Tend to Me: Devotions for Mothers

I just received an email from Emily Cook to let all know that her second book, Tend to Me: Devotions for Mothers, is now available!

Emily is a pastor's wife and mother of six. She knows sin and God's Grace and always points her readers to Christ, so I'm really looking forward to this book.

I was blessed by and recommend reading her previous book, Weak and Loved: A Mother-Daughter Love Story also Ifind much wisdom and encouragement through her blog, Weak and Loved.

And to let you know, Emily will be giving all the profits from her book to the ministry she writes about below:

I am excited to announce that all profits from this book of devotions will be given to Project 24, a mercy project helping orphans in Kenya.  Read why here, and learn more about Project 24 here.  This project is near and dear to my heart. 

Writing is one of my joys, as you know.  

I write because the flowers grow,

because grace showers down on me

and I am compelled to gather it up in words.

Living, Daring Confidence

"Faith, however, is a divine work in us that change us and makes us to be born a new of God. It kills the old Adam and makes us altogether different men, in heart and spirit and mind and powers; it brings with it the Holy Spirit.

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace so sure and certain that the believer would stake his life on it a thousand times. This knowledge of and confidence in Gods grace makes men glad and bold and happy in dealing with God and all creatures.

And this is the work that the Holy Spirit performs in faith. Because of it, without compulsion, a person is ready and glad to do good to everyone, to serve everyone, to suffer everything, out of love and praise to God who has shown him this grace."  Martin Luther

As I live and breath in this body I am minute by minute reminded of how sinful I am and really I minute by minute ignore how sinful I am. I can say "I see my sin" but there are many many sins I choose not to see, worse I deny.

I don't know how many other vocations will reveal your sin to you the way being a parent will. The dying, the humiliation of it. The constant servitude. The demand to stop what I want and give. Give my time, my attention, my care, my love. And how often do I willing give any of these things? How much more often do I give them begrudgingly, or out of guilt or just not at all?

I cling like a nasty spoiled brat to my SELF, my WILL and say NO I will not love you right now. And when we get this honest with ourselves we see the worse part, the anger of it all and the pride. I'm angry that I'm needed, I'm angry that I can't do what I want when I want all day.

But as a child of God, I'm not supposed to be this way right? Why can't I gladly serve and suffer? Questions for better Theologians than I.

What am I supposed to do then?

I think I'm slowly learning the answer to that and the answer humbles and frustrates and relieves all at once. It's all a poor miserable beggar can do, repent and be forgiven, repent and be forgiven, repent and be forgiven.

In that is the faith that Luther speaks of, the "living daring confidence in God's grace". Apart from that we are all doomed.

Lord help us to live confidently in your Grace.

Update on Baby Ephraim

Just wanted to let all here know that Ephraim was hospitalized yesterday with moderate dehydration and more weight loss but we are very pleased with the improvement we are seeing today. After fluids and some potassium, he is not only looking so much better but he is also finally starting to make more "normal" diapers. I'll spare you the details, but just say I've never been more excited about poop in my life!

Thanks be to God for His gifts of doctors, medicine and the love of friends and family. Please continue to pray for Ephraim as we move toward the possibility of taking him back home and figuring out how to keep him on the mend.

Welcome Baby Ephraim

 Announcing my newest blessing, Ephraim Job, born Saturday, October 20th! He's a little peanut, just 18 inches, and weighed 7lb 2oz.

Big brother and sisters are gaga about him, Clara too, though she looks like she couldn't care less. (She thought I was having two babies and keeps looking for "the other one".)

Ephraim will be baptized this Sunday. Praise be to God!

Church Meetings

Emily O. writes:

I don't know about you, but I tend to dread church meetings, typically Voters' Meetings. They loom on the calendar like infrared targets ripe for a sudden and terrible strike. As the day approaches, the tension rises and the pressure increases until I feel like an overfilled balloon. And I don't even personally attend any meetings at church!

While my description of meetings is dramatic, the truth is that church members and pastors are sinners, and whenever sinners get together, they tend to, well, sin. Depending on the church and the dynamics thereof, people exhibit and/or experience volatility when congregating together (I would even venture a guess that there's more fireworks in church meetings than in many other places, and not the kind that make people "oooh" and "aaah" with pleasure). And this is a sad reality of life together as God's people. We get mad, we get frustrated, we say mean and hurtful things. We get quiet and brooding and sullen. We harbor malice. We reject the mercy that God has given us in Christ and so reject our neighbors.

Sometimes anger is righteous. But too often, bitterness reigns. The balance is so difficult to keep, whether you're a layperson who's given decades of service to the church or whether you're a pastor's wife.

But thanks be to Him who saved us--and still saves us--from ourselves. He forgives our biting words, our sarcastic asides, our wrong assumptions and conclusions, our hateful thoughts. And--miracle of miracles--He comes again to meet us in each Divine Service, to serve us perfectly, to grant us forgiveness and to give us peace. I still won't be attending Voters' Meetings anytime soon, but I'm thankful that there's always a Christ-meeting just around the corner. 

Blessed Holy Cross Day

In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o’ertake me,
Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the cross forsake me,
Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

When the sun of bliss is beaming
Light and love upon my way,
From the cross the radiance streaming
Adds more luster to the day.

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
By the cross are sanctified;
Peace is there that knows no measure,
Joys that through all time abide.

In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.

In the Cross of Christ I Glory

Listen to tune HERE 

“Merciful God, Your Son, Jesus Christ, was lifted high upon the cross that He might bear the sins of the world and draw all people to Himself. Grant that we who glory in His death for our redemption may faithfully heed His call to bear the cross and follow Him. Amen.”

From Treasury of Daily Prayer for Holy Cross Day

Image Jan Sadeler

Bible Study Invitation

 

BethAnn writes:

Dear Pastors' Wives, 

I would like to extend an invitation for a monthly ladies bible study on biblical mothers. 

There are two different times:

1st evening bible study will be on Sept. 10th at 7:30 p.m. & 1st mid-morning bible study on Sept. 11th at 10:00 a.m. 

The first time we meet will be at Golgotha Lutheran in the Fellowship Hall in Wausa.  

To order a book for the Bible study you can email me at bethannsalinas at rocketmail dot com. The cost of the book is approximately $13. You are still welcome to join us without purchasing a book. You also do not have to make a commitment, but I think you will want to after the first lesson. 

So please join us as we learn, reflect, and study God’s Word together. This will be open to the community as well so invite your friends. I have not lined up caregivers yet so if you know of someone who would like to help please let me know. 

After the first study we will discuss meeting at other places, like Grand Junction in Creighton, The Bloomfield Bakery, & The Wausa Café, etc. 

Other Dates are as followed:  

2012:

Oct. 8^th or 9^th possibly two studies 

Nov. 12^th or 13^th 

Tentative Dec. 10^th or 11^th (we might skip the one study in December due to Advent)

2013:

Jan. 14^th or 15^th possibly two studies,

Feb. 11^th or 12^th  possibly two studies, March 11^th or 12^th,

April 8^th or 9^th, May 13^th or 14^th possibly two studies.

How's Your Mrs. Hyde?

Jenny writes:

I hope to get a discussion going as a follow up to my Mrs. Hyde post.

About a week ago, she reared her ugly head again and that really bothers me.  She is kept contained within my own head, and heart, but I need to give her a voice and this is the safest place to do so. 

The boys have been known to ask me, "Is daddy gone tonight AGAIN?"  And as one sets the table, it's not uncommon for him to ask me, "Will dad be home for supper tonight?"  I don't like hearing those questions.  I know they must be asked, but no matter how many Bible studies the people ask for, or how long they keep Pastor after the closing prayer, doesn't it eventually get to the point where I get to say, "NO MORE!" 

I am not looking for my problems to be solved. They are not terrible. Jon and I have many good discussions, so please, no worries there! I just want to see us share some experiences and ideas. Sound good?

What I'd like to hear about is how you ladies guard your families.  How do you guard your time together?  How do you guard your husbands' day off?  How do you impress upon your husbands the importance of time with family without sounding selfish, keeping in mind the importance of his calling?

Becoming what you eat! - From BethAnn

BethAnn writes:

I always used to get comments on how I looked. It was nice to be noticed for having a normal body weight. Also others also noticed that I didn’t overeat. I ate the correct portions. 

Well, that as all changed. I am now struggling with my weight. I am involved in a healthy eating program that sets goals to help me with my weight. I pray that I can reverse the damage I already caused my body. This issue has put more pressure on my back and hip. It seems to be a cycle….a never ending cycle. Maybe I need to transform my mind as well. 

And you would think that having numerous family medical issues as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure would motivate me, guess again. Lately, I have been praying for others and not myself because it feels selfish. I have been eating because the change of becoming a mother and staying at home has given a new unknown and stressful dimension of my vocation here on earth. 

Don’t get me wrong I have LOVED being a mother and staying at home and training my daughter in the way she shall go. I thought I could do it on my own. But I have failed miserably! I want to eat correctly again. I want to have the peace that passes my understanding rain in my heart. But I can’t do it without HIS guidance and forgiveness. But there is one last step which is even harder to meet or surpass - forgiving myself!

God's love and my smiles,

BethAnn  

Image Sunny Breakfast Vladimir Volegov

Dr. Jekyll and “Mrs.” Hyde - From Jenny

Jenny writes:

Are you familiar with this old story by Robert Louis Stevenson? Dr. Jekyll invents a potion in an attempt to hide the evil desires within himself with which he has been battling for years. But to his horror the potion transforms him into Mr. Hyde, giving the evil desires full reign.

Sometimes, as the wife of the pastor, I feel a bit like this twisted character. The “real me” is so very proud of my husband; of the studying he’s done and continues to do; of the work he so tirelessly goes after. He upholds the Office of the Holy Ministry very well, thank you very much! I’m sure you feel the same about your husbands. What a blessing isn’t it, to have the privilege to know these men?

I willingly share him with the people of the congregation, knowing that the Lord’s work needs to be done. People want his ministry so I release him to be “over there” at any and all times. Bible studies need to be written and prepared, sermons need to be researched and written, people need counselling, couples need to be married, widows need to be visited, meetings need to be attended, and the list goes on, right? I know it must happen and for the better part of the day, of the week even, I don’t miss him. He’s at work and I’m at work. We are busy with our callings, doing the Lord’s bidding.

But then he is asked to visit Africa with his father. He will be gone almost three weeks. He will miss two Sundays and five Tuesday/Thursday Matins services. The catch is that he will be home on Wednesday, meaning he should be able to have Matins on the following Thursday. But he cancels it, knowing he will miss six Matins services. He was told by his Board of Elders to take the rest of the homecoming week off – to be with family – to recover from jet lag. I love the Board of Elders! 

Sunday morning comes and we are all in church again. The congregation is happy to have their shepherd back. I am happy to have my husband back. My children are happy to have their father back. But there are a few who never miss Matins. Ever. And they are not happy. I feel Mrs. Hyde beginning to bubble under the surface. 

“I was going to have a welcome home party for him and he didn’t even have Matins.” 

I smile, understanding her disappointment. Mrs. Hyde continues to bubble. 

“I hate being away from Matins so long. Why did he cancel it?” 

I try to explain in a gentle way while Mrs. Hyde wants to raise her voice and say, “Because he’s been away from his wife and sons for over two weeks!!”  

She shakes her head in disbelief. “Well I just don’t understand. I had a bon voyage party for him and I planned to have a welcome home party for him.”  

Her lips purse as she walks away. Mrs. Hyde is not happy. Another member tells me how many times she will be away from her shepherd over the summer, what with all of his trips and the times she has to be gone. I listen sympathetically. Inside, Mrs. Hyde is now screaming, “What about your shepherd’s family?! Why are you people so selfish? Can you not understand how much of him we share already? Why must you steal away the time he is to spend with us?!” *sigh*

It can be a bit unnerving, dealing with this “Mrs. Hyde.” I love the members of our congregation. We have had, in the past, some difficult congregations to deal with. Most members have been anything but kind. The selfishness was par for the course. After three years of being in the midst of these loving Christians, I guess I was taken aback by their disappointment; by the upset in their schedule and how they vocalized it so matter-of-factly.

Just goes to show me that no one is free from the temptations of the Devil. Everyone is self-centered. Even the most faithful Dr. Jekyll can have a selfish Hyde within.

Weak and Loved

 “People say be strong. I say be weak and be loved.” Emily Cook

Emily Cook is the author of Weak and Loved: A Mother Daughter Love Story about her daughter's struggle with epilepsy. She writes:

"In October 2008, shortly after her fourth birthday, my daughter Aggie was diagnosed with epilepsy.  The year that followed was one of the most difficult years of our lives."

Right now you can get a copy of the eBook for Free HERE. I don't have an eReader but I just bought a copy of the book and can't wait to read it.

And she keeps a blog, Weak And Loved, if you haven't been there you should check it out. I've been blessed by her words many times.

"Emily Cook is a mother of six, a sinner, a child, covered in the blood of Christ, and freed from the burden of pretending she is strong. She s a woman growing backward, a mother-child, messy with sin, but rejoicing in the constant love of her Heavenly Father. She lives with her husband and their six children, including now-healthy Aggie, in the arms of the church where he is a pastor." from Amazon Bio

A Prayer Request - From BethAnn

BethAnn writes:

While I was pregnant I thought of a children's book that talks about how we get our belly button. Now I have been praying, discussing, and trying to figure out if I want to publish it or not. All the people who have read it so far really like it...and this is a first for me. When I have done projects before I haven't received good reviews! So I am excited about this. However, I want to publish but I am scared. Also I really don't have the money to self-publish. I need 2 peer review authors in order for CPH to  see if they would publish it. This is not just a children's book but a Christian perspective of God's creation and I use:

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.” Psalm 139:13 in the story to explain to the main character.

I just need prayers. I am not asking for help. But I would like to know if this is my selfish will or God's will. Maybe I will get some clarity if others pray with me. I will appreciate the time and prayers.

God's love and my smiles,

BethAnn

Marriage By God's Design

We all know that in our day, marriage is so misunderstood, undermined, despised and taken for granted. You look around and if you're like me, you start to feel like defending it is a "loosing battle". This morning I listened to an interview with Rev. Robert Baker on Marriage and I encourage all of you to listen as well.

Find it HERE.

And while I'm on the subject, HERE is another presentation on Marriage and Family that I enjoyed listening to some time ago from the late Rev. Robert Preus who, along with his wife Donna, "were asked to give a presentation to the seminarians and their wives on the subject of marriage and family - especially as it relates to life in the parish." I couldn't remember if I've posted it here before, if so, sorry, listen again!

Pastor's Wife - Perk #18

  

Kristi L. writes:

Funeral flowers.  That’s right, I said funeral flowers.

Several floral arrangements were delivered to our church this past week.  Two individuals, whose relatives belong to our church, died.  The outpouring of flowers enabled our church to be the recipient of some of those pretty blooms. One bouquet made the trip from Colorado to Nebraska.  It didn’t look quite right in a bouquet anymore – kinda wilty in places. Rather than throw the entire thing out, I got two nice floral arrangements.

See?  There are perks to being a pastor’s wife.  Yes, I know - they’re funeral flowers.  They’re beautiful in color, smell lovely, and I love them.  Now you’re wishing you had some, aren’t you?

New To GNW?

For any of you who are just beginning to read Golden and Noble Works (GNW) WELCOME! The purpose of this blog is to get to know each other better through encouragement in our vocations as pastor's wives and mothers and as children of God. If you would like to write up and "Introduction" of yourself and family please do and email it to me. My email address can be found on the side menu.

If you would like to make a post here, you can send it to me in an email as well. Anything goes with the posts. If you have a recipe to share, a prayer request, an issue you're struggling with (please try to keep these as "general" as you can), a great book review, an upcoming event, a super craft you want to brag about, whatever, feel free to pass it along here.

I wanted to point out a few things that I have added here that may be useful.

First, if you'll look to the right there is now a "Follow by Email" option. If you enter your email address there you will receive an email each time a new post is made on the blog. That way you don't have to come to the site every so often "just to see" if there's anything new.

Also, there are several new links to some resources that you may like. If you have anything you would like to add to our list (books, CDs, blogs, resource sites) please let me know! If you have a personal blog you would like to share here send me the address and I will add it to the "Our Blogs" list.

If there is anything else you would like to see here I am always open to suggestions!



*And I know you're wondering why there's a picture of a pineapple up there. Clicking HERE should hopefully explain that. It won't however explain why there's Pina Colada inside it...but the reason for that should be obvious.

EVE 2012

Kristi writes:

Teaching. Singing. Eating. Laughing.  There was lots of that happening at EVE 2012.  I can say with 100% certainty that it was a joy to spend time with these lovely ladies.  We were fed spiritually by Pastor’s presentation.  We confessed the Lutheran faith in word and song.

The camaraderie is unmatched by any other gathering.  I think that’s what makes this group so special to me.  I know that this group of women understands the isolation, the pressure, the compassion, and the unique joys that a pastor’s wife encounters day after day after day.  So thank you, ladies, for making my highlight reel for 2012.  I hope to see you again next year.  (Well, hopefully before that.)

Kristi

He is the Vine - From BethAnn

BethAnn writes:

I was doing some gardening and landscaping today in my backyard. And we have some wild vines growing from the field located to the east. I guess I have never paid that much attention to the vine and how it grows. The vine is first and very strong! The branches are more flexible and not as strong. So when I was untangling this wild vine off my east fence the bible verse:

 I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 

All of the sudden a light bulb went off, which made that above verse make sense. Then another thing came to mind which made me think of how much God loves me is that the vine grows first, reaches out to the surroundings, then the branches grow. Just like Jesus first, he reaches to us, then we grow in HIS word. WOW!

Rest

Kristi writes:

Is it the weekend yet?  After a busy week of cooking, cleaning, teaching, playing, and more, I’m tired.  I’ve replied to emails; I’ve “liked” pictures and posts on social networks; I’ve answered phone calls.  It’s time to slow down and relax.  When I rest, my mind and body aren’t actively doing anything.  I’m recharging and refreshing.  I’m resting.

For some of us, it’s been the daily grind of keeping up with the pile of Mt. Washmore, keeping up with hubby’s schedule, shuttling the children from one activity to the next, and keeping up with the other work requirements.  It gets tiring.  I get tired simply listing all of the things that women do.

When having difficulties trying to conceive a child, I met with my doctor several times to discuss what could be done.  For a while, there were some daily measurements, some things to mark on the calendar, and some anxious waiting.  It was stressful.  Were the numbers reading correctly?  Was the test administered properly?  There was anxious anticipation while waiting for test results.  Undesirable answers were met with dejected emotions.  When all morally acceptable possibilities had been exhausted, it was time to be done.  I was tired of all the directions and requirements.  I was worn out.  It was time to rest.

The Word of God provides the best rest.  I need nothing more.  In the Holy Word, I hear of my sin and my need for a Savior.  In Holy Baptism, I am made God’s child.  In the Holy Absolution, I am pardoned of all sin.  The body and blood of Christ are given to me for my cleansing.  Nothing is required on my part to make these things come true.  I am simply the recipient.

So get thee hence to church.  There you’ll be recharged and refreshed by the Lord.

That’s true rest.

Easter Eggs the Natural Way Conclusion - from Kathy

Well, finally, the last of the Easter Egg Saga.   The colors took all morning and into the afternoon to set on the eggs.  Some took better than others.  I even had some that the color washed off.  Notice below...these were all in the grape juice, so the outside was sticky...so I washed it...notice the 2 on the right.  That is what happened.  Will have to find another way to make purple.  It didn't even look purple, but the before washing color was pretty.

These are a sampling of the eggs we made.  The orange and yellow turned out lovely.  (probably my favorites).  The blue wasn't too bad..but not very dark...and sort of gray looking.  The pink is nice.  The green, well, you heard that story in the previous post.   So, will we do this next year?  Yes.  But I will do some more researching to come up with some better options.   All in all, they will taste good no matter what color the outside is, right??

Easter Eggs Part 2 - from Kathy

Notice that there is one jar missing from the previous line up of jars.  Let me just say, the green one fell to it's demise.  I was told to put 1 Tbsp of vinegar into each jar so the color would stay on the egg better.  Well, I did that and when I put it in the green jar...it quickly turned UGLY...like murky sea water...really GROSS!!!  I found out, after a little research that the vinegar killed the chlorophyll, thus turning my green brown.  A lesson learned for next year.   So now we have 6 colors.

and the eggs are soaking. 

The ones in the blue (almost straight grape juice) are floating...I think it's because of the sugar.  They didn't float when I boiled them...so I don't think they are rotten.  

To be continued....

Easter Eggs, the natural way from Kathy - Part 1

Kathy is coloring her Easter eggs using the "natural" method this year. She's letting us watch the process and providing updates as she can!

Kathy writes:

This year, the Feusse's decided to color Easter Eggs using all natural products.  So, you can tell from the picture, I am going to use Tumeric (yellow)  I could have used Cumin too, but choose Tumeric.  The grape juice concentrate with very little water added is supposed to be blue, with more water added, purple.  Spinach obviously will be green, beets hopefully will be pink, cherries will be red...and the most interesting one was yellow onion skins made orange.  Now, I am using words like "hopefully" and "supposed to" because the red, pink, blue and purple all look the same to me...so I am hoping that they will be different on the eggs tomorrow.  I will let you know how it turns out.

The onion skins pre-cooking

the beets

the cherries

we eat range free, brown eggs...so I hope the color will be dark enough to show up over the brown egg.

the spinach after being cooked completely down.

straining what I thought was grape "gunk" for lack of a better word...which actually need up being sugar...ick!!

from left to right: green, yellow, orange, pink, red, blue and purple (see the last 4 do look a like)

 Hoping for 7 colors, not 4.

Resurrection Rolls - From Kristi

Kristi writes:


In preparation for Easter, here’s a tasty treat to try with your children (or your husband).

Resurrection Rolls

1 tube of crescent roll dough
1/2 cup (or less) melted butter
Large marshmallows
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Give each child a triangle of dough - representing the cloth in which Jesus was wrapped
Give each child a marshmallow - representing Jesus' purity
Have each child dip the marshmallow in melted butter - representing the oils of embalming
Then have them dip the butter marshmallow into the sugar/cinnamon mixture - representing the spices used to anoint the body of Jesus
Wrap the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent dough (bring up the sides and seal the marshmallow inside) - representing the wrapping of Jesus' body after His death


Place in preheated oven for 10 minutes - representing the tomb, pretending like it was 3 days!!!

When the rolls are cooled slightly, the children can open their rolls and discover that the marshmallow is gone - representing the empty cloth and tomb.  JESUS is RISEN!


Image

A Baby, A Bath, and Dinner - Kristi L.

Kristi writes:

Lots of gifts are given at church.  Yesterday a baby was bathed in the waters of Holy Baptism.  I witnessed the sponsors confess the Lutheran faith into which this child was to be baptized.  I silently confessed my own sins and was given the comfort of the cleansing of my sins as the baby was given that same forgiveness.  The baptized child is now a member of the body of Christ.  I am joined to this child in the Christian faith.  I will pray for this child and encourage the parents as they teach their child the Christian faith.

Later in the service dinner was served.  The crucified and arisen Lord’s Body and Blood were eaten for the forgiveness of my sins.  This precious gift was given to me and my fellow believers at the table.  I shared in the wondrous blessings that are given freely by our loving God.

No need for dessert.  I’m cleansed, fed, and full.

Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis

Dort Preus posting on Steadfast Lutherans

I'm happy to learn that Dort Preus is posting on Steadfast Lutherans. Her first post can be found here. Also last summer I posted a link to a wonderful paper she wrote here. I think we can all be blessed by her wisdom and experience as a wife and mother.

A little about Mrs. Preus from Steadfast Lutherans:

Associate Editor’s Note:  With this post we introduce Dort Preus as the regular writer for “Steadfast Moms”.  She will be contributing much from her years of experience in raising children in the fear of the Lord.  This post is to be paired up with her husband Pastor Rolf Preus’ posts under “Steadfast Dads”.  

  

We are glad to have their valuable experience to provide good resources to our readers.  A little more about Rev. & Mrs. Preus:

Rolf and Dorothy (Dort) Preus met at Concordia Lutheran Junior College nearly forty years ago, fell in love, got married, and were blessed by God with twelve children and twenty two grandchildren (so far).  Pastor Preus was ordained in 1979 and has been a Lutheran pastor in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.  He received his STM from CTS in Ft. Wayne in 1987.  Dort received her B.A. in elementary education from Concordia, St. Paul in 1975, and learned how to teach from teaching her children at home.  The Preuses presently live in Mayville, North Dakota.  Pastor Preus serves First American Lutheran Church in Mayville, First Evanger Lutheran Church in Fertile, Minnesota and Grace Lutheran Church in Crookston, Minnesota.

Her husband, Rev. Rolf Preus is posting there as well, his post can be found here.

Prayer Request from BethAnn S.

 BethAnn writes:

Please pray the Hansen family...my sister, brother-in-law, and nephews. My sister is trying to heal from a C-section from my new nephew. They are both healthy. However, my older nephew has special needs and having a hard time adjusting to the changes. And to top it all off...Robert had  his annual review at work which was very unprofessional and two months late. And this has caused even more friction between his boss and himself...He is also waiting for a yea or nay for a job interview from another company because he is having a hard time working with people who constantly lie and communicate in an unprofessional manner.

God's love and my smiles,

BethAnn

EVE Getaway

Hello ladies!

Our EVE Getaway is just around the corner (April 22-23) and the registration deadline is THIS Saturday, March 10th. If you have not received an email with the Registration Form you can get one HERE.

See you there!

Aubri

They Will See His Face – Chapters 6, 7, and Conclusion

Kristi writes:

True healing comes to us in the Divine Service.  Here God gives to us His Holy Word and His Holy Sacraments.  In the divine service, we hear of our sin and our salvation.  In the divine service, we see the body and blood of Christ and the cleansing water.  In the divine service, we touch and taste the body and blood of Christ for our forgiveness.  It’s all there in the divine service.  Christ comes to us and heals us.

Chapter 6 focuses on the prayers of the church and the healing of sickness.  Make no mistake – God heals the believer and the nonbeliever.  Our prayers do not change God’s mind as to whether or not to provide healing.  Our prayers are based upon our faith in God, who will do as He deems best.  We sinners like to think that our prayers are what heal people.  Rather, it is God who heals.  That’s why our prayers always include the phrase, “Thy will be done.”

So then why pray for the sick?  As one who has been prayed for, it is comforting to know that others are praying for the Lord’s will to be done in my life.  In prayer, we also acknowledge that true healing will come from God alone.  It is He who enables the medical workers to diagnose correctly.  True healing is not of man’s accord but of God’s design.  And, finally, we pray for the ultimate cure of our sin-sickness: the God-man Christ Jesus.  We are healed of our illness through the cleansing blood of Jesus.

Chapter 7 continues with more healing, this time the healing of our intellect.  In our sinful nature, we claim to know all.  We are in constant conflict with the will of God because we sin.  It is important to remember that man’s intellect is subjective; Jesus Christ is the only absolute Truth.  In the Divine Service we confess our sin of self-idolatry; we are thick with sin and need cleansing.

The Creeds do a beautiful job of reminding us that we are created, redeemed, and sanctified.  We humans can accomplish none of those things on our own; it’s impossible.  God the Father creates us; God the Son redeems us; God the Holy Spirit sanctifies us.

Eyer wraps up the book with a packed conclusion.  He gives us good reason to continue using the liturgy in the Divine Service.  He says: Liturgy conveys the essence and meaning of our worship of God.  Worship is more than personal piety and personal expressions of faith.  It is the experience of God’s acting in our behalf so that we might act in His behalf in this world. [page 117]  The Divine Service is all about what God does for us.

Another awesome quote from Eyer: Liturgy may change over the centuries, but the change is in the matter of detail, not of substance.  [page 116]  These words comfort me.  When people change the substance of the liturgy to fit their “personal style,” then other groups of people are abandoned.  When we stay true to the Word of God within the liturgy, God’s Law and Gospel is clearly presented for all.

I highly recommend Eyer’s book.  The Divine Service is a gift to God’s people from God Himself.  Thanks be to God for His grace and healing presence among us.

They Will See His Face by Richard Eyer – Preface

They Will See His Face by Richard Eyer – Chapters 1 and 2

 
They Will See His Face by Richard Eyer – Chapter 3

They Will See His Face by Richard Eyer – Chapters 4 and 5

Our Father In Heaven - From Beth

Beth writes:

I thank our heavenly Father for my earthly father, James L. Stamberger, who was called home to heaven on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012.  It had been only eleven weeks prior that he first went to his family physician that eventually led to the diagnosis of brain cancer. My two youngest and I were able to spend seven precious days with him and were there the day he passed away. Even my hubby and two oldest children were able to join us on the Stamberger farm for a wonderful time with Dad/Grandpa the weekend before he died. Life during that week with him at home slowed down to a snail’s pace as I soaked in every minute of being his caretaker. He struggled with walking and needed step by step instruction to what he was doing at the present time, but yet could eat, sleep, and carry on a conversation so well. His sweet, appreciative disposition and witty attitude helped the rest of us to get through some tough days. We talked religion, politics, family and church history, laughed and cried together. He fulfilled his role as father so well in that he continued teaching little life lessons and giving us advice up until the end. When I think of my dad’s love for his family, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with how much our Father in heaven must love us as His dear children to sacrifice His own Son in our place. 

It was only on that Monday, the 6^th, that he woke with excruciating pain from headaches. He eventually became nonresponsive and appeared to be able to sleep. We had him transported to the local hospital for a CT scan due to the abrupt change from the night before. The scan showed profuse swelling that was cutting off the flow of blood to his brain. He died there in the ER room with my mom, siblings and me, his sister and brother-in-law, and pastor at his bedside. We had the privilege of reciting the Lord’s Prayer, Creed, Psalms, and singing hymns together before the angels carried him home to be with Jesus.  Looking back on it now, I see how gracious and merciful our God is in all that he spared my dad (and mom, too).  Dad was to start radiation treatments on the day he passed away. We were all so worried what the treatments might do to him. But my dad’s days were beautifully orchestrated by God’s hand and I thank Him for the comfort that brings. I miss my dad so much and can hear his voice throughout the day and all that we shared together. What comfort Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the devil gives us as we look forward to one day joining our loved ones in heaven!

Your thoughts and prayers mean so much to me and I thank you. If you’d like, you can view my dad’s obituary at www.bcrnews.com   

Book: They Will See His Face – Part 4, Chapters 4-5

Kristi writes:

Eyer spends Chapter 4 sharing some wisdom regarding depression and the healing Word of God.

He identifies the difference between moments of depression and clinical depression.  I will not go into detail here lest I lead you astray with my minimal knowledge of the subject.  Know this: depression is not easily explained away.  Healing from depression must come from outside ourselves.  We, of our own accord, cannot walk away from depression or escape its claws.  The liturgy gives voice to our depression, expressing our grief and sorrow.  In the same way, the liturgy also brings healing.  The blessed and comforting Word of God is spoken in its truth and purity to our hurting souls.  The Holy Spirit works faith in us and shows us that Christ brings healing.

No matter how depressed or low I might feel, I have the solid Word of God that reminds me I am God’s child.  Whether or not I feel like being in church, I know that God’s Word is there FOR ME.  When I doubt whether God loves me, I know with 100% certainty that He does.  He tells me so in His Word, and He gives me the sacraments as tangible proof of His love.  When my feelings cause me to doubt God’s love, I cling to His Word and can be confident that He knows me.  What a blessed comfort.

Chapter 5 focuses on grief and the peace that only God gives.  Death is a reality.  I’ve been to numerous funerals, and it’s not easy to say good-bye to those we love.  However, for those who die in faith, death is not a permanent good-bye.  Rather, we can rejoice in the promise of a blessed reunion in heaven.  I am given the peace of God that is spoken at the funeral of a loved one.  The funeral service reminds me of the blessings given to all believers; that promise is sure and certain.

Eyer reminds all believers that we have life in Christ.  Knowing this, it is easier to face death.  There is a beginning after the end.  Christ conquered death, and now eternal life is ours.  Alleluia!

One of my favorite parts in the liturgy is the singing of the “Holy, holy, holy.”  I love that we are singing with “angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.”  I’m singing with loved ones who are enjoying the presence of Christ in its fullness.  As an organist, I play this portion of the liturgy quite triumphantly.  It’s a joining of heaven and earth – how glorious!  I can hardly wait to join that heavenly chorus.

They Will See His Face by Richard Eyer – Preface
They Will See His Face by Richard Eyer – Chapters 1 and 2

They Will See His Face by Richard Eyer – Chapter 3