Tears are known to us all. How many times has God answered tears sown in faith with the harvest of goodness and joy. Holy week tells us the story that is underneath all redemptive stories. Sow your tears in hope.
“He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” Ps.126.6 “Conversations Within” ts 3/22/
Recreation re-creates. Play not only gives expression to energy, it is one of the reasons for it. People don't just eat for nourishment, nor do we play only for exercise. If life is devoid of play, life is devoid of life.
“And all the beasts of the field play there. ” Job 40 “Conversations Within” ts 3/20/26
Stick with a good choice. Not only is it important to realize that not every choice that makes us feel good is good for us, but those that are good for us only have benefits when we stick to them.. It is rather simple. If we want a good life, we must make good choices.
“Choose you this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house will will serve
Really listening to others greatly helps both our understanding and compassion. The only way to know another’s mind is for them to share it with us. Even then we may not get the whole story. One thing is for certain if my lips are moving, I am not listening.
“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” Prov.18.2 “Conversations Within” ts 3/18/26
The invitation to pray for others is simple enough, yet staggeringly profound in what it means. Jesus has appointed us to be an instrument of blessing to the world, and our prayers are a major way that we can do so. Knowing that we have been assigned by Christ to this position adds a powerful direction to how we understand our daily prayers.
“I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 3/17/
I was talking with my wife about making the most of the moment and asked her what that would look like right now. She yelled from the other room and said, "Right now I'm in the bathroom with soap in my eyes." There is something profound here, I'm just not sure what it is. Maybe making the most of this moment is making sure you keep a towel handy.
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to
It is desirable to me to be prepared, to never be caught off guard--always ready for whatever. It seems that the best way to deal with the unexpected, is to expect it. This way we can prepare for what is promised tomorrow by making the most of today. Redeem what is now, buy it back from vanity.
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Jesus “
My dad once shared with me that God takes care of His own. One day, his air conditioner broke, and a repairman was coincidentally driving by, spotting the house just as Dad called. The very next day, his water hydrant broke, and again, the repairman was literally driving by his house and instantly stopped. My dad exclaimed, “And it is nothing at all for God to do it.“
"Even to your old age, I am He... I have made, and I will bear you; Even I will carry, and will deliver you." Is. 46:4 “Conversations Within” ts 3/14/
The average person has over 100,000 hairs on their head. It is humbling to know that Our Father in Heaven keeps track of the exact number. I should never doubt the Lord’s attentive care. Time and time again Jesus, with unparalleled authority, gave us the assurance of just how much attention God gives to each and everyone of us.
“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Jesus “
Lord wean me off the temporal, that I may drink deeply all that is eternal. Help me this day to see your Kingdom come, if only in my own heart, and actions. Deliver me first from the evil in my own selfish thoughts. Wake me to that eternal life You intend for us all.
“I have come that you might have life, abundant
Any grace that comes to us in this life is intended, at least in one sense, to prepare us to live in the next. This in no way diminishes our present life; it redeems it. God's enabling power helps us experience life in the here and now as one expression of the glory to come.
“Set your affections on things above.” Col.3 “Conversations Within” ts 3/11/26
Right now, someone is sitting on a surfboard, eyes to the horizon, waiting with delight to catch yet another wave. No doubt play is the natural state that God desires for His children. He delights to hear us play in the streets. What parent doesn't find joy watching their children celebrating life?
“The
When we know the goodness of an action, but we don’t feel like doing it, that is precisely when we should. Since when did feeling like it, enter into a commitment to do what is good? Let your feelings follow your decisions, but never lead them.
“Love endures all things.” 1Cor.13 “Conversations Within” ts 3/4/
There are several words that translate "patient" in the New Testament. The one used in this passage means to be patient with people, not circumstances. Love puts up with a great deal in order to keep loving. Love people, even when you don’t like them.
“Love suffers long where people are concerned.”
It is our response to life’s hardships that decide if they will hurt or help us in our journey. Take the hard out of hardship by viewing it as a spiritual workout.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever
Some people are so full of life, they make the people around them more alive. Celebrate your life! "Esse quam videri. To be, rather than to seem.
“...set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” 1Tim.4. “Conversations Within” ts 3/3/
The presence of Christ in me is my greatest treasure. He is life, health and peace, the reason food tastes better, and colors are richer. He is the music of my dance, my life’s song. He leads me beside still waters in a world ravished by politics and protest.
“showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” Titus 2.10 “Conversations Within” ts 3/3/
I have wasted energy every time I did not gracefully accept disappointments outside my control. I have never wasted energy by trusting that God will work everything out for my good. Hope is a powerful thing, especially when expressed by quietly accepting what God has put on our plate.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as
My relationship with God is never meant to be hard, or burdensome. When my heart is inclined toward loving Him, it will naturally flow in all goodness like water running downhill. Water does not try to run downhill, it simply does. We learn to love loving, when we simply enjoy its rewards.
“This is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” 1Jo.
There is one decision that will never lead us wrong, and that is a decision to love. This does not mean that we do not need wisdom to channel our love, and spread its energy towards goodness. Love wisely by joining your actions to the One who knows the best way to express it.
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them.”
What value is there in being in peaceful surroundings with no peace in the heart. I know what that is like. But, the peace that Jesus works in us has lasting value, because no matter what our circumstances, its fruit guards our heart and mind.
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 2/27/
I swim in a river that flows in one direction, and will ultimately empty into the endless ocean of God’s favor. He uses everything that comes my way only for goodness. My past failings, my present circumstances cannot separate me from the love of God in Christ. There is no way to lose when we commit ourselves to God's love and care.
“All things are yours...the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ belongs to
There are times when withholding help is not withholding love. Love always looks for the best way to love someone. If a man refuses to work because they are lazy, as opposed to someone who is unable to work, the good book says that we should not feed them. Hunger is good motivation to work. If able give them a job. Don't enable people to take advantage of others.
“Love
God has told us in His word the value of health. Jesus healed, He heals still. We honor God’s word when we pray for the health of others, and for ourselves. Jesus told us to ask for daily bread. Isn’t the ability to rise each day, and seek first His kingdom understood in this simple request? Ask Him!
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
When I set the tone, the pace, and my direction first thing every morning, I determine the quality of all my interactions that day. Accept God's invitation to join Him in the joys of every morning, and when the sun sets in the evening, we will look back on the day with a satisfied smile.
“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." Ps.90.14 “Conversations Within” ts 2/23/
My Christian experience has always been a process. As long as I live in this place I know I will never arrive. I see progress, and that is encouraging, but the process sometimes seems slow. I content myself to be somewhere between worm and winged wonder, yet not content. It is this in-between stage that bugs me, pun intended.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom.12 “Conversations Within” ts 2/22/26
So much can be gained or lost by a tiny decision. Who has not relived a single moment, the one that forever changed something, or left something forever unchanged. Life is surely in the details. If there is one thing needed, it would be to recognize, and embrace the grace offered us when making these small decisions.
"For who has despised the day of small things? Zech.4 “Conversations Within” ts 2/20/26
