Understanding

Thank You God!

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So I have aged another year and as I reflect I think about my physical age and my faith journey…I am still a child in spiritual growth but so grateful for the opportunity to grow by reading God’s Word, praying and fellowship and I am thankful for the Holy Spirit’s presence!

On this day I thank you and praise you God for all you have blessed me with in life and I pray for my interactions with others that they can see you presence in my life and my actions.

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

1 Peter 3:8-9

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at Kaanapali beach on Maui)

Rest In Him

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The words of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew…

“Come to me, all of 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 August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Jesus Knows How You Feel

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

It is so easy for us to get distracted by events and the words of this world that make us feel terrible.  That is about the time we let our self-talk, you know, the talk in our minds about how alone we are, how nobody really understands…been there, done that myself, too often!

The thing is Jesus does know, he came down from heaven and lived as a man on earth.  He lived an everyday life, not just a miracle making life.  He interacted with people, he got frustrated with others, he felt grief and sorrow, he went to weddings and funerals, he was treated poorly by many and treated with love and respect by others.

He lived a life on earth just like you and me…no matter where you are, how you are feeling, trust in Jesus, talk to him about it today…

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.

Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:14-16

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving through Nebraska)

Listen And Learn

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Solomon the son of David became king of Israel and when God came to him and told him to ask whatever he wishes and it will be given to you…Solomon made a choice very few people would…

“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

2 Chronicles 1:10

God blessed him with significant wisdom and knowledge, more than any other person had ever been given.  The Book of Proverbs is a collection of many nuggets of wisdom spoken by Solomon and therefore it has many great instructions for life…and again most of these items are simple statements of truth that are not always easy to live out.

If you have had difficulty wondering where to start in looking at or reading the Bible, try starting in Proverbs it has so many great lessons to remember for everyday life.

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

Proverbs 19:20

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

Perseverance

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Don’t get misled by the ways and words of the world, develop a prayer habit and share what troubles you with Jesus…

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, having stood the test, that person 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 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

What Is Faith?

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As is it with anything in life the answers are within the Bible, take a few moments to look at the Book of Hebrews, chapter 11.  It begins…

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

As it continues it provides several examples of faith represented in the lives of biblical heroes, who despite their circumstances, persevered in faith to trust God even when everyone around them told them differently.

The statement above is simple, living it out is not easy…we need daily interaction and a growing relationship with the Lord in order to stay on course.

Faith is not an event or a destination it is most definitely a journey!  May God’s peace be with you today as you take a few more steps along the way.

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)

 

You Are Loved

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It is a new day and the beginning of a New Year and no matter where you are, no matter what stage of life you are in and no matter what your past is filled with you need to know that the same truth that existed thousands of years ago is still as true today as it ever was…God loves you!

He made the greatest sacrifice that can be made…

“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.”

John 3:16

Not only did God send Jesus to earth to save us, which alone is amazing to think about…Jesus was already in the kingdom of heaven, he was already in the place of eternal life where there is joy and peace, but he sacrificed all of that to come down to save you. Then Jesus did something unfathomable…

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

Philippians 2:8

Although scared himself, as he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane to God the Father to find another way to help humankind, Jesus followed through with God’s plan because he loves you that much.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

So please know that no matter what your circumstances are today, you are loved by God the Father, Jesus his Son and by the Holy Spirit.

May you live and experience all the fruits of the Spirit in 2017 Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

Happy New Year!

(This is one of my favorite photos from 2016 it was taken in August in Mount Rainier National Park.  Did you notice the cross the trees form on the right hand side?)

Reflect and Give Thanks

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake near Minneapolis, Minnesota)

A New Day, Live A New Way

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“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.  Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 during the sunrise on a lake in central Minnesota)