Sharing a post from a dear friend of mine...Norton was along side ministering to us through Lindsay's journey home in 2003

Norton Lawellin

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Daily message of hope...

For Friday, November 18, 2022:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NLT: “The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.”

Yesterday I promised to answer the question: “What happens when we die?” Here we go!

We only need a body because we live on earth. But in the spiritual realm, what matters is your eternal essence, your soul; nefesh in Hebrew. Interestingly, nefesh can also be translated as “life.” So your soul is what is life to the Lord; your body is just an accessory. Your body can die and be put in the ground, but your soul cannot. Heaven is not concerned with the demise of your body, but the Bible says, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” When you die, your soul finds God right away! The soul of a believer is very important to our Lord!

In the end times, Jesus will come to earth again, with much ceremony, riding on a white horse signifying purity. Graves will open and fully restored bodies will be reunited with their souls, joining Jesus in the sky! After that, believers who are still alive will be raptured, joining Jesus and the others. The best news ever is that believers will then be with the Lord forever!

Salvation is permanent!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

 

NOVEMBER 17TH 2022 NINETEEN YEARS IN OUR HEARTS AND MEMORIES

 

The HOPE AND ASSURANCE of ALL SAINTS DAY...

TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL CONTAINS THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS CHRIST THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING CONCERNING THE FEAR OF DEATH. 

ALL SAINTS DAY IS JUST AFTER "HALLOWEEN EVE." A DAY TO REMEMBER ALL THE FOLKS WHO HAVE DIED WITH A FAITH AND TRUST IN WHO JESUS IS AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING THEM ALL AGAIN IN THE "LAND OF THE LIVING" WHICH JESUS HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM AND THE GRACE HE HAS POURED OUT FOR US ON THE CROSS. JESUS IS LORD OF ALL! THANKS BE TO GOD.

The Reality of Heaven

October 30, 2022

by Pastor Chuck Swindoll Scriptures: Revelation 21:1–6

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The same Bible that develops the subject of hell also reveals the truth about heaven. What is heaven like? Playing harps all day? Lounging around on Cloud Nine? Living in enormous mansions along solid gold streets? Does it mean we'll all have long white robes with matching sandals, glowing halos, and big flapping wings? Hardly!

Heaven is an actual place. A prepared place, designed for God's redeemed people, those who have accepted God's free gift of His Son.

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1–3)

According to this and other New Testament verses, heaven will be a place of beauty, peace, constant health, and happiness, filled with people from all the earthly ages who have one thing in common: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who took away the sin of the world.

In heaven we'll have a face-to-face, exclusive relationship with our Savior, gloriously enjoyed without interruption or heartache or grief or sin or the threat of death. God promised that He would make all things new in heaven.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband . . . Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. (Revelation 21:1–2, 6)

Heaven will be the destiny of those who take God at His Word, believing in His Son, Jesus Christ, and coming, by faith, to salvation . . . without cost.

Can something this good really be free? Even free of works? You decide after reading these Scripture verses.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:24)

Yes, salvation comes to us "free and clear" of any hidden charges or religious deeds or human effort. We come to God through Christ . . . lost, sinful, without hope, and deserving of hell. In grace, He sees us in Christ and in grace loves us, forgives us, accepts us into His family, and promises us an eternal home with Him in heaven, the ultimate destination of all His people.

Salvation is the single most important issue in all of life. Yet, if we are not careful, we'll put it off until later; we'll even put it completely out of our minds. Salvation is an urgent matter and is yours for the taking.

I ask you, will you do so today?

Excerpted from Avoiding Stress Fractures, Copyright © 1990, 1995 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. For additional information and resources visit us at www.insight.org.

Keep on Keepin’ On

Are the daily tasks you perform bordering on drudgery? Have you been waiting a long time for a breakthrough? Pastor Chuck Swindoll reminds you you’re in good company. Stay at it!

Celebrating Three Quarters of a Century!

 As I was out riding horseback this week with a dear friend, Tim Hanson , he turned around and said I was going to celebrate living for three quarters of a century! In 2008 I was looking at 3-5 years survival after my stem cell transplant. Tim’s comment made me give thanks AGAIN for God’s goodness and mercy poured out on my life and family. What better birthday gift than a reminder of such goodness. Thank you Tim for a spiritual shot in an aging arm!! May I not waste a day of the rest of my life. Thanks be to God!!✝️

SUMMER 2022

As summer ebbs its way into our lives again we give thanks for a wonderful school year for our love ones. Next year we will have an 8th grader, 2 sixth graders, 2 third graders and 2 kindergartners. Oh how the days pass quickly in our lives. 

Lois was our families "sub of the year" as she helped fill the huge need for subs in the district she taught for so many years. She is a real trooper. Education is such an important part of equipping our young to become good citizen. We cannot afford to fail them. 

Summer is a time for our kids to refresh and run:

Let them enjoy the outdoors and freedom from schedules to tight. 

Let them be creative and interact with the neighbor kids. 

Limit their time on their devices?     They will have the rest of their lives to play on their phones or computers when they have to grind out a living in this complex world we have given them.

"A Love Note"... from a grandpa who had the privilege to enjoy the freedoms of summer as a kid on the farm...

Grandpa Tedd

Golf News...2022 Haakon and the MG High School Golf Team

 

Maple Grove HS Golf Team 2022

Can you spot the 7th Grader?

45 YEARS AGO

Forty five years ago today God graced us with a little girl named Lindsay. It was a few days before Easter Sunday. Our pastor referred to our two daughters as "Easter and Christmas" due to the proximity of their birth-days to Easter and Christmas. Our hearts are full of joy and wonder as we remember Lindsay today. To be given a son and two daughters is a great privilege. Wathcing and praying as they grew into young men and women was a gift to be savored for years to come. 

Thank you Jesus for Justin, Lindsay and Whitney! Fearfully and wonderfully made by your hands and placed in our lives forever.

 

Who’s in Charge?

March 17, 2022

And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.
Acts 17:26

Recommended Reading: Daniel 2:20-22

Daniel 2:20-22 (nkjv)

²⁰ Daniel answered and said:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,For wisdom and might are His.²¹ And He changes the times and the seasons;He removes kings and raises up kings;He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.²² He reveals deep and secret things;He knows what is in the darkness,And light dwells with Him.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

 

Dr David Jeremiah writes:

A large log was swept from the bank of a fast-flowing river and is hurtling through the rapids. (The log is our world.) On the log are thousands of tiny ants, all of whom think they are in control of the log. (We are the ants.)

Is anything more absurd than for a tiny ant to think it is in charge of a giant log that is careening on the waves of a raging river? And yet, men and women often think that we can change the outcome of this tumultuous world and bring it safely to what we think is the best outcome. The Bible states the obvious opposite: This world belongs to God, and God alone is able to work out His purposes for the world He created. The ancients believed God ruled over all (Deuteronomy 32:8; Job 12:23) as did the prophets (Daniel 2:20-22) and the apostles (Acts 17:26).

Don’t let the tumult in our world create fear in your heart. God has been, is, and will remain on the throne ruling His creation.

Nothing is beyond [God’s] control…. The Bible is clear that God is in control of everything that happens.
Joni Eareckson Tada

   

DON'T QUIT; KEEP GOING!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. ³ Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. ⁴ After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. 

Hebrews 12.1-4

We have been living in a great season of loss...family, friends, neighbors (some we knew and many we didn't know personally. It is so easy to quit and give up at time like this. 

DON'T QUIT. KEEPING GOING! 

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS AND HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US AS HE WENT TO THE CROSS FOR US!

BE GRATEFUL THAT JESUS DID NOT QUIT AND GIVE UP.

IT WAS FOR YOU AND ME THAT HE REFUSED TO GIVE IN AND GIVE UP SO WE WOULD BE FREE.

FREE INDEED.

THANKS BE TO GOD IN CHRIST JESUS! 

THANKSGIVING 2021

 THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU. FOR BEING IN MY LIFE. I ASK FOR NO MORE. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2021 MY FRIENDS

November 17, 2021

Days, weeks, months and years pass so effortlessly, and before you know it eighteen years have slipped away. November 17th is the anniversary of Lindsay's crossing over into the arms of Jesus. We were blessed to have the years we had. Gratitude for God's goodness and mercy continues to be the balm for loss when the unthinkable enters your life. 

Thank you, Lord, for your every present love and care for our loved ones. We have the joy of sharing each day with our family. They lift us up with their grace and love. Your love sustains us daily as we claim that "nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus!" 

See you later Lindsay! Love ya lots. 

Dad and Mom

IT'S STATE FAIR TIME AGAIN!!

First Day at the State Fair... found the Bench:

 RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CROSSROADS CHAPEL!!  

A PERFECT PLACE....

 

FATHER'S DAY 2021

 

I am a father and grandfather. What more could I ask for this Father's Day? Seven grandkids with wonderful parents bless my life each day. Thirteen years ago, I had just started R-CHOP chemo for mantel cell lymphoma. My hair was starting to fall out. I was losing weight. One grandchild on the way but not sure if I was to see that little guy. 

Our lives were never to be the same after 7pm on November 17, 2003. As a father, I watched our young daughter slip into the hands of Jesus that night. Who would have thought such a thing would come into our lives after 30 years of marriage, but it did. It seemed to engulf us like a thick dark cloud. Grief is a strange thing. It is real and necessary. We do not seek it. It finds us. But it would not define us. Out of the darkness came light. Memories of the joy and laughter we had shared together sprang up from our friends and family. Little did we know we were being changed ever so slightly by the unthinkable. God's mercy and goodness would shelter us through the pain and darkness of grief.

As I lay in a hospital bed on Station 94 at Mayo, receiving my own stem cells on October 13, 2008, I was filled with hope not despair. I had been visited by my new grandson, Haakon, a few days earlier. It gave me such joy. I prayed on the day of transplant that the power of Jesus' presence would be in each stem cell that entered my body and that they would rescue my immune system. I have survived to see six more grand babies born into our family. Thanks to God's mercy and goodness, I survived. Not that I deserved to survive but that Jesus chose to give me the gift of more days and more grand babies!

On this Father's Day, I am grateful and in awe of the gifts God has given me over the years. My wonderful wife, children and their families are precious to me. I pray I never forget God's great love poured out on my life through the unthinkable and the amazing times of my life. I have been the recipient of the Father's love and mercy. May I share the Father's love with all the lives I might touch in the rest of my days.

 

New phase of the Journey...May 25, 2021

Heading for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester today to prepare for a knee replacement surgery on Tuesday May 25th. It's been a long time coming and is necessary. We wear out a little at a time. Our bodies are "fearfully and wonderfully made." The medical community has made it possible for us to replace or repair many parts that fail. I am thankful for the care and expertise that will give me the hope of new mobility without discomfort. Whatever the outcome I will be thankful for how God has given me this incredible body to enjoy for so many years. 

Psalm 139 is of great joy and blessing at all seasons of our lives:

For you created my inmost being;^(Q)
    you knit me together^(R) in my mother’s womb.^(S)
14 I praise you^(T) because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,^(U)
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made^(V) in the secret place,
    when I was woven together^(W) in the depths of the earth.^(X)
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained^(Y) for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,^[a](Z) God!^(AA)
    How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,^(AB)
    they would outnumber the grains of sand^(AC)—
    when I awake,^(AD) I am still with you.

 

 

May 8th 2021 "OH MY ACHING KNEE"

For forty plus years I have nursed a bad knee. It has been a good patient for a long time. In January I slipped on the ice and snow fracturing my fibula and traumatizing the left knee. Lois said I fell because I was wearing "inappropriate foot wear"...aka my cowboy boots. Every good cowboy knows that boots are the best footwear but not so good on ice I guess. 

Everything seemed to be healing well until one day I took a step and ouch! The knee began swelling and the pain was in areas I had not experienced before when straining the knee. The orthopedic doctor said that we had done everything to maintain the knee but now it was time to bite the bullet and do the knee.

I am going to have Mako assisted robotic total knee arthroplasty at Mayo at the end of May. I have been told it cuts healing time down and recovery is quicker. We will see if that is true. Lois has had both knees done and will be my nurse. She will crack the whip so I do my PT correctly! I asked if I would be able to run and they asked if run now. I said no. They said "maybe not...we'll see."

Isn't it amazing that we have the privilege and opportunity to replace a failing body part? God has given special gifts of knowledge and wisdom to the folks who design and replace these body parts. I am grateful that I will be able to receive a new knee. When part of your body aches it seems the whole body aches too. 

That's how the Apostle Paul described how the "Body of Christ", the Church, should function. If one part aches; we all should ache. Sadly I find myself many times numb to the pain of others. Lord forgive my self centered concern. Help me to "see a need and meet it...feel a hurt and heal it."

My little daughters many years ago at my ordination into ministry sang this song... 

"Make me a servant humble and meek."

        Make me a servant
        Humble and meek
        Lord let me lift up
        Those who are weak
        And may the prayer
        Of my heart always be
        Make me a servant
        Make me a servant
        Make me a servant today

Lord let it be according to your will. 

January 28th 2021 "Sparky...aka Old Eagle Eye"

 Every so often a person enters our lives to make us realize the common joys we share as fathers and husbands. One such man was "Sparky" aka Dr Mark Mathison. 

Our son's became friends when they entered dental school. It was an exciting time for them as they anticipated their futures in dentistry. As parents we encouraged and prayed that all would go well. It did.

One of the common interests the boys shared was hunting as did their dads. About 10 years ago Justin and I were invited to join Mark and "his boys" for a hunt in SK Canada. We had a "blast" literally...pun intended.

Mark was 10 years older than myself. Sparky, a mountain of a man in size and personality became my scouting partner. "Old Eagle eye... Sparky" could spot geese miles away much to my chagrin...we bonded immediately around our boys, families and hunting. 

Over the next 8 or 9 years we spent hours in the truck scouting each afternoon sharing our hopes and dreams for our families. Mark and Marg had seven kids. He had a lot to talk about. Mark was so proud of his family. He held each child and grandchild in his heart with reverence. Oh he would be blustery at times and put on a tough front but deep inside was this soft man who loved each of his offspring in a special way.

We shared losses and hurts that the boys didn't hear about that we had shared between dads. We laughed and teased each other till our sides ached. We even found lots of geese but the boys thought we were just sitting outside of town visiting with "the locals". Their comments were centered around "Really? How many? Are you sure? Did you get permission?" Occasionally we would hunt the fields we scouted and to their surprise we had nailed it. Not always but more often than not.

Mark succumbed to a battle with cancer recently. Our last phone conversation when he was hospitalized was filled with hope of one more hunt together with our boys. Sparky had it all figured out how to take his oxygen into the layout blind in SK. We laughed and agreed we were blessed to have our boys to set up and take down the decoys while we "rested/slept" in the trucks at 4am each morning. 

I'm going to miss giving Sparky "the needle" when scouting. He would NEVER go and ask permission,"I don't do that he'd say." (with a smile)  "But it's your turn...!!" He'd just sit there until I got out and went to seek permission. I may have called him a name or two as I left the truck. Sparky would just laugh at me.

As dads you only get so many days to share one-on-one times with your adult sons or their dads. Thanks Sparky for taking us in and giving Justin and myself these precious memories of times well shared with your family.

December 25th 2020 "Merry Christmas!"

Last night had a different feel about everything...will we gather together or not...will we go to church...what if someone gets sick or is sick and they didn't know it? 

We chose to listen to the Angel's words to the shepherds: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

We gathered up our three families to share Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's house for fondue...something very familiar to our Christmas eve celebrations.

We listened/watched a Christmas message and music online...not the norm for Christmas eve.

We sang table grace...not "Johnnie Appleseed"...instead "Be present at our table Lord..." with harmony...(sort of)

There was the traditional kid's table and adult's table...lots of laughs and stories about past Christmas eves.

Everyone moved into the living room and the stockings were opened to pacify the little ones for a few minutes before opening all the other gifts under the tree.

I read the Luke 2 story. Lois wanted to sing some Christmas carols. We reminded everyone that the story of Jesus we just read fills the Christmas Carols we were about to sing...Listen for the Story everyone... 

The requests came pouring in! 

"Away in the Manger"...

"Joy to the World"...

"O little town of Bethlehem"...

"Hark the herald Angels sing"...

Then... "Silent Night" with candles (Lois has a "flare" for what makes a moment precious) 

NOW...Open the presents. Chaos reigns every year at that point. What fun and joy ran rampant through our living room...in was truly a "LIVING ROOM" filled with family and The presence of JESUS last night.

One of our beautiful little girls, Mackenzie told her mom Kelly... that the best part of Christmas Eve was "The Singing". Lois was right on with the singing of carols and candles.

It sure was a different and precious night with our loved ones. The Story Never Gets Old...Jesus has come!

This was one of my most favorite Christmas Eves in the past 73 years...the Glow lingers in the house along with the smell of the cooking oil from the fondue reminding us that Jesus was and is present continuing to pour out His goodness and mercy on us all the days of our lives. 

We just needed to... "look and see..."

Isaiah long ago wrote:

"Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
    Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
    not one of them is missing.

²⁷ Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”?

 
²⁸ Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak." (NIV)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH ONE OF YOU THIS SEASON

November 17th 2020

 

¹² Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, ¹³ forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3.12-17

Future "Top Gun"

 Eat your heart out Tom Cruise! Halloween 2020

 AKA:  Easton

Blessed beyond measure!

Fifty three years ago this beautiful little blond showed up at the Moorhead Pool with Cindy Anderson Kranz. Little did I know that we would celebrate 50 years of marriage on Friday 07.10.2020. We were married at Trinity Lutheran on Friday 07.10.70  It was 95 degrees without air conditioning. With sweat dripping from our noses we repeated our vows as Pastor Paul Hanson lead us. We had to get married on Friday because we had to be back to teach swimming lessons on Monday at Barnesville and Hawley. Short honeymoon to Winnipeg, Bemidji and back. It has been a great journey together and Lois thinks we should shoot for 30 more...Uff da! I would be 103 and not sure I'd know what I had for lunch that day. We are blessed beyond measure. "God's goodness and mercy has followed us all the days of our lives."