Category: Living Faith

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I Want To Find Joy!

Key Verse:

As pressure and stress bear down on me,
    I find joy in your commands. Psalm 119:143 (NLT)

I prefer the loop trails over the out and back trails. I like encountering something different all the way around instead of the same thing from the opposite direction.

In life, I sometimes find myself returning to some of the same places from a different direction. Places where pressure and stress are bearing down on me.

I scramble through my days trying to stay ahead of them (pressure and stress). I stay busy in hopes of distracting myself from their presence.

I ignore them or pretend they’re not there. I fret and stew and hold onto emotions in fear of shattering into a million pieces.

I wrestle with situations beyond my control and struggle over how any of what’s going on in the world around me can be good and right when it feels so wrong and hurts so bad.

I brace against the passive agressive inuendos others serve on the self-righteous platters of their own understanding.

What I know and what I feel are in conflict and create unbearable pressure and stress. They build and hover around the periphery of my consciousness. Ever encroaching on and pushing against the force field of my faith.

I didn’t even know I had returned to a place of pressure and stress until I recently received Psalm 119:143 as my verse of the day. Wow! There it was! Like a sign post on the side of the trail reminding me there’s no camping beyond this elevation.

PRESSURE:

1. continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it.

2. the use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation to make someone do something.

Bing Definition

Stress:

pressure or tension exerted on a material object.

Bing Definition

Ezra wrote Psalm 119 for the people of Israel. Not to encourage them to pretend pressure and stress weren’t bearing down on them. Nope! He was acknowledging the pressure and stress WHILE reminding them how to find joy right there in the middle of it.

The first half of the verse caught my attention and helped me see where I was. The second half of the verse brought renewed hope. It was like the promise of fresh, sweet water after a long, hot hike.

Right there in that moment, I told the LORD I wanted to exchange the joy of His commands for the pressure and stress bearing down on me.

If you’re like me, it’s helpful to read and remember the LORD’s commands, so here they are…

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Deuteronomy 6:5-6 (NLT)

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)

These commands are consistent in both the Old and New Testatment. Commands given for the purpose of bringing joy to every Jesus-follower.

I’m so thankful the LORD grabbed my attention with His word. Thankful for the reminder that loving Him and others is where we find joy!

Wondering how it’s possible to love God and love people without pressure and stress bearing down on you? Jesus has given every Jesus-follower our own personal Helper. His name is Holy Spirit, and He comes bearing an amazing fruit. This fruit has nine characteristics, and each characteristic makes it possible for us to love God and others well.

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

Joy Challenge: This does not have to take a lot of time, but it needs to be time spent without distractions; time spent giving the LORD our full and undivided attention.

1-Be still with the LORD. Spend time reading His word (the Bible) and talking to Him (praying). Learn of Him and from Him. Tell Him what you love about Him, and thank Him for the good things He has done for you and given to you.

2-Cast all your cares on Jesus. (Imagine standing on the seashore throwing shells into the ocean. Each shell represents a person or situation you’ve been carrying around. Now imagine the ocean is the LORD’s arms.)

3-Prayerfully and intentionally practice sharing Holy Spirit fruit with others. Be sure to take notice which characteristic you struggle to share with which person. Expect Holy Spirit to help you learn to love well.

I’d love you to commit to joining me in this challenge. Leave your name in the comments section as a way of letting me know. Or share this post with someone and invite them to join you in the challenge.

Digging Deeper:

Psalm 46:10, John 14: 15-21, Galatians 5:22-25, James 1:17 & 1 Peter 5:7

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Finding Our Way Through the Fog of Loss

Show me the right path, O Lord;
    point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God who saves me.
    All day long I put my hope in you.

Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT)

Today is the seven month anniversary of Daddy’s death. Yesterday was his birthday. Two days ago, George’s brother lost his battle with Covid-19, and his wife is still in the hospital fighting the same battle.

But death is not the only way we experience loss and grief. In fact, every person in the world has experienced varying degrees of loss and grief this year. We’ve all experienced the loss of “normal” living in some way or another.

Loss of jobs, homes, lifestyles.

Loss of health, plans, dreams, traditions, the familiar.

Loss of the basic ability to come and go without possibly endangering ourselves or those around us.

Every loss hurts.

I cannot measure your pain by my pain, nor can you measure my pain by yours. It doesn’t matter how similar our loss may be. No two of us are alike, and we experience grief as uniquely as we are created. We all respond to loss, pain, and grief differently and in varying amounts of time.

Grief will not go away just because we want it to or because others tell us it’s time.

Nor is grief diminished just because we expect the loss.

I’ve heard of the “fog of grief” after a loss, but I’ve actually come to appreciate the fog. It created a blessed narrowing of my vision. An obscuring of all but the next step I needed to take. A blurring of everything outside of the immediate. Leaving me to live in the moment. Allowing me to see and savor what is precious in the present.

That’s why I chose today’s verse. That’s why George and I raced over to Long Park a couple of weeks ago after we woke to a foggy neighborhood. I wanted pictures. I wanted to capture and share a tiny glimpse of the hope and love I’ve discovered during my fog of grief. Fog has become a picture of the all encompassing comfort the LORD gives His children during our days of grief.

One other thing…

Just as fog muffles sound, the fog of grief will muffle the noise of the often well-meaning yet carelessly spoken words of others.

Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;

    it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;

Proverbs 15:23 & 28a (NLT)

Whatever loss you’re walking through right now. Whatever the pain you’re experiencing. May you find your hope in Jesus. May you feel His presence and love for you in a tangible way today. May His light penetrate the fog of grief surrounding you and help you see each next step. May His blessing of fog protect and comfort you until the light of His love burns it off and reveals all the beauty of living He still has in store for you.

Taken by George at Tunnel Parking Overlook on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park – October 2, 2020

I look up to the mountains—

    does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth!

Psalm 121:1-2 (NLT)

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Jesus – John 16:33 (NLT)

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I See, You See…

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Matthew 16:13-28

Key Verse:

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Matthew 16:23 (NLT)

George and I were enjoying a ride on one of our neighborhood’s bike paths when I spied what I decided to call Tree Coral. I insisted we stop so George could take pictures.

I’ve since learned they are “Chicken of the Woods” mushrooms. Yes, they’re mushrooms. And yes, they supposedly taste like chicken. If you’d like to learn more about them, there’s a link in the Fun Facts section at the bottom.

George didn’t have his camera, but he took these with his phone.

I was so delighted with the beauty of my “Tree Coral” I could hardly wait to share it. I sent a message and a pic to my mom and a friend as soon as we got home. I was totally surprised by their replies.

“I know this is probably a fungus, but it is beautiful! For some reason it made me think of sin.”

Momma

“It looks much better in your pic than on the front of my log house!! I will deem it house barnacle in TN, lol.”

Kim

Wow! Talk about different perspectives!

No, I haven’t changed my mind about the beauty of what we saw that day, but those mushrooms sure have given me food for thought. No pun intended!

In today’s Scriptures passage, the same Peter who says, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God” is the one who tells Jesus He’s wrong about His coming death and resurrection. Peter actually says to Jesus, “This would never happen to you.”

Look at what Jesus said in response. “You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.“

God has used His word and mushrooms to help me understand something very simple and profound…

My perspective will impact my ability to see, trust, and follow Jesus.

We see mushrooms on every hike! They come in a multitude of shapes, sizes, colors, and locations. They’re beautiful and fascinating! And now, they’re reminders to check my perspective.

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Fun Facts:

Here’s a link about the “Chicken of the Woods” mushrooms. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laetiporus

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Tripping on the Trail

Key Verse:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

Something I’ve discovered while hiking is how impossible it is to take pictures and enjoy the beauty around me WHILE watching where I walk.

One example, Fern Hollow Loop Trail was riddled with rocks and roots hidden under layers of leaves.

We had to keep our eyes on the trail or risk a fall.

BUT

We had to stop to see all the opportunities surrounding us.

The pictures below give you a tiny glimpse of all we would’ve missed if we didn’t pause along the way. We experienced beauty and history and people. There was so much more we experienced together, but there’s not enough space or time to share it all here.

  • Watching a squirrel eat his acorn.
  • Observing textures and colors and differences.
  • Taking time to interact with others along the way. (Yes, they’re already walking away.)
  • Stopping to stack rocks is something done in Iceland as a way to mark your path. Each one who passes by adds a rock. We found these and added our own.
  • Enjoying a bench left to memorialize a loved one.
  • Pausing to hear and see the sights and sounds around us.
  • Seeing the unique hidden in plain sight.
  • Looking for the brilliance of the leaves as they change into their fall colors.
  • Being amazed by the size of this tree!
All these pictures are from our hike on Fern Hollow Loop in the Bull Run Mountain Area Preserve – Oct 9, 2020

Our hikes have all taken longer than the trail guides tell us they will. Why? Because we do so much stopping along the way. We take hundreds of pictures on every hike. There is so much to see and enjoy. There are so many people to speak to along the way.

Every trail finds us caught between the need to keep moving forward and our ability to experience each opportunity we encounter along the way.

I’ve mulled this over a lot. I’ve struggled with the contradiction of it.

I will never get anywhere if I just stop moving, but I will miss so much if I don’t ever stop.

I’m coming to realize there’s a life altering lesson here. A lesson I suspect will transform my understanding of the daily application of what it means to follow Jesus.

His word is very clear about our need to keep our eyes on Him. But He’s also clear about us being aware of our surroundings. How do we do both?

Jesus never went off mission. He came to seek and save the lost, but He was always willing to be interrupted along the way. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and take note of all the times He stopped what He was doing or where He was going and interacted with people on a personal basis. There was nothing distracted or generic about those interactions!

I must learn from the LORD by reading and studying His word, the Bible. I must spend time communicating with Him in prayer. But, I must also act on what I learn from Him and of Him. I must allow Him to renew my mind and transform the way I think. I must also practice living what I learn.

So, as scary as it feels, I’m asking the LORD to point out any misconceptions I have about what it means to follow Jesus and walk by His Spirit. I have no idea what this request is going to bring, but I do know…I’m desperate for Jesus to help me unlearn my own ways of thinking and doing, so I can learn to live my life according to His ways of thinking and doing.

I want to keep my eyes on Jesus and follow Him closely. I also want to grab with both hands every opportunity He has for me. To live alert to Him and others. To live with and love Him and others well.

I know following Jesus requires me to move when He moves and stay when He stays. Easy to say (or write). I’m wondering where I’m holding back. I’m wondering what I’m missing because of my own understanding of what it looks like to live my life following Jesus. Living free of any preconceived ideas of what it means to follow Him.

I’m convinced Jesus is wooing me to a place of deeper understanding. I’m equally convinced He’s prepared opportunities of unspeakable joy for me (and you) if we’re brave enough to follow Him into new, uncharted, and unknown places.

Doing one without neglecting the other. Pausing and moving. Being still long enough to hear His instructions, but also acting on them immediately. Learning and living with diligence and discipline. Staying close and going out into the world all at once.

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

Digging Deeper:

Psalm 46:10, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 16:5-15, Romans 12:2, Galatians 5:25, Hebrews 12:2

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Word’s I’ve been hearing the LORD whisper as I’ve struggled to learn this lesson, “Trust I’m able to teach you, Barbara. Be humble. Be moldable. Learn from me. Allow me to take the lead. I’ll show you My way for you, give you joy in the relationships I’ve given you, and use the opportunities I have for you to bring blessing to you and others.”

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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I Was Just Trying To Help!

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Matthew 7:1-5

Key Verse:

How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Matthew 7:4 (NLT)

I started paying extra attention to the numbers of downed trees on the trails after reading these verses in Matthew.

Notice how these trees are cut at both sides of the trail’s edge to create a passageway.

Pictures taken by George on the Bull Run Mountain Fern Hollow Loop Trail – October 9, 2020

These were left uncut and create an obstacle course.

Picture taken by George on the Hawksbill Gap Loop Trail – October 2, 2020

Jesus was talking to the people about what happens when we try to help others before letting Him remove the log of sin from our own eye.

Jesus created a vivid word picture of terrible pain, struggle, and abuse with His words!

Read the key verse again…

How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?

This verse is what prompted me to take the following picture during a hike on the Thornberry House Loop Trail. I wanted to “see” what it would be like to have a log protruding from my eye. I set my camera on the cut end of the log and snapped the picture.

Imagine with me…

This log is lodged in your eye. It’s protruding outward. Imagine the pain. Notice how little you can see. Consider the damage you inflict on everyone around you.

Sin fills our vision and hinders our ability to see and follow Jesus.

Sin creates division and distance between us and others.

Sin grows when left unchecked.

Every relationship is affected when we have a log of sin painfully embedded in our eye.

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

Digging Deeper:

Psalm 51:7-13, Psalm 139: 23-24, Luke 11:34-36, John 3:17-21, Romans 12:1-5, Galatians 5:14-15 & 24-26, James 1:13-15 James 4:17, 1 John 1:9, 1 John 5:17,

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Pressing On in Adversity with No Comparison!

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Colossians 1:3-20

Key Verse:

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, Colossians 1:11 (NLT)

George and I hiked the Hawksbill Loop Trail last Friday. It’s not overly long and the elevation changes are not extreme, but plenty of challenge for us. We’d been walking a while when we came upon a sign I’d not seen posted on any of our previous hikes.

Have you every wondered about the “why” behind an instruction? Well, we didn’t have to go much further up the trail before we understood the reason for this sign.

The path ahead was all rocks!

I had to pick my way across a rock only surface. It was the only way forward. The rocks rose up the mountain to my left, and the rocks dropped down the mountain to my right.

I was about halfway across the first portion of the 300 yard “Off-trail use prohibited” section when I began to realize the precariousness of my position.

The reality of what could happen if I lost my footing flashed through my mind.

I’ll state the obvious; we didn’t fall.

In fact, we even enjoyed a bit of silly fun as we pressed on toward the summit.

  • It’s a Hollow Tree!
    Or is it a Holy Tree?
    Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
  • Barb Peeking At George
  • George Peeking At Barb
Taken on the Salamander Portion of the SNP Hawksbill Trail Loop

The rewards for our efforts and perseverance were great.

Not only did we enjoy some beautiful views, but completing the trail brought with it an unbelievable sense of satisfaction and confidence.

  • View from Bird’s Nest just a half mile below the Summit
  • Hawksbill Summit
  • Hawksbill Summit
Pictures were taken by George and Barb (mostly George) October 2, 2020

Okay, let’s switch gears a minute and take a look at our friends’ hike.

They hiked the Dark Hollow and Rose River Loop Trail the Monday before our Friday hike. It’s another SNP trail, but it’s a MUCH more difficult trail to hike. It’s twice as long, and the elevation changes are three times those of the trail we hiked.

Kim wrote, “It was misty and foggy going in, and the name, Dark Hollow Falls, made it even more fun.”

Kim honestly shared the hardship of traversing the wet, slippery, and very steep downhill trail to the falls. Her desire for it to be over grew as her strength and stamina was challenged.

She and Jeff enjoyed being together and seeing the beauty of multiple waterfalls up close and personal.

Pictures taken and story shared by Kim Barker after she and Jeff hiked the
SNP Dark Hollow & Rose River Loop Trail on September 28, 2020

As Kim and I emailed one another about our hikes, I kept thinking about the differences in us and in the paths we hiked. The more I thought about it, the more I felt the LORD pressing me to understand, learn, and apply those lessons to my daily walk with Him and others. So here are some of the things I learned…

My path will be different than yours; your path will be different than mine.

The length will vary according to the number of days the LORD gives us.

We’ll meet different people and may even walk with some of the same people more than once in a lifetime.

The pains and heartaches we endure may be similar, but they will impact, influence and inspire us differently.

Our challenges will most definitely be more than we can handle alone; each will require us to trust Jesus. Trust Him to equip us with everything we need and lead us safely to our trail’s end.

We can be sure we’ll grow weary. We may even consider giving up, but

When we press on…

Our trust in Jesus grows as we witness His faithfulness all along the way.

We learn to recognize His presence and His goodness right smack dab in the middle of the hardest places of our lives.

We gain strength, stamina, and steadfastness of spirit.

We learn to be gracious with ourselves and others.

We understand and we acknowledge our unique personalities and physical characteristics create different places of struggle for each of us, even when facing similar circumstances.

We genuinely celebrate the accomplishments and success of others.

And, we tell the story of the trail we’ve traveled with Jesus. We encourage others to be Jesus-followers too; no matter where He leads them and without looking back.

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

Digging Deeper:

Matthew 11:28-30, Ephesians 2:1-10, Philippians 3:13-15

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Trail Thoughts on Temporary Treasures

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Luke 12:13-34

Key Verse:

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:21 (NLT)

I believe “cloudy with a chance of rain” days are for taking a quick walk someplace close. That’s why we chose to walk the Matthew’s Hill Loop Trail last week.

We stood at the top of the hill and admired the beauty surrounding us. That’s when I noticed the hay in the field across the way. Seeing those giant hay blocks stacked beside rolls and rolls of hay reminded me of what Jesus said in Today’s Scripture Passage.

All that hay had me thinking about the focus of my daily choices.

LORD, what motivates my choices? Am I trusting You to take care of my needs? Is my mind fixed on the things of the Spirit or the things of the flesh? Am I rich in my relationship with You?

Now, please don’t misunderstand. I believe the owners of the field should reap the benefits of their hard work. A workman is worthy of his wages. The LORD brings increase by blessing the work of our hands. He shows us His goodness in the land of the living, and absolutely everything we have comes from Him. He wants us to enjoy it and be generous with it!

No, as I thought about all that hay, I began to feel the LORD calling me to set aside some extra time with Him; a time other than our standing morning appointment together.

This was a special time set aside for a specific purpose: to seek the LORD’s point of view on what I’m gathering, stacking, and storing away. This was a time to let Him take out my daily activities and reveal the motives behind each one. A time to ask if my riches are temporary or eternal treasures in His sight.

The encounter was both sweet and salty. My relationship with Jesus was strengthened and enriched. It was a time to be savored, but it also left me thirsty for more of the living waters of Jesus. I was humbled by His gentleness in revealing the answers to my requests with such clarity. I was encouraged to be diligent in seeking His full exposure of my heart more often.

I learned much of what appears eternal is not.

and

Not everything I consider temporary is.

George took this picture so you could see what we passed on our way over to Thornberry Loop Trail — the very next day! We’ve passed this barn a zillion times since moving to the area ten years ago.

Now it’s become another constant and gentle reminder to store my treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust can destroy.

Yes, Jesus has a great sense of humor. His word tells us laughter is good medicine. I think He pointed this corn field, silo, and barn out to me, so I would laugh with Him. Reminding me of His presence and soothing the sore places of my heart.

I encourage you to set aside a special time with Jesus. A time to ask Him to let you see the treasures of your heart. I promise, you’ll be glad you did!

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

Digging Deeper:

Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew 6:24-34 & 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Trail Lesson 201-C

Today’s Scripture Passage:

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Key Verse:

It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 1 Corinthians 3:7 (NLT)

Today is the conclusion of the continuous thought thread I’ve been pulling after our time on the Compton’s Peak Trail.

It began with the reminder Jesus is The Way and continued last week with the importance of Jesus-followers telling others Jesus is The Way. https://barbaracoulson.com/trail-lesson-201-b/

We didn’t get on the trail until almost a week after Alex told us about it. Why am I telling you the timeline between Alex telling us about the trail and us actually hiking the trail?

Well, the LORD’s been calling me to remember the joy of my salvation and share it with enthusiasm. He doesn’t want sharing His Good News to be a chore I check off of my list of things to do today. And He doesn’t want the rejection of what I share to become my responsibility.

Read our Key Verse again…

It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 

It is our responsibility to tell others who Jesus is.

It is our responsibility to invite them to believe and follow Jesus.

It is NOT our responsibility to make them accept His invitation.

I can enjoy sharing Jesus when I remember He is the One who makes the seed of His word grow. It’s all about Him and His timing. He’s their creator. He knows them better than anyone else. He’s got this.

I can remember the joy of my salvation and share Jesus with enthusiasm.

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

Digging Deeper:

Matthew 13:3-9 & 18-23

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Trail Lesson 201 – B

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Romans 10:9-17

Key Verse:

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? John 10:14

Last week was all about us walking on a trail someone else had already created for us and how Jesus, God in the flesh, did the same by making a way for us to spend our ever after in heaven. https://barbaracoulson.com/trail-lesson-201-a/

Today I want to continue with what began during our Compton’s Peak Trail hike.

We hiked Compton’s Peak Trail because a friend told us about it.

We’d seen it on our trail list, but it was just another trail in a list of many.

She didn’t give us a list of reasons why we HAD to hike the trail.

She didn’t tell us we SHOULD hike the trail.

Nope!

She told us she hiked the trail.

She told us about her experience on the trail.

She shared what she enjoyed about it, the effort it took, where it’s located, and how we could get there. Yes! She even told us which mile marker to look for on Skyline Drive. She was very specific when answering our questions without ever giving us the impression we were less than because we had never been on this trail.

Once we were on the trail, all I could think was how thankful I was Alex had told us about the trail.

So what was my spiritual take-away?

Jesus wants His followers to tell others about Him.

Jesus wants us to tell others what it’s like to be a Jesus-follower and walk through life His Way.

Yes! Sharing Jesus with others can be full on scary.

Sharing our own personal journey with Jesus can feel even scarier. Why?

Sharing Jesus means living transparent, authentic, and humble lives.

Sharing Jesus means being disciplined and committed to following Jesus myself!

Sharing Jesus presses me to love Jesus and others as He loves me!

Okay, three things and I’m finished…

1… The more you and I know of Jesus, the more we will understand how wide, high, long, and deep His love is for us. The more we understand just how much He loves us, the more we will love Him. The more we love Jesus, the more we will love others and tell them about Him.

2… We can do nothing apart from Jesus, when we remain in Him, there is nothing we cannot do through Him.

3… Walking by Holy Spirit produces His Spirit fruit in us and protects us from becoming prideful and stingy Jesus-followers.

There’s more from Compton’s Peak Trail, but let’s save it for another day.

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

Digging Deeper:

Isaiah 52:7, Matthew 28, 18-20, Mark 16:15, John 15, Galatians 5, Ephesians 3: 14-19, Philippians 4:13, & 1 Peter 3:15

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Trail Lesson 201 – A

Today’s Scripture Passage:

John 14:1-6

Key Verse:

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

George and I have been having the best time exploring local trails. We’ve not really been on many of them pre-retirement, but there are enough to keep us busy for a long time to come.

Last Friday, we went to Skyline Drive and used the Appalachian Trail (AT) to access Compton Peak Trail. We enjoyed the views from the west end. The rest and shelter at the bottom of the east end was a welcome respite before our hike back to the car.

One view from Compton Peak Trail West

My mind always goes in a million directions. There’s just so much to see and learn on the trail, but two things keep coming back to me after this trip.

I’m only going to share one this week, and save the other for next week.

Every trail exists because someone went before us and made a way for us.

I have to tell you. Compton Peak Trail was a great hike. For me it was made doubly wonderful because a major portion of it was spent on the AT. Yes, I have a real love for the AT. In fact, it was once my dream to do a thru-hike.

Anyway, back to last Friday. This was not an easy hike. The All Trails site lists it as moderate, but it was hard for me. The east end was very steep and rocky. I was nervous in a couple of places, but the hard work seemed to double the satisfaction I felt when we reached the bottom.

If you look closely, you can see a portion of the trail we used to get to my position at the bottom. It cuts right between those two trees. (This wasn’t even the hard section, but I was too busy trying to stay safe to think about taking a picture for you.)

Okay, here’s the first spiritual picture I saw in this adventure.

We (all mankind) want to spend eternity in heaven. Heaven is where God lives and we cannot get there on our own. God knew this, so He made a way for us to get there. That way is not a trail through a beautiful forest. Nope! The Way is God Himself, in the flesh. His name is Jesus. He is The Way, the only Way, for anyone to be in relationship with God the Father. The only way to spend eternity with Him in His home in heaven.

You might be wondering why that’s the only way. Well, because God says so; He’s the Creator of heaven and earth. That means He is the only One who has the authority to say what is right or wrong (regardless of how many people vote otherwise). He’s the One who defines sin. He is holy. We are sinners.

No! We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners. Holiness and sinfulness cannot co-exist. Therefore, we had no access to God.

God created us, loves us, and wants to be in a personal relationship with each of us. So, He made a way for that to be possible. He came to earth, lived a perfect life in a flesh and blood body, died for sins He didn’t commit, and was resurrected again on the third day. This is the Good News.

Why is it Good News? Because in living a sinless life and then dying for sins He didn’t commit, Jesus paid for our sins in His flesh. His resurrection defeated the second death and our souls are now eternal. He defeated forever the power sin and death held over our lives.

One more thing, where we spend eternity is determined by our decision to either believe in and follow Jesus or our own way.

No one is ever forced to follow Jesus, but we will all one day acknowledge who He is, whether we choose to follow Him or not.

We all have an ever after.

If you want to spend yours in heaven, Jesus is The Way to get there!

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

Digging Deeper:

Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, John 3:16-17, Acts 2:21, Acts 4:11-12, Romans 10: 9-11, Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 2:9-11

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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