As I wipe the tears, Joe you take your gifts and you share them with us. Your friend which passed, he was a gift and because of you, we got to know him, know of him, and smile as we know he went home.
I try to remind myself, when we pass, we don’t get to pack. We don’t even have to prepare, this means everything here in our lives doesn’t matter except our relationships. Those left behind mourn but inevitably continue on. I’m sure you and your wife will be a “God send” to your friend’s wife. What a gift your last weekend was, all of you together. I’m sorry for your aunt’s passing as well. I live in Wisconsin, we get visited a lot by out of staters during the summer. The official playground for all!
Thanks to you, I’m going to think of Martha now, often. After all , we can have a cake baking in the oven, but when it’s our time to go, what’s cooking isn’t relevant, those we leave behind are.
You mean a great deal to us here in the Badlands Media community. You truly are our gift, we should each say a prayer for you, thanking God for your bright light even in your darkest hour. We really are blessed!!
I’m going to save this particular substack, it’s worth reading at the start or end of each day.
So many can relate here Joe, and believe me I’m my own worst taskmaster but I can’t change on my own by sheer willpower, no, only God can do that. And I thank Him that we are works in progress. We need more of Jesus. I try to sit at Jesus’ feet as much as possible but often find myself distracted! But He gently guides me back. We are the apple of His eye and He knows us better than we know ourselves, and STILL loves us. God bless you Joe, you are a beautiful soul!
I really don't even know how to begin to tell you how much your words have struck my heart like a thunderbolt. Like many in this thread, your words have brought me to tears. First, let me say that I am truly sorry for the loss of your beautiful friend and your beloved Aunt. As you so eloquently conveyed, you were blessed to have the kind of "spiritual" kinship with your friend and the privilege of sharing his last days with him. Your message is powerful and no doubt comes from God who wants all of us to slow down, be still and turn back to Him. I just completed one of my Bible plans this morning titled "Addicted to Busy: Recovery for the Rushed Soul". It encapsulates exactly what you have shared with us in your writing today. I've said it once and I'll say it again, the inspiration and encouragement that is poured out into this community is truly a blessing and I am so grateful to be here to receive it. Thank you, Joe! May God continue you blessing you and speaking to us through you.
Joe, you couldn’t have written anything better for me to step back and realize how much I miss because of being too busy with business obligations. Thank you. More time with the Lord is needed❤️
I always had a love/hate relationship with the story of Mary and Martha. You see, I have a sister named Mary that would get out of most of her chores, and I would have to pick up her slack. She was three years younger than me, and I suppose it was expected that I fulfill the role of Momma's little helper for just about everything. This is a tough task when you have seven brothers and just one sister. But as I matured and learned the difference between wants and needs, I realized what Jesus was saying was the truth. We do have a choice and our expectations aren't necessarily His. Thank you for this reminder of the better things we've been given as His children, the freedom that is ours from the life of bandage ad oppression. God bless you!
Another God inspired substack. Tears runinng down my face as your words are the light for the week. Easter week is one of deep thought and prayer for me, and this was God's gift. To remember what's important. Thank you Joe for your raw honesty and opening up your heart to share this very personal moment.
Joe. That story was very helpful. I too have been led by the Holy Spirit my whole life. It’s brought me to help others in ways I never dreamed of doing. It’s led me down all good paths in life and I am so grateful. But in todays world of increased evil at every turn I do become very fearful. I wanted life that God bestowed on me to just continue but of course when faced with death itself it kinds of makes one feel lost and alone. My husband suffered a stroke last august. God with with us at that moment. I was driving and noticed he couldn’t speak. It was all gibberish. I realized he was not joking and within the hour I got him to a local stroke hospital where he had a stent in his corotic neck artery because of a block there. It was, after all the shock of the sudden emergency, a BLESSING IN DISGUISE. If I had not been driving, if I didn’t find that hospital, if he didn’t survive the surgery that would have been the end. IF IF IF..! Miracles still exist even in an upside down world indeed.
God is so wonderful so kind so close. My husband not only survived but is almost back to normal. I am grateful as is he but death is waiting for all of us. All the days of your life wait for you in heaven. Only your good deeds on earth go with you to heaven. Every day of life counts. Every moment of life is holy and a gift.
So I have taught handicapped children for decades and taught religion in an after school program at my parish for a decade. I am going to be teaching it again this fall. But praying every day and staying connected to God brings Him very close. When you do what God wants of you and you try with all your spirit to fulfill your reason for bringing good will to others, God will help you at your worst moments.
Choices are OF PROMINENT IMPORTANCE right now.
God in His kindness is giving people time to get come back to Him. He is accelerating His Redemption of our world. As we spiral into chaos we should keep the faith of what He promises the righteous. He will send His Messiah very soon and then it will be too late to choose Him. THE TIME OF SALVATION OF YOUR SOUL IS NOW. When Gods Messiah does arrive many will not survive. But many will. We must be still. We must listen to that small voice inside us calling our soul. We must not be discouraged and we must depend on Gods kindness toward us.
In life the ONLY free choice we have is whether or not to find and know and follow His word. Most of our lives are already set for us. We don’t choose our birth family or our destinies. The Only free choice is if we chose to be close to Him. There really is nothing else. When we choose to know God He will open doors for you. The doors He opens leads to LIFE IN ABUNDANCE IN BLESSINGS AND IN PEACE.
❤️... God is good all the time. My life has been Martha! Martha! Martha lately. I quit my job in midst of the pandemic due to being surrounded by orwellian leadership. Still waiting on the class action lawsuit .. even tho, as a Christian that is NOT my mo. I worked with a real live witch who wasnt afraid to flaunt her wickedness. She flew under the radar of most, but my spirit and hers.. Oil and water! G(o)od vs Evil. I knew to keep my distance from that one... story for another time.. I have since had 6 jobs in the past 2 yrars trying to again find my place in this world. Doing doing doing,. Some seeking, but mostly doing. I did find 2 part time jobs that pay more than 1 full time job, and most days I am content because they are in line with what God has called me to do. SERVE OTHERS. I wish I could serve and not get paid.. but right now it is what it is.. O I fight Him still on his plan for my life, but I know that I know that I know.. I can never be snatched out of the loving hands that called me, and keeps me despite myself. Maybe God allows Martha seasons in our lives to remind us what is truly important. I prayed many years ago tthat I would stop trying to be someone God had not intended me . I JUSTVWANTED TO BE. I ONCE WAS LOST. NOW I'M FOUND. C'mon people what's so hard. I have to be reminded that only Jesus can change a heart. I wanted to save the world. VERY Quickly, God said.. wait wait wait who do you think you are.. that is my job. I wanted so many stages to tell my testimony, but God hasn't yet provided that grand stage. He did take this fatherless child into his arms, (my earthly dad died when I wss 3,) spared this child from greater pain I have mo doubt about that. I hope I impact the lives God has given me, mostly my children and grandchildren, leave a legacy of faithfulness, Rejoice in heaven, singing on key with the saints One day, and spend all of eternity wiith our faithful God and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. You have chosen the good life Joe... or maybe He chose you for such a time as this.. I am pondering your words.. I need to get my game on drawing on the love and power and strength of Jesus.through God's Word.. I spent 1 solid year daily in God's Word after my mom passed in 2012 and I was so full of life. I struggle finding people who want to connect on that very deep level, so sometimes I put God in a box.. because when he speaks I tend to listen.. I shake everything up around me.... it feels isolating and lonely, so I have been on a hiatus for far too long. I NEEDED to be reminded of what faithfulness looks like. Thanks for modeling what true Christanity looks like and for sharing a part of your struggle. When God changes a heart its real, it's genuine, its deep,, and filled with much joy. You are a breath of fresh air. Much love to you and your family... oh look at that the Son is rising.... figuratively and sun literally. Keep searching and sharing, Joe, sure am glad God put you in my life, brother ❤️
Beautiful message Joe! I sometimes wonder what God's purpose for me is. I think at times it's to encourage others, but I'm never sure . I've been feeling God's presence alot lately and I know I need to be more still and listen. Thank you for writing this.
Love this. I, too, struggle with perfection/humility. I pray the Litany of Humility often. It helps for sure! God speaks through us and He probably helped abbreviate your talk that time for a good reason. If nothing else, it spared you from being too prideful about your work, but not from affirmation of the message! Love you Joe! God bless your family.
You are so talented. I am subject to some of the pitfalls you describe so I can relate to Martha and the “perfection plague”. But I was very touched regarding your perceived failure ( not) in the pulpit. But you quality but not quantity. But in this case, just what was needed. Thank you again, Joe.
As I wipe the tears, Joe you take your gifts and you share them with us. Your friend which passed, he was a gift and because of you, we got to know him, know of him, and smile as we know he went home.
I try to remind myself, when we pass, we don’t get to pack. We don’t even have to prepare, this means everything here in our lives doesn’t matter except our relationships. Those left behind mourn but inevitably continue on. I’m sure you and your wife will be a “God send” to your friend’s wife. What a gift your last weekend was, all of you together. I’m sorry for your aunt’s passing as well. I live in Wisconsin, we get visited a lot by out of staters during the summer. The official playground for all!
Thanks to you, I’m going to think of Martha now, often. After all , we can have a cake baking in the oven, but when it’s our time to go, what’s cooking isn’t relevant, those we leave behind are.
You mean a great deal to us here in the Badlands Media community. You truly are our gift, we should each say a prayer for you, thanking God for your bright light even in your darkest hour. We really are blessed!!
I’m going to save this particular substack, it’s worth reading at the start or end of each day.
Don’t be a Martha!
So many can relate here Joe, and believe me I’m my own worst taskmaster but I can’t change on my own by sheer willpower, no, only God can do that. And I thank Him that we are works in progress. We need more of Jesus. I try to sit at Jesus’ feet as much as possible but often find myself distracted! But He gently guides me back. We are the apple of His eye and He knows us better than we know ourselves, and STILL loves us. God bless you Joe, you are a beautiful soul!
I really don't even know how to begin to tell you how much your words have struck my heart like a thunderbolt. Like many in this thread, your words have brought me to tears. First, let me say that I am truly sorry for the loss of your beautiful friend and your beloved Aunt. As you so eloquently conveyed, you were blessed to have the kind of "spiritual" kinship with your friend and the privilege of sharing his last days with him. Your message is powerful and no doubt comes from God who wants all of us to slow down, be still and turn back to Him. I just completed one of my Bible plans this morning titled "Addicted to Busy: Recovery for the Rushed Soul". It encapsulates exactly what you have shared with us in your writing today. I've said it once and I'll say it again, the inspiration and encouragement that is poured out into this community is truly a blessing and I am so grateful to be here to receive it. Thank you, Joe! May God continue you blessing you and speaking to us through you.
Joe, you couldn’t have written anything better for me to step back and realize how much I miss because of being too busy with business obligations. Thank you. More time with the Lord is needed❤️
Mr. Lange,
I always had a love/hate relationship with the story of Mary and Martha. You see, I have a sister named Mary that would get out of most of her chores, and I would have to pick up her slack. She was three years younger than me, and I suppose it was expected that I fulfill the role of Momma's little helper for just about everything. This is a tough task when you have seven brothers and just one sister. But as I matured and learned the difference between wants and needs, I realized what Jesus was saying was the truth. We do have a choice and our expectations aren't necessarily His. Thank you for this reminder of the better things we've been given as His children, the freedom that is ours from the life of bandage ad oppression. God bless you!
Another God inspired substack. Tears runinng down my face as your words are the light for the week. Easter week is one of deep thought and prayer for me, and this was God's gift. To remember what's important. Thank you Joe for your raw honesty and opening up your heart to share this very personal moment.
Joe. That story was very helpful. I too have been led by the Holy Spirit my whole life. It’s brought me to help others in ways I never dreamed of doing. It’s led me down all good paths in life and I am so grateful. But in todays world of increased evil at every turn I do become very fearful. I wanted life that God bestowed on me to just continue but of course when faced with death itself it kinds of makes one feel lost and alone. My husband suffered a stroke last august. God with with us at that moment. I was driving and noticed he couldn’t speak. It was all gibberish. I realized he was not joking and within the hour I got him to a local stroke hospital where he had a stent in his corotic neck artery because of a block there. It was, after all the shock of the sudden emergency, a BLESSING IN DISGUISE. If I had not been driving, if I didn’t find that hospital, if he didn’t survive the surgery that would have been the end. IF IF IF..! Miracles still exist even in an upside down world indeed.
God is so wonderful so kind so close. My husband not only survived but is almost back to normal. I am grateful as is he but death is waiting for all of us. All the days of your life wait for you in heaven. Only your good deeds on earth go with you to heaven. Every day of life counts. Every moment of life is holy and a gift.
So I have taught handicapped children for decades and taught religion in an after school program at my parish for a decade. I am going to be teaching it again this fall. But praying every day and staying connected to God brings Him very close. When you do what God wants of you and you try with all your spirit to fulfill your reason for bringing good will to others, God will help you at your worst moments.
Choices are OF PROMINENT IMPORTANCE right now.
God in His kindness is giving people time to get come back to Him. He is accelerating His Redemption of our world. As we spiral into chaos we should keep the faith of what He promises the righteous. He will send His Messiah very soon and then it will be too late to choose Him. THE TIME OF SALVATION OF YOUR SOUL IS NOW. When Gods Messiah does arrive many will not survive. But many will. We must be still. We must listen to that small voice inside us calling our soul. We must not be discouraged and we must depend on Gods kindness toward us.
In life the ONLY free choice we have is whether or not to find and know and follow His word. Most of our lives are already set for us. We don’t choose our birth family or our destinies. The Only free choice is if we chose to be close to Him. There really is nothing else. When we choose to know God He will open doors for you. The doors He opens leads to LIFE IN ABUNDANCE IN BLESSINGS AND IN PEACE.
So choose LIFE and be still and stay connected.
❤️... God is good all the time. My life has been Martha! Martha! Martha lately. I quit my job in midst of the pandemic due to being surrounded by orwellian leadership. Still waiting on the class action lawsuit .. even tho, as a Christian that is NOT my mo. I worked with a real live witch who wasnt afraid to flaunt her wickedness. She flew under the radar of most, but my spirit and hers.. Oil and water! G(o)od vs Evil. I knew to keep my distance from that one... story for another time.. I have since had 6 jobs in the past 2 yrars trying to again find my place in this world. Doing doing doing,. Some seeking, but mostly doing. I did find 2 part time jobs that pay more than 1 full time job, and most days I am content because they are in line with what God has called me to do. SERVE OTHERS. I wish I could serve and not get paid.. but right now it is what it is.. O I fight Him still on his plan for my life, but I know that I know that I know.. I can never be snatched out of the loving hands that called me, and keeps me despite myself. Maybe God allows Martha seasons in our lives to remind us what is truly important. I prayed many years ago tthat I would stop trying to be someone God had not intended me . I JUSTVWANTED TO BE. I ONCE WAS LOST. NOW I'M FOUND. C'mon people what's so hard. I have to be reminded that only Jesus can change a heart. I wanted to save the world. VERY Quickly, God said.. wait wait wait who do you think you are.. that is my job. I wanted so many stages to tell my testimony, but God hasn't yet provided that grand stage. He did take this fatherless child into his arms, (my earthly dad died when I wss 3,) spared this child from greater pain I have mo doubt about that. I hope I impact the lives God has given me, mostly my children and grandchildren, leave a legacy of faithfulness, Rejoice in heaven, singing on key with the saints One day, and spend all of eternity wiith our faithful God and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. You have chosen the good life Joe... or maybe He chose you for such a time as this.. I am pondering your words.. I need to get my game on drawing on the love and power and strength of Jesus.through God's Word.. I spent 1 solid year daily in God's Word after my mom passed in 2012 and I was so full of life. I struggle finding people who want to connect on that very deep level, so sometimes I put God in a box.. because when he speaks I tend to listen.. I shake everything up around me.... it feels isolating and lonely, so I have been on a hiatus for far too long. I NEEDED to be reminded of what faithfulness looks like. Thanks for modeling what true Christanity looks like and for sharing a part of your struggle. When God changes a heart its real, it's genuine, its deep,, and filled with much joy. You are a breath of fresh air. Much love to you and your family... oh look at that the Son is rising.... figuratively and sun literally. Keep searching and sharing, Joe, sure am glad God put you in my life, brother ❤️
I'm not crying...
Such a wonderful gift .
Many Blessing my Friend 💞
What a timely message. Thank you! Sharing everywhere‼️
Thank you for sharing your heart and being so transparent...
Beautiful message Joe! I sometimes wonder what God's purpose for me is. I think at times it's to encourage others, but I'm never sure . I've been feeling God's presence alot lately and I know I need to be more still and listen. Thank you for writing this.
Love this. I, too, struggle with perfection/humility. I pray the Litany of Humility often. It helps for sure! God speaks through us and He probably helped abbreviate your talk that time for a good reason. If nothing else, it spared you from being too prideful about your work, but not from affirmation of the message! Love you Joe! God bless your family.
What a wonderful essay! Thank you.
👆above is for Cat
You are so talented. I am subject to some of the pitfalls you describe so I can relate to Martha and the “perfection plague”. But I was very touched regarding your perceived failure ( not) in the pulpit. But you quality but not quantity. But in this case, just what was needed. Thank you again, Joe.