Month: June 2020

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Be Prepared

As drivers approach Woodland Park, Colorado, from the west, there is a warning light that is activated and says, “Be Prepared to Stop” if the traffic light ahead is red. Because of a hill and a curve, drivers cannot see the upcoming traffic light so this is an important notification.

As we passed this warning light on the way to town today, I thought about other ways we are reminded to be prepared. During this pandemic, we are reminded to bring our mask and wear it while in public. Throughout the winter months, here in the mountains, we are reminded to check the weather report before traveling. Our wonderful LWML president at Faith Lutheran, Woodland Park, reminds us to bring our Bible and mite offerings to our local Bible study gatherings.

Every day I prepare in many ways. As I leave home to buy groceries, I put a cooler in the car (for the 30-minute ride home). I check to make sure I have my sunglasses and my grocery list. I prepare when I have an LWML event. I plan my wardrobe, print my agenda and any travel documents I need, and I make sure I have my laptop and phone chargers packed. When I prepare
a meal, I plan it out so everything is ready at the same time.

How do I prepare for the day I leave this world and meet Jesus face-to-face? I think I do this by living for Christ each day. Paul, in Philippians, stated his desire to leave this world and be with Christ, but he knew his time on earth produced fruitful labor to the glory of God. He said, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). I pray that this would be my heart’s desire also but, I must confess, I am very often not that noble.

I do find comfort and strength in God’s Word. I find understanding and direction when I go to the Lord in prayer. If I live each day to Christ’s glory, I believe I am prepared and eager to meet Jesus face-to-face. In Luther’s Morning Prayer, I pray that God keep me from sin and evil so my
very life and all that I do may please Him. I remember when I first realized that when I spoke those words, I was literally giving my life and day to God and to His glory.

As sisters and brothers in Christ, let’s continue to encourage one another, holding each other accountable as Christians. The busier our lives, the more time we need to spend in prayer and in the Word. When we look forward to an upcoming event, we prepare with pleasure. Can any event be more important than our eternal life? I am ready and eager to meet this day, whatever my Lord has planned.

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

Luther’s Morning Prayer

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may
have no power over me. Amen.

AboutDebbie, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

Marigolds and Lavender

Lavender Plants

I probably don’t garden like most of you do this time of year. First, I live at 8,500 feet above sea level in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, and just last week (June 9), we received four inches of snow. Second, it’s very dry here, and watering a garden every day is not an option unless I want to run our well dry. Third, we have deer. Lots and lots of deer, and they love almost anything that grows in this soil.

I decided several years ago to grow plants that the deer will leave alone and that can survive in this climate. I’ve planted several different grasses, a variety of ground covers, irises, lavender, and marigolds. I am rewarded with green plants and splashes of color.

I do miss all the flowers I was able to enjoy in my garden in North Dakota, but I don’t want to fight the deer. I have seen flowers and flowering shrubs surrounded by tall fences to keep the deer at bay, but the flowers lose their appeal if you can’t get close enough to enjoy their scents. I prefer to work in harmony with these deer.

I wondered what God had to say about harmony so I looked it up.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all (Romans 12:15-17).

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:5-6).

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:14).

No, I do not believe God was referring to harmony between animals and people in these passages. I do believe that the pleasure I receive from my garden would be diminished if I was constantly upset over a deer’s dinner. So I prefer harmony with nature.

I pray for harmony amidst this tragedy of racial injustice. I pray we look to Jesus and follow His examples of love and grace. I pray, and sometimes my emotions can’t be expressed in words so the Holy Spirit intervenes for me. I pray for harmony. Please pray with me!

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

AboutDebbie, bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

Laundry Day

I did laundry again yesterday and, as I was putting clothes away in our closet, I saw that the hamper was already half full. Hmmm, how do two people amass so much laundry? I’ve been known to wear a pair of jeans for 3–4 days in a row, because I can think of many ways to spend my day other than doing laundry. My husband, on the other hand, wears a pair of pants and promptly throws them in the laundry at the end of the day. “I get dirty working outside,” he reasons. Yes, he does, and dirty clothes must be washed before they can be worn again.

I get spiritually “dirty” in this world every day. Each morning I start out fresh, thanking God for forgiving this penitent sinner. I ask Him for the opportunity to serve Him another day. Then I receive a request for something that I may not want to do or that I feel will take too much of my
time, and a little bit of “dirt” sticks to me and gnaws at my soul. As the day progresses, I sin in thought, word, and deed. I am dirty laundry, a sinner inside and out.

I also know that every single sin has been paid for in full by my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. How absolutely amazing is that? Forgiveness is the grace of God washing away our sins. Forgiveness is a gift given out of love. And forgiveness is a treasure God gives us to share with others.

Again and again, I sin. Again and again, I go to the foot of the cross and seek His forgiveness. He cleanses me of my iniquities.

I am God’s laundry. You are God’s laundry. In Scripture, David prays to the Lord, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7b). Only Christ can forgive sins and promise eternal life in heaven but I can share Jesus’ mercy and grace with others. If it is the Lord’s will, the Holy
Spirit will work in their lives and they will understand that Jesus is their Savior too. 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). Laundry day — it’s looking better all the time!

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

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