Connecting with Christ

04/02/2026

Some thoughts on this Maundy Thursday

03/29/2026

On this Sunday of palms and praise ...

https://www.connectingwithchrist.org/devotions/our-humble-king/

01/08/2026

A Morning Prayer
Thou hast again lighted the hours of time, and it is another day, with its cares, irritations and opportunities.
Help me to live in sympathy-Thyself and me-that I may follow Thee in the downward steps of self-denial and may know the nearness of You, Oh Lord and the beauty of my thoughts forgotten in my thoughts of Thee and those close to me.
Give me health to my soul, clearness of vision, and strength of mind that I may be calm amid vexations, hopeful amid discouragements, and faithful, trusting in You, Oh Lord and your Holy Spirit.
Help me to see every open door and may I never forget the path to the unfailing fountain of your mercy and faithfulness, that I may practice your presence to be used by you, in your purposes in the day and may go to my bed, unencumbered by any sin when I am tired and weary from the day.
Teach me forgiveness, contentment, and peace, as I walk with You, my Shepherd and Savior that I may not have walked in vain, for Thou art God, and I, am saved and given life by your grace.
Amen
(A Modified Prayer), Ainslie, Peter, God and Me, Temple Seminary Press, 1909

01/04/2026

Our 2026 Connecting with Christ Yearly Bible Reading Plan is now available in various forms.

“Connecting with Christ Bible Reading Plan” Do you want to experience a daily connection with Christ in your life? Do you want to have the Holy Spirit remake your heart as you draw near to God through His Living Word? Why not dedicate this new year to reading the entire New Testament? The “Con...

12/05/2025

https://www.connectingwithchrist.org/2025/12/05/far-and-near/

Far and Near Christ is far above all things, for all things were created by Him and through Him. God in every extent, far and wide gives breath and life to all that has existed and all that is yet to to come into being. All that exists, far beyond our knowledge and understanding is

11/24/2025

https://www.connectingwithchrist.org/2025/11/24/this-new-day-2/

A New Day Here, it is before you, a new day. A day unknown in its full content, as to whether it will be busy or quiet, or eventful in its demands or docile as it passes into a yesterday . A day unknown in its physical dimensions and qualities as to whether it will

11/24/2025

It has been a long time, but here is a new devotion.

A New Day Here, it is before you, a new day. A day unknown in its full content, as to whether it will be busy or quiet, or eventful in its demands or docile as it passes into a yesterday . A day unknown in its physical dimensions and qualities as to whether it will

12/19/2024

Our new 2025 "Connecting with Christ" Yearly Bible Reading Booklet is now out. We will mail you a booklet, if you would like, free of charge. If you would like a booklet, please private message me or email me at [email protected].

I can also send you PDF of the Yearly Bible Reading booklet or as a Word document that you can print off or leave as a file on your computer. Private Message me or email me at [email protected] if you are interested in this version of the Bible Reading Plan.

The Bible reading plan is also available on our website, www.connectingwithcchrist.org

10/13/2024

This song touched and brought strength to my Daughter in Law, at a time when she needed hope and it has carried me so many times to me in dark moments since then. She shared it with us and it has been such a strength to me over the past few years. The verse about our "Heavenly Father" running to us when we need Him, and beckoning us to His table is so, so powerful!

"At The Table" by Josh Garrels from the album - HOME (April 7th, 2015)Order CD or Vinyl Here: https://www.joshgarrels.com/storeListen on Spotify: https://ope...

10/12/2024

As Sharon and I spent a few moments with Torin and Paige, the young couple walking across America promoting opening our minds and hearts to ourselves and to others. I was reminded of a time forty-nine years ago.

I was a slightly disillusioned college student trying to make sense of life choices, faith and direction. I was driving home to my home on the family farm near Canby, MN on a rural Nebraska Highway. My heart was broken over misplaced love and my soul was suffering because of the rigidness of my professors while it was longing for different outcomes and directions.

A slightly bent woman with gray hair was trudging along the deserted highway. I stopped and asked her, if she needed anything and her soft words touched my aching heart. We talked for a few minutes as she spoke of just walking and riding wherever the road took her, while giving the gift of peace.

I asked if she wanted to ride with me and she exclaimed, "Sure."

I cannot remember how long she rode with me or where along the road, I dropped her off, but when I did, my soul was filled with peace. I could not know then that the direction of my life would be changed forever by giving "Peace Pilgrim" a simple ride in my old Mercury.

This special woman, who carried nothing with her gave to me, a gift that money could not buy. She was walking with nothing but the clothes she was wearing without any money to her name to promote peace in the world and peace in the soul. She listened to the overflowing emotion coming from my heart and gently opened my eyes, towards a different future. Her words were guided me away from bitterness, failures and selfishness... towards hope, promise and the peace that comes in the giving of ourselves.

I went to California the next semester and met my best friend on earth who became my beautiful wife. Although it took twenty years of farming, I eventually found my heart calling and became a pastor helping guide others in finding their peace. Although I am not walking down a deserted highway, just now I am still trying to pass on the gift of peace, given to me so long ago by the thin aging woman along that old Nebraska road.

Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love."

09/03/2024

Worried about the Wrong Things
34 The light of the body is the eye. Therefore, when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light. But when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. 35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. (Luke 11:34-35; KJ21).

How much time is focused on appearances? More than most people would admit. From physical appearance to spiritual appearances, is what is seen, real? Appearances can be accurate or they can terribly incongruent, shallow and false. Any appearances of religiosity, whether in attitude or action, can reflect true connection with God or they can be completely incorrect.

Faith that is real, in its connection by relationship to a living God, is not focused on the appearances of faith but on the connection with a living God. It reflects the truth of change and empowerment found in the linking of our lives with the Christ through His Spirit. Faith is not real when no connection with God is made. The Pharisees missed this truth. Jesus spoke of light and life and rebuked them for living and striving to exhibit appearances of faith while neglecting the required active connection with God that makes faith alive and true?

If the appearance of faith is what is valued as most important and above the reality of connection with God; there is no end to where this dangerous self-delusion and false presentation will travel. Jesus takes on the littlest inconsistencies between appearances and reality as slightly humorous but He ends His discourse with the evil of living for appearance’s sake with murder as the ultimate outcome. Jesus rebukes the Pharisees because the eyes of their focus had nothing to do with what was right, true and just according to God but simply how they might appear to be religious.

Real faith, reflects the real and vibrant Light of God because we are connected to Him in relationship. It shines, because we know Him and do what he asks us to do, not because we act and appear to be religious. Wash the inside of your life with the grace and truth that a true relationship with Christ brings, so that your life is full of light to you and to others.