We are on a journey, our life's journey. It is a marathon, not a sprint. This journey is filled with hills and valleys, mountain tops, and rough terrain; sometimes, it takes our breath away, sometimes for good, and sometimes in pain. We face moments of exhilaration and thrills then there are times of despair. I think Jesus understands all of those moments; he had them too.

Paul encourages us to keep our eyes on the prize at the journey's end. Jesus did, even at his most profound moment of despair in the Garden of Gethsemane. Let's hear His plea with His Father and His closest disciples:

"Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here and watch with me." And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter,

"So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."

Matthew 26:36-46 ESV

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Copyright Ⓒ 2022 | All Rights Reserved Everyone Has The Freedom To Choose

How often do we look for direction in our life but find conflict in our heart? There is one place to go that will give clarity. The Bible. That doesn’t mean it will give us step by step instructions. It does mean it will reveal our motives, objectives and God’s disposition.

Paul sheds some light on the power and purposes of the Bible.

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Copyright Ⓒ 2022 | All Rights Reserved Everyone Has The Freedom To Choose

Many of us have heard or quoted:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" - Jeremiah 29:11 NIV.

There is much more to this promise. But, first, there's God's plan, and then our part.

When we look at Jeremiah 29:11-14, it is easy to point to Israel as an entire country in ancient times and decide it doesn't apply to me.

Not so.

In those days, Israel sinned by allowing neighboring countries to bring idols to its soil and building temples to worship them and their depraved practices. Today, the sin or idols are the same even though the historical dates and the names may differ. So let's consider what things we have as potential idols in our lives. First, an idol is anything that gets in the way of the only two commands that Jesus gave us: Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.

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One of my favorite Scriptures, Galatians 5:22-23 describes "The Fruit Of The Spirit." These two verses are by far the fastest way to gauge our relationship with God there is. It is a tool that keeps us honest about who we are and who we are following.

Let's keep the end in mind.

Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul. Love your neighbor as yourself.

There came a new covenant with Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. We no longer had the law to go through with the blood sacrifices and atonement; Jesus was the complete sacrifice and atonement for our sins, and there are now only two commands. They are worth repeating.

Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul. Love your neighbor as yourself. These commands sound so simple.

They are not.

Back sitting in the middle of my birds, squirrels, and deer, I find myself considering pain in the nation, community, close circles of friends, or family. I considered my qualifications to even have an opinion or position on the topic of grief. I’m not a psychologist or sociologist. I’m not educated by an academic school in the field of grief. I am however well acquainted with grieving people and the process of grieving.

Whether the grief came from the actions of others, my own choices, or life. Grief and I have been well acquainted. I have found for myself or those I have spent time with the only way to get through with a peace greater than I or anyone could ever imagine: is God.

When considering tragedy, violence, accidents, physical decline, life challenges, business losses, family challenges, or personal choices. There is a grief that follows. It is a hard place without question but there is healing in the midst of grief if we allow God to be in the center of our grieving.

Do you need a “foghorn” in your life? There are days I sure do. There are times that the days are too short, the nights and sleep even shorter; the list of things that need to be accomplished seem to be longer than the proverbial “families-Amazon-wish-list-right-before-Christmas.”

Our core group in community Bible study is currently studying Mark. In Chapters 6, 7, and 8 the crowds are consistently building in volume and intensity. There isn’t even the ability at one point to sit down and have a meal. Jesus has compassion on the disciples at this point and takes them away to a “quiet” place for rest and food.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.