attitude

Lead Me, O Lord

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We are always looking for the the best way to go, looking for the right path, whether physically going from one place to another or mentally trying to make a decision.  We analyze and assess multiple options and eventually proceed.  We do this so often it is easy to forget to consult with our Creator and to consider what direction or path will keep leading us closer to Christ versus leading us farther away in from our relationship with Him.  God knows you better than anyone, even if you haven’t spent much time with Him.  You are His child and He loves you.  Take time to meet with Him each day and bring your choices to Him.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.”

Psalm 27:11

(This photo was taken in April of 2018 while walking the dog at a park near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Joy Of The Lord

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We live and we work, we eat and we drink, we move from one activity to the next day by day.  We face decisions and choices day after day, big decisions, little choices and through it all God calls to us to live life to the fullest.  What does that mean for you?  What is living to the fullest?  It all depends on the perspective you choose to look from…if you choose to view life through the eyes of the world measuring success by possessions, material things and number of likes on social media then you will find much disappointment.  If you choose to look at life through the spiritual perspective, with a daily connection with God, praying for and helping others, serving those in need and living life filled with the fruits of the spirit…you will find joy.  True joy is found only in a relationship with Jesus Christ.  May God’s love and joy be with you.

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“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

John 15:11

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Walking In The Light

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Actions speak louder than words…words are an introduction, actions are the full story.  In the life of Jesus we learn that He taught the people with His words and He showed the people the truth with His actions.  Being true to our word is a characteristic that seems to be fading away in this ‘me’ first world.  Living life by walking in the light is being very aware of what we say we will or won’t do and then following through with what we said…if we say, I will call you later, we need to be sure to do it…if we say I will pray for you, we need to offer an honest to goodness true prayer to God regarding that person.  The concept in words is simple…the execution in daily life is the next step in our faith journey.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

1 John 1:7

(This photo was taken in September of 2014 while on a walk in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Free Will

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One of the most sacred aspects regarding the creation of humans is free will.  We are given the gift of free will by God to decide and to choose our behavior and attitude each day.  How we choose to live is our responsibility and no one else’s.  We choose to do good or to do wrong or we choose to do nothing.  Everybody in the world is fighting a battle of some kind, real life is not what people are posting on social media, that is merely the book cover that people want to present to the world.  We should not take our free will for granted, use the power to choose how you will live to do good for others, just as Christ did to save you.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is  summed up in a single command:  “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

Galatians 5:13-15

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)

Change Happens When You Truly Pray

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How many times have we said, I will pray for you or I am praying for you…and then we never do it.  We never sit quietly with God and discuss the specific concern or topic with Him.  I know I am guilty of that and I am working really hard on not saying I will pray for you with out doing so the next morning during my daily devotions.  I am really working on praying for people in situations in my morning time and telling them afterwords, I have been praying for you when I know it is true.  When the words, my thoughts and prayers are with you, become just that a bunch of nice words with no action, we have really disgraced and disrespected the true power of prayer.  The recent protests and marches have shown me that we have turned the power and privilege of prayer into a trite saying that causes anger and does not bring peace.  True and honest prayer between you and God is powerful and it is one of the strongest weapons we have against evil and darkness…even the people that made the movie “Bruce Almighty” understand that, watch the scene near the end when Bruce is offering his prayer.  My last thought for you…every morning just before I hit publish on these posts I pray for you as I pray for anyone who reads my post each day…May God’s love, joy and peace be with you.

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“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?”  And I said, “Here am I.  Send me!”

Isaiah 6:8

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while driving through southern New Mexico)

Rest For The Weary

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Each day brings us choices, decisions, questions and some answers.  On some occasions these can pile up on us pretty fast and become a burden to wade through.  When the way forward is blurry or getting difficult to understand we need to take sometime and be with Jesus.  He set the example…several times you can read in the bible that Jesus would go off on His own or with one or two of the disciples to pray.  To be with His Father in heaven in nature and stillness.  We are not made to “on” all the time 24-7, we need better balance.  Make your rest time with Jesus a priority at whatever point in a day makes sense for you.  Make God’s peace and joy be with you.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while driving through New Mexico)

Put Aside Your Fears

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The journey of faith becomes more difficult if we let our fears have the power to stop us.  If we allow our fears to be sustained in our thoughts and in our actions we are feeding them.  We can be strengthened against our fears by the Word of God and by connecting in a community of faith.  Fear is a weapon of evil and darkness and it can be very powerful if we allow it rule in our lives.  We must remember that God is good, He already knows much more about us than we realize, He loves us and He has forgiven us.  Be renewed by developing your personal relationship with Jesus Christ…after all He gave all He could in order to save us.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:17

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 at the natural entrance to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico)

In God We Trust

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These are the words that help to form a new nation.  As we fight our internal struggles our hope is tied to our belief in God.  There is so much in life that can be good, if we have the courage to build a personal relationship with God.  We must be prepared to humble ourselves, to know we are not the center of the universe or our own lives.  When God is at the center we look to Him and His Word.  God created us out of love, He has forgiven us with His One and Only Son and He can guide us with the Holy Spirit.  Take the next step in trusting God whatever that is for you and see what He has in store for your life.  May God’s love and joy be with you.

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“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

What Can I Do?

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This is an excellent question.  One that we can ask of God anytime and in any situation.  Asking questions and seeking the answers from God first are an excellent way to start letting God be in control.  When we are willing to ask for help we are admitting we don’t have all the answers or finally admitting we tried to answer the questions of life several times on our own and we are ready to surrender to God’s answers.  This is very humbling and yet such a lift of burden all at the same time.  I am sure you have heard the phrase…God is good, all the time and all the time, God is good…while it can be used as a mantra or a call and response exercise the truth of what that states is accurate.  It is our perspective that needs the adjustment not God’s plan.  Be open to questions, ask them to God and be prepared to listen to His answers not only the answer you want.  May God’s peace and goodness be with you.

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“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:10-12

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

Courage

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It takes courage to be a follower of Jesus Christ in this world.  It takes courage to not only say I believe but then to go out and act and do as one who believes.  It takes strength and courage to stay the course of faith and let God be in control.  We/I always want to take over control and management of life.  Then we are surprised or sometimes frustrated when things go in a different direction then what we planned or tried to orchestrate.  Trusting in God means surrendering the desire to control every aspect of your life…once again it’s simple but it’s not easy.  Give to God all the things in your mind and in your heart and pick a few verses out to memorize so you can repeat them to yourself when needed.  I have two recommendations for you Proverbs 3:5-6 and Philippians 4:13 they have helped me in many moments in my life and will continue to do so.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)