Truth

Hope For The World

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The birth of Jesus is proof of God’s love for us.  God chose to send His Son to save us.  We will have struggles, suffering and difficulties in this world, yet our hope in goodness, kindness, compassion and love comes from our belief in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  We can’t control what other people will do, say or think and focusing all our time on trying to change someone else will only lead to frustration.  We can only control how we respond to others and the attitude we choose to present to the world.  Let us choose love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.  By faith, we can be the hope for the world by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and His saving grace for everyone.  May the peace and love of Christ be in us all today and in the New Year.  Amen.

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“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 5:3-5

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 at Atlantis on Paradise Island, Bahamas)

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)

The Season To Celebrate Jesus

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As I have said in the past music has a way of touching my soul and the hymns of Christmas, the traditional spiritual hymns that tell the story of the birth of Christ are the most powerful source of peace for me.  The Savior will be born and He is coming to save all people.  This morning as I woke up the hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful” was playing in my mind with the phrase ‘O come let us adore him’, it gets me thinking about what Jesus did for me and for you…being born as a baby, what He gave up and what He went through to save me and to save you.  I encourage you to find your favorite Christmas place wherever you are put on some of the hymns of Christmas and give thanks to Jesus Christ this Christmas Season.  Amen.

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“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;  for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.”

Psalm 95:6-7

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

God’s Presence Is All Around Us

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One of the most difficult things for us to accomplish is change.  A change that will last, is sustainable and makes a difference in us and how we interact with others.  One of the greatest changes in human history occurred when Jesus Christ changed Saul into Paul, His disciple.  We read about this is the Book of Acts, chapter 9.  What Jesus did to create and sustain this change was to illuminate His Presence to Saul.  To show His Presence and then to give instructions to Saul as to what he must do.  God is present in creation and in each of our lives everyday…we just need to do a better job of looking for Him.  His Presence exists in nature, the change of the seasons and in the Fruits of the Spirit that we give and receive in our interactions with others.  God is with you, He loves you and His Presence is what gives you strength.  Thanks be to God.  Amen.

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“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 October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Begin With Jesus

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How can we start or restart focusing on our Faith journey.  We can grow up going to church or not, we can be someone who attended Sunday school or catechism classes or not.  We can be someone who has very little exposure or experience to organized religious practices…none of this matters when it comes to your Faith.  Faith is bigger than religion…religious practices, worship services and activities at church are things we do as a part of our Faith journey.  They can contribute to our learning and our spiritual growth along the way.  Our Faith journey is more, it is everything, everyday and every interaction with others…and it begins with Jesus Christ and your relationship with Him.  No matter what is happening, where you are or how you feel, turn to the One that God sends to save you, to strengthen you and hold you up…begin again with Jesus.  Amen.

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“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.  After he provided purification of sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty of heaven.”

Hebrews 1:3

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of Maui, Hawaii)

The Gift Of The Holy Spirit

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If we are willing to the surrender our self-serving desires and seek out God’s will for us and our lives we should begin by turning towards Jesus in prayer and open ourselves up to Him.  When we do that we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  This is our guide, this is that small voice telling us the right thing to do, especially when the right thing goes against the way of the world.  Listening and then doing what God has intended for us will not be the easy route in many situations.  Over time it can become more natural, it is at the beginning when change will be the most difficult…be persistent, be patient and trust the Lord.  He is right there with you, every step of the way, every single day.  Trust the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it is a gift from God that we may receive this spirit.  Amen.

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“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Serving Others

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We have been saved by the grace of God our Father and the sacrifice of His One and Only Son…Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.  We have been blessed so that we can be a blessing to others.  As you reflect on your life or this past year…how has God blessed you?  What are you thankful for?  What gift, talent or skill has God given to you and how can you use that gift to help and serve others?  Seek the blessings you have been given, give thanks and pursue the ways you can be a blessing to others.  Amen.

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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.”

1 Peter 4:10

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at sunrise on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

To Be Different

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As we move along on our faith journey we notice that the ways of the world that focus on money, time and other self oriented goals are not what we are learning from the Word of God or the example that Jesus has given us.  Spiritual growth means change, change to do better, change in perspective and change in attitude.  Many of my readings in the last week or so have been focused around this one verse.  “He must become greater; I must become less.” – John 3:30  These are words spoken by John the Baptist, who’s primary purpose was to point toward the One who was coming…Jesus.  This Christmas prepare the way for the coming of our Savior into your heart and life.  Amen.

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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 2015 while traveling near Henry, South Dakota)