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January 2019

Resolutions Worthy of Resolve

COVER STORY – NEW YEAR

Sometimes more is less and less is more. Consider the word resolve. The word mostly conjures up positive images. To resolve is to make a firm commitment to fix a problem or to fill a deficiency. From the same Latin root comes our word resolute—also basically positive. Someone who is resolute is determined and focused. Yet it all seems to fall apart when we lengthen the word to resolution, especially when we add “New Year’s” to it. The whole concept of “resolve” and “resolute” just seems to fade to nothing when we talk about “New Year’s resolutions,” which are more like political promises than firm commitments. No one really expects anyone to actually keep New Year’s resolutions. There’s routinely no true resolve there. And sometimes that’s a good thing.

I once watched a bird try to fly into our living room. The little guy had way more resolve than intellect. The problem was the clean window that he just couldn’t seem to figure out. Over and over again he would throw himself at the window, only to be met each time with an invisible barrier and a sickening thud. From time to time he would pause as if to consider the prize, each time evidently determining that our living room was just about the greatest place he could imagine, and that entrance thereto was well worth the pain and effort.

The problem, of course, was more than just the window. Had the little guy actually achieved his goal, his life would have been instantly and immeasurably worse. We had no desire to have our living room redecorated in white. The window, which he no doubt regarded as his enemy and the source of his frustration, was actually his best friend.Read More »Resolutions Worthy of Resolve

What’s in a Name?

DEVOTION – NAME OF JESUS

“And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2:21) 

Though not often descriptive today, there have been many names in times past with meaning behind them. It doesn’t take much imagination to figure out what Charles the Bald or Louis the Fat might have looked like in person. And I think we can all agree that Louis the Do-Nothing must not have been a very popular king. Some positive names also appear throughout history, the kind that any of us would happily accept, such as Charles the Hammer, Louis the Pious, and Alexander the Great. Even Paul’s companion Barnabas had received such a name; his given name was Joseph, but the apostles nicknamed him Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”).Read More »What’s in a Name?

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS January 2019

TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941;
WS = Worship Supplement 2000;
LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006

Date Hymns Reading Comments

Jan 1 WS 782/LSB 726 Psalm 1 Walk with the Lord in the new year, for He will watch over your way.

Jan 2 TLH 532 Luke 1:26-38 Mary trusted the Lord to guide her life in whatever way He considered best for her.

Jan 3 TLH 275/LSB 933; Luke 1:39-56 Mary’s humble station did not prevent God from giving her great blessings. Truly He lifts up the humble.

Jan 4 TLH 84 Luke 1:57-66 Zechariah and Elizabeth also played significant roles in God’s plan of salvation. What role does God give to you?

Jan 5 TLH 272/LSB 346; John 1:1-14 John would prepare the way for the Savior’s ministry by testifying concerning Him.Read More »“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS January 2019