Day #2522

November 26, 2020

This seems most appropriate for Thanksgiving, courtesy of the “Moravian Daily Texts:”

And now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13

Give thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

God our Father, we give you thanks for the bounty of the earth. We give you thanks for the presence of your son, Jesus Christ, who teaches us to give praise at all times. Amen.

To this scripture and prayer, I say Amen and Amen!!! 

A blessed Thanksgiving to one and all!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2521

November 25, 2020 

This Thanksgiving Eve was filled with lots of things to do - appointments to keep, volunteering to do, shopping to finish, visits to make, and more. What a gift to have the time and energy to get it all done. 

It is just one more thing to be thankful for - time! May I always spend it wisely and joyfully. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2520

November 24, 2020 - The Daily Intersection - Day #2520

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Mark 1:1-2: The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way. (NRSV)

It strikes me this is “the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ” according to the Gospel of Mark - that there was someone sent ahead of Jesus as a messenger to prepare his way. Really?! God needed someone to prepare the way?! 

We recently had some painting done in our home. Did they come in and just begin painting? No, they began with preparation. We will celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday. Will dinner just happen, all the food simply ready to eat when we are? No, there is a need for preparation - turkey to be thawed, dressing to be put together, pies to be baked. It seems that most everything that just “happens" begins with preparation. Planning. Even waiting.

Godson, perhaps this seems even more appropriate today as your family has grown. Your mom was married to a wonderful man today and now you have two more siblings. Congratulations! And what a joy-filled day following much planning and preparation.

I suppose if waiting for the appropriate time and planning is needed by God, it is important for us, too. May your waiting be filled with hope and endurance. It is often well-worth the wait!

Blessings. And prayers.

PS It seems a picture of the new siblings is appropriate. Love you all!

Day #2519

November 23, 2020 

A smile (actually two) for Thanksgiving week. 

What a great idea!!! 

And this statement of truth because of all of you!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2518

November 22, 2020

It is difficult to call this an intersection of daily life and faith, but it is where we are. Today was the last Sunday for the year of in-person worship. The number of cases of COVID keep rising in our community, and nearly everyone knows someone who is (or has been personally) affected by this disease. In a difficult decision to make, the leadership of the congregation agreed to suspend in-house worship after today through the end of the year. Today, therefore, was a sad day. 

There is nothing more difficult than to suspend gathering for worship at a time when the world desperately needs the strength of community. However, I cling to the promise that the community is still together. Through Christ, we are bound by the thread of faith and trust. And that promise lasts forever.

We WILL be together again. We ARE together now through Christ. Thanks be to God!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2517

November 21, 2020

On this Satisfied Saturday, I am thankful for Rev. Elizabeth Platz. She is the first woman to be ordained in the Lutheran Church 50 years ago tomorrow. 

However, my thankfulness does not stop there. I am grateful for ALL the women who have followed the call to become pastors, and ALL the people who welcome and accept their ministry. There have been, and are, so many wonderful people who help shape and form me as a pastor (far too many to name individually), but I am grateful for each and every one. And I am also thankful for those who have been unable to accept a female in ministry. I learn from them, as well.

God bless you Rev. Platz. And thank you, God, for her and ALL those who follow in her footsteps. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2516

November 20, 2020

Even after taking multiple semesters of Spanish in High School, I did not know until I was watching Jeopardy tonight that adios, which is the Spanish word for goodbye or farewell, “derives from a term meaning “may (you) be (commended) to God.”” I think this is very cool! And it gives new nuance to a familiar word. Adios, everyone!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2515

November 19, 2020 

The word for the day, thankful! For the support of the congregation’s council. Some tough decisions had to be made regarding in-house worship (yes, once again), and their support is encouraging and appreciated! 

What a gift to have leaders who care and want to do the best for others. Thank you!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2514

November 18, 2020 

In a conversation today, someone suggested that if we would all just live life looking out for one another, we would have millions of others seeking our best interest all the time. Would that not be amazing?! 

This idea made me think about how Jesus said that the two most important commandments are love God and love neighbor as ourself. If we would all do that, the rest of the commandments aren’t necessary, because we would be always watching out for one another.

Nice thoughts for a Wednesday, aren’t they?!

Blessings. And prayers.  

Day #2513

November 17, 2020 

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Psalm 95:1-7a: Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before God’s presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to the Lord with psalms. For you, Lord, are a great God, and a great ruler above all god's. In your hand are the caverns of the earth; the heights of the hills are also yours. The sea is yours, for you made it, and your hands have molded the dry land. Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For the Lord is our God, and we are the people of God’s pasture and the sheep of God’s hand. (ELW)

Generally Tuesday’s Thoughts focus on a single verse of scripture, but these several verses screamed to not be broken up. Actually, they are all good words to be remembered daily! So when I left for work and saw the beauty of the mountains, I was reminded of God’s greatness. The picture speaks for itself, even though it hardly does the beauty justice.

The Rocky Mountain Front is showing off today, God, and you are the creator of its beauty. Thank you for being our God, and for the reminder that we are yours - forever! We need this reminder every single day!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2512

November 16, 2020 

While we are in the midst of having professionals do some work around our home, this picture made me laugh. It reminds me that DIY is not everyone’s forte. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2511

November 15, 2020 

After many months of planning and dreaming (the initial training began in January for several of us), the first class of Faithful Innovations for three congregations happened today. This first section is about learning to listen more intently - to God, one another, and the community. Listening is so very important. After all, we have much to learn from one another and from God. 

During the training, one of the instructors shared this Native American Proverb, and it seems an appropriate reminder to share here:

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2510

November 14, 2020

Today I am thankful for generous folks. Hundreds of non-perishable food items were collected, sorted, packed, and loaded for delivery to four area school food pantries. This annual “Can Do” project of the congregation is always another reminder of how generous folks are. And I didn’t even mention the hundreds of dollars collected to be donated to those school food pantries to purchase items they might need we did not provide. 

So here is a picture of generosity - those who were available to come together to sort. Thank you, everyone!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2509

November 13, 2020

Friday the 13th in the year 2020 - yikes!!! It’s a recipe for a nightmare for someone who tends to be a bit superstitious (I inherited the thought from my mother). But I really don’t think this bad luck day had anything to do with the body aches I’m feeling. It is a reminder, however, of how much one is slowed down when the body hurts. And frankly, I have too much to do to be slowed down!!!

Anyway, it does remind me to pray for those in chronic pain. The Lord be your healer and strength. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2508

November 12, 2020

In his Daily Meditation, Richard Rhor wrote today regarding “the transforming power of love.” He quoted Valarie Kaur Me when he included this: 

Love is more than a feeling. Love is a form of sweet labor: fierce, bloody, imperfect, and life-giving—a choice we make over and over again. If love is sweet labor, love can be taught, modeled, and practiced. This labor engages all our emotions. Joy is the gift of love. Grief is the price of love. Anger protects that which is loved. And when we think we have reached our limit, wonder is the act that returns us to love. “Revolutionary love” is the choice to enter into wonder and labor for others, for our opponents, and for ourselves in order to transform the world around us. 

Wow! I know that love is work, but I appreciate her words “sweet labor.” Because love is so worth the effort. And it is critically needed at this time. Oh, if only the whole world would choose love!

Blessings. And prayers. 

Day #2507

November 11, 2020 

This blessing for the day from Kay Zimmerman in the daily devotion "d365" has been an important and timely message this week:

Thank God for today.

Open yourself to God’s surprises.

Do what is most important.

Accept that you can’t do everything.

You are blessed and loved. 

And today we give thanks for all Veterans - for your courage, your sacrifice, your commitment, your honor. Thank you and God bless and keep you!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2506

November 10, 2020

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. (NRSV)

Do you have the gift of encouragement? Do you have someone in your life with that gift? Both are a true blessing. Being able to identify the gifts in someone else, and encourage them to use them for others, is a gift in itself. Being the recipient of encouragement is a gift, also. Truly!

Recently the Synod Council on which I serve talked about the idea of “equip.” How are the saints (all of us) equipped to build-up the Kingdom of God? What does that look like? One of the phrases that stuck with me was “to equip is to build up confidence.” That’s a large part of encouragement. To give support and to build up confidence. 

We all need those moments of encouragement. I would not be doing what I do without the encouragement of countless others. I would not be able to continue doing what I do without the encouragement of countless others. It is easy to hear the negative and believe it. It is more difficult to hear the words of encouragement and believe them. I pray that you can, and do, hear them. We are stronger when we build one another up with encouragement. 

Thank you, God, for those in our lives who see your presence in us and encourage us to trust you are with us. Amen. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2505

November 9, 2020

In keeping with the blizzard/snow theme, here is the smile for this week:

The snow finally ended, by the way. Yay!! Now to get dug out (offices were closed today, too - really a snow day)!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2504

November 8, 2020 

Six years ago today, we left the East Coast for a big adventure. Now, we are in the west, in the midst of a blizzard, and the power did not come back on until mid-afternoon. Church services were even cancelled - first time since we have been here. It was like a good ol’ fashioned “snow day” in the south. ;-)

Where has the time gone?! While we so miss some things about the south, we are grateful for our new home and celebrate this anniversary. Yes, even in the snow and cold (our third big storm this FALL!).

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2503

November 7, 2020

On this Satisfied Saturday, I am thankful for Powerline Workers. In the midst of a blizzard, our power has gone out. I cannot imagine trying to make repairs in this wind and snow! As we watch strange bursts of light, we realize arcing is happening. It is absolutely dangerous out there. 

So while I pray for their safety, and I must admit, for this not to last very long, I am also beyond appreciative of those willing to be out and about. Lord, keep them safe. Amen!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2502

November 6, 2020 

This year for the Season of Advent, the Synod Staff is working on a Devotional to be available online. To that end, short contributions were invited from several leaders. I was asked to participate. With the deadline looming (aren’t I always working at the deadlines?!?!), I sat down today to reflect on the passage from Luke 1:5-17. It is God’s promise to Zechariah and Elizabeth that they would have a son, John. 

How do you wait for God’s promises to be fulfilled? Do you wait with patient perseverance or frustrated wondering? Do you consider the fulfillment of God’s promises to be about your life alone, or could others' lives be involved? These were questions I thought about while writing. 

I look forward to seeing the finished product all put together. I’ll make certain the link is provided. And I appreciate the opportunity!!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2501

November 5, 2020 

On a Zoom conversation with the Bishop, Bishop Assistants and other leaders, the prayer attributed to St. Francis was prayed. It is a good reminder to us all:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me bring love.

Where there is offense, let me bring pardon.

Where there is discord, let me bring union.

Where there is error, let me bring truth.

Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.

Where there is despair, let me bring hope.

Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.

Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.

O Master, let me not seek as much

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love,

for it is in giving that one receives,

it is in self-forgetting that one finds,

it is in pardoning that one is pardoned,

it is in dying that one is raised to eternal life.

Amen! 

Blessings. And prayers.

PS English translation courtesy of Wikipedia

Day #2500

November 4, 2020

Our country waits. Elections were held yesterday, and usually by the end of the day, we know the results. Yet, this year’s election fits with everything else 2020, unprecedented. It may be days before we know who the next president of the nation will be. And even then, there is rumor a transition, if there is one, could be difficult 

I appreciated this prayer from the ELW (Evangelical Lutheran Worship - hymnal) that was shared by the Bishop: 

O God, where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope. Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance. Where impossibilities close every door and window, grant imagination and resistance. Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination. Where spirits are daunted and weakened, grant soaring wings and strengthened dreams. All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Yes, Lord, grant us courage and hope, peace and reassurance, imagination and resistance. We need the reminder of your presence even more today and in the days ahead. Let it be so!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2499

November 3, 2020

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14: We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. (NRSV)

Grief is an odd thing. As someone recently said, we can be going along, coping pretty well until, all at once, grief hits us like the loss is fresh anew. Sometimes worse. Not having the physical presence of a person we care deeply about can be excruciating. Picking up the phone to call, only to remember they won’t be there to receive it can bring on the pain. Having something really good, or really bad, happen and want to talk to them can bring on the pain. A birthday, holiday, anniversary without them can bring on the pain (and I’m especially mindful of that this year when many of us won’t be able to gather anyway - if this is a first year, how much more difficult). 

Perhaps the words from 1 Thessalonians sound hollow to your ears and heart. It’s too soon, the feelings too raw. Yet the promise is there forever, whenever we can truly hear it. Through Jesus, we do not die without hope, nor do we experience the death of a loved one without hope. Nor will they experience leaving this earth without the promise of hope. One day gathered together to God with and through Jesus gives us all something to trust and hold onto regarding our, and their, eternal future. We will not be alone then, just as we are not alone now. 

If you are in the midst of fresh and raw grief, prayers for you. If you are experiencing a flood of emotion regarding a death from years ago, prayers for you. May the peace and promise of God surround and sustain you. Always.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2498

November 2, 2020 

Now here’s a smile for the week:

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2497

November 1, 2020

“For all the Saints, who from their labors rest…” We give thanks this day for the saints gone before us, and the ones among us. As we celebrated and remembered, two young ones received their first Holy Communion. What a joy to assure “the body of Christ, given for you” to two youth, their small hands open and ready to receive, as family watched and celebrated with them. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2496

October 31, 2020 

Three things for today:

1. This prayer written by Henri Nouwen spoke to a place deep in my soul, especially in these difficult times:

Dear God,

I am full of wishes,

full of desires,

full of expectations.

Some of them may be realized, many may not,

but in the midst of all my satisfactions

and disappointments,

I hope in you.

I know that you will never leave me alone

and will fulfill your divine promises.

Even when it seems that things are not going my way,

I know that they are going your way

and that in the end your way is the

best way for me.

O Lord, strengthen my hope,

especially when my many wishes are not fulfilled.

Let me never forget that your name is Love.

Amen.

2. I am thankful for my hubby's birthday today. He's my Halloween Sweetheart and I wish him a very Happy Day. 

3. Not every neighborhood has a visit on Halloween from the Headless Horseman, but here is "photo proof" that he/she rides tonight. Boo!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2495

October 30, 2020 

When watching television, I never suspected that a most wonderful message would come on the show The Greatest At Home Videos hosted by Cedric. The clip below includes Cedric’s "Heartwarming Highlights" on this Halloween episode, but at minute 1.27 a young girl shares her reminder that we are all beautiful on the inside and that we should not let anyone put us down because of weight, height, skin, etc. I’ll let her give her message - she does it best here: 100% Perfect (If you can, skip the ads, but it's worth the wait).

So please remember: God created you, God loves you, and you are most beautiful in God’s eyes. 

Blessings. And prayers.