A light from our household gone.
A voice we loved is stilled.
A place is vacant in our home that never can be filled.
The Golden gates did open.
A gentle voice said, “Come”.
And with farewell unspoken, we said, “Thy will be done”.
-In memorandum of Dad
Author unknown
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the island of Maui, Hawaii)
The one true guide for all of life, the gift that provides wisdom and brings us back to the Lord is the The Word of God. The bible is full of lessons and instructions. We always seem to want to find answers to our questions in the world and the only thing the prince of this world wants to do is to take us further away from God. The strongest foundation for us to build our life on is The Word of the Lord. Seek Him and seek His Word and trust in Him to guide your life. May we all find time to dwell in the Word of the Lord.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)
We are blessed to be a blessing…we receive and so we are to give…let the Word flow through you…shine the the Light of Christ…share the peace of the Lord with others. Jesus Christ gave His everything to save us. He suffered and died on the Cross, before He left He promised that if we believe we will receive the Holy Spirit of God within us. We are to be a channel of God’s peace…it will flow into us and we are to be shaped and molded by His peace and then share it with others whenever we can. May your life be filled with the Light of Christ and with opportunities to share that Light with others.
“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 June of 2018 near the South Dakota and Minnesota border)
As I have been fully immersed in working through life after my Dad has passed away 7 days ago…there are moments of busyness, so much to take care of and do and there are moments of calm and reflection. Life has slowed down and I am grateful for that pace change. It will not be this way forever, and from the moment my brother called and told me ‘Dad is gone…they couldn’t bring him back,’ life has changed forever. We can either fight it or we can embrace it…live it to the best of our ability…be present right where we are and trust in the Lord. May you find peace with God in your life.
“They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.”
Psalm 145:5
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
God is our Creator, He created us out of love. Jesus Christ died to save us from our sins, He did it out of love. The Holy Spirit is with us and guides us, we are guided by God’s love. God has us covered in love, seek Him, trust in Him and know that all good things come from God. When you are suffering, when you are troubled, when it feels like your world is crashing down around you God comes to you with His presence in a variety to ways, and through other people. Be at peace and know that nothing in this life can separate you from the love of God. May you find peace and contentment in God’s love.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
Our strength…we are forgiven…He comes near to us…He holds us up…He wraps His loving arms around us. I am so thankful for the Lord our God. His presence is all around all of us. The world does not want you searching for Him or trusting in Him. He is our Rock and our Redeemer and we can have peace because of Him. Look around you and your life and give thanks for the blessings God has given to you. May the peace of the Lord be with you.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while traveling through the State of Montana)
There is pain…we will have trouble…things will not go as we plan…what are we to do? Everyone is facing something, something big or difficult. Trying to overcome obstacles and find their way. Some will fail and some will succeed…any failure and any success is better because of love. Love powerful it is not weak, it can overcome pain, suffering and the troubles we face in life. Love begins and ends with God. We are created out of love, we are intended to live in God’s love while we are here and when we die Jesus Christ gave up His life to save us because He loves us. I am convinced that love conquers all and if you need something, turn towards God and speak with Him, because He loves you and He is waiting to hear from you. May the Lord bless you and keep you safe with love.
“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”
1 John 4:15-16
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
In our times of greatest need, the only thing that will uphold you or sustain you is the Lord. When things go sideways in your life according to your plans and it will happen I can promise you that much, any shred of hope, courage or peace will come from God. No matter what is going on in your life, in your mind or in your heart…take it to the Lord today. Share with God your fears, what you are worried about and trust in Him to uphold you…He promised He would and God never breaks His promises. The only way to find out if something is good is to taste and see for yourself. May God’s love and comfort surround you as it is surrounding all aspects of my family during this time of significant change.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
Psalm 34:8
(This photo was taken in September of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)
Friends I don’t have many words for you today…my family and I are working through the process of my Dad passing away this past Friday. When were discussing music for the service this hymn was mentioned, and it keeps coming back to me in my mind all morning long. Please pray for us and know that God is near you too. Below is a link to the hymn and the lyrics below that. Peace be with you.
Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting
[Verse 1]
Lord, you have searched my heart
And you know when I sit and when I stand
Your hand is upon me
Protecting me from death
Keeping me from harm
[Chorus]
Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting
[Verse 2]
Where can I run from your love?
If I climb to the heavens you are there
If I fly to the sunrise
Or sail beyond the sea
Still I’d find you there
Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting
[Verse 3]
Marvelous to me are your works
How profound are your thoughts, my Lord
Even if I could count them
They number as the stars
You would still be there
[Chorus]
Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)
We don’t choose them, we are born into them. It is meant to be a place where we find unconditional love. Like many aspects of life there will be pain, frustration, embarrassment and we will fail each other…over all of that there is love. No matter what we must go through we need to remember love. It won’t be easy and we all need to turn to Jesus through the most difficult of times for peace, for wisdom. My own family is facing an unexpected death as of yesterday afternoon and all I can do is seek peace from the Lord. Please pray for us as we work our way through the coming days, and tell the members of your family how much you love them. May we all find comfort in Jesus Christ.
“Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
Take Your Faith With You 