Learning

Self-Awareness

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This is defined as knowledge of one’s own feelings, motives and desires.  If we are able to understand more about ourselves, we can become more confident in our values and purpose.  Being more self-aware will also improve our relationships and interactions with others.  For example, if our motives and desires center around self-satisfaction we will most likely have difficulty in relationships as we are not accounting for the needs of others.  There is a balance between self-care and helping others that we should strive for and we don’t have to do it alone.  God is with us and because of Jesus Christ we can ask for guidance in finding this balance.  May the Fruit of the Spirit be in you and flow through you.  Amen.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

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

Advent Season

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Today is the beginning of Advent.  The season of preparation and expectant waiting to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas and His return at the Second Coming.  We have many resources to help us observe this season, with calendars, candles, special devotionals, etc.  Observing the rituals is one part of the process, actually preparing our hearts and minds with the meaning behind these symbols will help us to grow in our faith.  For me the Advent wreath and candles are the symbols I choose to learn more about, there are four candles one for each week.  Some traditions include a fifth candle called the Christ candle.  As with many things different religions have different ways to celebrate these weeks.  My preferred 4 themes are:

Hope–Peace–Joy–Love.

Hope is confidence in God’s faithfulness…even when everything going on around us is telling us something different, we can have hope because we know that God is working for our good in all things.  Spend time this week reflecting on where you have seen God at work in your life or in the lives of others and renew your hope by remembering these things.  Remember with God all things are possible.  Amen.

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

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

Put Your Hope In God

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No matter what has happened in the past, no matter what you are facing today and no matter what you are worried about for tomorrow…you can find rest for your soul when you put your hope in God.  He alone knows what you are going through and He will never leave you or abandon you.  Trust in God and trust in His Son Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Find Rest by Francesca Battistelli

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“Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 42:11

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

A Giving Mindset

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The holiday season is a time to remind us to be grateful and to share with others where and when we are able.  The challenge is to maintain a level of a giving mindset throughout the whole year.  It is easy to slip into a self-oriented mindset for numerous reasons…the ability to stand firm and to change your perspective is possible by building and growing your relationship with Jesus Christ, every day.  He knows what it means to sacrifice for others, He knows how to have compassion and to be humble even when, especially when we don’t deserve it.  Ask God to help you find and maintain a giving mindset throughout the holiday season and beyond.  May we all find moments of peace and joy and opportunities to help those in need.  Amen.

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“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:13

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

Contentment

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As the retail world bombards us with messages of the ‘greatest sale ever’…’lowest prices now’ and this year…’black Friday prices early’…it is a good time to seek contentment.  This could be done by spending more time reflecting on all that we already have been given…realizing how much our needs are met each day and being…thankful.  I find it interesting that the holiday intended to focus on gratitude is constantly getting pounded by the ‘get more’ self-focused attitude.  Let’s work on becoming a new creation this holiday season and spend more time on being grateful for what we have, considering what abundance we can share with others and spend less time fulfilling our self-satisfying wants and desires.  May the peace of the Lord be with you this holiday season.  Amen.

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”

1 Timothy 6:6-9

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

Wisdom

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The ability to think and act using a combination of knowledge, experience, understanding, insight and common sense.  Wisdom does not promote the self or self-intelligence…it is humble, compassionate, faithful and understanding of the needs of others.  To continually seek to learn and grow and share what you have learned is to be wise.  Seek wisdom from the Lord and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Faith Over Fear

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When facing struggles and suffering, we have a choice to act based on our faith or on our fears.  Choose faith.  Fear is a weapon of evil and a powerful one.  When given the opportunity, faith can conquer fear.  As with most things there is a certain amount of fear that is healthy, protective instinct and we all need that level for personal safety.  An unhealthy level of fear is destructive and paralyzing and keeps us from the life God intends for us.  Bring your fears to the Lord and let your faith be greater than your fear.  Amen.

Fear Is A Liar by Zach Williams

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southern New Mexico)

Prioritize

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Put first things first…when you don’t know what to do…when a decision is lingering and you are procrastinating…turn towards God’s word and pray.  The more we put our relationship with Jesus first, the better we will be able to function in our daily lives.  Too often, we want to keep God in a box off to the side with a sign that states ‘In Case of Emergency Break Glass.’  God wants more of a relationship with you every day, for every part of your life.  Assess your relationship with the Lord and make spending time with Him top priority.  May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  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 6:31-34

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

Keep Doing Good Things

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Not for your benefit, rather for the benefit of helping others.  We reap what we sow in this life.  This does not mean we can earn our way into heaven by doing the right things…it means whatever we give out into the world will come back around to us at some point and none of us knows or can control how or when that will happen.  This is further proof that God is in control and it is our responsibility to choose our behaviors and our actions in our daily life.  We cannot control what others will think, say or do, yet we can control how we respond.  Let’s choose to keep doing good things.  May the Fruit of the Spirit flow through us each day.  Amen.

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“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:7-9

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

He Will Come Back

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Jesus Christ will come again.  We read about this is several places in the bible.  It is His final promise and He has kept every single promise He ever made.  Trust in God and trust in His Son, Jesus Christ who died to save you…who is the risen Lord and who is coming back to take us to be with Him, forever.  Amen.

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

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“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

John 14:1-3

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