Reading time: less than 3 minutes
I'm going to be more possessive of my joy from now on. I'm going to be jealous for my joy.
We were created for joy. Joy is God's gift to me. I'm designed for joy. It is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), it's mine as an heir of the kingdom, and I want it. To everything that comes to suck out my joy from now on I'm going to say, "Hey! That's mine! I want my joy back!"
Joy is slippery to define. You know when you have it. You know when you've lost it, but how it vanishes is often a mystery. Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
What does JOY look like? I've got a pretty good idea of what joy looks like. I've seen it a few times.
Have you ever been at a ball game where the announcer says over the loudspeaker, "Today we honor the families of our military personnel serving overseas..." and out marches some children of soldiers? Then suddenly, sneaking up on the children from behind, comes daddy or mommy, returned home from service unannounced and sooner than expected. Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
What does JOY look like? I've got a pretty good idea of what joy looks like. I've seen it a few times.
Have you ever been at a ball game where the announcer says over the loudspeaker, "Today we honor the families of our military personnel serving overseas..." and out marches some children of soldiers? Then suddenly, sneaking up on the children from behind, comes daddy or mommy, returned home from service unannounced and sooner than expected. Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Did you watch the Oscars? Did you see the glamour and glitz of the Red Carpet and the Hollywood icons?
I didn't watch much either. A little bit goes a long way. Now, you've got to keep up with Hollywood to keep your finger on the pulse of where society is going (that's another topic for another day!), but I have a hard time watching the excesses of wealth. "Who are you wearing?" For real?
In the kingdom of God, success and personal worth is never measured by material wealth. Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Did you watch the Oscars? Did you see the glamour and glitz of the Red Carpet and the Hollywood icons?
I didn't watch much either. A little bit goes a long way. Now, you've got to keep up with Hollywood to keep your finger on the pulse of where society is going (that's another topic for another day!), but I have a hard time watching the excesses of wealth. "Who are you wearing?" For real?
In the kingdom of God, success and personal worth is never measured by material wealth. Read More
Our St. Louis Seminary Couples at Pere Marquette, Grafton, IL We had a two day wellness and wholeness experience for the group of St. Louis Seminary Students who participated at Pere Marquette Lodge on Feb. 20-22, 2015. We had great food, programming and participation!! Rev. Dr. Darrell… Read More
Hans Springer, Randy Fauser and Mark Hofman
The Association of Lutheran Development executives for continuing education in the field of ethical fundraising. Here's a look at who we ran into: (left to right) Hans Springer, Associate Executive Director of LCMS Mission Advancement; Randy Fauser, President/CEO of Grace Place Wellness Ministries and Mark Hofman, Executive Director, Mission Advancement of the LCMS.
Read More
Melissa Hower, Darrell Zimmerman and Randy Fauser – Grace Place Wellness Ministries On February 27 and 28, 2015, Grace Place Wellness Ministry Team, Randy Fauser, Darrell Zimmerman and Melissa Hower attended the Best Practice Conference in Phoenix, AZ. Best Practice Convention is a gathering of Pastors, lay… Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
I'm planning to live until I'm 114. I'm a golfer who dreams of "shooting my age," having a golf score equal to or less than my age, and the way my golf game is going, I may have to live to for a few more decades. It's not my best reason for staying in shape, but it's one of them!
I was about 35 when I stopped in to visit 105 year old Marie in the nursing home. She asked me if I would conduct her funeral one day. I told her, "Marie, if I'm still alive when you die, I'd be honored to preach at your funeral!" We laughed and I told her what a blessing she was to me every time I saw her.
She was well into her eleventh decade and still full of vitality and life. Read More
Soup For The Soul is the brain child of Bill and Carol Mattson. It is because of their love of Grace Place Wellness and through their dedication and hard work that this effort was started and nurtured. They enlisted other friends, committee members, board members, three local churches and area restaurants to create a unique way to draw awareness and support to Grace Place Wellness, while offering a fun, friendly place for families and fellow Christians to connect and enjoy the best soups in St. Louis...and much-needed funds for the ministry. Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Do you know the third verse of "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep"?
You know about "I pray the Lord my soul to keep," and probably the really creepy part about "If I should die before I wake." (You don't really teach your children to say that do you?) Anyway, the prayer continues, "If I should wake before I die, I pray the Lord to show me why!"
That's an excellent description of Christian Vocation. Luther's understanding of vocation teaches us that we are all living out our callings from God in the numerous roles He has given us to fill day by day: disciple, spouse, child, parent, neighbor, citizen, employee, employer. What better way to start the day than a prayer for guidance in my vocation?
Vocation has a special meaning for those called to full time service in the Church. Read More
