A seed is only a seed until it is sown in the ground. Only its death can release its full and intended potential. We too must die to ourselves if we are to discover the life of God in us.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Jesus

Jesus became His own best illustration of what can happen when we lay down our lives in love and service for others. Consider for a moment the powerful impact of His influence still expanding in the hearts of men throughout the world. Who, looking at a single grain of wheat, would envision acre upon acre of amber waves? Every time we pray, “Not my will but your will be done,” we too sow a powerful seed whose fruit is hard to imagine, especially when praying it. Conversations Within” ts 3/25/2015

A seed is only a seed until it is sown in the ground. Only its death can release its full and intended potential. We too must die to ourselves if we are to discover the life of God in us.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Jesus

Jesus became His own best illustration of what can happen when we lay down our lives in love and service for others. Consider for a moment the powerful impact of His influence still expanding in the hearts of men throughout the world. Who, looking at a single grain of wheat, would envision acre upon acre of amber waves? Every time we pray, “Not my will but your will be done,” we too sow a powerful seed whose fruit is hard to imagine, especially when praying it. Conversations Within” ts 3/25/2015

“I feel myself surrender each time I see your face. I am staggered by your beauty, Your unassuming grace.” “My Confession” Josh Groban

“I no longer live, Christ lives in me.” Gal.2

All my selfish arguments, and all my petty excuses are silenced when I stand at the foot of the cross and see the face of love in the face of Christ. In such moments the old hymn, “I Surrender All,” plays its melody in my heart and I find myself whispering, “All to Jesus I surrender, I surrender all,” coupled with a sincere desire to honestly mean it.   Conversations Within” ts 3/24/2015

“I feel myself surrender each time I see your face. I am staggered by your beauty, Your unassuming grace.” “My Confession” Josh Groban

“I no longer live, Christ lives in me.” Gal.2

All my selfish arguments, and all my petty excuses are silenced when I stand at the foot of the cross and see the face of love in the face of Christ. In such moments the old hymn, “I Surrender All,” plays its melody in my heart and I find myself whispering, “All to Jesus I surrender, I surrender all,” coupled with a sincere desire to honestly mean it.   Conversations Within” ts 3/24/2015

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

“If you lose your life for my sake you will find it.” Jesus

We ordinarily think of life before death, but Jesus challenges us to think in terms of death before life. A part of His core teaching is that we must all die to selfishness before we can know life as God intends. We must also die in a number of ways to this life before we can experience all that the next has to offer. This is just another way of telling us to give our lives to things which can follow us beyond the grave and not waste time on temporal trinkets that eventually pass away.  

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

“If you lose your life for my sake you will find it.” Jesus

We ordinarily think of life before death, but Jesus challenges us to think in terms of death before life. A part of His core teaching is that we must all die to selfishness before we can know life as God intends. We must also die in a number of ways to this life before we can experience all that the next has to offer. This is just another way of telling us to give our lives to things which can follow us beyond the grave and not waste time on temporal trinkets that eventually pass away.  

“When friendships are real, they are not glass threads or frost work, but the solidest things we can know.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“A friend loves at all times.” Prov.17

Idries Shah wrote, “You need not wonder whether you should have an unreliable person as a friend. An unreliable person is nobody's friend.” It is hard to measure the worth of a true friend. True friends count on each other and, like mathematics, the love between them is predictable. Everybody needs to be able to count on somebody. Do not wait to have such friends, be one. Conversations Within” ts 3/21/2015

“When friendships are real, they are not glass threads or frost work, but the solidest things we can know.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“A friend loves at all times.” Prov.17

Idries Shah wrote, “You need not wonder whether you should have an unreliable person as a friend. An unreliable person is nobody's friend.” It is hard to measure the worth of a true friend. True friends count on each other and, like mathematics, the love between them is predictable. Everybody needs to be able to count on somebody. Do not wait to have such friends, be one. Conversations Within” ts 3/21/2015

If there is one thing you can count on it will be the need to forgive people when you could not count on them.

The Lord's servant must be... patient when wronged.” 2Tim.2

How do you respond to someone who has let you down? Forgive them of course. It may also be wise to “cut them some slack,” an expression which means to lower your expectations. A reliable person is patient with people while they learn to be more reliable. God is the only perfect person and He manages not to act like a perfectionist with us.   Conversations Within” ts 3/20/2015

If there is one thing you can count on it will be the need to forgive people when you could not count on them.

The Lord's servant must be... patient when wronged.” 2Tim.2

How do you respond to someone who has let you down? Forgive them of course. It may also be wise to “cut them some slack,” an expression which means to lower your expectations. A reliable person is patient with people while they learn to be more reliable. God is the only perfect person and He manages not to act like a perfectionist with us.   Conversations Within” ts 3/20/2015

”True friends say good things behind your back and bad things to your face.” Unknown

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” Prov.27

I can rely on my true friends to tell me the truth when I am messing up. My close friends are in a position to say pretty much anything to me. They have earned that right. The love they have shown through the years has convinced me that when they feel the need to give words of advice, even admonishment, they are looking after my best interest. Don’t flatter your friends, be faithful to them. Conversations Within” ts 3/19/2015

”True friends say good things behind your back and bad things to your face.” Unknown

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” Prov.27

I can rely on my true friends to tell me the truth when I am messing up. My close friends are in a position to say pretty much anything to me. They have earned that right. The love they have shown through the years has convinced me that when they feel the need to give words of advice, even admonishment, they are looking after my best interest. Don’t flatter your friends, be faithful to them. Conversations Within” ts 3/19/2015

"Confidentiality is a virtue of the loyal, as loyalty is the virtue of faithfulness." - Edwin Louis Cole

“...he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.” Prov.11

Can people trust you to keep their private matters private? Keeping a confidence is an important aspect of trust and friendship. When someone confides in you, they are expressing the deepest levels of trust. Do not betray it! People need to be able to confess to someone they trust will not judge them and know that what they share is also in safe keeping.  Conversations Within” ts 3/18/2015

"Confidentiality is a virtue of the loyal, as loyalty is the virtue of faithfulness." - Edwin Louis Cole

“...he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.” Prov.11

Can people trust you to keep their private matters private? Keeping a confidence is an important aspect of trust and friendship. When someone confides in you, they are expressing the deepest levels of trust. Do not betray it! People need to be able to confess to someone they trust will not judge them and know that what they share is also in safe keeping.  Conversations Within” ts 3/18/2015

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." Mother Teresa

“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much…” Jesus

Being a reliable person begins in something as simple as doing the little everyday things you have committed to do. Being reliable in a small matter is the dress rehearsal for reliability in a large matter. Remembering to take out the trash every day may help you remember to keep your wedding vows. Faithfulness is learned one promise at a time. Conversations Within” ts 3/17/2015

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." Mother Teresa

“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much…” Jesus

Being a reliable person begins in something as simple as doing the little everyday things you have committed to do. Being reliable in a small matter is the dress rehearsal for reliability in a large matter. Remembering to take out the trash every day may help you remember to keep your wedding vows. Faithfulness is learned one promise at a time. Conversations Within” ts 3/17/2015

“You are extremely reliable, sometimes.”

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lam.3

I am consistently inconsistent. I am grateful that God is not. He is predictably faithful. We can always count on Him to be a source of goodness. Of course experiencing that goodness is often a matter of faith and human faith is not always reliable. It is comforting that in the midst of human fickleness, including my own, that God always keeps His word. He is reliable even if we are not.  Conversations Within” ts 3/16/2015

“You are extremely reliable, sometimes.”

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lam.3

I am consistently inconsistent. I am grateful that God is not. He is predictably faithful. We can always count on Him to be a source of goodness. Of course experiencing that goodness is often a matter of faith and human faith is not always reliable. It is comforting that in the midst of human fickleness, including my own, that God always keeps His word. He is reliable even if we are not.  Conversations Within” ts 3/16/2015

"In Israel, in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles." - David Ben-Gurion

“I will make you a great nation.” (God to Abraham) Gen.12

I am sure that God wants to bless us so that we become a blessing to others. It is easy to see this where the sons of Abraham are concerned.  It is better to be an overflowing spring of refreshment than a stagnant pond. Do not hold too tightly to blessings that come your way. We all play in the same sandbox. We must all learn to share our toys! Conversations Within” ts 3/14/2015

"In Israel, in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles." - David Ben-Gurion

“I will make you a great nation.” (God to Abraham) Gen.12

I am sure that God wants to bless us so that we become a blessing to others. It is easy to see this where the sons of Abraham are concerned.  It is better to be an overflowing spring of refreshment than a stagnant pond. Do not hold too tightly to blessings that come your way. We all play in the same sandbox. We must all learn to share our toys! Conversations Within” ts 3/14/2015

“Some people come in our life as blessings. Others come in our life as lessons.” Mother Teresa

“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again.” Prov.14

I would rather be a blessing than a lesson but the truth is that I am both. We all are. We all do foolish things and hopefully people can learn from them. This is why we should give our failures to God and ask Him to redeem them for useful purposes. Don’t cover your sins, confess them. All the major characters of the Bible are blessings not only because of the lessons learned from their faith but also from their failures.  Conversations Within” ts 3/13/2015

“Some people come in our life as blessings. Others come in our life as lessons.” Mother Teresa

“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again.” Prov.14

I would rather be a blessing than a lesson but the truth is that I am both. We all are. We all do foolish things and hopefully people can learn from them. This is why we should give our failures to God and ask Him to redeem them for useful purposes. Don’t cover your sins, confess them. All the major characters of the Bible are blessings not only because of the lessons learned from their faith but also from their failures.  Conversations Within” ts 3/13/2015

Your next whatever may influence a future world leader, or someone who could find the cure for cancer.

“In you shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” Gen.12

Consider the usefulness of the light bulb, or the cell phone, or penicillin, and the people who gave them to mankind. What a blessing it would be to be a blessing to the whole world. I suppose one way we can start is simply by being a blessing to those closest to us. Behind every Jonas Salk  was a good mother, or father or encouraging friend. There is no way to measure the fruit that can come from a good word or deed. Conversations Within” ts 3/12/2015

Your next whatever may influence a future world leader, or someone who could find the cure for cancer.

“In you shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” Gen.12

Consider the usefulness of the light bulb, or the cell phone, or penicillin, and the people who gave them to mankind. What a blessing it would be to be a blessing to the whole world. I suppose one way we can start is simply by being a blessing to those closest to us. Behind every Jonas Salk  was a good mother, or father or encouraging friend. There is no way to measure the fruit that can come from a good word or deed. Conversations Within” ts 3/12/2015

“Talk about your blessings more than you talk about your burdens.” Unknown

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits.” Ps.103

I am surrounded by goodness. I sit amazed in the presence of so many blessings. The cure for my every complaint and the assurance for my every worry rests in the simple consideration that I have and have always had it better than I deserve. I could spend forever reflecting the goodness given to me by God. He had even given me the promise that I will have that opportunity. Conversations Within” ts 3/11/2015

“Talk about your blessings more than you talk about your burdens.” Unknown

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits.” Ps.103

I am surrounded by goodness. I sit amazed in the presence of so many blessings. The cure for my every complaint and the assurance for my every worry rests in the simple consideration that I have and have always had it better than I deserve. I could spend forever reflecting the goodness given to me by God. He had even given me the promise that I will have that opportunity. Conversations Within” ts 3/11/2015

“How many people you bless is how you measure success” Rick Ross

“In you shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (God to Abraham) Gen12

Less than one percent of the world’s population is Jewish but the positive contributions of the sons and daughters of Abraham astoundingly make up twenty two percent of all Nobel Peace Prize recipients. Of course the greatest blessing that has come to the world from Father Abraham is undoubtedly Jesus. People sometimes forget that Jesus is a Jew. His presence in a person can literally make each of us a blessing to the whole world. Conversations Within” ts 3/10/2015

“How many people you bless is how you measure success” Rick Ross

“In you shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (God to Abraham) Gen12

Less than one percent of the world’s population is Jewish but the positive contributions of the sons and daughters of Abraham astoundingly make up twenty two percent of all Nobel Peace Prize recipients. Of course the greatest blessing that has come to the world from Father Abraham is undoubtedly Jesus. People sometimes forget that Jesus is a Jew. His presence in a person can literally make each of us a blessing to the whole world. Conversations Within” ts 3/10/2015

Count your blessings but also make it your goal to be one.

“...and you shall be a blessing.” Zech.8

Everybody knows it is good to count your blessings, but surely it is equally good to be a blessing. We are a blessing to people when we are a source of goodness to them. Am I a blessing? Do my family and friends feel this way about me? Wouldn’t it be great if every time you walked up you overheard the words, “Here comes a blessing!” Make it so! Conversations Within” ts 3/9/2015

Count your blessings but also make it your goal to be one.

“...and you shall be a blessing.” Zech.8

Everybody knows it is good to count your blessings, but surely it is equally good to be a blessing. We are a blessing to people when we are a source of goodness to them. Am I a blessing? Do my family and friends feel this way about me? Wouldn’t it be great if every time you walked up you overheard the words, “Here comes a blessing!” Make it so! Conversations Within” ts 3/9/2015

“Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstances. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” 2Pet.2

I may not cause every effect in my life but I definitely cause a good many. Every choice I make right now promises some future effect, if only a moment from now, and some choices may still be affecting me years from now. One of the best reasons to be where you are is to make sure that you only make choices that will affect a positive future. What you feed your body for lunch or your spirit this evening will each have their own cause and effect. What you feed your soul right now may predetermine those choices later.   Conversations Within” ts 3/7/2015

“Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstances. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” 2Pet.2

I may not cause every effect in my life but I definitely cause a good many. Every choice I make right now promises some future effect, if only a moment from now, and some choices may still be affecting me years from now. One of the best reasons to be where you are is to make sure that you only make choices that will affect a positive future. What you feed your body for lunch or your spirit this evening will each have their own cause and effect. What you feed your soul right now may predetermine those choices later.   Conversations Within” ts 3/7/2015

”The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want right now.” Zig Ziglar

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” Jesus

Living in the present moment does not mean living only for the present moment. Sometimes the best way to be where you are is to pay attention to where you are going. Living only for the moment may keep you from laying hold of other moments. Poor choices enslave; wise choices open up greater possibilities. The only remedy I know for an impure heart is to keep flushing out what you want until all that remains is what you really want. Conversations Within” ts 3/6/2015

”The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want right now.” Zig Ziglar

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” Jesus

Living in the present moment does not mean living only for the present moment. Sometimes the best way to be where you are is to pay attention to where you are going. Living only for the moment may keep you from laying hold of other moments. Poor choices enslave; wise choices open up greater possibilities. The only remedy I know for an impure heart is to keep flushing out what you want until all that remains is what you really want. Conversations Within” ts 3/6/2015

“Be present. Be in the here and now. Live in this moment.” Unknown

“I am that I am.” God

God revealed to Moses that His name is “I Am.” I think this was one way of telling him that this moment, indeed every moment, exists because God is. I Am invites us to live completely in this present moment with Him. To wake fully to this moment is to wake not just to all He has made, but also to wake to Him. Conversations Within” ts 3/5/2015

“Be present. Be in the here and now. Live in this moment.” Unknown

“I am that I am.” God

God revealed to Moses that His name is “I Am.” I think this was one way of telling him that this moment, indeed every moment, exists because God is. I Am invites us to live completely in this present moment with Him. To wake fully to this moment is to wake not just to all He has made, but also to wake to Him. Conversations Within” ts 3/5/2015

“How soon ‘Not now’ becomes never.” Martin Luther

“The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing.” Prov.20

Putting it off is a human pastime. How many times have I said, “I will start Monday” or “Let’s splurge today and start tomorrow”? If I am convinced of the goodness of something, why wait? Do it, and do it now! All I need to do is look at all the stuff I wish I had done when I was younger, or even last year, and I can see proof enough to act on what I know is good for me and those I love. Conversations Within” ts 3/4/2015

“How soon ‘Not now’ becomes never.” Martin Luther

“The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing.” Prov.20

Putting it off is a human pastime. How many times have I said, “I will start Monday” or “Let’s splurge today and start tomorrow”? If I am convinced of the goodness of something, why wait? Do it, and do it now! All I need to do is look at all the stuff I wish I had done when I was younger, or even last year, and I can see proof enough to act on what I know is good for me and those I love. Conversations Within” ts 3/4/2015

“If not now, when?”

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1Pet.1

There is a time to wait and a time to work. Wisdom teaches us when to do which. Sometimes it is best to work while we wait. In any case we should attend to the present with a clear vision of the future. Set out on the journey that leads you where you want to be. Most importantly do not linger on issues of character. Conversations Within” ts 3/3/2015

“If not now, when?”

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1Pet.1

There is a time to wait and a time to work. Wisdom teaches us when to do which. Sometimes it is best to work while we wait. In any case we should attend to the present with a clear vision of the future. Set out on the journey that leads you where you want to be. Most importantly do not linger on issues of character. Conversations Within” ts 3/3/2015

“Life is a sequence of moments called now.” Unknown

“I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2Cor.6

Do not visit the present moment; live in it. If you visit something let it be the past and then only to reminisce or learn from mistakes. Make plans for the future but embrace the now. Wake and remain awake to all that is going on in and around you. Open the present of this day and celebrate life.  Conversations Within” ts 3/2/2015

“Life is a sequence of moments called now.” Unknown

“I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2Cor.6

Do not visit the present moment; live in it. If you visit something let it be the past and then only to reminisce or learn from mistakes. Make plans for the future but embrace the now. Wake and remain awake to all that is going on in and around you. Open the present of this day and celebrate life.  Conversations Within” ts 3/2/2015

"The true character of ministry is a servant’s heart." - Harold Warner

“...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Jesus

My wife is always serving me. She is slowly wooing me into her joy. It is humbling to be around people with a servant heart. The energy of such people is always flowing out like springs of refreshment. I am tempted to believe that the best way for me to serve such people is to allow them to serve me. While this might be sometimes true, as a rule, I know better. If I would share this joy I too must share in service. Conversations Within” ts 2/28/2015

"The true character of ministry is a servant’s heart." - Harold Warner

“...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Jesus

My wife is always serving me. She is slowly wooing me into her joy. It is humbling to be around people with a servant heart. The energy of such people is always flowing out like springs of refreshment. I am tempted to believe that the best way for me to serve such people is to allow them to serve me. While this might be sometimes true, as a rule, I know better. If I would share this joy I too must share in service. Conversations Within” ts 2/28/2015

”No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” Charles Dickens

“Onesimus...who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.” Philemon 1

There was once a slave named Onesimus who name means “useful.” He did not live up to his name and as a slave may have even resented it. He ran away from his master only to return after finding Christ. Both men were changed by the life of Jesus in them. The master received him as a brother and Onesimus found the joy of being a willing servant to his friend. The power of Christian love can transform the ugly into the beautiful. Conversations Within” ts 2/27/2015

”No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” Charles Dickens

“Onesimus...who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.” Philemon 1

There was once a slave named Onesimus who name means “useful.” He did not live up to his name and as a slave may have even resented it. He ran away from his master only to return after finding Christ. Both men were changed by the life of Jesus in them. The master received him as a brother and Onesimus found the joy of being a willing servant to his friend. The power of Christian love can transform the ugly into the beautiful. Conversations Within” ts 2/27/2015

"Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others." - Danny Thomas

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1Pet.4

We are created, gifted and called to community. Each of us, like cells in the body are designed to serve the whole. I need others, others need me. We find life as God intends when we serve, help and support one another. Do your part for others and let others do their part for you. Conversations Within” ts 2/26/2015

"Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others." - Danny Thomas

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1Pet.4

We are created, gifted and called to community. Each of us, like cells in the body are designed to serve the whole. I need others, others need me. We find life as God intends when we serve, help and support one another. Do your part for others and let others do their part for you. Conversations Within” ts 2/26/2015

“We rise by lifting others.” Robert Ingersoll

“But the greatest among you shall be your servant.” Jesus

If I am to excel at anything, let it be in my usefulness to others. Ambition is a good thing if one aims to be a source of goodness to the people around them. May God give us eyes to see the needs of others, the hands to serve and the heart that finds it joy in doing so. Conversations Within” ts 2/25/2015

“We rise by lifting others.” Robert Ingersoll

“But the greatest among you shall be your servant.” Jesus

If I am to excel at anything, let it be in my usefulness to others. Ambition is a good thing if one aims to be a source of goodness to the people around them. May God give us eyes to see the needs of others, the hands to serve and the heart that finds it joy in doing so. Conversations Within” ts 2/25/2015

Better to be used than to be of no use at all.

“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Jesus

It is not in someone’s best interest to allow them to consistently use and abuse you. But to make yourself useful to them can be a transforming grace. If it does not change them, it will certainly change you. Some have been forced resentfully into service, others have humbly and powerfully made themselves servants of all. Such people are always free.  Conversations Within” ts 2/24/2015

Better to be used than to be of no use at all.

“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Jesus

It is not in someone’s best interest to allow them to consistently use and abuse you. But to make yourself useful to them can be a transforming grace. If it does not change them, it will certainly change you. Some have been forced resentfully into service, others have humbly and powerfully made themselves servants of all. Such people are always free.  Conversations Within” ts 2/24/2015

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ― Mahatma Gandhi.

“...useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2Tim.2

I have a dear friend that carries a self written reminder in his wallet that says, “I want to be useful…” I think this is one of the best mission statements I have ever heard. God use me! Use me as an instrument of goodness. Jesus made it very clear that the best way to be useful to God is to be useful to others.  Conversations Within” ts 2/23/2015

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ― Mahatma Gandhi.

“...useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2Tim.2

I have a dear friend that carries a self written reminder in his wallet that says, “I want to be useful…” I think this is one of the best mission statements I have ever heard. God use me! Use me as an instrument of goodness. Jesus made it very clear that the best way to be useful to God is to be useful to others.  Conversations Within” ts 2/23/2015