Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear as I come to my daily River I thirst for the Lord "Why"?

"The Lord your God is in your midst,

A victorious warrior.

He will exult over you with joy,

He will be quiet in His love,

He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy." Zechariah 3:17

 

"As I stand here by my daily river, I am reminded of the Serendipitous Thoughts I have, "there was Jesus". His words speak to me of coming to the river everyday with a thirst for the Lord. But why do we come to the river? Why do we seek the Lord?

 

For many of us, we come to the river to find peace and tranquility. We come to escape the chaos and noise of the world around us. We come to find a quiet place where we can hear the voice of God.

 

But there is another reason why we come to the river. We come to quench our thirst for the Lord. We come to drink deeply of the living water that only He can provide. We come to be refreshed and renewed in our faith.

 

So, as we gather here today by the river, let us remember why we come. Let us come with a thirst for the Lord, ready to drink deeply of the living water that only He can provide. And 

let us be refreshed and renewed in our faith, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.

 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

 

Today, I "Sugar Bear "want to share with you about thinking like a warrior for Jesus Christ with the strength of God in our daily lives. Our lives as Christians are filled with challenges and battles. We face spiritual warfare every day, and we must be prepared to fight the good fight. But we are not alone in this fight, for we have the strength of God with us.

 

In 1 Corinthians 16:13, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." This is a call to think like warriors for Jesus Christ. We are called to be courageous and strong in our faith, and we must be prepared to face the challenges that come our way.

 

To help us think like warriors for Jesus Christ, I want to share with you three antidote stories based on daily reminders that we must always keep in mind.

 

First, we must focus on only the things we have total control over: our effort and attitude. In Philippians 4:13, Paul says, "I can do all things through him who gives me strength." We must remember that God is with us in everything we do, and we must put our trust in Him.

 

One example of this is the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. David faced a giant that no one else was willing 

to face. He had no control over the size or strength of his opponent, but he knew that he had total control over his effort and attitude. David put his trust in God and defeated Goliath with a single stone.

 

We must also have the same attitude in our daily lives. We may face challenges that seem insurmountable, but we must trust in God and focus on our effort and attitude. When we do this, we will be able to overcome any obstacle that comes our way.

 

Second, we must love what we do "volunteering" services and attack each day with joy and enthusiasm. In Colossians 3:23-24, Paul says, "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 a reward."

 

One example of this is the story of Mother Teresa. She devoted her life to serving the poorest of the poor in India. She loved what she did, and she attacked each day with joy and enthusiasm. She saw her work as a calling from God and approached it with a deep sense of purpose.

 

We must have the same attitude in our daily lives. We must love what we do and approach it with joy and enthusiasm. Whether we are serving in our church, volunteering in our community, or working in our jobs, we must see our work as a calling from God and approach it with a deep sense of purpose.

Third, we must dream big and ignore the naysayers. In Matthew 19:26, Jesus says, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." We must remember that nothing is impossible with God, and we must dream big and have faith in Him.

 

One example of this is the story of Wilma Rudolph. She was born prematurely and suffered from polio as a child. Doctors told her that she would never walk again, but she refused to accept their diagnosis. She dreamed big and worked hard, and eventually became a world-class sprinter, winning three gold medals in the 1960 Olympics.

 

We must have the same attitude in our daily lives. We must dream big and have faith in God. We must ignore the naysayers and the voices that tell us we cannot achieve our dreams. With God, all things are possible, and we must trust!

 

In conclusion, a Desire for spiritual fulfillment and guidance! Is my "Why"

"God bless you and this ministry" is a powerful and meaningful expression of support for those doing God's work. It recognizes their dedication and efforts, and acknowledges the importance of God's presence and provision in their work. May we always remember to bless and encourage those who are committed to serving others in His name So brothers and sisters 

 

God Bless You and This Ministry!

Serendipitous Thoughts by "Sugar Bear " What is it that gives,” The strength of God in us”?

Fear is the enemy of faith. It belongs to Satan, not Jesus. So, in everything I do now in my life is based on, “I am a Child of God” with a mindset of Christ This mindset has not always been within my insights. When we are in a position of need, it allows us to see how much we need God (2 Corinthians 1:9; 3:5; 13:4.). The more aware we are of our weakness, the more God can reveal His power through us: “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:7.

 

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his Law Day and night". Psalm 1:1-3

 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

 

I want to share with you today a testimony about the strength of God in us. As an athlete, I have experienced firsthand the power of God's strength in my life, even during the most challenging and difficult seasons. I want to share with you three stories from my personal journey, where I have witnessed the transformative power of God's strength in my life.

 

The first story is about a particularly difficult season of my career as a freshman Black athlete in an all-white community in Ames, Iowa. I was struggling to keep up with my studies, and I found myself falling behind in my classes. I blamed it on my skin color, feeling like a victim of discrimination. I wasn't going to class, and my grades suffered as a result. 

 

But God had a plan for me. As I re-read a quote by James Baldwin’s,” the skin and blood don’t think,” it highlighted the idea to me that a person’s race or physical appearance does not determine their worth or capabilities. That quote influences my mindset to not be a victim by reminding me that discrimination or prejudice thoughts based on my skin color is unjustified and irrational. Then God demonstrated His love in the most generous act the world will ever know. He sent His own Son, Jesus, to earth to take the punishment our sins deserve (John 3:16-18; Colossians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21) and

 sent me a mentor who didn’t look like me but who saw something in me that I couldn't see in myself. He encouraged me to take responsibility for my actions, to work harder, and to believe in myself. Through his guidance and support, I was able to turn my grades around and succeed in my studies.

 

Through this experience, I learned that God's strength is not limited by our circumstances or our background. He is with us always, offering us the strength we need to face our challenges head-on and to succeed in all that we do. If we lean on Him and trust in His plan, He will guide us through even the toughest of times.

 

The second story is about dealing with a career-ending ACL knee injury as an athlete. It was a devastating blow that left me feeling lost and uncertain about my future. I had always identified myself as an athlete, and now that part of my life was over.

 

But even during my pain and uncertainty, I felt God's presence with me, offering me His strength and His peace. He reminded me that my worth and my identity were not tied to my athletic abilities or my success on the field. Instead, my worth came from being a child of God, loved and cherished by Him.

 

Through this experience, I learned that God's strength is not just for the good times. It is also for the hard times, the painful times, and the times when we feel lost and uncertain. He is with us always, offering us His comfort, His guidance, and his unwavering love. If we trust in Him and lean on His strength, He will carry us through even the toughest of times.

 

The third story is about being fired as a football coach. It was a humbling experience that left me feeling lost and uncertain about my future. But even amid my pain and uncertainty, I felt God's presence with me, offering me His strength and His peace. He reminded me that my worth and my identity were not tied to my job title or my success on the football field. Instead, my worth came from being a child of God, loved and cherished by Him. Funny thing five years later God worked in my life through an unexpected twist and turn. Despite facing rejection and setback, my journey eventually led me back to where I was meant to be, in a position of leadership and success at my former school as head football coach again.

 

Through this experience, I learned to lean on God's strength and trust in His plan for my life. I discovered that even during our trials and struggles, God is with us, offering us His comfort, His guidance, and his unwavering love. If we trust in Him and lean on His strength, He will guide us through even the toughest of times. It also reminded me that even when we can’t see the bigger picture, God is always working behind the scenes to guide us towards our purpose.

 

In conclusion, the strength of God in us is a powerful force that can transform our lives and carry us through even the most challenging of times. God’s strength is made perfect in weakness when we put our faith and trust in Him. The Lord’s presence is all we need in times of weakness. His great power and sufficiency rest on us as we find our strength in Him, and He is glorified. We can say with the psalmist, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”. Psalm 73:26

 

Whether we are facing discrimination, career-ending injuries, or job loss, God is with us, offering us His strength, His peace, and his unwavering love. If we trust in Him and lean on His strength, He will guide us through even the toughest of times. As it says in Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not.

 

God's Strength in Athletics.

God Bless You and This Ministry!

 

Serendipitous oratory of Thought by Sugar Bear about being a “Spiritual Warrior”

 “Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.” 

Today is one of those inner Serendipitous oratory of Thought by Sugar Bear about being a “Spiritual Warrior” 

No man can at once give the impression that he is clever and that Christ is mighty to save. Making an impact or an impression is a heart issue. If God has your heart you aren’t seeking to impress others, but you desire for Jesus to impact the world around you through you as we learn from His Character

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Roman 12:12

Have you ever heard people say “you just know that you know” when something is right? Like knowing when you’re in love. Or when you hear those orations of thought from the clouds of explanation? Who are you listening to? Yourself, Satan or God?

“I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the Lord replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” Habakkuk 2:1-2 Ah, I know be still and quiet yourself down!

So what is the key to the emotional and spiritual well-being of every Christian.? IS it spiritual growth when you accept the good news,. Having a commitment to growing more and more like our creator God. Roman 12:12 says, first to Christians is to rejoice in hope. Often, we resist instruction about what we should feel: that we should change our attitudes to be joyful. The idea here, though, is more about declaring ourselves as having reason for joy. It's not a command to be happy, but to have the right perspective on our situation. We should agree with God that our hope is worth rejoicing over. What hope? Paul is referring to the hope of the redemption of our bodies and being united with our Father forever once our adoption is complete


I remember my first football coach in high school, Mr. Elmer Burney. He provided for me many useful words that challenged me in my life. He said, “It all starts with the belief that you can handle whatever challenge you’re facing, it’s a grind. He often said ,”The world doesn’t owe you a thing”, McFarland, It’s a choice each man makes. Set backs are temporary and quitters think that every small problems suddenly becomes a catastrophe. The mentally tough don’t make excuses or blame other people for their problems. There is something to be said for relying on such a strong foundation coming from a coach.

This gave me that spirit of personal mental attitude. Where you have total control over your efforts with a spirit of attitude. He also said do things with a mindset of love and Joy to Dream big and ignore the naysayers. Be relentless and never give up. But life is full of decisions and stages that made me not understand about the absolutes, specific by name or how do we/I know for sure that these ideas are coming from God? Am I hearing God? Or am I only hearing myself? Worse yet, am I hearing the temptations of Satan disguised as the leading of the Holy Spirit? Sometimes distinguishing our own ideas from God’s leading is difficult. Is it coming from the enemy? How do we take every thought captive?

If we are confused about whether or not we are hearing God, let us pray for wisdom, . How many times do we throw prayer out the window or forget about prayer. Alone with that we must study the “word” it is the primary way God speaks to us. I took this as a way to behave and mature with the mindset of a faithful child of God. The amazing truth of our faith is that our God wants to transform us. He wants to liberate us from all that hurts and ails us. At the heart of this transformation towards holiness is spiritual growth with the Holy Spirit’s leading us. He is always with us. No matter what decisions were making day to day we can’t go wrong when we exhibit love, joy, peace to the glory of God.

Spiritual growth is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. When we place our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins the process of making us more like Him, conforming us to His image.
The first one is be joyful in hope you might be saying I do not have hope, I’ve lost hope. This whole chapter in Romans is about love and action. That you do have the hope , you do have the joy. Why because you have God in you. Which leads to more Christlikeness. Remember, God wants to show us the right path to take. He’s not in the business of hiding His will from those who seek Him. The better we know our Shepherd, the less we have to worry about heeding the wrong voice.

So what inspires you about Jesus? That makes you relentless and will never let you give up on your Dream of serving the poor, the sick, and the distressed.

God Bless You and This Ministry!

My Serendipitous thought, how is Jesus messing with You?Me

 “My Serendipitous thought by Sugar Bear is always  just having my eyes open daily,’ for how Jesus is mess in with you/me today’.” 

 

I tapped her on the shoulder in the post office line and gave the stranger one of my Sugar Bear cards. Usually, people are too busy scrolling through their email and social media on their phone to notice me. she started reading the front of my card and laughed at my nickname, “Sugar Bear loves you” But at the same time she noticed my shirt. In all honesty, I didn’t even remember there were words on the front of my shirt until she started pointing  and said , what a good sense of humor, I’ve always wanted to talk about the football transfer portal.

“That came at the perfect time. I needed to hear that today. “As I looked at her quizzically, she pointed to my shirt’ you want to enter the transfer portal? I said Yes, for Christ! How is Jesus mess in with you today? “I needed to hear those exact words today,” she said again, more emphatically. I had to think for a moment to remember the words to which she was referring.

“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)

I spoke to her simply about how I came to understand that there was no way I could be good enough or work my way to heaven and there is none who does good. I declared that salvation is a gift of God, not something earned and it is received only by faith which is to simply trust in or rely completely on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as payment for my sin. But what does that have to do with the Transfer Portal term? 

You see Jesus is moving out on his mission to redeem and restore all people to his Father’s kingdom. And he invites us to join him. ‘Come, follow me.’ Joining Jesus on his redemptive mission is what I mean by the term ‘missional transfer portal living’. Simply living each day as if it were a mission trip thru your individual unrestricted people portal. The difference, of course, is that instead of being on a mission trip to a foreign land of sports, we are on a mission trip to our own 100 foot community circle of influence. We are “Neighborhood Transfer Missionaries”. Finally ,the postal clerk said, “Next” and I said to her, “How’s Jesus been messing with you lately?” Her response with a knowing smile, I’m finding that Jesus is messing with a lot of us. So, in his grace Sugar Bear, Jesus has started messing with us and he needs our attention for that. Because he intends for us to join him. Let the adventure begin and continue with “Grace the ongoing, benevolent act of God working in us, without which we can do nothing “. John 15:5

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. ” Hebrews 10:23

When I think about this verse there’s a different with God. If we let go of God he is still holding on to us. We can hold on to hope knowing the God of hope is holding on to us. And why because he who promised is faithful. When you promise something you are making a commitment to a future action. Something you will or will not do. So what are those promise from God we can hold on to? Good news the Bible is full of them. I want to point our three things. In 2 Thessalonians , God promises justice for those who have experienced in justice. Philippines 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ”.

And then finally in John 14 ,” Let not your heat be troubled; ye believe in God believe also in me, I will prepare a house for you and come back and get us, and not leave us or abandon. 

I don’t know what promises you need today. I encourage you to write a promise and put it on the Fridge and repeat it often, He who promised is faithful and we can count on God and His word. For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does,” declares Psalm 33:4 The Lord’s promises for our future is messing with us with hope for today. We can stand, walk, sleep, and wake securely in this truth: God is trustworthy to keep His Word and repeat it often 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

God Bless You And This Ministry!

Serendipitous Thoughts about proverbs 4:24-27

 Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear today while visiting my second favorite team(The Denver Broncos) to the Cyclones of Iowa state.

"Keep your mouth free of perversity;

keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.

Give careful thought to the[a] paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

Do not turn to the right or the left;

keep your foot from evil". Proverbs 4:24-27

Nights and days are forever when dealing with evil. It messes with your romance for sleep. Lately I've seen how people of the world wear "masks" of deception . They spread untrue like war children that ponder the inseparable path of their feet. In the meantime, with Satan's help they try to instill influences in our own human hearts to turn against God.

But your trust in the lord not a altering image, social media goblins that may misrepresent facts. What is real and true? you see its," a me and mister Jones syndrome " you just have to be very careful who you trust in this "masked" world .

My simple advice comes from Jeremiah. One of Jeremiah’s persistent themes is contrasting those who trust in human resources and those who put their confidence in the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.

You ever have a calypso moment in life? You ever have times in which you slip slide away and fall short of God's commands, especially based on the above scripture?

"Show and tell the game that's played " God only knows the mask we wear. Instead take this life and your patience toward God as you learn the path and where we are to walk.

In Deuteronomy 6:8–9 the Lord speaks of His laws, saying, “Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” A related passage says, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Despite the literal application of these verses you ever looked at that, have not been able to uphold God's law, and have the humbleness to come before him to plead for help?

We can't be who God has called us to be without the help of the Holy Spirit. He has given us everything, his word and spirit. He has made us into a new creations.

But there are times I've had a Chick-A-Boom moment about life making me feel like in the parable of the lost sheep or lost coin. Still needing a constant supply of strength in the mist of this life. I'm reminded that the smile is the first step in love and the beginning in friendship and the next time to sharing with a stranger. God has a joyous love for individuals who are lost (in sin) and are found (repent).

When God created us, He designed us to live in intimate, trusting fellowship with Him (John 3:16–17; Matthew 11:28–30; 1 Corinthians 1:9). I am reminded during times of trails, "When God created us, He designed us to live in intimate, trusting fellowship with Him" (John 3:16–17; Matthew 11:28–30; 1 Corinthians 1:9).

I pray that God would strengthen us this Day to walk with us in greater measure giving us widom with a playful heart that supplies us richly in devotion and worship in Jesus name Amen.

God Bless You And This Ministry!

Serendipitous thought by Sugar Bear my aunt

 Serendipitous thought by Sugar Bear as I visited my aunt Agnes in Cincinnati, the closies person to my mom.

For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

1 Timothy 3:5

I've often heard the phrase, "the people of God” this to me, always indicates a clear relationship of a family.

Family conveys a sense of belonging. That is why I decided to take time out of my life and visit family. I called it , The Rage of I-inter-state,” as it came to be known for me as my embodiment to drive on a family and teammate tour, everything good and bad, unforgettable and why-did-I-ever-think-this-would-be-fun? What was my motivation in doing this? To recapture, Who is my neighbor?”

I didn’t really have a specific “motivation”. I’ve always been what someone would consider a loner and always loved traveling by car. It really just made sense for me to travel alone. It was the only thing that would make me regain my happy spirit and forgiveness after so many difficulties with the "mask enemies"and understand what true love is.

We love people by genuinely seeking what is best for them. Loving others does not mean agreeing with everything they say or do, nor does it mean acting in ways that always gain their approval? Only if you don't want to be voted off the Island?

Being a part of the family of God is the greatest blessing bestowed upon believers and one that should drive us to our knees in humble adoration. We can never do anything to deserve it for it is His gift of love, mercy, and grace to us, yet, we are called to become sons and daughters of the Living God (Romans 9:25-26). May we all respond in faith to His invitation Our extending of forgiveness is motivated by the truth that God has forgiven our sin through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:32)

Where sin increases, grace increases all the more (Romans 5:20). Love covers a multitude of sins—and it keeps on covering . God Bless families.

God bless you and This Ministry

"Serendipitous Thought "Glover Rogers" by Sugar Bear "

 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

We got some devastating news.

today as we were celebrating teammates reunion someone who was more than a friend or teammate but our Cyclone brother, Glover Rogers A bond that spanned a lifetime just Came to abruptly to an end. The kind of friend that is family. You know the kind of friend I mean that everyone loves.

Glove you brought out the best in each of us, brother I love you. You were devoted to one another in love as a teammate and Honored one another above ourselves.” -- Romans 12:10

God did not ever intend your life to be one without a team. He created you for relationship with Him and with others; He created you to enjoy the love that comes along with having teammates to love and be loved by. Thank God for Team Jesus! We will miss you.

God Bless You and This Ministry!

 Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear. My first try at a podcast.

The sound is off . Goes to fast. Lucky its a work in progress. only on Spotify

but here is the link

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ustoI88UdiYiARPE9fTlR...

Serendipitous teammate Thoughts by Sugar Bear.

"I will give thanks to you, Lord; with all my heart I will tell of all your wonderful Deeds". Psalm 9:1

Gratitude is a knowing awareness that we are the recipient of goodness and yet to live a life of goodness is difficult.

How many times have we welled up with bitterness when no one notices or says thank-you when you do simple acts of kindness towards other people. You wait and wait but,"They only have a 'critical heart' ." And when they say thank you ,do you ever get the feeling it's not sincere?

"For where your treasure is , there your heart will be also".Matthew 6:21

When we are thankful, our focus moves off selfish desires and off the pain of current circumstances. Expressing thankfulness helps us remember that God is in control. Thankfulness, then, is not only appropriate; it is actually healthy and beneficial to us. It reminds us of the bigger picture, that we belong to God, and that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). Truly, we have an abundant life (John 10:10), and gratefulness is fitting.

So on this day as we celebrate Thanksgiving, see the goodness around us.

I invite us all to not be distracted by the brokenness of this world but practice gratitude by doing simple acts of kindness towards other people. When you’re being kind to others, you’re not the only one who’s giving away something. In fact, you are getting a lot, if not more, in return.

Make Thankfulness a way of life with the mindset of Christ.

Psalm 136:1 says, " Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. " let us recognize our faults and understand that without God there is only death. God desires His people in every generation to be generous-hearted givers. He wants His children to trust “that God is able to make all grace abound.” And He bountifully provides all we need.

God Bless You and This Ministry!

"Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear"

My thought of the day is ,"God Calls Us to Participate in Politics". What does that mean when dealing with political polarizating topics like climate change?

As the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13–14), the flourishing of our world is, in part, our responsibility.

It is interesting to note how the phrase "climate change" is replacing "global warming" as the catch phrase of environmentalism. Some scientists/climatologists are certain that human activity, primarily greenhouse gas emissions, is impacting the environment. What they are not certain about is precisely what the impact will be.

Polarized views about climate issues stretch from the causes and cures for climate change to trust in climate scientists and their research. But as an American,I support a role for scientists in climate policy that is bipartisan. But the costly remedies makes me scratch my head.

Where I live in Ames, Iowa the City Council members along with city staff are working on a 'Climate Action Program/Plan'. My first thought ,"How, then, should a Christian view climate change?

"We should view it skeptically and critically, but at the same time honestly and respectfully. Most importantly, though, Christians should look at climate change biblically. What does the Bible say about climate change? Not much.

My conversative side says,"will it be done in steps?

Will it be costly, disruptive or eventually make living in Ames unaffordable? So with everything what does scripture say?

Not much. Likely the closest biblical examples of what could be considered climate change would be the end times disasters prophesied in Revelation 6–18. Yet these prophecies have nothing to do with greenhouse gas emissions; rather, they are the result of the wrath of God, pouring out justice on an increasingly wicked world.

Is there anything wrong with going green? No, of course not. Is trying to reduce your carbon footprint a good thing? Probably so. Are renewable energy sources worth pursuing? Of course. Are any of these things to be the primary focus of followers of Jesus Christ? Absolutely not! As Christians, our focus should be proclaiming the truth of the gospel, the message that has the power to save souls. Saving the planet is not within our power or responsibility. Climate change may or may not be human-caused. What we can know for certain is that God is good and sovereign, and that Planet Earth will be our habitat for as long as God desires it to be. Psalm 46:2-3,

"Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."

Contact your Ames city council members with

Matthew 7:7 in mind,

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

https://www.cityofames.org/government/mayor-and-city-council

At issue is not whether we should question, but in what manner—and for what reason—we question. As a child of God, we should never ask Insincere questions, or questions from a hypocritical heart.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things"

Philippians 4:8

God Bless You and This Ministry

Serendipitous Thoughts on Christmas by Sugar Bear

“Here I come ready are not, here I come” Often when things are out of my hands I think of that quote. You see , I have those serendipitous, “to be born” moments of thought, that always start with , “what do we Live for”? or am I fearful , full of pride, indifferent or am I just lazy?

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14

Are you ready for what matters? That’s when my light comes on during the sounds of the ‘Noel’ season with great joy and I begin to pray for the truth and understanding of what does that mean?

Like newborn babies, you must crave spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” 1 Peter 2:2-3

The Holiday season brings an expectation of family, friends and shared experiences. As I read through our Christmas cards today each card from family and friends lead me to happy memories and cherished traditions of my youth. Though this is true for so many of us, it’s not true for all . But don’t lose heart. In 1 Peter 2: 2-3 , we are reminded of the importance’s of spiritual maturity as we grow from being broken, into a beautiful citizen of heaven, God is so faithful t us he provides us with wisdom, Grace and insights into each individual situation. Because of Jesus, I lift my head as I learn from Paul in Ephesians. He says, “so then you are no longer strangers and aliens of brokenness but you are fellow citizens with saints, and are God’s house hold.”

Always remember to take it to Jesus. We are all purposefully placed by a purposeful God with no fear,, doubt; because we believe Jesus does what he is famous for, walking in the Grace of God every day.

“my grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me”. 2 Cor 12:9

As we have received his mercy and grace in our lives, like the song that was soul music singing in our hearts, we must come to his table and testify to his grace by sharing the gospel with others and extend this invitation to those that God puts in our 100 foot circle of influence this season, knowing that , “by grace we have been saved through faith and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8

Ah, the thunder and lightning of Noel comes to me, “God’s grace to us that’s available every day “and we are co-workers in sharing this hope. Always come to the foot of the cross and bring our failures, sufferings and thirst no more.

With full knowledge that Jesus does identify with our sufferings but our suffering is the byproduct of the fall of mankind’s into sin whereas Jesus’ suffering was as a innocent Lamb slaughtered for the sake of other’s sin, not his own.

“The First Noel” the message of this truth song is the joyous pronouncement that the King of Israel has been born. Accept this free gift of love by giving each other gifts not just material possessions but worshiping him, and being especially conscious of the poor in realities and admitting that because of your sin, you are completely destitute spiritually before you can come to God in faith to receive the Salvation He offers.

Let us incline someone with the true meaning of a joyous noel, and following the example of the angels,, announcing the good news that Jesus Christ was born, not just for Israel, but for all mankind, so we could receive forgiveness of sins through Him.

So why did God do such a thing? Because He loves us! Why was Christmas necessary” Because we needed a Savior and shook the world with the salute of the Good news as people around the world transforming us as we declare with our mouth, for this occasion of joyful celebration as we join hands in this spiritual rebirth,” Very truly I tell you , no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” John 3:3

“But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us “Romans 5:8 “Here we come ready are not, here we come”

God Bless You And This Ministry!