Restore

Seek Him

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Jesus Christ…He sacrificed Himself to save you.  No matter what has happened in your life, no matter what you have done or left undone…He is waiting for you with open arms, to pick you up, to forgive you and restore you.  He is ready to do that for you and for others in your life because He loves you and He loves them too.  Jesus Christ is the way…He is the only way to fellowship with God.  Amen.

The Way by Housefires

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“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

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

The New Has Come

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God renews us…God restores us…He takes away the sin and darkness and makes us new again.  All that we have done wrong and messed up, only He can make new again.  Our hope is found in Christ…if you are staring at a new beginning or change of direction begin by humbling yourself and surrendering your plans for God’s plan.  He truly does make all things new.  Amen.

All Things New by Steven Curtis Chapman

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:7

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

Rest With Him

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As the summer is winding down and the schedule of activities and places to be cranks up, it is important to be consistent in taking time to rest in between the coming and going.  Making time and having a place to rest…truly rest…time to pray, read scripture and recharge your mind and spirit is so important.  We can’t be all things for all people all the time…been there, failed at that.  Even Jesus would make time to rest His mind and body…why do we think we could do more than Him?  Seek Him and ask Him to help you find rest in your daily activities.  Amen.

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“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6:31

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while on the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Renew Their Strength

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Turn towards God.  Open your heart and mind in prayer and speak earnestly about your worries, your fears, your burdens.  Open up God’s Word and read the writings He has left for you.  If you believe that your circumstances are hopeless, read the Book of Job in the Old Testament…this person lost everything and He pleaded with God to tell him what was going on…Job wanted answers like many of us.  I have been reminded this morning, that God does not reveal His plan…He reveals Himself with His presence.  He gives us comfort, courage, warmth, perseverance, love, joy and peace.  We can renew our strength because He gives us hope through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:29-31

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

Renew And Be Restored

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Begin again…trust God to guide you…surrender your heart and mind…with God all things are possible.  Trouble will come, things will get messed up and times will be difficult, this is to be expected.  Focus on what you can control…how will you choose to respond?  Will you choose hatred, anger, malicious talk and put your efforts into tearing down others?  Many have chosen this way and it brings nothing but destruction.  Will you choose kindness, compassion, listening and patience?  Even with your enemies?  Every single person was created by God…clearly it is time for the human race to go back and read the instructions for life found in God’s word.  If you are unsure where to begin try the Book of Proverbs or look into the story of Joseph in Genesis.  God can renew and restore us if we are willing to turn towards Him.  Amen.

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“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:10-12

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 on Paradise Island of the Bahamas)

 

Rest And Restoration

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With all that goes on in the world and in our lives we all need to find rest and to be restored.  It is how we are all made.  Balance is a key element in life.  Eating a balanced diet is best…balance in our speaking and listening time makes us better in relationships…balance in our fun and wild times with our quiet times.  The best recipes have a little bit of this and a little bit of that or a pinch of this and a pinch of that…excess will lead to destruction and definitely a poor tasting meal.  In order to be at our best we need balance in all aspects of our lives…physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  Seek the Lord and you will find rest and be restored. 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 September of 2019 at a lake in central Minnesota)

Easter Sunday…Christ Is Risen!

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He is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!  Hope has been restored and renewed, Jesus Christ has defeated death.  Life is a gift, an experience to live and to share with one another, and with God in control all things are possible.  Put the risen Lord first in your life and you will find the Fruits of the Spirit.  Christ Is Risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

 1 Peter 1:3

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)

Holy Saturday…Preparation Day

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It is finished…Jesus, the Messiah, had been crucified and died.  We all know the coming glory of tomorrow…however, when these events were happening, it is hard to comprehend the level of sorrow and sadness that had to exist.  Unfortunately, there are people in today’s world who suffer at a deep level of sorrow because of sin and evil.  Our saving grace and our truth is we know that from the most devastating of tragedy, God will renew and restore us and He has shown us an example by what we will celebrate tomorrow.  Trust in the Lord for He is good and His love endures forever.  Amen.

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“Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in the tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.  It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.”

Luke 23:52-54

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Take Time to Rest

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There is always more we could be doing.  More on the checklist of things to do…how many items on our checklist make room for living a balanced life?  We seem to prioritize the activities of “getting things done” pretty easily, when do we rest?  To be clear sitting still scrolling through social media is not rest.  Resting and restoring yourself is about calming your mind, body and spirit…when and how do we rest our minds and emotions?  The first step is figuring out what place or environment best provides you the opportunity to calm your mind, your body and your spirit?  What time of day or night?  The next step is to make it a priority and designate time in your schedule.  As always, be sure to include God’s Word and prayer in your time as the only true source of peace in life is Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 sitting by the lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Find Rest For Your Soul

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The pace of life in society tends to be frenetic and hurried.  Rushing to get here and there taking little time to stop…and live in the present moment.  There is time to rest, to be more balanced and to set down our technology devices and have an in person conversation with a friend or family member.  To talk and to listen…all we have to do is make the decision to do it.  The world and other people are not going to do it for you…there is one person I know who actually invites us to come to Him and find rest.  He is even willing to take on our burdens and to give us peace and comfort.  Take your worries, your fears and all those things weighing down on you and bring them to the Cross of Christ and you will find rest for your soul.  Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29

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