Hope-Full Living

My morning routine includes a cup of fresh brewed coffee. I was about to pour my cup and I noticed it was not very coffee colored. There were no tasty grounds in the coffee maker. I chided myself for being hasty and remembered my dad’s words: “the devil is in the details.” As I thought on my carelessness, I also realized how prayers become automatic and routine, much like a chore to be finished ra...

God created a perfect world, no evil, no sin, all was good. But mankind was tempted to be like God, and so disobeyed God’s law. Punishment for disobeying (called sin) was death; eternal separation from God. Because of that first sin, now all the world, both human and animal, is evil and contaminated with sin. But because God loved the world he created and those living in it, he redeemed and reclai...

“Today is the first day of the rest of my life.” To me, that means the past is gone forever. Starting today, I can strive to do better in my Christian life and service and in whatever other areas I want to improve. It’s just that simple. God chooses to remove our transgressions from us “as far as the east is from the west.” Every day my baptismal washing is renewed and my relationship with my Lord...

My local library sent me a text stating that the book I borrowed several weeks ago had been renewed automatically. I didn’t request that service; the library provides that service for all its patrons. It’s a gentle way of reminding me of my responsibility to return the borrowed book. Paul reminded the Corinthians, and us, that God’s grace through Christ is renewed in us every day. It’s a significa...

Reaching back into the storage closet of my mind, I recall that ever present can of Renuzit Spot Remover sitting on a shelf in the laundry of my childhood home. Periodically, my clothes got stained with grease or grime and mom would pull down the can of Renuzit, and with an old rag “lift” that ugly spot away and restore the pants or shirt to its former clean state. Daily, our lives stained with th...

Like Jonah, I had wanted to disobey God’s request; to run away. The Lord was asking me to revisit a woman in my community who cared for her great- grandchildren. But she had been standoffish. She even left her television dramas on loudly as I read aloud to the two girls. I didn’t want to go. Prayerful about whether to return, I gained a sense of forgiveness. Perhaps her resentment wasn’t even abou...

Sometimes when our sins separate us from our Lord, we sense our shame and his reproach. Through this however, God, the Father, works his good work in us, drawing us closer to his Son, Jesus, and our need for his cross, forgiveness, and new life. Since we are now reconciled with God, the Holy Spirit uses renewed people to appeal to others to be reconciled to God as well. May God, by his grace, use...

Our son and daughter-in-law, their two kids, and one large dog live in an apartment in New York City. They don’t have a lot of room, but long ago they made hospitality a priority and had a table made that seats 10. Yes, comfortably! When we recall hospitality among God’s people, we see generosity. Early Christians in the Book of Acts shared everything, and no one went hungry. My husband and I like...

Walking a treadmill, I put one foot in front of the other and I’m still in the very same place. Sin can cause people to get stuck. Some follow all the “rules,” thinking they measure up, perhaps look at others and judge them. Some live in the defeat and despair of regrets. Pride or despair, God loves us and doesn’t intend for us to live in either state. Jesus took our sins of pride and despair. He...

Uniforms meet a need in society. Locating a policeman, recognizing safety officers, knowing the person in the white coat is a doctor, are all short cuts to identifying people. It’s different with Christians. Our uniform is the full armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fit with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salva...

What are your thoughts about prayer? Do any of these resonate with you? Some people only ask the Pastor to pray for them, since they think he has a direct connection to God. Others are afraid to pray because they feel insignificant. Some feel it does no good to pray. And the rest willingly pray for themselves and others. Prayer is something everyone can do at any time and in any place. There are n...

I don’t recall if I was angry or bored when I repeatedly hit the door’s metal frame each time it retracted towards me. Yet, I do remember my grandfather’s words, “You’re going to put your arm through the glass.” Ignoring his warning, I continued to strike the door. Soon, I sat clutching my mom’s hand while a doctor stitched up my young flesh just below the shoulder. We are often tempted to ignore...

My favorite hymn to sing and play in the Lutheran Hymnal is “Thy Strong Word.” A befitting title for a song celebrating the faithfulness of God. Reproach is another strong word. Sin and shame, however, made Adam hide from God in the Garden of Eden when God wanted to draw near to him. God saw our sin, but he covered it as well. When Jesus took our place on the cross, his blood covered our sin. Sinc...

I used to run a lot. Bob Besalski and I even completed a marathon in 1984. But that was 40 years (and about as many pounds) ago. My email address is still runrev@gmail.com, but a friend said, “You should really change that, Steve, to trytowalkalittlefasterrev@gmail.com I’m no longer able to run, or even walk fast, but I stretch my muscles and ride my bike daily to keep moving physically. The Apost...

God himself formed humankind, intentionally. God breathed life into Adam’s nostrils. Man became a living being with the Lord’s breath, in the image of God. Never think that you don’t matter. Never believe that you are “over the hill.” Never let anyone tell you that your time is past. The people of God need your wisdom. They need your faith. They need your sustaining prayer. They need your smile. T...

The doctor asks, we answer: no pain, no dizziness, no blood. Seems like everything’s OK. Then the pause. Then the “C” word we don’t want to hear — Cancer! Our personal world changes in that instant. Just how many thoughts can one think in a second? Sadness, confusion, anger, this can’t be! There is someone in our world who doesn’t change and whose name begins with “C” — Christ our savior. This “C”...

A friend described her unusual prayer experience. For a long time, she had felt God was rather far away. This time she cried to him, and he showed up quite closely, “I could really feel him right next to me!” God’s presence was tangible to her. She knew he was physically present! Revelation 3:20 assures us that God is standing by our door knocking. If permitted, he “will come in and eat!” He offer...

We are a new creation because of Jesus’ death. How is this meaningful in our lives since it happened over 2000 years ago? It’s so far back in history that we are tempted to look on it as an event with no meaning today. Some say Christ’s death isn’t important. They see it as just a memory and not relevant for today. But, by the Spirit of God, that crucifixion brings meaning for us today. I can’t ex...

When faced with “darkened” times, knowing that “God is faithful” brings helpful thoughts. Joy fills us knowing we will “be able to endure it.” Being forgetful about the needs of others may be harmful and hurtful. However, thinking about God’s faithfulness directs us to HIM. We hear of one’s need. We want to add hope and carry any burden that seems to be occurring. A sinful world is saved with God’...