Country Church Music - From the Heart

Greetings dear friends and family,

Our Lenten journey is nearing its end. What kind of a journey have you had? Let’s take a moment to pause and look back. To see if maybe there were times when you were struggling to stay on the path or searching desperately to find your way back onto it. Maybe there were times when the road seemed smooth and you felt connected to God in a new and deeper sense. There might have even been times when you felt God calling you to reach out to somebody who needed a hand in finding their way back onto the path. Maybe you experienced something totally different.

When we take the time to look back we are able to see that no matter where we have been or what we have faced, we did not face it alone. Despite all the twists, turns, and bumps God was with us. Just as he was with us when the path seemed smooth and safe.

But now we must look forward. We must journey forward to Christ’s pain, suffering, and death on the cross. And then we can journey on to hope and joy of the resurrection. As we do, let us give thanks to God for his continued presence in our lives. Trusting that we never walk alone, no matter where the road may take us.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Psalm 25:4-5.

Let us pray: Merciful God, out of love you sent your Son to die for our sins. Walk with us each day and help us to see that you know best and to trust in your ways. Give us hearts and hands willing to serve others as we journey towards our goal, to join with your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord and sing the praises of your love, your power and your glory forever and ever. Amen.

With love from the heart,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

After the recent death of my grandma, I received an e-mail from someone that I pray for and keep in touch with. He ended the note with the following: May God bless you as you continue to come to grips with another new normal in your life.

Often we face a new normal in our lives. Events such a death, divorce, or the loss of a job can leave us struggling to find a new normal. Even joyous times like marriage, the birth of a child, or a promotion are also times when we have to find a new normal as we adjust to the changes.

No matter what kind of a new normal we may be facing, there is one thing never changes, God’s unending love for us.

As some of you know I am now facing yet another new normal. Mabel, a dear and precious friend died last Wednesday. She lived a long and faithful life. A life that touched our lives and our hearts in so many wonderful ways.

Emilie and Evert, Pastor Bob, and Kenny and I were able to be with her in her final hours. We know and give thanks that she now rests in God’s eternal care. And we trust that Jesus walks with each of us as “come to grips with another new normal.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16

Let us pray: Eternal Father, it is you who breathed life into us and it is to you we shall one day return. Grant us the strength needed to face what lies before us as we journey home to you. Give us hearts to see where you need us to be your hands and voice. Thank you for blessing our lives with the love and care of family and friends. In your glorious name we pray. Amen.

With love from the heart,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

Embrace the Pure Life. Those are the words on my bottle of water distributed by Nestle. The water in my bottle is nothing special. It is simply a liquid that will quench my thirst.

There is a water that does give pure life. It is the waters of our baptisms. It was then that God claimed us as his own and we received the gift of pure life. It was then that we became united with Christ in his life, death, and resurrection. And one day we will all bask in the loving presence of God when we are united with him for eternity. Where death will be no more, only pure life.

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

Let us pray: God, you are the giver of pure life, life eternal with you. Guide our hearts and walk with us as we journey home to you. In your name we pray. Amen.

With love from the heart,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

According to the calendar spring is just a few weeks away. A quick look outside might make a person wonder. But if we pause and take a closer look we can find hints that spring is approaching.

We might see the beautiful green of the Siberian iris pushing up through the dead leaves. If we listen closely, the melody of the robins might reach our ears.  And before we know it, the chirping of their little ones will also be heard. If we examine the lower branches of the trees we might notice the fattening of its buds as the sap inside begins to rise.

The images I just mentioned are signs of new life here on earth. There is sign that reminds us of another new life. That sign: the cross. Out of love God sent his Son to the cross to bear our sins. Through Christ’s death and resurrection we have the hope and promise of eternal life. Let us live this day and everyday with our focus on the now empty cross, remembering that it is a sign of new life in Christ.

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:19-20.

Let us pray: God of mercy, as we journey through this time of Lent help us to seek you in ways that draw us closer to you and deepen our faith. You have claimed us as your own; boldly may we proclaim your love in our actions and in our words. In your everlasting name we pray. Amen.

With love from the heart,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

I’m starting with the words of Jesus today. As some of your already know, my grandma Erma died last Thursday. Yesterday at her funeral those tender loving words of Jesus were read. Words filled with comfort and hope.

As I look back on the past few days I am moved to tears by the love, prayers, words, actions and support of not only those I have seen face to face, but also from those afar. I have been so moved by the timing of many of the e-mails and phone calls that I have received, arriving just when I needed them. Bringing comfort and hope to my grieving heart.

Through the yoke of Christ we are united as brothers and sisters in him. He carries the burdens of us all and calls us to carry the burdens of one another. Trusting that in him our souls can find rest. Thank you, dear Jesus.

I will end with verses from Romans. A caring friend sent them to me over the weekend. He as well as the rest of you reading this are blessings in my life. To each of you I say thank you, thank you for allowing me to share my heart with you each week and for being a part of my life. Together we journey……..yoked at children of God.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-29.

Let us pray: God of comfort and hope, you have called your daughter Erma home into your eternal care. We give you thanks for her life and the many ways she touched our lives. You know our grief and sorrow as well as the grief and sorrow of all your children. Remind our hearts that through the resurrection of your dear Son that we have the hope and promise of one day being united in heaven with you. In your glorious and everlasting name we pray. Amen

With love from the heart,

Diane