Redeemer Journal (Page 9)
Father’s Day: Giving Thanks For A Legacy Of Love
Those of you who know Dan Leafblad have likely heard him speak fondly of his dad. He tells us that he has all sweet memories of him, and not because time has erased any bitter ones. He stresses that his dad wasn’t perfect — but a man of Godly character who was full of fun. For Father’s Day, we asked Dan to tell about his dad, Paul Everette Leafblad. Dan wrote not just about his dad, but also about the…
Remembering Elisabeth Elliot
Elisabeth Elliot, a missionary pioneer, prolific author and radio speaker, died this morning at age 88. She had been ill with dementia and out of the public eye for years, but her books and radio teachings endure in many hearts. In today’s post, Andy Bramsen shares this tribute to Elliot and describes her influence on his own life. Andy is a professor of political science at Bethel University. He and his wife, Sara, and their two daughters have been part…
Connected to Community: An Invitation to Play
When I first moved to Minnesota, it was supposed to be for just one summer internship. Almost daily, my co-workers would remind me that summer was beautiful — and fleeting: “Get out there and enjoy it!” I had never been much of an outdoor person, but that summer, I fell in love with the park system and learned to appreciate the season that much more. I’ve since taken up cycling (wobbily), ice skating (clumsily), and gardening and round-the-lake walking (wholeheartedly).…
The Love of God: One Mom’s Reflection
This week’s post is by Sarah Lundgren, who is our director of children’s ministry. She and her husband, Bjorn, have two sons and two daughters, and they praise God for His mercies that are new every morning. The moment I first held my baby boy, I discovered a whole new level of love. I gazed at my son while he slept, and I wept at his beauty and his steady breathing. I read him board books while he chewed on…
Connected To Community: An Update From The Luhmanns
This week’s post is from Audrey Luhmann, who serves the littlest members of our church as head of the nursery. She also coordinates our meal ministry, and we so appreciate her heart for our church family. Audrey and Andrew and their four children will be relocating this summer, and obviously, it’s hard to see them leave. Audrey shares her heart and her fears as they prepare to move west. As a young girl, I longed for the day when my…
Prayers of the people: Wrestling with infertility
In our weekly prayers at Church of the Redeemer our congregation intercedes for families who are experiencing infertility, which can be a heart-wrenching and sometimes lonely journey. In this week’s post, Kim Anderson puts a name and face to those prayers in sharing her struggles with secondary infertility. As Kim tells her story, she stresses that everyone on this path has a different experience. Her goal is not to speak for all of them, but to sensitively share her thoughts…
Holy Week: A Week Set Apart
Do you know what Maundy means? Do you know why the altar cloths are stripped or why we bring bells to church this Saturday and Sunday? As we enter holy week, Pastor Paul Calvin helps us prepare our hearts and explains our schedule of services. Though lasting only a few days, holy week is a season of the Church that is rich with meaning. It is holy–set apart by worship services that have been observed in similar form since the…
Connected to Community: A Testimony
This week’s post is by Todd Willmarth, who writes about how welcome he felt when he first visited Church of the Redeemer three years ago. Todd leads the team of greeters at church, so if you’re interested in serving our congregation in this way or just want to know what it involves, contact him. Community group leaders get regular e-mails from Pastor Nathan suggesting discussion questions for the group. Last week’s ice-breaker question asked about spring and what the change…
Testimony: Ralph Loomis
Almost inevitably, when I share my conversion experience, there are some Christians who complain to me that their testimonies are “boring” by comparison. Some say that they have loved Jesus for as long as they can remember. Ironically, when I encounter such Christians I am the one who is jealous, because even though God forgives us of everything, sin leaves scars. To give some background, I grew up as an anti-intellectual “redneck” in northern Kentucky. I fought, drank and played football.…
Honoring God By Caring For Creation
In the prayers of the people, we ask God to give us “a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.” This week, Dani Nicholson reflects on what that prayer means in her daily life. Dani and her husband, Mark, live in St. Paul with their children, Charlie and Ellie. If you’ve been to a Church of the Redeemer potluck or soup…