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Summer Night Sky

Summer in my family means a lot of time spent at Lake Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma, about 50 minutes from our house. My husband, Bill, is an astronomy buff and one of our favorite things to do is to go out in the boat after dark, park it in the middle of the lake and look at the sky. This weekend was really fantastic.

The ecliptic is an imaginary line on the sky that marks the annual path of the sun. It is the projection of
Earth’s orbit onto the celestial sphere. It defines the plane along which the moon, planets and asteroids wander. In other words, all eight planets essentially lie in the same flat plane and follow the same familiar ecliptic path.

This weekend along this imaginary line in the sky from the east horizon to the west you were able to see Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus all at the same time along with the moon. What am amazing sight to see! Mars actually does look red! In the book of Job, God questions Job, “can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? Can you establish their rule on earth?” (Job 38:31-33)

Scientists say there are thought to be 50 billion galaxies! How tiny does that make you feel? Yet, looking at those stars in our galaxy we know and rejoice in a God who knows us down to the number of hairs on our head! One who loves us enough to die on the cross so that we can spend eternity with Him! It’s almost unimaginable, isn’t it!

Check out the footnotes to the Job passage about the constellations mentioned. Also, read Genesis 1:16-17. Spend some time gazing at the night sky and contemplate the greatness of God and His love for you.

Love, Patti

If you want to, download the App called “Sky Guide” to your phone to enhance your viewing!

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Where Love Abides!

“Where Love Abides” is now available for purchase and use to study God’s Word!

One of the emphases in LWML— is being in God’s Word. LWML provides many avenues to enable you to be in God’s Word. On our website there is a tab labeled “Word” and under that tab you can find different subject studies, different lengths, different formats, and see descriptions of what we have available.

This week is a big week as we debut the new DVD Bible study by Donna Pyle titled, “Where Love Abides”, based on the vineyard passages in John 15. This is an 8 part study with a lovely workbook that can actually be used for the study without the DVD. However, you are going to want to have the DVD.

Filming took place in Silver Creek, New York, in the vineyards at Gage Farms, just east of Lake Erie. The video work is beautiful as it shows the vineyard during different seasons of the year. Linda Gage is our LWML Gift Planner for our Gifts of Love Ministry that LWML provides for you. She and her husband, Don, grow concord grapes for the Welch company. They also have apples, peaches, gourds, pumpkins, and other seasonal crops. They most generously hosted the film crew and members of the Gifts of Love associates and Legacy Circle members who attended as the audience. I was also privileged to attend and although we shivered through a couple of days of filming, when the sun broke through and shown on the ripe grapes, the smell was heavenly! You will, like I did, learn thing about viticulture, as well as, taking a fresh look at a familiar part of Scripture.

 

Donna Pyle has been writing for LWML many years now. She is a member of LWML at her church, Salem Lutheran, Tomball, Texas. We thank her for her generous and enthusiastic support of LWML in all that she does. She is a beautiful singer, vivacious personality, and totally devoted to God’s Word and making it available in many formats so everyone can enjoy and learn from it.

Order your copy now and enjoy studying God’s Word as you appreciate the beautiful provisions He has given us for our nourishment and enjoyment and the gift of eternal life.

[Jesus said], “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser” (John 15:1).

Love, Patti

 

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God Bless America!

When I’m behind a car with a bumper sticker on it that says, “God Bless America” I always say, God HAS blessed America so what are we doing about it? Are we praising Him and thanking Him for those blessings? Are we acknowledging that it is only through His blessing that we are living in the United States?

My thoughts go towards, yes, God has blessed America and we want Him to continue to bless us but what are we doing with those blessings? Are we squandering them? Are we using them to help other people in other countries not so “blessed”? Are we helping those in our own towns?

Frequent LWML speaker, Jan Struck, gave the keynote address at LWML North Wisconsin District convention last week. She compared LWML to the early Christian church as described in the book of Acts, chapter 2. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (v. 42). And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people (45-47).

Perhaps when we say, “God Bless America”, we should acknowledge those blessings as the early church did with Bible study, prayers of thanksgiving and praise, partaking of the sacraments, attending church in fellowship with our congregation members, providing for those in need, being hospitable to all, and saying loudly, “God has blessed America! Thanks be to God!”

Let’s pass the blessings along! LWML has a long history of doing just that. As you attend your district conventions, fall fests, retreats, and Christian Life Retreats your Gifts From the Heart will help pass along blessings and your participation in Word and Sacrament with your LWML family will see that the blessings are shared!

Happy Birthday, USA!

Patti

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God Provides!

Several weeks ago I mentioned LWML Vice President of Christian Life, Jennifer Huecker’s experience while flying back from the Utah-Idaho convention and encouraged you to ask her about it. Well, here is an answer to all the inquiries she has received. Welcome, Jennifer!

God Provides! Absolutely!

On my return home from the 2018 LWML Utah-Idaho District Convention, I experienced a special time with my fellow traveler.  God’s blessing was so evident throughout this interaction and I only had to respond to her comments with the word “absolutely”. Here is a summary.  

During my flight from Pocatello to Salt Lake I sat next to a woman and commented on her beautiful beaded earrings. We talked about what brought us to Pocatello. She was Native American and had come to take classes on tanning hides. We had great discussions about cultural foods, our families, life in rural Missouri, life in Southern California, etc. We also talked about why I had come to Idaho — to attend the District Lutheran Women’s Missionary Convention — and that led to her questions.

“Tell me about this missionary ladies group?” she said. So, I told her about how Lutheran Women in Mission try to help people around the world meet their physical needs and to help them learn the truth about Jesus. I shared how women contribute through Mite Box offerings and that our mite goal for 2019 is over two million dollars.

She said, “Tell me what Lutherans believe.”

I said “Well … ” while considering how to begin, but she continued, “Do you believe in grace?” To which I said, “Absolutely! We are saved by God’s gift to us. I certainly couldn’t be saved by what I might do.”

She said, “Do you believe in one God, the Father; Jesus, the son; and the Holy Ghost?”

“Yes, yes!” I responded.

Then she said, “Do you believe that once saved, is always saved?”

“Absolutely!” I replied. “God is love, He will not leave us. We are sinners and will sin again, but God is always there for us. His love and forgiveness are ours because Jesus died to save us and His forgiveness is a free gift.”

Then she said, “I haven’t been to church for a while. But I want to find a church that sings hymns and tells the true words from the Bible. Is that what you Lutherans do?”

Stunned by how the Holy Spirit was at work and all I had to do was respond, I replied, “Absolutely!”

She told the message of the Gospel to me, and I only had to agree with her by saying, “Absolutely!”

Isn’t it amazing how God is so active in our world?

Absolutely!

Isaiah 55:11

 

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Celebrating with the Honeycutt’s and Redeemer Lutheran Church!

Celebrating with the Honeycutt’s and Redeemer Lutheran Church!

It’s always an honor to celebrate special moments with LWML sisters and their families. This afternoon, our LWML Archivist-Historian, Caroline Honeycutt’s husband, Ryan, was installed as pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Claremore, Oklahoma. It’s a mere 45 minutes from our house! My husband and I attended along with LWML Oklahoma District President, Dianna Just, LWML Product Developer, Bev England and many more of our Oklahoma LWML family.

Ryan and Caroline moved from Ohio with their two children, Caleb and Adelyn. We are so excited to have them in our “neighborhood”.

I always get choked up when attending an installation. As the installing pastor goes through the questions for the pastor being installed that verify that he believes what the Lutheran Church believes it causes me to reflect on the scriptural truth that our church body teaches and what we believe through the Holy Spirit to be true.

Rev. Barrie Henke, LCMS Oklahoma District President, urged Ryan and all of us to see people through the eyes of Jesus. A good reminder as we go about our business this week.

Congratulations to Ryan and Caroline. May God’s grace go with you into your new venture in Claremore!

Patti

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Summer is Here! Now what?

This week’s blog is written by Tina Bentley, a member of the LWML IT committee who faithfully receives my blog postings.

Patti

summer

As we enter summer it conjures images of sun, beaches, lazy days, and children on break from school. I am a teacher in the homestretch of my school year, I am looking forward to my summer. I look around my school and I see tired teachers, staff, and students who are ready for a break from the routine of school. Most of the students and staff are eager to leave school and embrace their summer freedom.

However, a few students seem moodier than usual and not quite themselves.  What is going on? I thought all kids lived for their break from school? Are they tired like the other students? Yes. What’s the issue? Many students have a hard time transitioning from school to summer. That might seem strange, isn’t summer the best time of the year for students? Not for all of them.  Summer can be a time of uncertainty for many students in our communities. School is a place of safety and routine and gives many students a sense of security. This is where they know they will be cared for and fed each and every day.  Summer is a season of uncertainty. Will they have food to eat? Will they have someone to care for them throughout the day? Where will they spend their days? 

What does that mean for us as ladies of the LWML? How can we impact these children in our communities? How can we share Jesus with these vulnerable children? Here are some ideas:

  • Talk with your local schools and other community organizations to see what programs they have in the summer where you can offer your services.
  • Volunteer for your congregation’s VBS, perhaps offer to take neighborhood children who wouldn’t be able to attend otherwise.
  • Volunteer to help with the libraries summer program
  • Donate to your local food bank, they need the donations in the summer as well. They might even have a summer program for students. 
  • Contribute to or start a fund to send local children to summer camp for a week
  • Host an open gym or other activity with your society., perhaps partnering with your youth group

Use this summer as a way to share the love and comfort of knowing Jesus to children who desperately need it.

The ultimate freedom comes from knowing the love of Jesus. We don’t need to go out of the country or even out of the county to share the love of Jesus with children.  Share Jesus with the children in your community, they need it so much as we all do. We have freedom in Christ, which is much better than the freedom from school.

Gal 5:1

Tina Bentley
Guest Blogger 

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Here Comes the month of June

… or “here comes the bride”. Doing a quick internet search I found figures reporting June as the highest wedding month with 10.8% of weddings taking place during June. Some reported September and October as surpassing June recently.

Are you invited to a wedding this month? Perhaps a bridal shower? As a Lutheran Woman in Mission is there an opportunity for you to share the love of Jesus and His Word with the wedding couple?

Yes, there is! First, you have to show up. Yes, you have to stop what you are working on Saturday afternoon to dress up and attend the ceremony or the bridal shower. Remember the wedding at Cana (John 2:2). Jesus showed up!

Secondly, you have to support the couple with prayer. Read Philippians 1:9-11.

And, finally, in your wedding or shower gift, share the Word of God with them through devotions centered on marriage from the LWML. These two inexpensive devotions (see below) can be tucked in gifts and they may just resonate with the couple when they see them. The Holy Spirit will guide that process in their hearts if you only get the devotions into their hands. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings (1 Corinthians 9:23).

I’m not just advertising product. I’m talking about resources LWML has developed to help you in your outreach to God’s people. Take advantage of the opportunity and then see how the Holy Spirit will use your efforts in the lives of newlywed couples.

Here are two resources to pass along with your gifts that are available from the LWML store.

Together is BetterWith This RingTogether is Better A small devotional book that includes scripture, devotions, activities, and prayers written by Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. It sells for $5.50.

With this Ring Mustard Seed Devotions 28 single-page devotions written by Rev. Wes and Sonja Baumeister. Sells for $1.50.

Be a woman in mission while celebrating the special event of a wedding this month!

In His Service,
Patti

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Delays

My blog is late this week because I was late getting back from Mobile today (15 hours). The LWML Convention Programming Committee and the LWML Executive Committee met in Mobile, AL last week to start planning the 2019 LWML 38th Biennial Convention for next year, June 20-23. On the way home Sunday, Houston and Atlanta had storms and things became interesting. LWML Convention Manager, Marguerite Christman, and I were traveling together. We ended up getting the last flight out of Mobile to Houston, spent the night in Houston, had our morning flight to Oklahoma City delayed a couple hours and then when we got to OKC I had to rent a car and drive to Tulsa since all Houston to Tulsa flights were full. We met some interesting people along the way. Fellow travelers, fellow tired travelers.

I thought Marguerite and I traveled well together. The gate assistant, Maria, in Mobile went out to the plane and re-tagged our bags when we changed flights. The LWML travel agent, Tammy Hemsath, at Midwest Managed Travel interrupted her Sunday evening to rearrange our travel. The steward on our flight out of Mobile ended up being on our flight from Houston to OKC. Meeting Manager, Leslie Jaseph kept an eye on everyone’s travel. One big happy family.

There are some really nice people out there. As you travel this summer, take time to notice them, thank God for them and of course, thank Him for His travel mercies He extends to you. Ask Vice President of Christian Life, Jennifer Huecker, about her “witnessing” experiences on her way to Mobile last week.

Oh, by the way, Mobile is a really cool city! So much to see and do I hope we can keep you all interested in being in the convention hall! Lutheran Women in Mission there are already working hard on the Host Committee to make it a great experience for you next summer. Thanks to all of them who made last week so pleasant and thanks to the Circuit 11 pastors and wives who shared dinner with us while there!

Can’t wait to travel back there. Think I’ll drive next time!

This Memorial Day weekend we remember those who gave their lives for our country.

Love, Patti