WHAT GOD'S WORD ACCOMPLISHES

Isaiah 55:10-12  "As the rain & snow come down from heaven & stay upon the ground to water the earth, & cause the grain to grow & produce seed for the farmer & bread for the hungry, so also is My Word. I send it out & it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to, & prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy & peace.The mountains & hills, the trees of the filed--all the world around you--will rejoice." The Living Bible

TO BE A MAN

"To be a man--is to possess the strength to love another, not the need to dominate over others. To be a man--is to experience the courage to accept another, not the compulsion to be an aggressor. To be a man--is to keep faith with human values in relationships, not to value oneself by position or possessions. To be a man--is to be free to give love & to be free to accept love in return." David Augsburger, Men's Devotional Bible

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

Arguments for abortion or assisted suicide often appeal to emotion. Pity, pride, anxiety, anger, & embarrassment abound, but the logic is lacking. Discriminating against some human lives based on ages, appearance, or abilities just doesn't make sense. Engaging our brain instead of going with our gut (1 Cor. 14:15) finds that all qualify equally as the work of the Lord's hands (Ps. 138:8). God set our lips loose to say so (Is. 6:78)!" Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin, 2/6

WHEN CHRIST LOOKS AT YOU

"We all have scars & blemishes. Some we may wish to hide & pretend do not exist. These imperfections, dear one, tell the unique story of your life under the gracious discipline of our Lord & Savior,Jesus Christ. They show others what being a daughter, sister, wife & mother means to you. When Christ looks at you, it is only by way of scars that He sees the beauty of a redeemed child; by way of His own scars & wounds, you are healed & made perfect (1 Peter 2:24). He reaches out His scarred hand to pull you from the coffin of unworthiness to His perfect life.

"In Him, you are enough. You are worthy. You, my friend & sister, are a dearly loved Proverbs 31 woman for whom Christ rejoices. Christ died & rose again so that you, baptized child of God, would receive His everlasting, unfading beauty. A beauty promising to bloom fully over time & in eternity." Meridith Fisk, The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2021

TODAY'S HYMN

Thy Strong Word, LSB 578, Sts. 1, 2, 4 *

Thy strong word did cleave the darkness; At Thy speaking it was done. For created light we thank Thee, While Thine ordered seasons run. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!

Lo on those who dwelt in darkness, Dark as night & deep as death, Broke the light of Thy salvation, Breathed Thine own life-breathing breath. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!

From the cross Thy wisdom shining Breaketh forth in conqu'ring might; From the cross forever beameth All Thy bright redeeming light. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!

* This hymn has a special meaning for me. It was first introduced to me while I was serving at Luther High School North in Chicago--my first call into the teaching ministry. It was used as a processional when our seniors marched in for our graduation service.