Country Church Music - From the Heart

Greetings dear friends and family,

As I have sat here pondering this early morning, I realized I wanted to thank all of you for your love, support, and encouragement. You are blessings in my life and I give thanks to God for each of you. You make this world a better place as you live and share the love of Jesus that is in your hearts with me and so many others.

I can think of no better way to say thank you than to give to others in your honor.

So dear friends and family, a donation to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal has been given in your honor, helping and blessing those in need.

Thanks be to God for his abundant blessings.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

Let us pray: Loving Father, we give you thanks and praise for the many ways you bless us. Help us to use our blessings in service to you, reaching out to others who are in need. Guide our hearts and stir our souls so that we may be lights for others and share the hope and promise of your dear Son, who through his death and resurrection has given us the blessed gift of life everlasting with you. In his name we pray. Amen

A blessed Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones.

With prayers and love in Jesus,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

Awhile back our 5 year old grandson Andrew and his dad stopped by on a Saturday morning. I was sitting here at my computer as Andrew came flying up the steps and in the door. He was filled with excitement as he handed me something. He told me I was to hang it in my car. I asked him if I could hang it here by my computer. “Sure”, was his response, followed by a big hug and then he was out the door again.

As I sit here now, looking at that treasured gift I am reminded of how much we are loved. We have friends and family who love us and care for us. But most importantly we have a Savior who loved us so much he died for us.

I’m sure you are wondering what Andrew gave me. It was a cross. A little, white, plastic cross on a yellow string, and on it in gold letters the following: JESUS LOVES ME.

That precious child gave me more than a simple gift that day. He shared Christ’s love. He lived the love of Jesus that is in his dear heart.

So to each of you I say: Jesus loves you and so do I. Thank you for all the ways you bless my life and the lives of others.

God is love. Thanks be to God!

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” I John 4:16

Let us pray: Merciful Father, help us to feel you in our hearts, reminding us to live and share your love with one another. Give us childlike hearts, hearts not afraid to reach out in love. Thank you for loving us, for we know and trust that by your love we have the promise of life everlasting. In your name we pray. Amen.

With prayers and love,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

Throughout the school year Luther Seminary broadcasts their chapel services via the internet. It has become an important part of my faith journey to be able to worship with them. We may be hundreds of miles apart, but as we worship together we no longer are here and there. We are united as God’s children, lifting our voices in unison in prayer and praise to our Father in heaven.

Last Monday, in remembrance of All Saints Day, people came forward to light a candle for those saints in their lives who have died. As each person lit their candle and then placed it in the candle holder, the light from the candles grew. As the candle holder became fuller and the light grew brighter, it began to reflect on those nearby.

To see the glow and brightness of the candles and the light they reflected, reminded me how each of us has a light in our hearts. That light is the love of Jesus. It is a love so precious, a love that we are called to share.

God blesses each of us with gifts and we need to use those gifts in service to him. We need to work together as brothers and sister in Christ to spread the light. When we do others can see the light of Jesus that is in our hearts. It is then we truly shine for him.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, pour out your light upon us so that we may shine for you. Help us to be a light for others so they can see the way to you. You sent your Son into this world to light the way, help us daily to turn towards the Light and to follow where he leads, knowing that someday we will be united in heaven with you and there witness the fullness of your power and glory. Until then may our lights shine brightly, giving glory and praise to you, dear Father. In your everlasting name we pray. Amen.

Have a good week shining for Jesus!

With love and prayers,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

We are on a journey, and at times on this journey we sometimes wonder “Am I making a difference in this world, do I really matter?” At times it may feel like we don’t. We feel like we are forgotten, lost in day to day living.

But no matter how lost or forgotten we feel, God never forgets who we are. We matter to him. At our baptism he claimed us as his own. We were marked with the sign of the cross as a reminder that we belong to him. He will never forget us.

Life is filled with many challenges. As we face each of life’s challenges, we never face them alone. God walks with us each step of the way. We come to know that with God nothing is impossible.

May we always remember that God loves us, we belong to him. To God we matter and with his help we can make a difference. We cannot understand why at times, but we must trust that God works for the good in all things.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Let us pray: God, at times we feel lost, that we just are not making a difference. Help us to see with new eyes and to love with new hearts, so that we can help spread your kingdom here on earth, knowing that someday we will join you in your heavenly home and there know the fullness of your never ending love. In your ever lasting name we pray. Amen.

With prayers and care,

Diane