Sunday, July 19

"Day by day and with each passing moment strength I find to meet my trials here" This song is one that I often find playing in the background of my busy mind. When life feels hard and things seem to be nearly as difficult as humanly possible I am reminded to trust in my Father's wise and wonderful gifts. The writer goes on to remind us that He who is wise beyond all measure gives to each day what he deems best.

Often we as Christians and humans feel overwhelmed and burdened. God who is almighty and all knowing understands and gives us grace and mercy abundantly. He provides us with the strength to carry on knowing that "one by one, the days the moments fleeting," we will reach the promised land.

Heavenly father, be with us and guide us. Give us strength for each day. Remind us that you are always near us and only a prayer away. Allow us the strength to get through each moment that is difficult and be with us during life's trials. Be with those today who are troubled. Lighten their load, help them through their troubled moments, turn their trials into joys. Amen.

Monday, July 20

"I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love." Ever since I was a child in Sunday School I have loved to sing in church. From the time I could read the songs in the hymnal I would sing with my whole heart. This is one of the songs that goes back a long way, and one that I knew my grandparents and parents sang with me when I was a child. The words were simple, like my childhood faith and I knew then as I know now that they are true.

This summer at Gloria Dei we are hearing the stories of the Bible and of Jesus and his love. No matter how many times I have read these Bible stories, whether in Sunday School, or my Bible and now hearing them on Sunday mornings I am reminded of how much I love to tell this story. How it truly is a part of my innermost thoughts and being. How blessed I am to have learned this story as a child and now to have shared it with my own children.

Dear Lord Jesus, use me and all who believe to tell your wondrous stories. Share them around the globe, in every country and every language. Let all people know of your salvation. Give us the courage to sing of your sweet stories to those who hunger to know you. Let us each be messengers of your love. Amen.

Tuesday, July 21

"I the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry, all who dwell in deepest sin, my hand will save... whom shall I send? Here I am Lord." Whoa, me, little old me? I sing this song and think of those who have been called by God – Pastors, Lay Ministers, Youth Workers – and yet our loving God says yes, even I am good enough and God will lead me. It is easy to think that just because I am only one person that it is not possible to do the work of God alone. Yet truly God gives me grace and strength each day to touch the lives of others in the simple things I do. Helping a neighbor, providing food to the food pantry, bringing cheer to the sick, love to the unlovable. Yes Lord, I am only one but one can do so many things.

Heavenly Father, be with those who need you today, the homeless, the sick, the aged, the lonely. Allow us all to touch the lives and hearts of those who have needs and to share the gifts which you have given us, our time and talents. Remind us often that one can do so much to heal and help those who are hurting. Help me to be the the one who says, "Here I am Lord" when my neighbor needs me. Amen.

Wednesday, July 22

My Finnish roots go deep on my mother's side of the family. I have lived in a community and church where Finnish was spoken from the time I was born. I was blessed as a college student to be able to go to Finland for an academic year through the Finnish Ministry of Education, to learn the language and the culture. Though I still struggle with the spoken word, and often my grammar may not be correct, one thing I love to do is to sing in Finnish. A song that was handed down through my Finnish grandparents is called "Under His Wings" (Villiam O. Cushing) in English. This song is one that we sang at my mother's funeral and I have sung for our Finnish Suomi Kerho group at Gloria Dei. The message is clear, and in my mind the picture brings a sense of safety, and security from all the dangers of the world. "Under his wings my soul shall abide, safely abide forever."

Dear God, You are the Almighty, the Savior, the Protector. Keep us safe while we are on this journey. Protect the sick, the young, the ill. Provide them the safety and security that you have promised. Give parents and children the safety of your presence. Wrap them in your love. Amen.

Thursday, July 23

One of the songs that I have come to know and love I learned at Fortune Lake Lutheran Bible Camp. The words are simple to remember and the tune is quick and upbeat. It begins, "Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father's glory, blaze spirit blaze, set our hearts on fire."

In the morning when the sun comes up the light of the day comes and brings us another opportunity to send forth your word to the world. The darkness ends and the light shines forth. So much to be grateful for and so much to share with others. Knowing that the light of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit shines brightly sets us free, free to be people of God.

Heavenly Father, thank you for shining down your love upon the world every single day. May the light of your love shine down on those who need you most. May you fill our hearts and spirits each and every day with your love and mercy. Amen.

Friday, July 24

"Dawn is in sight, gone is the night, drawn to the light and the morning. Glorious and bright, oh what a sight to be drawn to the light of God." ("Drawn to the Light" by John Ylvisaker)

Five months from today will be Christmas Eve. The days will be shorter and much darker. While living in Finland as a young adult I told myself that I would not go out of my apartment after dark. I reasoned it could not be safe and it wouldn't be so bad after all. I arrived in Finland in September and by November it was dark and the days were cold by about 3:00 pm in the afternoon. I felt as though the darkness was closing in on me.

Just when I thought I would be alone in my own little apartment God introduced me to several friends at church. Women who were attending college to prepare for vocations in the Finnish Lutheran Church. These friends, both Finnish, were like a light in the darkness of my life. Then came the "Little Christmas" parties and gatherings that we attended together and the St. Lucia festival of the Lights. Drawn to the light of these friends in the church I quickly found the days were getting longer and the sun was shining brightly. What a blessing to have faith even in the dark times.

Dear Lord, bring your light to all. Shine down upon the darkness, bring peace to all the corners of the earth. Be with those who serve our country both here and abroad. Daily remind us as the darkness draws to a close that you are the Light of the World. Amen.

Saturday, July 25

“I Wonder as I Wander” by John Jacob Niles – Another of my favorite songs to sing is this Appalachian carol which tells of the birth of Jesus. As I sing I envision the star filled heavens and wonder with awe how an ordinary person like myself is so blessed to be saved by Christ on the cross. The song begins by telling of the birth of Jesus in a cow's stall. It goes on to question how this baby child, Jesus the King, could have had most anything he had wanted, and yet, he died on the cross for "poor ord'n'ry people like you and like I.” We are so blessed by a loving God. One who gave his only son to die for us, that we might have eternal life.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit we pray. Thank you for Jesus’ death on the cross. The gifts of mercy and grace that we receive each day. So many times we wonder about our faith and it's meaning. Some things we are not meant to have the answers to, yet we believe. Give us belief in our times of unbelief. Courage in our times of fear. Peace in our times of unrest. Humility in our times of pride. Patience in our times of hurry. Be with us even under the countless stars in the sky. Amen.