Resources

Hope and Hopelessness

Today, I hold on to hope like a precious gem, because I lived through times when hope faded. I suffered for years with chronic fatigue. Imagine doing the washing, cooking, shopping and cleaning and giving eleven children time and attention when all you want to do is take another nap. It was thirty years before I saw a change for the better in energy. It was discouraging to say the least. I cried into my pillow at times, wondering if I would ever find my way out of the molasses of fatigue.

It Is More Blessed To Give Than To Receive

When I was a little boy, I had the habit of going to my believing mother every evening to hear the gospel. She preached to me the happy message of the forgiveness of my sins. I used to preach the same gospel to her.

Freely Ye Have Received, Freely Give

The Christmas season is a time of advent when we await the birth of Jesus Christ, the greatest gift, who redeemed us of all sin. We remember and celebrate this time of year by attending services, spending time with family, and giving and receiving gifts. Apostle Paul’s words in Acts 20:35 tell us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Jesus also instructs, “Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8).

What is Kindness?

With the simple instruction above, Martin Luther summarizes the eighth commandment in his Small Catechism. It is a message that is consistent with the teachings of Jesus that are recorded for us in the Bible. From a young age, children can grasp the truth and simplicity of Jesus’ teaching of the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It is a lesson that we need to teach and learn again and again throughout our lives.

Jesus and Forgiveness

I remember a time when I was a boy in elementary school. An argument had happened on the playground and bad words slipped from my mouth. This bothered me for the rest of the school day. I came home with a heavy heart. Slowly I walked into the room where my mom was sewing. She looked up and asked what was wrong. The tears came and I told her what had happened. I can still see her sitting by her sewing machine in the afternoon sunlight, preaching the words of the gospel, “Believe all sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and precious blood.” I felt so happy and all my troubles were gone! 

Grief, One of the Strongest Emotions

We live in a world of emotions. God has given us this gift. Emotions are feelings of joy, pleasure and peace that are often so intense they can’t be described. To try to explain the emotions I have as my children run toward me after a long day away, or the peace I feel as I rest into the arms of my wife, seems impossible. Likewise, the gift of faith and the peace of conscience bring about a warmth that is deep and often indescribable.

Angels Among Us

“And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?” (Exod. 4:11) There are many blessings to having children and adults with special needs in our lives – in our homes, in our families and in our congregations. Each of us probably knows someone who was born with a disability.

Be Kind at Church and Camps

Do you remember the first time you went to camp? How did you feel? I remember the first time I went. I was in 4th grade, 10 years old. The camp was held on a weekend for children in grades 3 through 9. Before this, we didn’t have youth camps. I was happy to go but was also a little nervous about being away from home overnight.

Angels Among Us

Angels are God’s messengers. There are many examples in the Bible of angels bringing messages to people, such as God’s promise to Abraham, to the virgin Mary, and to the shepherds caring for their flock by night.

Being Humble

God gave Moses the task to go talk to Pharaoh about freeing the people of Israel and then after that to lead them back to the land of Canaan. Moses first said no. He said he was a poor speaker. But God promised to be with him and give him words to speak. Moses obeyed.

Care for the Conscience

Do you remember how good it felt as a child, when the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name and blood was preached by mom or dad for something that you had done that was wrong? Was it not a good feeling to know that you were free of that heavy burden of sin that weighed on your conscience? There was no question that the sin was washed away in Jesus’ name and blood. The burden and sin was gone, forgiven and forgotten!

"Thanks for Joys and Thanks for Tears" (SHZ 351)

Thanksgiving is an official government holiday in both Canada and the U.S. with a variety of underpinnings, traditions, and meanings. For some, it’s a work-free day to prepare for Black Friday shopping deals or to focus on a football game, with or without a turkey dinner. For others, the tradition of “everyone coming home” for a home-cooked feast is the main event. In our mostly non-agrarian society, where food is ever-abundant at the grocery store, the post-harvest gathering to give thanks to the Creator is ever less-connected to crop results. In times past, feast and famine tumbled around each other in tandem, and post-harvest rituals were especially centered on food and its gathered abundance before the non-growing season took grip upon the land.

A New Family Member

This is baby Makenna, who was just born on June 20. She is special because she is the first girl after eight boys! Her mom and dad were excited to have a new baby, but super excited to have a girl! The oldest brother thought it was cool to be a family of only boys, but he says that Makenna is pretty cool, too. The family thinks she is adorable from the top of her head to her little toes.

A New Year--A New Start

Have you ever heard a grown-up talk about making a New Year’s resolution? What do you think that big word resolution means? When used in this way, it actually means a promise. At the beginning of each new year lots of people make special promises to do, or not do, something for one whole year or longer.

A Special Auntie

With a big yawn, Nora sits up in bed. “Mom!” she calls. No answer. She crawls out of bed and clomps down the stairs. “Mom?” Still no answer. She wanders into the kitchen and finds auntie Bernice standing at the stove putting a pile of steaming pancakes on a plate next to her.

Accepting Children--A Matter of Faith

We live a time when human reason fiercely battles against faith on many fronts. Accepting children is one front in which there is need to support and help one another. For that reason, LLC’s Home and Family Committee felt the need to draw on previous writings founded upon Scripture that would provide support, comfort, and instruction for all believers regarding the joys of family but also openly acknowledging its trials. The first article, “Accepting Children—A Matter of Faith” establishes the scriptural foundation for the spread extensively quoting older and newer writings. The other two articles written by believing mothers speak from a more personal point of view. The timelessness of the writings and speeches, reaching back to 1945, bring comfort and security.

At Peace with Singlehood

Though aware of the many blessings I’ve received in life, how can I be at peace fully with my singlehood and find support as an unmarried person? This is a question that some might have, especially if they have desired to be married and God has not yet given them a spouse. In this Home and Family feature, which believers have requested, God’s children of different ages and stages of life discuss their experiences living as a “single” person. We hope that many readers, regardless of marital status or age, would read these articles. What does it mean to love our neighbor, of any marital status, and support them in their walk of faith? Everyone needs a close friend that they can talk to.

Believing Parents Are a Great Gift

Why is having a believing mother and father a great gift? I asked this question to a couple of my boys, and they said, “They can forgive our sins.” The gift of faith that we have been given allows us to preach the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name and blood.

Building Hope Girls' Home

There has been a considerable amount of chatter about the newly established girls’ home in Monticello, Minnesota. It has been positive and exciting! God answered many prayers and provided the necessary gifts to make this happen. The Building Hope home is not an LLC project, but it certainly captures the interest of many, including the LLC’s Home and Family committee. What a beautiful blessing. Betsy Simonson, Jessica Kallinen, and Kelsey Huhta have a home filled with faith, hope, and love! Could any of us ask for anything more in this life as we journey toward our eternal home in heaven?

A Believing Friend Is a Treasure

Friends are important. Both the Bible and Songs and Hymns of Zion speak of friends. We all have positive experiences that we can associate with friends. But, what is the purpose of a friend? Probably most people find that sharing an experience with someone enriches it. Whether it be a vacation, an exciting moment, or simple pleasures of the day, we may want to tell someone about it. The same is true with difficult moments and sorrow. It is easier to work through difficulties if we can share them with someone, just as Job experienced when his friends came to comfort him and mourn with him. An old saying reminds us, “When you share your joys they multiply; when you share your sorrows they are divided.”

A Sad Winter Day

It was a Sunday afternoon in mid-January. Our family had spent most of the day at the church at our congregation’s annual meeting. The lane into our farmyard was very icy, and skillful driving was needed to bring the station wagon carefully to its parking spot. I thought it would be fun to go skating on the lane since it was covered in ice. I put on my winter clothes and skates and went out the door.

Accepting Children as Gifts from God

The holy bible begins with the words: “In the beginning God created…” Everything that exists has originated with Him. As John says, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” God made all things by the power of His Word (John 1:3).

Advent--A Time of Preparing

This time of year leading up to Christmas is a special season for young and old. It is a time of preparing for Christmas.

Believing Friends

Friends are important. Both the Bible and Songs and Hymns of Zion speak of friends. We all have positive experiences that we can associate with friends. But, what is the purpose of a friend? Probably most people find that sharing an experience with someone enriches it. Whether it be a vacation, an exciting moment, or simple pleasures of the day, we may want to tell someone about it. The same is true with difficult moments and sorrow. It is easier to work through difficulties if we can share them with someone, just as Job experienced when his friends came to comfort him and mourn with him. An old saying reminds us, “When you share your joys they multiply; when you share your sorrows they are divided.”

Beyond Families (Needs of Elders, Singles, Others)

Caring for the Marriage Relationship

Marriage is like holding on to a treasure that increases in value. Itre­quires a lot of effort, but its rewards are immeasurable! A faithful spouse—a friend of the heart who understands, listens, supports, and forgives—is a treasure worth cherishing.