Lenten Reading Plan: Proverbs and Song of Solomon

I’ve known Pastor Koch since we were kids attending Lutheran school. His dad was my 5th and 6th-grade teacher who was committed to getting me to spell people and beautiful correctly by the time I left his classroom. His mom was my 1st-grade teacher who mended my wounds each time we had to do a …

The Light Shines in the Darkness: Peace

“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious 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 surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:4-7 The Lord is at hand. We …

The Light Shines in the Darkness: Love

The Light Shines in the Darkness: LoveDownload Love is... What is love?  If you were to ask 100 people that question you may receive 100 different answers.  Music, movies, and pop culture give us images and ideas about love.  In this season the Hallmark channel has a 24-7 reel of people falling in love.  Relationships …

The Light Shines in the Darkness: Hope

November 29, 2020 Week 1 of Advent Hope Download week 1 Here: The Light Shines in the Darkness : HopeDownload Sunday November 29, 2020 Advent reading: Our vision for 2020 and what it would hold and what we would accomplish may have been clear in the beginning but I think for many of us it …

Advent 2020: The Light Shines in the Darkness

I’ve gone back and forth more times than I would like to admit if I was going to put an Advent study up on the blog. Not because I don't enjoy Advent but it was all about time not being on my side.  I had decided against it until Jamie Truwe of Pure Joy Creative …

GIVEAWAY: Forgiven Therefore Free

Hey there!! Tomorrow (October 26th, 2020) I am starting a giveaway over on Loved in Spite of Self- Katie Koplin Facebook page. It will end Tuesday November 3rd, 2020. Head over there to check it out for a chance to win! https://www.facebook.com/lovedinspiteofself A print copy of Forgiven Therefore Free: A Devotional Study Journal for YOURSELF …

Forgiven Therefore Free: Closing

October 22, 2020 As I am writing these closing words for the devotional, I hope all the words that came before illustrated the great love Christ has for you. I pray you have been encouraged to live in the freedom you have because of Christ. And I know the Holy Spirit will continue to work …

Forgiven Therefore Free: God Makes Things Grow

October 21, 2020 I’m not very good at waiting.  When I purchase a gift for someone, I want to give it to them instantly.  Amazon Prime is my kind of thing.  Shipping that takes more than two days seems unnecessarily long to me.  When a package does arrive, I am quick to the mailbox and …

Forgiven Therefore Free: Bearing Burdens

October 20, 2020 “Your brother does not cease to be your brother when he slips or because he offends you.  Instead that’s when he most needs you to show him your love.”  -Luther, Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. Living by the Spirit means we bear the burdens of our neighbors, the people …

Forgiven Therefore Free: Walking in the Spirit

October 19, 2020 We know we are not justified by our works.  We want to serve our neighbor.  We don’t produce the fruit; it is the fruit of the Spirit.  We do not want to gratify the desires of the flesh.  How does this work?  Some of these things seem to be at odds with …