Cindy Donaldson Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created heaven and earth.  John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  Revelation 21:1, 3-4 Then I saw a new heaven and new earth…And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look, God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning [...]

Nancy Walker Luke 18:18-22 A certain ruler asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to obtain eternal life?”  Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good?  No one is good except the one God.  You know the commandments: Do not murder.  Do not steal.  Do not give false testimony.  Honor your father and mother.”       Then the ruler said, “I have kept all of these things since I was a boy.” When Jesus heard this, he said, “There is one more thing.  Sell everything you own and distribute the money to the poor.  Then you will have treasure [...]

Karen Limmer, St. Luke’s member since 2009 Proverbs 11:2 (NRSV) When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble. James 3:17 (NRSV) But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. Reflection: It is interesting that everything I found about wisdom in the Bible does not point to newspapers, books, classes, and experts. All the verses I read encourage humility, empathy, silence, and listening to gain wisdom. Growing up, I was not taught to acknowledge when I was [...]

Rachel Fisher Philippians 3:13-14  13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Reflection: During the summer Olympics, 7-time gold medalist Caleb Dressel was interviewed about his routines outside the pool, citing journaling—among other daily practices—as a critical factor toward achieving excellence. “I know this stuff really does sound stupid, but this is one of the reasons why I [...]

Martha Hill Jamison  Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Hebrews 12:2b “Because of the joy waiting for Him, Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Isaiah 43:4b:  “…you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.” Reflection: Many may not remember Stuart Smalley’s SNL “Daily Affirmation” (or the comedian’s name). His signature line, spoken while looking [...]

Erin Campbell Naman, St. Luke’s Member, Organ Donor Enthusiast Psalm 150 (NIV) Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary, praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works [...]

Ann Pierce Arnett, grateful Girl Scout Philippians 1:3-7a; 9-11 I thank my God  every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace [...]

Charity Autry, Peloton lover Scripture: Galatians 6:2-2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Proverbs 17:17 17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.  1 Corinthians 12:26-27 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.   27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.  Reflection: I don’t know what I would do without my church community. Over ten years ago I took [...]

Peggy Roe Scripture:  11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:  12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.  (I Kings 19:11-12 KJV) Reflection: About two months after my husband was diagnosed [...]

Louise McEvoy, Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Facilitator   James 5:19-20 (THE VOICE) 19 Brothers and sisters, if someone you know loses his way and rebels against God, pursue him in love and bring him back to the truth. 20 Know this: If you turn a sinner back from the error of his ways, then you will rescue him from the grips of death and cover the pain and consequences of untold sins. Reflection Society has been fascinated with criminal minds and behavior for decades. Billy the Kid. Al Capone. Hannibal Lecter. Raymond Reddington. Darth Vader. The fascination, though, [...]