The big picture

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.57.1 “Conversations Within” ts 10/24/25

“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” Paul Boese

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.4.32 “Conversations Within” ts 10/23/25

“Sometimes you have to look hard at a person and remember he's doing the best he can. He's just trying to find his way, just like you.” On Golden Pond

 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.4.32 “Conversations Within” ts 10/22/25

“Peace is retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.” Wayne Dyer

 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 10/21/25

"Use your head when you use your head. ” Unknown

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 situations.” 2Tim.4 “Conversations Within” ts 10/20/25

Do you believe there’s a devil?

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

Learning a new way of walking

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 10/17/25

"No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened". C.S. Lewis

 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 10/16/25

"Some poor, phoneless fool is probably sitting next to a waterfall somewhere totally unaware of how angry and scared he’s supposed to be.” Duncan Trussell

 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

Casting out demons

There are many ways that a Christian can war against darkness, and all of them involve bringing in the light of truth. We may rebuke a demon to leave the oppressed, or possessed, but once gone, the delivered person must choose to accept God’s love, and love Him in return. There is no neutral ground. We either walk in the light of truth or the darkness of deception.

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person…it returns, finds the house empty…goes and brings with it seven other spirits… they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. ” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 10/13/25

Fighting on the wrong turf

It is easy to focus our attention to physical struggles-- health, losing weight, staying in shape, making ends meet. It sometimes seems that our struggle is against flesh and blood, but this is only because our real enemies have duped us into fighting on the wrong turf. The enemy's intention is not just to destroy our body, but to destroy our soul. Only the weapons of faith will win the real battle.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but….against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Eph.6.12 Conversations Within” ts 10/12/25

“You will never feel ready, because ready isn’t a feeling, it’s a decision.” Meme

Incline my heart toward action sweet Lord. Obedience to your word is the only way I can be prepared for your return. It is also the only way to be ready if you come for me at any moment. 

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,” Conversations Within” ts 10/11/25

In the end, the only thing that will matter is to have God’s favor.

“No ifs, ands, or buts about it, God has declared where His favor rests. I want to be on the right side, which is to be seated on the right hand of God. Jesus sits there, may God grant that we sit with Him. It is not earned. It is a gift that God grants to all who ask for it.

“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.2.8-9 Conversations Within” ts 10/10/25

“Root yourself in this present moment.” After Earth

Bring it down to now. Attend, abide. Forget what has passed. Do not waste energy worrying about the future. Stop overthinking. Calm your thoughts. Embrace this moment. The one who calls Himself the "I Am" invites you to join Him. Be!

“Be where you are, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” Ecc.9.7 Conversations Within” ts 10/9/25

God speaks in a lot of ways.

It should not surprise me that God would send an encouraging message to me on some social media app. I have gotten text messages from Him as well. God speaks! His voice is everywhere. He speaks to the listening heart. Jesus did say, “Seek and you will find.”

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.“Ps.19 Conversations Within” ts 10/5/25

Real and lasting happiness?

Lasting happiness is nurtured within, not found without. It begins when we wake to the reality of God’s presence in us, and through faith we embrace everything He desires to be for us. This action grounds us in the present moment and flows out of us in grateful praise.

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy" Ps.16:11 Conversations Within” ts 10/5/25

"Faith and Fear both demand you believe in something you cannot see." Bob Proctor

Turn every thought that stirs concern into a prayer that places it squarely into God’s hands. If the thought returns, simply do it again and keep doing it. Put everything that weighs you down, down. Let it go in childlike trust.

“Cast your cares on Him because He cares for you.” 1Pt.5.7 “Conversations Within” ts 10/4/25

Moving from Belief to Action

I am amazed at how quick I can lose the pleasant and peaceful focus that God’s word brings to me. This is because hearing the music and dancing to the music are two very different things. Get up and dance. 

“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at their face in a mirror and, after looking, goes away and immediately forgets what they look like.  James 1.23-24  “Conversations Within” ts 10/3/25

“I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread.” Tolkien

When we live each day spread too thin, we take away the joy of living wholeheartedly. Attending too many things, cramping an already full schedule will water down quality, vainly thinking that quantity is somehow more. Better a simple celebration, one that leaves time to truly enjoy it.

“It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” Ps.127.2 “Conversations Within” ts 10/3/25

#livingwholeheartedly

Just enjoying the ride.

I am amazed when I look back on the life I have been given. I am overwhelmed with gratitude that God has showered me with so many blessings. I do have thoughts about how short the ride has been, and sometimes find myself wondering about the future. I am reminded that He holds my future, and with Him the ride will never end.

“You have drawn the lines for me in pleasant places. I have a beautiful inheritance.” Ps.16 “Conversations Within” ts 10/2/25

Isn't a story supposed to get better and better every time you tell it?

It is one thing to improve telling a story to make it better, and another to exaggerate or misrepresent the details, which basically make it untrue. Be a reliable witness, the truth doesn't need exaggeration.

“Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.” Prov.26.7 “Conversations Within” ts 10/1/25

What good is a message if it is not heard?

Share counsel in such a way that people listen. Something as simple as using fewer words, can help. Many good messages are never heard, simply because they’re too long. Others are ignored because we may be talking down to people, rather than with them.

“The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.’ “Conversations Within” ts 9/30/25

#Isyourmessagebeingheard

“If you lived another 5 years you might be a great man”…”I think I shall probably have to settle for what I am now. ” Colonel Travis the Alamo

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.4. “Conversations Within” ts 9/29/25

“Are you packed?”... “I'm always packed.” Eight Below

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

#Second coming

“Always take the scenic route.” Meme

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

Home is where you park it. Van life

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 9/24/25

#van life, just passing through

Hijacked love

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