St. Luke's Blogs

I can only begin to imagine the fear that grabbed the disciples that evening when they saw Jesus walking on the water. Surely, as they looked out across the sea, they must have thought their eyes were playing tricks on them. After all, they were tired. It had been a full day with Jesus as he taught the people, and then fed the 5,000 with just a few loaves of bread and two fish. Now they were making the long journey across the Sea of Galilee.

As Jesus approached the boat, the disciples were confused and “terrified.” Jesus calms the fears in the boat by calling out to his disciples. He tells them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Most of you know that our daughter Kelly, her husband Andy, and their four children live in Lafayette, CO.  On December 30, 2021, they stood on their driveway and watched 115 mph winds spread fire through two of their neighboring cities, lighting the whole area into an unbelievable raging fire: It was truly hard to fathom, and hundreds of homes burned to the ground. They were put on notice that they may be evacuated from their home, but so grateful that and their property was untouched.

They wondered how they would all begin to overcome this tragedy. It was so hard to even know how to help or where to begin. They were heartbroken for their community and knew that everyone would be needed to help in this time of great need.

Parker and Milly, their two youngest children, had an idea for a way to share hope and love with the many children that suffered such great loss…

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends”

“See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

I don’t know how dinner is at your house, but at my house, dinner is rarely a beautiful, religious experience. Dinner for us usually happens at the end of a long day. We fill our plates and eat. We are tired. Once we eat, we quickly begin to settle in for the night. But dinner for Jesus and the disciples often led to powerful moments that shaped the future of the faith.

One of those meals happened just before the festival of the Passover. Jesus and the disciples were at the table, ready to eat. I am sure it had already been a long and eventful day, after all, any day with Jesus is exciting. John records that Jesus “got up from the table, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.” Their meal was about to be completely interrupted by one of the most beautiful acts of service…

There are few things more contagious than love and kindness. When someone shares genuine love, it is often reciprocated. Love and kindness often cause a ripple, like a rock tossed into a quiet body of water. I have seen this happen repeatedly. When someone leads with kindness, it inspires others to act in the same way. When intentional love is witnessed, it inspires others to do good.

This is what happened in the small community of White Lake, Michigan. Dianne Gordon was on her way home from work when she stepped into a local convenience store to get a snack. As she was leaving, she saw a bag on the ground. She picked it up and discovered that the bag contained a large amount of money. To be exact, the bag contained $14,700 in cash. Dianne was shocked that this bag was on the ground, and she knew she needed to get it into the right hands…

One week ago, on February 8, the legendary composer, performer, and producer Burt Bacharach died. He lived a wonderful life and passed away at the age of 94. His music has left an indelible mark on our culture. He won six Grammy awards and three Academy awards. His music has appeared in hundreds of films and been recorded by over 1,000 artists. Performers such a Dion Warwick, Tom Jones, The Carpenters, Marty Robbins, Stan Getz and so many more have recorded and performed his songs. Some of the more famous songs written by Burt Bacharach include “Magic Moments,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” and “I Say a Little Prayer.”

Perhaps the most famous song written by Burt Bacharach and his music writing partner, Hal David, is the song, “What the World Needs Now is Love.” This song was written in 1965 and first performed by Jackie DeShannon. This song has been recorded and performed countless times since it was first released. It most often shows up during difficult times because of the beautiful expression of love and hope that the lyrics express…

Today is a special day. It is Valentine’s Day. Today loved ones will exchange gifts, flowers, candy and more. They will celebrate with fancy dinners.  These gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious Valentine and why do we celebrate this holiday?

According to one legend, St. Valentine sent the first ‘Valentine’s’ greeting himself. He was a priest in Rome. In prison for helping Christians escape persecution under the Emperor Claudius II Gothicus, it is believed that Valentine developed a relationship with a young lady. This young lady may have been his jailer’s daughter. Before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine.’ Although the truth behind the Valentine legend is not clear, the story certainly shows him to be a faithful Christian, even to the point of death…

This week, I read about Miss Patty. She is a wonderful example of using her gifts and her passion to bless others. Miss Patty is a school bus driver for Clarence Central School District in New York. Miss Patty has been working with the school district for many years. She cares deeply for the children and works hard to build a relationship with each of them.

In 2005, Miss Patty was taking care of her mother. She spent a lot of time in the hospital and needed something to help occupy her time. She decided to learn how to crochet. She was a natural. It was not long until her newfound talent and her passion for her students connected. One high school student was getting on the bus and asked about the yarn she had. Miss Patty told him she was trying to make a hat. He told her that would be cool to have when he went skiing. Miss Patty asked him what colors he liked…

Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Eu-o′dia and I entreat Syn′tyche to agree in the Lord. And I ask you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your gentleness. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.