Thanksgiving and Aprons
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, delicious food prepared by loving hands comes to mind. I think back to family Thanksgivings and how my grandmothers wore aprons to protect their dresses as they served.
Aprons are versatile. Their pockets can hold a variety of everyday items, from hankies to clothespins. They dry perspiring brows and children’s tears. They can be used as an egg basket or a potholder or provide a hiding spot for shy children. They may have a story to tell. But their primary purpose is to protect the clothing they cover.
God can be like an apron. We have His love over us, around us, and in us every day, all day long. We are always under His protection. Let us give thanks every day for His ever-present love. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him (Psalm 28:7).
Nancy Bogenhagen
Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Posted on
November 23, 2015 9:00 AM
by
System Administrator
Traditions!
This time of year is filled with family traditions. How do you keep a faith-focus as you celebrate Thanksgiving? Advent? Christmas? If you are looking for creative holiday craft ideas check out http://www.lwml.org/program-helps-creative-crafts or if you’re on Pinterest, check out our boards for crafts and other faith resources. https://www.pinterest.com/theLWML/
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:15-17).
Eden Keefe
Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Posted on
November 15, 2015 7:34 AM
by
System Administrator
The Time is NOW for Remedial Prayer
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6).
Do you ever pray the same prayer request over and over? I call this kind of repetitive praying “remedial prayer” meaning it is intended to correct or improve my skill.
I know God doesn’t need to be reminded of my concerns — He knows my every need. Instead, my prayer reminds me that HE is my source of comfort, care, and love.
Persistent prayer also makes me ready for God’s answer. Sometimes I’m praying for one thing, but God has something much larger in mind. Extra time in prayer allows me to prepare for God’s “big picture view” of blessings.
If you need new words in your prayer time, consider these resources: A Woman’s Praying Heart, A Single Woman’s Praying Heart, or A Seasoned Woman’s Praying Heart.
Carol von Soosten
Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Posted on
November 09, 2015 8:55 AM
by
System Administrator
Special Numbers
My family has four special numbers. Get ready for them ... they are 1, 2, 3, and 4! What? You’re not impressed? You should be. No, they are not for the lottery, an address, phone number, or a special date. They are reminders to pray for each other. It does not matter if we see them as an address, in a phone number, on a clock, or on the car odometer. Whenever and wherever we see them in this sequence, we stop at that moment to pray for each other.
It reminds me of the Time is NOW. Just like the reminder to pray when we see those four numbers, a coin could remind you to pray for the LWML. Pick your favorite coin - a nickel, a dime, or a quarter. God tells us as we pray for our missionaries and grants, we are part of His work. “Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth” (3 John 8).
Cheryl Mattil
Strategic Plan Facilitator
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Posted on
November 02, 2015 9:00 AM
by
System Administrator
Treasure your brothers and sisters.
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? (James 2:15-16)
Do you have an assortment of clothing sizes stored up for years in hope that you will fit into them again? What about the sofa and drapes from 1995 boxed up in the basement that you are saving for your grandchild’s first apartment? If you are like me, you probably won’t fit in a size 10 again. Our grandchildren may have different taste in furniture and politely decline the offer. Moths and mice could destroy the items before you have the chance to give them away.
There are people in need that could benefit from those items right now. The time is NOW to give your old usable items to your brothers and sisters in need.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6: 19-20a)
Kaye Dumas Wolff
Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Posted on
October 26, 2015 9:00 AM
by
System Administrator
We Need Each Other
As a Lutheran woman I need my sisters and brothers in Christ. They are a blessing from God. I cherish their encouragement and how they hold me accountable as a follower of Jesus. Who encourages you in your faith? Who holds you accountable to His Word?
In today’s world individualism is highly prized. Our Father did create each of us as unique individuals, but He also gathers us into the fellowship of believers (1 Corinthians 12:27.) Take time this week to gather together with those in your church, encouraging and strengthening each other in the faith.
Looking for a Bible study group? Start one of your own or just ask someone to join you for a cup of coffee and a short devotion. Find easy to use Bible studies and devotions on this website. Find acceptance and confidence together with other believers.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-21.)
Dear Lord, thank you for my church family. Amen.
Debbie Larson
Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Posted on
October 19, 2015 9:06 AM
by
System Administrator
All of us have heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday but have you heard of Giving Tuesday? Taken directly from their website, givingtuesday.org/about, it reads, “Now in its fourth year, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy with events throughout the year and a growing catalog of resources.” 
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
