"Hope When Your Heart Breaks," page 192
Grant all of us the grace to accept Your terms of reconciliation, and let me, too, enjoy the forgiveness of all my sin. I ask You, because of Your pardon to us, to make us forgiving, thoughtful and considerate of one another. Grant that we may live side by side in quietness and peace, recognizing that each one of us has rights and privileges given to us by You in Your goodness of heart. Teach me to look on others as fellow redeemed and permit them to enjoy those blessings that I want as my own.
Make our nation a righteous nation and us citizens a law-abiding and moral people. Grant health and strength and wisdom to those in authority and prevent godless and wicked people from corrupting our land. From day to day grant me the grace to live peaceably with those in my community, at work, at the church, and with my friends, that my conduct and speech may give honor to You and Your Son Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen.
Have a blessed week!
It was hard to get reading time in with the coronavirus being all consuming. Time I usually had to get cozy in my recliner with book in hand (or in some cases an ebook) was taken up by recording online services, contacting members over the phone to find out about their wellbeing, reading the daily reports from the Arizona Department of Health Services and just generally trying to hold our church together while weathering all the ramifications of the pandemic.
I read three books in December to reach my goal, which is a bit amazing since December is one of my busiest time of the year. Lately I've had a hard time sleeping so I used that time to get in a bit of reading.
Here are the titles of several books I highly recommend:
"Loving Isaac" by Heather Kaufman is the story about an abused mother and her autistic son. Kaufman presents the many challenges of raising an autistic child. The story is captivating from the very first page. Isaac's mother receives compassion from her sister and others. The book illustrates how people in the church, although well meaning, can often add stress to the parent of an autistic child with suggestions that are hurtful and show ignorance. The story took a number of turns I did not expect which caused me to wonder, "What's next." In the end, "Loving Isaac," is a wonderful story of redemption motivated by God's love. The book is published by Concordia Publishing House.
"Make Your Bed," by Admiral William McRaven was adapted from a speech given to graduates of University of Texas. McRaven writes of the lessons he learned while in training to be a Navy seal. McRaven wrote the book for people going through tough or challenging times, which made it the perfect read for this year. A member from church recommended this book and I'm glad she did. It's a short read but you might find some ideas you can carry with you the rest of your life.
"Lou Gehrig - The Lost Memoir" by Alan Goff was a pleasant and unexpected surprise. My dear, sweet wife bought this book for my birthday, It was sweet of her to do so but I thought I knew the Gehrig story very well. Turns out I didn't. The first half of the book is a series of articles Gehrig wrote during the baseball season. I was struck by his tone and attitude, being about 180 degrees from today's self-absorbed modern athletes. Gehrig was humble, playing down his own achievements while making every other ballplayer he wrote about sound like a superstar. The second half was more biography and was very well researched. I wouldn't have bought it myself but I'm glad Sherri did. One of the best books I read in 2020.
I finally took the time to explore the "books" app on my phone and was surprised at the number of free books available. I found several fictional "first in a series" books to read. It's so easy when you have a few minutes of free time to grab your phone and get into a book. I'm sure many of you are reading this and thinking, "Duh!" I'm looking forward to reading more ebooks on my phone in the new year.
How about you? Do you enjoy reading? I found that getting into a good book was a great way of leaving behind the pandemic if only for a little while. Try it! I hope you find some good books to read in 2021.
A blessed New Year to you
all!
Talk about new
beginnings. My youngest daughter and her family brought home yesterday a
pure bread Golden Retriever. As cute as a puppy can be. Our dog,
Jake, was mildly interested in Margot. Now, he’s just plain annoyed😊. Not a
good way to start a new year.
Annoyed…frustrated…upset…angry…those
are just a few of the words that describe our feelings for 2020. Our
lives changed significantly. A mask become a part of our ensemble.
Distance between people was expected. Shopping’s priority was cleaning
and paper products. Fear was felt as we ventured out to shop or be caught
in large crowds. Even church was off limits for those who had concerns
about catching the virus.
Despite all this, God’s
people still hungered for the Word and Supper. We established an online
service after we went on hiatus and viewership exceeded our expectations.
We held brief communion services with groups of six to eight and the slots
filled up quickly. “Zoom” Bible studies served the needs for those who
wanted to dig further into the Scriptures. And the virus did not stop all
of you, our Prayer Team, from asking the Lord to have mercy on the sick and
dying. For me, all of the above will be what I remember most from 2020.
God’s Word cannot be
hindered. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do
not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving
seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes out
from My mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that
which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah
55:10-11)
Many people make resolutions
at the new year. Most of these focus on self-improvement, i.e. losing
weight, giving up smoking or cutting back on snacking, etc. There is
nothing wrong with wanting to get in better shape. Nothing at all.
But, as disciples of Jesus,
let’s resolve to be people of God’s Word. Resolve to read a verse, a few
verses, a chapter in the Bible each day. Use the Psalms as your prayer
book. Memorize your favorite Bible verses. Attend a Bible study –
on campus or online. Share an insight from the Scriptures with a
friend. Make "Treasuring God’s Word” or “Portals of Prayer” a daily
habit. Jesus taught: Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of
God and keep it. (Luke 11:28)
Don’t despair. Even
though we start 2021 the same way we ended 2020 we are people of hope.
The Lord has cleansed us in baptism. He has fortified us with His
Word. He comes near with His forgiveness in the Supper. The Lord is
with us! God’s best to you in the coming year!
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:1-2 ESV
Forget the New Year's traditions that hang on luck and whose resolutions highlight more self-improvement. Instead, resolve to deepen your restored relationship with God our Lord and Father, God our Redeemer and Friend, and God your Comforter and Guide! Resolve to feed your faith daily with His Holy Word. Resolve to gain understanding from His learned teachers who open the treasures of heaven found in its pages. Resolve to gather in the communities of His faithful family. Resolve to show the proof of His activity in your changed life.
The lost will seek Christ's mercy and grace in us. Resolve to be readily available - we meet them every day. Time is running out.
Christine Wentzel, "Resolve," "Time of Grace" devotional, January 1