A Morning View

"Freedom is Not Free"  Each time I have gone to the Korean War Memorial, I stand at the impressive black onyx wall by the small reflecting pool, and reflect on this statement. It is a time to remember on this Memorial Day that my freedom has come with a price. I am not a proponent of war. I am an encourager of peace, but freedom has come with a price.  Today, May 31, 2021 I honor those who died for our freedom in the United States of America.  Today, May 31, 2021 I give praise to God for providing a way to true freedom in this life. Jesus Christ died on the cross and was resurrected from the grave for the forgiveness of sin. No matter what the worldly outcomes of government, oppression and whatever we face on this earth, I know that true freedom is in my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  "Freedom is Not Free"  “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” - John 8:36 NLT Peace, PB

We have dogs. If you have dogs, have you ever stepped in it?  Perhaps everything was good and going great. It has been a relaxing uneventful day.  It was a day of no cares in the world and then you step in it. Worse yet, after you step in it, you walk around until you realize you have taken it with you. Then you have an ugly mess.  We are human. We sin. Have you ever stepped in it?  Perhaps life was good and going great. Everything was finally falling your way.  Perhaps you had no cares in the world and everything was better than ever, and then you step in it.  You walk around until you have taken it with you and hurt people along the way. People you love, your deeply hurt them. Then you have an ugly mess.  In both situations we need to clean our feet and watch where we walk.  “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”...

“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.” - Philippians 4:12-14 NLT This is a passage of scripture that is easy to always focus on one verse, Philippians 4:13. But in the passage Paul is telling the readers that he understands being in need and that God will always meet the needs. He also is letting the Philippians know that they were the only church to share in his giving and receiving. He encourages them to continue to do what is right, thanking them for sharing in his distress. As followers of Jesus Christ we need to be Jesus to help others along the way. It is so important to share in one another's distress. We need safe people to trust who can not only share in our distress, but can lovingly call us out in o...

Does God ever seem to be far away or hiding from you? Perhaps God is right there and we do not look to see God. We are promised to never be alone. It can be difficult when you believe the world is falling all around you and it seems like no one cares and no one checks on you. You might even believe you have no value. Psalm 42 is a lament sharing some of the same emotions. The writer believes they are abandoned, discouraged, forgotten and their heart is breaking. They realize their hope is in God. But it can be a difficult journey to navigate.  "Why am I discouraged?     Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!     I will praise him again—     my Savior and my God!” - Psalm 42:5-6a NLT   The first verse of the chapter is always a reminder of the action we need to take longing for the presence of God in our lives. Even when we are experiencing all of the emotions of life, we need to long for the living waters of the God who loves us. ...

Sometimes I am often nothing but too honest. Today it is time to be very honest.  I challenge you to stop whatever you are doing and pray. The scriptures indicate that we will see revival in our world during the end times. I am asking you to pray for revival. I am asking you to pray for miracles. I have a friend who is battling for their life and can use your prayer to gt them over the top. A friend who has everything to live for. A good person of God with many who love this person. I am sure you can make a list of others who need God's miracle of physical healing. STOP and pray.  Perhaps if we pray together unified as the Body of Christ we will see the mighty hand of God, a burning bush or see a miracle of a stone being rolled away from an empty tomb. How about a person battling for their life pick up their mat and walk? How about the one who is battling mental illness have the fog go away and become fresh and new? How about the one who has been emotionally, physically or sex...

How can we become a living sacrifice to God? Romans 12 tells us how we are to give ourselves to God and how we are to serve others. We are called to be different from the world. We are to let God change the way we think and not think in earthly wisdom, but in Godly wisdom. Our hearts are to become God's hearts and our minds are to become God's mind.  We are to live and love differently than anyone in this world could ever imagine. I wonder what is the intent of the meaning behind the words, "I love you" when we share with one another? We are to Love God and Love People, but what does that mean? Honestly love another, any other is a vulnerable place to be and one can be deeply hurt. But we are to love. Are you willing to be hurt and are you willing to see the benefits of loving others, even the unloveable?  “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in ...

Today I start with the scripture!  “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”                                                                                  - 1 John 5:3-5 If I am anything, I am honest. Perhaps often too honest. That being recognized, this scripture is a challenge for me. I love God and I work hard to keep God's commandments. I know that every child of God does defeat this world. I understand that victory comes through faith and I believe Jesus is the Son of God.  My problem is that I have "selective faith." I have strong b...

Pentecost Holy Spirit Strong Wind  Tongues of Fire Filled with the Spirit Holy Moment Never the Same “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.”       - Acts 2:1-4 NLT   Come Holy Spirit Come!  Peace, PB

Pondering life. Asking myself questions and wondering about the answers. Would I give my life for a friend? I know someone who gave a kidney to another friend. The donor is such a caring loving person and shared part of their life for another. As far as I understand, the recipient is doing well. I really believe if I was able I would donate to another for their life. Giving is my nature. I am already a registered organ donor but given the opportunity I would give so another could live.  After all, my friends, Jesus donated his life for me. I am an organ recipient, I have a new heart from Jesus. I have a new life, a new heart and a new opportunity to donate my faith to another, even though I struggle daily in this world.  Are you willing to be an organ donor for new life? Are you willing to donate your Jesus heart to another this day? People need your willingness to share for life on this earth and people absolutely need your willingness to be a Christ heart donor for their sal...

I know many who are believers and  followers of Jesus Christ who have spoken of struggles. It seems like the world is caving in and the walls of life are falling down. I often look around at my own life and wonder. Our society and culture are struggling. Youth are grieving. Friends are deeply in pain. Loss is all around us and hope can be a struggle and not even a comforting thought. I have often asked God why and in the moment doubt that God is even there. Injustice, anger, conflict and pain are rampant. I ask why Lord, why Lord? Sometimes we just want to hide from the world. I find it too easy to lament.......  It is alright to lament and to be where we are. I suggest though, it is imperative we not stay there. Somehow and someway God will been seen and experienced. I guess when I choose to be the farthest away from God, is when God is difficult to find.  Psalm 13 strikes my heart cords today. Read it once and then read it again and insert your name where it says my, me...

How does it feel to be on the outside looking in? Pretty lonely? Do you ever just want to be a part of something and are always on the fringe? Have you looked forward to an event and somehow it all falls apart? Perhaps you were picked last all the time? Did you ever look forward to seeing someone and get there just in time to watch them pull away? How do you feel? Perhaps you have been a part of something and another is on the fringe wanting to be a part of it. What do you do? Do you include them? Do you encourage them? Perhaps you make fun of them, but of course you are just kidding. Or maybe you aren't just kidding. Does it make you feel good to shun them and keep them away?  Who are the lonely, the least and the lost you will encounter today? Perhaps you are the lonely, the least and the lost? Do you see the value of what God sees in everyone you encounter? Do you know God loves you beyond what you can imagine? Can you step outside self value and step into the world of the shunn...

My neighbors have been out and working diligently in their garden. They take great pride and satisfaction in preparing, planting, caring for and harvesting the results of their labor. They produce wonderful vegetables and provide healthy options to consume during the summer and save for the winter. The other awesome result of their garden is that they share with us! We benefit from their labor and care of the produce. The produce they receive are a direct result of what they plant and how they care for it.  We are to live the same way in our walk with God. We are not created to be independently selfish. We are created to plant, water and harvest in all of God's creation. We do not live only for self satisfaction, but we live to please the Spirit of God and for others around us. We are to do what is right and never tire of doing good. Take the opportunity to do good for everyone, even those it is difficult for us do good for. When we do what is right in the soil we are given, much w...

I woke up today listening to the beautiful chorus of the birds singing outside my window. It really was comforting as they shared their praises with me in my personal concert! My mind started to go over all the "STUFF" of life I need to deal with. People from my churches struggling, meetings, other issues of work, family struggles, and my personal daily battle against the powers of this earth. Then the birds gently reminded me of a promise from God. “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?”     - Matthew 6:25-26 NLT   We are of value to the Creator. Take care of what we can control and allow the Holy Spirit equipped to handle all of our issues, both good and bad, handle...

Wisdom, Pure, Peace, Gentle, Others First, Mercy, Results, Goodness, Unbiased, Sincere, Righteousness. I try to live this way. Perhaps I need to do better and most definitely the Body of Christ needs to do better.  “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”                                                                                                             - James 3:17-18 NLT   Peace, PB

As we rise up for another day and many of us are preparing for Sabbath, let us remember to praise God. We may routinely sing the Doxology but think of the words! "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen" May each one of us prepare our hearts for worship today as we Praise the Lord! May our worship be greater than simple routine. Come Holy Spirit........... “I will exalt you, my God and King,     and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day;     yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!     No one can measure his greatness.”                                                                             ...

Have you ever questioned your faith?  You know that you believe, but wonder if you really believe?  Everyone sees something within you that you cannot see and perhaps even experience?  Faith in the middle of our lives is so vital yet often so difficult to practice. Faith also means trusting in something which doesn't always mean it makes sense in our logical intellectual world. It is also a vital part of pleasing God. Faith lets God know that we understand that we do not always understand. Faith is also easy to talk about and so difficult to do.  “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”     - Hebrews 11:6 NLT   The next scripture seems to show how acting out a simple faith can be easy to do. What we fail to remember is that an unclean woman touching the robe of Jesus could have actually resulted in her death. It was forbidden for a...

The sun is up and there is a lot to be positive about but I know many people are hurting in this world. As bright as the sun shines there is also darkness in our lives. I hear many sayings like "let go let God" "I trust you Jesus." There is nothing wrong with such sayings and they can be encouraging, but I often get stuck in a saying which does not go to the core of my soul. For many reasons for me it is easy to live in the darkness when I know I need to thrive in the light and love of God. I Peter 5:6-11 caught my attention this morning. “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind ...

Yesterday is gone. Today is here. Tomorrow will come. Although it may not always seem like it, God is there.   “The faithful love of the Lord never ends!     His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness;     his mercies begin afresh each morning.”                               - Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT   Peace, PB

Never give in and never give up. If God has truly put something on your heart keep on asking, seeking and finding.  There may seem like there is not way, but keep seeking God.  I had a friend call and tell me he gave his life to Jesus. Honestly the last call I expected, but the best call to receive and rejoice in what God has done.  “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”   - Matthew 7:7-8 NLT   Peace, PB

“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”   - Matthew 12:33-37 NLT   As I sit and ponder this morning I found this scripture and now I deeply think about the words I use. I do not believe I am evil, yet there are times I say things I should not! I need to be careful what I say. I hear too many stories of "Christians" using words to destroy rather than to lift up. Words hurt! Words destroy! BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY! Love First! Peace, PB 

As I sift through the make up of life and who I am and why I do and react the way I do, I often ask the question why am I who I am? What I have found at 59 years of age is that the formation of life in the little boy growing up has impacted me. I know that I may have a keen sense of the obvious in saying this, but in my life reflection I am finding that even in the small events the small impression left can be huge in life development. My reflection today is very simple, when and how we react to, talk to, and deal with our children is bigger than we could imagine. Every moment of every day leaves a life imprint on our children. What we say, do and how we treat them is a lifelong part of who they become! This is not intended only for parents, but for all of us as we encounter little ones daily! I am led to two scriptures to share today! "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes fro...

Rain Pain Struggle  Remembering Pondering “As the deer longs for streams of water,     so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God.     When can I go and stand before him? Day and night I have only tears for food,     while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,     “Where is this God of yours?”                                       - Psalm 42:1-3 NLT   Peace, PB

Worthiness before God can be such a struggle for humanity.  I know my biggest barrier in my ability to go deeper with God is me. You see we know everything we have done and everything we have thought.  According to our human self regulated standards, we are so not worthy of grace.  BUT GOD.  But God is a huge statement. God forgives us, God loves us, God redeems us, God sees beyond us and God will restore us. The sins of our past are cast away by God but WE hold onto them. Why? Why do we allow unworthiness hold us back when God will use our past to glorify God when we surrender?  Please realize that each one of us, YOU, are created and redeemed beautiful and free in the gift of grace and forgiveness from God. You are loved my friend by the One who knows you completely and loves you.  “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body     and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!     Your wo...