My sisters and I have “Pity Parties.” If you don’t know what they are, let me explain. I can call any of my sisters and just say, “I need a pity party,” and they reply, “Oh, I’m so sorry! Tell me all about it.” They immediately sympathize and they don’t even need to know why I am feeling sorry for myself. I may have a nasty cold, or gophers just dug up my freshly planted flowers, or I’ve just had a very difficult day. It doesn’t matter — they are there for me. They know I’ll bounce back after a little compassion from my sisters.

No, I don’t think self-pity is a good thing. God allows difficult days, but along with those struggles, He offers His strength through His Word. We need only to stop looking inward and look to Him.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2–4).

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:3–5).

Wait! Do I count it all joy when I’m in the midst of trials? Do I rejoice in my sufferings? No … I wouldn’t say I rejoice in my sufferings — but that is exactly what the Lord asks us to do. In Deuteronomy 31:6, it states, Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” The devil loves my “Pity Parties” because it means I’m focused on my problems, not on the One from whom my help comes. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1–2).

Yes! I will rejoice in the promises of God and the salvation of my soul. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

I will also rejoice and thank God for my sisters. I appreciate that God provides family and friends to offer comfort and encouragement (and maybe even a stern rebuke) when I need it. I appreciate that I can, in turn, be there for them in their moments of sadness. I pray that, in the midst of any self-pity, the Holy Spirit will nudge my consciousness to realize that He has given me the power to focus on my Savior and all that He has given and continues to give.

These “Pity Parties” take place most often over the phone as we all live in different parts of the country. Our phone calls may begin with commiserations but, most often, turn from sharing an understanding of current circumstances to a soothing of our emotions and an assurance of better days to come. Blessed by faith and family, we turn our “Pity Parties” into “Praise Possibilities.”

Christ be praised!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

I seem to be a sheep, just following traditions without thinking of why I do it or where the tradition came from. May Day is just one example. I have surprised my children and other children in the neighborhood with May baskets — setting them on their doorstep, ringing the doorbell, and running away to leave them with a lovely surprise of candies. I’ve watched kids singing songs of spring and dancing around a Maypole. I am not sure I’ve ever thought about why May Day is celebrated.

So, I did a little research on the subject. In 1889, socialist groups and trade unions designated May 1^st as a day in commemoration of the Haymarket Riot in Chicago, which was a violent confrontation between laborers and police. President Grover Cleveland signed legislation making Labor Day the official U.S. holiday for workers and May 1^st went back to a day celebrating the coming of spring. This began as a pagan ritual in medieval times — and yet we celebrate it.

As a Christian, I am going to celebrate all that God has provided as I look forward to spring. I can celebrate God’s gifts in every season, and I find that, as I weary of winter weather (yes, some of us still have winter weather!) I look forward to His promise of making all things new.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22–23).

Whether the multitudes recognize the seasons as His gifts or not, He still provides.

for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance (Song of Solomon 2:11–13a).

Please, do make your children May baskets — and include a Scripture message. Celebrate spring and share God’s promises of hope with your family and friends. We are sheep — but we are His sheep!

Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3).

Read Psalm 23 right now — our cup truly overflows! Happy May Day!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

How long does it take you to drive 20 miles? Scott and I live 20 miles from Woodland Park, Colorado (where we attend church, buy groceries, etc.) and it takes us an average of 30 minutes to travel the distance. “How slow are you driving?” you may ask. Part of our drive is on winding mountain roads with speed limits between 35–45 miles per hour. For a girl that grew up in the eastern part of North Dakota, this was quite a change from the straight roads and open plains. The winding roads have lightened my pressure on the gas pedal a bit!

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:6). In this Scripture verse, God is not saying all roads will be straight. He is simply saying if we follow Him, He will remove obstacles from our path and bring us to our goal.

While driving in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, I’ve learned a few things, and they seem to coordinate nicely with my faith life.

First, winding roads will still get you where you’re going — but you must stay on course. When traveling with neighbors to dinner one evening, my friend spotted a golden eagle in a tree and promptly veered off-road to get a closer look (she drives a Jeep). Needless to say, we were all caught off guard. She only turned back to the road because it was pointed out that she shouldn’t be driving on someone else’s property. Note: Life is never dull with a friend like Loretta! Staying on course is equally important for our faith and God provides us with all that we need. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Another lesson I pray all who are driving take to heart is obeying the traffic signs and rules. There is a reason for double yellow center lines and speed limits. This area has seen too many fatalities because impatient drivers pass on blind curves. Obey the rules, save a life — for some, hard lessons learned tragically.

Insight #3: Distractions are everywhere, but when you are behind the wheel, your attention should be on the road. That’s not always easy when a herd of elk saunters by or the colors of autumn light up the mountainside. The importance of remaining focused is true while driving and true in all that we do as God’s children. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! (1 Chronicles 16:11).

Insight #4: As I get older, I understand why my parents preferred traveling during the day. It’s much easier to travel in the light! This is true for so many things here on earth and certainly true when it comes to our faith. It is not a coincidence that Jesus says He is the Light of the world. Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Insight #5: While driving in these mountains, I need a roadmap. One wrong turn and I may easily get lost. With GPS or a map, I can determine the approximate distance, how meandering the road may be, and how long it may take me to arrive at my destination. Isn’t it wonderful that our Lord provides a roadmap for us? The Bible guides us through this life and reveals His grace and mercy as we live as His children and look forward to everlasting life in heaven. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).

I love the winding roads. As we ride the roads of this life, let’s give thanks to God that He gave us His everlasting Word. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away (Matthew 24:35).

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

I once was a church secretary (I did not call myself an administrative assistant — too many syllables). I remember the busyness of the Lenten season. Special worship services to prepare, more bulletins to type, more organists to schedule, and more hours away from family. Often, I associate busyness with stress, which is of my own making. Our pastors and all those involved in church work — serving as musicians, ushers, janitors, deaconesses, etc. — are busy during typical weeks, but during the Lenten season, and especially during Holy Week, the extra busyness may produce stress.

Well, this is a somber way to begin a blog! I shared the paragraph above because as I began thinking about this week, I began thinking about the stress of that first institution of the Lord’s Supper and of Judas’ betrayal. I am horrified that Jesus took on the weight of my sin and faithfully abided by His Father’s will even as He pleaded that God remove the cup from Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus felt stress and the Lord sent an angel to comfort and strengthen Him.

God provides comfort and strength for us also, through His Word, Sacraments, and through prayer.

For the disciples and Jesus’ loved ones the stress was only going to escalate as Jesus was humiliated and as He endured suffering beyond anything we could imagine. Jesus was wrongly accused, beaten, and nailed to a cross. This is not what His followers were expecting of the Messiah. They couldn’t comprehend — the fear and tension must have been intolerable. Their faith must have been shaken. Even in the miracle of the resurrection on that Easter morning, the women who went to the tomb must have felt stress.

I guess stress isn’t new to this century, is it?

So, this week, as I remember our Lord’s faithfulness and follow His journey to the cross, I will give my stress and worries to Him in prayer. I will remember Christ loves me — He died for me — He now lives for me! God will provide the peace that surpasses all understanding.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6).

As we rejoice in the resurrection of Christ and find joy in the hope of our salvation, I will also be thanking God for the gift of Scripture, His Sacraments, and prayer. The Truth is so much better than a stress ball!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

When I travel, on the day I fly back home I try to remember that I’m going back to 8,500 feet above sea level. If I forget to slightly deflate my cosmetic tubes as I pack them, they’ve been known to spray lotion or cleanser all over the room — and me — because of the buildup of pressure in the tubes.

This got me thinking. How do I guard against the pressure of daily living? I love traveling and meeting with Lutheran Women in Mission around the country for various reasons, but when I arrive back home I find a backlog of work to do. The pressure begins to build. I’m not always aware that the pressure is building, and I often put this pressure on myself. This world is filled with pressures and obligations — some we put on ourselves and some are put on us by others or by the established traditions of our families or organizations.

Of course, I know that pressure is not always a bad thing. As we exercise our bodies, we put pressure on our muscles and they gain strength and improve our endurance. As we go through the trials of living in this world, God strengthens us spiritually as we rely on His truths. But I do believe that pressure needs to be alleviated, to be relieved so we don’t burst!

Have you ever done that, let the pressure build and then burst? You shout something you wish you could take back, but you can’t take back hurtful words — you can only ask for forgiveness. So how can I guard against the pressures of daily living? I can go to the Source. Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear (Psalm 118:5–6a).

But … sometimes I go to the Lord only after trying other means of relief. Why do I do that? Honestly, I can just see Jesus shaking His head! It’s like trying to cut through a tough steak with a fork and realizing you have a sharp knife right there. With a nudge from the Holy Spirit, I go to the Source once again. When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul (Psalm 94:18–19).

I love this next Bible verse. I love when Jesus says, “Take heart.” Please join me in reading this verse, finding the comfort it brings, and discovering the confidence that can only come from the Source.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” And God blessed them. (Genesis 1: 26 and 28a).

Nice! We are given dominion over other creatures. God has blessed us! As humans, created by the Lord, we may be tempted to let pride sneak in — at least I have. I’m special, after all. I’m created in the image of God! I think of myself as fairly intelligent and capable — but I am, in fact, weak. In the midst of a storm, I stumble and fall. In the face of the death of a loved one, I struggle to understand. When the trials of this world and my own sinful self weigh me down, it is undeniably obvious — I am weak.

I certainly do not have the power to calm the storm, escape death, or atone for my own sins. But my Savior is full of grace and mercy, and when I am weak I can find strength in His power. I glorify my Father by trusting His Son. In the midst of the storm, He is there to walk alongside me. In the face of death, He is there to comfort me and remind me of His promises. Because I cannot atone for my own sin, my faithful and loving Savior suffered and died on the cross in my place. He rose triumphantly to conquer sin, death, and the power of the devil. He was strong — for me. He is strong — for all of His children.

I have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 12 years old. There were years when walking was a struggle. Most of us have dealt with challenges in our lives. Paul was no exception and pleaded with the Lord to take his burden away. God answered and Paul found clarity. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9–10).

Sometimes my struggle is physical, and I go to this verse. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:26).

Sometimes my struggle is something I can’t even describe, and yet my Lord provides. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26).

It is undeniably obvious that I am weak. It is undeniably obvious that my Lord is strong!

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed (Psalm 28:7–8).

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

In a blog last November, I shared the story of overnighting in the Denver airport. In last Sunday’s sermon, I was reminded of that experience once again. The pastor declared, “We are not alone. So many times in life we may feel like we are the only one who is experiencing such sadness, or fear, or guilt. Or we may feel like we are the only one standing up for what is right — but if we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will soon realize, we are not alone.”

In the airport, I woke about 2:30 a.m. The lights were bright but not one sound could be heard. I sat up and looked around. Could it be that I was the only one in that terminal? I looked down the corridors in both directions. It was an eerie feeling to be alone in such a vast area — but that wasn’t the case. I stood up, gathered my things for a trip to the ladies’ room, and began to walk down the corridor. There were sleeping bodies everywhere! I was one of many who had missed their flight and decided to just sleep in the airport.

In church, the pastor went on to talk about the need to stay on the path, to enter through the narrow gate: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few (Matthew 7:13–14).

There are times in our faith walk where we may feel like we are the only ones on that path. How are we to know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). This is why we are encouraged to attend church and Bible study. This is why we surround ourselves with other Christians. God has given us the gift of Christian fellowship — so we may be comforted, so we may pray with and for each other, and so we may share our joys and burdens.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24–25).

We are not alone! We have each other and, even more we have faith in the Triune God. It’s a glorious feeling, trusting in the promises of our Savior! Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

We are not alone. Our Lord will not leave us. We know because He promised. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Be bold, my friends. We are not alone!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

A favorite movie I enjoy watching again and again is National Treasure starring Nicolas Cage. Near the end of the movie, when Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) and others are trapped in a room with apparently no way out, he discovers that an object he acquired earlier in the movie fits nicely into a symbolic impression in the wall. He mumbles to himself as he looks at the object, “Could it really be that easy?” He fits the object into the impression and turns it 90 degrees. The wall becomes an entry into the vast hidden treasure room. Voilà!

As I study Scripture and strive to interpret the Lord’s intent for my life, sometimes it seems complicated. Have you ever asked, as you read the Word, if some passages seem to contradict one another? Have you ever wondered what a certain passage means? I hope the pastors in my life don’t cringe when they see me coming! I ask a lot of questions!

I love an in-depth Bible study, one where we dive into the Greek or Hebrew and spend a whole hour on one passage. I also love that, no matter how complex it may seem at times, Scripture simply is God’s Word given to us to reveal His nature, His promises, and His glory.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him (Colossians 1:16).

As I explore the nuances of Scripture, I am comforted by the simple fact that we are sinners — saved by the sacrifice of our Savior from sin, death, and the power of the devil. God has shared His Word so we would recognize our sin and know we have hope in Jesus. Knowing we are saved, we joyfully share His message with others, giving all glory and honor to the Father.

Yes, it really can be that easy! Believe and you will be saved.

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:30-31).

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2:8).

And of course, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16).

Over and over again, we are assured of the hope we have in Christ. Could it be that easy? Yes! Voilà!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie