Gratitude

Be Thankful

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There is significant power in gratitude.  It is one of the forces that can truly impact our perspective.  The attitude of gratitude drives us to reflect and reconsider, it encourages a  shift in focus on what is good, instead of what is wrong.  It leads us to look for solutions, instead of problems.  It helps us give thanks instead of complaining.  Most importantly it takes the focus off of the self and the sinful nature within all of us.  All that is good in our lives is from God, everything else is because of sin and selfishness, in us and in others.  “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.  His love endures forever.”  (Psalm 136:1)  Amen.

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

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

Our Hearts And Minds

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What are the thoughts and things that stir up your heart and your mind?  Sometimes, we make it too easy for evil to ensnare us.  We get so easily distracted and consumed by the things of this world and forget what we have learned from God.  Daily time with God’s Word and in prayer is the only resource I know of, for helping us to reset and refocus our hearts and our minds.  The self and the sinful nature will not give up on tearing you down and breaking you apart.  Find wisdom, strength and courage in Jesus Christ.  He knows more than anyone the battles we are facing as He too lived on earth and was tempted by the devil.  Seek Him and God’s Word and your heart and mind will be restored.  Amen.

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“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Colossians 3:1-2

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

Servant Leadership

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This is a way of being a leader that has care and empathy for others as much as anything.  A servant leader understands that we is far greater than me.  They include others in decision making, they pay attention to the growth and potential of those around them, they are not only good for a group or organization, their presence is necessary for sustainable growth and success.  You know a servant leader when you see one as they tend to be different from the majority of leaders…they listen, they have high self-awareness and they are often shining a spot light on others.  The greatest example of a servant leader we have is Jesus Christ…He gave of Himself to everyone and anyone, no matter what the “rules” of society were at the time.  He taught others and set them up for growth and success, and with Him as their leader, the disciples spread the message that has changed the world like nothing ever has or ever will.  They shared the Good News and it is still impacting the world today.  They were leaders working to serve as they were taught, knowing the greatest success will come when you empower others to be future leaders.  Seek the Lord Jesus Christ and His leadership as He is always working for your good.  Amen.

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“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45

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

Living By The Spirit

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Life by the Spirit is a life that is conscious of our impact on others.  It is not always  looking inward and seeking to satisfy the self.  It is a balanced life, aware of the present more then the past or future.  It is a life that strives to put Christ in the center of everything…it is not easy to achieve in a dark and broken world nor are we able to do this alone.  I pray we seek a life that is led by the Spirit.  Amen.

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“The entire law is summed up in a single command:  “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

Galatians 5:14-15

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 while hiking in Wisconsin near Lake Superior)

Change

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Life is not about what the world and other people are doing to us, it is about what are we doing to be a light, to encourage others, to be helpful and supportive, what are we doing to be different?  Micah Tyler released a song last fall…he introduces the story behind the song in the video I am sharing today about change and being different.

Different by Micah Tyler

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“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalms 51:10

(This photo was taken in December of 2013 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

How We Connect

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People and relationships, these are two important elements in seeking and finding peace and joy in life.  The world says that money and comfort/convenience is what you need to be happy.  Focusing on others feeds our spiritual life and focusing on the self only feeds the self.  As with everything in life it is our choice.  God is pretty clear about the value of free will.  He is not interested in having a people that just do things at His command.  We are responsible for our behavior and the way we treat each other.  The best place to start is with our relationship with Jesus Christ…begin, continue or renew your relationship with our Lord and Savior and will find peace.  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.”

Colossians 3:12-13

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 on Paradise Island, Bahamas)

God Came Down

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The coming of Jesus Christ, to be born as a baby here on earth was miraculous for many reasons.  The most difficult part to comprehend is that God, the Creator of the world, the beginning and the end of all things, loves us so much that He took the form of one of us, to save us from our sinful ways.  When we read in the bible about the people of God in the Old Testament, it seems like the people and God go back and forth.  The people are suffering, God does something to help them, win a battle, defeat an enemy, free them from slavery and the people are thankful and grow closer to God…and then time goes by and they wander off again.  The cycle repeats itself several times…much like many of us in our faith journey.  In the New Testament, God changes the cycle and does something that has changed the relationship we have with Him forever.  God came down from heaven and became like us in order to reconcile us to Him…think about that for awhile…the Almighty God, Creator of all things came down from heaven to become one of us because He loves us.  As we think about the past year and the year to come, I pray we reflect on God’s love and the amazing things He has done for us.  Amen.

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“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100:5

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

A New Self

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There are many factors that play into how we think and behave in our everyday life.  Past experiences, our personal expectations and our routines all have a significant impact on us.  It is so easy to slip into a way of thinking, believing and living until we realize we aren’t really living we are just existing and going through the motions.  If we want to see things differently then we must be willing to change something in ourselves.  Change is difficult and uncomfortable, yet we must remember we are not alone.  God is with us and He will guide us through our efforts to change.  May we seek the will for God for our lives and be open changing our attitudes and perspective in developing a new self.  Amen.

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“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self…”

Ephesians 4:22-24

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

Thanksgiving

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What are you thankful for?  Think about the last week of your life, the last month, the last 12 months.  Where were you or what was going on last Thanksgiving?  Are you able to be with or spend the day with the same people you have for many years or have some gone home to the Lord?  Thinking about the events and people in your life…who or what are you most thankful for?  How you view this day and your life in general is driven by your attitude.  If you want to be more thankful or have a more positive outlook on a daily basis, start each day with time for gratitude for what is good and what you are grateful and thankful for in your life.  We can all start with prayer and thanking God for the sacrifice of His Son to save us.  Happy Thanksgiving Day to you.  May we all experience the peace, love and joy of being thankful.  Amen.

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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 August of 2016 by our daughter while on a family road trip near Dillon, Colorado)

Living In The Light

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Choose to be optimistic…choose to have gratitude…be thankful…appreciate all that you have been blessed with each day.  Some days you may feel like there is not much to be thankful for, yet I encourage you to seek something to have gratitude about receiving or having available.  The more you practice gratitude and thankfulness the easier it gets.  The world is full of good things and good people…we have to want to see them.  This is about changing our perspective and our attitude, not about the world and others changing things to fit our wants and desires.  May we be filled with the light of Christ in our everyday interactions.  Amen.

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“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Ephesians 4:29

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the border of South Dakota and Minnesota)