Last week I talked about the seasons of life--one son moving out in preparation for college, another son getting married. We not only survived our first wedding this past weekend, we enjoyed it. I really enjoyed every minute of the day. It was so great to see all 5 of my children together and all dressed up!!!! It was a special privilege for my husband to get to perform the ceremony. Weddings also cause you to reflect on your own marriage. This was especially the case with us because two days after the wedding was our own 30th anniversary. Paul was also blessed to have both of his grandparents at the wedding. Later this month my in-laws will celebrate 55 years of marriage and my parents will celebrate 61 years! What blessings! But what challenges. I looked at Psalm 103 to express my joy.
Psalm 103:1-5 (English Standard Version)
Bless the LORD, O My Soul
Of David.
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
This Psalm also reminds me of those challenges. It reminds me of our sinful condition—our need for forgiveness and healing and redemption. Because the Lord has done all those things for us and continues to forgive us every day, we can forgive that other sinful person in our marriage. The Lord truly crowns us with steadfast, never wavering love and mercy. The Lord satisfied me with such good this weekend that I really felt renewed by all His blessings. I will admit that my youth was gone by the time I fell into bed Saturday night!!! But I remained “satisfied” with good! Bless the Lord, O My Soul!
Heavenly Father,
We bless you for your many good gifts, including the gift of marriage. Encourage all couples to look to You as the source of forgiveness and healing when they encounter the daily struggles of marriage. Help us always to show love and forgiveness to others as a reflection of the love and forgiveness that we have been shown through Christ’s death and resurrection. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
June 8 devotion
This week I keep hearing the words of Ecclesiastes 3 in my head. These verses were made popular in the sixties when Pete Seeger put the words to music and added the phrase “Turn, Turn, Turn,” I keep repeating the first line, “To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2a time to be born, and a time to) die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
My youngest (and 4th) son just graduated from high school and left last Friday for Chicago. He plans to attend the University of IL at Chicago this fall and live with his older brother who is a CPA in Chicago. He decided to move up there for the summer.
Our 3rd son is getting married this Saturday--the first of our five children to get married. I am so excited to have another daughter and she is truly a blessing for my son. We thank God for this great gift. BUT it’s all changes. You know they say that motherhood is the only job where your goal is to work your way out of a job. Thankfully I still have a 13 year old daughter to ensure my “mother” job for a few more years!!!!
I also look a little further in chapter 3 and find comfort in verse 14.
14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.
I thank God for the gift of faith he gave to these children through their baptism. Just as they became our child through birth, they became a child of God at their baptismal “rebirth.” While I may still worry and fret over them as they move on in their independence, I know in my heart that God will continue to hold them in His hands—and that is more powerful than any of my concerns.
Heavenly Father, many of your children are experiencing changes in their lives—children moving away, children getting married, divorce, death, job loss. Help us to remember that You are the CONSTANT amid all the turmoil. You do not ever change and Your promises are always fulfilled. You are the God of peace and have promised that peace to Your children. Help us to live as children of the promise with the constant assurance of Your grace through Jesus Christ to sustain us through all situations. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2a time to be born, and a time to) die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
My youngest (and 4th) son just graduated from high school and left last Friday for Chicago. He plans to attend the University of IL at Chicago this fall and live with his older brother who is a CPA in Chicago. He decided to move up there for the summer.
Our 3rd son is getting married this Saturday--the first of our five children to get married. I am so excited to have another daughter and she is truly a blessing for my son. We thank God for this great gift. BUT it’s all changes. You know they say that motherhood is the only job where your goal is to work your way out of a job. Thankfully I still have a 13 year old daughter to ensure my “mother” job for a few more years!!!!
I also look a little further in chapter 3 and find comfort in verse 14.
14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.
I thank God for the gift of faith he gave to these children through their baptism. Just as they became our child through birth, they became a child of God at their baptismal “rebirth.” While I may still worry and fret over them as they move on in their independence, I know in my heart that God will continue to hold them in His hands—and that is more powerful than any of my concerns.
Heavenly Father, many of your children are experiencing changes in their lives—children moving away, children getting married, divorce, death, job loss. Help us to remember that You are the CONSTANT amid all the turmoil. You do not ever change and Your promises are always fulfilled. You are the God of peace and have promised that peace to Your children. Help us to live as children of the promise with the constant assurance of Your grace through Jesus Christ to sustain us through all situations. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
June 1 devotion
Last Sunday seemed to be a comedy of errors with our preschool Sunday School staff. Our craft station leader comes in and asks me if I had made copies of a particular paper for that day. It didn’t look familiar to me. It was not the coloring sheet I had copied for the "leaflet/review" station. We eventually determined that she was a week ahead of herself! She was thinking summer mode already and had looked at the craft suggestion for the first Sunday in June! In a few minutes, our storytelling station leader came in. She commented that we were doing a strange lesson for this Sunday. She had looked at the wrong lesson also—but a different one than the craft leader!
I came across this verse in Deuteronomy that made me think of last Sunday!
Deuteronomy 28:28
The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind.
It’s really an admonition to the Israelites of what will happen to those who do not obey the Lord but I was thinking that it sort of described us for a few minutes last Sunday morning!
But God was merciful and allowed us to quickly pull together the correct lesson for the day.
And the interesting thing was that our lesson was really on The Beatitudes. Our puppet, Sprout, asked the teacher, “Jesus also said, ‘Blessed are the merciful.’ What does it mean to be merciful?” And the teacher responded, “To be merciful means to be kind and loving, even when people do not deserve it.” We goofed. We did not deserve God’s mercy when we were unprepared for last Sunday’s lesson but God was merciful and allowed us to quickly regain our confidence and share His message with His children.
The Beatitudes
2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the mercy You show us every day. Thank you for being kind and loving even when we do not deserve it. Help us to show that mercy to others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
I came across this verse in Deuteronomy that made me think of last Sunday!
Deuteronomy 28:28
The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind.
It’s really an admonition to the Israelites of what will happen to those who do not obey the Lord but I was thinking that it sort of described us for a few minutes last Sunday morning!
But God was merciful and allowed us to quickly pull together the correct lesson for the day.
And the interesting thing was that our lesson was really on The Beatitudes. Our puppet, Sprout, asked the teacher, “Jesus also said, ‘Blessed are the merciful.’ What does it mean to be merciful?” And the teacher responded, “To be merciful means to be kind and loving, even when people do not deserve it.” We goofed. We did not deserve God’s mercy when we were unprepared for last Sunday’s lesson but God was merciful and allowed us to quickly regain our confidence and share His message with His children.
The Beatitudes
2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the mercy You show us every day. Thank you for being kind and loving even when we do not deserve it. Help us to show that mercy to others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
May 25 devotion
Psalm 55
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God,
and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!
22 Cast your burden on the LORD,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.
Did you ever feel like all your plans and hard work seem to be just falling apart all around you? This is my week to lament over VBS and to hopefully give some encouragement to those who are working hard in the planning stages of VBS or some other ministry project. After so many years of “doing” VBS it seems to run more smoothly every year. Then there is this year where the great ideas keep running up against road blocks. People that you count on (maybe even take for granted) suddenly say, “I just realized that I won’t be available that week.” You are less than a month away from VBS and there are still blanks to fill! Why me? And why this year? I also have a son getting married 8 days before the start of VBS. I have other things on my plate besides VBS!
I’m a little slow sometimes and God has to hit me a little harder than either of us would like. Today He’s telling me, “Let’s switch this focus.” Leave the pity party! Let’s spend more time praying for the people God wants to use in ministry this year. And let’s definitely spend more time giving God the credit for success! God doesn’t want us to simply spend all our time in prayer and not do any prep work, but sometimes we get so caught up in the “work” of a project that we forget about keeping “God” and “His will” in all the plans.
Ephesians 3:20-21
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Heavenly Father, we praise You for being the God of order and truly having control over all things. We ask that You would guide all our planning efforts so that whatever we do would lead others to Jesus as their Lord and Savior and bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God,
and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!
22 Cast your burden on the LORD,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.
Did you ever feel like all your plans and hard work seem to be just falling apart all around you? This is my week to lament over VBS and to hopefully give some encouragement to those who are working hard in the planning stages of VBS or some other ministry project. After so many years of “doing” VBS it seems to run more smoothly every year. Then there is this year where the great ideas keep running up against road blocks. People that you count on (maybe even take for granted) suddenly say, “I just realized that I won’t be available that week.” You are less than a month away from VBS and there are still blanks to fill! Why me? And why this year? I also have a son getting married 8 days before the start of VBS. I have other things on my plate besides VBS!
I’m a little slow sometimes and God has to hit me a little harder than either of us would like. Today He’s telling me, “Let’s switch this focus.” Leave the pity party! Let’s spend more time praying for the people God wants to use in ministry this year. And let’s definitely spend more time giving God the credit for success! God doesn’t want us to simply spend all our time in prayer and not do any prep work, but sometimes we get so caught up in the “work” of a project that we forget about keeping “God” and “His will” in all the plans.
Ephesians 3:20-21
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Heavenly Father, we praise You for being the God of order and truly having control over all things. We ask that You would guide all our planning efforts so that whatever we do would lead others to Jesus as their Lord and Savior and bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
May 18 devotion
Luke 24:50-53
The Ascension
50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53and were continually in the temple blessing God.Last Sunday our Sunday School lesson was about Jesus’ Ascension into heaven 40 days after Easter. In our preschool and Kindergarten opening I was getting the kids ready to hear the story of Jesus’ return to His heavenly home. I asked them questions such as, “Do any of you live in a Cave?” “Who lives in a cave?” “How about a nest?” “Who lives in a nest?” “Who lives in the ocean?” “Do any of you live in a house?” “Who lives in an apartment?” I finally got to the last question. “Who lives in heaven?” I was expecting a typical Sunday School answer of “Jesus!” A kindergartener whose 14 year old sister died during Holy Week quickly replied, “My sister!” Yes!!!! That’s right, Skylar. You’re adopted sister, Mackenzie, who was baptized just months before she died. You’re right, she no longer needs a wheelchair or a feeding tube or glasses. She now talks face to face with Jesus and lives in her heavenly home with Him forever.
Skylar led us right to the “Key Point” of our lesson. Jesus, our risen Savior, ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us there with Him.
John reminds us of this in his Gospel.
John 14:1-3 (New International Version)
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Lord, We thank and praise You for coming to earth to be our Savior. Thank You for returning to Your home in heaven to prepare a wonderful place for us there with You . Help us to trust that, even though we can not see You, You are still with us always. In Your name we pray. Amen.
The Ascension
50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53and were continually in the temple blessing God.Last Sunday our Sunday School lesson was about Jesus’ Ascension into heaven 40 days after Easter. In our preschool and Kindergarten opening I was getting the kids ready to hear the story of Jesus’ return to His heavenly home. I asked them questions such as, “Do any of you live in a Cave?” “Who lives in a cave?” “How about a nest?” “Who lives in a nest?” “Who lives in the ocean?” “Do any of you live in a house?” “Who lives in an apartment?” I finally got to the last question. “Who lives in heaven?” I was expecting a typical Sunday School answer of “Jesus!” A kindergartener whose 14 year old sister died during Holy Week quickly replied, “My sister!” Yes!!!! That’s right, Skylar. You’re adopted sister, Mackenzie, who was baptized just months before she died. You’re right, she no longer needs a wheelchair or a feeding tube or glasses. She now talks face to face with Jesus and lives in her heavenly home with Him forever.
Skylar led us right to the “Key Point” of our lesson. Jesus, our risen Savior, ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us there with Him.
John reminds us of this in his Gospel.
John 14:1-3 (New International Version)
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Lord, We thank and praise You for coming to earth to be our Savior. Thank You for returning to Your home in heaven to prepare a wonderful place for us there with You . Help us to trust that, even though we can not see You, You are still with us always. In Your name we pray. Amen.
May 11 devotion
As I was walking through the school on an errand earlier I noticed that this was the final day for a program we have at our school called “Lunch Buddies.” And it really touched my heart to see some of the interaction going on between the adults and students. Many students at our school as at most schools struggle with many issues. Some struggle because of a divorce or a death in their family. Some struggle because they are the “new kid” and they do not make friends easily. The lunch buddy program looks for adults who are willing to give one hour a month and eat lunch with one of these children. It’s a great opportunity for a child to have the one-on-one, undivided attention of a Christian adult. I particularly noted the joy and excitement a junior high student was experiencing while playing a board game with a seminary student! I believe this is fulfilling what St. Paul encouraged the early church to do when he says in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (New International Version)
14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
That sounds like the definition of a mentor! We tend to hear that word a lot these days and most churches offer many opportunities to “mentor.” I know this year we also started a program of having men in the congregation be “encouragers” to the boys in the Confirmation class. Our MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) group has Mentor Moms. I consider every Sunday School and VBS leader to be a mentor to the students in their group. What a great opportunity we have as Christians to impact our community, our country and the world by investing in the life of an individual.
Heavenly Father,
I thank you for the Christians who invested their time in my life. Please encourage all Christians to take advantage of the opportunities you place before them to strengthen and encourage those around them. Send Your Holy Spirit to guide us as we find ways to share our faith in Your Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
That sounds like the definition of a mentor! We tend to hear that word a lot these days and most churches offer many opportunities to “mentor.” I know this year we also started a program of having men in the congregation be “encouragers” to the boys in the Confirmation class. Our MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) group has Mentor Moms. I consider every Sunday School and VBS leader to be a mentor to the students in their group. What a great opportunity we have as Christians to impact our community, our country and the world by investing in the life of an individual.
Heavenly Father,
I thank you for the Christians who invested their time in my life. Please encourage all Christians to take advantage of the opportunities you place before them to strengthen and encourage those around them. Send Your Holy Spirit to guide us as we find ways to share our faith in Your Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
May 4 devotion
Galatians 5:13-14 (New International Version)
13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Today I am substitute teaching in a 5th grade classroom. I have spent my entire morning supervising 5th graders as they work together in groups of 5 or 6 to write a puppet show that they will perform for the 1st graders. Before the first class began their work on their project, I asked them a hypothetical question. If you had 2 minutes to talk on the radio, what would you want to say to all the listeners? I got some great responses—and many typical “Lutheran school” responses! Many of these kids also know me as their 5th & 6th grade youth group leader! The first response was, “Tell them to be kind.” This was followed by, “Tell them about Jesus.” “Tell them to attend worship.” “Tell them that Jesus died on the cross to forgive their sins.” “Tell them to tell others about Jesus.” “Tell them to treat others like they would want to be treated.” Okay, we summed all that up by saying that we attend worship and treat others kindly because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. No great insights there but good solid advice. Then I proceeded to explain the expectations for their work on their projects and set them free to work on this for over an hour (2 class periods). This was when their advice really made an impact. I saw these students working together without any complaints or arguments. Each group seemed to truly show a spirit of cooperation and of kindness. They worked diligently even though they could have really abused this somewhat “free” time.
The bell rang and the next 5th grade class came in. This time I did not take any time to ask them for “radio ideas.” Maybe I should have. I proceeded to explain the ground rules of using the puppets and the expectations of the rest of the morning. I then told them that they had until lunch to work on this project. This group seemed to “indulge in their sinful nature” a little more. Within 5 minutes several students were tattling on others in their group who were not “doing what they are supposed to!” Several times I had to ask this class to “lower the volume.” I had to ask several students “Where is your group?” And “Why are not in it?” 25 minutes into the class I had to threaten the ultimate “no free dress day” for anyone out of their group! I am so thankful that the teacher left me with that little gem—much more effective than detention.
Just like some of the 5th graders took advantage of their “freedom” so I am reminded that our freedom is a freedom “from” sin and not a freedom “to” sin. I need to be reminded every day of God’s abundant grace that has been given so freely to me so that I might respond to others out of thankfulness for that gift of forgiveness, life and salvation.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your abundant gift of grace which gives us the freedom from sin. Help us to show our thankfulness to you in our interactions with others.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Today I am substitute teaching in a 5th grade classroom. I have spent my entire morning supervising 5th graders as they work together in groups of 5 or 6 to write a puppet show that they will perform for the 1st graders. Before the first class began their work on their project, I asked them a hypothetical question. If you had 2 minutes to talk on the radio, what would you want to say to all the listeners? I got some great responses—and many typical “Lutheran school” responses! Many of these kids also know me as their 5th & 6th grade youth group leader! The first response was, “Tell them to be kind.” This was followed by, “Tell them about Jesus.” “Tell them to attend worship.” “Tell them that Jesus died on the cross to forgive their sins.” “Tell them to tell others about Jesus.” “Tell them to treat others like they would want to be treated.” Okay, we summed all that up by saying that we attend worship and treat others kindly because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. No great insights there but good solid advice. Then I proceeded to explain the expectations for their work on their projects and set them free to work on this for over an hour (2 class periods). This was when their advice really made an impact. I saw these students working together without any complaints or arguments. Each group seemed to truly show a spirit of cooperation and of kindness. They worked diligently even though they could have really abused this somewhat “free” time.
The bell rang and the next 5th grade class came in. This time I did not take any time to ask them for “radio ideas.” Maybe I should have. I proceeded to explain the ground rules of using the puppets and the expectations of the rest of the morning. I then told them that they had until lunch to work on this project. This group seemed to “indulge in their sinful nature” a little more. Within 5 minutes several students were tattling on others in their group who were not “doing what they are supposed to!” Several times I had to ask this class to “lower the volume.” I had to ask several students “Where is your group?” And “Why are not in it?” 25 minutes into the class I had to threaten the ultimate “no free dress day” for anyone out of their group! I am so thankful that the teacher left me with that little gem—much more effective than detention.
Just like some of the 5th graders took advantage of their “freedom” so I am reminded that our freedom is a freedom “from” sin and not a freedom “to” sin. I need to be reminded every day of God’s abundant grace that has been given so freely to me so that I might respond to others out of thankfulness for that gift of forgiveness, life and salvation.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your abundant gift of grace which gives us the freedom from sin. Help us to show our thankfulness to you in our interactions with others.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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