faith and life

Love God, Love People

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All actions and behaviors of violence and destruction are wrong…the actions and behaviors of violence that took place last summer were wrong and the actions and behaviors of violence that took place yesterday are wrong…both events are same actions and behaviors.  Nobody can rightfully condone violence at one event and condemn it at the other…all actions and behaviors of violence are wrong, last summer and yesterday.  We need more listening that is seeking to understand even when we don’t agree, more kindness, more compassion.  If we choose to condone violence at any time…we are just going to get more violence.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Wherever You Go

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“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Joshua 1:7-8

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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Pike’s Peak in southern Colorado)

Life Through Christ

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“Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:7-10

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“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

John 15:5-8

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

Remain In Him

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“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

John 15:4

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“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

John 15:5-8

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Goodness Of God

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Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson

“The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:9

“The Lord is good,
    a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,”

Nahum 1:7

“Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.”

Psalm 107:1

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at sunrise along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Believe And Overcome

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“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

1 John 5:1-4

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“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

1 John 5:5

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 near Winterset, Iowa)

Pray

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When wondering about prayer, Jesus set the example for us.  He not only gave us the words of the Lord’s prayer…He lived it in His actions and behaviors.  Prayer works…true, sincere, honest and from the heart prayer works.  It is not about granting you what you want, when you want it.  It is about your relationship with God.  If you struggle with prayer…think about when a child is learning to talk…they don’t use the right words the right way when they first speak, yet it gets better over time.  They also do not get everything they ask for but the communication is still very important for their relationships.  Dedicate time to prayer every day.  Amen.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

Luke 5:16

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”

Luke 6:12

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“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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

Today

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“God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
    do not harden your hearts.”[a]

Hebrews 4:7

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“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Hebrews 4:12-13

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

Actions Of Hope

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An action of hope means getting practical.  Working and doing things with trust in God’s plan even when the circumstances don’t reveal it.  Actions of hope are a way to live in faith and to put your trust in God.  In Jeremiah 32 there is a story of Jeremiah buying a field at a time when Babylon was coming to capture the city…this was not a logical action at the time rather an action of hope because God had said the people will return to buy fields, build houses and live in this land.  Destruction was coming yet Jeremiah bought a field.  Turn towards God in faith and ask for His guidance for opportunities for you to take actions of hope in your life.  Amen.

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“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling in North Dakota)

Our Role

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“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Romans 12:4-8

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“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 in the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior)