Renew

To speak about faith as a journey is to remind us that it is ongoing…it is not a one-time event or ceremony…it is not something to ‘check the box’ as done and move on.  It is a journey of good times and hard times.  It is a daily recognition that we are broken and sinful and we live in a fallen world…it is about learning to surrender your plans to God and His plan…it is about finding the best version of you that God intended for your life.  Pick up a bible every day and renew your faith for your journey.  Amen.

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:17

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while standing on Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Finding The Way

We have choices…this way or that way…try this and say no thanks to that.  We will make mistakes, sometimes we will have the opportunity to go back and do it differently, more often we will need to do our best with where we are and what we have with us.  It can be overwhelming and deciding to not chose is also a path that many decide upon.  How do we know what is right?  How can we find out where we fit in best?  Put a relationship with Jesus Christ first in your life, every day.  Why?  Read Isaiah 55:8-9.  God knows best, He has a plan specifically for you and spending time with Him is the best way to learn about Him and His plan for life.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of the Gods Park in southern Colorado)

Comforted

To restore a sense of well-being…to soothe…console…reassure…to ease the grief or burden.  To pursue your faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is about finding your starting point or ending point to each day.  It is about coming back to the place that most feels like home in your heart.  If you are seeking this comfort, choose a time that works for your situation and every day spend time with God…it will change your life in ways you can’t imagine.  Amen.

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“What, then, shall we say in response to this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:31

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Daily Living

This is defined as the activities we perform on a daily basis for self-care related to our needs.  Caring for ourselves related to food, hygiene, our living environment, etc.  Many people take these items for granted and for many people just getting through the day regarding these things is a struggle, for a variety of reasons.  The Fruits of the Spirit provided by God are not worldly possessions that require wealth or privilege, they are not only for certain people.  God’s love is for all in creation and we all have a responsibility to learn, to grow, to care for and to share with others.  Give thanks to God for each day and seek to live as God intended.  Amen.

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2015 while on a mission trip in Denver, Colorado)

The Road That Leads To Life

We all have different lives and different choices to make in our lives.  Depending on where we live, what the weather is like, the environment of our home and where we spend our days.  This can be all different…what is common among all people?  The place in our hearts that is made to be filled by God.  He is the Creator and He made us with this special space that can only be filled properly by companionship with Him.  Now that certainly hasn’t stopped the human race from trying to fill it with just about anything other than God.  If anything other than God is in that space you will not feel complete, content or know true peace.  Make time to be alone with God and invite Jesus into the place reserved for Him every day.  May you know God’s comfort and God’s faithfulness.

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“Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in Madison County, Iowa)

God Is With You

Be at peace.  God is with you.  Everywhere you go, in every part of every day in your life He is with you.  As I continue to my faith journey, I shudder when I think what life would be like if I was still trying to live without my personal relationship with God.  He calms the storms, He lifts me up when I have fallen, He forgives me when I repent and He is the source of the kind of joy that has to be experienced to be understood.  My heart is singing today.  If you are looking for a song to sing in praise check out this song “Forever” by Chris Tomlin.

God created you, He sacrificed His One and only Son to save you, He forgives you for your sins and He goes with you everywhere, everyday…Forever.

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“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 near the border between South Dakota and Minnesota)

Daily

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“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness , and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:33-34

(This photo was taken in August of 2015 on a lake in central Minnesota)