How do you connect with God? The logo of this website is a painting of Jesus ascending into heaven. It is over the altar of Salem Lutheran Church, Catonsville, Maryland, where I was baptized on Christmas Day 1942. Born on September 16, 1942, I was a premie at 3 pounds, 4 ounces. The nurses prayed for me and I came home from Walter Reed Army Medical Center a day before Thanksgiving. They connected me to God through prayer. My father, Sgt. Melvin Guttromson,Sr., and mother Bee Watson Guttromson, prayed for me. They had lost another son before I was born. They dedicated me to God. "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God" (Psalm 42:1). You can connect to God through prayer. He is waiting to touch you with His soft touch of grace (John 1:17). Pastor Mel Swoyer, ordained October 14, 1973, in Killeen, Texas.
What kind of freedom do you want? You want freedom from war, but at what cost? You want higher wages and lower costs of living, but at what cost. If you worry about what you eat, or drink, or wear, then you have no freedom.
Jesus said, "Do not worry about your life ... But strive first for the kingdon of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:25,33). Real freedom comes from God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ. Remember those men and women who died serving freedom and ask God this Memorial Day to bless our One nation under God.
Prayer: LORD, we thank You for One nation under God, One church under Your Son, and One mission of loving all people by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen. The Rev. Mel Swoyer, Interim Pastor, St. John Lutheran Church, Thorndale, Texas. |