A Morning View

I need to be reminded today that God knows, is there, is already in the middle of it all, and will keep me straight on the way I am going. My part in this is to trust! Lord, it is what it is, and it is already alright! "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track."    -  Proverbs 3:5-6 - Message Peace, PB

Let go  Let God Have a pure heart Seek God first Rest in God  Let go “God claims Earth and everything in it,     God claims World and all who live on it. He built it on Ocean foundations,     laid it out on River girders. Who can climb Mount God?     Who can scale the holy north-face? Only the clean-handed,      only the pure-hearted.” - Psalm 24:1-4a Peace, PB 

Who hurt you? Why do you do what you do? Why do you act the way you act?  Why do you hold on? Who hurt you? Who can set you free?  Who can redeem your soul?  Who can love you where you are and continue to love you more than you can imagine? Who will not abandon you?  Who can set you free? "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm,  then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1 Peace, PB

Do you pray the Lord's prayer each week at church? Have you ever read the context around the prayer? The scripture before the prayer tells us how not to pray. The verse after tells us how to put the prayer into action.  Please read the following scripture, Matthew 6:5-15. Read it to understand and put God into action in your life and the world. Read it daily not out of ritual, but asking for GOd to authentically move in the hearts of 2020. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before y...

Feeling discouraged? - Pray Feeling sad? - Pray Feeling frustrated? - Pray Feeling insecure? - Pray Feeling unstable? - Pray Feeling confused? - Pray Feeling anxious? - Pray Feeling _______? - Pray If you have faith in God, practice what you believe. If you believe in the power of prayer, then pray. If you are a child of God then live like a child of God and PRAY! How often do we turn away from the most powerful relationship we have through Jesus Christ? “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praise...

In our world I often wonder who do we trust? Who do we believe? Who is from God and who is not? I realize that God will use all things for God's glory and can make all things good for us even through our trials, but in whom do you place your hope and trust? We must test the spirits and see who is not a false prophet and who  acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. We need not fear but be bold as we encounter the spirits not of God. The Spirit from God is greater than the spirit of the world. The victory has already been won as the Holy One, Jesus Christ, has risen from the stench of the grave. Greater is the Holy Spirit who dwells in the true believer than any spirit in the world.  “ Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from ...

Enjoying the crisp air and sunshine this morning! My pondering mind gives thanks for God who created all things and loves what was created. God loves creation so much that a way to live in the light was provided by the Word, Jesus Christ. So where do you choose to live? Light or Darkness? We have the gift of choice! Do you choose to live in light or hide in darkness? It is up to you! “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." - John 1:1-5 Peace, PB

Christianity is a journey, not a destination.  I said yes to Jesus Christ at the age of 8. As a person I am different at 59 than I was at 8. As a Christian, I am different at 59 than I was at 8. I should be different tomorrow than I am today.  How I live, the ways I love, the things I do, what I experience and how I learn are part of the journey. There are people I encounter who help me grow as well as those I am helping to grow in their relationship with God.  Each time I go out and encounter another in the world they should encounter a new fresh example of Jesus in me. It should always be about leaving the Holy Spirit behind in all encounters, the good as well as the not so good and especially in the worst of times. Jesus Christ should be experienced and the Spirit of God should linger in the life of another.  Christianity is a journey, not a destination.  “But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in h...

Stop, stop and see the beauty of God's creation. Pause and realize the fascination of the earth. Go back, go back to the understanding of the Garden of Eden. See the beauty of the earth today and imagine the original splendor of directly walking with God in the garden.  God intended for us to experience the goodness and bounty of the great love of the Creator. God desired us to relax and rejoice in the ultimate gift of Creation. God desired for us to live with God and gloriously sing the praises of relationship with the Divine.  So what has changed? Nothing on God's side of the equation. Sin has separated us and God has chased us to bring us back. Redemption through the gift of the Son, Jesus Christ. A beautiful redemption of love reuniting us with the Creator.  As we look around we can see a part of the original gift of beauty from the Creator and we can choose to live in the splendor of God's great love for us.  Stop, stop and see the beauty of God's creation. Paus...

There is a lot of death around me. With death there are many questions. Why do people die when we pray for them to be healed? Why do people die so young? Why did my person die when they are such a good person, a faithful Christian and they give so much? We die because we live in an imperfect sinful world. As redeemed Christians we are made whole and complete in eternity with God. It is all difficult to understand, but it is a promise from God.  The Apostle Paul shares these thoughts in his letters. “I need to emphasize, friends, that our natural, earthy lives don’t in themselves lead us by their very nature into the kingdom of God. Their very “nature” is to die, so how could they “naturally” end up in the Life kingdom? But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I’ll probably never fully understand. We’re not all going to die—but we are all going to be changed. You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it’s over. ...

The answer is, "Like the life example of Jesus Christ." The question is, "How should we live?" "But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you."                                                                                      - Ephesians 4:20-24 The Message Peace, PB

"It is not necessarily what you do, it is how you do what you do."  I use this quote quite often. I have said this for many years as a union Vice President, as a teacher, as a coach, as a friend, as a pastor and as a human. I do not understand why we disrespect and hurt one another just because we do not agree. We seem to have lost the ability to sit with another and talk.  I am blessed beyond measure to currently sit in a book study with others who are very different from me and have an experience of being heard and embraced, especially when I may be off on my own in my thoughts and beliefs. It is nice to feel safe to be able to share my heart.  Why can we not, together, focus on the One, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit? Why can we not seek God first? Why can we not be authentic and real in the Lord? Why do we find it difficult to treat another with love and respect as we journey with God?  "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what ...

We focus on many issues. We focus on the state of the world. We focus on our issues around us. We try to fix, repair and put in place. It is crazy out there and may I suggest it has been for quite some time. So what do we do? Ignore the world?  As a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, we are to imitate Christ. We are to turn deeply to the love of God. We are to share this love with everyone we encounter.  Yes we need to live in and participate in this world. But how we participate, though difficult, is vital to spreading the love of Jesus Christ.  “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high a...

Let us remember who God is his Sunday Sabbath day.  Let us remember to turn ourselves over to God each day. Let us remember God loves and forgives us as we repent. Let us remember to turn our hearts to God.  "Blessed are you who give yourselves over to  God ,      turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,”      ignore what the world worships; The world’s a huge stockpile      of  God -wonders and God-thoughts. Nothing and no one      comes close to you! I start talking about you, telling what I know,      and quickly run out of words. Neither numbers nor words      account for you."                    - Psalm 40:4-5 Let us remember. Peace, PB

It seems as if in our current culture we are spending a large amount of our time pointing fingers at one another and being divided over many differences we face together. I see others, and at times find myself being selfish, right and unwilling to compromise. We have many pulling from the center outward to the extremes without care for any others. Yes there is care for what is beneficial to a cause or viewpoint, but there is not much care for the other.  I find it disturbing that many followers of Jesus Christ cannot or will not sit together at the table. What I read and understand in the scriptures is that there is one God, one Savior, one heaven and one eternity. Just observing, many are living a life defining what that oneness is and in my observation such oneness leaves others out.  Friends, it is time to truly seek our depth of relationship with the One Jesus Christ. It is time to treat others like they are Jesus Christ. It seems like a difficult action to do, but I need ...

Are you tired? Are you weary? Are you carrying everything? Do you expect others to carry it all? Do you try to fix it yourself? WHY??? “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” -  Matthew 11:28-30 Rest In Jesus Today!!!! Peace, PB

Have you checked on your neighbor? Have you called someone who needs you? Do you realize that someone needs you and you do not even realize it? Who is the person popping up in your heart? Who have you not talked with for a long time, yet their name and memories keep showing up for you?  Do you not think God gives their names to you for a reason? Call them, write them, go see them. Perhaps they need you. “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:    Who, being in very nature God, ...

My mind often takes unique journeys and gets caught in deep thoughts. So my question this morning is one that has manifested itself my whole life in many different ways and situations. The question is, "How do I lift others up without diminishing who I am?"  With all of the injustice in our culture and world, I have struggled with this question. There is no doubt or hesitation on my part to reach out to the other. I have no problem looking inward to examine and discover where I may be a part of the problem. My part of the problem can be intentional or unintentional in those situations, but I am alright seeking ways I can be active in learning and growing in how I can become a part of the solution instead of a part of the problem.   I recognize that as a follower of Jesus Christ I truly need to be salt and light in the world. With all my heart, I desire to love God, love others and make disciples for Jesus Christ. I must continue to seek Jesus Christ in all others. But bac...

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:3-4 I struggle today with the world. Many happenings and actions of others do not make sense to me. There is a lot of struggle going on, many disagreements, division, senseless death, treating others with disrespect. Stress in families all the way to global stress issues in the world. Is there really hope? There are people who are very ill. Struggling in the hospitals and home with unknown illnesses as well as battling for their lives. Because of our current situation their loved ones and steady support cannot get to them. Loneliness and fear can show up.   My answer and hope in today is that I choose to allow God to dwell with me. I understand th...

The song, Eleanor Rigby, by the Beatles is running in my head this morning.  Here are some of the lyrics. " Ah, look at all the lonely people Ah, look at all the lonely people Eleanor Rigby Picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been Lives in a dream Waits at the window Wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door Who is it for? All the lonely people Where do they all come from? All the lonely people Where do they all belong?" This song seems to talk about her life as just a person who is seen, who is there and just lives without impact. She was there, in the church doing, but never recognized or perhaps even valued for who she was. She did, she lived and she died. I often sit and wonder what this life is all about. I believe there are many lonely people in our world. I believe even active, busy, social people often find themselves as lonely people. They do, they lived and they die. Have you ever been in a crowd and found yourself all alone?   I would lov...

Why do we desire so much from those who desire nothing from us?  It is easy to spend time wanting a relationship with someone who very clearly does not have the same want. I wonder how much time is spent thinking about such relationships? Why does God desire a deep passionate relationship with humans when all humans desire is selfish ambition which brings power, wealth and glory to self? I wonder why God spends so much time chasing and pursuing humanity? Love. Love is the answer. Deep passionate unconditional love.  "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.   The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  - 2 Peter 3:8-9 Peace, PB

I did something I have not done in a long time. I slept in longer than I have in awhile. It was good to rest. It was good to finally sleep longer than normal. It was good to not wake up thinking of the many needs I have to accomplish. It was good to have less pain than normal. It was good to rest.  I often do not do well resting, especially when I sleep. Rest is so important for us physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually. Jesus modeled this for us often in the scripture by going away to rest. He would go to the mountain alone to spend time with God. It is okay to go away. It is okay to not fill your schedule all the time with things that may need completed, but are not critical to moving forward. We need to spend time in balance resting our soul. Jesus did and Jesus took his Disciples away as well. "The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to ...