faith perspective

Repentance

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It takes courage to examine our lives and admit our wrongs.  It takes a close and personal relationship with God to feel comfortable opening up past guilt, shame and sadness.  Start today…invite or re-invite Jesus into your heart during this season of Lent, confess those things that hurt and ask for His healing grace and mercy.  Leave worry behind…He loves you and is waiting to hear from you.

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

(This photo was taken in the fall of 2014 on the Northern coast of Maui)

We Are Dust

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This day remember where we came from and remember where we will return to…

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;  as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we were formed, he remembers that we are dust.”

Psalm 103:8-14

(This photo was taken in the fall of 2014 at a park in central Minnesota)

Finding The Way

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We tend to get off course pretty easily in our everyday life…there is so much demanding our attention.  Spending time daily in the Word with our Lord is the best way to get instructions about life and our purpose.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling through Nebraska)

Our Hope

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“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 during August of 2015 on a lake in central Minnesota)

Change

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Change is hard, change takes courage…we all struggle with things that need to change or things we know we should change.  Change brings fear of the unknown and is very difficult to face alone.

Change can also bring hope, change provides new opportunities for growth and most importantly change is the only way for all of us to get from weary, tired, broken and down trodden in this fallen world to a born anew, refreshed, renewed and full of the Holy Spirit child of God.

I hope and pray for you to find courage, strength and peace regarding the changes you are facing in your life.

“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

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

Our Top Priorities

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“Teacher which of these is the greatest commandment in the Law?  Jesus replied:  ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’.”

Matthew 22:36-40

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 while climbing Pike’s Peak in Colorado)

The Voice of Truth

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In this world that is fallen and filled with sin and lies we have many thoughts and opinions speaking to us through many forms of communication.  Yet while Jesus walked on earth he taught using the phrase “I tell you the truth…”  He spoke this phrase more than 75 times as recorded in the New Testament.  With so much input coming at us in the world from so many sources it is important to seek the one voice of truth.

This is not always easy…in fact when Jesus spoke he knew not everybody would openly accept the truth.  In our lives the harder it is, often means it really is the right thing to do.  Truth takes courage, truth takes trusting that no matter what happens God has got you in the palm of his hand.  He knows what you are facing, He knows your fears and the temptations pressuring you…open your heart, mind and soul to Him.  He has the truth and his Son delivered the message of truth personally to us.

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’.”

John 8:31-32

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 at Falls Park on the Big Sioux River in South Dakota)

Seek Him In Everyday Life

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At the beginning of the Book of Proverbs the first few verses in chapter 1 provide instruction for involving God in your everyday life decisions.  It describes a purpose and theme for the proverbs of Solomon.

“for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Proverbs 1:2-7

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 while driving through Rocky Mountain National Park)

Music and Life

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I have said many times how music has played a significant role in my faith journey.  Every so often a song or hymn comes to mind as a message and because of technology I can go find it and listen to it.

This morning it was a song that was popular about 10 years ago but the message is still very true today.  The story behind the music is the original composer wrote the song as an instrumental and asked his favorite novelist to write the lyrics.  The composer then had the song performed for the first time at his mother’s funeral.  It’s intent became that you can relate to it by applying it to your own personal life…I chose to use it as a worship hymn to God because in the end we can do nothing without Him.  Here are some lyrics from “You Raise Me Up”…

Original composer Rolf Loveland, Original lyrics by Brendan Graham

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.

When Jesus was teaching his disciples he said:

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

John 15:9-11

Today how does our Lord raise you up?