The freedom to choose Jesus as my Lord was not given to me by the US government. The founding fathers just recognized and adopted the freedom that God Himself grants.

 In light of the fact that many in the United States do not believe in the God of Jesus, I celebrate that I have freedom to do so. The US did not grant me this freedom. The God of Christ did. I respect the right of others to not believe simply because the God of Jesus does. He knows that love cannot exist without this freedom. Here is the only path to a Christian nation--freedom to choose.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” Ps.33.12 Conversations Within” ts 7/3/26

“Let joy be your compass.” Unknown

Jack Sparrow's compass always pointed to what he wanted most. I think it is important to know not only what brings us joy, but lasting, even eternal joy. According to Jesus, His joy springs from sitting at His Father’s right hand, living for His pleasure. Living in the favor of God, sounds good enough to me.

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb.12 Conversations Within” ts 6/22/26

"Not looking around the next corner, not the next hill. Here now. That’s enough.” Shadowlands (The Movie)

What a wonderful way to live each day, to simply cop a squat right where you are, and be there.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Ps.23 Conversations Within” ts 6/21/26

“Wiping out is an underappreciated skill.” Laird Hamilton

If you are not wiping out, you're not surfing. It is inevitable to fall down. Let me perfect the skill of getting back up every time I do. Let me practice this same grace to others when they stumble. Jesus did tell us to pray, deliver “us” from evil, not deliver me.

“Though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up.” Prov.24 Conversations Within” ts 6/20/26

"Every tomorrow has two handles. You can take hold of the handle of anxiety or the handle of enthusiasm." Unknown

 There is a lot to be said about pressing on toward a goal. And, while it is important to do so on days where one does not feel like it, it is equally important to keep a positive attitude. doing so works the muscles of faith with gratitude. Enduring and positively enduring makes it a twofer where character is concerned. 

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Phil.3 Conversations Within” ts 6/18/26

“What’s in a name?” William Shakespeare

If I pray and ask God to do something in the name of Jesus, would Jesus proudly represent my prayer to His Father. Jesus told us to pray that God’s name be set apart above everything. He calls on us to call upon His name, to live our lives under His values and His deliverance. 

“And there Abram called on the name of YHWH.” Gen.13 Conversations Within” ts 6/17/26

“I can’t, but I know a guy.” Tee Shirt

According to the Good Book, everybody falls short. Knowing this encourages us to consider that energy outside human effort is necessary if we are to experience the life God intends. Call out! The lifeguard awaits and will always answer our cry for help. 

“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” Ps.50 Conversations Within” ts 6/16/26

“Have you made the wonderful discovery of the Spirit filled life?” Bill Bright

Life is the Spirit is not about a religion, but a relationship and partnership with God through the abiding presence of Christ living in the soul. It is the vital connection that enables us to walk in The Way of Jesus experiencing and spreading His love to all Creation.

“Be filled with the Spirit.” Eph.5.18 Conversations Within” ts 6/15/26

Wisdom knows the difference between procrastinating and prioritizing.

Life in the Spirit is life indeed. Walking in the way of Jesus teaches us the value of slowing down, and giving our attention to what really matters, rather than to all the urgent, but trivial demands of modern life.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.” Jesus  Conversations Within” ts 6/13/26

"He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else." Benjamin Franklin

Find a way to get it done. Be the kind of person who looks for a way instead of an excuse. Adopt an attitude that says, we can do this, we  can figure this out. 

“A lazy one says, “There is a lion on the road! A lion is in the public square!” Prov.26 Conversations Within” ts 6/12/26

“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. It does not exist.” C.S. Lewis

 Contrary to the mistaken notion that God can do anything, the Spirit teaches us that God cannot do many things. He cannot lie, or be one place at a time or be anything other than Himself. He cannot force people to love Him, and escape the inevitable miseries of not doing so.

“Apart from You, I have nothing good.” Ps.16 Conversations Within” ts 6/11/26

“A man is "never so proud as when striking an attitude of humility".” C.S.Lewis

I read a story where an assistant pastor walked by the sanctuary and heard the senior pastor down on his knees crying out to God saying, Forgive me Lord, I am nothing. The assistance went in, got on his knees and also prayed the same prayer. The janitor walked by, saw them and fell to his knees praying the same. The assistant nudged the senior pastor, pointed at the janitor and smugly said. “Now look who thinks they are nothing.”

“The Pharisee, prayed… ‘God, I thank you that I am not…like this tax collector. But the tax collector, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” Luke 18 Conversations Within” ts 6/11/26

“Are you washed in the blood, In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?”

The Christian faith is a bloody affair. Indeed, God tells us that without its shedding there can be no forgiveness of sins. God alone makes us clean. He washes us with the blood of His sacrificed Son. If we want to know how much God loves each of us, just look at the price He was willing to pay for our redemption.

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace... " Eph.1 Conversations Within” ts 6/10/26

“This too will pass. It may pass like a kidney stone but it will pass.” Meme

Progression is built into the framework of creation. Plowing gives way to planting, and planting to pruning, and pruning to harvest. One does not keep on plowing, and plowing, and plowing. There is a time to plow, but one season passes naturally into another, and we are wise to accept and cooperate with these ordered rhythms.

"Does he who plows for sowing plow continually?" Is.28.24 Conversations Within” ts 6/9/26

“We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom.” E. O. Wilson

I google all day long and feel spoiled to have all the info at my fingertips. But as amazing this is, quick access to knowledge is no substitute for having wisdom. Author J.I Packer defines wisdom as “the power to see and the inclination to choose, the best and the highest goal together with the surest means of attaining it.” Wisdom is doing what you know. 

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.” Pro.16 Conversations Within” ts 6/8/26

“This place doesn't suit my life…. No, it is your life that doesn't suit this place.” A Good Year

 One brother wrote, “Heaven is an acquired taste. ”There are many beneficial activities and attitudes that require an attitude adjustment in me. In fact, when I think about it, if something doesn’t naturally fit my life, I should probably be working to make it that way. Sadly I am naturally inclined toward living unhealthy. Jesus is changing this.

“So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” Rom.7 Conversations Within” ts 6/7/26

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." Hippocrates

How exactly does one eat or drink for the glory of God? Well, I would think several practices come into play. The apostle told us that all things are good when they are received with thanksgiving. He also told us to treat our bodies as a temple. We glorify God by gratefully enjoying both the meals, and the wisdom He has provided to do so.  

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1Cor.10 Conversations Within” ts 6/3/26

“God is with us, and His power is around us.” C. H. Spurgeon

All that matters in life is to have the presence and blessing of God and to know you have them. With that knowledge comes the opportunity to interact with the power that comes with Him. Power to will and do His good pleasure and discover His to be ours. 

“But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” Gen.39 Conversations Within” ts 6/3/26

“If you can’t say something nice…don't say nothing at all.” Thumper

I heard a bit of news about someone that put them in a bad light, and was on the edge of sharing it with my spouse. Before I did, the Spirit of Jesus poked me, so to speak, and caused me to ask what benefit would it bring to her if I did. I decided to keep it to myself. Keep nudging me in the right direction Lord.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Eph.4.29 Conversations Within” ts 6/2/26

"He loves Thee too little, who loves anything together with Thee, which he loves not for Thy sake. ” Augustine

 Love for God will enrich all other loves. We properly love Him above everything and everyone, and when we do, we do not love others less, we love them more. C. S. Lewis put it this way. "When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now."

“Love the Lord with all of your heart…” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 6/1/26

A good conscience warns us that God is looking.

The Good Book tells us that people generally do what is right in their own eyes. This is one of the reasons Jesus cautions us to pay close attention to how we view the world. Most would say be true to your own conscience, but we should be equally concerned that our conscience is not leading us astray.

“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.” Rom.14 Conversations Within” ts 5/3126

“When one bases his life on principle, 99 percent of his decisions are already made.” Author Unknown

I want only one key to open the door of my heart, one principle to govern my thoughts and actions. Does it mirror the dynamic of the love of Christ? 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Ps.119 ESV Conversations Within” ts 5/3026

I want to be able to say that if you want proof of the resurrection of Jesus, just look at my life.

 Does my life give evidence of the resurrection of Christ? I may not have been an eye witness, but I am a witness none-the-less. The manner in which I live, the values I espouse, my words, and actions either attest or deny that the living Christ lives in me or not.

“And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4 Conversations Within” ts 5/2926

“When God has led you through the sea, everything else is a mere creek crossing.” Andy Stanley

A tour guide was leading and speaking about an historical event that had taken place in the Holy Land. What impressed one person on the tour is that he spoke of what happened in the first person as though he himself was personally there. This is the connection every child of God should have when speaking of the Red Sea crossing. Think about it!

“For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea..” 1Cor.10 Conversations Within” ts 5/2726

“Try to draw a circle so huge that there is no way we can finish it while we are alive. Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara

Live with divine purpose, and you will need to live forever to accomplish it. The good news is that God will accommodate such a life with all that is needed.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Phil.3.12 Conversations Within” ts 5/26/26

One key to a healthy relationship is to love someone on the days you don’t like them.

I can make peace with the fact that I do not always like someone as long as it does not interfere with loving them. Liking is a feeling. Loving is an action. 

“Love never fails.” 1Cor.13 Conversations Within” ts 5/25/26

“Right now counts forever.” R.C. Sproul

It is one thing to live “in” the moment and another to live “for” the moment. The first is perfect focus, the latter is a kind of nearsightedness--the inability to see beyond now. One of the most important reasons to give myself fully to this moment is that there are other moments to follow, and what we do now will follow us. 

“Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 5/23/26

I asked AI, “What is the most important verse in the Bible?”

After offering a few qualifications, AI's answer was John 3.16. I thought this was worth sharing. Loving God is the greatest commandment. But as important as it is that we love God, it is infinitely more important that He loves us. We love Him because He first loved us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3.16 Conversations Within” ts 5/22/26

“The real labor is… to come awake. Still more, to remain awake.” C.S. Lewis

I wake up many times a day. I find myself looking at something and realize that I have fallen asleep to life’s wonders. The wind brushes my face. I look up and see its movement in the trees. I catch a whiff of a magnolia bloom in the breeze. My Father whispers to me, "Wake up and join me in the moment. Don’t miss out."

“Wake! Why are you sleeping?” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 5/22/26

Establish a new habit by attaching it to one that is already established.

I often find that my resolve at the beginning of the day is not nearly as resolved at the end of the day. Perhaps I should begin my days in the evening. Someone suggested that if you want to establish a new habit, attach it to something you already do every day. Since I already see my resolve dwindle in the evening let me use it to re-resolve that very moment.

"My strength is made perfect in weakness."  2Cor.12 Conversations Within” ts 5/21/26

“Life is like the monkey bars: you have to let go to move forward. " Meme

Learning how to let go of things outside your control is of great value if we want joy in life. Recognize the futility of trying to change what cannot be changed. Accept matters for what they are, and the wisdom that comes from trusting God's hand in all things.

"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Jesus Conversations Within” ts 5/19/26

“Ain’t nobody got time for that.” Sweet Brown

Time is one, if not our most important resource. Who is not guilty of spending it foolishly and wastefully. I can do nothing about past purchases, but I have everything to say about how I spend my time today. Time spent loving people is one of the few activities that is never wasted.

“Redeem your time because the days are evil.” Eph.5 Conversations Within” ts 5/18/26

“If tomorrow is our great gettin up morning, if tomorrow we have to meet the judgment day, Oh Heavenly Father…” Glory (the movie)

It could happen anytime. It could happen today. When it happens, the only way I know to be prepared is to be found living in the fullness and freedom of Christ, this moment. Turn my thoughts of tomorrow into beneficial attitudes and actions right now.

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 5/17/26

"Don't think, just do." Top Gun Maverick

Blessings do not come from knowing, but from doing. The purpose of wisdom is to direct our actions not cripple us by the false confidence of just knowing. Be a doer, it is the final measure of success or failure. 

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 5/16/26

“You don't face your fears, you ride them.” Twisters (2024)

My wife and I once chased a tornado after it touched down on a nearby highway. We followed its path, but rain, heavy wind, and hail obscured our view. After stopping briefly for safety, we rounded a bend to find a destroyed home and a truck tossed into a tree. Storm chasers indeed!

“The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.” Nahum 1 Conversations Within” ts 5/16/26

“Nothing in you that has not died will ever be raised from the dead.” C. S. Lewis

Only when we die to our own designs can we begin to discover God’s. Then and only then will we accomplish anything of lasting value. Surrendered, even the smallest act can produce a harvest of enduring joy. The seed must be buried in order to become; we must die to self before we can be resurrected. 

“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 5/16/26

I am grateful that Father added a One to my zero.

It is good to remember that apart from my divine connection to Christ, I have nothing, I am nothing, and I can do nothing of lasting value. It is our vital connection to Him that makes life, life--valuable, and eternal. Abide in Him!

“Apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 5/14/26

“The first step in crafting the life you want is to get rid of what you don’t.” Unknown

The morning me wonders why the midday me gets off track, and the evening me is often too tired to practice being the person I want to be. "Lord, hear my voice, my present voice I mean, Not that which may be speaking an hour hence. ” C. S.Lewis

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” Heb.12 Conversations Within” ts 5/13/26

Peace is a way, a path, a manner of living that brings wholeness to all that is fragmented in our lives. Walk in the gentleness of peace

 Live gracefully with imperfections, even while trying to correct them in yourself. Nothing or no one is perfect in this place. Learn the gentle touch, which comes from the gentle and humble heart. Approach all of life with grace, gentleness, and goodness.

“We all stumble in many ways.” James 3 Conversations Within” ts 5/10/26

“On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Edward Mote

I can foolishly try to stand on my own flawed record when I face judgement, or rest secure on the perfect record of Christ. The invitation of Jesus is to stop trusting my own efforts, and start trusting Him. Why build a castle in the sand?

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 5/9/26