Monthly Archives: April 2016

I love a good story, especially if it carries the theme of redemption in it.  I admire JR Tolkien, CS Lewis, and JK Rowling for creating fictional stories which subtly tell the Christian redemption story in new and imaginative ways.  … Continue reading →

Jesus said to love God and our neighbors. This is God’s will. At the end of yesterday’s post, I wrote that how we live out God’s will may be different for different people. Let’s look at an example.  A couple weeks ago, … Continue reading →

Discernment is a word we’re hearing a lot lately at JOY.  We’re also hearing about the “process of discernment,” which sounds as though there’s some formula or set of steps which will result in God’s revelation. Everyday life is filled … Continue reading →

In Through the Looking Glass, Alice meets the White Queen. “There’s no use trying,” Alice said: “one can’t believe impossible things.” “I daresay you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it … Continue reading →

When I was a child, there was a short TV program that came on every day.  It was called “Live today.”  Pastor Ruben K. Youngdahl, who was the pastor of the largest Lutheran church in Minnesota, would share a thought … Continue reading →

One of my joys in the JOY Lutheran family, is sharing in the wisdom which comes with age. This past week I heard the witness of a couple whose health challenges might cause others to become bitter and resentful. Yet, … Continue reading →

Several weeks ago I was touched by a devotion from “The Word In Season” daily devotion booklet.  I quote this without knowing an author to credit for it: “This life is a balance between having roots and wings.  We’re rooted … Continue reading →

Some things are too wonderful and great to put into words.  Some things must be experienced to be understood and fully appreciated.  Yet, we try to explain the unexplainable and to share these moments because they are too wonderful to … Continue reading →

“Just as our bodies need exercise to be strong physically, our faith needs exercise if we are to be strong spiritually. It has often been noted that several rivers flow into the Dead Sea, but no river flows from it.  … Continue reading →

This Easter, many of you were concerned about health, or the health of family members and friends.  Monday morning, I heard that 72 people were killed in a suicide bombing in Pakistan while gathered to worship Christ on Easter Day; … Continue reading →