of the Spirit is…self control.” Gal.
Whatever it is, use it. Use it for good. Use it to draw strength. Use it to get it done. We are assured that God is using it, using it for good in the lives of those who love and trust Him. We see life properly when we approach it in partnership with God and His purposes.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to
Political posts are a very good example of stress I don’t need in my life. Why step into an arena--a place of conflict, when you know that no problem will ever be properly solved in an arena? There is a better model instead of arguing. And, it is more than being the change I would see in the world, but the change that Christ wants to see.
"Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels." 2Tim.2.23 “Conversations Within” ts 9/4/
I am so grateful for this bit of wisdom. It has helped me argue myself out of fear, doubt, and worry so many times. The gospel is “good news” indeed, and when we embrace it in faith, we wake to the realities of all that God is for us in Christ.
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 9/4/
I make plans every day. I am sure Father will bless some of them, and blow others into the wind. I actually see value in what He blows into the wind.. He is teaching me His values, and where to spend my time and energy, and where not to.
“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his
It is sad, but in this world, someone can be hated even when they seek to love. I do not want to be persecuted for the wrong reason. But I should never be ashamed of sharing the truth claims of Jesus. I represent Him, not a religion, a political party, and certainly not myself.
“If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 9/7/25
In these days of AI generated content, it is becoming clear that a new tool to deceive and manipulate threatens. I am reminded not only to discern what is false, but to make doubly sure before I hit the share button that I am not spreading a lie.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” One of the big Ten “Conversations Within” ts 9/2/25
I don’t want kindness to be something I work at doing; I want it to be as natural as breathing. Still, I know I must work at it until grace transforms my efforts into my nature. I am grateful for all the people in my life who radiate it. Someone said, "If you can be anything be kind."
“Love is kind.” 1Cor.13 “
When my children asked me this I told them to look at the fruit of the person's life. Do their words match their life, and does their life line up with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, i.e. the fruit of the Spirit of Jesus. I trust Him living in them.
“By their fruit you will know them.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 8/31/25
It doesn’t take much to realize the value of hardship when we see it as training to mature the soul. We are spiritual beings living in a physical world. It is the soul that has lasting value. It is the soul that will survive.
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?” Heb.12 “Conversations Within” ts 8/26/
Science has had to retract a good many posits over the years. This is because we simply don’t know all the facts. So, we guess. Some things just can’t be tested with the scientific method. If there is a lesson, perhaps it is not only to decide if faith would serve us better, but also how reliable is where we put our faith.
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? God speaking to Job “Conversations Within” ts 8/
I often feel so unworthy of the goodness that surrounds my life. I find myself apologizing to Father when I realize how kind He has been to me, when my thoughts and actions fall short of being the son He deserves. I am so very grateful for His gracious love.
““Depart
Our thoughts can poison the soul with bitterness, anger, resentment. Reject every negative thought and replace it with pure goodness. Flush out toxic thinking by opening the heart and mind to expressions of faith, hope and love.
“Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
The Spirit of Jesus is teaching me how to dismiss thoughts that compete with health and happiness. And why not? If a thought, word or deed doesn’t lead in a wholesome direction, why think it, say it, or do it?
“Take every thought captive to the obedience
I pray that I am not only a “what you see is what you get” kind of person, but that what you see adds authentic value to others. I tire of all pretense, especially my own.
“Tell them that “I am” sent you. ” God speaking to Moses “Conversations Within” ts 8/22/
Because I aim to love the people in my life, I want to be a reliable and truthful witness. Lord help me watch over everything I say to make sure that it communicates nothing but truth. How precious the privilege to speak what I know is true, and to hold my tongue with what I don’t.
“Love…rejoices with the truth.” 1Cor.13 “Conversations Within” ts 8/21/
How valuable it is to learn how to lean on the strength of your tribe. There are times we all need help and encouragement. Take turns being there for others, and allowing others to be there for you. If you have no tribe, start one. Plenty of people are hurting.
“The LORD is my strength and my song.” Ps.118.14 “Conversations Within” ts 8/20/25
I recently started keeping a daily activity journal. What started as a travel record, has now become a means, not only of measuring what I do each day, but the value of what I do.
“Teach us to number our days, so that we
Doing out performs discussion every time. The final measure of wisdom is not in understanding but doing. Discussions about faith are no substitute for expressing it. Nothing will clear the clouds of doubt faster than walking in the fresh air of obedience.
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Prov.
It is reassuring to know that God is with me no matter what is going on around me. I can count on Him to see me through. He is my security, eternally so. HIs arms wrap round me; His strength defends me. There is no reason to fear anything.
“Underneath are the Everlasting Arms!” Deut.33.27 “Conversations Within” ts 8/16/25
One thing is needed every moment, every hour, every day. It proceeds everything else in importance, and attending to it gives lasting significance and value to all other activities. What is that one thing, but an attitude to humbly seek the Fathers will, and quietly ask for His grace and power to do it.
“Only one thing is needed.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 8/15/
When I see an old person bent over with the pain of arthritis, or a child crippled with some deformity, I am tempted to do so. But I am gently reminded that Christ entered this messed up world, and suffered the consequences of our rebellion in order to redeem it. I am reminded even more of His promise.
“By His stripes we are healed. Is.53” Conversations Within” ts 8/14/
There are any number of things that I can put off till another time, and nothing will really come of it. A lot of stuff we do is just that, stuff. But there are matters that should never be put off. I want to give my energy not just to the urgent but the eternally important.
"A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing." Prov.20.4 “Conversations Within” ts 8/12/
Live deliberately and with a divinely defined purpose, and you will always give energy to matters that really matter. Be on King's highway and on the King’s business, and the King of glory will personally attend to whatever you need.
“If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you,
We may be tempted to think that the central message of Jesus is that we love and serve others, and that doing so we can earn God’s favor. But His central message is that we stop trusting our good works, and trust that He alone can give us the gift of God’s forgiveness. We are then free to follow Him in loving others.
“I am the and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 8/11/25
It does my heart good to know that God loves me, despite me. God abounds in love, meaning that there is not only more than enough to go around for every single soul, but more than enough to undo all the bad that any of us have done. Jesus said it, "It is finished. It's been paid for. There is nothing owed on this transaction." I put my trust here!
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Ps.103.8 “Conversations Within” ts 8/9/
Learning how to calm the soul has great value. When I realize that my Father loves me and He happens to oversee everything, what is there to stress about? Speak this truth to your heart, spread the wings of faith and fly above all that would rob the soul of peace.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Phil.
