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;
