Tag: Jesus

Posted on in Gratitude, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous

Sufficient For My Smile

On Monday, I went to the orthodontist for some X-rays and scans to update my MARPE progress. I have not turned my device for a little over a month. My orthodontist wanted more information before deciding whether I am done with that part or need to do a few more turns. We will talk through the plan in mid-May.

I did not see the orthodontist yesterday, but I did have a chance to talk with the technician. I asked a few questions, and she answered them and gave me some insights. We weren’t sure about all the details, but I will soon find out more.

I think my progress is pretty good overall. I am on the bottom aligner tray #13 out of 29 (to start). Later, I will get more lower trays and start the top ones. One difficulty is still eating and chewing. Every meal is still a challenge, and I am favoring softer foods that are already bite-sized or smaller. The technician helped me understand why.

After taking some pictures and bite samples, she confirmed that my teeth aren’t really touching when I close my jaw, except for the very last tooth in the left back. So, when eating, instead of moving my teeth up and down, I kind of have to move my jaw sideways a little to grind the food. And, that’s just barely helping!

It makes total sense, and I am glad I am not going crazy, lol. We agreed it is just par for the course right now, probably not forever. While my upper teeth and palate have expanded very nicely, my lower teeth are going the traditional slow-and-steady route. That’s part of what we wanted to do with the new scans, so the orthodontist can better predict how things will line up in the end.

We also verified that my front teeth are not connecting at all, and they are still likely off in the middle. I can’t quite tell because my bite is “off,” and I’m not currently able to clench my teeth enough to see! She reminded me that the only thing that might help my lower teeth to move toward the midline would be surgery.

To be honest, I practically forgot about possibly needing surgery! I have been patient and diligent in wearing the aligner and cleaning my device to the point that I hoped they would just be enough. So, I was a little unsettled about the reminder, but I am choosing not to get too far ahead of myself. Instead, I will keep praying!

If my bottom teeth remain off-center and there are no other concerns, I think I could skip the surgery. But in theory, if none of my teeth line up correctly (as is happening now), surgery might be needed. However, not only is that probably a lot of money, but it is also a long recovery that I would like to avoid. Still, there could also be some other advantages, so I won’t be stubborn and rule it out altogether.

So, all in all, I am pleased with everything thus far, but I am still not out of the woods. I am right on track and am trusting the Lord to make it all work out. His grace is sufficient for my smile!

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God, thanks for taking such good care of me. You do all things well, for Your glory and my good. Help me trust You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: How has Jesus been working in your life this week?

Task: I would appreciate your prayers for my continued success with MARPE, and for the orthodontist to have wisdom about my next steps when I talk to him again. Thank you!

 

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

Helping or Hindering?

On Monday, I was teaching a class, the fifth in a series on healthy lifestyle changes. Now, Veterans are at a higher risk of essentially any illness or chronic condition you can think of compared to the general population. This includes financial concerns, relationship problems, PTSD, drug abuse, alcoholism, and homelessness.

Many of the Veterans in my class were struggling with a variety of issues. Sadly, that is to be expected on some level. But the class was meant to introduce some action steps to address some of the health issues and perhaps ease their mental and emotional concerns as well. We talked about nutrition, stress management, sleep, exercise, resiliency, gratitude, etc.

What struck me was that even as the class ended, many of the people were still stuck in the past. One person would ask a question or share an experience, then others would chime in and commiserate. There were some tears and some laughter, and I think it was a good thing overall. However, some of the people almost worked themselves up as a result.

It was as if they couldn’t let themselves rest or relax. I know hypervigilance is common and can be difficult to change, yet letting go of what we cannot control (past, present, and future) is vital. In Romans 12, we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. I wanted to share that Jesus calls us to bring our burdens to Him, but that wasn’t really the scope of the class. Instead, I sprinkled tidbits of faith here and there. 

I did not feel called to share my story, but I did explain that we all have past hardships, trauma, or grief. No one is immune. But we must check our words and even our thoughts in order to keep moving forward.

Several people made up their minds to try new things, but I’m curious how many of them will let go of their anxiety and worry, understanding that we don’t “have to” live in fear. I will be praying for the class that they might take a step of faith and trust Jesus. I’ll pray they realize how much God loves them and wants to give them His joy and peace.

Our stories — and how we tell them — are powerful. We can rehash all the old hurts and fears, or we can let the Lord redeem them and make something beautiful out of our darkest moments. It’s never easy, but it is our choice to make.

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Heavenly Father, thanks for setting us free from all our burdens – sin, shame, sickness – so we don’t have to stay stuck. Help us walk in that freedom and grace. Keep us close to You, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are the stories you are telling yourself (or others) helping or hindering your healing? What’s one step you can take to keep moving forward?

Task: Write down a few key turning points in your life story, whether joyful or painful. Then, rewrite them using God’s perspective – see the story through the lens of Jesus and how He may want to use it for His glory and your good.

Posted on in Apologetics, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Prayer, Worship

The Lord’s Prayer

This week, I have been reviewing the Lord’s prayer! This is found in Matthew 6 and Luke 11. It is perhaps the most underutilized piece of Jesus’ direct teaching! The words are not magical; they help us remember our mission.

Often, if you’ve grown up in a church that uses this as part of its daily or weekly liturgy, it can become so familiar that it feels mundane. But we must slow down and take the time to understand the background of Jesus’ meaning. Then, with humility and expectation, we can connect more fully to God’s heart and power.

On Monday night, I listened to a Blurry Creatures Podcast episode featuring a couple of guys who put together both a movie and a TV show about The Lord’s Prayer. Essentially, we can remind ourselves of who God is and our role in His Kingdom. They broke down each phrase, like I did last week!

So, on my Tuesday morning drive, I prayed through the prayer slowly. Father in Heaven: Now, I have a great earthly dad, and it’s amazing that God is even a better dad than Tom! 🙂 Heaven refers to Ancient Near Eastern cosmology (as described in the podcast), but for my purposes, it’s helpful to remember that God is above all things, visible and invisible. He is all-powerful but still loves us fiercely.

Hallowed is an older word for holy, meaning “set apart as sacred.” I sang this song because it reminds me of God’s character and of how we must respect and revere Him. He is not someone we can casually disregard. Carrying His Name means we bear responsibility to represent Him well. Yet, He has great grace for us when we fail to live up to His standard. Thankfully, that’s one reason Jesus came! 

Regarding the next phrase, we live to serve God, not our own purposes. It’s His Kingdom, not ours. Yes, we are citizens of Heaven and can bring many of those benefits to Earth through prayer. But our requests must align with God’s purposes and plan. He is not obligated to give us everything we want!

This is in line with the concept of daily bread. Jesus’ disciples would have thought about the manna their ancestors received in the desert for forty years. God took care of the essentials, but they depended on Him. This is where I asked for help in my workday and thanked God for all the ways He has provided for me this week. It was a good way to reflect on His grace and goodness.

The last part is about forgiveness. When we hold grudges, we act as if God’s mercy cannot cover someone’s faults or mistakes. But we forget how much we have needed it! For me, it is about trust. I can trust that God will take care of the other person as He sees fit. I can let it go and give it to Him to handle. Indeed, I can rest in the knowledge that God won’t hold my sins against me because Jesus already paid for them on the Cross.

Surprisingly, I learned that the phrase “for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory” is a doxology likely added in later manuscripts for liturgical reasons to make it sound more complete. It is not original to Jesus, but still quite compelling! Everything we are should reflect glory back to our Heavenly Father!

Finally, God does not lead us into temptation… but He does allow us to be tested. May we stand firm in our faith and trust Him. It’s okay (natural even) to doubt and ask questions, as long as they lead us closer to Jesus. He is faithful and will never let us down.

All that to say, I loved the conversation I had with the Lord driving to work. It set the tone for my day. It got my mind off “me” and put it back on Him. Yet, I still had a space to tell Him what I needed. I think I will make it part of my regular practice!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for all the ways You care for me. You always give me exactly what I need! Help me be a good reflection of You so I may bring You glory and fame. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you pray regularly using the Lord’s Prayer? What other prayer strategies do you use?

Tasks: If you haven’t already, memorize the Lord’s Prayer so it’s ready when you need it! Listen to it presented in song form here!

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

The In-Between

Right now, there is a lot going on in my life and in the lives of those I love. Not to mention the broader context of our nation or world. There are some really good things… and some not.  All around me, people need money, jobs, healing, comfort, and peace.

Regardless of how we think or feel, we can trust Jesus. When we can’t see all the details, we can trust Jesus. When we don’t understand how it could possibly work out, we can trust Jesus.

When we are in the in-between, that place between where we were and where we want or need to be, we can trust Jesus and lean on Him. It might be awkward, painful, or messy. Or, it might be pretty good sometimes. Whatever you are facing, He knows all about it.

To build our faith in these dire times, we can review all the ways He has come through in the past. In Psalm 136 ESV, we read of His faithfulness to generations past:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

17 to him who struck down great kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.”

 All hope is NOT lost in the in-between. God is moving in ways you cannot fathom. Over and over, these ancient words remind His people to give thanks.

Our Victory is already won because of Jesus’s sacrifice and resurrection. We can fully rest in His finished work. We don’t have to add or do anything else, and really, what else could even compare?

Our beloved Father’s steadfast love endures forever! May you soak in His love, grace, and faithfulness today. Praise the Lord!

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Almighty God, You are steadfast and so is Your love for us. You’ve never failed, and You won’t start now. Knowing that, may we fully walk in Your grace and love today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: How has Jesus been good and faithful to you this week, this month, this year?

Task: Take a moment and reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness. He is the One who makes things happen, and He is working it all out for you! Make a list of all the good things He has done for you AND all the tough things He has brought you through! Then, thank Him and praise Him!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #519

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 good and busy! We had our family Zoom on Monday night instead of Sunday night since that worked better for most everyone. It was kind of a fun twist!

Work was fast-paced as usual. I had a lot of extra phone calls and added patients, but it went well overall. I left early for an oral surgeon follow-up on Thursday and then stayed later on Friday to see a couple of patients and finish some charting from the day before.

My oral surgeon appointment went well. I am healing faster than expected and only have one small spot left to close up. We made a tentative gameplan to meet again in a few weeks. I think I see the slightest shift between my two front teeth. Not an official gap, but it is easier to floss in-between!

I am still playing around with what foods work best for me. I may just have to resolve to let foods get stuck, lol, and then clean out my MARPE device. I think it will be fine in the long-run, so I am not too worried.

I had a relaxing facial yesterday after work. It was a perk through a partnership with my orthodontist and a local spa. It felt great to be pampered!

I really enjoyed catching up with several friends and family this week. We all talked about various topics, including about my mom, my MARPE journey, parenting, barefoot/minimalist shoes, weather, birthdays, prayer, Jesus, and the Olympics!

Today, I watched Lydia perform her humorous duo at her Speech meet today. She came alive and was so funny playing four different characters. I am so proud of her.

Happy Valentine’s Day!! I had a great day watching Lydia, grocery shopping, making calls, and enjoying the “warm” and sunny 45-degree weather!! Feels like Spring… I didn’t even need my coat!

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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, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Worship

My Personal Hall of Faith

Last week, I mentioned the so-called “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, as we read in verse six. I talked about how it would read if written from a fear-based perspective. In short, Noah would never have built the ark, and we would not be here!

That got me thinking about my own personal hall of faith. Here are a few things that came to mind on what that might look like… Keep in mind, all of these are only possible by God’s grace – He has done all the heavy work, I am just walking them out. (Ephesians 2:8-10).

By faith, Natalie accepted Jesus into her heart at age three. And though she struggled at times to live it out, she kept close to the One who loves her most. Praise God, I’m in my fortieth year of following Jesus!

By faith, Natalie trusted that God somehow still had a good plan when her teenage best friend died in an accident. It took four years to be able to even talk about it without crying, but God never left her side.

By faith, Natalie went two-and-a-half hours away to college. It would have been easier to stay close to home, but she knew God had good things in store for her.

By faith, Natalie focused on her studies and asked the Lord to help her succeed. She did what she could do and trusted Him with the rest. She knew her life was in His capable hands, so she didn’t have to overachieve – she just focused on finishing the work in front of her.

By faith, Natalie walked up to a friend at a wedding to say hello after not seeing him for a few years. She and Dave grew closer over time and were soon happily married.

By faith, Natalie and Dave moved to North Dakota, trusting God for a big adventure. They did not know what that meant, but wanted to be in the center of His will. That included crazy winters, being apart from family, becoming parents, and colon cancer. But, God was so good to them and helped Natalie address her deepest fears.

By faith, Natalie kept moving forward when Dave died. As a widowed single mom, she knew she needed to work through her grief and rely on God so she could be an example for Lydia someday. It is an ongoing process, but God has been so gracious to walk with them.

By faith, Natalie wrote a memoir and finally published it. It was a sacrifice of love, but it has touched many lives. It has given Natalie opportunities to bless others going through difficult times and point them back to Jesus.

By faith, Natalie trusted God to help her steward her household and finances. It was touch-and-go at times, but He is a good provider. Natalie has worked various jobs and has had the best coworkers. In His wisdom and grace, Natalie’s passion for nutrition was reignited, and she found new ways to serve her patients.

As I review the list above, it is fun to look back on how God has blessed me and come through for me. I can see Jesus’ faithfulness over time, and this helps me trust Him more now and in the future. He is so, so good. On the contrary, what if I hadn’t trusted God for all the above? I don’t even want to think what my life would look like in reverse!

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Father God, thanks for staying close to me and bringing me through all my challenges. You are trustworthy and true. Thank You that You will never leave me nor forsake me. My life is Yours. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What life stories would be in your own hall of faith? How would that affect your faith going forward?

Task: Review Hebrews 11 and then write your own version! I’d love to see it in the comments!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom, Worship

The Old Made New

Happy New Year!! As I reflect on 2025, I see many answers to prayers. God was definitely at work and did some pretty awesome things in my life!

I think of how my life was at the beginning of the year and how it is now. In some ways, things are similar, but if you look deeper, they are very different. I have grown and have been transformed by renewing my mind and letting go of the old to grasp the new.

Naturally, the biggest life change was my mom’s death in February. Yet, this was the best year of her life because she met Jesus face-to-face! We miss her, but are grateful she is with the One who died so she could live forever. I hear my mom’s voice in Colossians 2:5-7 below:

5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Some people get stuck after someone dies. But for others, Death can be a catalyst for change. When we’re reminded how short Life is, our perspective shifts from complacency to “it’s now or never.” There is no time to waste!

Although Mom is not with us physically, we certainly will carry her memory and legacy with us. I want to make her proud and live out the calling God gave me, which she cultivated. The Colossians passage above is like a parting reminder: Continue in Jesus, stay rooted in Him, remember what I taught you, be grateful.

Lydia and I visited some new-to-us places in North Dakota, and she also went to Washington, DC. We each started new activities, too. Lydia participated in a program called Congress, and I started a leadership training program at church, something I have wanted to do for a long time. We have both learned a lot this year!

I made some changes around the house, including finally getting some landscaping done. It was several years in the making. I am so glad it is finished, and I love how it turned out!

Praise God, I am now mostly pain-free in my neck, back, and hips – it has been years since I felt this good! I am giving all credit to Jesus, my Healer. He has done all the hard work; I have just walked it out with some new tools, habits, and mobility training.

The Lord provided for me in new ways this year. I picked up extra hours here and there at work, which helped bring in a little more money. In other areas, He showed me how to adjust my spending habits to stretch my dollars when needed. He is so faithful and good!

Speaking of habits, I finally realized that going to bed and getting up early is non-negotiable! This meant I’ve had to say “no” and strengthen boundaries. But I feel better all around when I get a short walk and stretching in early. Also, my morning time with Jesus is top priority. With His help, I have been fairly consistent in both areas. It feels good to get into a rhythm… and coffee certainly helps!

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This year was full of challenges, but Jesus made old things new again. He brought things to completion and answered prayers. I grew in my faith, and my life was transformed. And you know what? Jesus wants to change your life, too! So let Him! 

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Heavenly Father, You are so good. Increase our faith and transform us from the inside out. Your Word is Truth – help us live it out. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How have you grown this year? How has Jesus transformed you?

Task: Keep a running list of all the ways you see Jesus moving in your life this next year. Praise Him along the way!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous

Compassion Christmas

Last week, I joined a Zoom call with Compassion International. I have been a child sponsor for many years, and I was invited to watch children at a Peruvian church center celebrate Christmas and open gifts. Compassion provides a safe place for vulnerable children and includes them in fun activities.

I like donating to this organization because they ‘release children from poverty in Jesus’ Name.’ I have a friend who grew up in this program, and he is an ambassador for them. It’s been cool to see how the Lord Jesus has used him over the years.  I am glad for the opportunity to be a part of something bigger.

This Zoom call showed us a representation of other Compassion Christmases around the world. In fact, we got to see a short clip of children singing Christmas carols in various languages across different Compassion programs. One thing they had in common was the joy on their faces.

It was a really cool experience to watch. The kids knew they were on camera, but they didn’t make a huge deal of it. The church was hosting families of the kids it serves, some of whom had not heard the Gospel. There was a Nativity play inside, and then the camera went outside to where food would be served.

A group of older ladies had been up since 5 a.m., preparing food over hot coals. They had made staples, like chicken and rice, as well as Panettone bread and hot chocolate. Apparently, no Peruvian Christmas is complete without those two treats! Even when Christmas happens to be 90+ degrees!

At one point, they had a small group of children ready to open their gifts. The host explained that the teachers asked each child what they wanted for Christmas. Then, some of the workers drove a few hours to the nearest city to buy everything.

The kids opened their gifts one by one and showed them to the camera with big smiles. Many of us online were a little surprised… Each child received a t-shirt and a towel. I don’t know what the rest of the kids will receive, but I expected the majority to request a toy or something “fun.”

When asked about this, one little boy said (in Spanish), “I know my mom works really hard at her job. I didn’t want her to have to worry about buying me a towel, so I asked for one here.” It was very sweet, but also a little heartbreaking. Nonetheless, each child seemed very happy and grateful for their practical gifts. Several put on their new shirts to show us.

One of the Compassion teachers told us her two daughters attend the program. So, it is a big blessing for her whole family. Her girls have their needs met doubly – through sponsorship and the mother’s paycheck. It has been life-changing for the family in many ways!

I appreciated the simplicity of the children’s requests and their gratitude for so little. As an American, it is a humbling reminder of all we have to be grateful for. I also liked seeing the effects of lovingkindness and good stewardship. The focus remained on Jesus, not just what the kids might want or receive.

Jesus is the best gift ever! His coming was inconvenient for Him (Philippians 2:5-11). For starters, consider learning to walk, puberty, betrayal, and the Cross! No, Jesus came because He loved us… me… you. He wanted a relationship with us and was willing to lay aside His glory and do whatever it took to remove the barriers sin created between God and us. He had compassion on us and put His love in action.

Tomorrow, Lydia and I will enjoy good food, open gifts, visit with friends, call family, and enjoy our time together. I am grateful for our many blessings, but most of all Jesus. Merry Christmas!! 

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Father God, thanks for the most precious gift, Your Son, Jesus! May we not take Him for granted. May we generously share Your grace, lovingkindness, and mercy with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What gift are you most hoping to receive this Christmas? Have you accepted the free gift of forgiveness and salvation that Jesus Christ offers?

Task: As you open gifts this Christmas, take inventory of your attitude and thank Jesus for Who He is and all He has done for you!.

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Season’s Greetings

What are your favorite Christmas traditions? Lydia and I have been making holiday cookies, decorating, watching movies, singing Christmas carols, and checking the mail for cards and packages! I also really love white elephant parties!

I always look forward to receiving Christmas cards, though I don’t send them anymore. Perhaps I will do it again someday…

Instead of sending Christmas cards, I use this time to message and reply to various people, including those who send us Christmas cards and updates. It’s not really a yearly recap, but rather checking on loved ones. So-called ‘season’s greetings’ are important for connection and a good way to share and celebrate God’s love for us.

This week, I have messaged several people, including a few of my former classmates from high school, some aunts, uncles, and cousins, old friends from Caterpillar, and more. I also sent updated school pictures of Lydia to a few people (mainly family). It feels good to hear from and interact with so many people. 

Free Candle Flame photo and picture

Christmas is a good reminder that Jesus is God’s love letter to us and share Him with others. When we read about Jesus or see Him in Scripture, we learn more about who our Heavenly Father and Creator is. We can read about the Nativity story, Jesus healing people, His sermons, and the Crucifixion. His radiance is a foretaste of the glory of Heaven.

Have you replied to God’s love letter yet, or read it lately?

The main way to connect with God, the Father, is to respect His Son, Jesus, and respond to His death and resurrection. Then tell God how much you love Jesus and how thankful you are for Him. Just like the best way to get my attention is not to impress me but to talk to me about how great Lydia is! 😉

Other ways to connect with God include reading the Bible and humbly letting it change you. We can also pray (talk to Him and listen to Him) and then obey what He says with the Holy Spirit’s help.

God is good, whether or not you want anything to do with Him. But life is a lot better with Jesus! One thing that I’ve been thinking about lately is that people can be morally good, but they are still lost without Jesus; in other words, good is not good enough! He did not come to make us good. He came to make us right with God, reconnect us to Him, and redeem us for His good purposes.

In short, we can send Christmas cards, sing all the fun songs, bake/eat all the cookies, give all the gifts, and spread goodwill toward others, for sure. But if we don’t share Jesus and include Him, we are missing the point. JESUS is the reason for the season!

So, as you go about all your wonderful Christmas traditions, remember to bring Jesus with you. He is the center of all we do! Jesus Christ is not just above all our holiday activities; they are meaningless without Him!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for sending Jesus and letting Him be Your love letter to us! May we grow to love and trust You more and more and we spend time with you daily. And, let us share that love with those around us, In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are your favorite Christmas traditions? Have you replied to God’s love letter yet? How could you share Jesus with others?

Task: As you are baking cookies, pray for those you may give them to. As you are writing Christmas cards, tell the recipient how Jesus has changed your life. Take advantage of the joyful spirit of the season and bring the Good News of Jesus everywhere you go!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Fruit, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom

A Higher Calling

Today, I’m going to jump right in… Bear with me, please and thank you!

I recently read an online post that mentioned something to the effect of “judge not, lest you be judged.” You can read more in Matthew 7:1-5, but Jesus meant to take care of your own sin before pointing out the same problem in others. Ironically, the half-truth came from someone whose life is a mess, to put it nicely. They have made some really poor decisions, yet want to tell everyone else how to live. Hmmm.

Indeed, Christians are required to judge the conduct and spiritual fruit of other Christians. It is wise to examine the behavior of people who claim to love God, as well as those who don’t. We must discern who is pointing us to Jesus and who is dragging our attention away from Him. We are called to test and weigh spiritual matters. Let’s do it with humility and integrity.

At the same time, we cannot hold non-Christians accountable for Christian standards because they are spiritually dead. They may have a sense of morality and have an inkling of who God is (Romans 1), but it’s not the same. In fact, a post I saw last night said, “Satan is not opposed to good morals. He is opposed to Jesus Christ.” We can’t expect the world to understand or get on board so simply — we must demonstrate who Jesus really is.

Free Avenue Trees photo and picture

Another recent online post was from someone who is all about promoting goodwill, equality, and equity. We absolutely should offer merciful compassion and seek justice, but sadly, these often get twisted. In reviewing our current political climate, this person implied it is “un-Christian” to pause certain social programs, as if that were the end goal. They flat-out deny wanting anything to do with Jesus, but they want to hold people to that perceived standard.

Professing our faith and living for Jesus Christ is not for the faint of heart. It is easy to want to hide out and ignore all the drama this world brings. Especially when we feel pressured, censored, and mocked. We must remember our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the dark spiritual forces of this world (Ephesians 6:12). We are citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:20), but we must make the most of our time here! Because of Jesus, we can bravely run into battle, not away from it.

Christians are called to a higher standard—to imitate Jesus Christ and draw people to Him. Salt and Light, Grace and Truth. Kindness, hospitality, generosity, and self-sacrifice. Helping the poor, sick, and marginalized. It’s not about adding more to our to-do list, but showing God’s love in practical ways. Yet, how we use our resources will look different for each of us in the context of community. The point is that we have to be consistent in how we represent Jesus. We must follow through and not drop the ball.

On Monday, in my class, we talked about building authentic connections with others and sharing Jesus’ love with them. We can open hearts with simple conversations and show excellence in all we do. As one speaker said, “If you are lazy, prideful, rude, and negative… no one wants that!” We cannot just do the minimum. We must set an example for others in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Timothy 4:12), so that they ask what makes you different. Jesus!

Of course, we cannot do this on our own. That’s why we have the Holy Spirit and the Church (each other!). Sure, we have our flaws, but praise God, we will one day be made perfect in Jesus. Let’s minister to our local communities with cheerfulness and initiative. There are always challenges, but loving one another well draws outsiders into the heart of God.

Bottom line: All of us deserve eternal damnation in Hell because we fall short of the glory of God, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23). We cannot earn our salvation, but there is hope! “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). “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) It is by grace we have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2), so let us run this race with endurance (Hebrews 12).

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Heavenly Father, forgive us when we fall short or give people reason to doubt You. Help us spread Your grace, love, peace, and joy to others. May we be quick to help in times of need. May we consistently show up and follow through. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Where are you at in all of this? Are you with Jesus or the world? Are you living out your higher calling, found only in Him? Or are you playing with fire and trying to do it all on your own?

Task: Check your heart and see where you really stand with Jesus Christ. Read Romans 10:9 and the other verses linked above. If you aren’t sure, message me at nat.grace.lemonade@gmail.com. I’d love to connect.