Trust

My child, do not forget my teaching,but let your heart keep my commandments;for length of days and years of lifeand abundant welfare they will give you.Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;bind them round your neck,write them on the tablet of your heart.So you will find favour and good reputein the sight of God and of people.Trust in the Lord with all your heart,and do not rely on your own insight.In all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make straight your paths.Do…

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Tree of Life

13 Happy are those who find wisdom,and those who get understanding, 14 for her income is better than silver,and her revenue better than gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels,and nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand;in her left hand are riches and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;those who hold her fast…

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Gifted

We’re coming into the time of the year when thoughts turn to gifts. Many of us will have Thanksgiving dinner at the home of a family member or friend. We may bring food to share with others. Sometimes we also bring a gift for the host and/or hostess. It could be flowers or little delicacies or a bottle of wine – something a bit special to express gratitude. Of course, the big gift-giving extravaganza will be coming in about six weeks. Some may…

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Rest Eternal Grant Him Oh Lord!

As I write these words it’s a few days before Pentecost. I had planned on writing a bit about the Holy Spirit and how he/she moves in our world. I had planned on writing how the Spirit intercedes for us as Paul writes in Romans, “that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” yesterday morning changed all that. For I heard the news that an elder had died in Shishmaref. In fact Vincent was 96 years old and full of grace…

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Incarnate Wisdom

“‘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 NIVToday’s devotion is going to be something more than just a moment to pause and read. I invite you to give yourself twenty to thirty minutes to walk with me through a…

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Simply 2021…

These are the wise sayings of Solomon,David's son, Israel's king—Written down so we'll know how to live well and right,to understand what life means and where it's going;A manual for living,for learning what's right and just and fair;To teach the inexperienced the ropesand give our young people a grasp on reality.There's something here also for seasoned men and women,still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.Proverbs 1:1-6 The…

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Winter Solstice

Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years; Genesis 1:14 NAS To Him who made the great lights, for his lovingkindness is everlasting. The sun to rule by day, for his lovingkindness is everlasting. The moon and the stars to rule by night, for his lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalm 136:7-9 NAS This morning at 3:02 AM MST,…

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Generations to Generations

For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:5) Our outdoor ministry theme for summer 2020 was “Generations to Generations” based on Psalm 100:5. In a summer season that was so drastically different than typical or anticipated, this in many ways was a perfect theme. Written in November and published by LOM (Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, our national organization), the curriculum team had no idea what was ahead, but I believe our God who guides…

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Not Expendable

“They make us sound so expendable,” was a comment made a few months ago by several people in my congregation and in my family/friend circle. What did they mean? These elderly people were repeating the sentiment they have read or heard that they are old and that their potential deaths from COVID-19 are just part of how we, as a global community, will get through the pandemic. This all made me think about my reaction to the 2015 film, The Second Best Exotic…

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Home.

This passage from Ecclesiastes was one of the first things I remember reading in the Bible on my own...Wisdom’s cry captured me then and there. Her truth has woven through the roots of faith and remains a source for me whenever I find myself struggling.

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Feeling Smart?

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 1 Corinthians 1:20I’ll be honest. I’ve been struggling with all of the hard things going on around the world lately. And "lately" feels a lot longer than what it used to mean to me. "Lately" can encompass a year or two, or feel like it at the very least. So many things seem confusing and…

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