Being born into a musical family has shaped my destiny. My mother was a singer and pianist and my father sang in men’s choruses. At the age of six I could play songs by ear; mostly familiar hymns and Sunday School songs. I gave my life to Jesus at the age of seven during our church’s revival meeting.
It has been a joy and a privilege to serve God through music; playing piano and organ, singing in and directing musical groups. I especially loved leading the congregation at the piano or organ. Playing and expressing myself through music brings me close to God – always.
People have asked me what my favorite hymns are. There are so many I hesitate to name just one, but the story behind “It is well with my soul” stirs my spirit. Horatio Stafford penned these words: “When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll, What ever my lot thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.”
Here are some of the sorrows he experienced:
This is the verse that gave him hope to go on:
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19 What a testimony!
Another favorite song: “Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee, How great thou art, How great thou art!
Dear Father, Help us to use our gifts and talents to be a blessing to others. With your power flowing through us you can use us every day. As we sing your praises can others hear us? I pray they can. In Jesus name, Amen.
]]>Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!"
We can never stop thanking God for all the many blessings we receive every day. Even with the hardships people are facing now with the high cost of living, there is so much to be thankful for by just taking a quick look around our own little space in Elk River.
But let us be continually aware of people all around us in our own community who have so many needs such as places to live, food for their families and access to good health care providers due to lack of insurance or finances. Let us be in prayer and have the willingness to give generously to our many missions at Central Lutheran Church, CAER and Faith in Action. Be in prayer for our on-going Quo Vadis movement as we reach out to those in need in our own community. Pray that new worship communities will be established giving opportunity to make Jesus Known to those who do not feel comfortable in a formal church setting. Let them see what a warm and welcoming place life with Jesus can be for all.
Central Lutheran has been blessed with wonderful leadership from our Pastors and Office Staff to all areas of Daycare, Kitchen and Custodial Staff. Let us include them in our daily prayers of thanksgiving for their dedicated service, many times above and beyond the call of duty.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
This is one of my favorite Bible verses and was also one of my mother’s. I grew up in a family of 12 with very low income and many moves throughout Minnesota. There were many times where we did not know where our next meal was coming from, let alone where we would be living. But largely due to my mother, we never lacked for love even during some very hard times. We were very lucky to have developed many good friendships along the way. we grew to know happiness is not found in possessions but in relationships with people we loved and respected.
Help me, O God, to use my gifts in your service. Help me to grow into a deeper life of faith through worship and prayer and participating in many learning opportunities presented to us through talented staff at Central Lutheran. Amen.
]]>Philemon 1:4-7 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement because you, brother have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Paul writes from a prison in Rome about forgiveness and in my heart I often ask God for forgiveness. Forgiveness for the things I have said and done. Forgiveness for a broken marriage, for putting myself before others and God. For accepting God as my savior and then forgetting him so easily at different times in my life. Paul tells us here that we are not only to ask for forgiveness but to receive that person back into our hearts. As my faith story begins after many trials in my life, a song “Hold On” by Gary Chapman on the radio changed my life. It was my ah-ha from God. It was my forgiving moment, but before I could forgive the people I had hurt and needed in my life I had to forgive myself. It was that moment that God was not only walking beside me he was holding my hand and leading me on this new journey. Forgiveness healed my broken marriage, grew my relationships with my daughters and restored my faith.
My journey with God has led me to many new areas in my life. Mexico, a great tourist and vacation spot for many, has become my heartfelt journey. Every year as I travel there I see the increased sharing of faith in people of Mazatlan as new churches and schools are being built. The presence and forgiveness of God is truly alive here.
At home my journey continues as I find myself involved in confirmation, and a group of young people most of who are beginning to know their faith direction. What a wonderful opportunity I have to encourage them to know about forgiveness and the love that our Lord has for us. I see my involvement here with those in need, praying that they come to know that all things are possible with God.
To the many women that I have come to know, who are hurt, lost, or trying to heal, may they be encouraged to know that God doesn’t leave. Psalm 34:18 tells us “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Ladies he will not leave you.
For me, as I read and study God’s word, my prayer is my knowing of forgiveness be shared with everyone I encounter. As a servant may my eyes be opened and my ears hear, and the sharing of God’s goodness and grace be a part of who I have become.
Please pray with me:
Father in Heaven, In our busy lives today we often forget or put ourselves before you, we may be hurt, and hungry and look everywhere but to you for direction. May we come to truly know that you are the way, and through you hurt goes away and our hunger is satisfied. May we understand what it is that you did for us by carrying the cross and giving your life for us. That Lord, you are the forgiver. Let us know you and share that kind of forgiveness with others. What a wonderful world this would be if we could all forgive as you have forgiven us. May we share with those we meet today and everyday your grace and forgiveness. Amen.
]]>2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, finished the race, kept the faith. This was my Grandfather’s favorite bible verse and is a testament to his strong faith. He was a Missouri Synod Pastor for over 60 years and was always steadfast in his commitment to Christ.
When looking back on your life, these three phrases from 2 Timothy 4: 7 should sum up your life’s accomplishments. How have you handled the ups and downs of life? Have you stayed steadfast in your devotion to God and trusted God throughout the challenges of every day life? As Christians, we need to trust in God that he will not only provide for us, but also guide us through the difficult times we all at times must face. The fight Paul is referring to is a “good fight”- the cause is always good and the victory is always sure, if we continue to be faithful and courageous. By staying true to God’s word, we can fight the good fight and finish this “race” here on Earth, while always keeping the faith. If we can say we did these three things while on Earth, we can look back on our lives and be proud.
Dear Lord, Help me to keep the faith during life’s ups and downs. Remind me to always trust that you will guide me down the right path and that only you know what is best for me. When I turn everything over to you, I know that you will steer me in the right direction and that I can always trust in you to provide for me.
]]>“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the lord your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NLT)
At the end of my senior year in high school I found myself standing at a crossroads. I grew up with an understanding of God, and in middle school had an encounter with Him that I just could not shake. In my middle school years, I fell in love with God. Yet, as I grew older, I began to forget. Slowly, at first, I began to walk in a different direction than God, doing things my own way. Soon, I began to see the effects of this decision. My life felt different. It’s hard to explain. I could see God a long way off, like a shadow on the ground and sometimes I wished I could run to Him. But He seemed too far away, so vague. Besides, after walking away, how could I just run back?
The urge to run back never diminished. In fact, it only intensified as I went through high school living life apart from Him. Though He seemed only a shadow, He was a loud shadow. Then at the end of my senior year, God and I had one more encounter – at this crossroads. It was as if He no longer wanted me to think of running to Him, but to do it. He stood there, at the crossroads and asked me to choose. This way or that - as if one road read “Life” and the other “Death.” My time to decide had come. Deep inside my hunger to follow God had never diminished. I remembered the times in middle school and I longed for them again. I had tasted what the world had to offer, and though it tasted good for a time, it left me dissatisfied.
I had to see what God tasted like again. I just couldn’t shake it. So, I chose God. I later realized what tasted so good was “life”. Only God can give us life, not the world. “Choose life, that you and your descendants might live!”
God, help me to see what you taste like. Show me how to get “life” from you. In some way or another, I have tasted the world and what it has to offer, and though it might taste good for a time, show me the emptiness of it all apart from you. Help me to choose life. Help me to choose you. Not just once, but everyday of my life. You are so good to us. Amen.
]]>Psalm 37: 3-6 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Although I had been a church member since we moved to Elk River, I rarely attended, always having to work most Sundays and taking a break on the few I had off; or at least that was the changing my heart in the process, and making me aware of his presence at all times.
When I was struck with West Nile Virus in 2003, my life changed forever. Not knowing what was attacking me, and not getting answers from the medical profession, I had only one source to turn to and that was our Lord. I was reading Job at that time, and I turned to the gospel story of Jesus in the garden. He prayed for God’s will not his to be done, and at that time I too turned to Jesus and said; “Your will be done”.
It has been a long journey from there, but that moment led me to volunteer to help with the media team, and to take a leadership role in the Inaugural CAER Classic. The Lord gave me the boldness of Moses speaking before Pharaoh, a boldness I never had on my own, and through prayer God worked through us a miracle raising money for those less fortunate than ourselves. I have grown in my boldness for the Lord, and he has blessed me in so many ways things are possible with God.
Lord, you are our rock and foundation. You speak to your children, if only they would listen. Your miracles appear every day, in the small things we take for granted. Oh Lord, give us wisdom to recognize your subtle hand in everyday occurrences, working all things to your great pleasure, through us touching the lives of those who don’t know you. Give us the boldness to proclaim you to the world, fulfilling your great commission. Let our lives be an example of the righteousness of your Life, and let us be a beacon of hope to all. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
]]>When I was young these verses were the theme of a radio program that we listened to at my home. They felt comforting at the time and has stayed with me through the years.Jesus tells us to come to him. We can come to him when we feel weighed down with a heavy load or frazzled with a lot of little things that need to get done.
When we give them over to Jesus he carries the load and helps us through our problems. Starting the day by reading the bible and talking to God can make the day go smoother.
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for always being there to hear my cares and concerns. Help me to see the needs in others and wisdom to know how to help. In Jesus name, Amen
]]>Psalm 112: verse 6-7. A good person will never fail, he will always be remembered. He is not afraid of receiving bad news; his faith is strong, and he trusts in the Lord.
Most people that know me say that I am a positive person. That does not mean that I am immune to failure. Far from it. I might, however, call failure a setback or detour. I have tried to use those setbacks as building blocks for the future. Our position is to Trust in the Lord. Lead your life by example. That is what I have tried to do. People over time have learned that about me and know that I will continue to go forward in a positive way even in the face of failure.
Do not look back at setbacks as failures. Each day is a new day. Start the day by visiting the Lord in prayer. Renew your faith and trust the Lord. Amen.
]]>Ephesians 5:1-2 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Imitate: to try to be the same as; to make a copy; duplicate. To assume the appearance of; look like.
We are naturally born imitators. We can go through life jumping from one imitation to the next. In order to imitate you need to know the person your imitating. You study their character, the way they speak, move, and act. I have imitated several people in my life, they were people I loved, admired and looked up to. I have imitated my parents, teachers, presidents, heroes of all kinds. As a little girl, I loved to imitate fictional "do good" characters, like one of the Charlie's Angels, or Wonder Woman, she was my favorite. I never missed an episode, I studied her character intently and very carefully. I would put on a gymnastic suit and my mom's white go-go boots (this was the 70's) with my "tell the truth" lasso strapped to the belt around my waist, and jump in my invisible plane off to save the children, the people, the world!
My imitating started to change as a teen though, I started to go to church and began to learn of this wonderful person named Jesus and knew that He was the ultimate, He was the real Savior of the children, the people, the world, the one I was to imitate! I'm not the perfect Jesus imitator, I won't ever be. It's been a long journey and I haven't arrived but I am determined to draw closer to Him and strive to be more like Him.
I was 18 years old when I was baptized at Central, I still didn't fully comprehend what Jesus did for me and what that meant for me. But through the years, as I continued to study Jesus and began a relationship with him, he became my steadfast foundation. I watched how He effected others around me, and the truth began to root in my heart that I was a dearly love child of God, there was none other I wanted to imitate more then Him! It's been a struggle, my human pride and selfishness seems to rear it's ugly head now and then, actually more times then I would like to admit. But He is always gentle to remind me of who I am to imitate and that he is the "perfect fragrant offering and sacrifice" and to run to the foot of the cross where grace and mercy resides, a place for forgiveness and new beginnings.
I once heard a phrase shared that I consider profound, it came from the Mishna, the collection of Jewish law and tradition compiled by Rabbi Judah ha-Nasi which was "May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi." The idea was that if you followed behind your rabbi on the dusty roads, you would get covered in his dust. Meaning, you were following him so closely to be so much like him that you are glorified to be covered with the dust he left behind. Isn't that the coolest analogy? As a Christian, Jesus is our ultimate Rabbi! Knowing this, I don't mind walking around covered in dust! In fact, the dustier I get the closer I know I am to His heels!!
I still carry a lot of baggage and fall into pits as I strive to follow Him, but He continues to reassure me of His love, power, and strength, holding out His hand to pull me from the pits I fall in and offering to carry my baggage. As I continue to imitate the One and Only, it seems to me like the best thing to continually ask is "Quo Vadis Jesus? Followed by "Cause I'm coming!!"
How about you? Are you getting a little dusty? I hope and pray that we are so caked with dust that He only sees the whites of our eyes!
Dear Heavenly Father, You are awesome, fully satisfied in who you are, yet desiring for us to be your imitators. Thank you for providing the ultimate example of your image, Jesus Christ, the one you desire us to imitate. Thank you for loving us, guiding us, fathering us. Help us to live a life of love, show us what that means to you and not let ourselves, our time, our possessions get in the way of doing it. If we get off track, kick up that dust so we can find our way back. In the precious name of your son, Jesus. Amen.
]]>Chronicles 28:9 If you seek God, you will find him.
As a small child growing up my Mother often told me when you are faced with situations that make you scared or troubled, remember God is always with you and you are never alone. So many times in my life I have felt so comforted when I remembered I am never alone. He is always with me. He is my best friend.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for always being there to listen and to comfort me. Help me to open my eyes to people around me that also need Your comfort and grace. Give me courage to seek them out and let them know they too are never alone. Amen.
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