Day #2670

April 23, 2021

The only constant in life is change, and there are changes happening with friends of ours. A colleague/friend and her husband will soon be moving to Washington where she has a new call. So while I am excited for her, and them, because they will be closer to family, I am sad for us. We have enjoyed their company many times and had many wonderful conversations. It will be hard to see them go. 

So today we invited them to our home for one last sleepover before we all attend a wedding tomorrow. What a gift to be able to entertain them, to have more meaningful conversation, and to share laughter and even some tears. Friends are definitely a gift!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2669

April 22, 2021 

On this Earth Day, I am reminded of all that God has made - all we need. And we are honored to enjoy God’s gifts and be good stewards of them. 

What can each one of us do? All that we can, whether large or small, to care for the earth, the air, the water, the land, the creatures and one another.

Happy Earth Day!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2668

April 21, 2021

There is something exciting about discussing love, relationship, commitment, and weddings. The future is to behold, the possibilities endless, so much to learn about one another and to grow into together. 

It is my wish that every relationship could be guaranteed to work out, that no couple would face the sadness, grief, and heartache of a breakup. There is no such guarantee, however. Odds are not in that favor. But there is something that can help keep a relationship solid…communication. Talking to one another. Being honest with one another. Risking ourselves to say what is on our heart, yet doing so in love. 

Communication. It is vital, and not only for married couples, but for all relationships. That includes ours with God, also. God deeply desires to hear from us, whatever is in our hearts and on our minds. It is vital. And to that I pray: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2667

April 20, 2021

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Psalm 23. I invite you to read this scripture in the translation you most enjoy. Perhaps it is the King James Version (he leadeth me), the New King James Version (he leads me), the New Revised Standard Version (and leads me), or The Message (you find me). 

What I find is that the translation does not really matter, because this Psalm is one of the most well-known pieces of scripture. In fact, this is the second time Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture has included a part of this particular Psalm. What is it about these words?

What stands out to me as I read it again is the amount of action found here. Not just any action, either, but God’s action. Whether it is leading, restoring, guiding, etc., God is providing. So that. So that we may know God’s love, presence and peace, always. 

Perhaps in the end it is the promises we find in these words that makes this Psalm so important and loved, both in life and in death. We want to know that we are loved and cared for, and our loved ones are loved and cared for, for eternity. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2666

April 19, 2021

It’s Spring. This says it well and made me smile: 

This picture taken out our backdoor this morning shows it well:

From fishing in sunshine and warmth a couple days ago to this!! Yep, it’s Spring!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2665

April 18, 2021

At the Congregational Council retreat time today, we practiced an ancient way of looking at scripture called Dwelling in the Word. The process begins with prayer, then hearing a piece of scripture read once, followed by a moment or two of quiet reflection, then the same scripture is read a second time. Following that, folks are invited to get into pairs to discuss three questions about the scripture - what caught your attention; what question would you want to ask; where might the Spirit be nudging us in what we hear in this text (or some variation of these may be used). Finally, each pair is asked to share in the larger group what they heard their partner say (in this way we practice listening to one another, as well as to God). 

I have been a part of this practice many times, often using the same scripture text. I am always, always amazed at the new insights uncovered each time. It reminds me that we all have insights God gives us based on our experiences and that each one has value. There is always something to learn from one another. 

God is directing God’s church, I truly believe, and with that assurance, where we go next will be revealed in the proper time. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2664

April 17, 2021 

On this Satisfied Saturday, I give thanks for councils. Today was a 2-hour Zoom meeting of the Synod Council, making decisions about the upcoming Assembly and more. This group of folks are gifted and committed to the work of the church, and I am thankful to be a part of them.

Tomorrow, the council of the congregation will meet to do some learning and dreaming. I give thanks for these nine people and trust God to lead and direct the time, as well as the decisions. I am also thankful for the Director for Evangelical Mission who will lead us. She is a gift to our synod.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2663

April 16, 2021 

For a couple of hours in the afternoon of a beautiful day, this man found happiness. 

Definitely fishing is his happy place. And I had a nap - nice!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2662

April 15, 2021

There are times when a conversation happens at just the right moment with just the right person and you know you are on holy ground. The ideas come quickly and easily. The dreams of what could be become more exciting and realistic the longer you talk. Before you know it, the sky is the limit and the possibilities endless. 

Perhaps none of the dreams or ideas discussed today will come to fruition, yet all important things have a beginning somewhere. So never settle or dream too small; God's ministry might just be in the midst of those huge ideas. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2661

April 14, 2021

The word for the day - and the week - is BUSY. How does it happen that my schedule can become so packed? Albeit, all that is there is important and I enjoy. From talking with colleagues, walking with folks in times of need, planning for worship, having Bible Study, and more, I am glad I do what I do. Yet, having a little less scheduled in the same week would have been helpful. And maybe smart. So, I am reminded how important it is to pray. And breathe. God is with me and for that, I am deeply thankful.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2660

April 13, 2021

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 24, verse 41a: While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering. (NRSV)

As someone pointed out to me, how encouraging for us that the disciples were filled with joy, yet they were still disbelieving and wondering. How could this man standing before them be the same Jesus they had followed for years and then watched die on a crucifixion cross? How wonderful that he was alive, but could they believe their own eyes?

This thought brings me back to the day I came home from school to find a strange car parked in front of our house. Who does that car belong to, I asked my mom. Wait until your father gets home, she said. After dad finally came home, we all went out to look at this strange car. It was then that my dad said, it belongs to you. It’s yours. What, mine?! My car? I was thrilled to have wheels (a definitely used but new to me car), but I had a hard time believing it was true, and kept wondering why. Why had my parents helped me get a car (it was so I could drive back and forth to school and work, after my High School graduation). 

That feeling of joy and yet disbelief over something as insignificant as a car must have been only a fraction of what those disciples felt. It is hard sometimes to believe what we see. It is even more difficult to believe what we cannot see - the physical body of the resurrected Jesus. And yet, does that mean it is any less real simply because we struggle to believe? 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2659

April 12, 2021 

If you know me well, this is an appropriate smile for the week:

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2658

April 11, 2021 

Today we finally gathered the Confirmation Class together, in person, and watched the movie, “Luther.” In this Catechism teaching year, we find it appropriate to learn a little about Martin Luther, who wrote Luther’s Small Catechism. Yes, the 16th century reformer whose name became a part of our denomination. 

Now for my confession: I have probably watched this movie a half-dozen times. But today, I began to finally put it all together. I better followed who were the ones trying to silence Luther, the ones who tried to escalate his changes to a violent overthrow, and what he was really trying to accomplish and change. 

But the important part, I heard something Luther said that I do not remember from any of the previous viewings - “We preach best what we need to learn most.” I do believe that the one who most needs to hear the message/sermon each week is me. I need to hear over and over that God loves us, and all of creation. I need to hear that God desires us to love others, all others. I need to hear that God’s grace is abundant and free. I need to hear it, because I need to continue learning it. 

Thank you, Martin Luther, for this insight. And thank you, confirmation students, for the opportunity to see the movie once again. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2657

April 10, 2021 

This year's Satisfied Saturday lands on Siblings Day. So today I am thankful for other only children who understand what it is to not be able to relate to having siblings. 

Okay, that is a bit “tongue in cheek.” But I am grateful that not all brothers and sisters must be related by DNA. In other words, in the Kingdom of God, I have tons and tons of siblings and I am thankful for each and every one. 

Happy Siblings Day - brothers and sisters in Christ!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2656

April 9, 2021

On April 9, 1945, Lutheran Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer was hanged at Flossenburg concentration camp in Germany for helping plot an overthrow of Hitler that never happened. His memory and writings are still significant today, some 75 plus years later. 

What made Bonhoeffer so memorable? Perhaps this quote from his book, Life Together, can help us understand: 

“God has put this Word into the mouths of humans in order that it may be communicated to others. When persons are struck by the Word, they speak it to others. God has willed that we should seek and find the living Word in the witness of brothers and sisters, in the mouth of human beings. Therefore, Christians need other Christians who can speak God’s Word to them. They need them again and again whenever they become uncertain and discouraged, for by themselves they cannot help themselves without belying the truth.” (Bonhoeffer, Life Together, 1954, p 22-23, language modified to be more inclusive).

A reminder we do need one another from a man deeply hurt - even killed - by others. Hmmm…

Blessings. And prayers.