Life is So Fragile

Death ... it hits all of us in one way or another. It stings and is so utterly painful to lose someone. I have lost my real dad many years ago and just lost my step-father last year (Mom remarried a few years after Dad died.) and have lost a lot of family members and some friends. A person can be here one minute and gone the next.

Once again the reality of death has hit our community as we mourn the death of a young Christian woman, the oldest of four children. We have known her parents for a long time and have been so touched by their kind and gentle spirits and love for Christ. It was only two and a half years ago when our family was touched by another young Christian's death. Step by step with Christ by their side this family walked through the valley of the shadow of death and survived through the wrenching heartache of losing a child.

May we all remember that Christ will come like a thief in the night and may we be ready with repentent hearts to go with our Savior as the ones before us have gone.

And may we remember to take time to read God's Word daily to prepare us for whatever lies ahead for us each day. And, may we remember that love covers a multitude of sins and to be thankful for each other. And, may we take time for each other, for our spouses, our children, our parents, our families, and our friends. We may never have another day with them. And last but not least, may we love each of them enough to encourage them to commit their lives to Christ if they haven't already done so so that we may see them in heaven someday, praising our ever-loving and gracious God.

Speaking of Marriage ...

Speaking of marriage, I thought I should mention that Scottius Maximus is my husband. Some of you besides TK may have figured it out already. :) He keeps me in stitches, and I keep him in reliving the Lucy shows with my Lucy moments! :) Just for the record, it isn't the conniving schemes that he relives! It is the zany things I do or say!

Anxious? Worried? Depressed?

Is this you? Do you feel anxious, worried, or even depressed? None of us can escape these feelings at different times in our lives because we are dealing with our own personal sins as well as the sins of others. And as times grow closer to Jesus' return, we all may experience these emotions even more.

It is no fun to be in a state of depression and anxiousness. We all walk through the spiritual battles everyday where satan tries to lure us into a pit of confusion, depression, anger, self-pity, you name it. He wants us to get our focus off of Christ. We must call upon Christ to help us overcome these battles within our minds by clinging to His Word, focusing on His goodness, being thankful, and turning to resources such as this book suggested by our pastor, Answer to Anxiety by Herman W. Gockel, D. D. I have only read a small section our pastor had copied from the book written by this LCMS pastor and thought it to be very encouraging and helpful. It can be ordered off of Amazon (Concordia Publishing House was the publisher but no longer sells the book.). It is an excellent book to read not only for ourselves (as parents :) ) but for our teens who face ENORMOUS challenges and trials in today's world. We must remember though: "He who has begun a good work in you will carry it on to completion in the day of Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:6 He is faithful and will be with us each step of the way.

Marriage Is ...

My mom gave us an anniversary card with a beautiful verse on it, and I wanted to share it on my blog.











MARRIAGE IS ...

A commitment. Its success doesn't
depend on feelings, circumstances, or
moods ~ but on two people who are
loyal to each other and the vows they
took on their wedding day ...

MARRIAGE IS ...

Hard work. It means chores, disagreements,
misunderstandings, and times when you
might not like each other very much. When
you work at it together, it can be the greatest
blessing in the world.

A relationship where two people must listen,
compromise, and respect. It's an arrangement
that requires a multitude of decisions to be made
together. Listening, respecting, and compromising
go a long way toward keeping peace and harmony.

MARRIAGE IS ...

A union in which two people learn from their
mistakes, accept each other's faults, and
willingly adjust behaviors that need to be
changed. It's caring enough about each
other to work through disappointing
and hurtful times, and believing in the
love that brought you together in the
first place.

Patience and forgiveness. It's being open
and honest, thoughtful and kind.
Marriage means talking things out,
making necessary changes, and forgiving
each other. It's unconditional love at its
most understanding and vulnerable ~ love
that supports, comforts, and is determined to
triumph over every challenge and adversity.

Marriage is a partnership of two unique
people who bring out the very best in each
other and who know that even though they
are wonderful as individuals ... they are even
better together.

~ Barbara Cage

NOTE: I just want to encourage you that if you are struggling through issues with your spouse to seek the help of Christ. For ones of you who may have not read my intitial posts, my husband and I were divorced several years ago when our family was young. However, with the help of God and His grace, we were remarried to each other a few years after we were divorced. Each day can bring challenges of life but we enjoy each day with each other and love each other more and are so thankful that God brought us back together. It was worth EVERY bit of pain and hard work! I realize that sometimes marriages do not get reconciled, and for that my heart aches. May Christ comfort all those souls and comfort them to know that He still has a purpose and a plan for them! Jeremiah 29:11

A Prayer from Martin Luther

In spite of who I am, I continue to pray You, my dear Father. Do not stare and search me with Your eyes, or I must be lost and destroyed, even if a hundred thousand worlds were mine! But I ask You to look upon the face of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, Your Annointed One, my Mediator, High Priest, and Advocate; my Savior, Redeemer, and Benefactor. O my Father, be gracious and merciful for His sake, not mine. Grant me a happy end and a joyful resurrection, for the sake of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. (Martin Luther, 1483 - 1546)

Note: This was taken from A Daily Prayer Catechism, The LORD Will Answer.

Psalm 100

My husband and I were reading this psalm the other morning for our daily devotions from the Portals of Prayer so I decided to post it on my blog. Have a blessed week, resting in His goodness and mercy!!
PSALM 100

"Shout for joy to the the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is He who made us, and we are his;
we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Bargain Hunting

If you're like me, you are elated when you find a BARGAIN!! Last week I had received some money as a gift from a couple of people. After praying and thinking about how to use my money wisely, I decided to go to the different thrift shops in town! For $30 I was able to buy 1 skirt,1 pair of jeans, 4 pairs of pants, 3 short-sleeved tops, 10 sweaters/long sleeve tops, 1 purse, and 5 pairs of shoes!!!!!! I WAS ESTATIC to say the least!!! To top it all off, these clothes were in excellent condition! After purchasing these items, I just make sure that I wash the clothes really well or wipe the insides of the shoes with clorox. I have never had any problems as a result.

God was very gracious to me and always has been in this area (besides many other ways) because I either get nice clothes given to me from my family, or I am able to find really good bargains at these thrift shops! I only buy clothes from a regular store such as Walmart or from one of the shops in the mall when they are on sale or at a really reasonable price. I told my most excellent husband that I probably buy store bought clothes only 10 - 15% of the time! I just can't see paying a lot of money for my clothes or shoes and am so very thankful for these opportunities to get these bargains! It is much easier on the budget for sure!!

Belated Easter Blessings!

"Awake, My Heart, with Gladness
by Paul Gerhardt
Text From:
THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941

   1. Awake, my heart, with gladness,
   See what today is done,
   Now after gloom and sadness
   Comes forth the glorious Sun!
   My Savior there was laid
   Where our bed must be made
   When to the realms of light
   Our spirit wings its flight.

   2. The Foe in triumph shouted
   When Christ lay in the tomb,
   But, lo, he now is routed,
   His boast is turned to gloom.
   For Christ again is free;
   In glorious victory
   He who is strong to save
   Has triumphed o'er the grave.

   3. This is a sight that gladdens;
   What peace it doth impart!
   Now nothing ever saddens
   The joy within my heart;
   No gloom shall ever shake,
   No foe shall ever take,
   The hope which God's own Son
   In love for me hath won.

   4. Now hell, its prince, the devil,
   Of all their power are shorn;
   Now I am safe from evil,
   And sin I laugh to scorn.
   Grim death with all his might
   Cannot my soul affright;
   He is a powerless form,
   Howe'er he rave and storm.

   5. The world against me rageth,
   Its fury I disdain;
   Though bitter war it wageth,
   Its work is all in vain.
   My heart from care is free,
   No trouble troubles me.
   Misfortune now is play,
   And night is bright as day.

   6. Now I will cling forever
   To Christ, my Savior true;
   My Lord will leave me never,
   Whate'er He passes through.
   He rends Death's iron chain,
   He breaks through sin and pain,
   He shatters hell's dark thrall,-
   I follow through it all.

   7. To halls of heavenly splendor
   With Him I penetrate;
   And trouble ne'er may hinder
   Nor make me hesitate.
   Let tempests rage at will,
   My Savior shields me still;
   He grants abiding peace
   And bids all tumult cease.

   8. He brings me to the portal
   That leads to bliss untold
   Whereon this rime immortal
   Is found in script of gold:
   "Who there My cross hath shared
   Finds here a crown prepared;
   Who there with Me has died
   Shall here be glorified."

   _______________________________________________
   Notes:
   Hymn #192 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_
   Text: Col. 2:15
   Author: Paul Gerhardt
   Translated by: John Kelly, 1867, alt.
   Titled: "Auf, auf, mein Herz, mit Freuden"
   Composer: Johann Crueger, 1648
   Tune: "Auf, auf, mein Herz"

Good Friday Reflections

There is no Easter apart from Good Friday. There is no resurrection without
the cross, no rising with Christ except in dying to self that we might live again,
or rather that the risen Christ might live through us.

Leonard T. Wolcott

On My Heart Imprint Your Image

"On My Heart Imprint Thine Image"
By Thomas Hansen Kingo, 1634-1703
Text From:
THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)

1. On my heart imprint Thine image,
Blessed Jesus, King of Grace,
That life's riches, cares, and pleasures
Have no power Thee to efface.
This the superscription be:
Jesus, crucified for me,
Is my life, my hope's Foundation,
And my Glory and Salvation.

Glory Be to Jesus

"Glory be to Jesus"
Italian, 18th Century
Translated by Edward Caswall, 1814-1878
Text From:
THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)p.124



1. Glory be to Jesus,
Who in bitter pains
Poured for me the life-blood
From His sacred veins!

2. Grace and life eternal
In that blood I find;
Blest be His compassion,
Infinitely kind!

3. Blest through endless ages
Be the precious stream
Which from endless torments
Did the world redeem!

4. Abel's blood for vengeance
Pleaded to the skies;
But the blood of Jesus
For our pardon cries.

5. Oft as earth exulting
Wafts its praise on high,
Angel hosts rejoicing
Make their glad reply.

6. Lift we, then, our voices,
Swell the mighty flood,
Louder still and louder
Praise the precious blood!

A Celebrity Right Among Us!

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a celebrity in our midst!! Did you know that Scottius Maximus once played at Augusta? This is a picture of him in "his threads" in his younger years at Augusta Golf Course!

Go Cardinals!!

Yeah! Baseball season is upon us once again!!Go Cardinals!!

First President of the LCMS

How many of you remember the Walther leagues? I remember our church having one when my brother was in high school; however, it was replaced by another name, a contemporary name, by the time I reached high school age. Just as easily it seems that the LCMS has replaced sound Biblical teaching that this man, C.F.W. Walther, so fervently preached, with the same old false doctrines of his day, only with different names. He, just like Luther, would be horrified with the present day LCMS!! Thankfully there are still some LCMS pastors and congregations still faithful in teaching God's Word as C.F.W. Walther was!


Does anyone know what years he served as LCMS president? More information to follow...

To Thy Temple I Repair

As I was singing this hymn at our lenten service last Wednesday, I thought the last verse was particularly thought-provoking.

From Thy house when I return,
May my heart within me burn
And at evening let me say,
"I have walked with God today."
(The Lutheran Hymnal)

It is based on this Bible verse from Hebrews 9:14. "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"

May the Holy Spirit burn within our hearts always, leading us to repentance and serving Him.