Day #2372

June 29, 2020

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Ordination of Women in the ELCA. This woman (the one on the right) was the first. She is Elizabeth Platz, a graduate of Lutheran Theological Seminary of Gettysburg (my alma mater). I am thankful for her and appreciate her trailblazing the way. 

This symbol, created by the ELCA, includes the names of female pastors. We were invited to share it with the hashtag #thankyoupastor. I know many of these pastors! They are amazing and they make me smile. 

Also, I am humbled by FaceBook comments thanking me for answering God’s call. You all are amazing! But really, thanks to all the women, and men, who answer God’s call to be pastors, disciples, and apostles. All God’s church.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2371

June 28, 2020 

Today brought another wonderful morning of worship. Thanks be to God for being able to gather, albeit with restrictions and protocols. But thanks be to God, also, that folks are willing to do what seems necessary to protect one another. It has been said the church is dying; not as long as it is God’s church. And it is!!

Later in the day, I received a text message that brought tears to my eyes. How thoughtful of folks to reach out and let you know they are thinking of you. Which brings a challenge to mind - is there someone who needs to hear from you that you are thinking of them? I know there are some for me. I need to be more diligent in letting them know how important they are to me. After all, we never know what tomorrow might bring. So please know, if you are reading this, you are important to me. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2370

June 27, 2020 

We are sad today. This marks one year since hubby’s cousin died tragically in an airplane crash (see Day #2005). We wonder how a year has passed. And we pray for all those who hurt because of this tragedy. Lord, have mercy! 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2369

June 26, 2020 

Memorial Falls - part of our “out and about” today. Pretty falls and a nice, short hike. Not to mention a beautiful day! Ahhh....

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2368

June 25, 2020 

The word for today - thankful. For an extra day off to spend with the hubby after about two weeks straight of being busy. Time to do a little sight-seeing and getting out and about. :-)

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2367

June 24, 2020 

The word for today is prayer. I am thankful for the power of prayer, especially the power prayer has to transform us. Not bend God’s will to ours, but our will to God’s. And God’s will is one of forgiveness. 

Only prayer can change someone’s heart of stone to a heart of love and forgiveness. I saw it today - firsthand. And I am thankful! And I have to admit, am in awe, once again, of the capacity of God’s love.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2366

June 23, 2020

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Romans 6, verse 14: For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. (NRSV)

My pastor used this illustration to explain how God sees us: when we are united with God through baptism, we are laminated to Jesus, just as wood that has been laminated can no longer be separated. Therefore, when God looks at us, God sees us through the lens of Jesus. And that is a lens of grace, not a lens of law. Therefore, sin is no longer able to have a hold on us, because sin cannot have a hold on Jesus. And we are laminated to him, unable to be separated. 

I was reminded (and comforted) of his explanation when I read the verse for this week. As Children of God, we are under God’s grace. No exceptions. And sin, the separation of God from humans, has lost. Thanks be to God!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2365

June 22, 2020

Just as I was having a difficult time finding a “smile” for this week, this came across my desk - a tribute to librarians with a sense of humor. This one made me smile the largest, and hope it will you, also:

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2364

June 21, 2020 

Happy Father’s Day! 

Today I choose to celebrate all male figures - fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, uncles, nephews, friends, etc. And I have many in my life.

• My husband is my hero - not a dad himself, but a caring man with great gifts. 
• My first pastor (who later became my boss) is like a father to me and has been there for me in so many situations, teaching and guiding me. 
• My father-in-law was a man I respected and loved. 
• My nephew is a man I admire as a father to his daughters, and a fun person to be around. 
• My first Godson is now a college graduate, moving on with his life, and we are proud.
• And my Godson Simon is a young man growing into himself and I love him! 

And there are many others - uncles, friends, pastor colleagues, etc. Notice, however, I have not mentioned my father. As they say, that was a complicated relationship. I am thankful for the things he taught me, but he was challenging in many ways. Yet, I did love him.

So, as we celebrate this day, I hope you have male figures in your life you can depend on, respect, look up to and love. Thank you, men, for being all those things. Happy Day!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2363

June 20, 2020 

Things are much different this summer - trips cancelled, vacations on hold. But, we can still get outside. So, I hope you can/will enjoy the season!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2362

June 19, 2020

America (and I) is learning about Juneteenth, and its significance in striving to end racism. I am sad this is something many of us didn’t much know about until recently. I suppose it is like Kwanza, an important holiday to many that I never heard about in my youth. 

How much history is lost? How many people’s lives, and the things that were important to them, are not known to others? It makes me realize, as I get older, that every person’s story is important. How can we make certain they are heard? And celebrated?

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2361

June 18, 2020 

I saw this today and it seemed appropriate to share. My question - does it have to be only one person?!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2360

June 17, 2020

Five years ago today, these nine Children of God were killed by another Child of God (yes, a Lutheran with a very disturbed understanding of grace!) in a horrible and unbelievable way at the end of a Bible Study at a church in South Carolina. We remember and we mourn. 

But we also have hope that their lives did not end in vain. With trust and faith that God’s promises are forever, it means their lives, and their deaths, were cherished. And that they are known by God, and now know God fully. 

Eternal peace be with you all!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2359

June 16, 2020 

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Romans 6:4: Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. (NRSV)

Once again, I find myself thinking of funeral services. This is an often read scripture in those times, because of the comfort that comes in knowing that with Christ, there is newness of life, even into the eternal future. 

But these words also bring comfort, and responsibility, for our lives now. Being buried with Christ in baptism into death means that his life meant more than simply teaching and healing, even though those were amazing qualities. Jesus’ life had a purpose, a reason for happening, that makes a difference right now. 

Again, God did not choose to send Jesus (God’s self) to earth for no reason. Or for the sole purpose of teaching and healing, important as they were for those who experienced them. There was a purpose that reached far into the future, and the past, and we are a part of that promise. 

So how can our lives not mean something, right now? How can our lives not be a living out of God’s mercy and grace, right now? How can our lives not mean newness of life and hope, right now? We are, after all, united with Jesus in a way that my mind cannot fully wrap around, yet the faith the Holy Spirit gives assures me of its truth. Should not our lives be lived as new, right now? And every day?!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2358

June 15, 2020

Here is a smile for today:

Guess everyone has a “Monday” now and then when they would rather take the day off. What better than a cute puppy to help us out. ;-)

Then a late afternoon rain shower and clearing skies brought this rainbow over the city, giving a “double” reason to smile for the day/week. 

The picture doesn’t really do the colors justice - it was truly vivid.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2357

June 14, 2020

Today is Simon’s mom’s Ordination Anniversary - 12 years. Congratulations and well done, good and faithful servant. Here’s to many more!!!

And the afternoon, following a wonderful morning of worship, brought a surprise phone call from our former pastor. How happy we were to hear his voice and catch-up on how things are with he and his family. He was the pastor who baptized me, the first person to mention me having the gifts to become a pastor, married us, buried my mom and dad, and even became my boss for several years. To say he is an important part of our lives is an understatement. Oh, how you blessed us with your call today. Thank you!!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2356

June 13, 2020 

It’s been a while since we’ve had a Simon sighting. :-) So here he is with Mom and Brother, out and about on a beautiful day. 

Proud of you all for getting some exercise. Sure do miss you!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2355

June 12, 2020

The word for the day - relaxing. And an opportunity to catch up on some reading. I am thankful!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2354

June 11, 2020

The big deal of the day?! We received a “care package” from the sister-in-law. Country ham! And I have a very happy hubby. Guess you can take the boy out of the south, but you can’t really take the south out of the boy!

So homemade biscuits and ham will be breakfast tomorrow. Yum!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2353

June 10, 2020

Happy Birthday to Boomer!!

This is what Boomer looks like at 3 (yes, 3!) when he is asking for his treat (he has to say please).

And here is what he thinks about birthdays overall…

Guess even puppies can have a difficult time thinking about "getting older." Haha!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2352

June 9, 2020

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture for today comes from Matthew 9:37-38: Then [Jesus] said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (NRSV)

Jesus has been traveling around teaching and curing, and I would imagine he is overwhelmed with human needs. After all, we may be overwhelmed with human needs today - disease, poverty, racism, anger, mourning, etc. Everywhere we go, there are people who need the promise of God’s grace, welcome, and healing. Everywhere there are folks who are feeling hopeless and wondering where to turn. In other words, the harvest is STILL plentiful, so don’t we also need to ask the Lord for laborers? Note: part of the call of a pastor is to invite and encourage folks to consider their gifts for full-time ministry. 

Anyway, the part that I find fascinating about these verses: Jesus uses his very disciples to answer the prayer for laborers and soon they become apostles (ones sent). 

Perhaps we are waiting for someone else to do God’s work. Perhaps we think it is someone else’s job (like the pastor) to be the one to share God’s message and invite people into an active relationship with God. Perhaps we think someone else has better or more appropriate gifts for ministry. 

Well, I believe Jesus calls each and every one of us to be laborers in his harvest, because we are each given gifts from God that are needed in God’s kingdom. Every one of us!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2351

June 8, 2020 

The smile for the week is this fawn. 

Why a picture of a fawn to make us smile this week? Well, the fawn is cute, right, and that is a good reason to smile?! Also, looking at this picture reminds me it IS spring with new beginnings, rebirth, hope, and those things make me smile. How about you?!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2350

June 7, 2020

We were back in the building today for worship! Woohoo! Some folks gathered early for a service. Others came to the later service and brought flowers to celebrate. Everyone wore their masks and properly physically distanced. They were understanding and thankful and grateful to worship together. 

My heart is full! My heart is grateful! And my heart is filled with hope for God’s church! We are strong (see Day #2343), thanks be to God! Who is with us always, even to the end of the age. (See Matthew 28:20)

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2349

June 6, 2020

Today would have been my Grandma’s 116th birthday. It is nearly impossible for me to imagine that she died over 36 years ago. It feels like yesterday. She was the one who faithfully prayed for me, encouraged me, loved me, and trusted me. We had a wonderful relationship and I still miss her greatly. 

I can only wish for all of you, and especially you, Godson, that you have someone in your life who is like my Grandma was for me. And, on many days (like today), I still feel her with me. Happy Birthday, Grandma. I love you and am so thankful for all you did for me. Oh, and I wish I had a slice of your lemon cake. But if I close my eyes and remember, I can almost taste it! Yum!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2348

June 5, 2020

As we gathered on Zoom for the first part of the Synod Council meeting, I was encouraged by a time of learning about Adaptive Leadership. Our bishop took us quickly through the traits of an adaptive leader and the ways adaptive leaders can be effective in times of crisis. It was an encouraging and helpful learning tool. 

We will be studying more as time goes on, and I look forward to how this might help the entire synod. We, the church, are in the midst of a crisis, a critical time of change and possibility. What are we learning? How will we come through this? What types of leaders are needed and how can I become a better adaptive leader?

The important thing to remember, however, is that we are GOD’S church. And God will lead, guide and direct us. And use the gifts each person has been given, for the building up of the Kingdom. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2347

June 4, 2020 

A friend posted this on FaceBook: “Posting opinions on FB is extremely dangerous. I won’t do it again.”  

Reading that broke my heart. It is sad to be so afraid to state an opinion, but I do understand it. We humans seem to have lost the ability to listen to one another. Not just to hear what is said, but to really listen, from the heart. To try and understand another’s point of view. Could this be what is underlying the latest outrage and destruction? 

To that end, I wrote this in an email to the congregation. I also want to share it here: 

…my heart is heavy and breaks for our country, especially in the midst of this pandemic, that there is the lacking of peace and equality filling our cities. So many have died, been injured, lost businesses and jobs and income and security. So many have to watch each move they make, pray fervently each time their loved one leaves home, and wait with anxious minds for their safe return, knowing that safe return does not happen for all. I am often at a loss with the words to pray, so I trust the Holy Spirit to know my mind and heart and intercede for our nation and its people - ALL its people. I trust, deep in my heart, that an answer is LOVE. Not a love that demands its own way, looks for reciprocity, but a love of grace. God is that love. So today I have these words to pray: Almighty God, your people are hurting, filled with anger and fear. Give your peace to us, put an end to inequality of thought, bring healing, and fill us with love for you and one another. Amen. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2346

June 3, 2020

Summer is coming - school is almost over - and tonight was the last Zoom Bible Study for the season. We have had a good start to this way of “gathering” to read and discuss God’s word. I look forward, already, to the fall and coming back together. 

Just as I look forward to this coming Sunday and gathering again in the sanctuary for worship. There are so many details to keep in mind. So much to do to get ready. But, we get to see one another again, and I look forward to that. As do many others, I am told. 

So an ending and a beginning. Yet, isn’t that the way of the world?!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2345

June 2, 2020 

Tuesday’s Thoughts from Scripture comes from 1 Corinthians 13:13: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. (NRSV)

As a pastor, I have said these words hundreds of times. At the beginning of worship, sometimes at the end of a visit to someone at their home or in the hospital. This is another example of how much of the liturgy of the worship service comes from scripture. It is a comforting reminder, that our worship wasn’t just “made up” somehow. 

But for this week, as we prepare to celebrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity in worship, this is a reminder of the relationship of the three persons of God. The grace of Jesus, who loves without exception or expectation of us being or doing something particular in return. The love of God who created the universe and everything in it, and not just creating, but making everything good. And the communion of the Holy Spirit, the comforter, advocate and guide being with us always, keeping things (and us) together. Three intimate ways of experiencing and being in relationship with the one God. 

So may this God be with all of you. And be assured, God IS with you. Always!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2344

June 1, 2020

I couldn’t help but smile when I saw this (and think about Betty White in the commercial). I hope it helps you smile this week, too. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2343

May 31, 2020 

Today we celebrated Pentecost. While the recording of the worship service was done on Friday when I was still reeling from the death of Mr. Floyd and the country’s response, I spoke in the sermon about the church being strong. I wondered if we, the church, may be stronger now then we have ever been, thinking that adversity has a way of accomplishing strength (and being separated physically has certainly been an adversity). 

But today, as I reflected on the possibility of the church being strong, I was reminded that we are only strong if we all hurt because of the pain in our world. As the apostle Paul wrote about the body in 1 Corinthians 12:26, “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.” (NRSV) And when that happens, then, and only then, are we stronger than ever!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2342

May 30, 2020 

Last evening and today, three of our members graduated from their respective High Schools. Their graduations went much differently than in past years, and I was only able to watch/listen via live-stream, but I cheered for each one as their names were read just as if I were there. I am so proud to know each of these fine young men and couldn't want more for them than a life with God.  

On another note, spring is here. At least for today, it is a beautiful day to be out and about. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2341

May 29, 2020 

My heart breaks for the city of Minneapolis and especially for the family of Mr. Floyd. What a tragedy that another man, a black man, has died as a result of overstepped power or a misuse of authority. 

Even as I type that, saying his death is a tragedy sounds lame. Whether racism is at the heart of his death, or it is because someone's use of authority has gotten out of control, a man is dead. And the world watched it happen. And the world is outraged. And the world wants better. People deserve better. People are better than this. Why can’t we all just see one another as you see us - as your equal children?!?!

Lord, have mercy. Heal our nation. Heal your people. Fill us with love for one another. Send your peace. Amen!

Blessings. And prayers.