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Be Thankful

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As I continue along my faith journey I am often reminded in different ways to remember to be thankful.  When we look carefully at what blessings and gifts God has already provided we realize that we take so much for granted in our daily lives.  Always concerned with others and what we don’t have or what we want next…it seems to be big part of human nature.  If we take time every day to reflect on and give thanks for what we are grateful for it will help shape our perspective for the rest of the day.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever.  For inspiration I recommend listening to the song of praise entitled Forever – by Chris Tomlin.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;  his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100

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

The Light

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The Bible talks about Light in many ways.  When we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He is our Savior and Lord, we begin to get a sense of this Light as we study the Word of God.  When the Light of Christ shines in us we look different, we act different and we feel different than we use to.  Acknowledging the Light is a shift in perspective, it is purposefully looking for the goodness, kindness and love in our actions and in the actions of others.  It is being self-less, working for the good of others, it is coming along side someone and walking with them rather then trying to knock them down or push them aside to advance our own ideas.  Seek this Light and shine it out to others and you will find peace.  May God’s Light be with you.

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)

The Story Continues Today

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The Bible is not a book that tells a story about past events and is not relevant to today.  It is the Word of God and how God made the world out of love.  The people of the world both back then and now have chosen to reject God, so the stories of the old testament and the new testament are about God’s pursuit of the people in creation.  It is about the things He was and is doing to bring people back to His love.  In the old testament it was battles, kings and prophets and in the new testament it is the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ His one and only Son.  These stories are about God’s pursuit of humanity and it continues today.  Pick up a Bible and see your place in God’s pursuit of you and people all over the world.  May God’s peace 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 July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass near the Montana and Wyoming border)

The Message

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We can bring the light of Christ to the world several ways.  We can use more than words as actions are often more powerful then words alone.  How we conduct ourselves in our everyday life tells a great deal about what we believe.  How we react to both success and failure will tell others about what is deep in our hearts.  Our attitude and the characteristics of our personality and how we apply them to helping others in need will tell a story about who has saved us.  As we grow in our faith we learn from our past, we are thankful for the present and we know our future is secure with God.  Share Jesus Christ with another person when the opportunity presents itself in your life.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.  He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…”

1 Peter 3:18

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in northern Colorado)

Be On Your Guard

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When we go out to live a life of faith, based on the foundation of our relationship with God we need to be prepared to be opposed.  The dark forces of evil in the world do not want us living with the light of Christ shining for all to see.  We will be tempted to do differently and we will be given distractions to take our attention away from a life of faith.  If you can, pick a verse or two that are most reassuring to you and memorize them, place them deep in your heart and mind and reaffirm your faith repeating these verses whenever you want and use the Word of God to keep you focused.  May God’s peace be with you on your journey.

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“Be self-controlled and be alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

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

Living Faith

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We have been redeemed.  Christ lives, He is in us and we are saved.  Jesus did His part to save us and now it is up to us to live as a people saved by Christ.  We are blessed with free will.  We need to do our part to uphold our faith.  Choose goodness, choose kindness, choose to help those in need, choose joy, choose to be encouraging and uplifting…we have already received more than we could have ever hoped for from Jesus Christ, now we are reconciled with God, let’s go out into the darkness of the world and share the light of Christ.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Luke 6:31

(This photo was taken in July of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Easter Sunday…He Is Risen!

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The tomb is empty…He is not there…Jesus Christ has risen…He lives!  Only God can help us in this world.  The Cross and the Resurrection are proof of God’s love and God’s power.  No matter where you are or what you are facing in life turn towards God, invite Jesus into your heart and mind and read the Word of God.  He can overcome anything if we turn to Him and trust Him.  He is risen…thank you God almighty…He Is Risen!

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“He is not here, he has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”

Luke 24:6-7

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Wait For The Lord

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In our hurried society where everyone seems to be rushing around from one thing to the next, it is hard not to get caught up in it and begin to feel rushed for no particular reason.  Why are we in such a hurry?  What is so pressing?  As I travel the roads of this country from time to time, I observe this increasingly busy life style frequently.  During these days between the Crucifixion and Easter Sunday plan time to be with the Lord and seek His will for you and your life through His timing.  How is God working in your life?  Where can you see His presence?  Who can you help by sharing the Good News?  Seek Him and then wait for Him to lead you.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Psalms 27:13-14

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at the Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)

Good Friday, Reflect…Be Transformed

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There cannot be unexpected and jubilant celebration at the resurrection without the pain and tragedy of the crucifixion.  Life is not always going to be sweet smelling roses and unconstrained happiness.  It is because of our sufferings that we learn and appreciate the good things God has given us.  When I think about the most difficult times of my past I begin to see my focus at those times was all self-centered, I was putting myself at the center of my life and that is not my place.  When I notice the times when I have had real joy, peace and contentment it is when I have surrendered myself to God and His will.  Only God can help us in the terrible times and events that are caused by humans and sin, only He can bring about the love, forgiveness, peace and joy.  God does not make the bad things occur, we do that ourselves but He is always there ready to help us when we turn towards Him and His Son who sacrificed everything to save us.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Romans 12:2

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

The Love Of Christ

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It is so overwhelming to me to think about all that Jesus suffered to save us.  He was different than everybody else and because of that people let fear drive them to the point of His death.  When any of us look at the current circumstances in our lives and we put on the perspective of what Jesus faced on earth, it is clear to me that nothing I face in this life will ever match the love that Jesus Christ has for me…nothing.  There are terrible pains, suffering and events of deep sadness that exist because of darkness and sin.  The love of Christ is more powerful than any of it…not when you are trying to see it without first inviting Jesus into your heart.  Invite Him into your life and read the Word of God and you will see His love every day.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Romans 8:35,37

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