Tag: joy

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

No One Beside Jesus

A few Sunday evenings ago, my family was on Zoom when my four-year-old nephew, Alex, brought out his Beginner’s Bible. He started going through it page by page, and my sister answered his questions. Alex would point to a Bible character on the cover and then go find them in the book. “That’s David. He was a king. That’s Samson. He was strong.”

Alex has been learning about Moses at preschool, so we heard how he was in a basket in the river because he was in danger. Alex doesn’t understand the rest of the story yet, but it was cute!

Soon, he got to Jesus! He spent several minutes going through Jesus’ life. “That’s him as a baby. There he is with some kids. Why is he on the cross? Who were the robbers?” My sister explained that Jesus didn’t do anything wrong, so he didn’t deserve to die, but the robbers did. The next page showed the tomb guarded by the Roman soldier, and next was the empty grave! 

I could have watched Alex talk about Jesus and his Bible all day. It was precious to see his little heart open up, a great reminder that Jesus is for everyone. The gospel is so simple that even a four-year-old can understand it! Awhile back, I bought him a Jesus Storybook Bible, and I am sure he will be into that one of these days.

Free Bible Book photo and picture

The gospel is GOOD NEWS, but it is not necessarily easy. It can be tough to come to terms with our sin and change our trajectory. Thankfully, with the loving help and conviction of the Holy Spirit, we don’t have to do it alone. Jesus did all the heavy work!

It is vital to know what you believe and why. This includes connecting with God through daily prayer and Bible reading. It means reading Scripture for yourself and wrestling with its meaning. It’s learning about the heart of God.

I love resources that can help! A good concordance or commentary can be really helpful. Learning the cultural and historical context can help you glean more insights you might have missed! I also thought this article was on identifying true and false ‘gospels.’

For the month of October, Desiring God has a special project, Here We Stand, to highlight short biographies of people whose choices and convictions led to the Protestant Reformation. Regardless of your denomination, it is helpful to learn the history of our faith! Who knows—perhaps there is some value if you are Catholic as well!

We have been singing a song lately at church, called “No One Beside,” by Elevation Worship. I have had it in my head for the last three days! The chorus is as follows:

Oh magnify the Lord
Let us exalt His name together
No one beside You, Lord
Honor and praise are Yours forever

Offhand, I don’t know the rest of the lyrics, but you can listen to them here. 🙂

Today, I am meditating on what it means to have ‘no one beside’ Jesus. The entire Bible is about Him! Jesus is the King of the Universe, and all things were made through Him and for Him. Nobody but Jesus died and rose again to save me and give me eternal life and the riches of HIs grace. He alone is worthy of all my praise!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for the gift of Jesus! Help me keep Jesus as the most important thing, first and foremost. In His Name, Amen

Question:  What does it mean to you to have ‘no one beside’ Jesus? How does that impact your life and personal choices?

Task: Take a little time to consider how you can put Jesus first. Also, maybe check out the Here We Stand biographies (at the bottom of the web page)! There will be a new one posted every day in October!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Pivot

Finding Grace #446

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Foliage Branch photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a full and busy week, but I knew God was at work all around me.

On Monday, I went to the chiropractor. I was hoping that she could just “pop” my hip in place and fix the impinged nerve, but it will still require more mobility work. Either way, it is something that didn’t occur overnight, so it will take time to heal. I see it as preparing my body to shovel snow this winter without causing more issues!

On Wednesday, I worked a little more than half a day, then needed to leave for a some appointments. I left work later than intended due to patient care. But, we were still on time for Lydia’s ortho appointment. Because she is diligent to wear her equipment, she will likely finish six months sooner than expected! Woohoo!

The second appointment was a financial check-up over Zoom. It was good to review things and make a few changes. I am grateful for help with planning for the future. God is so good at providing for us. Thanks, Lord!

On Thursday, I drove with two coworkers to Grand Forks. We attended a nutrition training at the University of North Dakota (UND). It was fun to meet other dietitians. We learned some new things, but also were able to share some of our knowledge with them!

On Friday, I stayed later at work to help a patient and solve a problem for him. It was gratifying to answer his questions and provide excellent care! Next week, I will contact his medical team so they can make things right for this Veteran. I also had some input from two other coworkers, and I appreciate the teamwork!

Last night and today, I’ve been watching the virtual version of ChosenCon running this weekend in Orlando! I enjoy watching the portrayal of Jesus and His disciples in The Chosen, and it is fun to see the actors and all the memorabilia behind the scenes. We learned that the company will also produce other shows about Moses, Joseph, and the Book of Acts. They will even run a show with The Chosen actors going on adventures in the wild with Bear Grylls, as well as a children’s animated show. I can’t wait!

Otherwise, today we are mostly relaxing after a busy few weeks!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Personality, Wisdom

Influenced!

Today, I am thinking about the word “influencer,” which is a buzzword these days. There is a little nuance in that it can feel cheesy at best and like manipulation at worst.  People are vying for a chance to be noticed, liked, and make money. They chase the next cool thing, often selling things they don’t believe in or understand. But, there is a lot of in-between, too.

Galatians 1:10, says, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Others influence us in person and online every day. And, people are watching us, too, even when we don’t realize it. We cannot chase success or approval from others. But, we can humbly recognize that we also have great influence. Yes, we carry the Holy Spirit everywhere we go! He wants to be the most influential in our lives!

For starters, He has given us spiritual gifts and helps us bear spiritual fruit. Through the Holy Spirit, we also have the same power in us that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-21)! We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:15-16). Ultimately, He is the only one we live for. “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

We can make someone’s day by demonstrating grace and kindness. This may include organizing a meal train or sending an encouraging word. It doesn’t have to be a lot of effort. Sometimes, we are the ones who start it, and sometimes, we are the ones who finish it. Each role is important.

In the last couple of weeks, I have gotten to be an “influencer” in many worthwhile ways. I shared some health tips I have found helpful with my friends. No, I did not make any money doing so, in fact, I even spent a little money! 😉

At work, we encouraged a coworker going through a hard time. She’s taken on the role of a caregiver, and so we want to support her. I sent an email with some ideas, and everyone was on board. I collected donations and ran some errands, but it was a team effort.

Yesterday, I requested some help in remembering someone who is grieving. Think of a ‘love bomb’ type of thing! It will be fun to see how that turns out.

We don’t have to travel far or go out of our way to be influencers. As a parent, the person I influence the most sits at my dinner table! Lydia and I talk about positive and negative influences several times a week!

Finally, it is essential to be yourself and walk in your strengths. Confidence can make all the difference! Remember who you are in Christ and trust Him to work through you!

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God, thanks for Your abundant grace and magnanimous influence in our lives. Protect us and help us walk wisely so we may influence others for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Who are you influencing? Is your impact helpful and encouraging, or harmful?

Tasks: Consider your words and actions, as well as the impact they have.

Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Prayer

Finding Grace #445

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Butterfly Flower photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a fun week full of various social interactions, some planned and unplanned!

I saw a monarch butterfly; I don’t recall the last time I saw one in person! I’m sure I will notice more now that I am aware.

This week, we had another birthday celebration at work. I also enjoyed some good conversation and a couple of lunchtime walks with various coworkers. I am grateful to work with a fabulous group of ladies!

Lydia has naturally curly hair, but we had fun straightening it this week. It was just a whim, not an everyday thing. She has asked to try it many times, and I found a way to do it easily. I don’t expect to do it often, but she was happy when all her friends noticed! 🙂

On Wednesday, I attended an informational meeting at Lydia’s school for a cool opportunity in the Spring. I saw one of her friends, a girl from our neighborhood. They were good friends in grade school, but during COVID, they ended up on different paths. In middle school, they have grown close again. The mom and I got to catch up this week, and I am grateful for another family cheering us on!

On Friday, I mowed again after work since the next several days will be busy. I think the weather is starting to change, so I hope I won’t need to mow too many more times!

Last night and today have a bit of a whirlwind. Last night, Lydia went to hang out with a friend. When I went to pick her up, I talked with the girl’s parents for quite a while, discovering we have some mutual friends. We had such a fun time laughing and playing with their puppy. I even asked for their input on something, and God answered a prayer by giving me peace of mind. Then, I came home and had a good long conversation with my uncle for an hour! It was also very good to chat with him, though it was a late night before an early morning commitment.

Today, we had a special church event in the morning. It was a celebration of sorts and an opportunity to encourage volunteers. We had some yummy food and heard a good message from a visiting pastor. I am grateful for all God has doing!

Tonight, we are meeting up with my Aunt Terry! She came from Illinois to see some of her extended family as she did in 2021. It will be wonderful to see her!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #444

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Orange Flowers Flowers photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a fairly peaceful week! 

We enjoyed having Monday off for Labor Day. I used it as a free day for the most part! I caught up with a few small projects but also tried a new recipe, read a book, and played a game with Lydia. It was fun just to spend time together!

Work went well Tuesday through Friday. I had friendly patients and did meaningful work. One of my coworkers returned from maternity leave, so catching up with her was fun! We also celebrated someone’s birthday, and it was my turn to bring a treat! I made magic cookie bars, and they were a hit. Yum!

This week, a new family moved into the house across the street. We brought some cookies and met some of the family. One of the girls is about Lydia’s age. I hope to get to know them all better!

Yesterday, after work, I ran a few errands and then decided to mow. The grass was indeed long enough, but it was also a beautiful day in the 70s! I enjoyed being outside. As I was mowing, two of the kids across the street stopped by to check out my little free library. They said they love to read!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Personality, Prayer

Focused, Not Frazzled

Well, we are a couple of weeks into Lydia’s school year! She’s starting well and seems to be enjoying it. She has been tackling homework, and I am helping her stay on track and set some boundaries with her time. There are natural consequences if she “forgets” to complete an assignment, and we are both learning as we go!

Sometime last year, I felt God prompt me to stay available for Lydia. It’s just the two of us at home, and I am her main support. So, I have needed to say ‘no’ to many requests for my time to have flexibility. I won’t say I have cleared my schedule completely, but by and large, that’s exactly what I’ve done!

When Lydia was younger, I was much more active with friends, church, and moms groups. She was well-behaved, and I could trust her to attend events with me. As a single mom, I didn’t have many other options! I quickly learned that if I wanted to be involved in something, it had to work for Lydia, too. Often, that meant hosting events at our house so she could go to bed at a reasonable hour.

I volunteered last fall at church for a Wednesday night class. It worked well since Lydia was there at youth group. I loved meeting some new friends! But the class has changed to a different evening, and I chose not to be involved so I can be home in the evenings. Perhaps it will work out in the future, but I am confident I made the right choice for now. 

Time is flying, and I know I won’t always have this opportunity with Lydia. I am grateful for God leading me to step back a little. Anyone can serve in their free time, but only I can be Lydia’s mom!

Free Leaf Hand photo and picture

All of this has been good for me, too! I have enjoyed a slower pace, which is probably my natural preference. Slow and steady wins the race… 🙂 I have loved having time to pray and listen to God because my mind is focused, not frazzled. I am also enjoying getting up early to exercise before work. As a result, I have more energy, less pain, and a better attitude. All because I said yes to God and no to other things.

That doesn’t mean I am doing nothing with or for other people. I talk with people all day at work, serving them to the best of my ability. If anything, because I am well-rested, I am more present and patient with my patients!

Outside of work, I sometimes meet with people God Himself puts in my path – often on a last-minute basis. I will encourage another single mom when she calls. I may write a note to a friend in need. I can go meet the new neighbors because I am not rushing out the door.

I know this season won’t last forever, so I will trust God and His timing. We are still plenty ‘busy’ with mowing, house chores, work, school, etc., but I appreciate having less stress and more peace. All advantages of listening to God and doing what He says!

His thoughts are higher, and His ways are greater. He knows exactly what we need!

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Lord, thanks for helping me find peace in this season. Give me the strength and wisdom to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to the right things. May I have a humble heart and be quick to obey. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What do you perceive God is prompting you to do? If it is the same old message, try obedience.  If you are having trouble hearing Him, start with the last thing you know for sure! After you’ve tackled that, He will probably say something new!

Task: Take a little time out this week to listen to God. Pause and seek solitude. Turn off social media and any other distractions. Check in with Him and see if you need to make any changes.

Posted on in Being Gracious, Books and Movies I Like, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Grace #443

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Bank Relax photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week seemed special, as I found God moving my heart. 

Work was great, and I met another author as my patient. I saw him again the next day as he left a key fob in my office. He seemed like a whole different person, and I know God changed his heart after our conversation! I was touched to see God moving through my story in an unexpected way.

I checked in with several friends this week. Many have kids starting school, and I wanted to tell them I am praying for them. I also prayed for some needs and heard about praises from other prayers being answered. God is so good!

Yesterday after work, I went to a local park along the river and read a book. I saw several people enjoying the beautiful day. It was very peaceful, and I hope to go again when the leaves start to change colors, if not before!

Lydia and I mowed earlier in the week, as the grass was quite long. It was also helpful to free up our weekend!

Today, we did our usual Saturday chores and tried some new recipes. Lydia has a slight cold, so it was nice for her to rest. I exercised and worked on some projects. I even fit in a short nap!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Waiting For Motivation

This week, I met a Veteran who was waiting for motivation before making some changes. Well, God showed up, and we had a great conversation! He walked into my office with some incorrect assumptions, and I had to help him work through them to find a plan that would work for him.

He started by telling me I had “such a difficult job” because most people, like him, are set in their ways and don’t want to make changes. He was nearly twice my age and was fed up with people “telling him what to do.” He misinterpreted some nutrition information years ago, and it seems to have set him back in his desire to follow through. Unfortunately, he didn’t think eating healthily was very practical and struggled to find any motivation.

Now, I usually start off by asking a lot of questions and taking notes. Then, I dive into the education piece and answer any questions. This time, I just prayed and rolled with his resistance. I listened and acknowledged that he must’ve done something right to reach his upcoming next decade of life. Then, I asked how I could help and what he needed from me.

Free Bench Meadow photo and picture

He continued talking and soon mentioned excessive snacking as he wrote a book about finding resiliency in people. He was surprised when I mentioned I had written a book, too! It was not about promotion but about connection. We talked quite a bit about writing, and he asked about my story. He was deeply affected and could tell I understood more than he had given me credit for.

We briefly talked about how, in the Old Testament, Joseph grew through his trials and kept following God. I tried to find a segue back to nutrition, but I also wanted to stay in the moment and meet this Veteran where he was. We talked about how life changes over time, and our nutrition needs do, too. I explained that it is good to be healthy and prepared since we don’t know what life will bring us. Eating nutritiously and adding some movement will also help us enjoy the good times as much as possible.

After a little while, I showed him my book’s front cover online, and then he excitedly showed me his. We started laughing because while mine has a bench set in some lovely woods, his had an antique chair set on the prairie. The sentiment was identical!! After that, we were on the same page, and I was able to put him on a good path nutritionally.

Free Bench Fence photo and picture

We talked about the futility of waiting around for motivation, similar to writers waiting for “the muse” to appear. The muse is always running late and shows up after we get started! Thus, no motivation leads to no action, which leads to no results. But, if we just take action, we will get results, which fuels motivation to continue. This really resonated with him!

We chatted about a few other topics, such as our career paths, psychology, and faith, all led by the Veteran. It was a bit of a wild goose chase, and I just jotted a few notes when I could. I smiled when, at the end, he said, “I can tell you are very practical and know a lot about this. You’ve been very helpful!” He even agreed to come back to continue our discussion!

It was so fun to step aside and let God kindly guide our conversation. It was nice to connect with another author and also help him in a ‘practical’ way. 🙂 It was good to pay attention to the Holy Spirit, too. He always knows exactly what we need!

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God, thanks for giving me a good job. Help me continue to honor You and do my best. Use me to make a difference in the lives of others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: How has God been working in Your life this week?

Task: Don’t get stuck waiting for motivation or the muse. Just take action so you can get results; then motivation will come!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Travel

Finding Grace #442

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Plant Leaves photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was an exciting week! It was a little busy at first, but good overall!

Lydia had her first day of seventh grade on Wednesday. She has some interesting classes and already likes her teachers. She is going to have a great year!

Yesterday, I took my car in to have something checked with the oil. I knew it was not leaking, but I had a question about it possibly burning oil. I ended up just talking with them, and we decided I should keep an eye on it and add oil when needed. It is likely related to the age of my car (11 years!), and replacing the engine would cost around six thousand dollars! I am grateful they were honest and upfront. I really appreciate that they don’t try to upsell their cars or services. I hope to keep this car for a few more years!

Today, I took Lydia and a friend to Detroit Lakes, MN, about an hour away from Fargo. We went searching for some giant trolls, created by Danish artist, Thomas Dambo! We hiked all over and found them all and even an evil golden rabbit (part of the storyline). We also enjoyed some ‘famous local pizza and ice cream! I am so glad we went!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Our Daily Bread

I don’t know about you, but I have already gone to the store twice this week for groceries! The first time, I forgot bread, so I had to go back for it. I also picked up a few other things since I was there and all.

The bread reminded me of the verse in Matthew 4:4, in which Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” In context, He is quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3, referencing the manna that God sent to feed the millions of Israelites after they were led out of bondage in Egypt.

Jesus is talking to Satan after a forty-day fast in the wilderness. Satan is tempting Jesus with grandiose (yet empty) promises if only He would bow down and worship him. And yes, the Bible does specify that Jesus was hun-gry!

Jesus often used common everyday items to point to profound truths. Interestingly, in John 6, Jesus multiplies five loaves to feed 5,000+ people, and soon after He calls Himself the Bread of Life. He is all we really need!

Free Bread Loaf photo and picture

Anyway, I have been thinking about bread this week and how God often shows me grace and provision before I even realize I need it!

Lydia goes back to school today, and this week, I’ve had several other random tasks on top of normal priorities. Each night, I have at least two obligations—last night, it was three!

For example, I left work an hour and a half early yesterday (Tuesday) to write this post before going to Lydia’s school to meet the teachers. Then, we needed to eat dinner, before I edited my blog and attended an online workshop—all that before trying to go to bed early!

But, it all turned out well because God made sure I didn’t have a late patient scheduled. In His wisdom, He knew I would be crunched for time before I did. So, He made me aware of the opportunity to leave, let my manager agree, and helped me finish some charting that was due all in the nick of time.

God also reordered my steps a few times as the night progressed. By His grace, I accomplished everything that needed my attention and time. As in the Lord’s Prayer, He really does give me my daily bread!

Free Loaf Bread photo and picture

One “God factor” that has helped me is that our church added an earlier Sunday service, which matches my Monday through Friday start time at work! Thus, I’ve decided to stay on the same basic schedule by going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time each day. There are days it still feels like I’m running around, but it feels good to be consistent.

Thank God for His grace because I have had the goal to wake up early (trying on and off) for well over a decade. Sometimes, it’s a struggle, and I am tempted to roll over and go back to sleep. The difference now is that I have wanted to get up early, and generally, I haven’t felt like it is a chore.

I enjoy spending time with God in the quiet mornings, and putting Him first is always a good idea. But when I am short on sleep, it is hard to focus. This time, I don’t feel I am just relying on my own feeble effort. History shows that doesn’t work well!

I may need to adjust my sleeping pattern a bit, but I’m currently doing some gentle movement and stretching while I connect with Jesus. It’s been a great start to my day!

All in all, I am grateful for God’s help in pivoting and persevering. He always knows exactly what I need!

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God, thanks for feeding us with Your Word, and for giving us Jesus, the Bread of Life and Your Word made flesh. Help me keep my priorities in the proper order—You first and foremost, while trusting You for bread and everything else. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is your favorite kind of bread? Where else do you see the significance of bread in the Bible? (Among other things, Jesus also uses it to signify His body in Communion!)

Tasks: Let God direct your path today. If you need a little daily encouragement, check out “Our Daily Bread” online or in print. You can learn more about these short, encouraging devotions here.