stress

Be On Your Guard

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When we go out to live a life of faith, based on the foundation of our relationship with God we need to be prepared to be opposed.  The dark forces of evil in the world do not want us living with the light of Christ shining for all to see.  We will be tempted to do differently and we will be given distractions to take our attention away from a life of faith.  If you can, pick a verse or two that are most reassuring to you and memorize them, place them deep in your heart and mind and reaffirm your faith repeating these verses whenever you want and use the Word of God to keep you focused.  May God’s peace be with you on your journey.

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“Be self-controlled and be alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

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

Good Friday, Reflect…Be Transformed

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There cannot be unexpected and jubilant celebration at the resurrection without the pain and tragedy of the crucifixion.  Life is not always going to be sweet smelling roses and unconstrained happiness.  It is because of our sufferings that we learn and appreciate the good things God has given us.  When I think about the most difficult times of my past I begin to see my focus at those times was all self-centered, I was putting myself at the center of my life and that is not my place.  When I notice the times when I have had real joy, peace and contentment it is when I have surrendered myself to God and His will.  Only God can help us in the terrible times and events that are caused by humans and sin, only He can bring about the love, forgiveness, peace and joy.  God does not make the bad things occur, we do that ourselves but He is always there ready to help us when we turn towards Him and His Son who sacrificed everything to save us.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Romans 12:2

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

Trials Of Life

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Everyone has knowledge and experience in trials and pain and suffering.  No matter what type of front they display on a social media feed there is trial and pain in their life too.  The problem with comparing ourselves is that many people are very skilled at hiding their pain, trying to ignore the suffering.  Worse yet is the news media and the sad way they choose to display their view of the world.  There is a phrase I have heard used more when I was younger and not as much now…“you get what you give” or “what you will get out of this is determined by what you put into it”  To me this provides one of the things missing in society today…accountability.  Easy street is not a real place or a way to live.  That doesn’t mean that we never will feel happy or joy but it depends on where you are looking for it, it depends on your perspective.  The one place that helps with every day life and builds a strong foundation to live on is the Cross.  Come to the Cross and live.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

Psalm 139:23

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

Everlasting Peace

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Throughout the days, weeks, months and years of life you may come across reflections of a time or times when you remember moments of life with peace.  Where were you?  What was going on in your life and in the world?  Who were you with?  Do you remember what it felt like?

For me these times involve my time with family and friends most often…usually these moments are times of simplicity, not in a rush or hurry, not worried about the plans or the meal.  They were definitely times of less technology in our daily life.  Whatever those moments are for you, say a prayer to ask God to help you make time to do those things and to be with those people whenever and however you can.  It is that peace that feeds us to get through the times when we are unsettled and stressed.  May God’s peace overwhelm you and be with you.

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

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

Perseverance

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The definition of this word is: “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.”  To me it says don’t give up.  One truth about life that some find difficult to understand is there are going to be times when life is difficult and unfair.  We are human and none of us is going to be perfect.  Trouble will come our way despite our best efforts to avoid it.  So what are we going to do?  We keep going with “continued effort” in spite of difficulties, failures and opposition.  We move forward respectfully and give our best to achieve.  Another blogger who writes BeautyBeyondBones shared some advice she would get from her mother during extremely difficult times…what is the next right thing to do?  If we can figure that out in any situation we can persevere.  We also have the greatest teacher ever in Jesus, He showed us the ultimate perseverance and we will remember it during Holy Week next week.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Blessed in the one who perseveres under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)

Light of Life

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Everyone goes through storms in life.  Some storms are dark clouds with some hail, rain and thunder and lighting while others storms can be tornadoes or hurricanes.  When we watch the news coverage of weather events like these if it is often the next day and people are out helping each other clean up and the left over debris and trash is put into a pile to be removed, it is usually a bright and sunny day as the storm has passed by and new day has dawned.  This is exactly how we should try to process the storms of our lives…even the most horrific storms have a next day when the sun will shine and we can pick up the pieces and begin again.  The best way to seek this light of life is with Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit and know you are not alone.  Besides when major weather event moves through an area we are not the only ones whose house gets hit…we are all much more alike in the events of life then many of us are willing to believe.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

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

Strength

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Our strength to stand and face the difficult or troubling circumstances of life and the world we live in comes from God.  Personal will power or raw emotion will only carry us for so long…the key element that can impact and affect human behavior is a relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  There will be times when you will feel blindsided by what someone has said to you or about you to others, unfortunately this is common human behavior.  Bring these moments to the cross, renew your resolve and strength through faith…it is the only place to find the one who gave everything He had for you.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

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

 

Rest With God

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We all get tired, fatigued and exhausted.  We were not made to go so fast all the time, as a dear friend of mine would say “Mach II with our hair on fire” all the time day and night, day after day after day.  We will break down, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  Even when God created the world it is written that on the seventh day he rested…

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.  And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”

Genesis 2:2-3

The pace of life can easily spin out of control if we let it.  We must be more self-aware of our limits and be Ok with saying no to an invitation that may just be an event or time that will not work for us.  Take time to be with God in your life and learn ways to balance the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual parts of your routine to present the best version of you.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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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 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

The Path To Peace

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The first steps to finding some peace for me have come from learning about faith and learning about Jesus.  Through weekly worship, daily devotions, listening to christian music and serving to help others in need.  The next steps to lasting peace are actually getting to know Jesus in personal relationship, through prayer and listening, taking time to sit outdoors in nature in the quiet and to be at peace.  The farther down the path you go the harder it can be at times because of the world we live in…that is when it helps the most to remember that Christ is with me, even if I don’t sense His presence.  Trust in God, trust also in Jesus as He is The Way to peace.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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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 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Renew

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I am working on trying to be better about not making snap judgments and flippant comments regarding situations when I know very few details.  We don’t take time to learn the details of a situation and try to understand before we start down the path of judgment and criticism.  Social media, of course, it right there to encourage the wrong behavior.  If we strive to learn more before we speak out, society as a whole would be much better off.  I am able to renew my mind and my behavior when I spend time reading the Word of God.  I want to stop jumping in to be the critic and the doubter so quickly and remember that we all were created by God and that each and every person is fighting a battle.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2

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