“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:8-9
(This photo was taken in the spring of 2008 in central Minnesota)
“Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, ‘Are you asking one another what I meant when I said’, ‘In a little you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
John 16:19-22
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of Maui)
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:8-10
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at Kaanapali beach on Maui)
“Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Ephesians 5:15-17
(This photo was taken in the summer of 2012 in central Minnesota)
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21
(This photo was taken in the fall of 2014 while driving on the north coast of Maui)
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’ “
John 14:6
(This photo was taken in December of 2013 in northwestern Wisconsin)
We are asked questions constantly in life, about everything and anything. We get questions about family, work, food, home, where we are and what we are doing. Often it gets overwhelming and we have so many little questions or less important questions such as “how are you doing?” that they become more like a greeting and not a question seeking a real answer.
When we are asked questions of deeper importance or questions that require time in thought we tend to get uncomfortable and unsure of our answer. When we dive into our faith journey we we all come to the moment when we hear the Lord ask…“Whom shall I send?” when we do hear that question it will be important to spend time in prayer and conversation to know when it is your turn to answer…
“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 October of 2014 while driving the north shore of Maui)
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:12-13
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of Maui)
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O Lord; your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.”
Psalm 145:8-13
(This photo was taken in July of 2014 on a lake in central Minnesota)
This is an area in life that has challenged me often…not the doing of work but wondering if what I am doing is the work I am supposed to be doing. Is this the right place, the right type of business, how is what I am doing contributing to the lives of others…I have tried to control things more than I should and as a result I have made poor choices. The messages and the beliefs of so many people about career and work seems so far away from honoring God but I do not know enough about their entire lives to make that assumption…maybe they have it figured out better than I do.
In the end I have held many positions at a few different places and after many years of internal debate I have come back to the verse below. I have narrowed my focus to one thing…work is not about me or what I see in them it is about what God needs me to be doing to help spread the Good News of the Gospel! I trust in Him and wherever I am I strive to make a difference in the lives of those around me.
“Whatever you do,work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at a rest area honoring the expedition of Lewis and Clark in South Dakota)
Take Your Faith With You 