Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida

I love learning and admittedly, I loved school. I definitely was not super “studious,” nor obsessed with being the top achiever, but I did love to learn new things.  I was also not shy and therefore, social…thus the not always studious remark, LOL School was a place where I felt safe. I had nice friends, mostly great teachers who were in the profession to share knowledge and they were “into” making sure we succeeded (grrrr, not my Geometry teacher in high school, nor my Statistics professor in college). Anyway, after college and my Masters, I dreamed of getting my doctorate. During college level classes, I had evolved to having more studious skills and a top achieving GPA, pressure I put on myself. The doctorate degree did not happen, but learning has never stopped. With age comes wisdom, so we all know, and I find myself delving into the Lord’s Word more and more.  That is where the REAL answers are found. My resources are several different study Bibles, devotionals, seasonal pamphlets of writings from Christian scholars, sermons, books, videos etc.

The results of my studies through life have been a true love of learning and teaching. So, with age comes wisdom…. now I am more fully aware of the “God Winks” always apparent in my life. As I tune in, I am adding knowledge and seeing God’s unconditional love for me as a REAL truth that I embrace.  Learning of Him is a blessing I treasure more and more each day.

My wish is for you also to learn of Him and to seek the REAL answers and understanding of the path you are led to follow. Seek and you will find. Ask for clarity and the Holy Spirit will open your heart to more knowledge.

Jill

Some days I just can’t get full. I reach for sweet (chocolate), then go for salty (potato chips), then back to sweet again ( cookies, tootsie roll, red licorice, etc.!). Nothing really seems to soothe my cravings!

But Sunday mornings are different.

Feasting on the bread and wine of communion, I always feel full.

From the moment the sip of wine touches my tongue, to the warmth it spreads throughout my body as I swallow, I can feel every cell responding, and rejoicing.

From the moment the wafer begins to melt, I am fortified.

I am truly drawn into communion. Communion with my Savior, Jesus. Communion with the apostles at their last supper. Communion with my fellow worshippers. Communion with a world-wide body of Christians that is also enjoying this sacred meal on Sunday mornings.

Praise the Lord! I feel full — filled with the Lord who loves us unconditionally.

Originally posted by Patty in August of 2018

I don’t know about you, but I find it more and more difficult to watch or follow modern day media. This is a sharp change in behavior for me as I have been involved in public life for as long as I can remember. Being a part of the solution has kept me interested and active in my community’s present and future. 

This was my father’s admonition from the time I could understand and discuss public events with him. If I was outraged by an event on the world or local stage and complained to him about it, he would tell me to get involved. Don’t let someone else do the work that all citizens need to do. 

Back then-all those years ago-the information network was limited to three television stations and newsprint. We had those sources in our home and followed them every day. Controversy seemed more manageable. Today, it seems overwhelming to me.  

What are we missing? This Sunday’s reading from Ephesians brought me a gigantic ray of hope. And it doesn’t appear to me that it would be too difficult with some affirmative action on my and, yes, your part. Taking the initiative to start with personal action. 

Here’s what Paul tells the people of Ephesus that they need to do: 

V. 32 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 4:25-5:2) 

Oh, it will take some time, but if we start to take positive steps in this direction, we will succeed! I am sure of it. I am sure of it because we have the unconditional love of God to support us and move us forward. We have the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us through the darkness. We have the example of Jesus Christ in his own life to show us the way.  

Take heart in this action. One tiny step at a time. 

Terri 

I recently heard a concert by the Vienna Boys Choir. Among the works they sang was “Hail Holy Queen” from “Sister Act.”  (Don’t you wish we could do that some Sunday?)

Now, growing up in the Lutheran Church I was aware that Roman Catholics had special regard for Mary, the Mother of Jesus, which Lutherans didn’t have. Then I read Martin Luther. My Aunt gave be a copy of Roland Bainton’s book “Martin Luther’s Christmas Book”–excerpts from Luther’s Christmas Sermons. Almost every chapter mentions Mary. Eight of the nine pictures included depict Mary. It was here in the section on the Annunciation that I found Luther paraphrasing Bernard of Clairvaux that there are three miracles associated with the birth of Jesus. The first is that a virgin should have a child. The second is that God should become human. The third is that Mary believed she would be the mother of the Savior. It is Mary’s faith that is the greatest miracle.

Luther wrote: “ . . . most amazing of all is that this maiden should credit the announcement that she, rather than some other virgin had been chosen to be the mother of God. . . . Had she not believed, she would not have conceived. She held fast to the word of the angel because she had become a new creature. Even so must we be transformed and renewed in heart from day to day. Otherwise Christ is born in vain.”*

Mary is the perfect example of faith, a model for us. May we be transformed and renewed as she was.

Read Luke 1:26-38 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

*Martin Luther’s Christmas Book, pp. 15-16.

I might have been asleep when we discussed it in Hebrew class, but I don’t remember learning what the word manna means.    I know it is the food gathered and eaten by the ancient Israelites during the exodus.    It’s described as being “like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.”  (Exodus 16:31)   But what does the word manna mean?   There’s an explanation given in Exodus 16:15.  “When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’”    That phrase in Hebrew is “man hu.”  The implication is that manna means, “What is it?”

I understand why they might have called it that.  Serve a new casserole to children and the first words out of their mouths will probably be, “What is it?”  This is not really a question, but a judgment.

God gave the people manna in the wilderness and they responded, “What is it?”  How often is that the people’s response to the gifts of God?  I think the “prosperity preachers” are so popular because they promise material goods from God.  We know what it is to have a pocket full of money.  But what is it to be full of grace?    What is peace?  What is love?  What is hope?   I can look up these words in a dictionary much like I looked up manna, but what do they mean to me?

This is not a devotion filled with answers, only questions.   What are the gifts God has given to me and what do they mean to my life?  It’s something to ponder.

Read John 6:30-36 and remember:  God loves YOU unconditionally.

Posted by Wayne in August 2018

This house just isn’t big enough! I need a man cave to be alone for a while.   Or perhaps you’re thinking, I definitely need a craft room where I can lose myself in creating.

Being alone for a while is not the same as for those who may be experiencing desperate loneliness. With the rate of suicide seeming to increase as it is often in our news, my thoughts wander to what the Bible says to us.

Right in the beginning scripture states: “God said it wasn’t good for man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) This, of course is when Eve was created, for companionship to ease the loneliness of his solitude.

Is it normal or natural to need time for yourself? Absolutely. Mindfulness. Yoga. Deep breathing. Meditation. All of those practices and more can take us within to connect with the Holy Spirit stirring inside.

The NBA Championship game, the World Series, the Super Bowl viewed from the big screen in your man cave. Paint, yarn, sewing notions, hodge podge glue, glitter, ribbon, scissors, all sorted and scattered across your work table. Pastimes you enjoy on your own are A-ok, but knowing the community of believers await you is comfort and one of God’s many suggestions for us.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another¬ and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV).”

Time within your congregation will allow you to feel surrounded by others who can encourage you, love you, share time with you. A community of like-minded believers can perhaps be just what you need to feel God’s unconditional love for you.

Originally posted by Jill in August 2018

If my source is correct, today’s the day that the kids in Marion County head back to school.  I know it seems early, especially to a generation that went back to school after Labor Day.  Nevertheless, buses are running, heavy backpacks are toted, kids find out which friends are in their class, and educators have a first look at the children they will teach this year.  It’s a pivotal day in the school year.

In my few years as a teacher, I appreciated this new beginning.  Last year’s challenges were gone; the slate was wiped clean.  Later, working in the business world, I missed this.  Projects and tasks were continuous.  Even a vacation just meant my desk would be piled higher when I returned. 

A clean slate is a wonderous thing.  Jesus understood that.  He preached that God was willing to wipe the slate clean for those who have sinned.  “I’ll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins.”  Hebrews 10:17. (The Message) If we confess our sins, God WILL forgive us.  He will make us clean from all the wrong things we have done.  Now that’s a clean slate that is available to all of us, and it’s the best clean slate of all. 

As I write this, I realize that a younger generation than mine will have no clue as to what a “slate” is.  Those of us who experienced that blackboard on a daily basis, recall being asked to erase it and even to stay after school to wash it clean.  Call me old-fashioned, but I still like the image.  Apparently, St. Paul did as well.

Judy

 Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Maybe most of us have not plowed a field with oxen pulling the plow, I have not.  I am, however, fascinated by the “in sync” maneuvering of the oxen within the confines of their yoke. They share the load of pulling the plow, as they amble through their work. This brought up the memory of the Bible verse where Jesus asks us to lighten our load, casting our burdens on him, BUT we are to SHARE His yoke.  Have you thought about this request? We are not to just “dump” our burdens on Him, but rather He is asking us to walk WITH Him, so He can share our burdens and lessen the load and rest in His comfort.  We would then learn from Jesus, as we are “yoked” with Him through our faith journey.

I am aware we can tell Jesus anything and unload our worries, but He is clearly asking us, in the verse, to “yoke” with him. This will lessen our worries and lighten the load of burdens we think we carry.  While sharing the yoke with Jesus, we will be learning from Him how to navigate the furrows we are plowing through.  We will learn how to maneuver as a team.  With Jesus as our yoke-mate, we will be rested and our burden will be lighter. You cannot even imagine all He has to teach you.  Learn from Him. His love is unconditional.

Jill

 When my husband and I were on our month-long trip in May, we stopped at several places we had not been before.  One of them was the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. We both enjoy sports and especially football, so it was interesting to see the museum and how it was set up to honor the recipients through the years.

 The 2024 inductees were showcased in their own special section so we spent some time viewing those individuals and their  accomplishments. I knew who most of them were as I had spent a lot of time watching them, but there was one gentleman who I didn’t really remember as he played for a team I didn’t regularly watch. That was Randy Gradishar who played for the Denver Broncos.

Not long ago, I ran into an article about the 2024 inductees and some of the highlights of their acceptance speeches. Mr. Gradishar’s speech especially touched me.  His speech included these words.

“Don’t work for status, power, wealth, materialism, or people’s recognition…all of that is temporary, but in all you are and do, work for God’s glory because He will give you an inheritance as your reward” which of course is paraphrased from Colossians 3:23-24. What a great message to share with our world!

We are constantly bombarded with the “we need more, more, more” mentality when in fact what we really need is simple…to follow God’s word and way and listen with an open-heart and mind for what He wants us to do.  We need to be mindful and thankful for all He has provided for us through His unconditional love. This is the promise of eternal life with Him if we accept Him as our Savior. Simple and spectacular at the same time. Thanks be to God! 

Patty

Growing up wasn’t always easy. Mom and Dad wanted what was best for me, and that included following the strict rules of our church. We could not eat meat on Friday. We always fasted for three hours before receiving communion. I’m sure the church laws were there to keep us focused on what Christ had done for us, but following them sometimes was hard

Even when I was very young, I went to Catholic School, bringing a bagged lunch each day from home. One Friday I was really hungry. I tore into my lunch bag and found a beef bologna sandwich. What should I do? I didn’t want to break the rule about Friday, but I was so hungry. I started to cry.

Mother Superior saw me crying and came over to me asking, “Joey, child, what’s wrong?” I told her I was really hungry but Mom had packed me a bologna sandwich by mistake on a Friday. She looked at me kindly and said “Come with me.” She led me to the nurse’s office, where she kept cans of tuna fish and white bread. She proceeded to make a sandwich and give me a lunch that wouldn’t violate any church rules. I ate and no more was said about the bologna sandwich.

Looking back at this small event, I realize that the kindness of that nun did more to bolster my faith in Christ than any church laws. She showed compassion and understanding, a very Christ-like love. For this nun, helping me meet an “obligation” turned into an “opportunity” to show Christ’s love.

In the church I currently attend, fasting is not obligatory. But, we’re taught that fasting and prayer are good ways to honor God. We seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all that we do. God’s Holy Spirit can direct us to use our God-given talents to help others and to glorify our Heavenly Father. I can only pray that some little thing I do will mean as much to someone else, as that tuna sandwich did to me.

Remember – love all, forgive all, help all! Why? Because God loves you unconditionally.

Posted by our friend Joey in August 2018