Hope-Full Living

I included Prayer Shawl information for my church’s list regarding involvement in ministries. I shared that the baptismal blankets, shawls, and afghans are lovingly and prayerfully made for the recipient of any age. While our finished craft brings a tangible source of comfort and warmth to the recipient, the crafter is also renewed from the monthly meetings of prayer and devotion, as well as shari...

Surrender has a negative connotation. The losers hold out the white flag and submit to the enemy. With God, surrender is positive. God has power and authority over all things as creator of all things. His very triune nature is one of unfathomable love between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and towards all he created. When prayers for family and friends weigh heavy on our hearts, we can pray and surr...

People bond over food! As in 600 BC, sharing treats like figs, nuts, olives, and wine might signify our allegiance. When Daniel and his friends refused the king’s lavish foods and wine, they were making the point that they would stay pure, strong, and loyal to God. We can learn from Daniel that the Holy Spirit strengthens us when we consume gifts wisely. Paul reinforces the same idea. “All things...

This verse makes me wonder: How does one give cheerfully? Why would God love a cheerful giver? Would God love a grumpy giver? Then I realized where my problem is: upon the word “cheerful.” It may be the proper Greek translation, but it doesn’t seem right to me. Here’s my replacement translation: God loves a willing giver. A willing giver gives because he/she sees a need and wishes to respond. A wi...

God has put many people in my life — some to help me and some he urges me to help. I call the latter “bruised reeds.” Life has given them thorns, not roses. Perhaps some have experienced unemployment, broken relationships, chronic ill health, and for some reason (God’s reasoning?), they look to me for answers. I cannot visit as I once did, but we can pray on a phone call. It is not money that they...

When my grandson handed me a present, I knew it was a box of chocolate covered cherries. The next thing I did was predictable too. I opened the box and shared the chocolates with him. The Holy Spirit gives each of us at least one spiritual gift such as teaching, helping, and hospitality. Gifts are not given so we look good, but to serve others and glorify God (1 Peter 4:10-11). Maybe you can’t use...

What more do we need from Someone who promises to be always with us and guide and direct us as well? If you are like I am, you “know” this about the Lord, but so often I forget that his promise is ALWAYS true! Thanks for believing in me even when I question my own motives and actions. Thanks for empowering me to continue to share the gifts of Jesus with others. Push me to continue to share your lo...

When my kids were younger, they would give me hand-made gifts for my birthday. Sometimes it was a picture they drew. Other times it would be a piece of pottery they made in school. The greatest joy of those gifts was not the usefulness of what they gave me, but it was the joy with which they gave it to me, because they loved me. The same is true with our heavenly Father. The gifts that we give him...

Some come almost daily. “Tool Belt Tuesdays” attract even more. Men’s Wednesday morning Bible study is well-attended. These are men who see each other in worship and during the week. They are a friendly group. They enjoy using their God-given talents to fix machinery, put up lighting, move tables, paint, set up a manger scene, mow lawns, snow blow, and help with projects at our church and school....

Do the dark clouds of our world (and your personal life) get you down? When they do, Isaiah speaks a word of hope — the final word will not be loss, grief, cancer, or even death, for “The Holy One of Israel” is among you, and he will write the final word for you. Jesus Christ is the Holy One who came among us, not as a simple spectator, but as savior, rescuer, and redeemer. He will not abandon us;...

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, of which I am a member, 6000 congregations, 9000+ pastors, missionaries in 90 countries, and 180 Service Organizations. That’s a lot of God’s people working in his kingdom! God is living and active in all areas of human life. When he gives us faith to see, we respond by using the gifts God has given us: time, talent, and treasure. We do not merit salvation throu...

“Why am I still here?” is a question my mom ponders. My mom is 92. My response: “Ma, God has work for you to do in this world.” No matter our age — like Mom, each of us has a God-given purpose. We are in this world to fulfill our purpose. I mean, everything — our talents and trials, our aches and pains, our joys and sorrows — can be prayerfully offered to God. By our words, offerings, and actions,...

When we were growing up, my siblings and I learned that “the Lord loveth a cheerful giver.” “Cheerful” actually means “hilarious!” Our mother taught us the hilarity of giving to Jesus first. If we received a ten dollar bill for our birthdays, she exchanged the bill for ten singles. Then we put two dollars in our Jesus Box. When we gave our offering at church, we were happy that we could give back...

Commandments are about what to do; the Sermon on the Mount is about the why. Jesus told the lawyer to love God with all his heart, soul, and mind, and his neighbor as himself (Matthew 22:37-39). Devotion and obedience to God involves the whole being and governs our motives. This comes to mind every time I fill out a pledge of my gifts to God. It is easier to fulfill the physical act than finding t...

A few years ago, an economic recession was greatly affecting many people in my city. Large companies were reducing staff, and some were closing. One day, I even met a homeless woman living in her car. She was parked at my church to attend a service. I referred her to some organizations for assistance. Wanting to help the unemployed and underemployed, I later started a job ministry in my parish. I...

As I look back on my life, I wonder, was it a life well lived? Did the choices I made amount to anything in the long run? Did I make a difference? I find comfort in the above passage from 1 Corinthians. I am not taking credit for them, but I know that the life of the Christian includes many opportunities to honor God with acts of kindness and willing service to others, my life included. If you are...