Nature

Stand Firm In Your Faith

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We are constantly under attack from the forces of darkness and evil. Often the attacks are subtle and slowly take you away from faith with temptations and self comforts. The prince of darkness wants you to believe he is not real or not trying to lead you astray. Like this morning, as I went to start writing, the device I usually write on is not running correctly as I worked to see what was wrong, time was slipping away, maybe I will run out of time and not publish today…it is only one day, no big deal…right where evil wants me. Then a thought comes to mind…what about a different way to publish today? Why not try to write on a different piece of technology we have in this house? That will be different but let’s try it and see…(mostly because I have fat thumbs). While this is certainly not a critical issue or a matter of life or death, it is a small sample that shows us everyday, every decision is a step in the faith journey…we are either stepping closer to God or we are stepping away. By the way, as I am finishing my computer is still not operating…May God’s peace be with you.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

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

Be A Giver

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When I feel things spiraling downward in my mind and I read Scripture I begin to see that my thoughts are filled with issues only surrounding myself.  This is the sinful nature, to be consumed by self thinking.  When I take off the blinders and begin to to see that I am not alone and there are others around me everyday who I can help and support in many different ways I begin to get a better perspective of purpose.  Give of yourself to others in whatever way you can…just as God in the Christ Jesus gives to you.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Remember this:  Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

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

Trust In The Lord

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When I try to go it alone, when my actions say…”I got this God…” I usually end up at “Um, a little help here?” this is a lesson that I stumble upon often.  Learn to Trust.  It seems I have a stubborn will and I am discovering that it takes me off track of God’s plan far too often.  We are not made to “go it alone” and throughout history it has been proven that when left to our own thinking and ways of doing the sinful nature is no match for us.  We were made to be in relationship with our Creator and we were given the gift of salvation through the life and death of Jesus Christ his one and only Son.  A loving relationship takes two engage beings to grow.  I for one will work harder on my part with our Lord and Savior.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“But blessed in the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence in in him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

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

It Takes Courage

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A life of faith is not a way to live on easy street…it takes courage, commitment and a willingness to surrender self-centered desires and trust in the Lord.  It takes courage because it is not the message you will see and hear in the world.  When you wonder if the choice of faith is really making any difference in your life or the life of others you are experiencing doubt and that is natural…what you do when doubts occur will tell you a great deal about where you are on your faith journey.  Spiritual growth comes when we “don’t know what to do about this” and we turn and pray…we give ourselves and our doubts to God and ask for His guidance as well as the ability to see and hear Him.  That takes courage…May God’s peace be with you.

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

1 Corinthians 16:13

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

Living For God – A Prayer by St. Francis of Assisi

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Make me a channel of Your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring Your love,
Where there is injury Your pardon Lord,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in You.

Make me a channel of Your peace.
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope,
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.

Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek,
So much to be consoled, as to console.
To be understood, as to understand,
To be loved, as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of Your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all men that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.

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“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  Amen.”

1 Peter 4:10-11

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

The Answers Are Found At The Cross

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History is filled with events and stories of struggle, despair, war, judgement and injustice.  People of all generations have pressed for money, power and self-centered convenience.  This continues in the present day for all of us…I like everyone else am a sinner and have succumbed to temptations and poor decisions.  These behaviors are the result of human beings inviting sin into the world.  It seems like defeat is all around us and that is just how the prince of darkness wants you feel.  Yet even today there is hope…there is hope of goodness, faithfulness, kindness, peace, patience, love and joy.  And it begins at the Cross of Christ.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

Philippians 2:5-8

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

Give Thanks

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It is easy to get caught up in the minutia of life everyday and forget that God is with you.  In fact that is exactly what the forces of evil want you to do, evil wants you to believe you are all alone and you should only look out for yourself.  God knows the struggle…Jesus faced the devil in the desert and He has overcome death and evil through His death and resurrection.  Connect with the Lord today and be thankful for Jesus who has fought the battle and won.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:57

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

What Is Love?

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Living our life in relationships with others and living in a self-giving, self-humbling manner that shows us and others that we are together in this journey of life and faith.  Who you are as a person reflects the love in your heart, even when and especially when it is the hardest to love because others have treated you poorly.  When we get to the most difficult moments and life has been beating us down…the strength to be renewed will come from the love of God.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“This is how God showed his love among us:  He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love:  not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

1 John 4:9-10

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at the Nakalele Blowhole on the island of Maui)

Use Your Spiritual Gifts

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We are all uniquely made by God.  In each one of us there are gifts and talents that we have that were given to us to use to help others in some way.  These may not be fully developed yet but they are still there.  Seek to find what your gifts and talents may be…when you are able to do something that feels like no effort at all and yet others are so thankful for your effort that may be telling you something about your gifts.  Another way to learn about your gifts is to look through a list of volunteer opportunities and whichever one speaks to you and makes you think ‘I could do that’…then go and do it.  You were made for a purpose find ways to seek out what that is and when you find it do more of it.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“We have different gifts according to the grace given us.  If one’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.  If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

Romans 12:6-8

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Give Your Time And Gifts For Others

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We all have received spiritual gifts and blessings in this life…these are not always related to worldly power and finances.  The gift of time and the ability to choose your attitude are two things worth more than all the money in the world.  Don’t take these gifts for granted…do something, do an act of love today…it doesn’t matter what size of an act it is.  Even if your action shows kindness and love to only one other person the ripples of impact can travel far beyond you in this world.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Matthew 25:35-36

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs, Colorado)