Shine Your Light

And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Years ago, while teaching in the public schools, I had a 7th grade student whose family fled from Burma to escape religious persecution. He spoke of how he and thirty others left before they were killed for their belief in Jesus. As brave witnesses for Christ, they cleared a section in the forest, placed an enormous cross in the center, and burned it on the side of a mountain to shine for all to see as they flew away into the night sky.

This week, let the fireworks remind us of the freedom that our Savior has given us through His life, death, and resurrection and to always share this news with others. I recommend the LWML resource, A Missionary, Me? No Passport Needed for ideas.

Cheryl Mattil

Strategic Plan Facilitator
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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SUMMER!!!!

Do you have summer plans? Maybe they include long walks on the beach, swimming, hiking, camping, or maybe reading a good book under a nice shade tree. Do your plans include a vacation, cruise, visiting family, or attending a family reunion?

Have you thought about the plans God may have for your summer?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

He might have many of the items listed above on His summer list for you. Or His list might also include Bible reading and Bible study, servant activities, assisting neighbors with yard work, volunteering with vacation Bible school, assisting at the church picnic, or serving on a short-term mission team.

On this LWML website there are hundreds of ideas for staying in His Word and ways to serve the Lord with gladness by serving others. For more ideas click on the service tab above.

God’s blessings on your summer!

Leslie Colligan

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Fathers and Faith

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

Happy Father’s Day to all our dads, grandpas, uncles, and others that help guide us along our earthly walk. God has commanded us to help our children learn of Him and His saving grace. My dad made sure we had daily family devotions and prayers. We lived on a dairy farm and my father would stop milking the cows and walk up to the house to have breakfast and devotions with us as a family. Actions speak louder than words and Dad’s example is something I try to do — daily be in God’s Word.

We are to help educate our children and grandchildren about God’s gift of salvation and in the way He would have us live our lives. An excellent resource to guide you is Train up a Child, a short Bible study found on our LWML website. An important task we have is to help the next generation learn about the saving grace God so richly gives us.

Arlene Naasz

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity! (LSB 507)

I love singing this song to celebrate the blessed Trinity! As a choir singer, I find snatches of different anthems and hymns flitting through my mind each day. What a blessing to have them running through my mind and reminding me of our Savior’s love for us.

Another way to focus us on the Lord is to stay in His word. Have you checked out the many fabulous Bible studies on our website lwml.org? In addition to the Bible studies found in our Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly publications, we have many, many free Bible studies available for free download from our website. There are short/single session studies as well as long/multi-session studies. You can also find Bible studies to purchase such as Donna Snow’s Unshakable and Karol Selle’s A Missionary? Me? No Passport Needed.

I hope you will join me in praising the Lord and thanking him for all the many Bible study resources LWML provides us. They keep us in the Word and focused on our triune God.

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:1–3).

Anita Werner

Treasurer
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Gardening and Growth

My husband Carl was the gardener in our family, and it was his outdoor leisure. He would allow me to help plant onion sets because I could squat down, and I oversaw harvesting the bounty, but he had the green thumb. After Carl died, I thought I could try gardening since I love fresh homegrown vegetables. Truthfully, my gardens have never looked like his. I have encountered the notorious weeds, but I am to this day still attempting a small garden!

As I thought about the process of gardening – from seeds to produce, this verse came to mind: Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted, and built up in him and established in the faith (Colossians 2:6–7). It is only through God’s grace that our faith is rooted in Him. He allows us to grow and gives us the opportunities meant for us. We are so blessed!

In this growing season of your life, I suggest you read the devotion Day By Day — Growing in the Lord.

Karol Selle

Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Be Kind

I have spent a lot of time in airports lately. My favorite travel shirt is my Choose Joy graphic t-shirt. Airports and airplanes are often stressful places. Wearing this shirt reminds me that I can be joyful even in the midst of difficult situations. I know that Jesus is at my side through every situation, and I don’t have to worry or be afraid. I have found that smiling and asking how someone’s day is going can be very positive for me and the employee or fellow traveler with whom I have engaged. We don’t know what burdens others are carrying but we can be kind. It costs us nothing to smile or be kind. As Lutheran Women in Mission we know that we have been and continue to be blessed with all that we have or need by God. Why not share that joy with others?

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4).

Debbie Yocky

Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Ocean Waves and Sunsets

Our God is amazing! His creation gives such pleasure as views of grandeur are evident all around us. On a recent camping trip, I had the privilege of taking in the views of one of His creations — the ocean. Its magnificent power and beauty are mesmerizing every time I see the rolling water. My heart swells and thoughts of thankfulness and praise fill my mind.

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150).

May I always recognize the beauty in the world around me, giving thanks and praise to its Creator. To Him be glory and honor forevermore.

Char Kroemer

LWML Assistant to the President
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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