You can't drop a rock in a pond without ripples, so also every human interaction has its continuing influences.

Anytime we are with another person we make an impression. We either add to or take from. Be a giver not a taker and give only goodness. Touch people with a gentle spirit and a kind heart. Let your words encourage and your actions serve. Whatever you do, do it deliberately. People will certainly feel our presence, we can decide how we want them to feel.

“May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!” Ps72.6 ESV “Conversations Within” ts 2/22/2018

“Be the kind of person you look up to.” Niema Golphin.

Would you want to hang out with you? I can picture in my mind the kind of person I want to be--always positive, happy, kind, unselfish, light hearted and easy going. I admire these traits when I see them in others. Why not admire them in myself? Of course, having a vision without defining the steps to accomplish it is only to dream. To make our dream come true we must create it one choice at a time. Decide each day to become your own best buddy.

“Love your neighbor as you LOVE YOURSELF.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 2/21/2018

“Stay salty! Shine bright!” Jesus

I think Jesus is telling us to live our lives in such a manner that, like salt, we season the life of others. How so? Well, salt changes the taste of what is salted and given in small amounts, salt makes things taste better. Certainly our lives should bring positive change to those who know us. We may well ask ourselves, how does knowing me improve the quality of life of the people I interact with each day? Do my interactions make their life better?

“You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 2/20/2018

Salt of the earth people seldom wear their religion on their sleeve and you couldn't see it if they did because their sleeves are always rolled up to help someone.

When I think of a “salt of the earth” kind of person, I think of someone who talks little but does much. What they lack in words they make up in action. They do not just discuss, they do. Their influence is not so much heard as it is seen. Listen up O soul within, “Don’t settle for a life talking about it; be a doer!

“You are the salt of the earth.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 2/16/2018

“You don’t have to be famous to be great.” Rick Warren

It is not fame but flame that lights the world. Fan into flame all that God has entrusted to you. Use your time, your talents, your possessions to light the world and make a positive difference. Start where you are. There is no way to measure the impact of anonymous people who have helped shape what is best in our world. Don’t seek the spotlight but rather be a light and illumine the dark world with the light of love.

“I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…”  “Conversations Within” ts 2/16/2018

“The only thing you take with you when you’re gone is what you leave behind.” John Allston

So, what will I leave behind when I leave this place. I wish my children could say that they never heard an unkind, or critical word come from my mouth. I wish that the people who know me had never heard me complain or seen me act selfishly. I wish these things, but they are not true. So, how can I leave a good example of a life well lived? The only way I know of, is to avail myself of the grace of God’s forgiveness and love offered in Jesus. I accept it, I hope all will accept it too. Thank you Father for the gift of your Son.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.: John 3.16  “Conversations Within” ts 2/16/2018

“I always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that, then I realized I am somebody.” Meme

Our better criticisms are the ones we direct toward ourselves. Instead of saying, “Why doesn’t someone?” It would be better to say, “Why don’t I?” Don’t be a spectator, roll up your sleeves and get involved. If a difference is needed, be the difference. Lead the charge.

 “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind lead the way treating one another as more important than yourselves.” Phil.2.3 “Conversations Within” ts 2/15/2018

Reach those within your reach, then position yourself to reach more.

Sometimes opportunities to serve others walk right up to us, other times we must go out of our way to be of any service to someone. For instance, there are no homeless people in my neighborhood. There certainly are in my city. Sometimes we must seek before we can save. How far out of the way am I willing to go in order to help someone? If love is anything, it is active.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 2/14/2018

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” Mother Teresa

The simplest way to live a life of love and service is to love the person in front of you. If we cannot make a difference that will be felt around the world, we can certainly make a difference that will be felt by the person next to us. Share your life. Drop a pebble of service in the pond of the person beside you, and the ripples of love will radiate where God only knows. Take encouragement that He does, and will remember all we do in love.

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Hreb.6.10 “Conversations Within” ts 2/13/2018

“I can change the world with my own two hands.” Ben Harper

There are many ways to change the world, and none of them are as simple as sharing what we have. Most of us have more than we need. How many sets of clothes can a person wear at a time? Most of us not only have, we have in abundance. Discover the great delight of making a difference in someone's life. Share!

“Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 2/12/2018

The King of Creation is not diminished when we approach Him as our Father; He is wonderfully distinguished. We finally see Him as He wants to be seen. God is spelled D-A-D.

It is a precious comfort to me that God invites us to approach Him as Father. He even uses the word “Abba” which is translated dad or daddy. There is nothing distant about His desires, nothing to fear and everything to gain. I am beginning to realize that nobody loves me more, and nobody can look after me better. To see Him this way removes any doubts I have about putting matters into His tender hands.

“...the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."” “Conversations Within” ts 2/9/2018

By telling us to pray for daily bread, Jesus is helping us wake to a simple life lesson. Be where you are, live in the present moment and trust God for it.

We may very well wonder, that if God is our Father, doesn’t a good father provide what is needed for his children without their asking? Well, the fact that we have air to breathe is a good indication that He often does. But the point is that Jesus still encourages us to ask and to ask daily. When He told us to ask for bread, and, to ask for it every day, He is telling us that our need is as much in the asking, as it is in what we are asking for.

“You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Ps.145.16  “Conversations Within” ts 2/7/2018

“Discipline is guidance. If there is love, there is no such thing as being too tough with a child.” Betty Davis

Looking back I have come to appreciate the times when Father kicked my butt to put me back on the straight and narrow. Like any good father, God disciplines His children, not to punish, but to correct. It is sad, but sometimes the only language that will get our stubborn attention is hardship and pain. God speaks it to those He loves.

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” Heb.12.6 “Conversations Within” ts 2/7/2018

God is spelled D-A-D.

Before my dad died, I talked with him on a regular basis. There is nothing quite like a chat with your father. I suppose this is one reason I talk with my spiritual Father everyday. I want His wisdom and ways to rub off on me. He pokes me all through the day and calls me to wake up to the present moment. I have never met anyone so alive, so into the details of each moment. Just being with Someone so alive makes me more alive.

“You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.” Ps.73.4 “Conversations Within” ts 2/6/2018

“Love is an empty word without respect.” Nikhil Saluja

What does it mean to interact with God as a Father? I suppose being my Father puts into perspective all the other ways I think about Him. He might be God, the LORD, Creator, and King over all Creation, but He is still my Dad. And, being my Dad changes the way I ask Him for a favor. Such a good Father demands the greatest respect I can give. I am honored to honor Him.

“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name.” Ps.29.2 “Conversations Within” ts 2/6/2018

God was a Father long before He created fathers.

If there is anything we should take from the perspective of Jesus, it is that God wants us to see Him as a Father. When Jesus spoke about God, He almost always referred to Him with such an intimate term. Father probably has as much disdain for religion as we do. Religion is no substitute for relationship, and is clear that He prefers one instead of the other.

“When you pray say, ‘Father…’” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 2/3/2018

“Complaining never makes anything better.”

There are certain actions that never bring about anything good but can do a world of harm. We all know about the damage that worry can do. Complaint is another. Grumbling about matters already settled, “spilt milk” as we say, will never accomplish anything good and will only perpetuate a bunch of negative energy. It isn’t worth it. Accept what is and move forward.

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Phil.2.14  “Conversations Within” ts 2/2/2018

"Happiness can exist only in acceptance." George Orwell

It is unrealistic to expect that we will only know moments of happiness in this place. There are surely times when it is proper to be sad, or angry, or to express even disgust at what is happening. But even so, there is an underlying happiness in those who look to God in faith. It comes from knowing and accepting that in the end God will have the final word. 

“He works all things after the counsel of His own will.” Eph.1.11 “Conversations Within” ts 1/30/2018

“It is hard for you to kick against the pricks.” Jesus

God wants one thing but I want another. He wants me to experience love. I want to be selfish. He wants me to be patient. I want it now. He wants me to listen. I want to blab on. He gently prods and pokes me toward His good ways. I stubbornly keep demanding my own. There is no doubt He has infected me with a healing virus and will not be put off. I may come kicking and screaming, but in the end I am grateful for His tenacious love.

"Cease striving and know that I am God.” Ps.46.10 “Conversations Within” ts 1/29/2018

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.” Melody Beattie

One way we can embrace the joy of the present moment is to appreciate its many blessings. Name them. It is actually easy once you get started. Close your eyes and whisper a word that expresses how much you appreciate each and every one. This may seem to be only an intellectual exercise, but we can stay with it until we really start to feel it. Then we can open our eyes and enjoy the life we have.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving.” Ps.100 “Conversations Within” ts 1/28/2018

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

Life isn’t perfect and it never will be under this Sun. I too am not perfect, nor will I ever be in this life. There is something to be said for accepting life as it is instead of longing for a life that is out of our reach. We can nurture our hope of glory, even cooperate with the Spirit who is preparing us to live there, but we will always be maturing, never perfectly mature in this life. The sooner we accept this, the more at peace we will be with the process.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2Cor.12.9 “Conversations Within” ts 1/27/2018

The supremely happy life is the supremely blessed life.

What does it mean to be supremely happy? There are many different kinds of happy. I do not want to settle for just any happiness. Some things that make us happy are not always good for us. I should think that supreme happiness is a happiness that is always and only good. I think this is the only kind that a good God wants for us--a supreme happiness, not tied to circumstances but to character, not a passing mood but a perpetual reality.

“Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.” Ps.32  “Conversations Within” ts 1/26/2018

“I’m doing better than I deserve.”

I daily have to remind myself that there is no condemning judgement coming my way from God. When I look at myself, I wonder why. When I remember what Christ did for me I know. I am still waking to the peace that Father has made between us. I sometimes fall back into thinking that I must earn God’s favor if He is to love me. Silly me. You don’t earn love or the gifts it gives. The peace we have with God is certainly one. 

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom.5.1 “Conversations Within” ts 1/25/2018

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace." Jimi Hendrix

Peace is a manner of living as much as it is a state of the soul. It is a wholeness that flows out of a contented heart and it touches everything and everyone with a contagious kindness. Peace radiates out of a grateful heart, one that has been healed by grace and goodness. Gentleness is its way. Love is its purpose. Faith is its strength.

“…the sunrise shall visit us from on high…to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Lk.1.79 ESV “Conversations Within” ts 1/24/2018