February 24, 2010 LAM Foundation

Lindsay Ostrem Roach 1977-2003

Missing her today...Oh what blessings we have!

Praying for all the Lammies out there.

http://www.firstgiving.com/Tedd_LoisOstrem

February 22, 2010

Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything.  With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.  Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand.  And this peace will control the way you think and feel.  Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper.  Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.
~Philippians 4:6-8 (CEV)~

Ever wonder or worry about "tomorrow"?

Most of our worries never become real. I find myself struggling with some piece of life and it keeps me awake at night most frequently. I turn to what I know; meditation on the Name of Jesus. I shut out the noises of the day or the dark of the night with the Name of Jesus. As I pray and focus on Jesus it helps me to be still. Seeing Jesus in my "boat asleep during the raging storm" gives me confidence I too may sleep and not fear or struggle. I see the calming of the storm as Jesus comes to sit with me. He calms whatever fear or anxiety I might have and sleep comes.

What a great way to go to sleep...try it.

February 18, 2010

 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
       my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
       he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
       he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
       pour out your hearts to him,
       for God is our refuge.
       Selah

                          Psalm 62

My blessings!

My beautiful wife and grandson. God is so good.

An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:10-12

Happy Valentines!

Hope you had a special Valentines Day. Lois and I were able to spend two great days with my father and mother. We had our grandson, Haakon and his Mom and Dad with us. We took a four generation picture with my father. Dad was very lucid and enjoyed his great grandson, grandson and grand daughter-in-law. They sat by each other as Haakon checked out his great grandfather's shirt and hands. It was the best Valentine celebration in years for our family. I hope this picture speaks for itself.

February 9, 2010

Jesus taught his followers on a hillside to "let their light shine"...

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

This past week Lois and I were able to pick up Grandson Haakon from pre-school. When he got home he was so glad to see his Daddy. He went over to his pile of books and grabbed his favorite...his Daddy read to him and sang the song in the book..."This Little Light of Mine, I'm Going To Let It Shine". He held his little index finger up as his Daddy sang, "Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine! 

Passing the light on is done everyday in so many ways. Jesus' Light shined all over us in that precious moment with Haakon and Justin. 

May Jesus, The Light of the world, shine on all of us. "Shine Jesus Shine!"

Oh When the Saints came marching in...2010!

What a year for the New Orleans Saints! They were the "Cinderella" team that seemed to be destined to be victorious. A bunch of cast-offs and hard luck stories came together to become the champions. I've not been a great follower of pro football for a number of years but with Favre fever in MN and "The Saints"...Who Dat! it was a year to watch.

Dear Friends and "Saints"...
Sometimes we might feel like a bunch of cast-offs and misfits full of hard luck stories. It is probably true more often than I wish to admit that I tell myself those defeating messages in life. Isn't it interesting that we would tell ourselves things about ourselves that we would never think of telling others to their faces. It is at times like these that I need to remind myself...I'm a saint. By the righteousness of Jesus Christ I have been made a saint. By Christ's Cross I am redeemed and restored daily. Not a misfit or a mistake but a "made new creation" in the image of God in Christ. Imagine your Image in Christ. Oh when the saints come marching in...your in the ranks!

February 3, 2010

Living and growing...
One of the ever present calls on our lives is to grow and live as Jesus would desire for us. It is not an easy journey. The scriptures are full of illustrations and exhortations. Paul's is one of the most compelling.

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:3-11

Humbling oneself or allowing oneself to be humbled is a growing experience. It is counter intuitive. We are taught to strive to be number one by our culture and our nature. This is a season of learning new things about myself. Growing in different ways than anticipated. Praying and listening. Being lead; not leading. Learning to "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus...".

January 30, 2010

Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. 

For consider what great things he has done for you.    1 Samuel 12:24

The gentle reminders of Scripture ripple through time...serve and give thanks to the Lord.

Finding our place and purpose in the seasons of life is challenging. Keeping our eyes and hearts on Jesus helps one sift through the distractions of life as we seek to serve. Considering the wonders of God's love shown for us in Christ is the root of all thankfulness in a redeemed and regenerated life. 

Child of God you have been sealed with Holy Spirit and marked with the Cross of Christ forever!

January 29, 2010

I have had "light" shined into my life this week by numerous friends and family. My prayers for "light and life" continue to be raised up for all of us in our lives. Relationships are the fabric of life and mine has been rich this week as Jesus' Light was "shined" on me through others.

In my devotions the following quote stuck with me because I have been the recipient of such "Light".

Why not be a light (Eph. 5:8)—through your smiles, kind words and deeds, and diligent work. Ask God to bring opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ. You may be the only light a co-worker sees today.  — Dave Branon

January 28, 2010

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  1 Timothy 6:6-7


Contentment... It alludes many of  us frequently in these difficult days of economic and political turmoil. Paul's counsel to Timothy is good for us too...

..."Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,  who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.  1 Timothy 6:11-16

January 26, 2010

I read this quote today and am seeking to enjoy the truth in it....

A snowflake is one of God's most unique and fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together!       Author Unknown

11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing...Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5

Jan 25, 2010 Friends

Friends...they are the greatest blessing. I have had 3 friends communicate with me in the past 24 hours that have helped to "light up" my day. Reconnecting and affirming our friendship was life giving. One person recently said to me, "It's all about relationships." How true. To be called a friend by another is a huge lift. Jesus called his disciples "friends"...He calls us friends and we can count on Him!

 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.  No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."  John 15:12-15

Jan 22, 2010 Update on My Mother

Thanks and Praise! My Mother's biopsy was benign. She called and was rejoicing on her good news.
Thanks for the prayers!

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:15–16 (NIV)

One of the online devotionals I subscribe to is ByHisLight@aol.com. It amazes me how many times God's Word and other's reflection speak to my daily life. I hope you are blessed by today's devotional. If you wish to subscribe to By His Light, click on the link or copy and paste.
Pastor Tedd

DAILY INSPIRATION
Friday, January 22nd, 2010

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Fear Not...
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It is what we fear that happens to us.
~Oscar Wilde~
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Fear is an insidious immobilizer, that can rob you of your dreams and everything that could be yours.  The walls of protection which we build to try and insulate ourselves, are the very thing that also keep us from experiencing all the love, beauty and fulfillment that is available to us.  And, dwelling in fear may actually act as a catalyst, to bring about the very thing that you are most afraid of.  It MUST be faced, and overcome, in order to live a victorious life.  You are NOT a victim...and have been given everything that you need in order to see your dreams made manifest on this earth.
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For the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me, and that of which I am afraid befalls me.
~Job 3:25 (Amp)~

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
~Psalm 27:1~

In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.  The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?  The LORD is with me; he is my helper...This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
~Psalms 118:5-7,24 (NIV)~

In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].
~1 John 4:17,18 (Amp)~
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Jan 21, 2010

"The sign that God is at work in us is that He is destroying our confidence in the natural virtues, because they are not promises of what we are going to be, but only a wasted reminder of what God created man to be. We want to cling to our natural virtues, while all the time God is trying to get us in contact with the life of Jesus Christ—"  from Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest

Where we place our trust and confidence is central to what life means for us.
As the hymn says, "My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus' blood and righteousness..."
Learning to not lean on my own abilities or natural tendencies is one of the challenges of this season of my life. The uncertainties drive me closer to Jesus... the Way, the Truth and the Life!

Jan 19th 2010

My Mother's biopsy went very well. She had 3 nodules biopsied. The results will be known within a week. Long time to wait. She is feeling a little sore and stiff tonight. She has meds to take and says she will feel better tomorrow. She is a galiant 91 year old. Pretty tired tonight so will shut her down early.
Blessings to you all.

Jan 18, 2010 From Mayo to Moorhead

It has been a long day. Started at 6:30am with PET Scan, blood work and meeting with Dr Letendre. The PET scan from October 09 and today showed that there were still nodes in the neck that showed some activity but not as "hot" as before. The size of the nodes were the same or may be smaller. My blood counts and values were good. It was an answer to many prayers offer by so many on our behalf. We discussed the fatigue and stamina issues. I will return in three months for follow up with Dr Letendre and cardiology appointment. I continue to have issues with atria fib and flutter periodically. Our trip to Mayo was uplifting.

Then it was home again to pack up to head for Moorhead for my Mother's biopsy tomorrow. She has a growth on her thyroid and is suspicious. She will have the biopsy at 10am. I would ask prayers for her as she goes through this procedure at the age of 91.

As I sit on her couch in Moorhead I am grateful for all of you who have been praying. It makes a difference.

January 13, 2010

Oswald Chambers' writings have always intrigued me. They speak of the Journey of Faith in fresh ways with "old words". I would suggest reading today's reading from My Utmost for His Highest.

http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/my-utmost-for-his-highest/01/13/devotion.aspx?year=2010

Here is just a excerpt of today's reading:

January 13, 2010
Have You Ever Been Alone with God? (2)

When He was alone . . . the twelve asked Him about the parable —Mark 4:10

His Solitude with Us.
When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted desires, a broken friendship, or a new friendship— when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us. Notice Jesus Christ’s training of the Twelve. It was the disciples, not the crowd outside, who were confused. His disciples constantly asked Him questions, and He constantly explained things to them, but they didn’t understand until after they received the Holy Spirit (see John 14:26).

As you journey with God, the only thing He intends to be clear is the way He deals with your soul. The sorrows and difficulties in the lives of others will be absolutely confusing to you. We think we understand another person’s struggle until God reveals the same shortcomings in our lives....
Oswald Chambers

January 10, 2010

Lois and I want to thank the Prince of Peace family, Pastors, Staff, and Council for today. We have been privileged to serve with you these past 5 years. Thank you again for all the prayers, words of encouragement and support you have shared with us. We have experienced the love of Jesus through you in so many ways. It was a joy to worship together this morning as the second graders received their Bibles and share in the baptisms. What a vibrant and hopeful church we have been blessed to serve.
Blessings
Pastor Tedd and Lois