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Believe

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How many times do you have to see something to believe it?  How many stories do you have to hear to accept the facts?  When something in life seems to be beyond comprehension what does it take for you to believe it?  In the Gospel of John we see both the human side and the Godly side of Jesus…in chapter 11 there is the story of Jesus coming to where Lazarus the brother of Martha and Mary has been laid in a tomb.  Lazarus has been dead for four days, starting at verse 35 and concluding at verse 44 Jesus shows all that He is…

“Jesus wept” – John 11:35

“When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”  The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.  Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” – John 11:43-44

There are many more stories throughout the bible that show the truth about who Jesus is and that God sent Him out of love to save us from our sins.  Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Son of Man, as He said…”I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” – John 14:6…Do you believe it?

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“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?”

John 11:25-26

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

Have Faith…Pass It On

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There is nothing greater in this world then a belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Your relationship with Him is the foundation of your Faith.  It does not mean life will be easy and it does not mean you will get everything you have ever wanted in life.  The world and evil continues to send us messages that if what we are pursuing doesn’t end with convenience or an easy life it is not worth pursuit.  Not true!  True joy, peace and contentment does not come from chasing after things to satisfy the self.  It comes from knowing that you are loved and you are saved from your sins no matter how much you mess up.  True faith is built by spending time on your relationship with God everyday and by sharing the Good News with others, especially those in the next generation.  May the peace and understanding of God in faith be with you.

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“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!”

Proverbs 16:16

“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalms 100:5

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling through northern Colorado)

Take Refuge In Him

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The world is an attacking place filled with darkness, deceitfulness and evil.  The only place to seek refuge from the storms of life is in God.  There are several examples in the Bible of people who were under attack by others or by circumstances surrounding them…Abraham, Elijah, Job, the disciples, Jesus etc.  They all took refuge in God, through prayer and listening.  We don’t have to have all the answers and we never will…we just need the courage to seek our relationship with God everyday and be able to listen and understand where He is leading us.  May you experience the peace and joy of God today.

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“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.  He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 18:30

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at Kaanapali Beach on the island of Maui)

His Love Endures Forever

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Just when we think, ‘I am sure God is upset with me’ or ‘why do I feel so distant from God’ or any other self pity thoughts about our relationship with God…He shows us again that His love is all around us.  Either through nature or through another person God shows up and reminds everyone He will never leave you or abandon you.  When we make an effort to start with gratitude for what blessings we have been given, we learn to better understand how God is working in our life.  God is love and His love is never-ending for us.  He gave His one and only Son to be a sacrifice for us, out of love, and He continues to know you and to bless you because His love endures forever.  May you see God’s love and peace present in your life.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

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

God’s Presence

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A relationship with God is like no other.  He can provide the greatest comfort in times of trouble, the greatest joy out of the worst of tragedy and He never will leave you or abandon you.  God wants you to engage in a covenant with Him.  An agreement that you will honor only Him as God and you will pursue to keep His commandments in your everyday life.  You will accept His Son, Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, believing that He died and has risen to save you from your sins.  If you strive to honor this covenant you will get a better sense of God’s presence in your life.  God does not play favorites like humans, His covenant is not a quid pro quo situation where you scratch His back and He will scratch yours.  God loves everyone and His forgiveness, His mercy and grace is available the same to anyone.  The only the difference is how we choose to engage in our relationship with Him.  May God’s peace and joy be with you.

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“All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.”

Psalm 25:10

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

The Holy Spirit – Counselor

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There are many times when we are praying to God and we just want Him to tell us in an easy to understand way, what should I do?!  One of the greatest freedoms God provides is free will.  He provides us the ability to decide our attitude and our behavior.  Better still He has given us the instruction manual for life, the Bible and the guide to walk along with us, the Holy Spirit.  The key to unlocking these resources?…Time.  In order to understand the instructions and to sense the direction of the Holy Spirit, we need to spend time studying the Word and time in prayer.  Jesus our Savior came and has saved us all from the defeat of sin and before He ascended into heaven He told of the Holy Spirit coming.  Tune in to the Counselor and seek direction and guidance from the Word of God.  May God’s love and joy be with you.

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“All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:25-26

(This photo was taken yesterday while walking the dog in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Love Of God

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It may be hard to believe sometimes…it seems unfathomable, an error in judgement or even misguided from our perspective.  However, it is true…God loves you, unconditionally.  There is nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God.  It has all been tried over and over again throughout the Old Testament, so God took things up a notch and sent His one and only Son to triumph over all, forever.  He had it written about before it occurred in the Old Testament and then again after it occurred in the New Testament.  God loves you and He is right there with you, He knows the struggles and the victory you experience in your life every day.  Talk with God, thank Him for His never-ending love and seek His will as you go forward in your faith and life journey.  May God’s peace and joy be with you.

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“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:37-39

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

Learn To Listen

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The skill of listening is becoming less and less frequent in today’s world.  It seems people are so intent on speaking and spend more time preparing a response then seeking to understand others.  It is a form of selfishness.  All of us are cursed with some form of selfishness…it does not go away or become less present over time unless we are actively working on reducing its presence in our lives.  In order to strengthen our abilities to see things from the perspective of another person we can start by listening and seeking to understand them.  Listening does not mean you automatically agree with them rather it means you are willing to consider more than your own opinion.  We do not have all the answers, nobody on earth does…nobody.  The only one who knows is God…and if we can’t listen to Him we will struggle more than is necessary.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”

Proverbs 19:20

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

Memorial Day – Thank You

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This day I offer gratitude to all military personnel and their families, to those that have died fighting for our freedom in the world and those that are serving now…Thank You!  The sacrifice these individuals and their families have made deserve nothing less than our respect, honor and gratitude.  May God’s peace, love and joy be with you.

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“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:13

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota)

Choose Love

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Relationships can be hard if we strive to seek power or control.  If our self is driving during our interactions with others things will often end poorly.  There will be bitterness, anger, frustration and all the things we don’t want to be a part of our relationships.  There is a better way.  There is love.  Unconditional, never-ending love.  This does not mean just let the other person walk all over you and do whatever they want whenever they want.  This means both people do things to make life better for both of them.  It is important in any relationship to build your time together on a foundation of faith.  There will be times when each of you will need to lean on the Lord in prayer as each of you will have your moments when self will try to take over.  Be strong together and God will watch over your life.  Today my wife and I are celebrating 23 years in marriage, we were joined in marriage by God and nothing will keep us apart.  We have had to fight some battles and we continue to get stronger as we go because we both know that there is nobody who will love us like we do each other.  I am thankful for every day God gives us together.  May you find God’s love and joy in your relationships.

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“Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13

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