One of the privileges of being in northwest Oregon is living in close proximity to the Pacific Ocean. God’s amazing creation takes my breath away no matter how many times I’m blessed to visit. The crashing waves never stop pounding the shore, and watching them gives me a feeling of both astonishing strength and calm. The sound of the waves heightens my sense of majesty when I gaze out at the water.

“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10). The ocean doesn’t stop moving, and God doesn’t stop working. His grace covers us and provides our needs. No matter what we’re facing in life, He’s in control, just as He is with the waves that roll in and out.

and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good (Genesis 1:10b). Thanks be to God for His creation! May I never stop marveling at His ocean. Click here to read a Mustard Seed Devotion, God’s Blueprint.

Char Kroemer

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103).

This week we celebrate National S’mores Day. Sticky and gooey, and loaded with sugar and carbs; they are nothing short of delicious. However, God’s Word is sweeter. We are able to survive without s’mores in our lives, but we need the sweet words of Christ’s grace to live eternally.

All LWML Mission Grants strive to share the sweetness of the Gospel. God’s words tell how our heavenly Father sent His Son to redeem us from the darkness of sin and how, through the Holy Spirit, we are brought to faith. Learn more about the LWML Mission Grants under the Missions tab and please consider contributing to support a message sweeter than honey.

Arlene Naasz

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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This is a challenging and difficult time. But we are Lutheran Women in Mission and we know how to respond. Our vision statement says, “each woman is welcomed and encouraged to use her unique God-given gifts as she supports global missions and serves the Lord with gladness.”

What better time to be wholeheartedly supporting our mission grants than now? We are spreading the Gospel to those who have never heard. Look at the photos of each of our mission grants. Look at the joy on the faces of those who hear of the love and salvation of Jesus.

With many of us not having group meetings, rallies, or conventions, we might forget about mite offerings and the power of a penny. Remember Jesus’ last words in Matthew: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Check out the LWML Mission Grants to see how your mites spread the Gospel.

Susan Donnelly

Public Relations Director 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Necessity is the mother of invention — or so the saying goes. As LWML faces the reality that in-person gatherings cannot happen like they have in the past, many new, virtual, and contemporary ways have been found to bring us together to share Christ’s love.

Recently the LWML Atlantic District, an area hit hard by COVID-19, did not let “stay at home” orders dampen their desire to gather with their young women. They held a virtual event which included prayer, a scavenger hunt, celebrating the funding of the district’s mission grant goal, and a speaker who joined from her home in Illinois.

Finding new ways to gather gives us opportunities to include friends who might not attend a “meeting,” but will take an hour to gather online. If you are missing your church and LWML friends, set up a video conference. Enjoy one of our wonderful LWML devotions, sip a cup of coffee from your favorite mug, and reacquaint yourself with these special friends as you each celebrate being a Lutheran Woman in Mission.

Deaconess Betty Knapp

Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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It is the middle of summer and I hope you are enjoying it! When I think of summer, I think of sunshine. Then, it leads me to think of the Sonshine! Isn’t it wonderful to know that our Jesus, the Son of God, brings us from darkness into light!

In thinking of the Sonshine and summer, look at the resources LWML has for the summertime theme. There are devotions and mission service activities, so you can keep on remembering the Son and His people while enjoying the summer.

Enjoy your summer in the Sonshine!

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Marie Chow

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Recently with all the happenings in our world, my memory keeps replaying lyrics from a popular song from my childhood in the 1960s. It addressed how the world needs love, more love, for everyone.

We live in a fast-paced world, and we often miss opportunities to show God’s love to our neighbors. We can show love, encouragement, and compassion with just a smile, a pat on the back, or a quick note saying, “good job.” Paul says in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This is most certainly true, as we are blessed by loving and encouraging others.

God will be your encourager when you connect to His Word. Go to www.lwml.org/bible-studies for Bible studies and devotions.

Karla Koehler

Treasurer
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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