connecting individuals to Jesus
One week from tomorrow Monica and I will be attending a 50th anniversary reunion. In many ways it is hard to believe that it is already 50 years since I graduated from Concordia Junior College, Ann Arbor (now Concordia University). Then again, in other ways it seems like a few lifetimes ago. It will be interesting to see who shows up, and who we remember. Though it is a two-day affair, we decided that one evening was sufficient time for all the catching up we would be interested in.
Jane Lamond (Riffenburg) Gurnack, age 97, of Sterling Heights, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Jane was born August 15, 1925 in Detroit, MI to the late Charles & Mary (Roth) Riffenburg.
The other day pastor Jerry and I got talking about big things and little things in our lives. The big things, of course, are hard to miss. The little things, on the other hand, are easily missed … and often are much more important than we give them credit for being.
Neither the author nor the audience of this book is specifically named, but the book is written for Jesus-believing Jews who are in danger of falling away from the faith. Our reading today from chapter 12 reminds us that God’s discipline is always done in love.
Almighty God, You have built Your Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. Continue to send Your messengers to preserve Your people in true peace that, by the preaching of Your Word, Your Church may be kept free from all harm and danger; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
One Final ThoughtFear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. Psalms 34:9 There are three kinds of givers: the flint, the sponge, and the honeycomb. To get even a spark from a flint you have
Give God His Tithe“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” Leviticus 27:30 Instead of saying, ‘I’m giving God my tithe,’
Giving Brings ReceivingRemember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6 Jim Penner says: ‘It was a cold snowy day as my mother drove my sister and me to church.
Be GenerousRather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Deuteronomy 15:8 God instructed the Israelites, ‘If there is among you a poor man…you shall open your hand wide to him’ (vv. 7-8). Giving is the loftiest level of