By Kristen, on May 13th, 2012% My Mother’s Day prayer is a different one this year. My heart has been torn all week, praying for so many woman.
It started with God’s Word in this verse.
This is my humble prayer. May you know that you are loved – by so many but most importantly – our Heavenly Father!
For every pregnant mother, who still cradles her little one safe inside,
For every mother of little ones, who never has a moment alone,
For every mother of grown ones, who misses the commotion and chaffeuring,
You are loved!
For every one who has stood beside a hospital bed, and for every one who still tucks a child into bed at night,
For every one who has brought a child to the baptismal font, and for every one who has stood at a grave side,
For every one who regrets an abortion, and for every one who rejoices in the gift of adoption,
You are loved!
For the one who is heartbroken by another negative pregnancy test, and for the one who wonders how to feed another mouth,
For every grandmother raising her grandchildren, and for every young mother doing it on her own,
For the single mom working two jobs and pinching pennies, and for the stay-at-home mom, who’s counting the cost,
You are loved!
For every woman who longs for a child,
For every woman who prays for a child,
For every woman who loves a child,
You are loved!
For every woman who is single, and every woman who is married,
For every woman who prays for a child, with a child, and over a child,
For every woman, precious and beloved in God’s sight,
You are loved!
By Kristen, on May 6th, 2012% 
My husband and I saw this peacock at the zoo recently. I had to pause for a moment because this proud and bold animal looked so subdued. It made me think.
How is my heart? It it full of pride? Or am I truly humble?
Pride is a clear and appealing temptation, but we know that God desires humility.
I believe God calls us to humility and I believe, as James says, God shows favor to the humble.
The only time I desire pride is in my desire to make God proud of my humility!
By Kristen, on April 29th, 2012% 
There are so many fruits of the spirit – and this bowl of blackberries reminded me how important it is to be overflowing with these fruits.
Is your life full of the fruits of the spirit? I pray that it is – for all of us.
By Kristen, on April 15th, 2012% 
Jonah said:
“In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.
You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me.
I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’
The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit.
“When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.
“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.
But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”
Jonah 2:1-9
In the midst of Jonah’s distress, he cried out to the Lord. I do the same.
My prayers may not be as eloquent as Jonah’s, but perfect words aren’t a requirement in prayer. My prayers are always heard.
I call to the Lord and He answers me.
By Kristen, on April 1st, 2012% 
I know this road has fall leaves on it, but the way this road winds reminds me of Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. It makes me think of Palm Sunday.
When I think of Palm Sunday, I find myself singing the beautiful hymn, “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna!” Do you know it? Ponder this words…or sing along with me.
Hosanna, loud Hosanna, the little children sang.
Through pillared courts and temple, the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus who had blessed them, close folded to His breast.
The children sang their praises – the simplest and the best.
Let’s sing our Hosannas! Let’s praise our Savior who has come!
By Kristen, on March 25th, 2012% 
Today is a new day.
Today, we pick up our crosses again.
Today, we follow.
By Kristen, on March 18th, 2012%  A couple of years ago, our church removed our tiny creaky steeple. It was replaced with this large metal cross that stands in the courtyard.
It’s not pretty, persay, but it’s bold.
This cross is a powerful reminder to fix our eyes on Jesus.
This cross reminds us to build our life on the rock of our faith.
This cross teaches us not to boast except in our God.
This is my heart’s cry and I pray that it is yours, too.
By Kristen, on March 11th, 2012% 
This is the new baptismal font at Crown of Life. Isn’t it stunning?
If you look close enough, you can even see the cross reflected in it. That’s good – and meaningful – in more ways than one.
Truly, though, it’s just a font. It’s what God DOES at this font that is so stunning.
My students and I have been learning our Catechism selections this week about baptism. As our Lutheran catechism explains so beautifully…
What is baptism? Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s Word.
It starts as ordinary water, but it is no longer ordinary when combined with God’s water.
How can water do such great things? Certainly not just water, but the word of God, in and with the water does this things. Along with the faith which trusts this Word of God in the water. For without God’s Word, the water is plain water and no baptism. But with the Word of God, it is a baptism, that is a life-giving water, rich in grace and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit.
There is indeed, “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.” Ephesians 4:5
It doesn’t matter where (what Christian church denomination) or when (infant or adult) or how (sprinkling or immersion).
It only matters that we were baptized in the name of the One Trinity into One Christian Faith by One Sacrament of Baptism.
Let’s rejoice in our Baptism!
By Kristen, on March 4th, 2012% 
This is the sanctuary where I grew up.
This is the sanctuary where I learned to follow along in the worship folder.
This is the sanctuary where I memorized our beautiful Lutheran liturgy.
This is the sanctuary where I praised our Lord through the gift of song.
This is the sanctuary where I heard my Dad preach from the pulpit and my Mom play from the balcony. If I close my eyes, I can still see them there.
This is the sanctuary where I knelt to receive the first taste of our Lord’s body and blood.
This is the sanctuary where I rejoiced countless times to see God’s wonder in the making at the baptismal font.
This is the sanctuary where I gathered for weddings and for funerals.
This is the sanctuary where I poured out my heart in prayer.
This is the sanctuary where my faith was encouraged to grow.
This is the sanctuary where I saw God.
By Kristen, on February 26th, 2012% 
Last weekend, I was in San Antonio, worshiping once again at Crown of Life Lutheran (LCMS) Church. It was good to be there!
It was good to be there because no matter how many years I’ve been away there will always be a part of my heart that calls Crown of Life home.
Realizing that, the next couple Sundays will be spent sharing pictures from my church home with you, and the Scripture reflections that correspond.
Let’s start with the simple yet complex. The name Crown of Life was chosen from God’s powerful command in Revelation 2:10 – “Be faithful until the point of death and I will you give the crown of life.”
Faithfulness – in and of itself – is a challenge. Faithfulness until the point of death? We are being called to give all of ourselves because of our faith.
There are dozens of countries around the world where Christians are being daily persecuted for their faith. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are faithfully following Christ, believing His promise, and trusting they will receive their crown of life. I am praying for them.
As I pray for them, I am also praying for those of us in America. May we be as bold to live our lives in faithfulness, even – especially – to the point of death.
I look forward to the day when all the faithful believers will rejoice together in heaven as we receive our crowns of life!
For more information on the world-wide persecution of Christians, please visit Voice of the Martyrs.
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