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.
Sometimes the best way to deal with something is to not deal with it right now, especially if it is tomorrow’s concern. I find that many of the things that stress the present moment are matters that have little to do with what needs doing now. God’s wisdom helps us discern this.
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
Where I put my trust is a daily consideration. I am all too tempted to trust in my own devices when I know how frail and failing they have been. And so, I remind myself that what I am unable to do, is a piece of cake to Him. What remains is for me to call out like one drowning and trust that He will do the rest.
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Ps.20 “Conversations Within” ts 8/6/
I can view my temptations like a trip to the gym. For instance, I can use what I don’t like about myself, as a reminder to nurture what I want to like about myself. I don’t like being a reactive person. So, when tempted to do so, let me see it as an opportunity to practice patiently responding instead.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Prov.15.1 “
I hate to admit it, but I can be so vain. When I act this way I am not loving God, others, or myself as I should. Vanity thinks only of oneself whereas love values service to others. Vanity is always drawing attention to self. Love on the other hand is understated beauty.
“Love…does not boast, it is not proud.” 1Cor.13 “Conversations Within” ts 8/5/
1.Tell God outright I want His will first, and mean it. 2.Make sure I am already doing what I know is His will. 3.Read and reflect on His word every day. 4.Seek wise counsel from godly people. 5.Consider what gifts He has given to me, and use them. 6.Watch Him open and close doors. 7.Trust the process.
“Do not conform any longer
Chances are that if I am not adding value to others, I am probably subtracting from it. The reason is because I had an opportunity to benefit someone and I withheld it.
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Prov.
Find the proper focus, then abide in it. What is the proper focus? Jesus has convinced me that loving God and loving others is spot on where lasting joy is concerned . I want this love to be the dynamic that defines my journey.
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved
Living on a sailboat and cruising in a van has taught me to check out every noise that doesn’t sound quite right. I always find that something is broken or starting to break and I better give it attention. This is true in relationships as well. Maintenance is an essential skill for a happy home.
“Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.” Ecc.10.18 “Conversations Within” ts 8/2/
Always being ready to give an answer about my faith, strongly implies that I wait for a question, not just spout out answers to everyone passing by. If no one is questioning me about my hopes as a Christian, I may want to reconsider how I am living
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1Pet.3.15 “Conversations Within” ts 7/30/25
Jesus told us to anticipate certain things as we wait for the final healing of our broken world. Conflict of all kinds is to be expected. The world is broken, nations, homes, and people. He invites us to rest in the knowledge that healing is coming. We can expect that too!
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 7/29/25
The information age is not as informative as I sometimes think it is. What do I really know about people, or current affairs? It is limited by what I have read or heard from others, and we all know how incomplete that is. If there is any wisdom, it is that I should reserve judgment, and attend to the little I do know.
“The same measure you use to judge others will be used to judge you.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 7/27/
I think most people regard injurious actions to others as a sin, with a few exceptions such as self-defense. Does this mean that non injurious actions are not morally wrong. If what I do does not hurt anybody, is it a sin? For a Christian, sin is what God says. I think we overlook that what offends Him is the true understanding of sin.
“All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” Rom.
If God is good, why do we sometimes have to remind ourselves that He is? I am reminded of the meme, “Some see the rose, others see the thorns.” Our focus determines a great deal. Abide in the light of His goodness. It will permeate the darkness and doubts of this world.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalms 34:8” “Conversations Within” ts 7/26/25
Time unfolds from God’s hand.It is a precious gift that He shares existence with us. He embodies every moment, and invites us to do the same. Fill each moment with your whole being. Stretch out in it as in a bed with the softest sheets. Wrap yourself in the blanket of this moment.
“Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” Eph.5.13 “Conversations Within” ts 7/25/
Anything political leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The idea that someone is trying to package and sell me something immediately turns me off. I have found that true worth and value is apparent, even obvious. Once you have encountered the real deal everything else is just noise.
“Whoever has ears to hear, let them
