How Gratitude Changes Us

Do you ever get down or catch a case of the moody blues?  One of the things that has helped me when I feel that way is reading Psalms of thanksgiving. Martin Luther claimed Psalm 118 as his chosen Psalm. Verse 1 reads, “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: his...

Who Am I

When God calls Moses to confront the Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of bondage and into the Promised Land, he is anything but excited. In fact, his first excuse is: “Who am I” that I should be the one to take on this monumental task. God responds, “I will be with...

Finding Spiritual Nourishment

There is a corner in my front garden that fills me with so much joy and anticipation each Spring.  The melting snow and spring rains provide just the right amount of moisture for a Fernleaf Peony to be the star of the garden.  The blooms are plentiful and beautiful. ...

The Communion of Saints

This Sunday, we will be celebrating All Saints Sunday. Martin Luther was fond of saying that Christians are simultaneously saints and sinners, which means they are both righteous and sinful at the same time. I think I experienced a glimpse of both feelings once when I...

The Freedom of Knowing the Difference

More than twenty years ago, our family brought home our very first dog—a little golden-retriever-looking puppy we named Maddie. Maddie loved to chase tennis balls. The only problem? When she had one in her mouth, she always wanted the other one lying on the floor....