Patience and kindness always exemplifies the love of Jesus. Always means always. In hostility, or disagreement, or anger we can always choose to follow His manner of living and loving.
Love is patient, love is kind.” 1Cor.13 “Conversations Within” ts 5/19/25
Mutual love can only exist in the air of freedom. The only demands that love will make, are always on oneself. True love gives freedom to others to love in return, or not. Such love is unconditional, and willing to suffer and sacrifice when necessary.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 5/19/25
How can I become a better listener? Well, if my mouth is moving, I am not listening. If I am thinking about my response while someone is talking, I am not listening. If I am not giving people my full attention, I am not listening. To listen better, listen deliberately.
“If one gives an answer
What better way to gain a new perspective on living than to be a good listener. Everyone has something to offer and listening is the key to learning. It has been observed by many that God did give us two ears and one mouth.
“Be quick to listen and slow to speak...” James 1 “Conversations Within” ts 5/18/
I need to measure the cost of my decisions, not after I make them, but before. This means that I learn how to weigh the worth of any choice I make to walk down a road or not.
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Jesus “Conversations Within”
Self-examination is an encouraged skill for people of faith. It not only helps to know that I have put my trust in something truly reliable, but also if my faith is reliable. I can count on Jesus, can He count on me?
“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.” “Conversations Within” ts 5/16/25
Not everything in life is enjoyable. Some things can be down right hard. But learning how to find the fun in a necessary task is a valuable skill. It may be that if I am not having fun, I should simply change my attitude and approach.
“...everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil--this is God’s gift to man.” Ecc.3.13 “Conversations Within” ts 5/16/
Don’t be a sitting duck, or lay there like a lame duck, lest your worries make you a dead duck. Get your ducks in a row, and like a duck to water, trust God who will make duck soup of every concern and render all oppression like water off a duck's back.
“No weapon formed against you will prevail.” Is.54.13 “Conversations Within” ts 5/15/25
The birds of the air teach us all of God’s kind provision. To watch them foraging for food is a reminder that He promises to provide. Their song in the darkness before dawn not only announces a new day, but that our Father has already provided everything we need for it.
“Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them.” Jesus “Conversations Within”
There are only a few circumstances when shouting might be necessary. It is wise to measure not only what we say, but the tone we are using when we do. Never use a condescending name calling tone. End every sentence with a look that says, I love you.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Prov.
No matter how many times someone messes up, if they sincerely ask forgiveness for it, we are to graciously give it. Not that we allow ourselves to be repeatedly abused, but we never compromise love’s commitment to seek what is best for everyone, as we are able.
“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Jesus answered, “I tell you, not
People offend, and get offended everyday all over the world. The value of choosing love’s dynamic is that it prefers peace over giving offense. Love also teaches us to overlook an offense if one is given.
"A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense." Prov.19.11 “Conversations Within” ts 5/8/
Leave no doubt to the people in your life that you love them. Show them, tell them. Do it every day. Do it while you are able.
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Ps.90.12 “Conversations Within” ts 5/6/25
People have died, and do die from falling coconuts each year. Something is going to take each one of us out. The what, where and when may not be known, but it helps to live in such a way that when it happens you will be met with a smile.
“People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” Heb.9.27 “Conversations Within” ts 5/5/25
I watched with a smile, as a fellow van lifer was picking up trash where they had parked for the night. Let me give thought each day to the many ways that I can make life better for others.
"Be devoted to one another in love.” Rom.12.10 “Conversations Within” ts 5/4/25
I often wake with the pains of age, and yet find myself strangely satisfied that life is as my Father’s wisdom dictates, and not without His grace to embrace it. What does it mean to eat at the table of Jesus, if it does not mean to be satisfied?
“I bless the Lord who gives me counsel. Even at night my heart instructs
Is love the dynamic defining my journey? I can answer yes, only if what I think, say and do is expressing love at this very moment. Love God! Love the person in front of you! Love yourself!
“The greatest of these is love.”
This is my Father's world, And to my listening ears All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres.
I watch a leaf playfully dance in the wind, hung by an invisible thread from the bow of a tree. A work of art by an invisible Artist. He doesn’t sign His masterpieces, He doesn’t need to. His work is unmistakable to the eye of faith. His art is delicately placed in all nature.
They use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Ps.19 “Conversations Within” ts 5/1/25
Moving forward often means backtracking, or starting again, or trying something entirely different. This journey we call life is all about moving forward. Don’t be afraid to try something new. God isn't.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Behold, I am doing a new thing!” Is.43.18 Conversations Within” ts 4/27/
I am grateful that Jesus has satisfied all of God’s demands for living favorably in His presence. Because of it, I can stop trying to earn what He has made a gift. Now I am free to learn the value of loving God and others without some performance based relationship.
"Love one another as I have loved you." Jesus Conversations Within” ts 4/26/
Pile on the love; people can take it! Everybody could use an extra helping of something good. Be one!
“And let us not grow weary of doing good.” Gal.6 Conversations Within” ts 4/25/25
If I want to see more of God’s hand in my life, let me dip my hand into the well of His goodness every single day. He is actively looking to support those who actively love and trust Him. God is always on the side of those who walk in His highway and on His business.
“For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2Chro.16 Conversations Within” ts 4/23/25
Instead of visualizing the worst, imagine the best, and seize it as an act of faith. To believe that God loves you is to believe that He desires the best. His Spirit may need to tweak our understanding of what that is, but God is surely pleased by every act of faith in His goodness.
“The Lord is good.” Ps.100 Conversations Within” ts 4/23/25
I ask with limited perspective. I ask too little. I ask for the wrong things. Yet, God still encourages me to ask, because asking positions me where my greatest need lies, and that of course is looking to Him in faith to tweak my prayers with His love and wisdom.
“Ask and you will receive.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 4/22/
Slow your journey down. Learn the value of being still. Sit in quiet reflection. Lay hold of the life found in each breath. It is in such moments that we wake to God, and witness His presence everywhere in and around us.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Ps.46.
Lord help me give thought to my words, so that I communicate clearly, and realize that I do it better, not only when I keep it relevant, but also keep it to the point.
“I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.” 1Cor.14.19 “
Words are like salt, use just enough to season a conversation, not oversalt it.
“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” Prov.10.19 “Conversations Within” ts 4/10/2025
In order to get it right we must often admit to the possibility of being wrong. If you are a follower of Jesus you get used to doing this. He leads us to confess our shortcomings so we can discover where, and where not to walk.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Is.30.21 “Conversations Within” ts 4/11/
My wife is teaching me a “matter of fact” approach to dealing with the stuff that springs up every day. If you can do something about it, do it. Otherwise, trust that God has a reason for it.
“Because the Lord is at my right hand I will not be shaken.” Ps.
The best way to thank God for life is to live it in His name. We live life in His name when we can look with confident faith that He would joyfully bless whatever we are doing.
“I always do what places Him.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 4/20/2025
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Do not confuse personal accomplishment with the lasting fruit that God desires. He does not need our strategic power plays to affect real positive and lasting change in the world. Tapping into the workings of His Spirit is the only source of being blessed and being a blessing.
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” Zech.4.6 “Conversations Within” ts 4/6/2025
There are operations in the universe that sustain my life that I know nothing about. It makes good sense to me that I do not need to understand everything that God is doing to bring me to glory. We will get there simply, because He is the one doing it. In the end, all the glory and praise will be His.
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Rev.5.12 “Conversations Within” ts 4/5/2025
Pause, breathe, and embrace this wonderful grace inside your soul. Whatever you are facing, remind yourself that you can do it, because you will never have to do it alone. The grace of Christ is always with us. Relax and rest on this word.
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” “Conversations Within”
One thing I can do to get ready for judgment, and the most important, is not to make the fatal mistake of standing on my own flawed record. Instead, I accept the free gift of forgiveness that God offers. I stop trusting my own efforts, and trust what Jesus accomplished. Jesus was served my justice so He could give me His grace.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from
The resurrection of Jesus is the greatest game changer. Death no longer carries us away from our hearts desire, but to it. God has taken the sword of our enemy, and turned it into a healing scalpel.
“O Death, where is your sting?” 1Cor.15.55 “Conversations Within” ts 4/19/2025
Paid in full. Nothing owed on this transaction. God made a gift out of what we could never afford to buy. Christ has paid it all. His last words are the Last Word.
“Religion says do. Jesus says done.” Jefferson Bethke Conversations Within” ts 4/18/
The answer to His haunting question, ‘Why’ is because God created a way to satisfy justice and be loving at the same time. Christ volunteered to pay our debts so we could be free from any condemning judgment. Why, indeed?
“Amazing love, how can it be that Thou my God should die for me.” Charles Wesley Conversations Within” ts 3/17/2016
No one can justly accuse God of sitting idly by in Heaven watching human suffering. He entered space and time and joined us in our pain. He chose the agony of the cross and identified with all it means to live in a cursed world. Christ bore not only our sins, but the cruel consequences of them. He chose to experience human thirst so we would never have to thirst again.
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 4/17/2025
We might be tempted to think that Jesus waited until the last minute to attend to something so important, but Jesus’ friendship with John was not a last minute investment. If you can’t count on your family and friends, who can you count on?
“It is not what we have but who we have in our lives that count.” Unknown Conversations Within” ts 4/16/2025
In the hour of His death, Jesus was granting life. He answered the thief dying next to Him who, with simple faith, asked only to be remembered. We would all like to be remembered this way.
“It was the thief's last prayer, perhaps even his first. He knocked once, sought once, asked once, dared everything, and found everything.” Fulton J. Sheen
I do battle every day to push out negative thinking, and to keep my focus on what is good. There is a blessing in the battle. Like all sword fighting, the repeated struggle deepens my commitment to positive change. The fight gives me the opportunity to practice stopping a judgmental thought from becoming a judgmental word.
“Fight the good fight of the faith.” 1Tim.6.12 “Conversations Within” ts 3/31/2025
