Learning

Do Not Be Afraid

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Fear can be powerful, if we let it.  It can stop growth and progress, it can create major detours in our lives and relationships that none of us planned on taking.  It is a weapon of evil that is used frequently on everyone.  We can overcome fear, we can proceed with care and caution while still moving forward on the path God has put before us.  We can’t do this alone and the good news is we don’t have to.  God sent Jesus Christ into the world to save us and to teach us.  We are not alone and if you find yourself in circumstances wondering ‘how is this going to change or get better?’  Remember, all things are possible with God.  I pray we take our worries and our fears to the Lord and let Him guide our way.  Amen.

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“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

Luke 2:10

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

The Message Of Hope

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No matter what is happening…no matter the circumstances in your life and relationships…even when you can’t see the way…The Word of God provides the message of Hope and a future with the Lord.  The world will provide false truths and absolutes…through the prophets of the Old Testament, through Jesus and the disciples in the New Testament, God provides Hope.  Throughout human history there has been suffering, tragedies and evil, God knows these things will occur in a fallen world filled with sin.  Yet only God can take the broken, suffering, worn down people of this world and give them a new perspective, a renewed strength and a belief in the Hope of good things even in the darkest hours.  Jesus Christ experienced the worst suffering and treatment that humankind can offer and God used that event to provide the greatest moment of Hope the world has ever seen.  I pray we take time to read about God’s message of Hope and believe in what God has in store for us and our lives.  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 July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Gifts For Your Faith Journey

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Each one of us has been blessed with gifts, abilities, strengths.  God created us out of His love and our love for God can be expressed best by using the gifts He has given us for good things.  The hesitation or fear we sense when we are unsure about things can be very uncomfortable…we must be willing to take time and reflect on times when God has showed up and we were made aware of our gifts.  We also need to be sure to be in prayer and not take all our cues about who we are or what we can do from the world as evil and darkness wants us to do very little in relation to what God intended for us.  Our Faith is a journey and the best part is God packed our bag full of the right things for us to take on this journey…it is up to us to be sure we talk with Him about it often and use the things God has given us.  I pray we all have courage, confidence and trust in the Lord until the day we go home to be with Him.  Amen.

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“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share in your master’s happiness!”

Matthew 25:21

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

Love Conquers All

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The driving force in any relationship is love.  It is described by specific behaviors to us in 1 Corinthians 13, so that we know what it means to love.  These words are read at more weddings than any other bible verse…just hearing or reading the words alone is not enough.  How do each of us as individuals put the words in 1 Corinthians 13 into actions and behaviors in our lives and relationships?  When we look at the life of Jesus…He did not only tell people to pray, He did it…He did not only teach people to help others in need, He did that to…He did not only speak about love…He did the one thing that showed the world His love for all people, for everyone and anyone who ever lives to see.  True love that shows up in our actions and our behaviors will always win over the most difficult and tragic situations.  How can we get better at practicing love in our lives?  I pray we seek to understand where we need to be better at love in our relationships.  Amen.

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“There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

1 John 4:18

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior in Ashland, Wisconsin)

Be Still

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Take time to build your relationship with the Lord…find a still and quiet place to seek Him…the greatest joy can come from experiencing God’s presence when the Holy Spirit is allowed to flow freely in your heart and soul.  God is with you, He hears you and He knows you…make time to be with Him.  I pray for all to take time to turn towards the Lord and away from the sinful nature.  Amen.

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“Be still, and know that I am God…”

Psalm 46:10

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

Sow The Seeds Of Faith

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Whatever we choose to be, how we choose to behave, the attitude that we choose as our approach to things…this is what will come back to us in our lives.  If we choose to be angry, full of fear, jealousy, envy and go around constantly judging others…that is exactly what we will get back.  Yet if we choose to live differently, if we choose to follow the Fruits of the Spirit as written in Galatians 5:22-23…we will receive those fruits back to us.  So the question is what do you want to sow today?  I pray we seek goodness and to live by the Fruits of the Spirit in our daily walk.  Amen.

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“The one who sows to please the sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

Galatians 6:8

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

Live A Life Filled With Love

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Offer hospitality…speak encouraging words…serve the needs of others…offer prayers and praise to God.  A life of love is not an ‘it’s all about me life’ rather it is a life with God at the center.  How can we show the love of Christ in our life today?  It is easy to get caught up in the world’s definition of something worth doing, you know…’go big or go home’…we can make a difference in the world just by fulfilling the needs of just one person…to them it may be the biggest or best thing that is done for them today.  Don’t judge your value or your life by the world’s standards…God created you…He knows you, He loves you and He is with you.  I pray we seek and know the love of God in our hearts and minds and we have the courage to share it with others.  Amen.

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“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:8-10

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

A New Day

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Each morning brings a new day.  New opportunity, new interactions, a new hope, new joy.  The place we have the most impact in our life is Today.  The present moments…we cannot change yesterday or worry endlessly about tomorrow, it is Today that we can make a difference in our thoughts, our actions and with our words.  What does God ask of us today?  Do your best…be the best version of yourself God created you to be, that’s what you can do.  If you are unsure about it, pray to God that He will guide you and show you the way to go.  There is a phrase that keeps coming back to me ever since my Dad passed away, it is simply this…Do you best and let God take care of the rest!  I pray we seek God’s will for our lives and offer ourselves to Him and His mercy and grace.  Amen.

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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2

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

We Believe

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Today is a day of worship and praise.  The faith journey is often a struggle and feeling alone…we are not alone and we can never forget the foundation of our faith, Jesus Christ.  We must persevere, be strong, have courage and believe.  I offer praise and worship this Sunday through song.  This one by The Newsboys, here are the lyrics and a link to We Believe

We Believe by The Newsboys

In this time of desperation
When all we know is doubt and fear
There is only one foundation
We believe, we believe
In this broken generation
When all is dark, You help us see
There is only one salvation
We believe, we believe

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He’s comin’ back again, we believe

So, let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe, we believe!

We believe in God the Father!
We believe in Jesus Christ!
We believe in the Holy Spirit!
And He’s given us new life!
We believe in the crucifixion!
We believe that He conquered death!
We believe in the resurrection!
And He’s comin’ back again!

Let the lost be found and the dead be raised!
In the here and now, let love invade!
Let the church live loud, our God we’ll say
We believe, we believe!
And the gates of hell will not prevail!
For the power of God, has torn the veil!
Now we know Your love will never fail!
We believe, we believe!

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life!
We believe in the crucifixion!
We believe that He conquered death!
We believe in the resurrection!
And He’s comin’ back,
He’s comin’ back again!
He’s comin’ back again!
We believe!
We believe

 

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“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

John 6:35

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

God’s Presence

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Where do you see God?  When the road ahead looks dark and hopeless, seek Him…when you are unsure or afraid, seek His will…when you are frustrated and angry, trust in His way.  God is with you, no matter what, God created you and He loves you, just the way you are…He is the way to shine a light in the darkness.  Turn towards the Lord and live.  I pray we look for the ways God is with us in our everyday life.  Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of the island of Maui)