Thursday's Thoughts

Greetings to you in the name of Christ,

I hope and pray that you have had a good day.  I have been working on the Conference 6 fall meeting which is scheduled for Sunday, September 27th from 4-6 (ET) on zoom.  It took all day to get the reports and the agenda ready and sent out.  If you are a delegate, please make sure to read the reports prior to the meeting.  If you are a delegate and you did not receive the zoom invite, agenda and reports, please let me know.

Here's your devotion for today:

Romans 8:28- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Numbers 6:25 - The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

It is true that goals help us to be disciplined and to aim our energies toward accomplishing what we've set out to do.  So goals in and of themselves aren't bad.  But for me, setting goals and not leaning on God had led me into a perplexing and fretful place I didn't want to go back to.  I had learned that first I needed to humbly go before God and give him my concerns.  Then God will provide me with direction.  But the relinquishment and sweet repose were what I wanted to concentrate on.

You may be in the same wilderness I was, anxiously wandering around, feeling aimless and without a map, fearful that disaster is headed toward you.  Relinquish your anxieties to God.  For God cares for you.  Directions will come in God's good time-and so will sweet sleep.

(Thelma Wells, page 67 God Always Has a Plan B)

Let's pray:  Dear God, provider of all good things.  I know that you can bring out of all things.  Help me to see the good among the chaos of today's world.  Guide my words and deeds so that your love and compassion can be seen. Amen

blessings on your day!  May you see the light in the darkness.  May you feel comfort and peace.

Pastor Diane -- Rev. Diane Cloutier Srutowski Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church of Stonington Bethany Lutheran Church, Perkins 9065 Minnewasca Q Drive Gladstone, MI  49837 dsrutowski@gmail.com 906-420-1234