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Laura Busse
- Jun 20, 2019
Goodbye, Friend
Jesus said, “I have called you friends… This is my command: Love one another.” – John 15:15,17 How are you with goodbyes? We all handle them differently. Some of us rush through their goodbyes with a quick hug and few words. Others minimize the impact by lightening up the language, saying things like, “Hey, see you later!,” “Take care,” “Be good,” and “Adios.” What’s your preference when it comes time to say goodbye? Personally, I hate goodbyes. When my oldest daughter left f
Laura Busse
- Jun 4, 2019
Fight Fear With Faith
For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you.” – Isaiah 41:13 When was the last time you did something for the first time? Maybe you tried a new sport or a new kind of food. Maybe you attempted to speak a different language in a country you’d never visited before. Do you enjoy trying new things or do you prefer life to be predictable? Researchers at Stanford University have studied the probability of people changi
Laura Busse
- May 29, 2019
Obey Today
Jesus said, “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him, the Holy Spirit to you. – John 16:7 Can you think of a time when you knew what God wanted you to do, but you ignored Him and did what you wanted to do instead? How’d that work out for you? LISTEN TO THIS MESSAGE: Years ago, I knew God was asking my husband, Dan and I to dig out of debt by sticking to a budget. We signed up for a financia
Laura Busse
- May 24, 2019
Bathing Suit Weather
Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. – Galatians 5:26 Last week, spring finally sprung in Colorado, with lush green grass in the fields, pink blossoms on the trees, and yellow flowers on the ground. The sun dried up the hiking trails and it was shorts and t-shirt weather again. Thank you God! When I came home after hiking, I caught my reflection in a sun-lit window. Wow, these pasty white legs haven’t seen the sun in at least six
Laura Busse
- May 14, 2019
Shut Up Satan!
When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. – John 16:13 Do you ever feel like your mind has a “mind of its own”? I can be moving through my day without a care in the world, when all of a sudden, one thought triggers another and another and before I know it, I’m lost in worry or wrecked with an anxious heart. Every day thousands of thoughts scroll through our minds. Some are beneficial because they raise our mood, strengthen our faith, or give us co
Laura Busse
- Feb 2, 2019
From Frazzled to Focused
“Margin in our lives overall creates options. Options to pursue dreams, think, pray, relax, meditate, process, grow and ultimately live life more fully.” – Brad Lomenick (Catalyst leader) How would you respond if an unexpected foot of snow fell where you live, clogging the roads, closing schools, and cancelling your entire day? I laughed out loud listening to Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer describe how her community in Dallas, Texas endured several home-bound snow days. I not
Laura Busse
- Jan 30, 2019
Love THEM?
Jesus taught, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in Heaven.” – Matthew 5:43-4 When I read that passage, I quickly become defensive and want to question God: “Really? You must be joking! Love our enemies? Are you crazy?” “God, you saw what lies she spread about me. How in the world can I love that woman?” “He hurt me to
Laura Busse
- Jan 26, 2019
Truth vs. Trash
The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17 When someone hurts my feelings, love and forgiveness are not my first emotions. Usually, I first experience some level of shock. Then, my heart feels like it’s been ripped open. That pain is typically followed by a righteous indignation that fires me up to fight back and “right the wrong.” Unfortunatel
Laura Busse
- Jan 25, 2019
Seek & Find
You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13 Do you remember playing Hide & Seek when you were a child? I vividly remember the entire floorplan of my grandparents’ house in Tipton, Indiana because when all the cousins came together for Thanksgiving or Christmas, I searched every inch of that old house looking for the very best hiding spot. Our version of Hide & Seek was called, “Big B” because we always made our oldest cousin, Brad be
Laura Busse
- Jan 21, 2019
Breathe In & Praise Out
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. – Psalm 46:10 My husband gave me his Apple Watch when mine stopped working. He connected it to my phone, so now calls, texts, and weather alerts are delivered right to my wrist. It also tracks my heart rate, how far I’ve walked, and how long I’ve been sitting down. I sometimes feel like it’s a cross between a nanny and a personal trainer… and it’s quite controlling! Several
Laura Busse
- Jan 8, 2019
Vegas, baby
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. – 1 Samuel 16:7 Chaperoning my oldest daughter’s soccer team in Las Vegas was an eye opening experience, to say the least. Casino lights welcomed us off the airplane, billboards advertising sex lined the streets, cigarette smoke filled our hotel lobby, and skimpy dresses and high heels appeared to be the dress code. Dressed in informal athletic wear, we stu
Laura Busse
- Jan 7, 2019
Give it Up!
Trust in the Lord with all you heart. - Proverbs 3:5 Do you load the dishwasher better than anyone in your house? Are you the only one who folds the laundry correctly? … and have you ever re-folded someone else’s pile? Do you often think that if others would just listen to your advice, their lives would go much more smoothly? While driving, do you ignore Google Maps and bypass traffic by making your own route? At the airport, do you switch security screening lines when yours
Laura Busse
- Dec 26, 2018
Faith, Hope, and Love Live Forever
May God see our work produced by faith, our labor prompted by love, and our endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. – Prayer from 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Does life sometimes feel way too complicated, cluttered, and chaotic? Do you long for simplicity and clarity like I do? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to wake up in the morning and find God had left you a list of the most important things you are to do that day? Your priorities would then be crystal clear and you could h
Laura Busse
- Dec 20, 2018
Who Would You Be?
There were shepherds living out in the fields… the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord…You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manager.” – Luke 2:8-12 Recently, I asked a group of women to recall who was present at the birth of Jesus. We listed: Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the angels, the animals in the manager, and the
Laura Busse
- Dec 17, 2018
The Change Up
Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection and love. – 2 Peter 1:5-7 Everything was going smoothly at my last annual doctor’s checkup, until we got to the topic of exercise. Reviewing old notes, she asked if I was still running or hiking four to five times a week. I answered “yes” (hoping that she wouldn’t ma
Laura Busse
- Dec 5, 2018
Mary's Shoes
“I am the Lord’s servant.” Mary answered the angel, “May it be to me as you have said.” – Luke 1:38 It’s easy to look at someone else’s life and find fault… until you find yourself walking in their shoes. I remember hearing a mother of three telling a group of us that she and her husband let their kids pick the high school they wanted to attend. Since we have an “open enrollment” policy in our town, it is possible for siblings to go to different schools. But from my perspecti
Laura Busse
- Nov 20, 2018
A Thanksgiving Call to LOVE
Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35 What are you most thankful for today? Is it family gathered around the table sharing delicious food and wonderful laughter? Is it a few days off to enjoy more time outdoors? Is it online shopping for Christmas? I’m most thankful for my daughter Abby’s return from South Africa
Laura Busse
- Nov 14, 2018
Test Yourself
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 My highly organized friends sent their Thanksgiving invitations out a month ago. They’ve planned the menu, bought the food, cleaned the house, set the table, and will be ready to relax and give thanks to God next Thursday. As for me, I’m planning on keeping up my Thanksgiving tradition: I’ll race around town the day before with an impossibly long shopping list. The next da
Laura Busse
- Nov 6, 2018
You Are a Friend
A friend loves at all times. – Proverbs 17:17 Do you remember the names of your first friends? What they looked like, where they lived and your favorite things to do together? As you got older, how did your friendships change? Which ones have endured throughout the years while other friendships have drifting into the distant? My husband has done an amazing job staying connected to his high school and college friends. (so much better of a job than me) I think the secret to h
Laura Busse
- Nov 4, 2018
The Gift of Reaching Out
Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father. – James 1:17 (MSG) Recently I spent a beautiful morning hiking with a dear friend. It was her birthday but, but she was the one giving me the gift of time together. Joy and laughter flowed as we talked and laughed along the trail, but I found myself questioning, “Why had it been so long since we’ve spent time together?” I blamed our packed schedules, our ki
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