Jesus Knows How You Feel

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

It is so easy for us to get distracted by events and the words of this world that make us feel terrible.  That is about the time we let our self-talk, you know, the talk in our minds about how alone we are, how nobody really understands…been there, done that myself, too often!

The thing is Jesus does know, he came down from heaven and lived as a man on earth.  He lived an everyday life, not just a miracle making life.  He interacted with people, he got frustrated with others, he felt grief and sorrow, he went to weddings and funerals, he was treated poorly by many and treated with love and respect by others.

He lived a life on earth just like you and me…no matter where you are, how you are feeling, trust in Jesus, talk to him about it today…

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.

Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:14-16

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

Merry Christmas with Love!

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I wrote this post during Christmas 2 years ago, it still best sums up all that Christmas means to me and the thankfulness I have that Christ came to save us…

Reflecting on the season and all that goes on in our lives…I have always looked forward to Christmas time.  As a kid, I enjoyed the lights, the music and family gatherings and of course…the presents!  As I and my faith have grown I realize that Christmas is a significant point in time for me to really deepen my faith.

As an adult in the mind and a kid at heart I still enjoy the lights, the music and the family gatherings…I now enjoy the giving of gifts far more than the receiving of presents.  Where we live I enjoy the snow and even the cold.  The change of season is natural to me, it is God showing us his love using nature.  All that was alive in summer has passed on but it will all be reborn in springtime.  With the shorter days we set up lights to brighten our nights.  I most enjoy that it seems to be the one time of the year that a significant number of people in the world take pause…and actually acknowledge Jesus Christ and his coming into the world.

This Christmas I pray you see and feel a sense of…

Hope – God made a promise to you and everyone to love you and to never leave you…believe him and trust him with every area of your life.

Peace – Be content when your basic needs are fulfilled and share with others if you have been blessed with abundance…practice patience.

Joy – Wear a smile more often and make an effort to help others find their smile…focus on the positive in any situation.

Love – Life is more about how you treat others than how they treat you…you can’t control what others will think, say or do so don’t waste time worrying about it…do all that you do with love.

At Christmas time and throughout the year put Christ in the center of your life…with Christ you will know Hope, you will know Peace, you will know Joy and you will know that the Love of Christ in your heart will help you overcome anything this world can throw at you.

May you see and know God’s blessings in your life this Christmas and carry them with you all through the New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Prepare The Way

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One of my favorite worship songs at this time of the year is “Prepare the Way of the Lord”, it speaks to preparing our hearts and minds and our very lives for the birth of our Savior, Jesus…Here are the words of John the Baptist as written in the Gospel of John…

“John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the desert, Make straight the way for the Lord’.”

John 1:23

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

Immanuel

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An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream as written in the Gospel of Matthew…

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ – which means, ‘God with us’.”

Matthew 1:22-23

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Share The Good News

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“You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)

Advent

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

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

Peace

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The words of the angel speaking to the shepherds in the fields nearby in the Gospel of Luke…

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord’.”

Luke 2:10-11

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 near New Salem, North Dakota)