Feb 5thWinter

Well it is Friday and the beginning of February. Corona is still very real and even though it is a tiny flickering light in the tunnel of hope, a life outside quarantine seams far off.

This is hard on all of us, but imagen to not have God, our big Abba in heaven to trust and lean against. At least we have that. Just knowing that should give us comfort. I at least feel safe in the mids of all this. (Even if I or a loved one would get sick, I would still look to God. I have relied on Him so many times, even through really hard times.) So I know that no matter the outcome, He is there with me and you.

Deuteronomy 31:8“ The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

God never promised a life without hardships, or that we were to be without pain and misery. He did however promise to be with us.

John 16:33  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Keep this in mind as we continue our lives as they are right now. We do not know what tomorrow will bring. But we know that no matter what, He will be there with us.

God´s blessings

LB

Jan 4thHappy New Year, or?

So I have been a bit quiet for a while. Is that strange? Well, maybe if you do not take the last year that through us all in to a loop. I have been wrestling with a way to put mu thoughts in to words. But as you have seen, it has not been too much success in that. So I will try today.

Frankly it sucks! The past year has been one of the worst in my life. What little social life me and my family have had has been on ice. We are church going people and most of our friends are there. But since church now has to be online, we hardly see anyone. Not even our closest friends, that we even consider family has been able to visit. We live on the same block, but their kids attend a school outside of the district, so they have to take public transportation. With that said, we have not met because my husband is in the risk group and they did not want to take any chances. Some of our other friends have similar problems, so we only meet online. Our kids goes to school online. I am the only one that goes to work outside the house, since my husband is home on sick leave.

So now when we have a vaccin we are so happy. Careful but happy. This is good! God is good all the time. And all the time God is good! (Pastor Dave, God is not Dead).

2. Psalm 7:17

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;
    I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

I thank God for us having a home to go to, food on the table and jobs. I thank Him for all the good things in my life. I thank him for helping me face my storms head on.

18. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

14. Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It is important that we as Gods children at least try to be the light houses that others need to be able to navigate the troubled waters we call life here on Earth. Not by judging others, but by guiding them as examples. Or at least as good examples we can be as human beings. We are not perfect, but by our imperfection show them on the One that is perfect. Let His light shine through us.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

17. Colossians 4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Yes it is not always easy to do this, but life is not easy. So instead of complaining about all your suffering, try to find that little gem every day. If your car broke down on the road, you had an argument with your boss or the police gave you a ticket. Fine that is not fun. But what else happened to day? While you waited for the tow truck dark clouds were gathering, but it did not rain until you were inside. The argument with your boss might have cost you your job, so what can you do now? maybe you have to sit down and have a long talk with God on what is next on your journey. God might answer right away, or He might not. But He is right there with you, that is one thing you can count on! That ticket you got, maybe it can be a wake up call, to be more careful when you drive. Thank God that the police was there when they were, so that nothing bad happened.

Romans 12:12 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

God bless all of you!

LB

Jun 5thStrange times.

We are indeed in some strange times. A virus is loose and most of us are or have been in a kind of lock down or quarantine in some ways. I live in a country that has taken a different path in all this. Things will never be the same. It will always be before and after Covid19.

It is easy to loose perspective and hope, but that is what the devil wants! Yes it is easy to ask where God is in all this. The answer is: He is here in the mids of all this. Yes even in the mids of the riots and demonstrations.

So why is he not doing anything? Well, this is tricky. In a way he is doing things, but not in a way that will step on our free will. Yes, there we are boys and girls, the human free will. So when we ask for forgiveness and repent he will hear us, and he will save us. It might take some time. ( Just check in the bible on how long it took for the Jewish people to be saved from the Egyptian slavery.) It might not take that long, but it might give some perspective.

But be sure that he has it all under control. God is in control, even if it does not look like it. Just remember that we are at war. Not a war between humans, but a spiritual one. Ehpesians 6:10-18 

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

So remember that when it seems hopeless, dark, and that there is no use, pray and give thanks! Even if it is for the smallest thing. Then when you hav done that, pray some more and give thanks. If you are to weak, ask some one to help you or pray for and with you. For there two or three are gathered He will be in the mids. God is closer than you think. He is with you wherever you are.

God´s blessings

Lady Birgitha

Mar 13thPanic! All hands on deck!

Well it is not anyone that has not heard of the Corona virus. It is like someone has found the little red button with gold letters that say push for world wide PANIC!

So how is one to think in all this? Well wash your hands with soap and water, hand alcohol, sneeze and cough in inside the bend in the arm. Those are the regulations that all can do to do what we can. But do we need to worry and panic? Is it really so bad? What does the bible say?

Psalm 23:4 ESV 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV 

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Psalm 56:3 ESV 

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Matthew 6:34 ESV 

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Mar 6thComing down with a cold!

Aahh! I have come dow with a cold. I sniffle, my head hearts and it is developing. I have no fever, thank God for that! So I refuse to become gloomy, I will thank the good Lord for the fact that I woke up this morning, got out of bed and got to see my family. Outside the sun is shining and it is cold. It is beautiful outside. Life is good, even when you have a cold.

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

I know it is not easy to always to follow these and other verses, but they can be good to have in the back of your mind. I know that there are people reading this that are worse of than me and my cold. I do not want to say get a grip, because that is not nice to say. I have no clue in what you are going through. I pray that you can find comfort in the bible. Just know that no matter what you are going through, God is there, and is  going through it with you. He promised that he would not dessert us.

God bless!

Feb 14thBlue sky and white clouds

As this Friday has come to a mid day and the weekend is just around the bend. It is a beautiful day with a blue sky and some fluffy white clouds. The snow is glittering and yes it is cold. Everything is in waiting. Soon will new lives pop up and bright new colors will brighten our days. (The only down side is pollen, but it is a small thing in all the splendor that keeps popping up.)

It is one of these days that you can see how God works behind the scenes. Yes he is here and with us, but he is also behind the scenes as well. He has done all things, even the smallest things.

Psalm 139: 13-16

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb

JOB 26:7-10

He stretches out the north over empty space;

He hangs the earth upon nothing.

8He wraps up the waters in His clouds,

yet the clouds do not burst under their own weight.

9He covers the face of the full moon,b

spreading over it His cloud.

10He has inscribed a horizon on the face of the waters

at the boundary between light and darkness.

Feb 7thDreaming of tea

It is Friday afternoon and winter has really established it self both with cold and snow. Yes it is nice with the snow, but I do dream of hot tea in a cosy spot. My dream company would be Jesus. Imagen to have a low tea with Jesus! To break bread with him….

Well talking about breaking bread. It is always fun to break bread with people that you care about, but how would it be if you had to break bread with a person you do not like as much? Would you do it? Would you follow Jesus example?

In the sermon of the mount from vers 21 and down to 47 we find as follows:

²¹ Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

²² But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

²³ Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

²⁴ Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

²⁵ Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

²⁶ Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

²⁷ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

²⁸ But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

²⁹ And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

³⁰ And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

³¹ It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

³² But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

³³ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

³⁴ But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:

³⁵ Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

³⁶ Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

³⁷ But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

³⁸ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

³⁹ But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

⁴⁰ And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

⁴¹ And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

⁴² Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

⁴³ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

⁴⁴ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

⁴⁵ That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

⁴⁶ For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

⁴⁷ And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

So think about that. I know it is hard to follow, but it is so worth it. Yes I do get upset and angry with people. I do think less nice toughts about them. But when I am done with that I do ask our Father for forgivness and I do pray over them. In my prayer and at times when I can show kindness to the ones not so nice to me I feel a huge peace insed of me.

Now there are times when one has to put a stop to bad behavior and do one self the gift of leaving a toxic enviorment. God did give us free will and a brain. Use both wisely.

God´s blessing upon all y´all.

LB

Dec 20thChristmas is around the corner!

It is Friday the 20th of December. Looking out and it is hard to believe that it is winter. It is hardly any snow and the fog is thick. But never the less is Christmas soon here.

God gave us the ultimate gift, His only son, so that we that do believe will have eternal life.

So re joys in the knowledge that our Savior is born!

Matthew 1:18-25 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁸ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

¹⁹ Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

²⁰ But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

²¹ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

²² Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

²³ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

²⁴ Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

²⁵ And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Take care!

Gods blessings upon all y´all!

LB

Nov 29thWinter is here!

So now it has happened again. King Bore (Winter) has arrived with his court of snow and cold. The sky today is crisp and blue and not a cloud in the air. I had the most marvelous walk at lunch today together with a very sweet coworker.

While I was outside looking at the beauty that God has created and how the sun and the shadows really made it all stand out. All looked so crisp and clear, just so clean. It was also a bit quiet, which it hard to get in the city, but to day it was like even the engines were quiet as they did their work. So was it that you were quiet and just listening? I was this morning. The Psalms are very good to read, ponder and pray over. After that use some time to listen to God.

Isaiah 28:23

Give ear and hear my voice, Listen and hear my words.

Luke 11:28

But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

Psalm 17:6

I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech.

Yes when you sit down to do this, He will answer, because He hears us and loves to spend time with us. I know that it does not seem like it at times, but that is a topic for a later entry.

Until next time.

God´s blessings!

Nov 22ndA grey November afternoon

So it became Friday agian, as it should be. Life is a circle. We are born and the we die. Time waits for no one. So be sure to take care of the time you have been given. The day death comes knocking at your door it will be to late. (But when death do come, I would sugest that you do invite him in on tea and crumpets.) Remember that it is just your physical body that dies, your soul will go home to our Father.

God´s plan is at work! Death has lost its grip and has been left toothless after our Lord Jesus Christ´s death and resurection.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 New International Version (NIV)

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:23 New International Version (NIV)

²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.

So think about this when you think that your life is not worth anything. You are so important. God knows you from before you were born. Your life is not less than anyone elses. God loves you and see you as his child.

When the days are dark and you do feel all alone, reach out your hand and grab the only one that never fails.

Ephesians 6: 10-12).

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.