Vibrant Faith Devotions By Our Members

Jon Heimarck

Last summer, when we heard that Christiania had chosen—of the four keys for passing on a vibrant faith—the one called “Devotions,” my first instinct was that we’d really blown it. I really liked the idea of service, as a means of getting out our name and spirit, and Christiania was not at all weak on rituals and traditions, either. I would have been pleased with either choice in lieu of devotions. Even faith conversations seemed more accessible. What were devotions, after all? I thought of ablutions, and vespers, and all the other little monastic rituals, and it creeped me out, frankly. Or I thought of someone from the outside coming in and telling me how to study my Bible. I didn’t feature that either. So I held my breath, and hoped for the best.

I think the first insert hit the bulletin in September or so, and the cause was not furthered inasmuch as the pages were odd-shaped, compared to the regular pages, and I always hate that, being 100% Norwegian. But the first devotions insert was printed on goldenrod-colored paper, and I think that saved it. I’ve always been a devotee of the word goldenrod. There’s something lordly in the sound of it. (I don’t even want to contemplate my own reaction if the first insert had been printed on fuchsia!)

Then I began to read the words, and the spirit filled my heart. Like the sunrise, it was plain that a great deal of thought had been expended in its preparation. I began to look forward to next inserts, and now I keep my own copy with me at all times, in my back pocket. When I need sustenance, I reach into my pocket to find my daily bread. Hallelujah in two dimensions!

It just goes to show that every time I am smug in my own faith, having a closed spirit, God delights in playing a prank on me to show me that He’s in charge of knowledge of Him, and then reveals surprise and wonder. Praise to the heavens—and make time for your devotions!

Alice Storlie

Growing up at our home was always about church centered activities. We always said our prayers at meal time and bedtime. Our meal time prayers included the “Come Lord Jesus” prayer before our meal and a prayer after our meal which was this prayer: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good and his mercy endureth forever.” As Don and I established our home devotional life we stopped saying the prayer after our meal but taught our children about prayers before meals and at bedtime. They are all grown and have families of their own and I pray that those growing up practices follow them into their home life.

Over the years, I have taken several bible studies which included the Bethel Bible Series and CLCW Bible studies in small groups which were called Circles. The Bethel Bible Series was an intense two year study that I took before we had children. It was a course taken so that we could teach it to others in the church. I, however, never did teach it. I am really enjoying the Bible study that we have on Thursday mornings here at church. Of course, the people in our group make it a fun and enjoyable hour every week.

Don and I never got in the habit of having a devotional time together but we do read the Daily Guidepost devotional everyday on our own. I feel strongly that a reminder everyday of the word from God has to help us get through a multitude of worries and problems in our day.

I have grown up in the church and yet there are times when I feel that I don’t pray enough for help in my daily life and to thank God for the many blessings I have been given. I think I will have that as my New Year resolution.

Zandy Thalhuber

We're trying to do more devotions as a family. We use the sheet that Brock (age 6) brought home from Sunday School. There was an activity about the wind and that works for our family because we all like to be out of doors a lot. We listened to the wind and talked about how God made it. My son said it was “awesome.”

At dinner it was suggested that we talk about our favorite thing God made. One of the boys said the dog. It led into a discussion about who feeds the dog and who should feed the dog. We stopped devotions that evening.

I brought out the Bible one night and one of the boys complained, “Not the Bible again!”. It gave me a chance to talk to them about listening and respect. Then I realized we should be using the Spark Story Bible instead of the big grown up Bible that they don't understand. That really works. The boys know Mr. Squiggles is colored in on every page so when we read the Bible story they look for him. It's fun to read with the kids now.

With some patience on my part and the kids getting used to our new devotional habits, praying at dinner is fun too. Even Brody (age 2) reminds us to pray at dinner!

Brian Smith

Devotions? I'm not a success at it, but, I'm not a failure. Failure only happens by not trying.

I learned that early on from my mom and dad who tried to get our family of 7 to sit quietly long enough to read a bible verse, “mini-sermon,” and prayer. Not very successful. But, not a failure!

My efforts at doing traditional devotions - a quiet place, devotional, bible and time to savor the lesson and ponder how I‟ll apply it in my life have been largely unsuccessful, mostly because I tried and quit and tried again and finally stopped trying.

However, I do spend about 30 minutes almost every day during my commute to/from work having “drive-time musical devotions.”

What's that? It's very simple!

My car radio is either on WCCO for news and weather, or KTIS (98.5 FM) for contemporary Christian music. Wow, what a contrast! From news and stories that can crush my spirit (click) to songs that lift my spirits. When I spend my commute dwelling on God-filled music and ponder its meaning for my life- that's musical devotions.

Until Christiania's decision to focus on Devotions, one of the 4-keys of the Passing on Vibrant Faith program, I haven't consciously thought about the practice of doing devotions. But with that challenge and reminder of how important it is in my faith life, I'm making an effort to think of my commute as not just time listening to the radio, but the conscious practice of doing daily devotions.

Try it! It's so easy even I can do it!

Cheryl Bahnson

When I think of devotions, I have a memory of my father sitting in a chair in the early morning hours reading his Bible and the daily text from Guideposts. I am still touched by that vision in my mind and am thankful to have experienced God loving parents throughout my life.

 Though my parents divorced in my mid teens, the importance of quiet time with God has remained a focus for me. In my early adult years, I remember receiving a subscription to Guideposts and after a couple of years developed my own daily devotions.  My parents started a faith walk with each of their children and this faith walk has pulled us through many situations. I am amazed when I look at the faith my sister has after losing her daughter to a tragic car accident at the age of sixteen. My brother, at 41 years old, had bypass surgery. My step brother, at the age of 37, died in a training maneuver in Poland while serving the United Stated Army. God has been faithful through all of this.  My daily devotions vary and I use several items to continue my faith walk. Christ in Our Home and Portals of Prayer can be picked up outside the church office. I also use a great resource called One Year Mini for Women, which provides daily inspirations from God’s Word. I recently added the Daily Texts Bible Verses and Prayers donated to our congregation from the Mount Carmel Ministry.

Britta Dumke, Youth Director

While I was growing up, every night before I would go to sleep my mom would sing my sisters and I “Jesus” songs and read us a few stories. After we sang a few songs and read a few books my mom would make the sign of the cross on our foreheads and say “the Lord be with you,” and we would reply “also with you.” After awhile it became a routine and we started saying it to one another not only at bedtime but also as we went off to work and school.

I have learned a personal devotional life can take place, at any time, and in any way that works for each individual. I spend time with God each day when I am driving in my car listening to music or going for a walk through the words. I also receive a text message each day with a bible verse. When I wake up each morning, I read the verse and then reflect on it throughout my day. As I reflect on the verse it help me keep my focus of God and his word rather than the words of others.  

Al Godfrey,  Council Chairman

Each morning the first thing I thought about was, “what do I need to get done today?”  Life was about never ending lists.  I have a list for work projects, another list for home chores and another list for taking care of others.  At the end of my day, my satisfaction was based on how many tasks I checked off that day. 

Up until a year ago, devotion occurred on Sundays between the hours of 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM where I reflected on scripture and the sermon of the week.     But is that it? I found a definition of devotion that described it as quiet time where one is attuned to God through the bible or prayer.  This definition does not necessarily create emotional appeal for Christians to check in with God daily.     

One of the goals of Passing on Vibrant Faith is personal and family devotion.   At church council I was given a gift, a paperback that lists daily devotions for 2009.  Devotion is something that I now start off with each morning.  The daily text or prayer now acts as my compass compared to lists.  It provides me with a daily challenge, a refection for all that I need to be grateful for,  and helps me listen to what God is telling me to do or work on that day.  God calls me to do his list, not mine. ”

Anne Romstad,  Worship Commission Chairman

When I was growing up our family had no devotional habits.  Church once in a while, maybe, but no prayers or scripture readings by ourselves or as a family.  Then when I married Paul I developed a devotional habit with him but I was worried sick, literally, about doing them in public.  I was so shy I couldn't even lead in silent prayer.  Paul reminded me that out Lord was not interested in how we pray or lead a study, but rather, through prayer, reading devotional materials, silent meditation, that we develop a relationship with Him.  Our Lord longs for that. 

The easiest way for me to practice devotional habits is to attend worship and bible studies, sing in the choir, and read devotional materials that I have at home.  Some of them include Christ In Our Home and the DAILY TEXTS: Bible Verses and Prayers for each day of the year.  I try to read a new psalm each month too.  Now we have the Taking Faith Home  Sunday bulletin inserts.   Those are really good - lots of variety and choices, and easy to use.  So I've started using those, too, and I'm hooked.  Devotions help us realize that the Word is full of grace and truth and that Our Lord wants us to be part of that.

Tom Carlson, Music Director

I start each day (before breakfast) with two sets of daily devotions.  The first is an Augsburg Fortress publication called "The Word in Season".   This consists of a daily Bible reading, of which one to two verses are singled out for a short meditation and prayer.   After the prayer, there are two to three additional readings, and in the back of the pamphlet, a weekly prayer.   For the other devotion, I rotate yearly through one of the devotional books I have by assorted authors.

In addition, for the past several years I have been reading through the Bible yearly with the help of a publication called "The Grand Sweep, 365 Days from Genesis to Revelation".   It gives the chapters to read each day, followed by a discussion of the chapters read and a short prayer. 

I would feel quite lost without these daily conversations with God and the study of scripture.   It helps me start each day with a grounded feeling in the Word. 

Pastor Dave Mesaros

About 15 years ago, I was challenged by a senior pastor to give up something for Lent.   It just didn't seem like the Lutheran thing to do and I never practiced this discipline before.   I decided the more aptly Lutheran thing to do was to add something to my life to enhance my spiritual enrichment.    So I decided I would start doing daily devotions through the Lenten season.

When Lent ended, I concluded that the daily devotion was enhancing my spiritual and professional life.   I tried many different devotional guides, but settled on a daily lectionary series called "For All the Saints".   Each day an opening and closing prayer are offered along with the three Bible readings from the two-year lectionary series and a reading from a giant of the faith like Martin Luther, CS Lewis, and others.   Over two years, nearly the entire Bible is read with insights from prominent theologians.  

For many years, Brenda and I read the devotions to each other in the spirit of history (the Bible was intended to be read to others before reading became common).  Everyday I am presented with an opportunity to see what God is up to in my life and what God wants me to be up to in other's lives.   I check the online devotions and other materials, but keep coming back to "For All the Saints."  I can't but help sing the hymn in my head every time I pick up the books!    In some way I feel that the great cloud of witnesses gathers every morning with me during this devotion.