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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
- Mar 25, 2019
A Love Like No Other
God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. – John 3:16-17 As we approach Easter, it’s a perfect time to reflect on God’s great love. I’m often guilty of confusing God’s love with my imperfect love for others. Then I read passages like the ones above and I’m reminded; God’s love is like no o
Laura Busse
- Feb 26, 2019
Eyes on Others
Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:12 If I were standing face to face with Jesus and He told me to love others just as He’d loved me, I’d probably be a little intimidated, not to mention tongue-tied. What I’d be thinking, but not quite brave enough to say, is “Sorry Jesus, but that’s impossible.” Even more intimidating would be having to live up to another of His statements, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his
Laura Busse
- Feb 18, 2019
Loved... No Matter What
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:8 Do you find it hard to love someone who hurt you? What do you typically do when you discover someone you trusted lied about you, worked a situation against you, or told others not to trust you? I’ll be honest, when someone close to me hurts me, my first instinct is disbelief. My mind races with questions like: How is this possible? Why is this happening? What in the world is goi
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
- Dec 31, 2018
Love Made Complete
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. – 1 John 4:12 Twenty-five years ago, New Year's Eve in a New England church, I took Dan’s hand, said “I do. I believed our love could endure any storm and our passion would never wane. Young and naïve, I didn’t foresee the storms that have crashed into us over the years: high risk pregnancies, job losses, financial crisis, death of friends, family discord, wayward teenag
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
- 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 12, 2018
Multiply, Don't Divide
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 15:5-6 Have you ever watched a really heated competition? Maybe a hockey game where the pushing and shoving turns into punches? Or maybe you’ve seen a soccer team turn on itself. When the other team takes the lead, frustration leads to criticism, t
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
Laura Busse
- Oct 21, 2018
A Servant's Heart
For even the Son of Man (Jesus) did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. – Mark 10:45 Living in the mountains of Colorado has some incredible benefits: challenging hiking trails, cooler summer temperatures, colorful sunsets and continuous wildlife sightings. Mountain living also has its drawbacks: gas tanks empty quickly, icy roads demand expensive tires, and scheduling conflicts often strand me in town for hours. Recently, while stuck
Laura Busse
- Sep 26, 2018
Fear Less to Become Fearless
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 Think for a moment. What is one thing that slows your faith down, or even stops it in its tracks, and keeps you from running full speed after your dreams? Several things may come to mind right away, like busyness, sickness, other people, or seemingly impossible circumstances. But I’m thinking of something
Laura Busse
- Sep 16, 2018
Character Camp
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23 Years ago, I ran camps for young kids. Our mission was to place the pieces of God’s character into the hearts and minds of His children through interactive dramas. The kids would “step into the shoes” of children living in developing countries, learning what it was like to live without clean water and other basic needs. I remember one parti
Laura Busse
- Sep 1, 2018
Say What??
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love. – Hebrews 10:24 I don’t spend very much time thinking about what I should give my husband for his birthday, because I’ve learned over the years that receiving gifts doesn’t matter much to him anyways. If I want my sister in law to know I love her, I show up to take care of her twin boys, because she lights up when others help her through acts of service. What about you? How do you best receive love? God designed each
Laura Busse
- Aug 27, 2018
Ten Finger Strength
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21 In my dream vacation, every day would be filled with relaxation and fun exploration. My husband, Dan would agree. The only problem is that we define these things differently. Relaxation for me means laying on the beach, drifting
Laura Busse
- Aug 21, 2018
Love Listens
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. – James 1:19 If I ask my son how his new job is going, I’ll receive a short, two word response: “It’s good.” If I ask more questions, I might unearth one of two more details before he gets annoyed and loses interest in our conversation. I have to be thoughtful and choose my words carefully. As we sit in silence, I remember when he was four years old and never stopped talking. What happened? If I ask m
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