While I was out walking today (the day of writing this), I heard women’s voices coming closer from behind me. I turned to see two younger women walking quickly while speaking in a language I did not recognise. They were totally engrossed in conversation as they then walked past me, perhaps oblivious to their surroundings. Has that happened to you – totally engrossed in conversation with a friend, oblivious to anyone else nearby? Totally focused on what is being shared. I can identify with that!
Conversation on the road to Emmaus
What conversations have you had while travelling? My husband and I love to listen to the ABC radio podcast “Conversations” while on road trips. There is such a vast and diverse array of guests the interviewers interact with, some to make us laugh, some to move us to tears. Travelling conversations with a captive audience can pass the time, and also be enlightening.
Extending hospitality today is likely to be much more casual than it was in biblical times, although that, too, can depend on how strong the traditions are in the culture of our personal context. For example, Asian and Indian customs may be quite different from our laid-back Aussie customs.
Read the full Bible Study …
Have you any siblings? What do conversations with them sound like? Often children from the same family are described as being “chalk and cheese”. Is that so for you?
Mary and Martha seem like “chalk and cheese”. It would be interesting to know if they were of similar ages, or how they shared the household duties. I get the impression that Martha is older, and I wonder if she was bossy or just very responsible. Was Mary easily distracted from a task or even lazy? Whatever my questions, they both appear devoted to Jesus – Martha devoted to serving him and Mary devoted to listening to him.
And Jesus loves them both. Read the full devotion for April 2024 …
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22,23 (ESV)
A message from the editor …
What is the difference between talking and conversation?
“Talking” generally refers to the act of speaking with someone, while “having a conversation” implies a back-and-forth exchange of thoughts and ideas between two or more people, usually with the goal of gaining understanding or building a relationship.
Read Grace’s full article …
Curiosity and an inquiring mind are triggers for gaining further information and knowledge about a particular topic. Recall a time when you carried out some research to become more deeply informed. Was it when buying a product, to obtain accurate facts, or just to enrich some prior understanding with a thirst for further knowledge?
What source of expertise did you use? A person, a book or “Mr Google”?
Read Margaret’s full devotion …
Whenever you want to share something with another person, a friendship, a discussion item, information – it begins with a conversation. We don’t get very far without having conversations with others. When God came to earth by becoming a human being in Jesus, his whole life was full of conversations, too. From the cradle where he cooed at Mary and Joseph; to interacting with much older, studied teachers of the law in the temple as a boy; and then calling his disciples and teaching his followers, conversations took place throughout Jesus’ life and ministry. The many conversations between Jesus and people that have been recorded have become a hallmark of how we see Jesus, how we relate to him and find deeper connection to God. Throughout the year, we will explore conversations Jesus had with different people and listen to what our Saviour has to say to us through them. Read the full Bible Study from Maria…
A Drink of Water and a Conversation with Jesus No doubt you have been asked to provide someone with a drink of water. Recall a situation. Who was the person: a child, an adult, a visitor, someone visited, a stranger? When and/or where did this request occur? Did an extended conversation follow? Read John 4:5–42 Here is a conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman. This conversation is more than a mere exchange of words. …
Conversations: Jesus and … the woman at the well (John 4:5–42) Whenever you want to share something with another person, a friendship, a discussion item, information – it begins with a conversation. We don’t get very far without having conversations with others. When God came to earth by becoming a human being in Jesus, his whole life was full of conversations, too. From the cradle where he cooed at Mary and Joseph, to interacting with …
Self-control But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other. Galatians 5:22–26 NIV Twelve months have passed since I first began …
We begin in prayer: Loving Heavenly Father, you have created us in your image. We thank you for this. As you created us in your image, you encourage us to yearn for the Fruit of the Spirit, including to have self-control. Please help us with self-control in all the circumstances that we face in life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Read Galatians 5:22,23. Did anything strike you? Each attribute of the Fruit of Spirit are characteristics …