Tag: celebrate

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #545

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

I had a great birthday week! Originally, I took the week off work for a trip, but we canceled it due to unexpected circumstances with our fellow travelers. We hope to reschedule, but I kept the time off anyway. I soon discovered God had a lot of other things planned for me instead!

On Sunday, after church, I attended a short training. I had been through a version of it years ago, but it was good to get up-to-date on ways to serve in the church. I prayerfully signed up for some activities this Fall, but we will see how it all pans out.

On Monday, Lydia and I did some back-to-school shopping, then cleaned the car and the garage. Later, I squeezed in a quick hair cut and met a friend for coffee. It was great to catch up!

On Tuesday, I got messages from two coworkers that I had a flower delivery. I was not expecting anything, so I went in to pick them up. Lydia came with me and had fun saying hi to my coworkers!

Tuesday evening was really special, as we met some old Caterpillar friends for dinner. They contacted us within seconds after we canceled our previous travel plans, so I feel like it was from God. It would have been a bummer to miss them; I always hold a special place in my heart for friends who actually knew Dave. Thanks, Lord!

I did not have any overt plans for my actual birthday on Wednesday. But that was 100% fine with me since it was good to relax! Also, I usually receive a ton of cards, calls, texts, and social media messages, so I like to take time to connect with everyone who thought of me and made me feel special. Thank you!!

Thursday was a good day for continuing education and errands. Mainly, I wanted to get a few things done to set us up better for when Lydia starts high school in a couple of weeks!!! In the evening, we had a blast attending a murder mystery dinner show. This was unlike your typical dinner theater. The cast was dressed like everyone else and was interspersed within the audience, so we all participated in solving the crime. The four-course meal was delicious, and we had a lot of laughs!

On Friday, I got my oil changed, along with some other minor car repairs. It was all part of my scheduled 120K-mile tuneup. I gotta keep my car in good working order! In the evening, Lydia and a friend met up with the church youth group for a Redhawks game before enjoying a sleepover at our house.

Today, I did Saturday things while Lydia and her friend slept in. Later, I took the girls shopping and out to eat. It was a fun end to my birthday week!

**********

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Worship

Cheers to Another Year!

Today, I am celebrating another trip around the sun!! I am really grateful for all the ways God blessed me over the last year! Last summer, I sensed that He had something special for me. Soon I recalled that I was about three years old when I decided to follow Jesus… So, essentially, this was my fortieth year of walking with Him!

Here’s a quick recap of some of the highlights:

Last Fall, I finally had some landscaping done! It took me years to get around to it (to have the money, set it up, and make the decisions). But the Lord helped me follow through. No, I have not added any plants yet, lol. But, truthfully, I just love how the rocks look, and so the plants are not my top priority right now!

From September to May, I completed two semesters of leadership training at my church. This was a comprehensive class where we met once a month for teaching and did some online coursework. It covered many important topics and gave me more confidence in sharing my faith. I am excited to see what God has in store for me next!

After years of avoiding it, I made the decision to widen my palate and start orthodontics in January! I will get the metal MARPE device out in the next couple of months and then finish with more aligners. I am still hoping to avoid double jaw surgery, but I am happy with my progress so far!

In March, I went full-time at the VA, after years of being classified as part-time! I am grateful for all the ways God has provided for us since Dave died in 2013. He continues to be a wonderful Provider. Somehow His math always works out!

In May, Lydia and I flew to Chicago to see family and attend a barefoot shoe expo. Spending time with my sister was just what I needed! We hadn’t had that much time together – just the two of us – in many years! It was a fun trip and helped us get through the thirteen-year mark of Dave’s death. The Lord has been so faithful!

I have continued my journey to relieve pain and tension in my neck, shoulders, back, and hips. I’ve changed my workouts, practiced mobility exercises, gone to the chiropractor, prioritized sleep and rest, and said ‘no’ to better manage stress.  I can’t take good care of others if I don’t take care of myself! One specific praise is that in June the Lord healed my neck on the spot at a prayer event. I was surprised but gladly received His personalized gift.

I joined a book club at church, and it has been such a joy. Books + deep conversations about faith + friends = a few of my favorite things! Pretty much any book or genre is fair game. So far, we’ve read Murder, Motherhood, and Miraculous Grace by Debra Moerke, and also Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi. Our current book, The Winning of Lady Wisdom, is by a North Dakota author, Sarah Dixon Young!

Over the last few months, Lydia and I have visited with several Caterpillar families. It’s really special when we meet up with friends who actually knew Dave when he was at his best. I appreciate how these dear ‘CAT guys’ still reach out to connect with us. Thank You, Jesus!

This year, I have greatly enjoyed watching Lydia grow in confidence and faith. She got her driver’s permit last fall, and it’s been fun watching her learn the rules of the road and put them into practice. I can’t believe she will start Freshman year in a couple of weeks! I’m extremely grateful for how God has gotten us to this point!

Finally, I’ve seen how God continues to use my story to help others. I have had the opportunity to share my book and, in some cases, to get together for coffee to encourage people: widows, moms, etc. After all, the highlights above don’t overlook the real struggles and sacrifices of the last year, but God’s goodness and grace triumph over them.

**********

Heavenly Father, thanks for Your faithfulness in my life. It is a privilege to walk with You every day and move Your heart. May I never take it for granted! Help me continue to be a blessing to others so they may know You, too. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: As you reflect on the past year of your life, where do you see God’s faithfulness? Have you thanked Him for all He has done for you, or are you focused only on the lack?

Task: If you’ve read this far, the yellow roses in the picture were sent to me at work yesterday!! It was a timely reminder that God sees me – and it felt like a capstone to finish off an amazing year. My kind, generous friend was simply obeying what God told him to do, and we had a good chat about all that He is doing in our lives. We don’t always know the outcome of our obedience, but as Dr. Charles Stanley always said, “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Personality

Finding Grace #539

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was just what I needed. It was both peaceful and productive!

Work went well on Monday and Tuesday. Not much new to report there. I took off Wednesday and Thursday, just because. Originally, I thought Lydia and I might take a trip, but then we ended up staying home instead. It was awesome sleeping in and not waking up to my alarm!

It was wonderful to have a low-key time at home with no major plans! I really should do that more often. We decided to reorganize the house a bit, since it has been a while and things were feeling cluttered. We donated, put away, and repurposed various items. We worked in every room in the house, though we still have a few more spots to go through, such as the pantry. It feels so good to have more clarity and space!

On Thursday, I had two routine health appointments. Then, on Friday, I got a massage. It was wonderful, and I did not realize how tight some small muscles in my back were. 

This week, we also had fun watching movies and cooking. We watched ELLE on Amazon Prime and really enjoyed it! I made a slow cooker pot roast with a delicious gravy. I’ll definitely have to do that again! I might even make a fruit pizza for tonight.

We are planning to hang out with friends to celebrate Independence Day. I don’t know if the weather will cooperate, but we will have fun anyway! Happy 250th, America!

**********

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Personality

Finding Grace #538

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a fairly calm week.

On Sunday after church, Lydia and I drove an hour to Detroit Lakes to spend the afternoon. We walked through a flea market, stopped by a car dealership to dream a little, and then went to a bookstore and food co-op downtown. We were thinking of Dave on Father’s Day and thought going on a little adventure would honor him best!

It was pretty routine as far as work. Lots of patients, some cancellations, and no-shows. I always think it will be a challenge to get everything done, but somehow Jesus always helps me finish all my charting! Thanks, Lord!

On Friday afternoon, I took Lydia to the mall to hang out with friends. I went back to work for a bit, then picked Lydia up. She and one friend wanted to walk around a little longer, and so we did a little shopping. It was fun to hang out with them and listen to them interact. Later, I dropped the friend off at her house, and Lydia and I watched a movie.

I loved the weather this week! The temperatures were mild, not too hot nor too cold. It rained on and off, but it was the perfect mix of sun and clouds. This is a really beautiful season!

Today, I worked on little projects around the house. It was nice not to rush. I do my best work when I can take my sweet time, so I relish the opportunity. Lydia helped me in the kitchen, and we enjoyed the time together!

**********

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Personality, Prayer, Wisdom

Priceless

I was reading in Acts 19 recently, which talks about the Apostle Paul in Ephesus. He spent a lot of time there and grew to know those believers well. Through an interesting series of events, the believers began to radically change how they lived. They threw away resources related to idol worship and sorcery, a value of “50,000 drachmas,” when one drachma was worth a day laborer’s wage.

At one point, the local silversmiths and tradesmen resented Paul’s influence on their businesses. So, they gathered a bunch of ruffians and sparked a riot. The local amphitheater, seating around 25,000 people, was full of arguing and confusion. Eventually, after two hours, they were dismissed by the city clerk. If they didn’t disperse, the Roman officials would come to enforce their rule.

The crowd never did lay their hands on Paul, but they did rough up some of his companions. After that, in Acts 20, Paul left Ephesus (modern Turkiye) for other towns to encourage more believers. What stuck with me, though, was the 50,000 drachmas…

I had Lydia help me try to wrap our minds around this. It could be 10 days’ worth of money for 5,000 people, or any other combination. The amount is worth around $6 million dollars in today’s value!

I imagine it would take several of my neighbors and me selling our modest homes together to raise that much cash. The Ephesian believers, at least at that point in time, had their priorities straight. You can read more about them in Ephesians and Revelation 2.

Jesus is greater and more worthy. Following Him is costly, but the rewards are priceless. He is our Lord and King, but He takes good care of us, too. Similarly, we buy good things for our children and sometimes bless them as God has blessed us.

On Saturday, I bought Lydia a brand-new viola. I rented for the last three years and had a store credit to put towards buying one for her. She had some concerns with her rental viola, showing she knows the difference between what is working and what is broken.

I knew it was a matter of time before I had to make a decision, since many high schoolers transition to their own instruments. With it being summer, our schedule is a little more open, and it’s a good time to get comfortable with a new instrument before school starts up again.

We spent two hours at the store, and Lydia tried out five violas! We took notes on each one, and she played each one a couple of times. The last one literally came alive when she played, and she was all smiles. Of course, it happened to be the most expensive!

Still, I learned so much and considered the cost as an investment in her. She has a good ear for music, and she understands things more intuitively than some of her peers. It seems that some students cannot discern the subtleties among notes, problems, instrument quality, and the like, but Lydia can.

Oddly, choosing the right viola felt like a personal test for me. I have faced times where spending a little more money was the wise thing to do, but I went back and forth over whether it was worth it (and if I was worth it). Can you relate?

For example, thirteen years ago, when I was buying my new Subaru, I was unsure whether paying extra for a better backup camera was worth it. In my grief, I wondered if I could get by on the lesser one. But, through prayer, reflection, and some wise advice, I made the better choice. Now, I use my car’s backup camera daily!

When I realized what God wanted me to do on Saturday, I welled up with gratitude. I have learned a lot about how much God values me. I wanted to emphasize that to Lydia, too. She is a priceless treasure and worth way more than the cost of the new viola!

The amount was close to what I expected and planned for, just a little stretch. And I know there will be days when Lydia does not want to practice. I told her that if she decides to quit later in high school, then I get to keep the viola for myself. I don’t have much musical talent, so the thought of me screeching on it is enough for Lydia to take me seriously!

**********

God, thanks for showing us how precious we are to You. You are worthy of all our praise and adoration. Help us reflect all Your goodness and give You all the glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How has God been stretching you lately? What stood out to you in the post above?

Task: Next time you are faced with a costly decision, think through what is really at stake and how you can trust God to make the best choice. Also, watch this insightful archaeology documentary on the seven churches of Revelation, including Ephesus (17 minutes in)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Worship

Celebrating One Hundred Years

As I mentioned previously, my church celebrated its 100th anniversary on Saturday! It was a fun event, and Lydia and I enjoyed seeing old news articles, church bulletins, and pictures from the ’80s (big hair!).

There was food, and some of it was typical party food from a few decades ago. We had small sandwiches, a veggie tray, homemade butter mints, and something my local friends grew up eating: cinnamon bread with cheese whiz and sliced green olives. I haven’t tried it, but apparently many people love it!

I enjoyed seeing so many people I knew. In some cases, it has been years! I saw some of our former pastors and friends who have moved away. It was fun to ask people how many years they had spent at this particular church. A few moved to Fargo around the time I did, but I was surprised that many have been there all their lives!

In 1924, there was a revival in Fargo, and by 1926, 82 people had joined together to hold prayer meetings. An oil salesman ended up becoming the first pastor. Our current building was made in the early 1980s, and the rest is history!

We looked back on some good times and some tough times. We reviewed how those events set us up for today, some of the most exciting days of seeing God move. We also prayed about our future trajectory over the next 100 years, if Jesus doesn’t come back first!

As followers of Jesus, we are called to not stop meeting together as a Church (Hebrews 10:25). That’s where He does His best work!

God is in the business of setting people free. We celebrated 100 years of answered prayers and people being healed. That includes jail ministry and addiction recovery. We’ve had a hundred years of communion, baptisms, giving, mission trips, and community service. God has always been faithful, and He will continue doing so!

We had two guest speakers: one from the North Dakota Assemblies of God church network and the other the leader of our national denomination. They spoke about leaning on Jesus and passing the baton to the upcoming generations. It was a blessing and an honor to have them with us.

One thing that stood out to me is what God can do with the little we have. A hundred years ago, the people gave sacrificially to plant ministry seeds in faith. They showed up each week to serve and were willing to come early and stay late. As we carry on and do likewise, we are helping create opportunities to know Jesus and become like Him.

Finally, I was struck by the laughter and rejoicing around me. It reminded me of a family reunion, and I reflected on how this was just one part of God’s family. We have many more churches locally, regionally, and in our hemisphere. It was exciting and humbling to think about how Heaven will be when we run into people we recognize from all walks of life. Wow!!

Praise God that He is over all our failures and divisions, and also our successes. Jesus is way more important than our choices, feelings, or even where we go to church. He is the Great Shepherd, and He is calling you into personal fellowship with Him today. Connect with Him, and He will lead you where He wants you!

 **********

Lord, thanks for being so faithful. You are building Your Church, and You never fail. Thanks for leading us and guiding us. May we bring You glory in all we do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Did you grow up with church dinners or potlucks? What was one food you hated, and one you couldn’t get enough of?

Task: If you don’t know Jesus personally, as Lord and Savior, I urge you to think about this today. What is stopping you from accepting God’s free gift? This life is so short, and I want to see you in eternity! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Worship

Finding Grace #534

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was pretty good all around!

On Sunday, we went to church, and then Lydia stayed to serve in the kids’ ministry (they didn’t need me that day). So, I walked down the street to Starbucks, got a cup of coffee, and then walked through the neighborhood. It was a beautiful and very quiet day. I loved looking at all the pretty flowering crab trees and lilacs!

On Monday, Lydia went to a lake with some friends for Memorial Day. I stayed home and finally finished some continuing education that has been hanging over my head. It was good to have the day off work, and I am grateful for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, so we can have freedom.

Work went well this week. I had my own patients and then also covered on the inpatient/hospital side for a couple of days. It was busy, but not too bad! I even took a few a walk outside in the 85-95 degree heat!

Today, Lydia and I went to another high school graduation party, this time a coworker’s son. It is always fun to see her family and cheer on her kids. After that, we went to church for a special open house. We celebrated one hundred years of being a church in our area! It was awesome to see so many people from my ~16 years in Fargo! God is so faithful!

**********

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Apologetics, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Words, Worship

Worthy of Honor

I heard something interesting recently. One difference between praising God and worshiping God is how we talk about it. While the connection may be a little more complex, it made a lot of sense to me. Praise happens in the third person; that is, we talk about Him to people. We tell others how He is working in our lives. Worship is when we talk to God directly. We tell Him how amazing He is!

So, that has me thinking about how often I praise God versus how often I worship Him. I am the only one in all of creation who can worship and honor God like I do. And, you are the only one who can worship God in your way. We are made in His image, yet still unique.

One day soon, those who love God will be singing “holy, holy, holy.” So, if we don’t speak up or sing out, that part of the heavenly chorus is missing. Even so, during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem during Holy Week, Jesus said that if the people didn’t praise Him, then the rocks would cry out.

At church lately, we have been singing a song called “Worthy” by Elevation Worship. I can’t recall all the lyrics from one day to the next, but that doesn’t matter. All I need to remember is that only Jesus is worthy of my worship and praise. He is above all and greater than everything!

That song has been waking me up, and I am glad Jesus is on my mind first thing. Whatever I have going on in my day or life, Jesus is bigger and better. My problems are not problems for Jesus! He doesn’t face the same obstacles; He has overcome them all!

So, when I worship Him, I agree with Him. I come into alignment with Him and His purposes for me. When I praise, I tell others all about Jesus, and we build up our faith. As I pray, telling Jesus about my problems, those very same problems hear how strong and mighty Jesus is! It’s a good trade! My problems will either be resolved, or I will grow in His strength and handle them with His grace.

It all starts with Jesus. Only He is worthy of all our praise and worship. We must lay down anything else that would compete with Him. Your phone, job, hobby, schedule, distractions, not even your family… nothing and no one is worthy of all your praise and worship besides Jesus! Honor Him today!

When we seek Jesus first, He will take care of the rest! He is our treasure and our reward. We don’t have to strive because in Him is life and all we need.

**********

“Lord, You are more precious than silver, more costly than gold, and more beautiful than diamonds. Nothing I desire compares with You.” Help me live it out, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What does it mean for you when Jesus is greater than all of your problems, your schedule, your decisions? How does thinking of Jesus as your treasure and reward change your plans and your efforts today?

Task: Catch up on my old blog posts about praise and worship!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #533

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was very full but good! I had a ton of small and big tasks to do, some of which had deadlines. Each day, I have done a few instead of trying to do them all at once.

I noticed my attitude was a little short on a couple of occasions. Certain things kept annoying me, but I noticed them and gave them to the Lord. I am grateful He is bigger than all my perceived problems!

One huge perk is that the gorgeous flowering trees are in full bloom this week. I took a few detours around town so I could stop and take pictures. White, light pink, dark pink…. not to mention the purple lilac bushes! I cannot get enough! I also noticed my tulips are starting to bloom!

We arrived home on Monday afternoon from Illinois. We had a two-hour weather delay, so I didn’t have as much time to run errands and do chores as I had planned. So, that meant catching up throughout the week. This included mowing, preparing for some high school graduation parties, grocery shopping, paying bills, etc.

Work was fairly busy with patient care, meetings, and projects. I had a couple of patients who needed a little more care, both physical support and someone to listen to them. I was honored to help them.

Lydia finished up middle school on Thursday!! She had a sleepover with friends to celebrate. Then, she came home on Friday and slept for several hours! I guess she needed it!

On Friday, I left work early for my annual physical. I really like my new primary care provider. Then, I ran several errands in the drizzling rain… I’m glad I mowed the night before when we had perfect weather!

Today, I hung out with my work friends. I love that we can do that and enjoy each other’s company. Specifically, we went to a foodie event downtown. We walked around sampling food for three hours (each just a bite, and we walked 7000 steps!). It was so much fun!

Next, Lydia and I are going to a graduation party. This Caterpillar family is the reason we are in Fargo (Dave’s boss). I remember when the kids were so little, and it has been fun to watch them grow. I know God has good things in store for them!

**********

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Travel, Words, Worship

Rest, Relax, Recap

On Thursday of last week, Lydia and I flew to Illinois to spend time with family. We had a lot of fun at the barefoot shoe expo, but we also enjoyed just hanging out. We ate good food, went to a school fundraiser for my nephew, ran errands, watched a couple of movies, played games, and laughed a lot. We missed my mom and Dave, of course, but we know they would be thrilled we got together.

On Saturday, my sister and I went to the barefoot shoe expo in Schaumburg. We also took Lydia to Woodfield Mall. As we sat in the food court eating lunch, we were people watching. People of all sorts of cultures were there, and many fashions were also represented. We smiled at a few people’s choices, but we know that’s not always the full picture. Among the hundreds of people, some are likely brothers and sisters in Christ. Then I had a thought: I wonder if someday in Heaven, we will recognize each other. “Oh yeah, you’re the one with the tattoos, piercings, hot pink hair, and neon dress at the mall!” 🙂 I hope so!

My family and I also had several other good conversations. We talked about God’s goodness and His patience. It seems that often, someone who is good and godly will die, and God will leave the hateful jerk no one likes. It doesn’t seem fair, but we can trust that God knows best. In fact, 2 Peter 3:9 says (NLT), “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” What mercy! You can also read more here.

We discussed some current events and hot topics. None of us is worried because we see world events through a different lens. We also reviewed some short-term and long-term plans. At various times, we mentioned prayer requests and other concerns. I am so grateful for my family of faith.

On Monday, some of us went to breakfast on the way to the airport. As we waited for our food to come, we asked each other what we were reading for our time with the Lord. Some had very specific Bible reading plans and devotional books. And some were taking an in-depth approach to a book of the Bible. I shared that I had been reading the Gospels and recently moved on to Acts. I like to have two or three different Bible translations open to compare as I go.

Finally, we discussed what Heaven will be like. The new Heaven will combine with the new Earth. It is a physical place, not just a bunch of clouds and harps! Anyway, my family talked about all the cool things we will get to do with our new resurrection bodies. Maybe we will hike mountains without tiring and see all sorts of wild animals with no real danger. Alaska is on my bucket list, but can you imagine how wonderful the new Alaska will be? I don’t have to worry if I don’t get to go in this lifetime – I will have eternity to check it out! I also hope we’ll get to explore other planets or galaxies! Only God knows!

**********

Heavenly Father, You are faithful and good! Thanks for the blessing of time with family. May we honor You in all we do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: When you imagine Heaven, what do you see? Have you ever looked into barefoot or minimalist shoes? (They have three main characteristics: zero drop heel, flexible sole, and wide toe box.)

Task: Don’t be afraid to have important conversations with your loved ones. Your family and friends need to know about Jesus. Ask good questions and be willing to listen to different perspectives.