A Weekly Walk in the Word

1 Thessalonians 2:17-18 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you.

It is difficult to be away from the special people in our lives. I love the trips we take to South Dakota and Wisconsin to see family. I cherish every minute we spend together. But, the hardest part of those trips is leaving. Miles may separate us physically, but the love I have for them keeps us close at heart. Paul feels the same way about the church of the Thessalonians, so he writes them letters. When is the last time you have sat down with a pen and paper to write a letter? How excited would your friend be to receive a handwritten note from you? Take time this week to write a letter, or at least make the phone call you have been putting off. Make an effort to keep your love ones close at heart.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

Monday – 1 Timothy 1:1-20

Tuesday – 1 Timothy 2:1-15

Wednesday – 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Thursday – 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Friday – 1 Timothy 5:1-25

Saturday – 1 Timothy 6:1-21

Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Rejoice! Sing, dance, laugh, enjoy being in the presence of God. Every day is a gift from God. It was just my mom’s birthday. They say the firsts after someone passes are the hardest, which is so true. It was a difficult day, until I realized she was eating cake with Jesus! So start and end you day in prayer, sharing your concerns and your accomplishments. Enjoy your journey through life with Jesus by your side every step of the way. Rejoice in the Lord always!

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Colossians 3:18-4:18

Monday – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8

Tuesday – 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13

Wednesday – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:3

Thursday – 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28

Friday – 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Saturday – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen

A lifelong dream came true for me this weekend when we opened the doors to our new and improved antique shed on our farm. We spent the summer cleaning out the space, pouring a concrete floor, adding new lighting, painting and then staging the new shop. When the doors opened Thursday night, I really didn’t know what to expect. The success of Wool & Vintage Market was immeasurable! We sold several pieces over the past 3 days, but the most rewarding part was the people who came to support us. Repeat customers who have become friends sent new people who quickly became new friends. We shared stories, laughs, tears and lots of hugs. I thank God for placing me right where I need to be. Only he is able to do immeasurably more than I could have ever imagined.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Philippians 2:19-3:3

Monday – Philippians 3:4-21

Tuesday – Philippians 4:1-23

Wednesday – Colossians 1:1-17

Thursday – Colossians 1:18-2:7

Friday – Colossians 2:8-23

Saturday – Colossians 3:1-17

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Freedom from the law’s authority allows Christians to enjoy the freedom to participate in the work of the Holy Spirit. As we allow ourselves to be guided by the Spirit, evidence of our freedom will appear in our lives as the fruits of the spirit…. Love – Joy – Peace – Patience – Kindness – Goodness- Faithfulness – Gentleness – Self-control

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Ephesians 3:1-21

Monday – Ephesians 4:1-16

Tuesday – Ephesians 4:17-32

Wednesday – Ephesians 5:1-33

Thursday – Ephesians 6:1-24

Friday – Philippians 1:1-26

Saturday – Philippians 1:27-2:18

2 Corinthians 13:11 Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

I apologize for blogging a day late this week. Our daughter was married on our farm over the weekend. Things were a little chaotic around here. After months of prayer and preparation, we celebrated love! Hannah aimed for perfection and achieved it. But, after the dancing ended and guests left, the memory that I am left with is the love in Jo’s eyes as he gazed on our daughter the entire day. What an honor to watch God work in the lives of our children. God is good!

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Galatians 3:10-22

Monday – Galatians 3:23-4:31

Tuesday – Galatians 5:1-12

Wednesday – Galatians 5:13-26

Thursday – Galatians 6:1-18

Friday – Ephesians 1:1-23

Saturday – Ephesians 2:1-22

2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

Our neighbor stopped over with a bag of plump ripe tomatoes he had grown in his garden. How generous of him to share his bounty with us! He could have kept all the tomatoes for himself, but he didn’t. He chose to share his abundant crop with others.

Paul likens giving to a seed, which is sown by a farmer. What we give is not lost, but rather seed is sown that will yield a harvest with potential for life to increase. When we give with a cheerful heart it is an exhilarating experience. How and to whom can you give this week?

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Monday – 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Wednesday – 2 Corinthians 13:1-13

Thursday – Galatians 1:1-24

Friday – Galatians 2:1-16

Saturday – Galatians 2:17-3:9

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

When the world seems dark, let Jesus’ light shine bright. When you are feeling down, let Jesus’ light shine bright. When you are grieving, let Jesus’ light shine bright. When you are joyful, let Jesus’ light shine bright. In the verses above, Paul is talking about the treasure of the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. Don’t leave your treasure in a dark clay pot. Instead share Jesus’ light with the world. There is no human weakness that can cause a barrier to the purpose of God when we allow his glory to shine through us.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7

Monday – 2 Corinthians 7:8-16

Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Wednesday – 2 Corinthians 8:16-24

Thursday – 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Friday – 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Saturday – 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

As we begin a new chapter, 2 Corinthians, I am reminded of the comfort God pours over us even in the small things. On Friday, I was in the dentist’s chair having a crown put on a back molar that I had been putting off for over 2 years now. God showed up! He calmed my nerves as he comforted me right there in the dentist’s chair. But, God shows up in big ways during difficult times. The comfort I have received after loosing my mom in March has been overwhelming. Only through the comforting hand and love of God, have I made it through those dark days. I am beyond thankful for a Father of compassion and comfort who walks beside me to comfort and console, to strengthen and to guide.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11

Monday – 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Wednesday – 2 Corinthians 4:1-12

Thursday – 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10

Friday – 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Saturday – 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

What a blessing to know that we are all wonderfully and beautifully made with our own unique gifts to share with the world. The magic happens when each of us comes together to build up the body of Christ. We all bring something special to the table. Let’s work together in love to reflect the love of Christ in our broken world.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13

Monday – 1 Corinthians 14:1-17

Tuesday – 1 Corinthians 14:18-40

Wednesday – 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Thursday – 1 Corinthians 15:20-58

Friday – 1 Corinthians 16:1-24

Saturday – 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

1 Corinthians 3:5-6 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

I have spent my summer sprucing up our farm because our daughter is getting married beside the barn in just 5 short weeks. Early in the spring we were sharing our plans with our neighbor to the east. He told us he was planting beans in the field abutting our property and asked if we would like to plant sunflowers in a row between the beans. Mike and I looked at each other in awe. Sunflowers are Hannah’s favorite flower. When the beans were about 6” tall, our neighbor showed up with packets of sunflower seeds and a hoe. We grabbed water and the sprinkle can. I wet the ground, Jeff made a hole with the end of the hoe and Mike placed a seed and covered each one carefully. We planted from the tree line to behind our barn which is approximately 500 feet. The seed packets read “7 – 14 day germination”. Every night for the next 3 weeks, Mike and I filled 5 gallon buckets, put them in the Gator with the sprinkle can and we watered our row of sunflower seeds. I am sure everyone driving past shared a chuckle as it looked like we were watering an entire bean field. After the first week, we were excited to see green sprouting through the dirt. To our dismay, the sprouts were only weeds. We did not grow a single sunflower!

I have since moved on and spend my days watering freshly laid sod and flower beds around the house. I am happy to say, they are all doing well.

I am happy that God is in control of growing believers. I am happy to plant seeds and water, but I will leave God’s infinite wisdom tend to the growing. And I pray that I may be planting seeds and sprinkling water in your life through this blog. God bless you as you continue to grow!

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Monday – 1 Corinthians 9:1-18

Tuesday – 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13

Wednesday – 1 Corinthians 10:14-33

Thursday – 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Friday – 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Saturday – 1 Corinthians 12:1-26