Author: dannalundstrom

Fight for Hope

- dannalundstrom 3 Comments

What circumstance have you lost all hope in?   We all have one that just appears as if all is lost and it will never change.   Our challenge is to wait on Him; to trust Him. It is a difficult task for those of us who prefer instant gratification.   

The world offers us instant gratification with long term depletion.   God is focused on intentional glorification with long term completition.   

The Lord’s timing often leaves us to wait.    The wait can be brutal. We may become desperate, and feel as if there is no point in longing anymore.   The wait, however, is where His purpose is born.   We must pray for patience, faith and perseverance knowing Our Father has a master plan even when it feels to the contrary.    

It is faith that looks at a dark night sky and knows the stars are still shining.   

They are still sparkling beneath the darkness until the right moment when their Master deems it appropriate for them to be revealed again.    Your circumstance may be blanketed in darkness right now, but do not lose hope that The Lord will restore the light in His perfect timing.                    

“I will have reached the point of greatest strength once I have learned to wait for hope.” ~George Matheson

You are loved, friends.

You Were God’s Idea

- dannalundstrom

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Are you feeling condemned?  Maybe your awareness of you inadequacies has you keeping company with shame, anxiety, and depression.  Some days you are on the mountaintop and the next in the valley.  That is what our expectations do to us, friends.

Expectations are the executioners of embattled hearts.

They will always spotlight our shortcomings.  I have been a prisoner of that camp far too many times.  My heart is prone to forget what my head knows.  Romans 8:1 ~, therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  

I am at a place that I know it is my brokenness, not my goodness that is my badge of honor and that has made all the difference.

However, do I forget this at times?  Yes!  Do I have to remember this and reapply it when The Lord is excavating yet another lump of coal out of my heart?  Absolutely!  C.S. Lewis captured a brilliant truth when he said, “people need reminding a lot more than they need instructing.”  I am forgetful, especially when it comes to myself.  

Grace isn’t just for the shiny people who occasionally make mistakes because the truth is, inside there are no shiny people.  Grace is for me, and it is for you; the sinful and struggling but always seeking.  

God recently reminded me that my self-condemnation is an insult to Him.  It is equal to me saying to Him; You got it wrong.  You made a mistake.  Let us not be deceived; The Lord makes no mistakes, and He works with imperfect, not impeccable people.  May your heart find a glimpse of freedom here this Friday, friend.  You were God’s idea; He makes no errors, and He says you are enough!

 

 

I’m Going Home

- dannalundstrom

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I’m going home.  Recently I visited my grandmother in Texas where she lives in a home and receives full-time care.  At ninety-six her body is strong, but her mind has slipped. Most days she cannot put intelligible words together.  Occasionally, however, she is very clear when uttering a few words.  On the first day after “visiting” with her, I told her I would be back to see her tomorrow, and she very discernibly responded, “I won’t be here.” I asked her where she would be, and again she stated with great clarity, “I’m going home.” At that moment those words broke my heart and brokered tears.  As I have been pondering her words and that twinkle in time, I have realized that those are the most beautiful three words anyone can say with the confidence Pete did that day.  Despite her deficits, she knows her desired destination-Home.  Those three words still make me cry, because I now perceive them as a beautiful declaration of her destiny rather than a brutal depiction of her desperation.  I’m going home.  That is the hope of all our hearts.  I’m going home.  It is the mantra that rings in the background of all our messes.  When we know our eternal home is Heaven, are there any more beautiful words? 2

Corinthians 5:6-9 ~So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.

Mining for Gold Not Gossip

- dannalundstrom


I cannot imagine a more pathetic job than digging up dirt to smear people.  I cannot imagine a more pleasurable job than discovering the good to spread about people.  Lord may I always look for the admirable and not the amiss, because not one of us is all good nor all bad.  Romans 14:19~ So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Press on in Faith and Hope, Friends

- dannalundstrom

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Earlier I stepped out of church to more tragic news.  More evil.  More lives taken.  More unnecessary violence.  More heartache.

Yesterday, I decided my feelings would not be the boss of me today as they have been so many recent days amidst the backdrop of consecutive tragedies.  I didn’t know my pledge would be so immediately challenged.  I remain steadfast in that commitment, but my heart is heavy, and I feel deep sadness.  However, I do not have to be powerless to my feelings.  

I honor a God whose promises still reign, and He has given me the power to act in spite of my agony.  I am going to use The Lord’s strength to continue being a prayerful supporter, a promise seeker, and a peace sower.

Remember the crucifixion, friends.  From all the view points of the people present on that dark day, it looked like the most tragic event in history, and it was in many ways.  However, it turned out to be the greatest thing God ever did for the world.  

We have to hold on to that kind of wreckless faith, friends.  We cannot put our hope in this world, but we must press into the hope of God’s word while in this world.  Otherwise, we will be starving orphans searching everywhere for a drink only to find tainted water.

John 16:33 ~I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Selfie Sermon Tuesday

- dannalundstrom

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Hey fretting friend.  Resign from your post today and rest here.

Psalm 119:42~I trust in your word.  

What peaceful lives we would lead if we believed this word every moment of ever day.  It is easy to apply this to parts of our lives, but other areas like our children, our security, our health and our provisions pose a threat to our faith.

God’s word is not meant to be picked and chosen to fit only our comfort zones.  

It is intended to stretch far beyond those seemingly safe spheres and cover every area of occupation.   The degree to which we surrender to an unwavering belief in undesirable places, otherwise known as faith, is directionally proportional to our breadth of peace.  

Do we believe when it is counterintuitive or just when it is convenient? 

It’s ok.  Me, too.  Life is a series of remembering God’s promises, repenting of our unbelief and returning to His shelter.  We are continually under construction, and that is not only ok, but it is also normal! 

#selfiesermon #preachingtoself

Be the Church

- dannalundstrom


Black lives matter. Police lives matter. Unborn lives matter. These are all solid truths, but they are slogans that capture headlines not hearts. People don’t need to be convinced they need to be converted. I read many comments yesterday that said, “I don’t feel qualified to act.” “I don’t have the right to speak.” You not only have the right, if you profess to be a follower of Jesus, you have the responsibility! Jesus does not call you because you are qualified, but because He is. Being the church is far more important than being seen at church. Rise friends! Go above and beyond today. Don’t just tell people about Jesus; show them Jesus!

Who or What Are You Trusting

- dannalundstrom 1 Comment

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Right now it seems all the world has to offer is unrest, uncertainty, division, fear and anger, but God gives us His word.  It is the balm and the pacifier for all things.  Last night I was reading in the Psalms before I went to bed.  Psalm 112:7-8 says, they do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.  They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.  As I meditated on that, I immediately felt lighter.  I cannot just read God’s word.  That does me no good.  I must believe His word.  Perception without practice is unbelief that only leads us down dirt roads disillusioned by fear.  The degree to which we trust the Lord at His word is directly proportional to our level of peace. We are all trusting in something.  When I find myself anxious, afraid or mingling with any of their cohorts, I know I am trusting in something or someone other than my Savior.  May you find freedom and rest in the Word, not the world today, friends.

You Are Enough

- dannalundstrom 4 Comments

You are not pretty enough, skinny enough, good enough, fun enough or organized enough. You are not a good mother, father, provider, cook, leader, friend or person.  You cannot compete with everyone around you.  You will never measure up, have enough or be enough.  These are all LIES friend.  Lies that an opportunistic enemy likes to plant in our minds when we are not on guard and insulated every morning by the word of God.  If you did not have time to read this morning, let me remind you of a few of the beautiful things God says about you.  You are mine.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  I have your name inscribed on the palm of my hand. I call you friend.  You are my heir.  You have been set free.  In repentance, you find rest and I will remember the trespasses no more.  You are righteous, redeemed and set free by the grace of Jesus.  Nothing you can do will take away my love for you.  I loved you enough to sacrifice my son.  I have chosen you. You are complete in me.  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ~Philippians 4:8.  You are loved and adored on you best and even more on your worst day, so do not despair, precious friend.

Be Still and Know

- dannalundstrom

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We travel far to see oceans and mountains.  We go far to see distant continents and people. How often, though do we stand still long enough to see and know ourselves?  It is not about being self-centered but self-aware.  We cannot grow that which we do not know.  Be still and see so you may know.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. ~Psalm 139:14