“I never thought it was worth it, you know waiting for your love, and then I felt your kiss, I could wait forever for this” Anonymous

“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Ro.8.25 ESV

Patience has at least two sides to it. There is the passive side of this virtue that is little more than waiting. The trick with this sort of patience is learning to wait with out worry. Then there is the proactive side of patience, which is really nothing more than a resilient spirit persistently persevering while it waits. But whether we wait actively or passively, we wait and wait we must. The farmer waits for his crop, the runner for the finish line and the Christian for glory. One good question I think would be, “Is what I am waiting for worth it.” When I finally get the prize, will it be something worth the wait. Images of pearly gates and streets of gold have never been my cup of tea, but to finally be free of a divided self, to know perfect oneness with God, ah, that will be worth the wait. 2/22/2010 Conversations Within ts

“I never thought it was worth it, you know waiting for your love, and then I felt your kiss, I could wait forever for this” Anonymous

“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Ro.8.25 ESV

Patience has at least two sides to it. There is the passive side of this virtue that is little more than waiting. The trick with this sort of patience is learning to wait with out worry. Then there is the proactive side of patience, which is really nothing more than a resilient spirit persistently persevering while it waits. But whether we wait actively or passively, we wait and wait we must. The farmer waits for his crop, the runner for the finish line and the Christian for glory. One good question I think would be, “Is what I am waiting for worth it.” When I finally get the prize, will it be something worth the wait. Images of pearly gates and streets of gold have never been my cup of tea, but to finally be free of a divided self, to know perfect oneness with God, ah, that will be worth the wait. 2/22/2010 Conversations Within ts

“The face of the enemy frightens me only when I see how much it resembles me” Anonymous

“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Lk.6.28 ESV

When Jesus tells us to pray for those who abuse us, I fear what prayer I might make for them. It is not so much that I would ask God to strike them in some way but I fear that in my prayer even when it is a good one, I would slip out some holier than thou attitude, something that says, “Look at me, Mr. Saint praying for my enemies.” When I ask God to bless my enemy, I need to remember that I also have been God’s enemy. It should be easy enough to walk a mile in my enemy’s shoes; they are after all the same brand I wear from time to time. 2/19/2010 Conversations Within ts

“The face of the enemy frightens me only when I see how much it resembles me” Anonymous

“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Lk.6.28 ESV

When Jesus tells us to pray for those who abuse us, I fear what prayer I might make for them. It is not so much that I would ask God to strike them in some way but I fear that in my prayer even when it is a good one, I would slip out some holier than thou attitude, something that says, “Look at me, Mr. Saint praying for my enemies.” When I ask God to bless my enemy, I need to remember that I also have been God’s enemy. It should be easy enough to walk a mile in my enemy’s shoes; they are after all the same brand I wear from time to time. 2/19/2010 Conversations Within ts

“The pain now is part of the happiness then. That's the deal.” Shadowlands the Movie

“who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Eph.1.3 ESV

I suppose I will have to get used to the idea of leaving this place. Life is so very good, I want it to go on forever but who would want to continue in this place with all its pain. And, there are some very real pains in this place. How precious that God would use some of these pains to work in us faith, hope even love. I sometimes wonder what life in glory will be like. I suppose there is a strong connection between my dreams and my Christian hope. My faith assures me that Jesus not only promises to wake me after death closes my eyes but when I wake I will wake to the real world, and find that my life here was the dream. 2/18/2010 Conversations Within ts

“The pain now is part of the happiness then. That's the deal.” Shadowlands the Movie

“who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Eph.1.3 ESV

I suppose I will have to get used to the idea of leaving this place. Life is so very good, I want it to go on forever but who would want to continue in this place with all its pain. And, there are some very real pains in this place. How precious that God would use some of these pains to work in us faith, hope even love. I sometimes wonder what life in glory will be like. I suppose there is a strong connection between my dreams and my Christian hope. My faith assures me that Jesus not only promises to wake me after death closes my eyes but when I wake I will wake to the real world, and find that my life here was the dream. 2/18/2010 Conversations Within ts

How do you give a gift to someone who has everything?

“Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.” Ps.89.52 ESV

How do we bless someone who is the source of all blessing? How is it possible for mere humans to bless the Lord? Two things come to mind. One is that when we are encouraged to bless the Lord we are being told this for our benefit. The encouragement is to look upon God as the source of all blessing, to cherish Him as no other and to seek Him above all other treasures. The second thing that comes to mind is that when we live this way, the Lord is truly blessed by us. God has made it possible for me to give Him the gift of me. You are His to enjoy, He is yours also to enjoy. YAHTEHIYATE! 2/17/2010 Conversations Within ts

How do you give a gift to someone who has everything?

“Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.” Ps.89.52 ESV

How do we bless someone who is the source of all blessing? How is it possible for mere humans to bless the Lord? Two things come to mind. One is that when we are encouraged to bless the Lord we are being told this for our benefit. The encouragement is to look upon God as the source of all blessing, to cherish Him as no other and to seek Him above all other treasures. The second thing that comes to mind is that when we live this way, the Lord is truly blessed by us. God has made it possible for me to give Him the gift of me. You are His to enjoy, He is yours also to enjoy. YAHTEHIYATE! 2/17/2010 Conversations Within ts

“I wish you all I ever wanted for you. I wish you the best.” Rainman (The Movie)

“May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter.” Ruth 3.10 ESV

We have all heard parents tell their children that all they ever wanted for them was for them to be happy. I want the same for my children but I would qualify what happiness I want for them. I do not want my children to settle for any happiness that falls short of happiness as God defines it. Someone might ask, “What does it matter, if your children are happy, isn’t happy, happy?” Well, for one thing, a bully is happy when he is pushing others around, and drug addicts are happy when they are high. What parent would want this kind of happy for their child? Some may ask, “And what about happiness if no one is getting hurt?” That’s just the point isn’t it? Any happiness that falls short of pleasing God who by nature is committed wholly and solely to good would, by definition be a bad happy. 2/15/2010 Conversations Within ts

“I wish you all I ever wanted for you. I wish you the best.” Rainman (The Movie)

“May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter.” Ruth 3.10 ESV

We have all heard parents tell their children that all they ever wanted for them was for them to be happy. I want the same for my children but I would qualify what happiness I want for them. I do not want my children to settle for any happiness that falls short of happiness as God defines it. Someone might ask, “What does it matter, if your children are happy, isn’t happy, happy?” Well, for one thing, a bully is happy when he is pushing others around, and drug addicts are happy when they are high. What parent would want this kind of happy for their child? Some may ask, “And what about happiness if no one is getting hurt?” That’s just the point isn’t it? Any happiness that falls short of pleasing God who by nature is committed wholly and solely to good would, by definition be a bad happy. 2/15/2010 Conversations Within ts

“He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.” Deut.28.6 ESV

What should mark the steps of a person who trusts in God if it is not His blessing? When God promises to bless our coming and going this is just another way of saying that He will prosper what we do at home as well as at work. Of what value would it be if God blessed us at work but not at home? To prosper in business but not at home is not to prosper at all. It should not surprise us then that Jesus will talk with us about our marriage when we might prefer that he assure us about our stocks, bonds and investments, even ministry. 2/14/2010 Conversations Within ts

“He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.” Deut.28.6 ESV

What should mark the steps of a person who trusts in God if it is not His blessing? When God promises to bless our coming and going this is just another way of saying that He will prosper what we do at home as well as at work. Of what value would it be if God blessed us at work but not at home? To prosper in business but not at home is not to prosper at all. It should not surprise us then that Jesus will talk with us about our marriage when we might prefer that he assure us about our stocks, bonds and investments, even ministry. 2/14/2010 Conversations Within ts

“Some people think it's holding on that makes one strong- sometimes it's letting go.” Anonymous

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.” Ps.84.5 ESV

We are told that moments of weakness are appropriate opportunities to rely on God’s strength. But what does this look like? When my wife cannot open a new jar of mayonnaise, she will often hand it to me believing I will succeed where she has failed. I guess finding strength in God is something as simple as that. We tell Him we are not strong enough for something and turn it over to Him. The history of God’s people has made a couple of things very clear about this. One is that God is more than willing to lend us His helping hand and two, folk who know this best are those whose prayerful hearts are like a well traveled Interstate not an overgrown and seldom used path. 2/13/2010 Conversations Within ts

“Some people think it's holding on that makes one strong- sometimes it's letting go.” Anonymous

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.” Ps.84.5 ESV

We are told that moments of weakness are appropriate opportunities to rely on God’s strength. But what does this look like? When my wife cannot open a new jar of mayonnaise, she will often hand it to me believing I will succeed where she has failed. I guess finding strength in God is something as simple as that. We tell Him we are not strong enough for something and turn it over to Him. The history of God’s people has made a couple of things very clear about this. One is that God is more than willing to lend us His helping hand and two, folk who know this best are those whose prayerful hearts are like a well traveled Interstate not an overgrown and seldom used path. 2/13/2010 Conversations Within ts

“The optimist says, "My cup runneth over, what a blessing." The pessimist says, "My cup runneth over, what a mess.”

“My cup runneth over.” Ps.23.5 ESV

I have met people who possess very little but have great wealth within. I also know people born with physical disabilities but have the ability to enjoy life like a fountain of joy. When we see these people, we may think they are making the best out a bad situation. We inwardly smile and say, “Bless their heart,” but all the while they are already blessed. Why, simply because they know they are. 2/12/2010 Conversations Within ts

“The optimist says, "My cup runneth over, what a blessing." The pessimist says, "My cup runneth over, what a mess.”

“My cup runneth over.” Ps.23.5 ESV

I have met people who possess very little but have great wealth within. I also know people born with physical disabilities but have the ability to enjoy life like a fountain of joy. When we see these people, we may think they are making the best out a bad situation. We inwardly smile and say, “Bless their heart,” but all the while they are already blessed. Why, simply because they know they are. 2/12/2010 Conversations Within ts

“Friendship is a strong and habitual inclination in two persons to promote the good and happiness of one another.” Eustace Budgell

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Tim.6.6 KJV

To live life where every attitude and activity is measured by what pleases God is the essential quality of true godliness. Living with an inclination to please Him, will move us toward material contentment. But contentment by itself is not always a virtue. Being satisfied is a virtue only when it is married to godliness. To be content with anything that is not pleasing to the Lord could be vice not virtue. 2/11/2010 Conversations Within ts

“Friendship is a strong and habitual inclination in two persons to promote the good and happiness of one another.” Eustace Budgell

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Tim.6.6 KJV

To live life where every attitude and activity is measured by what pleases God is the essential quality of true godliness. Living with an inclination to please Him, will move us toward material contentment. But contentment by itself is not always a virtue. Being satisfied is a virtue only when it is married to godliness. To be content with anything that is not pleasing to the Lord could be vice not virtue. 2/11/2010 Conversations Within ts

“Status quo, you know, that is Latin for ''the mess we're in.'' Ronald Reagan

“Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan!” Josh.7.7 ESV

Sometimes after personal failure, I have questioned decisions I had made even when I believed those decisions to be following the Lord. Joshua expressed these sentiments to the Lord when the Israelites fell in battle before their enemies. This was after they ventured across the Jordan to enter the promise land. The Lord rebuked Joshua and pointed out that it wasn’t their decision to follow Him across the Jordan that brought failure but their decision to follow in some things and not follow in others. I should never regret any decision I’ve made to follow the Lord. If there are any regrets for the mess I’m in, let them be for my half-hearted obedience. 2/10/2010 Conversations Within ts

“Status quo, you know, that is Latin for ''the mess we're in.'' Ronald Reagan

“Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan!” Josh.7.7 ESV

Sometimes after personal failure, I have questioned decisions I had made even when I believed those decisions to be following the Lord. Joshua expressed these sentiments to the Lord when the Israelites fell in battle before their enemies. This was after they ventured across the Jordan to enter the promise land. The Lord rebuked Joshua and pointed out that it wasn’t their decision to follow Him across the Jordan that brought failure but their decision to follow in some things and not follow in others. I should never regret any decision I’ve made to follow the Lord. If there are any regrets for the mess I’m in, let them be for my half-hearted obedience. 2/10/2010 Conversations Within ts

There is quietness in the arms of the Most High where all the noise of the world is silenced.

“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Ps. 131.2 ESV

There are times when contentment is not a good thing. I may be content with far less than God desires for me. But if I am content in good way, let me give thanks for it. If I am not content, let me remind myself that contentment is but a choice away. The choice may be to act on my circumstances or to act on my attitude towards them. If I do not like my circumstances and feel the permission of God’s Spirit and have the power to change them, then let me choose to do so. But if I cannot change my circumstances, let me at least change my response to them. There are times when God asks us to reconcile ourselves to our condition just as there are times when He uses our condition to move us to doing something about it. In the former, He offers peace, in the latter, wisdom and strength. 2/9/2010 Conversations Within ts

There is quietness in the arms of the Most High where all the noise of the world is silenced.

“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Ps. 131.2 ESV

There are times when contentment is not a good thing. I may be content with far less than God desires for me. But if I am content in good way, let me give thanks for it. If I am not content, let me remind myself that contentment is but a choice away. The choice may be to act on my circumstances or to act on my attitude towards them. If I do not like my circumstances and feel the permission of God’s Spirit and have the power to change them, then let me choose to do so. But if I cannot change my circumstances, let me at least change my response to them. There are times when God asks us to reconcile ourselves to our condition just as there are times when He uses our condition to move us to doing something about it. In the former, He offers peace, in the latter, wisdom and strength. 2/9/2010 Conversations Within ts

Blessed are those who know they are blessed!

“And they all ate and were satisfied.” Mark 6.42 ESV

What does it mean to eat at the table of Jesus, if it does not mean to be satisfied? If we hunger to be right with God He has promised to make it so. We can add nothing to His perfect sacrifice except to eat, drink and be satisfied. Do I want lasting peace? The Prince of Peace offers a tranquility that passes understanding to every person who is content to leave all cares with Him. Jesus satisfies our longing to be loved. To eat at the Shepherd’s table is to want for nothing--our part, it seems, is to realize this. 2/8/2010 Conversations Within ts

Blessed are those who know they are blessed!

“And they all ate and were satisfied.” Mark 6.42 ESV

What does it mean to eat at the table of Jesus, if it does not mean to be satisfied? If we hunger to be right with God He has promised to make it so. We can add nothing to His perfect sacrifice except to eat, drink and be satisfied. Do I want lasting peace? The Prince of Peace offers a tranquility that passes understanding to every person who is content to leave all cares with Him. Jesus satisfies our longing to be loved. To eat at the Shepherd’s table is to want for nothing--our part, it seems, is to realize this. 2/8/2010 Conversations Within ts

“I am always satisfied with the best.” Oscar Wilde

“The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.” Pro.19:23 ESV

We are told a number of times that the fear of the Lord leads us to a happy and satisfying life. Not fear in the sense of terror or dread but fear in the sense of coming wide awake to all that God is for us. A healthy fear of God not only motivates us to avoid foolish behavior it assures us of His protection when we behave as we should. Why is this so satisfying? Probably in the same way a child is satisfied by the consistent behavior they find in parents that love them. 2/6/10 Conversations Within ts

“I am always satisfied with the best.” Oscar Wilde

“The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.” Pro.19:23 ESV

We are told a number of times that the fear of the Lord leads us to a happy and satisfying life. Not fear in the sense of terror or dread but fear in the sense of coming wide awake to all that God is for us. A healthy fear of God not only motivates us to avoid foolish behavior it assures us of His protection when we behave as we should. Why is this so satisfying? Probably in the same way a child is satisfied by the consistent behavior they find in parents that love them. 2/6/10 Conversations Within ts

“True holiness consists in doing God's will with a smile” Mother Teresa

“We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!” Psa.65:4 ESV

God’s goodness is a holy goodness so it only makes sense that when we experience His goodness it will move us toward His holiness. Holiness is not some religious mumbo jumbo or hullabaloo; it is nothing more than loving God as He should be loved. And, it is God’s goodness that enables us to live this way. People sometimes think of holiness as refraining from certain activities. People often advertise the things they have given up for God. But holiness is expressed as much in participation as it is in non-participation. One person may go see a movie for God’s glory another may refrain from going for the same reason. This is not hard to understand if we remember that sometimes the reason we do a thing is as important as the thing we do. 2/5/2010 Conversations Within ts

“True holiness consists in doing God's will with a smile” Mother Teresa

“We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!” Psa.65:4 ESV

God’s goodness is a holy goodness so it only makes sense that when we experience His goodness it will move us toward His holiness. Holiness is not some religious mumbo jumbo or hullabaloo; it is nothing more than loving God as He should be loved. And, it is God’s goodness that enables us to live this way. People sometimes think of holiness as refraining from certain activities. People often advertise the things they have given up for God. But holiness is expressed as much in participation as it is in non-participation. One person may go see a movie for God’s glory another may refrain from going for the same reason. This is not hard to understand if we remember that sometimes the reason we do a thing is as important as the thing we do. 2/5/2010 Conversations Within ts

It amuses me that I have often regretted eating one more piece of pizza, but I have never regretted refusing one.

“All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.” Ecc.6:7 ESV

It is one thing to say to your body that you have had enough and another to have your body say to you that it just can’t hold any more. I should think that it is undesirable to eat so much that you get sick thinking about another bite. Better to learn how to content yourself not only knowing the difference between needing more and wanting more but actually being in charge of your desires. Contentment often comes from contenting myself (imagine that) and leaves me not only feeling good but feeling good about myself. 2/4/2010 Conversations Within ts

It amuses me that I have often regretted eating one more piece of pizza, but I have never regretted refusing one.

“All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.” Ecc.6:7 ESV

It is one thing to say to your body that you have had enough and another to have your body say to you that it just can’t hold any more. I should think that it is undesirable to eat so much that you get sick thinking about another bite. Better to learn how to content yourself not only knowing the difference between needing more and wanting more but actually being in charge of your desires. Contentment often comes from contenting myself (imagine that) and leaves me not only feeling good but feeling good about myself. 2/4/2010 Conversations Within ts

“Life isn't about the breaths we take, it's about the moments that take our breath away.” Anonymous

“My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.” Psa.63:5 ESV

What is a sunrise if His warmth is not rising in me? Everything around me carries the caress of Gods presence. I am not only reminded that He made these wonders but that God Himself is finding pleasure in them. I was not only aware that God was with me as I snorkeled a coral reef but I sensed His pure enjoyment of sharing it with me. What wonders Father has made and how wonderful must be His enjoyment of them. Even now, He visits the marvels of billions of worlds delighting in them. What can I say about my own amazement of sights and sounds? Like a palm swaying in the breeze or a flag whipping and flipping in the wind, I would know nothing about dancing if God did not dance with me. All the astonishments that strum the strings in my heart do so in keeping with the rhythm of His hand. He is both my breath and the one who takes my breath away. I praise Lord, with joyful lips. 2/3/2010 Conversations Within ts

“Life isn't about the breaths we take, it's about the moments that take our breath away.” Anonymous

“My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.” Psa.63:5 ESV

What is a sunrise if His warmth is not rising in me? Everything around me carries the caress of Gods presence. I am not only reminded that He made these wonders but that God Himself is finding pleasure in them. I was not only aware that God was with me as I snorkeled a coral reef but I sensed His pure enjoyment of sharing it with me. What wonders Father has made and how wonderful must be His enjoyment of them. Even now, He visits the marvels of billions of worlds delighting in them. What can I say about my own amazement of sights and sounds? Like a palm swaying in the breeze or a flag whipping and flipping in the wind, I would know nothing about dancing if God did not dance with me. All the astonishments that strum the strings in my heart do so in keeping with the rhythm of His hand. He is both my breath and the one who takes my breath away. I praise Lord, with joyful lips. 2/3/2010 Conversations Within ts

“You can’t put in what God leaves out.” Chariots of Fire

“…you shall eat and not be satisfied.” Lev26.26 ESV

One vivid scene in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean shows Captain Barbossa taking a bite out of a juicy apple but because he is cursed, he is unable to enjoy its sweetness. Joy is the gift of God. He imparts it to put the last touches on pleasures, when they are rightly taken from His hand. Joy enables us to know pleasure with doubt, guilt or fear. Joy completes pleasure like childbirth completes a pregnancy. Pleasure without joy is to miscarry. Only the healed heart can experience pleasure as God intends. We may pursue pleasure but if God leaves joy out of it, to what end are pleasures pursued. It is like chewing without swallowing. Imagine the hell of be surrounded by pleasure but having no joy. 2/1/2010 Conversations Within ts

“You can’t put in what God leaves out.” Chariots of Fire

“…you shall eat and not be satisfied.” Lev26.26 ESV

One vivid scene in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean shows Captain Barbossa taking a bite out of a juicy apple but because he is cursed, he is unable to enjoy its sweetness. Joy is the gift of God. He imparts it to put the last touches on pleasures, when they are rightly taken from His hand. Joy enables us to know pleasure with doubt, guilt or fear. Joy completes pleasure like childbirth completes a pregnancy. Pleasure without joy is to miscarry. Only the healed heart can experience pleasure as God intends. We may pursue pleasure but if God leaves joy out of it, to what end are pleasures pursued. It is like chewing without swallowing. Imagine the hell of be surrounded by pleasure but having no joy. 2/1/2010 Conversations Within ts

“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“…when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.” Ps.17.15 ESV

Life is good, yet the Good Book tells us that God’s loving kindness is better than life. Certainly, the table in this place is set with many wonderful dishes, but the finest fair here cannot compare to all that waits us there. Age without ailment, recess without end, enjoyment without fear, no enemies which threaten, and beauty that never fades. But even the delectable dishes that come to us in glory will not compare to our promised completion. God Himself is to be our eternal portion. 1/30/2010 Conversations Within ts

“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“…when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.” Ps.17.15 ESV

Life is good, yet the Good Book tells us that God’s loving kindness is better than life. Certainly, the table in this place is set with many wonderful dishes, but the finest fair here cannot compare to all that waits us there. Age without ailment, recess without end, enjoyment without fear, no enemies which threaten, and beauty that never fades. But even the delectable dishes that come to us in glory will not compare to our promised completion. God Himself is to be our eternal portion. 1/30/2010 Conversations Within ts

“Pray with your eyes open.” Richard Pratt

“So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” 1Th 5:6 ESV

Most of the time, I pray with my eyes open. I always have. I don’t mind reverently bowing the head but somehow closing my eyes doesn’t shut out the world and bring me closer to God, it makes Him seem further away. I mean if I really believe that God is with me, in me, around me, why would I want to shut my eyes. Actually praying with my eyes open expresses my belief that God is right there with me, as real, actually more real than any other person with whom I converse. Talking to Him is as natural as talking to anyone. It doesn’t matter if I am walking, driving or brushing my teeth, when someone is in the room with me, conversation usually happens. I actually have caught myself, asking God to excuse me a moment when answering the phone or if Brenda calls to me from another room. I have also apologized many times for ignoring Him, or allowing some visual something to distract me from our conversation. Just because God is invisible doesn’t mean He is any less present. Somehow praying with my eyes open wakens me to this. 1/30/2010 Conversations Within ts

“Pray with your eyes open.” Richard Pratt

“So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” 1Th 5:6 ESV

Most of the time, I pray with my eyes open. I always have. I don’t mind reverently bowing the head but somehow closing my eyes doesn’t shut out the world and bring me closer to God, it makes Him seem further away. I mean if I really believe that God is with me, in me, around me, why would I want to shut my eyes. Actually praying with my eyes open expresses my belief that God is right there with me, as real, actually more real than any other person with whom I converse. Talking to Him is as natural as talking to anyone. It doesn’t matter if I am walking, driving or brushing my teeth, when someone is in the room with me, conversation usually happens. I actually have caught myself, asking God to excuse me a moment when answering the phone or if Brenda calls to me from another room. I have also apologized many times for ignoring Him, or allowing some visual something to distract me from our conversation. Just because God is invisible doesn’t mean He is any less present. Somehow praying with my eyes open wakens me to this. 1/30/2010 Conversations Within ts

If you don't do your part, don't blame God. Billy Sunday

“Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning.” 1Co 15:34 ESV

My dad used to tell me to take extra care to keep my chainsaw blade out of the dirt. It only takes a few seconds with the blade in the ground and you will spend most of your time sharpening instead of cutting up wood. Sin dulls the blade our sensitivity to God’s presence and of course, His will for our lives. It hardens the heart, clouds our vision and impairs our judgment. I sometimes wonder why God seems cold and distant, why my soul isn’t being warmed with His love and presence. Then I wake and realize I’ve been running around opening the doors and windows of my soul, letting in the cold air of selfish indulgence. 1/29/2010 Conversations Within ts

If you don't do your part, don't blame God. Billy Sunday

“Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning.” 1Co 15:34 ESV

My dad used to tell me to take extra care to keep my chainsaw blade out of the dirt. It only takes a few seconds with the blade in the ground and you will spend most of your time sharpening instead of cutting up wood. Sin dulls the blade our sensitivity to God’s presence and of course, His will for our lives. It hardens the heart, clouds our vision and impairs our judgment. I sometimes wonder why God seems cold and distant, why my soul isn’t being warmed with His love and presence. Then I wake and realize I’ve been running around opening the doors and windows of my soul, letting in the cold air of selfish indulgence. 1/29/2010 Conversations Within ts

“It's always shocking to meet life where we thought we were alone. “Look Out!” we cry, “It's Alive!” C. S. Lewis

Wake yourself, wake yourself! Is.51.17 ESV

I don’t think it is proper that we wake only to God’s presence in an intellectual sense--that we believe that He is there doctrinally. We also wake to Him as one wakes to the presence of something alive, like coming upon a snake in a bed of leaves. This is very shocking at first, and I mean God, not the snake. Yet, after a while, waking to His presence becomes living in His presence. It is here that we will at last live life as He intends. Until then, He is there beside us, patiently and gently shaking us awake. 1/28/2010 Conversations Within ts

“It's always shocking to meet life where we thought we were alone. “Look Out!” we cry, “It's Alive!” C. S. Lewis

Wake yourself, wake yourself! Is.51.17 ESV

I don’t think it is proper that we wake only to God’s presence in an intellectual sense--that we believe that He is there doctrinally. We also wake to Him as one wakes to the presence of something alive, like coming upon a snake in a bed of leaves. This is very shocking at first, and I mean God, not the snake. Yet, after a while, waking to His presence becomes living in His presence. It is here that we will at last live life as He intends. Until then, He is there beside us, patiently and gently shaking us awake. 1/28/2010 Conversations Within ts

“…what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” Ps139.7 ESV

It is a stimulating experience to be around a person who is awake to life. Whenever these people walk into the room, you sense that they are a hundred percent there, alive to the moment. Awake people communicate the very magic of life simply because they are interacting with every single thing around them very much like the child investigating every thing in sight. I think this is some of what it means to wake up--to be very much like a child again--aware of God’s very real presence and to realize that He has always been there but we just didn’t noticed Him before. 1/26/2010 Conversations Within ts

“…what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” Ps139.7 ESV

It is a stimulating experience to be around a person who is awake to life. Whenever these people walk into the room, you sense that they are a hundred percent there, alive to the moment. Awake people communicate the very magic of life simply because they are interacting with every single thing around them very much like the child investigating every thing in sight. I think this is some of what it means to wake up--to be very much like a child again--aware of God’s very real presence and to realize that He has always been there but we just didn’t noticed Him before. 1/26/2010 Conversations Within ts

On average, people speak about sixteen thousand words a day. One wonders how many of them are directed to God.

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” Rom 13:11

Once God wakes us from sleep, how do we remain awake? I have people all of the time who tell me they rise first thing in the morning and spend time with the Lord in quiet reflection but then lose the sense of God’s presence when they go to work. But Christ assures us that He is our constant companion; He goes to work in us. It is the sense of His presence we loose, but we never loose His presence within. I think we sometimes confuse God with some warm feeling. But remaining awake to His presence is certainly more than a good feeling. We must as Brother Lawrence called it, “practice the presence of God.” Some say that it is easier to do this in a monastery than on the job. But is it really? I think we will find that God is just as willing to fellowship with us as much in our work as in our worship. I have found it helpful to simply talk with Him, not mindless jabber mind you, just delightful conversation.

On average, people speak about sixteen thousand words a day. One wonders how many of them are directed to God.

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” Rom 13:11

Once God wakes us from sleep, how do we remain awake? I have people all of the time who tell me they rise first thing in the morning and spend time with the Lord in quiet reflection but then lose the sense of God’s presence when they go to work. But Christ assures us that He is our constant companion; He goes to work in us. It is the sense of His presence we loose, but we never loose His presence within. I think we sometimes confuse God with some warm feeling. But remaining awake to His presence is certainly more than a good feeling. We must as Brother Lawrence called it, “practice the presence of God.” Some say that it is easier to do this in a monastery than on the job. But is it really? I think we will find that God is just as willing to fellowship with us as much in our work as in our worship. I have found it helpful to simply talk with Him, not mindless jabber mind you, just delightful conversation.