Music

My Rock, My Fortress And My Deliverer

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The Book of Psalms is filled with songs and prayers of David that express a wide range of emotions.  As you may know I believe in the power of music and its ability to stir us up in the deepest places of our hearts.  I am thankful to those who have been blessed to create and produce music and do so out the love and passion they have to share their gifts.  Today the words to one of David’s songs strikes me as comforting.  I encourage you to read the entire Psalm 18…I will share the verse that grabbed my attention this morning below.  Peace be with you on your journey.  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 the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2

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

To Make Him Known

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The second part of our purpose in life.  As we learn and grow, we will be given opportunities to share faith.  How, when or where we share is different for everyone.  This is about living in the present moments of your life.  If we are constantly stewing about the past or what might happen in the future we will miss that which is right in front of us.  This is a journey, we will get distracted and sidetracked, it happens to everyone.  In our efforts to get to know Him and make Him known, we will read stories of conversion and sharing by others and it seems like, wow they changed who they are on Monday and by Friday they were sharing the Good News with others…ah no, at least not for me.  Case and point, I didn’t start daily devotions in my life until around 2010…I started posting on this blog in 2013…I started posting something everyday late in 2015…and began actually writing thoughts inspired by the Holy Spirit on this blog everyday in the beginning of 2018…and here we are today.  What you don’t know is all the other things that go on in a person’s life that impact this process.  We all are part of God’s plan, on my journey God is helping me narrow the focus on this…He created me to Know Him and to make Him Known, everything else should lead into that and I am still learning how that works.  Thank you for reading and stopping by.  May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you on your journey.  Amen.

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“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13

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

Savior

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His mercy…His grace…His forgiveness…His sacrifice…His death…His resurrection and His love. All of this and more means Jesus Christ has fought the battle and won. He has saved us and we can be reconciled with God. Seek Him and the message of Good News in God’s Word. He gave His all to save you because He loves you just the way you are. May the love of Christ comfort you and encourage you this day. 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 July of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

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)

Faith

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Belief…trust…comfort…patience…persistence…love…joy…strength…encouragment…Hope!

May our faith help us to see and to know the presence of God’s love in our daily lives and relationships.  Amen.

What Faith Can Do – Kutless 

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“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

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

Rest In Him

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When and where do you get quiet time in your life?  We all  have commitments and responsibilities and if we run ourselves into the ground just trying to keep up, we eventually become weary and ineffective at many things.  The key is to find some balance, to prioritize, we can’t be all things to all people.  This is why the story or analogy of the big rocks, the pebbles and the sand in a bucket hits home with so many people.  We know that if we spend all our time on the sand and pebbles we will never get to the big rocks in life.  For me this analogy is all about balance.  Sometimes we can say yes and sometimes we need to say no or not right now…Jesus set the example for us, while He spent time teaching and speaking to the people He also would go off alone to pray and spend time with God our Father for hours…balance.  Take time and rest in Him.  Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Be Courageous

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One of God’s great gifts is free will.  He created us out of His love and His desire for relationship with us is one He wants us to seek, willingly.  He did not create us to be robots or puppets, which means we have a responsiblity to make choices.  We will find we are often presented with opportunities to make decisions and if we are paying attention to our faith journey over time it becomes more and more clear which choice is step towards God and which choice is a step toward our sinful nature.  It will take courage to make decisions grounded in faith, it will be different than what the world thinks you should do.  Don’t give in to fear, the journey will be very difficult at times and as it states in the Book of Ephesians chapter 6, put on the full armor of God and stand in faith.  The choices will often be between courage and fear, be courageous in your faith.  Amen.

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2015 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Morrison, Colorado)

Merry Christmas…Joy To The World

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Merry Christmas Everyone!  Christ is born!  Peace to you and yours.  Amen.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:13-14

“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.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17

Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy) – Chris Tomlin

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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

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

 

Christmas Eve…A Silent Night

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Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, oh, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

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“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:6-7

(This photo was taken last night on Paradise Island in the Bahamas)

Mary, Did You Know?

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When we read in God’s word about the miracles of God and Jesus there is always some involvement of people on earth contributing to the miracle in some way.  The little boy who had the original fish and bread, the people who are sick and need healing and many more.  Mary, the Mother of God, may be the second greatest contributor to saving the world, after Jesus.  This song of the season helps us think about the questions many of us would have for her…as she was willing to surrender her life to God’s will.  Thanks be to God for Mary the Mother of Jesus.  Amen.

Mary, Did You Know? – Pentatonix

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“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.”

Luke 1:30-31

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