Category: Books and Movies I Like

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel

Welcome to Progress!

Happy New Year! I love new beginnings and a fresh start. Does it feel any different to you?

For Christmas, we drove twelve hours to my hometown in Illinois. We enjoyed seeing a few good friends and some family. It was refreshing to celebrate Christmas with family for the first time in years. Lydia had a blast during her first Christmas with my immediate family!

On our road trip, there are a few key areas when two highways merge or separate. I’ve driven that route several times, but I use my car’s navigation system to track progress and ensure I don’t miss important interchanges along the way. If I take a detour, the lady’s voice gets a little exasperated… 🙂

I always carry a small road atlas, too. It has been helpful on our trip through Lake City, MN and our trip to Wyoming. I like to see what is coming up next!

Back in Fargo, my GPS has also proved helpful. With population growth comes building and development. Yet sometimes, I hardly recognize certain streets even in my own neighborhood! There are new roads, new houses, apartments, stores, and traffic signals.

As I drive around, sometimes I get confused. I wonder where that road leads…Was this stop sign there before? I am amazed by how fast things change. When did that house go up? Without GPS, I am left guessing. How on Earth am I supposed to get over there? Where is the turn? Welcome to Progress, right?!

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Using my car’s navigation system is similar to seeking God’s wisdom and input for my life:
Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).

For me, each day is a fresh start—a chance to try again by God’s grace. Thankfully, I don’t have to wait another 365 days to begin again. His mercies are new every day!

It is vital to seek God first in all we do. I find my day (and life) goes better when I do. In fact, it has saved me much heartache and time over the years by first running ideas, feelings, and plans by the Lord. Spending time with the Lord in the morning prepares me for bumps along the way. That time is well spent…praying and reading the Bible is like mapping out the journey. I can’t afford to guess at life!

Others might prefer a different time of day. The important thing is to check in regularly with God. When detours come—and they always do—know where to turn for guidance or redirection. God hears every prayer!

Often “progress” doesn’t come easily. It is frustrating when things feel out of control and the way seems unclear. When facing roadblocks or setbacks, turn to Jesus for help. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He knows the plans…and they are good (Jeremiah 29:11).

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I like to start the year with a new devotional, like Jesus Calling, which helped me focus on the Lord during our cancer journey. This year, I am reading an updated version that has an evening portion too.

 Some people like to read the entire Bible in a year. You can find a plan that fits your needs online or on your phone. Try out Bible Gateway and YouVersion.

It honors God when we seek Him before anything else. And, He blesses us in return. “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11).

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God, thank You for sharing Your wisdom with us. Your word is a lamp to guide our feet
and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105). As we seek You, show us the path to take. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What insight do you need from the Lord? Will you commit to spending quality time with God and seeking Him first this year? What resources have you found helpful?

 

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Miscellaneous, Prayer

Salvation Is Here!

**If you are reading this post, it’s because you came looking for more information. Perhaps it was a conversation we had, or perhaps you read my book. If you are hungry for a more fulfilled life, here is how to follow Jesus. 

First, God is not a genie to give us all our hearts desire, but rather, He is where we find true joy and purpose. Our sins—the bad things we do, or even the good things we fail to do—separate us from God who is Holy and Just. We deserve eternal death as punishment.

But His Son, Jesus, took our punishment upon Himself. He came to reconcile us to God through His willing sacrifice and death on the Cross and Resurrection (Isaiah 53, Philippians 2:6-11).

Now, it is our choice to accept Jesus’ blood as payment for our sins, so we can have peace with God and live out His plan for our lives. Today is the day of salvation, and this decision requires humility, faith, and action.

Here are some Bible verses to consider:

John 3:16 says, “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.”

Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”

Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”

If you would like to accept this free gift of salvation, pray these words as an act of faith:

Dear Jesus, I am a sinner. I believe You died and rose from the dead to save me from my sins. I want to be with you in heaven forever. Please forgive me and make me new. Be my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Help me live for you. Amen

If you prayed that prayer with sincerity, let me be the first to welcome you into God’s family! Congratulations! This is a cause for great celebration!

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Without a doubt, this is the most important decision you will ever make because there are eternal consequences. Yet, living for God in the here and now can be a challenge—even for those of us who have been walking with the Lord Jesus for decades. In order to learn more about your new life of faith, you need support.

Here are some next steps:

First, start reading the Bible. I would suggest beginning with the gospel of John. Learn about Jesus from those who knew Him best!

Second, connect with a local church for discipleship. Tell someone about your decision to follow Jesus. This is helpful for growth and accountability.

Third, email me at nat.grace.lemonade@gmail.com. I’d love to cheer you on!