I have been amazed at how shrewd some non-believers are in marketing a morality that is anything but Christian. They often hijack the message of Jesus, distort the idea of Christian love, and effectively re-brand what is right and wrong in God's eyes. It is sad, but Christians often fail to be effective witnesses of Christ to the world.
“For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.” Jesus Conversations
Thank you for leading me to the path of joy. I always find it when I let loose my selfish concerns. If it involves saying no to myself, it probably places me in the best position to serve others, and that is where joy is realized. I smile at the memories that have revealed this to me.
“Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.” I tell you these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy made full. ” Jesus
How do we know when something is a coincidence, or is God’s way of giving us guidance? We are cautioned in the Scriptures to not be superstitious, but sometimes, as observed by Yogi Berra, some things are “too coincidental to be a coincidence.” Of course, why can’t something be both a coincidence, and God directing our steps as well?
"Time and chance happen to us all" Ecc.9 “You have made known to me the path of life.” Ps.16 Conversations Within” ts
“There's a billion people on the planet... I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you're promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things... all of it, all of the time, every day. You're saying 'Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go un-witnessed because I will be your witness'. “Shall We Dance” (The movie)
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh”
I can sense a growing hunger in people, tired of all the negativity, and longing for beauty and soul inspiring dialogue. It may be that the companions who travel with me are people who are more interested in living life than complaining about it. Join in the song. Make music and celebrate all that is beautiful.
"Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing" Ps.100 Conversations Within” ts
Jesus is always telling us to not be afraid. Why fret when He promises His presence with us always. I have let so many silly things disturb my peace. He is teaching me to relax and turn my eyes towards His light.
“But the path of righteous people is like the light of dawn that becomes brighter and brighter until it reaches midday.” Prov.4.18
Because God delights in truth, He will personally attend to it. We do not need to fear the trickery and deceit that pervades our world. Every lie will be exposed, even the ones we tell ourselves. The truth will set us free. Lord before I speak, let me weigh not just the truth in what I say, but if what I say will bring your blessing.
“Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.” Conversations Within” ts Aug 12, 2026
Every time we choose, we add to or take away the fruitfulness of our life. Before I answer the call of some desire, or give expression to some feeling, let me deliberately pause and measure if I am adding to or taking from my joy and peace.
“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” Song of Solomon 2 Conversations Within” ts
My spouse has nurtured a wise way of responding to my silly complaints. She just shrugs and says, “That’s just life.” You could say she shrugs these inconveniences of life off her shoulders. She has learned to dismiss matters over which she has no control, and refuses to let them steal her peace.
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God…” Rom.8
I see the wisdom of anchoring a new habit to one that I already practice. For instance, I can take my vitamins when I brush my teeth. I can also use the pain and regret of a bad habit to encourage me to establish a healthy one. Suffering is as much a part of growth as are the rewards for enduring it.
“...discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. 1Tim.4 Conversations Within” ts Aug 6, 2026
After explaining what two greatest commandments are, the rest of the Bible is mainly wisdom on how we can effectively love.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts Aug 6, 2026
Pursue a life of loving and serving others, and you will never need a backup plan. Here is a dream worth chasing, and one that brings perfect satisfaction. Love is its own reward and the wholeness it brings will follow us forever.
“Pursue love.” 1Cor.
This morning the world population clock said that there are 8,308,660,528 souls on earth. That’s a lot of people to love. To say that it is not difficult for God to love every single one of us does not diminish in the least the far reaching power and intensity of that love. The only true measure of His love is the sacrifice He made in Jesus to ransom us from death and hell on the cross.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Jo.3.16 Conversations Within” ts Aug 4, 2026
So what does God want to be for me at this moment? Well, for one thing He invites us to join Him in it, and experience it through His wisdom and grace. He wakes us to life. There is a promise for every single thing we need every single moment of each day.
“He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature,
Want to make a difference? Then make a difference that brings real benefit to others. Do not waste precious energy, on politics, for show or to look authentic. If you have to label it for others, it is probably empty. Most people know real goodness when they see it in action.
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts Aug 1, 2026
Do not interpret the Scriptures in one passage in such a manner that your understanding contradicts the Scriptures in another passage. Truth is consistently true.
“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” Ps.
If any request is worth asking from God, it is worth asking boldly.
The centurion who came to Jesus on behalf of a sick servant was humble, as all faith should be, but his faith was also bold. All faith should be bold. After all, our confidence is not in our faith, but in the generosity and wisdom of the person we put our faith in. Away with mealy mouthed prayers.
“But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Mt.8 Conversations Within” ts Jul 30, 2026
I pray for a contagious faith as I hope for what is promised. I hope for so many things, not in the sense of wishing they would happen, but in the sense of expecting something that I know is coming. The Heaven I hope for is solid as the promises that Jesus makes to all who trust Him.
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
Lord help me never discount Your part in everything that concerns my life. I love You because you first loved me. I will hold to You till the end, because You will never relax Your hold on me. Perfect what You initiated in grace, and in the covenant You made with Your son Jesus before the world was made.
“The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Ps.138 Conversations Within” ts Jul 29, 2026
Thank God for this precious privilege. I may not have a choice about the hardships that come my way, but I can choose my response to them. I can choose joy, joy in knowing that God uses such to make me a better person, to deepen the presence of Jesus in me.
“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. “ James 1 Conversations Within” ts Jul 27, 2026
