Treasure Valley Prays

Reimagining Church Together
SHARING STORIES AND EXPLORING SPIRITUAL CONNECTION

We are ELCA leaders and pastors from the Treasure Valley and Northwest Intermountain Synod.
Together, we are reimagining and revisiting what it is to be church together.

Mother’s Day Difficulties

Heidi Gainan May 9, 2021 1 Comment

“She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared for her by God.” (Revelation 12:5-6) This is certainly an interesting take on

Think on These Things

Linda Worden May 8, 2021 3 Comments

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.Philippians 4:8, NIV This verse from Philippians is one of my watchwords. It’s a verse that raises my spirits. The problem is, it dropped out of my mind

Soap and Water

Kathryn Baerwald May 7, 2021 1 Comment

The other day while at the grocery store, I realized that I had been standing in the hand soap section for quite a while. I was contemplating whether to buy liquid or bar soap; soap with or without antibacterial qualities; what fragrance; what size – the possibilities seemed to be endless. When I got home,

Life of a Community Garden

Meggan Manlove May 6, 2021 3 Comments

“Look, I am doing something new, now it emerges; can you not see it?” Isaiah 43:19 (NJB) Fair warning, this is less a devotion and more a story of faith in action. I was asked by Lutherans Restoring Creation to sit on a panel about community gardens so I have been reflecting on the lifespan

Prayers Around the Cross

John Hergert May 5, 2021 5 Comments

“But I, O LORD, cry out to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.” Psalm 88:13 The above quote is from one of the lament Psalms that are in our Bible. Laments tell of the grief and pain either a person or the ancient nation of Israel happen to be going through. Every

What are we connected to?

Bob Parrish May 4, 2021 1 Comment

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as

Chunks of Wood

Penelope Smith May 3, 2021 2 Comments

“Do not judge or you will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own

scrabble pieces spelling love with red heart

If Love is a Verb, Prayer is Too

Susan Bruns Rowe May 1, 2021 3 Comments

I expect you’ve heard the saying: Love is a verb. It means love translates into action. If we love someone or a place or our pet, but never put that love into action in various ways, it’s a thin love indeed. I came to understand the phrase “love is a verb” a little differently after

Little Pleasures

Kent Schaufelberger April 30, 2021 No Comments

“A silent mind is all you need.” Eastern Meditation Happiness starts with how we look at ourselves. Feelings are our happiness gauge. How we handle the wide range of our emotional life depends on how we accept and appreciation ourselves and our “body feelings.” Feelings such as fear, anxiety, insecurity, as well as good feelings

Witness

Justin Tigerman April 29, 2021 No Comments

“Witness” can be a scary word to some church people. Even apart from church contexts, it can be scary to be a witness. Your name is now associated with a case, situation, or incident. If a new development or question might happen later down the road, you will likely be called. Whether you desire to

Incarnate Wisdom

Casey Cross April 28, 2021 No Comments

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40 NIV Today’s devotion is

Unsettling Joy

Sarah Henthorn April 27, 2021 3 Comments

Alright, I have a confession to make. Don’t tell anyone, but for the last week I have found myself humming a Christmas song. I know, I can hear your gasps from here. “But Sarah, it’s only April!” “It’s EASTER…you’re in the wrong section of the hymnal!” “Christmas songs before Thanksgiving, that’s an abomination!” I know

Foot Washing in a Year Like None Other

Sara Manning April 26, 2021 No Comments

Foot washing is one of the go to images of diaconal ministry, the image of being servant. Following Jesus example from his last supper with the disciples, kneeling to take the humble position of service. Foot washing is something we are not always the most comfortable with. Bearing our feet for washing is a vulnerable

Who do you say that I am?

Kelly Loy April 25, 2021 1 Comment

I received a text message this week that alerted me to a documentary called “For They Know Not What They Do”. I have not seen the film yet, but it seems to be receiving attention and awards. The film claims to offer “A Powerful Exploration of the Intersection of Religion, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity

Psalm 23

Mary Riedl April 24, 2021 1 Comment

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Thank you, God, for my many blessings. I live in and have become accustomed to a lifestyle and culture of excess. I often feel as though I am lacking when I am not. Help me to be content. To feel as if I am enough. Help