St. Luke's Blogs

The first time I remember getting into a boat was just after my dad had purchased a small bass boat. I was young, about 8 years old, and we took it to Lake Ellsworth for its maiden voyage. Even at an early age, I loved to fish, but this was the first time I’ve been in a boat on a large lake. To be very honest, I was terrified.
My nervousness was somewhat expected since I was a small child, and it was my first time on the lake. The disciples’ fear that night on the lake was unexpected. Most of Jesus’ disciples were experienced fishermen. They had grown up on the water. They were experts at handling boats. However, Matthew tells us they were “Afraid.” The wind was strong, and the waves were crashing into the boat…

As teenagers, we think we know it all. We have all the answers and everyone else just “doesn’t understand.”  This sentiment could not have been more true for me heading toward my 16th birthday. While I was completely crushed by tragedy that had stricken just months prior with the loss of my mother, I felt this total desire to run as far and as fast as I could toward a feeling that was somewhere between numbness and overwhelm.  I just wanted ’normal’.  Well, normal landed me at a church camp in which I had been encouraged to go to by my Jewish foster parents (the irony was never lost on me).  It was there that I would meet some of my closest and dearest friends to this day, feel whole for the first time in a long time, and find myself face to face with Jesus…

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” -Galatians 6:2

It is starting to get hot outside. The days are getting longer. The spring rains have begun to fall. That means it is time to mow the lawn! For many, mowing the lawn is just another one of the ordinary, mundane tasks that we do during the warmer months. For some, mowing the lawn is a far-too-difficult task. Between the cost of equipment and the physical demands of the actual labor, mowing can be challenging.

Spencer B. is the owner and operator of SB Mowing in Wichita, KS. He knows how much labor is involved in mowing; after all, he has been running his own mowing service since he was 12 years old. Spencer is now 24 and newly married. Spencer paid for his college by mowing lawns. He has no plans to stop mowing. This is just one way that Spencer exercises his entrepreneurial spirit.

God has a plan. He has a plan for each one of his precious children. He knows what we are destined to become and how we will accomplish that task. A friend from my women’s bible study told me this and it rings so true.

“If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans.”

He knows we will have love and heartache. We will have joy and sorrows. WhenI am unsure of what I should do, I am very hesitant on how to proceed. I tend to doubt my path that has been laid out by my God. I must remind myself to trust and put my faith in God. Proverbs 3:5-6 helps me remember to- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

I was an early childhood educator for the state of Oklahoma for the past 15 years…

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us return and visit the brethren in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” And Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphyl′ia, and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
    he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
    I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me,
    the anguish of the grave came over me;
    I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
   “Lord, save me!”

The Lord is gracious and righteous;
    our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary;
    when I was brought low, he saved me.

Return to your rest, my soul,
    for the Lord has been good to you.

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” – Isaiah 6:8

There is one hymn that I have loved since I was a youth in my home church in Lawton, OK. The hymn is “Here I Am Lord,” by Dan Schutte. It is a beautiful song, and each time I sing it my spirit is lifted by the beautiful words of this hymn. The hymn begins:

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry,
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Few movies have had an impact on the world like Star Wars. The original movie, Episode IV – A New Hope, opened in theatres on May 25, 1977. It was the birth of one of, if not the most successful movie franchise in history. To be clear, I am a big Star Wars fan. I love the movies, I love the new TV shows, I love the toys.

There are many reasons to enjoy the Star Wars movies. The special effects and the exciting story lines are just two reasons so many people love these shows. They are great entertainment. They are a wonderful escape from our daily lives to a galaxy far, far away. There is another reason, perhaps a little closer to all our hearts, that I believe draws so many people to this franchise. The heart of the Star Wars saga is hope. Star Wars reminds us that no matter how dark and difficult our current circumstances may be, there is always a reason for hope…

Christian Barber is a mechanic. He spends his days fixing cars. He is the lead mechanic at Phantom Motor Works in Rhode Island. Christian would often see a young lady in a wheelchair passing by his shop. One day, she stopped and asked for a little help. She needed some air in her wheelchair tire. Christian was glad to help. While filling the tire with air, Christian struck up a conversation with the young lady, Linda Abrants. They quickly became friends.

Linda continued to stop by the shop in the days and weeks to follow. One day, Linda asked Christian if he would be willing to look at the wheelchair lift in her truck. It was not working well and the company that made it was not helpful with service after the sale…

Just a few weeks ago, the NFL made the news as another player returned to an NFL roster. It was Monday night, January 2, when Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin, went into cardiac arrest on live TV. The world watched as the Bills’ medical staff worked to bring Damar back to life. The quick thinking and skill of those medical personnel saved Damar’s life. They literally brought him back to life, right there on the turf.

Thankfully, Damar Hamlin not only survived, but has since made a remarkable recovery. That Monday night football game was never restarted. The shock made it impossible for players and coaches to continue. The season did continue, but without Damar…