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/
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
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
“Apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 5/14/26
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/
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.”
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
I do not mind if emotions accompany a decision, but I do not want my feelings to be the main reason I decide to do something. Feelings can be, and often are deceptive. When I decide something let me make my decision based on what is good, right and true not on some euphoric something or other in my gut.
“Jesus…went about doing good…for God was with him.” Acts 10 Conversations Within” ts 5/9/
Pilgrims Progress depicts sins like a burden on the back weighting the soul down in guilt, fear and misery. It is this burden that Jesus offers to take from us. Some of the most beautiful words in the Scriptures offer this encouragement, “But there is forgiveness with You.” Blessed is He!
“Your sins and iniquities I will remember no more.” Heb.8 Conversations
I am so grateful for drone footage put to music. It is the magical way I begin each day. Someone has called it aerial poetry. What a gift to float above the earth and be transported to places all over the world. I feel privileged to have lived long enough to fly over forests and fields, mountains and glacier lakes.
“The LORD looks down from heaven and sees all mankind, watching all who live on earth and considering everything they do.” Ps.33 Conversations Within” ts 5/8/26
Much of life unfolds in stages. The hike to the summit may mean that we first traverse a lowland swamp. Learning to navigate each stage may be more important than the destination we have in mind. Find God's peace and wisdom as you experience today.
“By faith Abraham, when called to
The wisdom that can be found in affliction mirrors the wisdom of God designing life to unfold this way. The lessons learned, and character built teaches me the value of appreciating times of hardship as much as seasons of ease--maybe more so.
“It was good for me to be afflicted so that
I can only live one moment at a time. My best life is realized, not in my past or future, but in the choice before me now. Be this moment. Give yourself fully to it. If it is my last, in this place, I want to make sure I am satisfied with it?
“Be where you are. Whatever your hand find to do, do it with all of your might.” ” Ecc.9 Conversations Within” ts 5/5/26
Forgive my arrogance Lord, I am prone to think that I am always on the right side of things. Incline me to seek Your side of everything. Experience has taught me that I have been wrong many times. Keep my heart humble before You, and others. Lead me on the right path for Your name's sake.
“Who is on the LORD’s side?” Ex.32
I have known some sweet moments of grace. I witness my Father’s hand in nature, or watching someone showing kindness, or listening to an artist sharing their music. I certainly experiencing His grace when I feel His restraining hand over my mouth when I almost say something I know has no value.
“May the grace of our Lord
Beside being a future home, Heaven is also an attitude--one that delights in God’s pleasure. And, nothing pleases God more than when we aggressively love Him, and the people in our lives. I fall short every day. Still, I try to work out the Grace He is working in me. The canvas is always wet.
“The Kingdom of God is within you.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 4/
There are natural rewards for doing good. For instance, eating healthy promotes health. You would think that it would be easy to do good, but humans find it hard simply because we struggle saying “no” to what is bad. Embrace the struggle for what it is--the revelation that we need God’s grace.
“When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” Rom.7 Conversations Within” ts 4/29/26
If I resolved to do something good yesterday, I will probably need to resolve to do it again today. Resolve is a daily activity, not something we do just once. The “re” in the word resolve means “again”. Keep at it until it is accomplished. Keep running the race. Run until the race is
“Let us run with endurance the race set before us.” Heb.12.1 Conversations Within” ts 4/28/26
I believe that we will work in Heaven, not in the sense of toil, but rather living fruitful lives. Someone said that if you enjoy what you do, you will never work a day in your life. Accept what God has entrusted to you, and embrace every task as a form of play.
“So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot.” Ecc.3 Conversations Within” ts 4/27/26
I know there are good addictions just as there are bad ones. According to the Good Book, what comes out of my mouth is a good indicator. It is better not just to hold in check, judgmental, critical, and unwholesome talk, but to purposefully speak only what encourages, and builds up.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according
In one sense, my struggle with sin can’t be won, only practiced every day. In another sense, I suppose that struggling against sin is a form of winning, because it is clear evidence of Jesus living and working in my heart.
“For the flesh desires what is contrary
I find myself smiling all through the day. There is so much to appreciate in life. Father has scattered beauty everywhere. My soul is drawn to share in the wonder of all He has made, and continues to perform in creation.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;
A healthy or unhealthy life is found in small decisions: hundreds of them, every day. Thoughts, words, actions, all make a contribution not just to my life, but also my tribe. Pause before giving expression to every desire, and ask if it contributes only goodness.
“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live“ Deut.30.19 Conversations Within” ts
We see the world as God sees it when we look with eyes of compassion. The overall message of the Bible teaches that God has very little interest in condemning people, but has great interest in helping us. May God's love and compassion rule my every thought, word and deed.
“Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.” Matt.20 “Conversations Within” ts 4/22/
Of all the things we do not understand about Judgment Day, one thing is absolutely certain, we will all be there. I know that for the Christian, there is no condemning judgment, but the fruitfulness of my life will be decided. The Spirit of Jesus impresses upon me that I should prepare to meet my maker.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done
There are times when wisdom might lead us to go with the flow of things around us. But life in the Spirit means that we primarily go with the flow coming from inside us. One advantage of this and there are many, is that it may be hell around us, but always Heaven within us.
"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has
I deeply admire people who are so intently focused on loving and serving others that self-denial is second nature to them, even if it is a true sacrifice. Nurture this attitude in me, Lord.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit,
Incline my eyes to see You Lord, in all things. I find it easy to see You in a sunrise, or looking up at the night sky, or walking in a lush forest. The truth is I want to experience You, not only when looking at what is beautiful, but to find Your beauty in all things. Help me lift up my eyes.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecc.3.11 “Conversations Within” ts
I know from personal experience that self-condemnation can be just another form of wounded pride. In the end it is God’s view that matters. He views His children from the standpoint of the cross of Christ. If He has forgiven me, let me stop condemning myself, accept His grace, and walk in its light.
"For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he
When the Scripture says, “if we sin,” it is making the assumption that we will. God has factored in all of our shortcomings, and already made provision for them. We don’t plan to sin, but God in His wisdom has a plan of action when we do.
“If we confess our sins, he is
Once I stopped by a friend's house to pick something up. It was one of the few occasions when I drove alone. When I got back in the car, and without thinking, I went to the passenger side to get in. My wife has been driving for so long I am so used to riding as a passenger. I want my obedience to God to be like that.
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you." Ps.63.1 “Conversations Within” ts 4/14/
The principle and intended way we interact with God's word is through obedience to it, not just reading and meditating on it. Obedience is the bottom line of a spiritually healthy life. Make this the priority of the day.
“Obedience is better than sacrifice.”
I know when I do not have the right disposition. The taste of everything is off, sour, and bitter. I need an attitude adjustment as they say. For me, this involves re-aligning my soul around the dynamics of the love of Christ. I know what dynamic is governing my life simply by asking if my thoughts are reactive, or responsive.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" David Ps.51 “Conversations Within” ts 4/11/26
Assuming responsibility for yourself is not only honorable, It contributes to the health of the tribe. It is one practical way we love others by not becoming a burden to them. Our responsibility to the tribe is also discovering and using our unique contributions. We were not created to live in isolation but in community.
“For each one should carry their own load.” Gal.6.7 “Conversations Within” ts 4/10/26
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Emotions are meant to follow, not lead my decisions. The same should be said of my desires, at least my carnal ones. Decisions should be governed by the Spirit of Truth, and only the desires that line up with His leading.
“You shall love
I recently watched a video of a young fox joyfully dancing in a field of flowers. As I watched I could feel the pleasure of God sharing the moment with me. I believe God watches creation every single day and delights to see the work of His hands playing under the Heavens.
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you…Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? “Conversations
The adage “mind over matter,” is a powerful aspect of personal growth. Learning how to change the way we view the challenges of life can make a huge difference in how we tackle them.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind. ” Rom.12 “Conversations Within” ts 4/6/
A dream without a plan is just a dream. A plan without execution is just a plan. Execution without the blessing of God is a waste of time. To keep this from happening Jesus encourages us to seek first the Kingdom of God.
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps" Conversations
As repentance is central to the message of Jesus, it should be given center stage in my own relationship with God. The first person that should come to mind when sharing the call to repent, is me. The best way I can direct others to repent is to be a personal example of it.
“repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Jesus
Self-government is one of the richest expressions of the Spirit of Jesus living in the soul. The liberty Christ brings, is a life free from the tyranny of choosing temporal desires over and against eternal joy. He nurtures in us the ability to command our own soul and obey what we know is good, right and true.
“The fruit of the Spirit is…self-control.” Gal.5 Conversations Within” ts 3/31/
A meal is not a meal if it is not eaten, and joy is not complete if it is not shared. To believe there is a God, but not trust Him is as useless as the political post I see every day. .
“Faith without works is dead… Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.“ Jam.2.14 Conversations Within” ts 3/31/
This is a good reminder that we are not supposed to chase happiness, it will follow us every time we make a wise choice. Our goal then should be to nurture a wise heart. For that, well...
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Prov.1.7 “
