The other day we hiked the Bristlecone forest where the trees are over 4000 years old. One reason to explain their longevity is because the harsh conditions at 10,000 ft with high wind and snow have deepened their roots and made them strong. Adversity can be sweet or sour depending on how we respond to it.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face
But we object, “Jesus lived in the will of God and look what happened to Him, He was crucified. ” The God of all creation answers, “Yes, look at Him resurrected, seated at my right hand.” Even a child understands what it means to have ultimate victory.
“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Ps.
I have never known a day of hunger. Abundance surrounds me every day. As God is gracious to me, let me be gracious with all that He has entrusted
“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Conversations Within” ts Jul 19, 2026
Once we share our judgments about others, we can never take them back, which means we may affect the judgments that others have of us. We all make judgments and they are necessary to live wisely. “A wise man once said, “nothing.” Keep your judgments to yourself.
“Judge not, that you be not judged." Jesus
I read a post that said “Life is hard, make it harder and buy a boat.” It is common knowledge that God uses hard times to nurture in us the character of a mature inner life. Plug away with an enduring attitude. Learn to enjoy and appreciate the process that develops spiritual health and vitality.
“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1 Conversations Within” Jul 17, 2026 ts
When God lays His hand upon His children, it is always a loving hand. This is true as much for His hand of discipline as it is for the hand of encouragement or help or comfort. God offers us many hands. I wonder if there is any hand more precious than His healing hand. Of course healing hands sometimes have a scalpel in them.
“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” Ps.139 ESV Conversations Within” ts 7/16/26 REPOST from 2/6/
Love, which is so much more than a feeling, is proactive action. Love looks for ways to express goodness toward others. I am blessed to know people who love this way, always one step ahead, always looking to find a way to serve. Is there any better life?
“Love does
Stress can certainly cause fatigue. Alleviating it may sometimes involve lessening the load we carry each day. When this is not possible, we can adjust the way we think about our daily duties. If something has to be done, it has to be done, but this does not mean that we should allow it to do us in.
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and
Jesus told us to pray for daily bread because it is the only kind of bread He offers. Life comes to us a moment at a time, and God promises to provide for it. He invites us to sit down and gratefully eat at His table.
"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna... to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD"
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I do not like driving in heavy traffic. In fact, I get physically sick if I am required to do it for very long, even as a passenger. Now, I believe that calmness can be the natural state of the soul. But, what does one do if i have to drive to work in terrible traffic every day. I can acknowledge the value of fight or flight mode and still do this.
“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1Pt.5 Conversations Within” ts 7/10/
There are people who have lived long lives without following Van Dyke's positive disposition and example. Of course
“All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.” Prov.15 Conversations Within” ts 7/10/26
God's knowledge is absolute. He knows everything that is uncertain to us, but His knowledge of everything is perfect and certain. There is no future possible happening that is unknown to Him and that is not ordered by His sovereignty. Coupled with the knowledge that God is love, is to find that greatest security.
“...and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.” Ecc.11 Conversations Within” ts 7/8/26
Jesus told us to pray for daily bread. Some things need repeating everyday to affect the goodness that God intends. In truth I need to remind myself every hour to keep in step with the Spirit. My feet stray off the path so easily. The
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 Conversations Within” ts 7/8/26
I wake up some mornings feeling really dumb about some of the stuff I do, and more often than I should. There are many things I do not like about myself, I am acquiring a new taste for how I want to live life. Thank you Lord Jesus, “The page is still turning. The ink isn’t dry.”
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
I have unanswered questions, but can truthfully say that most if not all of them do not stress me. I ask for daily bread each day, and when God chooses not to explain certain things to me, I take it that what I don’t understand I do not need in my present circumstances.
“Give us this
I want to be grateful to You Lord. This is how I want to experience each day. When I eat, or drink, work, or play, grant in me a sincere appreciation for what You put on my plate, so that a grateful heart will govern every experience I share with You.
“Only
Grace and grace alone defines my standing before God. I merit nothing, because any good I do is also due to His grace working in me. My sins are ever before me, but so too are His daily expressions of grace.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through
Admitting I have tendencies toward overthinking a problem, is a good first step toward changing it. “Just do it” is more than a slogan. Wisdom is understanding but action matters most! Sometimes you just got to go for it.
“Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.” Prov.6 Conversations Within” ts 6/29/
Vanity has many expressions, all of them empty of value. The buzz words of our day: unique, authentic, open minded, etc, often echo back the hollow sound of pride. Admit it, some people try to look cool, others are cool. Some people try to look Christlike, others are Christlike. We must each discover Christ within, before others will authentically see Christ without.
“Love does not boast or brag.” 1Cor.
The quiet life begins in the quiet soul, and the soul is made quiet in the satisfaction of all that God is for us in the present moment. Come to the quiet. Cop a squat on the green grass of reflection, and lay down in the stillness of His leading.
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life…” 1Thess.4
