Month: March 2018

Wait For The Lord

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In our hurried society where everyone seems to be rushing around from one thing to the next, it is hard not to get caught up in it and begin to feel rushed for no particular reason.  Why are we in such a hurry?  What is so pressing?  As I travel the roads of this country from time to time, I observe this increasingly busy life style frequently.  During these days between the Crucifixion and Easter Sunday plan time to be with the Lord and seek His will for you and your life through His timing.  How is God working in your life?  Where can you see His presence?  Who can you help by sharing the Good News?  Seek Him and then wait for Him to lead you.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Psalms 27:13-14

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at the Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)

Good Friday, Reflect…Be Transformed

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There cannot be unexpected and jubilant celebration at the resurrection without the pain and tragedy of the crucifixion.  Life is not always going to be sweet smelling roses and unconstrained happiness.  It is because of our sufferings that we learn and appreciate the good things God has given us.  When I think about the most difficult times of my past I begin to see my focus at those times was all self-centered, I was putting myself at the center of my life and that is not my place.  When I notice the times when I have had real joy, peace and contentment it is when I have surrendered myself to God and His will.  Only God can help us in the terrible times and events that are caused by humans and sin, only He can bring about the love, forgiveness, peace and joy.  God does not make the bad things occur, we do that ourselves but He is always there ready to help us when we turn towards Him and His Son who sacrificed everything to save us.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Romans 12:2

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

The Love Of Christ

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It is so overwhelming to me to think about all that Jesus suffered to save us.  He was different than everybody else and because of that people let fear drive them to the point of His death.  When any of us look at the current circumstances in our lives and we put on the perspective of what Jesus faced on earth, it is clear to me that nothing I face in this life will ever match the love that Jesus Christ has for me…nothing.  There are terrible pains, suffering and events of deep sadness that exist because of darkness and sin.  The love of Christ is more powerful than any of it…not when you are trying to see it without first inviting Jesus into your heart.  Invite Him into your life and read the Word of God and you will see His love every day.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Romans 8:35,37

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Share Goodness

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Whenever you can, share the goodness of life.  Make eye contact and smile at other people, hold a door open, help someone carry things, be patient with others, listen instead of talking and support those in need without expectation of something in return.  When we choose to live in community with one another we can see the goodness of the Lord in life.  It is striving to get back to the basics of interacting with each other in a simple and kind manner.  It is a choice, we are not victims of our environment or our surroundings unless we choose to be.  If you don’t know how or where to start, I would recommend getting out into nature and be present in God’s creation.  Nothing soothes my soul better than being outdoors in the amazing world God created.  May God’s peace and the wonder of creation be with you.

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in northern Colorado)

Holy Week

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This is the week that we remember the events at the core of our faith.  Jesus Christ doing what He came to earth to do, not for Himself but for us.  He gave Himself as a sacrifice to reconcile us with God.  That’s what we are remembering this week.  He died and He conquered death by rising.  His sacrifice is our salvation, Jesus did what is very hard for me and you, He looked first to interest of others knowing that God the Father would care for Him.  It wasn’t easy and He prayed so hard about being able to do it that He began to sweat blood.  In end He did it…He came, He lived, He died, He was risen and has ascended to the Father…and He will come back again.  He did it all for us because He loves us.  During this week take time to think about Him and how you can honor Him by serving the needs of others you are with each day.  God loves you and may God’s peace be with you.

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

(This photo was taken in September of 2016 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Trials Of Life

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Everyone has knowledge and experience in trials and pain and suffering.  No matter what type of front they display on a social media feed there is trial and pain in their life too.  The problem with comparing ourselves is that many people are very skilled at hiding their pain, trying to ignore the suffering.  Worse yet is the news media and the sad way they choose to display their view of the world.  There is a phrase I have heard used more when I was younger and not as much now…“you get what you give” or “what you will get out of this is determined by what you put into it”  To me this provides one of the things missing in society today…accountability.  Easy street is not a real place or a way to live.  That doesn’t mean that we never will feel happy or joy but it depends on where you are looking for it, it depends on your perspective.  The one place that helps with every day life and builds a strong foundation to live on is the Cross.  Come to the Cross and live.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

Psalm 139:23

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Palm Sunday

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It is a wonder how quickly circumstances can change.  On this day we remember Jesus and His triumphal entry as He approached the city of Jerusalem.  People were laying down their coats and palm branches as He rode a donkey, they were cheering for Him with hope and joy.  All the while the Pharisees and the chief priests were trying to figure out how to get rid of Him without causing a riot.  As we know the narrative did change and then some of the same people who cheered Him, turned to jeering Him with ‘Crucify Him!’ – Luke 23:20…for me one of the most powerful statements Jesus ever made on earth was one of the last things He said…‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’ – Luke 23:34  As we make our way into Holy Week, reflect of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and all He did for you.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.  Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Mark 11:8-9

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while traveling through Colorado)

Perspective

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We all have opportunity every day to choose how we see the world and people in it.  Our perspective has many influences, personal experience, things we read, things others tell us, our own emotions and the things we see happening.  If we allow our perspective to be formed with out consulting with our Creator are we really putting all we can into our beliefs?  Information provided by the human race always seems to have a selfish agenda of the those who distribute the data.  The only source of truth I have found is God and His Son Jesus Christ.  If you haven’t done so, I invite you to allow the Word of God to be an influence on your perspective…I recommend starting with the Gospel of John.  Believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ His one and only Son and the Holy Spirit and you will find the peace and joy of the Lord.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Everlasting Peace

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Throughout the days, weeks, months and years of life you may come across reflections of a time or times when you remember moments of life with peace.  Where were you?  What was going on in your life and in the world?  Who were you with?  Do you remember what it felt like?

For me these times involve my time with family and friends most often…usually these moments are times of simplicity, not in a rush or hurry, not worried about the plans or the meal.  They were definitely times of less technology in our daily life.  Whatever those moments are for you, say a prayer to ask God to help you make time to do those things and to be with those people whenever and however you can.  It is that peace that feeds us to get through the times when we are unsettled and stressed.  May God’s peace overwhelm you and be with you.

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Perseverance

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The definition of this word is: “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.”  To me it says don’t give up.  One truth about life that some find difficult to understand is there are going to be times when life is difficult and unfair.  We are human and none of us is going to be perfect.  Trouble will come our way despite our best efforts to avoid it.  So what are we going to do?  We keep going with “continued effort” in spite of difficulties, failures and opposition.  We move forward respectfully and give our best to achieve.  Another blogger who writes BeautyBeyondBones shared some advice she would get from her mother during extremely difficult times…what is the next right thing to do?  If we can figure that out in any situation we can persevere.  We also have the greatest teacher ever in Jesus, He showed us the ultimate perseverance and we will remember it during Holy Week next week.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Blessed in the one who perseveres under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)