There are some who believe in a god, and see him as impersonal and distant, one who rarely if ever involves himself in the affairs of men. They believe in a god, but not the God, or at least not the God of Jesus. The God who has revealed Himself in Jesus is anything but impersonal. Jesus encouraged us to call Him “Father” and even went so far as to use the very personal word “Abba,” or “Daddy.”
“Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts
Jesus used hyperbole on a few occasions to make a point. But using it without discretion can send a mixed, even watered down message. A wise person knows to use exaggeration sparingly. Wisdom also recognizes when it is best to balance the exaggerations of others. “Say what you mean. Mean what you say”
“Saul and Jonathan…They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.” 2Sam.1.23 “Conversations Within” ts 11/27/
I got out of bed today after a long night of painful discomfort. Still, I got out of bed, and I am so grateful not just for another day, I am equally grateful that life’s pains deepen my faith in Father's wisdom. Even I, with my limited understanding, can see how He has used pain time and again to work amazing goodness in people’s lives.
“In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1Thess.5.18 “Conversations Within” ts 11/26/25
Christians are called to live on a very different plane, an eternal rather than just a temporal reality. Christ is not about getting all we can get, but giving all we can give. Our standard is to never retaliate, but rather to forgive. We don’t expose offenses against us, we overlook and bless the offender. The world view of Jesus replaces the selfish with the selfless.
“Do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them" Jesus “
Emotions often get the best of people. And, most of the time, it is when we vent our feelings with words, we lose out. It makes good sense that if I hold my tongue I will do much better. In truth we would all benefit from just talking a lot less.
“When there are many words,
Experience teaches us that we will inevitably have to wait for God to answer some of our prayers. We are told numerous times to actively and patiently do so. God’s timing reflects His wisdom when He answers our prayers. Keep on trusting, keep giving Him thanks. Thanksgiving works a powerful patience in us.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Ps.27.14 “Conversations Within” ts 11/23/25
How precious it is to know the peace of contentment. It comes when we ask God for daily bread, and then in faith are gratefully satisfied with what He puts on our plate each day. There is a quiet joy in the contented heart. Gratitude creates and nurtures it.
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Phil.4.11 “Conversations Within” ts 11/21/
There is great wisdom in knowing when to do what. Be mindful of what is going on around you, and contribute goodness to it. Do not be rigid, but relevant, unless of course the circumstance would be served best by being rigid.
“There is an appropriate time for every activity, and there is a time of judgment for every deed.” Ecc.3.17 “
I tweak Shaw’s famous quote. Life isn’t about finding yourself, or creating yourself, it is most importantly about finding who God created you to be. Each of us is endowed with gifts and talents. Use what God has entrusted to you, and discover one of life’s purposes and who you are designed to be.
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works". Eph.2.10 “
How precious is life, and never more precious than when we raise our hearts in humble thanksgiving to the One who loves, and has blessed us with so much. May Father walk into the kitchen of our hearts and smell the aroma of thanksgiving.
“Bless the Lord O my soul, let all that is in me bless His holy name.” Ps.103 “Conversations Within” ts 11/25/25
Is there any medium in all the world that can compare to the power of music to stir one’s soul? I am so grateful for such a precious gift. It is one of those extras in life, and as someone rightly said, “It is only goodness that gives extras.“ I listen to it every single day, and rise with its melody to the spiritual heights of joy, and learn to dance with delight before the Lord.
“To you, O LORD, I will make music.” Ps.101 ESV “Conversations
I need to first understand and truthfully accept what is, before I can put energy into what can be. The truth sets us free, but only when we walk in its light. And walk we must, if we are to see the transformation God desires for
“Whatever is true… dwell on these things.” Phil.4 “Conversations Within” ts 11/12/25
My favorite part of each day is sitting quietly reading, reflecting on God’s word and communing with Him. His words are life, health and peace to my soul. I can certainly relate to the Psalmist, “He restores my soul.” Father, Your every word nurtures life in me.
"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Ps.119 “Conversations Within” ts 11/
Jesus isn’t afraid of what we might ask from Him in prayer. He promises to answer some of our deepest longings with one caveat. When His words abide in our heart He knows they will shape our longings in such a way that He would be happy to answer them.
“If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 11/11/25
It is true that sitting in nature can raise our awareness of God. We may even deduce some wisdom from our observations. But without the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scriptures, we would not understand the message of nature. Jesus told us to learn from the birds of the air, not without His teachings, but as an illustration of them. Spend time in nature for certain, but take your Bible when you go. Easy to do, if it’s in your heart.
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you…Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?” Job “Conversations Within” ts 11/10/
Church isn’t just a Sunday service, it is the family of God any time and anywhere they choose to come together in the name of Jesus. Gathering in His name is as simple as doing things together that He would happily say to His Father, “Look Dad! “Isn’t that precious. Let’s join them.”
“For wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 11/10/25
Some people have told me that they experience God more sitting in the forest by a waterfall than they do sitting in a church service. According to Jesus, God can be experienced anywhere and anytime we wake to Him in Spirit and truth. Sit with God in nature. Sit with God in church. Just be sure to sit with Him.
“God is a Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 11/8/
It matters little to think about living forever if I am not living life now. As a Christian I am excited at the prospect of life without end, but eternal life doesn't begin when we die, it is connected to this moment. It is not only the quantity, but the quality of the quantity that matters. It is one thing to merely exist, it is another to really live.
“Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 11/7/
I set out every day trying to do something I know is impossible for me to do. Experience has taught me that no matter how hard I try, I will still fall short. My sin is ever before me. Even though we know we will fail, Christ creates in His own a persistent desire to “go and sin no more.”
"Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Rom.7 “
When you fall down, get back up. Get back up, every time. When you die, die with your nose pointed east and your eyes fixed on the sunrise.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Gal.6:9 “Conversations Within” ts
Recent studies show that the regular practice of fasting is amazingly good for our physical health. It should not surprise us that the practice can be good for the soul. Our desires do not always match up to what is good. It is logical that learning to say no to them is a precious skill. Fasting something as basic as food is a great place to show our desires who is boss.
“When you fast…” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 11/3/
Do new things. Keep putting the life back into living. Never stop growing. If you stop growing; well, you’re dead. The world was created for us to fill, to explore, to be fruitful. We were created to grow. Learn a new language, a new sport, a new point of view. Do something new.
“And God blessed them.
It is one thing to know that God loves you, and another to embrace its benefits. If we do not heed the Spirit’s counsel when He gives it, we will not experience the blessings that come from doing so. Reside in the dwelling Father has built for His children. He calls us to abide there, not just occasionally visit.
“Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.” “Conversations Within” ts 11/2/
I have seen a three-legged dog running playfully down the street. I even saw a video of a blind Labrador retriever splashing for joy in a puddle of water. I am inspired anytime I witness a happy acceptance of life even when it is accompanied with hardship. Joy grows in the heart that accepts not only suffering, but also hopes in the promised realities of the resurrection of Jesus.
“I
I want a tee shirt that reads, “I love life so much I could do it forever.” On the back side I would write, “Because of the resurrection of Jesus, I will!” My time here will simply transition to my life in glory. Celebrate life now with no fear that the celebrations will end.
“The cheerful of heart has a continual feast.” Prov.15“Conversations Within” ts 10/28/25
Central to the message of Jesus is that we “deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him.” We must say no to wants, beliefs, or desires that run contrary to His calling. His calling is plain, and that is to love the person in front of us.
“Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.”
Life beats us up at times. Physical injury; emotional trauma; an illness; financial bankruptcy; drug addiction, and certainly the death of a loved one can knock us off our feet. Recovery is an essential skill for life. A mature inner life can help us with self-rescue, but more often than not, we need help outside ourselves. Be rescued by tribal living, and faith in God.
“Lord my God, I
Nurture a
“In your patience, possess your soul.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 10/28/25
Grace offers us a new beginning every morning we wake to it. Start where you are and walk, run, or crawl, if you have to, toward the health and happiness that Christ offers. A step away from the old is a step toward all that is new. Take it.
“The grace of God…teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.“Conversations Within” ts 10/27/25
I have a symbol on my surfboard that simply means, “put your whole heart in it.” I put it there to remind me that when I am paddling for a wave I need to give it my all. Wholehearted living is the invitation of God to us all. Is there really any better way to embrace the precious gift of life.
“set your hope entirely on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1Pet.1.13 “Conversations
I am consistently encouraged to view life from a holistic perspective, no less by the Spirit of Christ living in me. He directs me to consider the viewpoint of both the eternal, not just from the limited horizon of what is temporal. Death, as well as life, come into clearer focus when I do. There is a calming grace when we look at everything from the throne of God.
“The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.” Is.57.
Forgiveness adds unique value to our interactions. Learning to overlook another's failings is a necessary part of any healthy relationship. Practice it if you want to create, and sustain a gracious heart.
“Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph.4.
You would think that with everybody's personal failings that compassion and understanding would be commonplace. The fact that it is not is just another personal failing. I pray for the grace to be gracious to every one, even those who do not live with kindness. They perhaps need compassion the most.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Eph.4.
Sober thinking is a governing dynamic of a peaceful mind. It enables us to process problems without adding emotional drama to them. The waters around me may not be calm, but I can calmly sail through them. Peace is a manner of living as much as it is a state of the soul.
“...always be sober-minded.” 2Tim4.5 “Conversations Within” ts 10/21/
Who thinks clearly when they are angry, afraid, impassioned, depressed, or worried. To be sober minded means that we take charge of the decisions we make first, by not giving them over to our emotions, and desires, and second, by basing our choices on what we know is good, right and true.
“Keep your head in all
Jesus did, and He encourages His followers to be aware not only of his existence, but his strategies to attack our faith. This aspect of sober thinking may seem delusional to some, but as Christians, we realize that there is a spiritual battle going on behind our daily struggles, a very real battle for the souls of the daughters, and sons of Adam and Eve. By the way, Jesus believed in them too.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1Pet.5.8 Conversations Within” ts 10/19/25
To walk “by” the Spirit is to allow Him to teach us a new way of walking. Use His enlightenment to determine your next right choice. Use His encouragement to keep in step with Him. Use His enabling power to stay on the path.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Gal.5 Conversations Within” ts 10/
It is very good news to realize that God wants us to know a life of joy. He desires that we seek it, and offers to bless us with it. And where do we find it, but in His word, His friendship, and the faith He gives to us.
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 10/16/
There are many things outside our control, just as there are many things we can control. I do not have to read divisive social media posts or listen to the negative rhetoric of political news. Take charge of what you allow into your dwelling, and you take charge of the energy flowing into and from your heart.
“Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Phil.4.8 Conversations Within” ts 10/15/25
