Category: Relationship

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Blessings All Around

This weekend we were talking about the blessings of 2020.

I know, so many are talking about the horrible things that have happened this year and it certainly is one for the record books but we have experienced several big blessings. One was the early arrival of our great granddaughter, Phoebe. Her name means “bright and pure”.

There was some real concern the first of February when we learned she was coming five weeks early. We had expected her three weeks early but not five. Her labor was long but she arrived healthy and left the hospital just a few days later. Dad, Grama and Pops got to be there for her birth and were able to visit her and her momma the few days they were in the hospital. If she had come just a few weeks later, when the country was becoming COVID aware, none of that would have been possible.

God’s timing is always right and we are blessed to have her in our family.

I heard a pastor tell about two things which impacted him greatly when he was an 18 year old. It was then, for the first time, he heard that God knew who he was and that God loved him. He said that was all it took to give his life to the Lord.

The reality of knowing that God Almighty knows me – He knows everything about me and loves me anyway, is pretty overwhelming. Little Phoebe will know from the very beginning that God was involved in her arrival and each day of her life to follow.

“You, Lord, brought me safely through birth, and you protected me when I was a baby at my mother’s breast. 10 From the day I was born, I have been in your care, and from the time of my birth, you have been my God.” Psalm 22:9-10 CEV

“You are the one who put me together inside my mother’s body, 14 and I praise you
because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.” Psalm 139:13-14 CEV

God, the Father, knew us as we were growing in our mothers’ womb. He knows every detail, He knows every bump and bruise, every hurt and disappoint, every failure and bad thought and He loves us unconditionally.

“Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful. 7 No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. 8 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.

9 But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger. 10 Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by his Son’s life. 11 And in addition to everything else, we are happy because God sent our Lord Jesus Christ to make peace with us.” Romans 5:6-11 CEV

Thank you Father for knowing me, loving me, making peace with me and saving me!

Thank you for the blessing of life in 2020.

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Commitment

When our kids were little we lived in a small farming town west of Phoenix called Peoria. Now those of you who are familiar with the Phoenix area realize that Peoria is no longer the sleepy little farming town it once was.

But then, the fields around our subdivision were prosperous with crops of alfalfa, cotton, and vegetables. It was not uncommon to see tractors and farm equipment driving through town on the way to their next field. But what was most fun was getting our vegetables from the fields and then visiting the dairy and the chicken farm.

Fresh milk, fresh eggs and fresh vegetables. Nothing like it!

When our kids became school age I was amazed to learn that many of their classmates didn’t know where their food came from. It seemed almost shocking. It was great when one of the parents invited the class for a field trip to their dairy. Seeing those children’s faces (and some of the mom’s) in the milking barn made me chuckle.

This morning I’d like to tell you a little story about a farmer. Farmer Jones was a wonderful farmer and all his animals loved him. He took such good care of them. One day the chicken said, we should do something special for Farmer Jones. All the animals agreed so they thought and thought – what could they do that would be special.

The chicken spoke up again – “I know we can make breakfast for Farmer Jones on Friday.” Yes, yes – that’s what we’ll do all the animals agreed. All but one. “What’s the matter”, asked the chicken? “The cow will give milk, I will give some eggs and you can provide the bacon.” The pig looked long and hard at the chicken and then said, “Breakfast only requires your participation but for me it’s a total commitment.”

It seems that these days people have a problem with “total commitment”. Get a job, it doesn’t work out, get another one; same with marriage. Things don’t work out, it’s not working for me, I’m not happy – move on. Contracts almost always have a loop hole or escape clause. There’s got to be a way out.

The same was true in Jesus’ day too. When people saw the miracles that Jesus did they were drawn to Him, and rightfully so. However, the crowds started to wane when His teaching included words like love your enemies and if you follow me you will face persecution, deny yourself.

Jesus called his followers to be disciples.

We get the word discipline from the word disciple – a pupil; a learner. There are many who believe in Jesus as Savior but not all are disciples. They are willing to express a relationship with the Lord and even make a few changes to their lives but they don’t want it to impact everything they do.

“Stay joined together with me, and follow my teachings. If you do this, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you. 8 Show that you are my followers by producing much fruit. This will bring honor to my Father. 9 I have loved you as the Father has loved me. Now continue in my love.” John 15:7-9 ERV

What does it take to be a disciple or a learner of Christ? If we desire to be truly free, it requires that we spend time learning from Christ and His word. Following His example.

“As He was saying these things, many believed in Him. 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:30-32 ERV

Let’s go back to the story of our farmer’s breakfast. For years I was a willing participant. I was glad to provide what I could, when it was convenient but I lacked full commitment. The Lord patiently loved me. He was teaching me, correcting me, never giving up on me. (I am so grateful for that.)

Let me encourage you to be more than a participant. Become a disciple, be committed, draw close to Christ.

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A Hard Row to Hoe

Yesterday Dave and I found ourselves “on the road again”. We were making the trip from home to my mother’s in Yuma, about four and a half hours away. The interstate takes us through a big city, small towns, across open arid desert and fertilized farmland. I grew up here, I know the land well.

It was the arid desert that held my attention on our drive. The cactus, greasewood, and dry, hard ground is the natural state of things in the desert. The green fields of alfalfa are not. After many years of working the soil it is able to produce a viable crop but left unattended it quickly reverts to the dry, desert it once was.

Any farmer knows “It’s a hard row to hoe”.

Some of the land in Israel is arid and it too can be hard and dry. I think that may be what prompted Jesus as He told about a farmer who went out to sow seed. Jesus, said we need to understand this parable so we can understand many of the other parables.

The sower sowed the seed on all kinds of ground. He didn’t just see the good soil and sow there but instead seed went on the hard ground, the rocky soil, the soil with weeds and thorns and also the good soil. Every kind of soil had the ability to receive seed.

The same is true for us – the seed is the Word of God and the Word is available to all. We are the soil and it’s our responsibility to determine what kind of soil we will be. Frankly, I still have some thorns and weeds in my soil but am working daily to see that they are removed so that the seed can grow and bring in a healthy harvest.

In the Old Testament we are given this admonition:

“I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’.” Hosea 10:12 NLT

It’s our job to break up the hard ground in our lives – God shows us the rocks and the weeds but we have to be willing to throw them out and see that the seed has healthy soil to grow in. God promises to send the showers to soften the soil and make it ready to receive the seed.

Once we receive the shower of His love and the ground of our hearts is soften, we can receive His word and our lives will become productive. We will no longer be like that arid desert but our lives will produce like the well-watered farmland.

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Research

A good portion of my day was spent in research yesterday. Occasionally, I do freelance projects that require a verification of facts and figures. It’s tedious but also interesting. More often than not, the information I gather is not something I would normally find interesting but when I look at it through the eyes of the one requesting the data it sparks my interest.

There’s a line from the movie, Monte Walsh, where a ranch manager is describing how the ranch has been purchased by an investment group in the East. Their representative has come to learn the in’s and out’s of ranching. The ranch manager goes on to say “Mr. Slocum is here for two weeks to learn ranching.” When asked what skills he will learn, the ranch manager repeats several times “He’s a good one with the numbers”. This man won’t learn anything about the cattle, the way of life or what is takes to have a successful cattle ranch – all he wants to know is the numbers. The bottom line. His research is strictly a financial one.

There have been times that when folks have asked “how are you doing” or “what’s going on with you” and I know that they are really only concerned about the bottom line and not the details. It seems they ask out of obligation but their interest isn’t really in the circumstances that I’m experiencing.

However, there is one who is always interested.

“We are people of flesh and blood. That is why Jesus became one of us. He died to destroy the devil, who had power over death. 15 But he also died to rescue all of us who live each day in fear of dying. 16 Jesus clearly did not come to help angels, but he did come to help Abraham’s descendants. 17 He had to be one of us, so that he could serve God as our merciful and faithful high priest and sacrifice himself for the forgiveness of our sins. 18 And now that Jesus has suffered and was tempted, he can help anyone else who is tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18 CEV

Jesus didn’t just do a statistical evaluation of what life was like as a human. He became human so that He could experience life as we know it. He got tired and hungry; in arid climate he was hot and thirsty. He went through all the emotions we do – He experienced the murder of his cousin, the death of a close friend, He was betrayed by a business associate and misunderstood by His closest friends.

“We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. 15 Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:14-16 CEV

Jesus understands EVERY weakness we face and because of that He offers us help and kindness. All we have to do is come to Him.

I’m so glad that Jesus knows my heart and not just the numbers. He’s experienced life as we know it. His research is complete and He has made us this promise.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

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Show Me The Way

So, I’m going to share with you a conversation that occurred yesterday between Dave and I. We flew to Texas early yesterday morning to pick up a “new-to-us” truck we purchased. We were in a smaller town outside of Dallas. Lyft took us from the airport to the dealership.

After we signed all the papers we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant across the parking lot and then we got in the truck and headed toward San Angelo. I had put San Angelo in the Waze app and tapped on “Go Now”. It calculated and started spitting out directions. We hadn’t programmed the NAV in the new truck yet so we were going off the phone. When Dave asked me to tell him how far our turn was I told him what it said on the screen. To which he replied that’s not possible we’re not going to Ft Worth.

All I could say is “but that’s what it says”. Good thing we were on a four-lane divided road because he was able to pull off and look at the screen and the direction. “This is all wrong. We have to figure something out.” Since I had no idea where we were and where we were going it was all on him. Finally, we got it calculated to a smaller town much closer and we were off again.

Show me the way home! The best way home!

How many times do we take off in one direction thinking we know what’s right and find out we should have recalculated. God’s word is our best road map!

If we call He will answer; if we seek He will show us the way; if we knock He will see that the door opens. Problem is, too often we don’t ask or we are too consumed in making our own way to follow His. I love that the Father is always there listening and He is always willing to answer when I call.

“Listen, Lord, as I pray! You are faithful and honest and will answer my prayer. 2 I am your servant. Don’t try me in your court, because no one is innocent by your standards. 3 My enemies are chasing me, crushing me in the ground. I am in total darkness, like someone long dead. 4 I have given up all hope, and I feel numb all over. 5 I remember to think about the many things you did in years gone by. 6 Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you. 7 Please hurry, Lord, and answer my prayer. I feel hopeless. Don’t turn away and leave me here to die. 8 Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance. 9 Please rescue me from my enemies, Lord! I come to you for safety. 10 You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path.
11 Be true to your name, Lord, and keep my life safe. Use your saving power to protect me from trouble. 12 I am your servant. Show how much you love me by destroying my enemies.” Psalm 143 CEV

On those days when I feel like throwing up my hands and having a good cry I have learned if I offer up a prayer first, my way becomes more clear, the path opens up before me and the Father is even there to dry my tears.

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Don’t Be Ashamed

These are the words that were going through my mind when I woke up this morning. “I am not ashamed”.

Many times over the past sixty-seven years I have been ashamed. Ashamed of my actions, ashamed of something I have said that was unkind, cruel or untrue. Ashamed when I compared myself to others – not pretty enough, not athletic, not popular, not stylish, not “whatever”.

The worst…there were times when I wanted to be a “secret agent” for Jesus. In high school, it seems everyone knew I was a Christian. Some of my friends and I met together each morning in the library and at lunch time outside Snyder Hall to pray. We prayed about tests, problems with classmates and with family issues. But that meant we were excluded from some of the activities of the more popular kids. Sometimes, I selfishly wished I had not been so vocal.

My faith in Christ is the bedrock of who I am. I want His love to shine through me. I stand on God’s Word. I believe it is 100% true. There is no room for compromise on His principles. Standing strong on His word is the only ground that does not give way in the face of life’s storms. That is a lesson I have learned.

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” Matthew 7:24-25 NLT

2020 has been a year of rains, floodwaters and winds…but a house built on the bedrock of God’s Word won’t collapse! I believe that with all my heart.

I found quite a few verses that talk about not being ashamed. I think the last two may surprise you.

“They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.” Psalm 22:5 NKJV

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.” Psalm 34:4-5 NKJV

“I am not ashamed of the Good News. It is the power of God. It is the way He saves men from the punishment of their sins if they put their trust in Him. It is for the Jew first and for all other people also. 17 The Good News tells us we are made right with God by faith in Him. Then, by faith we live that new life through Him. The Holy Writings say, “A man right with God lives by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 NLV

“I have been chosen to be a missionary and a preacher and a teacher of this Good News. 12 For this reason, I am suffering. But I am not ashamed. I know the One in Whom I have put my trust. I am sure He is able to keep safe that which I have trusted to Him until the day He comes again.” II Timothy 1:11-12 NLV

“Jesus makes men holy. He takes away their sins. Both Jesus and the ones being made holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them His brothers.” Hebrews 2:11 NLV

“But they were waiting for a better country—a heavenly country. So God is not ashamed to be called their God. And he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:16 ERV

If God, the Father, and Jesus are unashamed of us then why should we be ashamed of them? Christ died for us when we were our most unlovable. He followed the plan that God, the Father, had in mind – the plan of reconciliation. Neither of them are ashamed of us!

Let’s live the rest of our lives shameless – unashamed in our stand for Christ.

“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15 NLT

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Where to Find Beauty

When you hear the word “beauty” what’s the first thing you think of? It may be a gorgeous scene like pictured here or perhaps it’s a person.

Not many would think of holiness as beauty but King David did.

“Give the Lord praise worthy of his glory. Come into his presence with your offerings.  Worship the Lord in all his holy beauty.” I Chronicles 16:29 ERV

Holiness is about our relationship with Christ who lives within us. It’s so much more than rules set up by people. Holiness is about character – purity of motives – it’s our lives reflecting God’s nature.

As the moon reflects the brightness of the sun and shares that illumination with the night sky, our lives can and should reflect the brightness of the “Son” and illuminate our sphere of influence.

“So don’t let anyone make rules for you about eating and drinking or about Jewish customs (festivals, New Moon celebrations, or Sabbath days)…It is so foolish for them to feel such pride, because it is all based on their own human ideas. 19 They don’t keep themselves under the control of the head. Christ is the head, and the whole body depends on him. Because of Christ all the parts of the body care for each other and help each other. So the body is made stronger and held together as God causes it to grow.

20 You died with Christ and were made free from the powers that influence this world. So why do you act as if you still belong to the world? I mean, why do you follow rules like these: 21 “Don’t eat this,” “Don’t taste that,” “Don’t touch that”? 22 These rules are talking about earthly things that are gone after they are used. They are only human commands and teachings. 23 These rules may seem to be wise as part of a made-up religion in which people pretend to be humble and punish their bodies. But they don’t help people stop doing the evil that the sinful self wants to do.

You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth. 3 Your old self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. 4 Yes, Christ is now your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory.” Colossians 2:17-3:3 ERV

The Lord will show us what things in our life don’t please Him. Be honest and willing to change those things. Ask Him for His help. All of God’s power is available to us through Christ. Since we live in Christ there will never be a power shortage when it comes to change.

“Be holy in everything you do, just as God is holy. He is the one who chose you. 16 In the Scriptures God says, ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'” I Peter 1:15-16 ERV

It would be unfair of the Lord to give us an instruction that we can’t live up too. When He gives us an instruction He gives us the ability to walk it out. When God prompts us to change it comes with encouragement and not condemnation.

Let Him clothe you in the beauty of His holiness.

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Celebrate Life!

There is a word used in Jewish toasts – L’Chaim! Lifting a glass of wine to celebrate an engagement or marriage, the birth of a child and everyone says L’Chaim. To Life!

Each day we should be doing the same. We should be toasting the life that God has given us. Celebrating life and His goodness. A life of thankfulness and faith.

L’Chaim!

The just shall live by faith. Faith isn’t just something we have when we can’t handle things on our own, it’s a way of life.

Faith is what pleases God and God is the one who has given us the faith that we need to please Him – pretty good right? God doesn’t leave us unprepared or without the proper equipment. He tells us what it takes to please Him and then he supplies us – gotta love that.

“I realize how kind God has been to me, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you.” Romans 12:3 CEV

“But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him.” Hebrews 11:6 CEV

I understand where people get the idea that God is sitting up in heaven just waiting for us to fail or mess up; I lived that way for years. However, Moses told the nation of Israel that God set before them life and death, blessing and cursing. Then he told them “Choose life”. That was Jesus’ purpose – to provide the way of blessing – choose life.

“Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. The first choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose life! Then you and your children will live. 20 You must love the Lord your God and obey him. Never leave him, because he is your life. And he will give you a long life in the land that he, the Lord, promised to give to your ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ERV

Jesus said: “The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

L’Chaim!

Choosing to live by faith brings reward. God is the one who promised it, our part is to seek Him and not give up.  Faith is believing that God will be faithful to His word; that what He has said WILL come to pass. And why shouldn’t we believe Him – He hasn’t lied yet!

The greatest miracle in the Bible was the result of a young woman’s faith. The angel came to Mary and told her that she would have a child. Mary asked how this could happen since she was a virgin and hadn’t been intimate with any man. (You all know the story). I love what the angel, Gabriel, said in response.

“Nothing is impossible for God!” 38 Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.” Luke 1:37-38

I want my response to God to be the same “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it happen as He said”.

What are you facing today? NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE when we put our faith in GOD.

Lift your glass and celebrate life. L’Chaim!

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You Are Priceless!

Did you know that before the world began God saw you, loved you and established your worth? You are more precious to Him than the world’s greatest treasures. You are priceless!

“How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

7-10 Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.” Ephesians 1:3-10 MSG

For years, I struggled with “being good enough” for God. I felt that He was constantly watching for my every mistake and was waiting to punish me for every infraction. And then I began to see, from God’s word, all that He has provided for us.

There are many facets to our Christian life; qualities and attributes to be exposed and polished. As we grow in our knowledge and relationship with the Lord we begin to shine with His character, “Like A Diamond”.

I want those who struggle in their relationship with the Lord to gain understanding of what the Lord has really provided for us. That’s why I am very excited to announce the release of my second book, “Like A Diamond”. Each chapter focuses on a different facet of our life in Christ.

The book is available through Amazon, eBay or can be ordered directly through www.arizonakristi.com .

Single copy price $14.95 ea plus S&H

4-9 copies $12.95 ea plus S&H

10-19 copies $10.95 ea plus S&H

20+ copies $9.95 ea free shipping

“The Best Gifts of Christmas”, my first book, will be available at a discounted price of $8 per copy when purchased with a copy of “Like A Diamond”.

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Shake Down Cruise

Dave and I just returned from three weeks in the White Mountains of Arizona. It was wonderful!

Did you miss me? No? Most of you didn’t even know we were gone. The two weeks before we left I spent time writing and rewriting my morning blogs. Our oldest daughter, Kim, helped with posting them to Facebook and the daily emails were auto-posted through WordPress. Technology is my friend. Thank you Kim.

But now let’s get back to the camping trip. We had very limited cell and internet service while we were there so it really was a vacation. I had one dear friend ask me how I was handling not writing my blog each morning. She said she knows how much I love sitting down each morning and talking with each of you from my heart. I admit it was difficult. I did get up each morning and pray for you all. I realized, once again, I don’t get up early because I have too; I get up early because it’s my time with the Father and my time to pray for those I love.

This was the first time we had our fifth-wheel on an extended trip. It was a time of learning, a shake-down cruise, as it were. We were camping without hook ups in two very nice National Forest Campgrounds. We learned a lot.

We knew the capacity, in gallons, of our fresh, gray and black water tanks. We knew the size of our two propane bottles; we knew the size of our generator and the power of our battery but we didn’t know how long any of that would last under daily use. It was a pleasant learning experience. This is what a shake-down cruise is all about – learning how all systems work and if there are any problems.

Some things we rationed thinking we might run out. We didn’t know how long it took to heat the water heater and how much shower time we had with seven gallons of hot water and so the first showers were very short. Experience told us we could shower a bit longer.

We loved learning! We loved being in God’s beautiful creation! We loved being together – talking, planning, praying and thanking God for who He is and how He has directed our lives.

Life here on earth is basically a shake-down cruise. It is a time we learn about our heavenly Father. We learn about His grace, mercy, goodness, kindness, correction and love. We learn that we don’t have to cut our showers of cleansing short because we will never exhaust the warm refreshing of His love and forgiveness.

His love endures forever. His mercy is new every morning. Great is God’s faithfulness. His grace abounds.

Living a life dependent upon the Lord, upon all that He is, here on earth is just a fore-taste of how great heaven will be!

“Let us thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was through His loving-kindness that we were born again to a new life and have a hope that never dies. This hope is ours because Jesus was raised from the dead. 4 We will receive the great things that we have been promised. They are being kept safe in heaven for us. They are pure and will not pass away. They will never be lost. 5 You are being kept by the power of God because you put your trust in Him and you will be saved from the punishment of sin at the end of the world.” I Peter 1:3-5 NLV

Take time to enjoy the journey. Our loving Father has supplied abundantly for every need!

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