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-“The three grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.” –Alexander Chalmers -Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. –Colossians 3: […]

-For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. –Hebrews 4:12 -The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was

-God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any of us. –Acts 17:27 -“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat

-About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. –Acts 16: 25-26 -On June 12th, 1999,

-“The perfect job is a myth. No job is perfect, and no career path is without its challenges and setbacks. Even if you land your ‘dream job,’ you’ll likely find that it’s not exactly what you imagined it to be.” –John Lovig, linkedin.com -What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden

-How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?…Turn and answer me, oh Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die! –Psalm 13: 1,3 -“Because you’re not quite evil enough. You’re quasi-evil. You’re semi-evil. You’re the margarine of evil. You’re the Diet

-“…the harsh reality (is) that replying to your BFF’s Instagram story doesn’t count as catching up. I’ve done this for so long that it’s become a guilt-inducing normality for me–the lazy girls guide to friendships. I want to connect more, to have a real conversation beyond the somewhat vapid small talk and reactionary comments, but

-This is what the Lord says–the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it… –Isaiah 42:5 -…since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. –Hebrews 17:25

-She: My beloved is mine and I am his; he browses among the lilies. Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the rugged hills. –Song of Songs 2: 16-17 Stop me if you’ve heard this one before… There’s a girl

-side by each (colloquial expression, origin Quebecois): next to each other; side by side -By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me–a prayer to the God of my life. –Psalm 42:8 -In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and

-“Prove to me that God exists.” Prove to me that He doesn’t. –field notes, 2023 -“If you can understand it, it’s not God.” –St. Augustine -Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know

-service: the action of helping or doing work for someone; contribution to the welfare of others; a period of time spent in the military -“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” –Mark 10:45 -Each of you should

-“The Chevrolet Corvair…the most dangerous automobile on the road…” –“Unsafe at Any Speed” by Ralph Nader -“Ralph Nader, kiss my rear-mounted engine!” –teenage Shelbo -But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so

-closure (psych.): a feeling that an emotional or traumatic experience has been resolved -Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. –Romans 12:19 -But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since

-Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile.” The light flows from their branches. –“When I am among the trees” by Mary Oliver -Their massive size makes them out of scale for all but the largest landscapes. –“Planting Cottonwood Trees” from gardeningknowhow.com -“But blessed is the one who trusts in

-Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon Your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or

-Went to church today. It was like Noah’s ark…the animals come in two by two. Except for me. –journal entry, 2016 -Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men, couldn’t put Humpty together again. –British nursery rhyme, 1882 -Turn to me and

-So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. –1 Peter 2:1 -“…Then it (impure spirit) says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean, and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits

-Reality, you are the only thing standing between me and a perfect life. –field notes, 2023 -For I have the desire to do what is good, but I can not carry it out. –Romans 7:18b -Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth

-…that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God. –portion of the Oath of Enlistment

-Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. –Colossians 3:2 -Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. –Romans 12:2 -Me: Be kind, you never know what someone is going through. Also me: Nice turn-signal, $%#@%&!!! –popular meme Traffic. Ugh. The Achilles’ heel

**I was reminded of this “field note” the other day…in a random/not random way. It’s time to share it. -I love Your voice, You have led me through the fire; in darkest night, You are close like no other… –“Goodness of God” -Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,

-Is prayer your steering wheel, or your spare tire? –Corrie Ten Boom -Sometimes God says, “No.” Sometimes God says, “Slow.” Sometimes God says, “Grow.” Sometimes God says, “Go.” –Greg Laurie, among others -…We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? –Romans 6:2 I stood there, contemplating something…”quasi-dishonest.”

-“The bad stuff is easier to believe. You ever notice that?” –Vivian, “Pretty Woman” -I trusted him to be honest. He wasn’t. I trusted that he loved me. He didn’t. I trusted that he would protect me. I didn’t realize that he was my biggest threat. –journal entry, 2018 -Love is patient, love is kind.

-We can talk with God just like we do with a friend. As if He’s sitting right next to us. –Adam Weber, “Talking with God” -The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him and He makes known to them His covenant. –Psalm 25: 14 -Friendship is a verb. –Shelbo’s field notes, 2020

-trail guide: someone who assists others as they travel to reach a destination on a path across a wild region over rough terrain -Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we

-Instead of aiming for perfect, try aiming for great. –Tony B. -And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. –Romans 8:28 -“…God will use you, this God will use all of you, and not just your strengths, but

-Jesus extends acceptance and kindness first. He never says, “First clean up your act, then come to me.” Rather He first says, “Come.” –hopeline.com -“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” –Matthew 11:28 -“How’s it going, Jerry?” “Not too worse!” –my dad -Farm workshop facilities: A

John 3:16–For 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. Matthew 28:6–He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. From “Good Enough” by Kate Bowler–“So, blessed are we then who have been excluded, shunned, or

–“No! Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.” -Yoda –You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13 –“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” -John 15:9 People will say, “Don’t talk to me about

Psalm 27:14–Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord. Romans 12:12–Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Ecclesiastes 3:1–To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Time. A blessing among so many others from our Father. In 2009 I was

*I had the honor of being asked to do the opening for our amazing Community Bible Study. Several members urged me to publish it as a blog post, so here it is, in all its perfect imperfection. I pray that it will inspire and encourage whoever needs it. 1 Corinthians 3:7–So neither the one who

activist: a person who campaigns to bring about political or social change –Me: I always wanted to be a cheerleader. –My fiance John: You are…you’re a cheerleader for God. As the Lord’s servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind toward all, a good and patient teacher, who is gentle as you correct your

Beauty is one of the richest graces God has provided to heal our souls and absorb His goodness…You don’t need to travel far to find beauty. God has strewn it around the globe in such generous portions we have only to stop and notice. –John Eldredge, “Get Your Life Back” The heavens declare the glory

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken. –Psalm 55:22 “I’m surprised. God is not.” –text from my friend T By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me–a prayer to the God of my life. –Psalm 42:8 Valentine’s

Romans 6:21– What benefit did you reap at the time from the things you are now ashamed of? For some reason this verse is really sticking with me today, Lord. I think about college, and when I was about as far from You as I’ve ever been in my life. I knew my Shepherd, but

defiant: full of or showing a disposition to challenge or fight; boldly resisting “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” –Matthew 11:28 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope

Why are cell phones so great at connecting us when we’re apart, yet so effective at disconnecting us when we’re together? –journal entry, September 2022 …let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our

“According to 1 Corinthians 13, believers are to love the unlovable. We are to love people who do not appreciate our love, do not reciprocate in kind, are demanding, and think of themselves as entitled.” –David L. Goetsch May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. –Proverbs 16:9 “It’s a new dawn, It’s a new day, It’s a new life…for me… And I’m feeling…good.” –“Feeling Good” by Nina Simone In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait

“the real deal” (def.): genuine, authentic, worthy of serious regard Walt Kowalski (to Father Janovich): “Well, I think you’re an overeducated 27-year-old virgin who likes to hold the hands of old ladies who are superstitious and promises them eternity.” –from the movie “Gran Torino” He reached down from on high and took hold of me;

…”Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest…” –Jeremiah 45:3 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as

“I’m definitely a people pleaser. I like people to be happy around me and be comfortable. I go out of my way, sometimes to a fault, to make sure everyone is okay.” –Ken Jeong Shelbo, be still, shut up, and know that I am God. –from my journal And without faith it is impossible to

derecho: a large fast-moving complex of thunderstorms with powerful straight-line winds that cause widespread destruction “Oh, hear my prayer tonight, I’m singing to the sky, give me strength to raise my voice, let me testify. Oh, hear my prayer tonight, ’cause this is do or die, The time has come to make a choice… And

“For I hold you by your right hand–I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.’” –Isaiah 41:13 In falling, in failing, we rise. –journal entry, 2018 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ

bully (noun): a person who habitually seeks to harm or intimidate those whom they perceive as vulnerable “…Whenever I see black and blue, I feel the past, I share the bruise With everyone who’s come and gone My head is clear, my voice is strong, now I’m right here to right the wrong…” –“Bully” by

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9 I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. –Philippians 4:13 For over all, His glory will be shelter and protection: shade from

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” –Matthew 7: 1-2 Learn to relate to others through My Love rather than yours…Let My Love envelop your outreach to other people.

“Is that all you got? I’ll take your best shot…” –“Boom” by POD “Success on any field starts with faith. Faith in yourself. Faith in teammates. Faith in coaches. And in my case, faith in God.” –Kurt Warner Through You we will push back our adversaries; through Your name we will trample down those who

There ain’t no grave can hold my body down When I hear that trumpet sound I’m gonna rise right out of the ground –“Ain’t No Grave” by Johnny Cash “Don’t worry about the numbers. Just preach.” –from a sermon by Pastor W. Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with