Last week my devotion talked about the “test” we are in and how all religions mention it in some form. With Covid-19, election stresses, economic uncertainty, and racial strife, the year 2020 has been a real test of endurance for us. Psychologists talk of much higher rates of...
Every day I get a variety of devotions and spiritual reflections. I appreciate their insights and the inspiration they provide. One of my favorite writers is Father Steven Charleston, retired Episcopal Bishop of Alaska and a member of the Choctaw Tribe in Oklahoma. Last month I read this...
Many of us say a common prayer in the evening. Nancy and I taught it to our children. It has been modified over the years but here is the version we use. Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.Guard me through the starry night, and wake me with the morning light...
Most everyone reading this devotion knows this prayer—and probably uses it regularly. Come Lord Jesus be our Guest; And let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen. But did you know that there is a second verse? My nephew and family taught it to us. And may there be a goodly share; On...
God is within her, she will not fall;God will help her at break of day – Psalm 46:5 I turned on the news this morning, and I was quickly faced with the feeling our world is falling apart at the seams. Natural disasters, a worldwide pandemic, political conflict, racial injustice, and...
In our “40 Days of Community” small group on Monday we focused on what matters most to God. (answer: love) The text was I Corinthians 13—the love chapter often used at weddings but applicable anytime. It was a wonderful conversation which centered on God’s unconditional...
A common theme I hear these days is stress…stress over school openings; stress over continuing to wear masks and keeping distant; stress over RLC not being able to fully open for worship, coffee hour and small groups; stress over social unrest; stress over our harsh divisions in the...
You’ve heard the jokes about blotting the year 2020 out of the calendar. It’s been a tough year no matter how you measure it. Nerves are on edge. We are impatient for the pandemic to end. The fragile economy leaves us with a sense of foreboding. And, of course, the election… I...
Dear Members and Friends of Roseville Lutheran Church, On Sunday, August 23rd, I participated in a few “spirit filled” events. At 8:30 on that morning, I met with the family of Kaleb Rogers for a baptism. We met in our sanctuary and we proceeded to welcome him into the...
Have any of you had the opportunity to see sunflowers blooming this year? My neighbors have two massive sunflower plants in their yard. I have never seen sunflowers as large as these two are. They are easily 9 feet tall with thick green stalks, leaves the size of my head, and huge yellow...