Pizza Ranch Serves

I have a secret, one that I haven’t shared with anyone, even my family, until today….

Happy Monday morning! I’m glad you’re here. Can we do a quick summer check-in? How is your summer going? Do you feel like you’re living your best life, hitting up the pool, going to the community baseball games, visiting your local farmer’s market and spending time in the sun? Or does it feel like this summer has been full of unexpected challenges, unforeseen frustrations and big or little inconveniences? Maybe a mix of both?

Paul explains in Galatians what it truly means to live and walk by the Spirit, offering a clear picture of the kind of life Christians are called to lead. Galatians 5:22–23 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. —James1:2-4

Matthew 11:28-29 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

In the hustle of daily life, it’s easy to reserve our gratitude for the “good days”- those moments when everything seems to be falling into place, when life is smooth- but what about the hard days?

Have you ever tried to make plans on your own without first asking God for His direction? (I know I have!)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV

My Husband and I took a trip this past winter up to Northern Minnesota. I figured this trip would be the perfect time to dust off my old film photography skills. We were disappointed to open the envelope of prints and see the first picture was an insert that said “A light leak has been detected on your film which will affect the quality of your images”. But the 'ruined' photos got me thinking about how God views us....

Years in the Comfort Culture made us emotionally soft.

Have you recently looked at your phone to see how much screen time you spend every day on social media?

Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.