Eagerly waiting!
After Labor Day came Christmas. Well, not really, but the stores were setting up Christmas displays in September. Merchants just couldn’t wait to get the merchandise moving. People started buying Christmas presents because they did not want to wait in long lines. Children everywhere are saying, “I can’t wait for Christmas to come.” Some parents are saying, “I can’t wait until Christmas is over.”
For the Christian, Advent is all about waiting. We wait in eager anticipation to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. Next week, our wait will be over. Christmas will be here. After Christmas, we continue to wait, not idly, but eagerly in the Word. Empowered by the Spirit we witness of our Savior until Jesus returns again. In His Second Advent, He will come and raise us up to His glorious throne.
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art, Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart. LSB 338.
Kaye Dumas Wolff
Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Posted on
December 13, 2015 8:24 AM
by
System Administrator
The Main Focus is Jesus!
It can be fun to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. Gifts to buy, traditional foods to make, and a home to decorate can fill our days during this busy time. These activities can fill us with a sense of accomplishment … or stress!
Only when we remember to keep the Main Focus the main focus do we find the joy that this season of Christmas can offer. So, as we buy gifts for loved ones, let’s remember that Jesus was sent to die on the cross for our sins and is our ultimate gift from God. As we bake and decorate let’s remember that all food, clothing, and shelter is a blessing from our Lord. And, as we take time to read the Bible and focus on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, the joy we find in His mercy and grace will abound. Let’s share His joy with others this season as we make Jesus the Main Focus! One Extraordinary Night, by author Donna Pyle, is just one Bible study available for you through the LWML website.
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
Debbie Larson
Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
View past messages
Posted on
December 06, 2015 8:08 AM
by
System Administrator
Thanksgiving and Aprons
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, delicious food prepared by loving hands comes to mind. I think back to family Thanksgivings and how my grandmothers wore aprons to protect their dresses as they served.
Aprons are versatile. Their pockets can hold a variety of everyday items, from hankies to clothespins. They dry perspiring brows and children’s tears. They can be used as an egg basket or a potholder or provide a hiding spot for shy children. They may have a story to tell. But their primary purpose is to protect the clothing they cover.
God can be like an apron. We have His love over us, around us, and in us every day, all day long. We are always under His protection. Let us give thanks every day for His ever-present love. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him (Psalm 28:7).
Nancy Bogenhagen
Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Posted on
November 23, 2015 9:00 AM
by
System Administrator
Traditions!
This time of year is filled with family traditions. How do you keep a faith-focus as you celebrate Thanksgiving? Advent? Christmas? If you are looking for creative holiday craft ideas check out http://www.lwml.org/program-helps-creative-crafts or if you’re on Pinterest, check out our boards for crafts and other faith resources. https://www.pinterest.com/theLWML/
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:15-17).
Eden Keefe
Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Posted on
November 15, 2015 7:34 AM
by
System Administrator
The Time is NOW for Remedial Prayer
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6).
Do you ever pray the same prayer request over and over? I call this kind of repetitive praying “remedial prayer” meaning it is intended to correct or improve my skill.
I know God doesn’t need to be reminded of my concerns — He knows my every need. Instead, my prayer reminds me that HE is my source of comfort, care, and love.
Persistent prayer also makes me ready for God’s answer. Sometimes I’m praying for one thing, but God has something much larger in mind. Extra time in prayer allows me to prepare for God’s “big picture view” of blessings.
If you need new words in your prayer time, consider these resources: A Woman’s Praying Heart, A Single Woman’s Praying Heart, or A Seasoned Woman’s Praying Heart.
Carol von Soosten
Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Posted on
November 09, 2015 8:55 AM
by
System Administrator
Special Numbers
My family has four special numbers. Get ready for them ... they are 1, 2, 3, and 4! What? You’re not impressed? You should be. No, they are not for the lottery, an address, phone number, or a special date. They are reminders to pray for each other. It does not matter if we see them as an address, in a phone number, on a clock, or on the car odometer. Whenever and wherever we see them in this sequence, we stop at that moment to pray for each other.
It reminds me of the Time is NOW. Just like the reminder to pray when we see those four numbers, a coin could remind you to pray for the LWML. Pick your favorite coin - a nickel, a dime, or a quarter. God tells us as we pray for our missionaries and grants, we are part of His work. “Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth” (3 John 8).
Cheryl Mattil
Strategic Plan Facilitator
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Posted on
November 02, 2015 9:00 AM
by
System Administrator
All of us have heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday but have you heard of Giving Tuesday? Taken directly from their website, 
