Gratitude

Forgiveness

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Holding on to anger, rage and bitterness is unhealthy.  We know this is true.  Yet we still struggle to overcome the emotions of events.  To be able to exercise forgiveness we need to fully understand the intent.  It is not intended to say that an offender has been excused for their actions…rather it is a statement that we are not going to let the poor choices and actions of another keep us held in a state of  stress and anxiety.  Forgiveness should also be tied to some action to make a better future.  If we hold on to the anger and bitterness they will show up in all areas of our lives and this is a destructive pattern.  When we decide to forgive we are setting ourselves free from heading down a path of darkness.  Again I offer a musical reference to speak to this message…check out this song called Forgiveness by Matthew West.  May God’s peace be with you.

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

Ephesians 4:31-32

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Lake Dillon in Colorado)

Be Led By The Spirit

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In order to make change in the world that will last the best place to focus on changing is  human behavior.  An excellent place to start is with yourself.  If you are willing to take on such a challenge you will find quickly that this type of change is difficult, especially for the human race.  A change that will last can’t be done alone…will power, will only get one so far because we are weak and broken and we live in a world of darkness.  A real change in behavior requires surrender.  After we live for so long trying every which way to do things the way we believe they should be done and we become exhausted with the results…we become ready to ask God for help.  This is just human nature.  He will still take us up on the request no matter when in life you ask.  When you realize that your only hope is in God and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit…go all in…this doesn’t mean go quickly…it means go in wholeheartedly with all that you have to give…completely surrender to God’s plan and you may be surprised at what is in store for you, your life and your relationships with others.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

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

What Faith Can Do…

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I have hope each day…I believe there is goodness in people (sometimes it is buried pretty deep inside)…I believe in helping others where and when I can…I believe that love conquers hate and anger…I believe in forgiveness…I feel anguish over the pain and suffering in the world…I strive to be patient (this one is really hard sometimes)…I am thankful for the people and relationships in my life…I am humbled by God’s creation of the earth and nature…

Do all of these statements and many others mean my life is easy?  Or do I view life as easy?…Um no…in fact it is very difficult some days, however, as I started today by saying…I have hope.

Why?

Because of Jesus Christ and what He did for me and you…He came, He lived, He died and He has risen…and best of all He is coming back again!

I close with a great musical description called –  What Faith Can Do by Kutless

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“Then Jesus told him, “Because have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:29

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Choose Faith Over Fear

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In today’s world it seems we are constantly being asked…Where do you stand?  Which side are you on?  What is your position on this issue?  Social media has intensified everything and because we are human and filled with sin and evil desires, social media has become a disaster, I heard this quote not long ago “social media the cesspool of questionable human behavior” -Dr. Donald Mallard, fictional character on NCIS.  Human behavior…that is the primary reason we are right where we are in today’s world.  A significant number of people have chosen to pursue anger instead of love, worry instead of peace, jealously instead of joy of another’s success, self-serving instead of acting to serve others, resentment instead of happiness and most tragically the majority of people have chosen fear instead of faith.  God is still offering mercy and grace, forgiveness for all…turn to Jesus, invite Him into your heart and life.  Ask the Lord how should I respond, I promise you Faith over Fear will do much more to protect and save people than anything the human race can create on its own.  I pray that more people will come to Christ today.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“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 14:6-7

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

Prayer Does Matter…

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When we don’t know what to do…we should pray.  When someone acknowledges us with a positive comment…we should say a prayer of thanks.  When something happens that makes us angry…we should stop and pray for God to guide our response.  When we are blessed with an increase in pay…we should pray to ask God how can we share some of it.  When we we are feeling alone in the world…we should pray to God to show us His presence.  When a friend or family member is suffering from illness…we should pray to God to be with them with healing comfort.  And one of the most important parts of prayer is not only speaking to God…we also need to be ready to Listen…there many ways God can speak to us…pay attention to your surroundings and what you hear and see in your everyday life.  Prayer matters to God, how do I know?  I know because Jesus told us it does…it is not about the right words or the right prayer or the right time…it is just about doing it, always and let God be your guide.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“pray continually”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

He Knows

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No matter what you are going through in your life, whether you are filled with joy and gratitude about how well things are going or if you are struggling with sadness, pain and sorrow…God knows right where you are.  In your every day He is with you, His Son came to earth and lived as a man and in His life here He experienced a wedding, friendship with individuals and a group, sadness, struggle with temptations.  He traveled and experienced many of the same things we do today, just at a different time in the history of the world.  The point is He knows what it feels like to feel all alone and to be tempted by evil and Satan himself.  Trust in God and especially Jesus Christ His Son…He knows exactly what you are going through and is waiting to connect with you.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Hebrews 2:18

(This photo was taken in September of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

The Peace Of Christ

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Music is a great expression for the senses, no matter what style of music a person enjoys most, when their favorite song is played you truly see them come alive.  It opens a window into the deepest part of a person.  For me it has become Christian music, contemporary worship music.  It started around Christmas of 1998, I started to really hear the words of Amy Grant, Michael W Smith and others…it impacted me.  After that Christmas I stayed on the local Christian radio station and have listened ever since.  It is one way to find peace in this broken and fallen world.  If you are searching for peace and the messages of the bible in a way different from reading then I encourage you to seek out the Christian music world…many songs are based on bible verses and the messages that Jesus taught while He was here.  May God’s peace be with you.

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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 August of 2016 near Glacier National Park in Montana)

The Light Of Life

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We frantically run around looking for the answers to events we can’t possibly comprehend…we reach for futile attempts to feel in control. This has been true throughout human history…just pick up a book and read about it (I have one in particular I would recommend).  We are in the dark, evil and the prince of this world is real and he is very busy and he is very happy if you choose not to acknowledge him.  Another book I am currently reading is ‘The Case For Christ’ by Lee Strobel, as I read about his process of coming to Christ I reflect on things and wonder why have so many people in today’s world have given up on faith? The only answer I come to is…that is exactly what Satan is constantly working on anger, hate, selfishness, fear, worry and a whole host of sad human behaviors that keep us in darkness.  If we don’t turn to Jesus, if we don’t seek Him and the Word of God we will continue to be lost souls.  I pray you see God’s presence somewhere in the world today.

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

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

The Power Of Prayer

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I am learning that our perspective about prayer says quite a bit about our beliefs and lack of understanding of the true and effective power of prayer.  In the last few days I have heard that the only thing the disciples truly asked Jesus to teach them is how to pray.  What does that tell you about its power?  When people are talking about a situation a friend or family member is experiencing and the comment ‘all I can do is pray’ is spoken it sounds so last resort and as if I can’t help them…prayer is not a last ditch effort to make change, people say I don’t know how to pray…there is no right way or right words the most important part of prayer is that it is sincere, comes from the heart and is offered with the belief in its power.  If you pray and have thoughts that I really am not helping or believe nothing is going to change, you are only viewing a response from your perspective and your timing.  Belief in the power of prayer is offering your prayers to God and giving the prayer to Him and believing that He loves you and the people you are praying for, no matter what the outcome may be…God is not a genie in a bottle, He is your Creator, Savior and all loving Father.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective.”

James 5:16

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

First Seek God

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When we are preparing for something such as hosting a holiday with family and friends or going on a trip or taking on a new position or job, even planning a wedding.  We often spend a great deal of time and effort planning and doing all the little details to get ready or some people choose to spend very little time planning and they just do…either way in both scenario’s we often don’t stop and pray about it to God.  Sometimes we do but that is right before we eat or right before we walk in the door on our first day or as we step on the plane to leave.  It feels kinda like, ‘Ok God I spent a great deal of effort getting ready and checking all the boxes to do this, now you make sure it all goes as I have planned, Oh and don’t forget the…’ we are human it appears to be in our nature.  What if when the possibility of something to be planned is presented we go to God first and seek His plan to see if it is what He has set for us?  It will be hard at first as changing behavior always is and we will still go our own way sometimes, (I recently did this and am making my way back to God’s plan) in the end it will all be worth it to follow Him.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:33-34

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