Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! Psalm 31:24 We often find ourselves in ‘wait’ mode–waiting for relief from illness or fears or loneliness or crushing problems. The frail elderly may simplyRead more…
Refreshing
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 30:19-20a As I check those little dates printed on food packages, I sometimes wonder ifRead more…
Gifts and the Giver
You know [the Spirit of truth], for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 15:17b An old and scarred drop-leaf table, some delicate pink plates, an earring tree and a small serviceable saucepan are among my favoriteRead more…
Cheer Up! On Your Feet! He’s Calling You!
He was poor and blind. But not stupid. He was a beggar, poor and blind. But not stupid. Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) figured out Jesus was nearby and he knew Jesus could heal. He was also persistent and could be bothersome.Read more…
Are You Hungry?
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 In church circles, you’re likely to hear about theRead more…
Who, me?
We in Chicagoland are enjoying the fact that the new pope, Leo XIV, grew up here. But what sticks with me from the papal transition is a painting. After the death of Pope Francis, I read that his favorite paintingRead more…
Our Persistent God
I rarely hear God described as ‘persistent,’ but I’ve lately learned just how persistent he is. On several occasions over the past two years, circumstances have caused me to recall a difficult time from when I was in college. ThoseRead more…
I was in Prison
Have you visited someone in prison lately? Or talked to, encouraged, or assisted such a person? I’ve never visited anyone in jail and doubt I ever will; the thought terrifies me. But when I consider how my God wants meRead more…
“Come Lord Jesus, Be Our Guest . . .”
“Come Lord Jesus, be our guest and let your gifts to us be blessed.” As I grew up, my family said this prayer at dinner each evening before dinner, and I still use it regularly at meals. Recently it occurredRead more…
The Covid Pivot
Covid has brought change — tragic changes in health and employment, and inconvenient change, like mask-wearing and limits on eating out. At church we’ve dealt with change in how we worship, share communion, celebrate marriages and bury loved ones. FewRead more…
Blessings, Memories and Truth
For 9 years, my husband’s mother lived with us and we were her caregivers. Three months ago, in December 2019, God called her home. Blessings She was relatively healthy, physically and mentally; she was appreciative and cooperative. We shared faithRead more…
Marcia J. Kogler, 1920 – 2019
Marcia lived with her son Henry and his wife Karen the last 9 years of her life. Henry wrote the following obituary. Karen is the owner of The Equipper website. Marcia was born at home on August 26, 1920, inRead more…
A Caregiver’s Education for Life-Long Serving
Sunday, June 29, 2010, at age 89, my mother-in-law moved in with my husband and I, at our invitation. Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, at age 99, God called her to the home she longed for. In the intervening 9 years,Read more…
Add a Little Jesus to Your Serving
“I never thought of that as serving Jesus!” I hear this a lot. We all tend to equate ‘serving Jesus’ with volunteering that is at church or that is specifically religious. But St. Paul says, “. . . whatever youRead more…
Simplify Your Serving
Some of us don’t need to be encouraged to serve. We’re serving at church and elsewhere so much so that we’re running nonstop. If you’re overwhelmed by obligations, if a relaxed family dinner is a rarity, if you say ‘yes’Read more…
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