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The Voice of Zion December 2022 - Home and Family Articles -- Christmas traditions reign central to North American life. And for good reason – this season of giving to others also gives us so much. Along with the birth of our Savior, Christmas brings the joy of gathering with family and friends around foods, music and customs that warm heart and memory long after the event itself. More than just markers of life and time passing, our Christmas memories teach us to hope and savor God’s blessings of faith and family. This Home & Family section recalls the significance of Christmas traditions, the thoughtful gestures of friends and family and the joyful spirit of giving that envelops the holiday. These traditions, too, are a blessing of the heavenly Father to us all. Our Twelve Days Before Christmas Janet Stonelake | The Voice of Zion December 2022 - Home and Family Article -- I remember the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” from my youth. Each Christmas, I have heard this song and my children have learned it too. Now, since the Christmas season in 2015 this song has taken on new meaning and holds new memories for me. In 2015, Christmas was fast approaching, and I was not looking forward to it. My husband of 39 years passed away on May 3, 2014. This would be the second Christmas without him. This second year had been harder for me than the first. I wanted to skip all holidays and enter a new year already. If only I could bury myself under the blankets and skip this season, waking up next year, I thought. December 13 that year was a Sunday. That evening the boys and I got home from a weekend in Prescott and saw something in front of our garage door. “What is that?’ they asked in unison. One of them hopped out of the car to move it out of the way so I could park inside the garage. “It’s a present!” “Who is it from?” I asked. Once inside, we read the tag. It said, “On the first day of Christmas someone gave to me… a star to shine brightly.” The next day there was another gift by the front door when the boys got home from school. We read the tag, “On the second day of Christmas someone gave to me two jars of sugar body scrub, one peppermint and one lavender.” When I opened them to smell them, I saw a very small fingerprint dragged through the top of the peppermint one. That melted my heart; the person that gave this gift had a small child. The theme still did not occur to me until the third day, when yet another gift was left on our doorstep. Three candle jars. It then occurred that this might be happening until the twelfth day of Christmas. The boys watched and waited every day for the next gift. The gifts didn’t arrive at the same time every day, they varied. The boys were certain they could “catch” the gift giver in the very act. Watching the excitement in the boys lifted my spirits. Early one morning, I was reclining in the chair with my first cup of coffee and a sudoku puzzle book when I heard crunching gravel from a car coming up the driveway. “I could catch them right now!” I thought. But I stayed in the chair and listened. I decided I did not want to ruin the secret. When the boys woke up, I told them that I heard a car earlier and to go check for the gift. There was no gift…yet. It had been the neighbor. No gift, yet I was struck with surprise that I was able to feel happy; I felt excitement for life. The gifts came daily; two dozen caramel rolls and prune tarts, a Pandora charm with a five-pointed star on it, six handmade soaps, a seven-piece Teavana set, eight pasties, nine remote votive candles…. On the tenth day, the boys and I came home to a dark house. As we walked in from the garage there was a red glow coming down the hallway from the kitchen. I proceeded with concern, wondering about the source of that light. When we got into the kitchen there was a large bin with a warning light attached. Peering in, we saw ten chicks! “What are we going to do with THOSE?” I asked. The boys were not concerned about what to do with chicks. They were so excited! I didn’t realize how much – until later. I watched the boys feed and nurture the chicks, and as chicks grew into chickens, we turned a horse stable into a chicken coop. Necessary care and feeding took time, energy and loyal affection. The boys had a purpose, they were needed for this task. The eleventh gift was a metal wind chime with eleven rods hanging from it. The twelfth day, Christmas Eve, we came home to a vase of twelve beautiful red roses. I never discovered the sender or senders, and I like to keep it that way. We were able to make it through the second Christmas season without Dad, when beforehand it had looked so bleak to us. Those twelve gifts before Christmas are loving gestures I will never forget. Since that year, I want to be on the giving end, bringing joy to another who suffers, to help someone in grief get through the difficult weeks before Christmas. Santa Lucia Lights Path to Rockford’s Christmas Dinner Natalie Byman | The Voice of Zion December 2022 - Home and Family Article -- Lights off. Candles lit. Eyes wide with the spectacle of light. I watched as Santa Lucia strolled, with statuesque solemnity, the path to Christmas light and joy. She led the 176 guests in singing and fellowship at Rockford Church Christmas Dinner. The annual fundraiser evening was held on December 11, 2021. I participated in this event twice since I moved to Minnesota in 2019. After the relative quiet of Christmas season 2020, I found it especially wonderful to be part of the planning. With great excitement I anticipated this evening, one of many 2021 Christmas gatherings and musical events held in southern Minnesota Laestadian congregations. The fundraising planning committee met in October, and we quickly settled on a Scandinavian theme with a Swedish Santa Lucia focus, serving Swedish desserts and including a Santa Lucia processional in the sanctuary. The work divided and delegated, my group’s task was to plan and prepare decorations and the choir outfits, and although it felt like there were many setbacks and dead ends as we explored different options, I learned and enjoyed working with the others in the process. I also sang in the choir. The Santa Lucia tradition is old and cherished in the Nordic culture. And it’s not surprising, since Santa Lucia’s Day arrives on December 13, just as the people of northern Europe are living the darkest days of the year. The Lucia custom is observed in Sweden and Finland to welcome sunlight to the earth and the light of Christmas to our hearts. Here in Rockford it was interesting to learn of this tradition and to sing a Swedish song. We woke up to a fresh blanket of snow on the day of the dinner, which added to the festive feeling as we worked with greenery and candles and the kitchen crew prepared the dinner and desserts. In the afternoon, the choir reviewed the program logistics, practicing walking in and out with the long skirts and candles required for the Santa Lucia procession. Then the guests began to arrive, and we had time for fellowship before serving the dinner. The 176 guests were served efficiently with a large serving crew. After dinner everyone moved into the sanctuary for the program. The choir walked in humming the Santa Lucia song, followed by Santa Lucia with her crown of candles. The dim lighting in the room allowed for focus on the meaning of the words of the mostly familiar Christmas songs. After the program, we all returned to the dining room for dessert and fellowship. At the end of the evening, I reflected on how special it is to have these opportunities to gather as a congregation, and it felt good to serve my congregation. Even in this way the light that Lucia brings – the light of Christmas – glows in my heart. Christmas in a New Country Eija Mikkola | The Voice of Zion December 2022 - Home and Family Article -- It was the late fall of 1957. Mom and Dad had emigrated from Finland to the country of Mom’s birth, Canada, that past July. A suitcase full of baby clothes, two babies, hearts full of hopes and a large travel debt were their possessions. The first night in their own apartment had been spent sleeping on the floor on top of their coats. A bag as a pillow. The baby, 3 months old, slept in the bassinet supplied by the airlines on their flight to Canada. The 1-year-old, well, she slept at least. Christmas was coming – their third together and first in a strange new land. Dad’s first job had ended with the company going belly up on pay day, so no pay check. Luckily, he landed a new job with the city. A few weeks before Christmas, came the first pink slip. The city laid off its workers. Dad got one too. Not speaking English or understanding it, he did not realize that he would be rehired in January. Then came Dad’s last day of work before Christmas. He noticed a small tree by the roadside. They would have a tree for Christmas. One of the full-time city workers saw him carry off the tree. He said, “Christmas tree anyhow,” the first words that Dad was to learn. Dad also understood the compassion in his coworker’s words. Yes, regardless of their poorness, Christmas would come. At home, Mom had been able to get the basic Finnish Christmas fare – carrots, rutabaga, potatoes, rice, milk and coffee from Tullan Kassu’s Finnish grocery store. Simple, familiar comfort food, and a tree decorated with a bit of tinsel. By Christmas of 1958, God had blessed the family with a job, a new place to live and a new baby, making it a happy family. Over the following few years, we moved more times and a Christmas photo documented each new home. And now finally, a home of their own. Our landlady had asked Dad and Mom if they would consider buying the house they were renting on rent-to-own terms. Dad says that was truly a great opportunity for them and was grateful for the generous offer. Christmas of 1963 stands out as a strong memory in our family. We talk of occurrences that were “bH” or “aH” – before or after the birth of our sister Hilkka. Mom suffered a heart attack while expecting her and spent Christmas in the hospital. Dad tells me that Christmas Eve that year he will not forget! While at work as a maintenance worker for the City of Sudbury, his crew was doing sewer repairs. It had rained a lot that fall. Dad says, “I was cautious down under the street for my job was to fill buckets that were then hauled up to the surface. I listened to the sounds of running water. All of a sudden, I heard a ROAR! I started running as fast as I could toward the manhole stairs yelling the whole way for others to get out of the way too. As I grabbed the stair rail, my bucket was swept away in the flood. It was a close call. You could have been fatherless.” After leaving the job site, Dad had some stops on the way home, to make bakery for Christmas foodstuffs was one. He tells me that on coming home his neighbor who had promised to babysit us had bailed early, leaving us with cold beans – “And you kids weren’t used to such fare.” Christmas supper was the traditional one, only this year it came from the store. Dad recalls, “Santa came after the meal and I had to leave you kids with your toys while I went to see Mom in the hospital.” In my own memory, I recall nothing bad or sad from that Christmas of 1963. We three children had learned to be brave. I only remember the gift I received, a toy stove. We don’t have many photos of that Christmas – Mom the photographer was away in Sudbury Memorial Hospital. Many more Christmas times were spent in the Sudbury area till Mom and Dad moved to Richmond Hill, and then to Bradford, north of Toronto. Now Mom is gone – awaiting Christmas on the shores of heaven. She passed away in 2019. “God has blessed our life,” is Dad’s memory of the goodness of God throughout our family’s life. Our Congregation’s Sauna Project Evan Siltala | The Voice of Zion December 2022 - Home and Family Article -- Who wouldn’t want a sauna in their yard? In 2012, a Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church group spear-headed by Angela Meredith decided to plan and host a Scandinavian Bazaar & Bakery, modeled after what the Toronto congregation had started in prior years. With many prayers and a boatload of ambition the first annual bazaar was underway and heating up. Shortly after the decision was made to move forward with the bazaar, Travis and Sara Byman visited with us about making a larger item to which local tradesmen might contribute. After throwing around a few ideas, we kept coming back to the question of “What is more Scandinavian than a sauna?” And with that, the sauna project was “all-systems-go.” The first year was one of research and development. It was challenging for Travis and me to not build to residential housing standards, as we are both in the construction industry and that was just the way things got done. After that we were able to pare it down, simplify the methods, thereby saving us quite a bit of time in the process. This didn’t hinder the quality of the finished product, but in some ways even enhanced it. From the first sauna to the tenth sauna, the time involved was almost cut in half. The sauna for 2021 was built in roughly four weeks, with a small crew working on it a few nights a week and all four Saturdays. As of this writing, Cokato church volunteers have built ten saunas. No two have been the same, with different details added or removed based on feedback or comments from congregation members or from those guests coming for the bazaar. Over the years it has been fun to hear the comments, see the interest and gain insight into what people like or what they remember of saunas from years past. As for the design, our only limitation was keeping it within legal road restrictions for delivery to its destination after the bazaar was over. Other than that, the design was mostly original and custom, often with various donated materials, but having a general idea which route we wanted to take. This spontaneity is the preferred process since no customer looks over our shoulder micro-managing the effort. As long as the sauna had a steam room and a dressing room – and on the last few, a porch – they all produced steam and thus were deemed acceptable. The design team must have done a respectable job with their design because, as I recall, we never had one returned stamped “Delivery declined.” On the construction end of the project, once the shell is up and the windows installed, tradesmen take on various tasks of their specialty as their schedules permit. The more men contributing time, the less and lighter work for all. Any help is so much appreciated. Though we may struggle at times in finding time and volunteers to complete these projects, and we may wonder how life’s duties and obligations will be met, whatever they may be, God has provided for our needs in many ways. Being involved in most of the sauna projects over the years, I have an opinion on the use of several details. First, I will now always put a back door out of the sauna in any sauna I build, to cool off without having to traipse through the dressing room – it’s just a must for me. Second, we put a step down in a few saunas, from the dressing room to the sauna, which ended up being a nice feature. Two other details that we incorporated in a few saunas are a porch and a large window in the sauna. Both have seemed to be popular judging by comments at the bazaar. As a fundraising project, the sauna has been fun to manage, design and build. From the standard structure with a gable roof of year one, to the timber structures of the middle years, to the more modern designs of the last few, it has evolved in an interesting way. When the wood stove, made by Rory Siltala, was installed and fired up, we knew that that year’s project was complete. One small part of the bazaar was ready and we could then help with other tasks. In reflecting on the years since we began making this borrowed Christmas bazaar tradition our own, It has been truly amazing to see God’s blessings in this endeavor. I smile when I think how God has guided our bazaar and turned it into so much more than we as a congregation had envisioned. This Scandinavian Bazaar weekend has brought so many guests through the doors of our church, and they marvel at the love they feel, the joy they see and the celebration of Christmas through treasured cultural traditions of Scandinavian lands. I have been moved to see so many visitors come from far and wide, from across town and from sister congregations, fill the sanctuary to standing room only, to listen to God’s Word and message of salvation through the beautiful singing voices of the children and adults. I feel, as many visitors have also commented, “Now Christmas is here.” Advent Services in Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado Ann Byman | The Voice of Zion December 2022 - Home and Family Article -- Our congregation, Roaring Fork Valley, is fortunate to have active committees that coordinate events for members of all ages. Throughout the year, discussions, presentations and gatherings such as Ski Days bring believers together to be uplifted in faith. Along with our weekly service schedule, our local board plans special services such as Palm Sunday Services, Fall Services, and Advent Services so we can be strengthened by the hearing of God’s Word. For me, all of our special services have been blessed and memorable, but Advent Services weekend stands out as a special weekend for our congregation. We ask a visiting speaker to serve our congregation for this weekend of musical events, services and gatherings. The weekend opens with an adults’ musical evening, where through voice, instrument and spoken devotion, we are reminded of the promise of Christ’s birth. A powerful part of the evening is the final song, where the choir members encircle the sanctuary and, in parts, sing “Silent Night.” The singing is so beautiful that I wonder that the singing in heaven might be even more divine than this! The following evening, Sunday school children participate in the annual Sunday School Program. Through recitations, songs, and devotion they proclaim the message of our Savior’s birth. It is especially touching to see the pre-school and kindergarten students recite their short messages with excitement and sing their songs with pure love and faith. The Sunday School students standing together at the front reminds us that our kingdom is one of hope and promise; these children represent the future of Zion. Such abundance of heavenly treasures is in our midst! The following day we have services in the morning, followed by lunch at home. We don’t yet have a dining hall at our church, so meals during winter special events are held in the homes. We gather again in the afternoon for closing services. We can marvel at how God gives words to the servants to edify as He knows best. By the end of a busy three days, we may be physically fatigued, especially those with young children. Nonetheless our hearts are refreshed and our souls nourished. Roaring Fork Valley congregation welcomes all to join us for this festive weekend in celebration of the birth of our Savior. Having moved to the Roaring Fork Valley six years ago, we feel blessed to have been placed in the care of this loving congregation, where God’s Word is spoken, the gospel message is preached, and our hearts are united. Discussion Questions Why do you suppose humans love annual traditions and especially those at Christmas? What traditions might you like to add to your family Christmas and why? What might be the most important element in our decision to add or drop a tradition? Many Christmastime traditions are steeped in collective memory, of times and people gone by. What special holiday memories do you cherish?

The Voice of Zion October 2021 - Home and Family Articles -- If you close your eyes and imagine heaven, what do you see? Do you see roads paved with gold and serene landscapes? Do you see mansions and angels? The Bible refers to heaven in several places and we sing of heaven in our songs and hymns of Zion, but none of us really know the full extent of its beauty and peace! Thouts of Heaven James Moll | The Voice of Zion October 2021 - Home and Family Article -- Stop! Before you read past this first paragraph, look away or close your eyes. Visualize heaven. Take your time. Each one of us has some perception of heaven. Of course, we have been influenced by scripture portions, songs, artists and discussions. Yet, the fact of the matter is that we simply don’t know. Why do we not know? Apostle Paul writes: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Cor. 2:9). Juhani Uljas repeats this in a different way: “Scripture speaks much about the reality of eternal life, but little about what eternal life is like” (The Treasure Hidden in a Field, LLC, 2003). In John 14:2, Jesus tells His disciples, “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” However, He did not describe the mansions, nor did He give other descriptions even though He had come to earth from heaven and would have been the perfect authority. When I was given the task to create a summer services presentation on “Heaven,” I had no idea how to proceed. In fact, even now years later, I do not feel any more prepared to write about heaven. I suspect most can relate to my sentiments. How well did you visualize heaven and what would you have to say about the topic? Over the years I have occasionally been asked to repeat the presentation. When I ask people to describe heaven, most audiences relate more of how they expect to feel in heaven: they are joyful, serene, calm and happy as they sing praises, without sorrow or tears. Most descriptions include clouds, streets of gold, musical instruments, green pastures and the like. Some people picture being in a setting associated with their memories of beautiful places, such as a seaside or mountain scene. Of course, no human who died and went to heaven has returned to describe it. The poet Niilo Rauhala comments, “So little we speak of heaven.” The verses of one song relate about the indescribable wonder of heaven. “No tongue its beauty tells” and the verses speak about eternal life, no tears, and “God has a joy prepared which mortal ear has never heard nor mortal vision shared, which never pierced a mortal breast, by mortal lips was ne’er expressed” (SHZ 586). However, the children’s song 448 speaks specifically of treasures in heaven. The song relates of golden crowns, white robes, harps, and streets made of gold. There is a fountain of life with streams of comfort flowing. In heaven there is eternal light and anthems of praise. We are also familiar with song of Zion 587, which enthusiastically resounds with, “Joy, joy, joy” bursting forth from an innumerable throng of singers! I imagine that all angels will be granted perfect singing voices, voices that will never tire. Do you now have a clearer picture of heaven? Personally, after thinking about this subject, it feels as though the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. Most discussions have centered around the desire of people one day to be able to rejoice eternally in heaven. I never hear of the alternative, of a desire for eternal torment. Moreover, I have never met anyone who didn’t express the expectation of arriving one day on heaven’s shores. And I have heard stories from both believers and others who relate of angels coming to take a loved one at the moment of death, and of being drawn towards a bright light. The martyr Stephen saw “the heavens opened, and the son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56) but not heaven itself. How can our limited human understanding begin to grasp something that is far beyond human experience: something that is so perfect, and something that begins but never ends? Who can grasp eternity or infinity? How did our God create everything from nothing with His Word only? Reason is limited. We can only see faintly with eyes of faith. Apostle Paul says, “For now we see through a glass, darkly” (1 Cor. 13:12). We have often been reassured of the pathway to the destination. The bloody footprints of our Redeemer mark the way. Former saints have traveled that narrow way; our escorts today help us keep our feet on the old paths, the tried-and-true way. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Heaven waits for all who remain believing and endeavoring in faith to the destination. Even if we neither understand nor see, by faith we have a sure hope of one day experiencing the bliss of heaven. Our vision will be clear. Heaven of Grace, Heaven of Glory Matthew Keranen | The Voice of Zion October 2021 - Home and Family Article -- In sermons and in writings I have encountered the phrases “heaven of grace” and “heaven of glory.” I wanted to know more about what these terms mean, especially when juxtaposed. So I turned to my friend, our congregation’s pastor Jouko Haapsaari for insight. Here is an excerpt from our text message exchange. Matt: Jouko, we sometimes hear people speak of a heaven of grace. What do we mean when we speak of this? Jouko: Isn’t it interesting that the Bible says Apostle Paul was “caught up to the third heaven,” as he writes in 2 Cor. 12:2. And in the Lord’s Prayer in Finnish we read “Our Father, who are in heavens.” Note the plural. So, the concept of heaven is deeper than we think. Matt: That is interesting. Also, in English we sometimes say “the heavens,” and maybe to some that’s a poetic way of saying the sky or “the skies.” But in the King James version of the Bible it mentions “heavens” such as in Deut. 10:14. “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.” Jouko: God is mightier than we think. And why wouldn’t He be? Matt: Yes, He is. I ponder the heaven of glory. What is that exactly? Jouko: I remember some old ministers preached about heaven on earth – in God’s kingdom. They said that the descriptions of heaven, for example in Revelations, refer to God’s kingdom as the heaven of glory. The beauty of God’s kingdom can only be seen by one who is already therein. Also, I think that the heaven of glory is the goal of faith, eternity there where God is. It is those mansions that Jesus promised to prepare for His own, in John 14:2. Matt: It will indeed be glorious. Grace will no longer be needed in eternity, right? Jouko: I remember hearing about faith, hope and love, that in heaven faith will change to seeing, and hope to eternal bliss; neither faith nor hope will any longer be needed. Only love will make it all the way to heaven. Grace won’t be needed either because there we will no longer have temptations or sin! What a wonderful place. Matt: That is such a wonderful thought to hold on to: no more temptations or sin. Jouko: Indeed. Here we are tempted and must battle daily for our crown. Matt: But while grace is yet needed, we are – or we can be – in the heaven of grace. I’m not sure if this is a saying that everyone knows about. How would you explain this concept to, for example, a confirmation student? Or to someone who has just received the grace to repent of unbelief? Jouko: Grace as a concept means unmerited goodness from God. When a person is in the heaven of grace, he or she is under the protection of God’s grace. The most wonderful gift from God is the forgiveness of all sins that we can enjoy every day; it is unlimited even to the biggest sinner. God is good! Matt: So, thinking of what a young one might wonder about this, are we in the heaven of grace at all times? Jouko: The Bible mentions “standing in God’s grace” only twice (Rom. 5:2 and 1 Pet. 5:12), but it is enough. Every Word from God’s mouth will stand forever. Matt: Who is standing in God’s grace? Is that us? Jouko: Yes, it is us. God’s children sure have a reason to wonder and be thankful for it. Sometimes we try to think in our human way what the heaven of glory will be like. Have you ever thought about it and how do you imagine it will be? Or have you heard others describing it? Matt: It will be like an unending dream, complete rest and happiness. Nothing uncomfortable or pressing. No worrisome thoughts. But even these words feel lacking in capturing what I wish to express. One thing I think of is how Finnish people write in death announcements, “jälleennäkemisen ihanassa toivossa,” which means “clinging to the wonderful hope of seeing each other again.” That makes me think maybe we’ll know our loved ones who also inherit heaven’s home. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? My grandparents for example. Or my sister who only lived a short moment. Oh, how I’d love to see them and know them. Jouko: I agree. How good it will be to meet those, who we have missed here after their time was over. It also feels so comforting to think that I won’t feel temptations of sin, and only love prevails. Matt: So, while we await our eternal life in heaven, in the heaven of glory, we have this wonderful gift of the heaven of grace here on earth. When through God’s goodness, we taste God’s grace and a foretaste of heaven. That is what heaven of grace means: through grace we are given a foretaste of heaven. Jouko: Exactly so, and that is why believers in biblical times compared this heaven of grace – God’s kingdom – to a golden candlestick, without any fault or blemish. God’s grace is so wonderful and perfect that it is the closest we can come to heaven while yet here on earth. ‍ So Little We Speak of Heaven Niilo Rauhala‍, Translation: Editors | The Voice of Zion October 2021 - Home and Family Poem -- So little we speak of heaven. Our eyes press shut, darkness fills the room. Children of prayers lie yet awake, not playing together – night’s blanket enfolds unbearably warm. So little we speak of heaven, though the glow of evening is like the arm of daylight yet extended toward us. ‍ Niin vähän me puhumme taivaasta. Silmämme painuvat kiinni, pimeä täyttää huoneen. Huokauksen lapset valvovat, eivät leiki keskenään – yön peitto kääriytyy tuskanlämmin. Niin vähän me puhumme taivaasta, vaikka illan kajo on kuin päivän käsivarsi yhä ojentunut meitä kohti. ‍Discussion Points 1. What is your idea of heaven? What is the basis of this idea? 2. We learn that in heaven “faith will be changed to seeing.” What will we see? 3. What in your personal experience prepares you for heaven? What causes you to yearn for heaven? 4. If it happens as people say, that we will have a joyous reunion on heaven’s shore, who will you see first? Or will we recognize loved ones that have gone before? 5. What is the rest of the righteous? 6. Will we become angels when we die? 7. Read 1 Thess. 4:16,17. Discuss. 8. What can we learn about heaven from the story of Lazarus’ death?

Terry Ruonavaara | Shepherd's Voice October/November 2021 - Home and Family Article -- Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us. – Hebrews 12:1 Dear children, do you read the Bible? Even short verses, like our text above, can offer encouragement in our lives of faith. These words in the book of Hebrews remind us how to care for our conscience. How has your faith, your life as a believer been? Apostle Paul tells about his faith this way: the good that I want to do I find myself not doing. And the evil or bad that I don’t want to do I find myself doing (Rom. 7:15). A young mother related a story. She said she was working in her home office while the children were in the other room playing. At some point, her young son came into the office. He asked if he could have his sins forgiven. The mother said she did not know what the boy had done, but she preached the gospel of the forgiveness of sins to him. The boy went back into the other room and happily continued playing. What can we learn from this story? The boy had done something that bothered his conscience. It troubled him and he didn’t enjoy playing. The boy knew what he had to do. He went to his mother and asked to have his sins forgiven. Then his conscience did not bother him anymore! He was happy again. He continued playing with a joyful heart. God speaks to us through our conscience. He reminds us of the sin that is on our conscience. But God also gives us a way to care for our conscience. We can lay aside the weight of sin that often besets us; we can ask for forgiveness in Jesus’ name and precious blood. In this way, we can continue traveling on the way to heaven. May you, dear children, be given strength to continue to put sin away. Apostle Paul reminds us, “Keep faith and a good conscience” (1 Tim. 1:19). One day this faith will take you home to heaven. ‍ Things to Visit About: 1. How do we know what is right and what is wrong? 2. How does our conscience help us on our pathway to heaven? 3. How do you care for your conscience? ‍

Darren Hendrickson, on behalf of the LLC Home and Family Committee | The Voice of Zion September 2021 - Home and Family Article -- Contained in the topic of Health and Wellbeing we find physical health, mental health and spiritual health. We can consider the health and wellbeing of an individual, but also of the family unit. What keeps a family unit healthy? There can be differing opinions and ideas on how to preserve health and promote wellbeing. In the past year there has been a trend toward uncompromising opinions on these. This can try peace and freedom among believers. In many of these practical matters, we can abstain from a view that alienates others. Rather, we want to support, share thoughts where needed and above all ease the trials of others where we are able. Matters of health can cause anxiety and worry. Much is beyond our control. When we trust God and accept that He is in control, we gain perspective. The prophet Isaiah records the following words, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:9). We do not know why illness might beset one person and not another, but God does know. The Home and Family Committee’s intention with these articles is to discuss health and wellbeing from the perspective of believers, finding comfort in God’s Holy Spirit, though our phases of life and our experiences vary. Everyone seeks contentment with our place in life, doing what we can to prevent illness, make healthcare decisions, facing trials and being aware of others’ needs. All of us can look toward that place, our eternal home in heaven, where we no longer worry about illness and suffering. ‍ Can Stress or Anxiety Be Treated? Amber Huhta | The Voice of Zion September 2021 - Home and Family Article -- As I opened my email, I saw the request: “Would you be willing to write an article for the Voice of Zion? The subject is wellbeing.” I wondered how they knew what I had just been through this past year or how my life has been in general. I believe God guides them when they asked for writers, and now I sit here feeling inadequate yet hopeful that God will bless my words. Stress has been in the forefront of my life for many, many years. It has been present for as long as I can remember. A few years ago, one of my coping mechanisms for stress was to try to control every bit of my life that I possibly could – even the parts that I now know I could not control, like my friends’ feelings. As the responsibility of adulthood weighed upon me life began to get hard. I was constantly worrying about what other people thought. Surely if I could do everything in my power to please people, I would be happy – right? If I ran myself ragged, I would feel calm and accomplished at the end of the day. If I kept saying yes to people’s requests, I would find peace. These are not healthy thoughts, actions or feelings, and they had begun to consume me. This past year I realized that I no longer knew how to cope with the anxious feelings that were increasingly part of my daily life. God had guided me through many different friendships to see that asking for professional help was the next step. This isn’t something that works for everyone and is not a cure-all answer but was one that I thought might help me. Speaking with a therapist has greatly reduced my stress levels and I have been learning healthy ways to deal with stressful situations. These are a few: I create a list of three to five things that I want to get done each day and stick to the list. I give myself grace if I do not complete everything on that list and try again the next day. When I find myself worrying about what other people think, I gently tell myself I have absolutely no control over that. I also use an app called Calm that guides me through daily meditation. These are not habits that I follow as consistently as I would like – but isn’t that life? We try our hardest and give ourselves grace when the road gets bumpy. Even in this, our heavenly Father knows His own and will never leave us, not even the weakest one. ‍ Caring for Children's Wellbeing Suzanne Pitkanen | The Voice of Zion September 2021 - Home and Family Article -- As a teacher in a 3rd grade class, I find enjoyment and challenge in caring for each child’s social and emotional wellbeing. My education and teaching experience have been in both special education and elementary education, and I have been able to teach students with a wide range of backgrounds. I have often reflected on the fact that each child is unique and is created by God. This has been a great comfort and reminder to me throughout the joys and challenges of teaching. It has been an important reminder for me that each child is God’s creation no matter what their background or family life is. My personality is not necessarily full of patience, but I have been able to learn strategies and tools to help me work with children in a variety of situations. As a teacher, it is very beneficial for me to build a personal connection with each child. My goal is to learn things about each child that might be their personal interests, their strengths, or something about their family. When a child feels that somebody knows something personal about them and cares about them, they feel like they belong. This builds a connection and trust between adults and children and helps when behavior is unexpected or challenging. A child blurts out, lashes out, yells, stomps away, shuts down. What is our first response as adults? I know what mine is. My first reaction is to show the child who is the boss. I am annoyed and prone to yelling. But, there are ways to train our adult brains to calm down and think: “What is the child communicating?” Children’s outbursts – both positive and negative – are a form of communication. It’s not always easy to be patient with unexpected loud or physical responses or refusal to comply. What can we, as adults, do to help these children feel calm and able to participate? In school, we work on mindfulness activities such as deep breathing and simple exercises to calm our bodies and minds during the school day. These activities are for everyone – we all can benefit from calming exercises! Some children need a quiet space where they can take a break for a few minutes to calm down. Other children benefit from keeping their hands busy with small fidgets or manipulatives, so that their brains can focus. Quiet and calming music can also be very soothing. One of my students’ favorite exercises is finger-breathing. You can try it too! Hold up one hand and trace each finger with the other hand. As each finger is traced in an upward motion – breathe in, and with each downward motion – breathe out. Searching online for mindfulness activities will provide a plethora of other useful ideas! We teach mindfulness activities at school and give space for them during the school day. We also work with children to use these strategies when they feel upset, stressed, anxious or need to move. I have also learned to use these calming strategies myself when working with children who have physical or emotional outbursts. Sometimes the response that children need from adults is opposite to how we might naturally respond. In fact, in my experiences with troubled students, I have learned to ask them if they need a hug. It is sometimes surprising to realize that a child is looking for love and care when their lashing out or non-compliant behavior can make us feel frustrated or annoyed. Children from all kinds of backgrounds – from believing and unbelieving homes – can be affected by many things in their lives. Sometimes neglect or traumatic experiences of all kinds can cause emotional or physical responses that appear as unexpected or challenging behavior. Children may also experience learning differences, disabilities or disorders that affect their learning, responses, and social interactions. Some common examples are autism spectrum disorders, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and anxiety. We cannot always see these disabilities or know what type of experiences a child may have had. We might, however, notice a child’s behavior or response at school, in social situations, at church events, Sunday school or camp activities. Can these strategies be used at home or during church activities? We all do some of these when we ask children to fold their hands and pray together with us. Still, if a child needs more time and attention in the area of finding calmness, mindfulness activities are quite simple and can be used in most situations. It is important that these activities are discussed and learned in a calm situation so that they can be better utilized in a situation when behavior may become challenging. If you are a Sunday school, Day Circle, Bible class teacher or working at camp, it would be good to build connections with and between the children in your class or group. In addition, it’s pretty quick and easy to fit in some deep breaths at the beginning or middle of a lesson. In our homes, we may have discovered that each of the children and adults in our home have different personalities and unique responses to different situations. It is important for children to feel like someone knows something special about them and that they are important part of the family. We also know that children may have outbursts or unpleasant responses in different situations. Perhaps they are anxious, need quiet time, or need some physical exercise. Sometimes a quick break with some breathing exercises can help diffuse frustration or anger. Sometimes kids need a hug or maybe their conscience is weighed down by sin and they need to hear the gospel of the forgiveness of sins preached to them. Each of us is unique. We have family and life experiences that are unique. As believers, we can feel like we have many things in common, and yet, we also have our own singular personalities, families, and experiences. Adults’ responses to challenging situations may be filled with fatigue and impatience; however, we can learn strategies and ways to keep calm and help a child’s wellbeing. And as believers, we also have a treasure. We can ask for and preach the gospel to cleanse the conscience and put sin away. We can be refreshed and try again. ‍ Contentment, a Gift from God Sarah Sorvala | The Voice of Zion September 2021 - Home and Family Article -- Contentment is personal, a response to our given situation. No other person or thing can make someone feel content. In my life, I have had times of dark, heavy discontentment and also beautiful blessings of contentment. If you, dear reader, look back over your life, you likely recall moments of happiness as well as darker moments. I have felt that God allows struggles as well as great joy and happiness so that can see His guiding hand in our lives. Each person finds contentment in a personal way. For me, when I begin to look into another person’s life, it can make me feel unworthy. I start to feel like a horrible mother, wife and homemaker. The devil is so cunning, whispering lies into my ear. God has given His children the gospel, a powerful comfort and reassurance. During my times of heavy doubt and discontentment, I prayed that God would give me strength to ask for my discontentment to be forgiven in Jesus’ name and precious blood. This prayer was answered. God gives gifts to every person and we don’t always see our own gifts. We can pray that God would give us the gift of contentment for this moment, each day. The songwriter expresses this beautifully: “Contentment I ask you to grant for today, the work that You gave me, make precious, I pray” (SHZ 411:3). We lived in a very small, cozy home in Michigan for thirteen years. God richly blessed our life even though we didn’t have much space. Living there, we made many believing friendships. We were very happy to a roof over our heads. Nevertheless, I was sometimes discontent. During winter months, I felt as though the walls were closing in. The kids’ winter clothes cluttered the entrance floor. Boots and soggy mittens lined along the furnace vents. These dark cloudy days spoiled my spirits. During those times, I would take myself away from the clutter, daily chores and overwhelming thoughts. I sat on the chair with a pile of books and read to my children. They were happy and content sitting in my lap or next to me, which in turn helped assuage my thoughts of discontentment. When we moved to Arizona, we were able to move into a bigger home. I can today look back and feel thankfulness that God preserved us in faith and blessed us with a home with more space. God richly blesses us in His time. He has given you and me what we need in our life right now. If only we could always be thankful for what we have and don’t have! We are all in different stations of life. Wherever we are, contentment is a gift from God. May God give us strength and contentment in our daily duties as we journey to our heavenly goal. Once in heaven, we will have full contentment: “From all lips is joy resounding, time with sorrow is no more, as the tree of life is yielding full contentment evermore” (SHZ 589:5). ‍ Medical Care Is a Blessing Becky Randall | The Voice of Zion September 2021 - Home and Family Article -- In a parable, Jesus told about a wounded man, on the verge of death, who was helped by a passerby, a Samaritan. The Samaritan treated the wounds with oil and wine and then brought the wounded one to an inn for further care. The parable speaks of wounds in the person’s body and their treatment but also contains a picture of spiritual care for the wounds of sin. God’s children have two types of inns where they can receive care. The kingdom of God is an inn that provides the spiritual care that we need through the oil of the Spirit and the wine of the gospel. We also have those inns to which we can turn when we have wounds or difficult health matters that need care. Many times in my life, I have felt grateful for medical care. I watched our grandson, a premature newborn, grow into a healthy toddler after spending about 125 days of his life in the NICU, shedding wires and tubes along the way. Then, over the course of years as a parent, we received advice and reassurance from our pediatrician during well visits as our children grew. In addition, I made countless trips to our pediatrician with typical childhood illnesses and to the emergency room to have broken bones set and sutures placed. I’ve spent nights in the hospital for surgical intervention of a ruptured appendix, help with breathing during RSV, or for IV fluids when Rotavirus still plagued children in the early spring. When traveling in a developing country, I was struck by the difference in availability of medical care. Here in industrialized nations, we have not had to wonder what to do if we have sudden onset of chest pain. When an ambulance rolls in the hospital doors, a patient is quickly taken to the cath lab to have stents placed, if the need is indicated. Someone injured in a car accident is treated with expertise based on standards of care established by the medical community. Protocols are developed based on study outcomes and they strive for improved treatments. While the treatments are imperfect and are provided by faulty human beings, the systematic evaluation and development of treatment protocols have had positive outcomes overall. Healthcare Is as Old as Humanity Luke is described in the Bible as “the beloved physician.” Jesus referred to physicians and medicine and used sickness as a metaphor for sin. When the Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with the publicans He said, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick” (Matt. 9:12). Before and since those New Testament days, science and medicine are always evolving, driven by changes in society. Interventions have changed based on research that carefully follows the scientific method. Technology has also changed because of scientific advancements. Consider that MRI scanners were rare when I first started working in a hospital. Now, if I suspect that one of my patients has a brain mass, I request an MRI and have the results within hours. Even antibiotics are new in the scope of time. Penicillin didn’t exist for my grandparents as it wasn’t in use until the 1940s. Today, we have vastly expanded medications at our disposal that can treat more virulent microorganisms in targeted ways. As a result, people die less often from infections today than they did in the past. God Guides in Illness and Healing Through rigorous study and God’s blessing these practices and treatments have come to pass and can continue. It is good to thank our heavenly Father for providing opportunity and ability for people to study medicine and for providing resources for medical interventions and disease prevention. There are times when we are faced with illness or health decisions that are frightening. Trusting in God and His blessing comforts and can help ground our decisions when we feel our life is out of control. We can turn to medical providers with questions and weigh their recommendations through the Holy Spirit. We can seek specialists when they are recommended. These might include psychiatry or therapy for mental health conditions or nephrologists, cardiologists, or other specialists for medical conditions. Visiting about a difficult treatment decision with another believer in the light of God’s Word can be helpful. No individual has perfect understanding. Yet, when we approach our health decisions humbly and pray for guidance, God will help. Thankful for God’s Gifts In all these questions we can see God’s blessings and trust in Him. Even as I write this, intense research continues, and medical practices develop as a result. Recent events in our lives illustrate how recommendations change based on available data. Thankfully we don’t have to understand the complexities of each new medical development. God provides the knowledge and means for research to take place. He knows our needs. Even so, there can be conflicting opinions on health. This can lead to anxiety and fear in society and may even lead to a turning away from God. These controversies also affect believers and have the danger of rising to a point that they cloud living faith. May we nonetheless support each other, visiting with mutual respect and humility, encouraging each other to thank for those blessings God places before us, and putting sin and doubt away with the gospel. As instructed in Scripture, we can trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding (Prov. 3:4,5). We cannot be thankful enough for the gift of health. Nor can we be thankful enough for the gift of medical care and science that God provides. Trusting in God and His blessings is comforting and relieves us of fear when we feel lack of control over illness that affects us. When our approach to science and medicine is with humility and prayer and our discussions around these topics are edifying, we can support and strengthen one another on the road to heaven. ‍ ‍Becky Randall, PA-C is a hospitalist PA working for CentraCare at the St. Cloud Hospital. She is a member of the Elk River congregation. Mindfulness Can Help with Stress Mindfulness Can Help With Stress Joella Korpi | The Voice of Zion September 2021 - Home and Family Article -- I have recently graduated as a Family Nurse Practitioner. As part of my education, I did my doctoral project on the use of mindfulness meditation to decrease stress and anxiety. Our health and wellbeing are so important! Wellbeing can be defined as the state of being comfortable, happy, and healthy. Too often in our rushed lives we do not set aside time for our personal wellbeing. As stress accumulates in our life it may take a toll on our health. So, what is mindfulness mediation and how can it help? To be mindful is to pay attention in a certain way during the present moment, or more simply put “to be present in the moment.” Mindfulness is used to improve coping and emotional wellbeing. To practice mindfulness, relax your body, clear your mind, and make yourself aware of what is happening around you and inside of you. While doing this, focus on your breathing. Take deep breaths in through your nose and breathe out long and slowly through your mouth. Try to keep your mind clear, but if a thought or feeling comes up, just acknowledge what you are feeling and continue to relax and focus on your breathing. A fun way to do this is to be mindful of your five senses. Notice what you see, hear, smell, feel, and even taste. The real question is, how does one incorporate this activity into the hustle and bustle of daily life? This practice can be done anywhere at any time, even without the deep breathing component. For example, it is easy to be mindful of your senses. Consider you are walking with your children to the park; take notice of what you see around you. Notice the wildflowers on the side of the road, hear the birds singing and the wind blowing through the trees, and feel the sun shining on your back. Enjoy the refreshing taste of water from your water bottle. Doing this will help you enjoy the moment rather than stress about what you need to do when you get home. Perhaps you are rocking the baby to sleep in the evening. Turn the diffuser on or burn a candle with a relaxing scent. Play some waterfall sounds or some peaceful music. As you are rocking the baby, you can focus on your breathing. While you take a deep breath in, sit more upright. As you breathe out, allow your body to relax. Be mindful of what is going on around you. Notice that comforting scent. Allow yourself to only focus on the smell or to only notice the waterfall sounds playing in the background for a moment. For those that work outside the home, keep yourself in the moment and avoid the auto-pilot drive to work. Notice the road signs, different cars, and scenery on your way. Focus on your breathing as you drive. This may reduce the racing thoughts and anxiety that tend to build up when you think of the task list that awaits you at work. Mindfulness meditation is a useful practice for improving personal wellbeing. Our emotional and mental wellness are just as important as physical health. Activities such as mindfulness meditation may help to maintain balance in all areas of wellbeing and promote optimal health. ‍ Moderation for Health and Wellbeing Evan and Maria Loukusa | The Voice of Zion September 2021 - Home and Family Article -- What does healthy living in moderation mean? Perhaps it means eating nourishing foods and being moderately active. Maybe minding stress levels and avoiding substances play a role. For many, moderation might include a relaxing visit with family and friends. Most health professionals agree that a great deal of illness in America would disappear if we would all live moderately by the above examples. In recent times, making healthy choices can be overwhelming and stressful, considering the amount of information available. There are many different opinions, many of them from professionals, and there is much distrust. Certain topics are controversial, and even believers are susceptible to the polarization that can occur within the realm of health and wellness. The devil knows our human tendencies and will do anything to break the love between believers. However, we can pray for God’s guidance. It is important to love and support our fellow travelers; we have the same goal of heaven. Beware of the danger of pursuing health too strongly and taking your gaze from the heavenly destination. This is moderation. God has created us in His own image. In our DNA is written the ability to fight off infections, heal wounds and recover from illness. We continuously discover more about God’s creation – recent evidence has shown that our behaviors can actually turn genes on and off, preventing or unmasking disease. It is respectful to care for our marvelous bodies by remembering the rule of all things in moderation. Paul writes to the Corinthians that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, instructing them to avoid fornication and “glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Col. 6:19). Healthy living can also include specific preventive measures. Evidence shows that colon cancer screening prevents the suffering and early death associated with a cancer detected too late. But, at family gatherings, we avoid criticizing those who eschew colonoscopies and other preventative screenings – this too is moderation. For those that are interested in moving their health in a positive direction, the following steps have benefitted us: • Get more vegetables on your fork and move towards minimally processed foods. • Appreciate the social health blessings that come with the close relationships within God’s kingdom! Since moving to Michigan last year, Evan has enjoyed regular sauna visits with his father-in-law. We discuss daily events, life’s challenges, and forgive each other’s shortcomings. This ritual can be a wonderful way to care for family relationships. Both young and old benefit from social relationships with people of all ages and from many walks of life. • Be active. As a mother of young children, Maria no longer takes physical and mental health for granted as she might have when she had only herself to care for. With young ones demanding our time and attention around the clock, it can be difficult for caregivers to prioritize their own health. However, many find energy and patience for children when they have time away. In her training, Maria learned the importance of starting small and keeping things simple. For example, when beginning an exercise program, it might help to start with daily walks rather than a gym membership. • Be mindful of social media use. It is so easy to feel inadequate when comparing ourselves to the lives we see on social media. We may wonder, Why do I have so many bad days? Why don’t I fit into my clothes? Why don’t I have the energy to deal with my toddlers? Why don’t I have a successful business going? when others seem to be doing it all and doing it well. We know that we are only seeing one side of reality when we scroll through these images, but these thoughts can still bother us at a subconscious level. God created us all exactly as He saw fit. We are all given different gifts, different passions, different bodies, and we are all made to be unique individuals. For our health, a break from social media often works best. • Pay attention to what drives behaviors. In our hectic society, it is tempting to cut corners on a stressful day and, for example, choose food that is filling rather than nourishing. We cannot avoid stress, but we can use strategies to be less vulnerable to it: mindfulness, cognitive re-framing, and reducing stressful situations as much as possible can be helpful. If emotions drive behaviors, a counselor or coach may be a valuable resource. “And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it” (Gen. 2:15). From man’s first steps on this earth, we received instruction to care for God’s creation work. Each day allows time to care for our bodies – a beautiful part of God’s creation. We can do this trusting that our heavenly Father hears our prayers for health and healing. ‍ Discussion Points 1. How does discontentment impact our mental and physical wellbeing? 2. How can feelings of discontent trigger problem-solving? 3. What are ways that mindfulness can help us deal with anxiety? 4. How can comparing life situations foster either negative emotions or positive appreciation for one’s own situation? 5. What can we do to help ourselves notice the small joys in life? 6. If lack of resources cause anxiety or discontent, how can others notice and share? ‍

The Voice of Zion August 2021 - Home and Family Articles -- Being an entrepreneur brings many possibilities – along with challenges, demands and pressures. We can think of faith as a compass that gives us direction in decision-making. As in all areas of life, we can be thankful for the God-given gifts and opportunities that we utilize to earn a living and contribute to building our communities and society as a whole. The heavenly Father allows ventures to succeed according to His will. On these pages, believing entrepreneurs share their thoughts on the ethics and values that guide them in their daily calling and the worth of being involved in one’s community. In Real Estate, Personal Values Matter Sarina Siljander | The Voice of Zion August 2021 - Home and Family Article -- I am nearing the one-year mark of my career as a real estate agent. But I haven’t waited until this point to reflect on how the year has gone – I have marveled every step of the way. These steps, though imperfect, have pursued honest and ethical business practices. The real estate industry had intrigued me for several years, yet it wasn’t until last year that things lined up and my career began. I work with a team, and this team supports each other. In the real estate service industry, we market ourselves. You hire me to assist you with the purchase or sale of your home. I want to provide the best service I can. I have found that this “best service I can” is good enough and God blesses as He determines. In this current housing market, though, it would be easy to try tactics beyond the accepted business strategies that are backed by ethics and values. When we understand things happen for a reason, no matter what we think we can do about it, why wouldn’t we just peacefully accept outcomes? Even in real estate we can see it. With the current hot seller’s market, homes are selling so quickly it is hard to be patient. “Perhaps it’s not time to buy a house,” I often hear. That might be the case, but that will be shown with time also. Even in cases where there were multiple offers, we have had offers accepted that definitely were not the best offer in hand. One of my clients missed the opportunity to buy a home not only the first time, nor the second. Then, a few weeks past hearing we weren’t the offer chosen we received a call asking if we were still interested in the home. It was meant to be, is the only thing we could determine. In this market, it is easy to see unethical interactions happening where truthful statements aren’t being made. It is unfortunate to see, and it could be easy for any competing realtor to fight back is some way. Still, we believe and pursue ethical business practices such as honest representation and statements. I think it better to pursue each interaction with the values we live by because at the end of the day, I take myself home. I spend some time alone and eventually put myself to sleep. I want to be content with how my behaviors that day have reflected who I am as a person and who I am as a believer. We want to be obedient and work hard as God instructs. At the same time, we are also human and we rationalize. Our minds easily think, “When I tried a little harder, I received a greater reward.” This is not wrong of itself. It is when we forget that God gave the increase that we veer off the path. I have peace when I remember that God guides my life. Proverbs 16:9 instructs about taking the steps but God guiding them: “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” When I trust that God is in control, what is left for me to do is to care for those things He has given and trust that the path I am on is not of my work alone. My faith centers me. I know I take the steps, but I pray that God guides my path. My prayer is that which can be found in Psalm 17:5: “Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” ‍ When Nobody Is Looking Peter Hill, as told to Matthew Keranen | The Voice of Zion August 2021 - Home and Family Article -- Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is full of forests. These forests are a renewable natural resource that have been utilized by generations of settlers in this area. Peter Hill of Negaunee, Michigan, is a logger. He owns and runs Hill Logging, Inc., which harvests and manages forests for landowners. Peter specializes in selective cutting and cultivating forests to maintain their value in the long term. ‍ Managing a forest is like managing a garden. You pluck ripe trees just like you pluck a ripe tomato. Whether you grow tomatoes or apples or beans, you want quality, which means removing the weeds. It’s the same in a forest: the weeds there are poor-quality trees that are of little value. We weed the forest like we weed a garden; there’s always weeds popping up. We cultivate good, healthy trees, and we remove the weed trees. In managing a forest, we want to maintain the highest-quality forest. Landowners rely on me to manage the long-term value, the long-term prospects of their forest land. And the way we do that is by careful selection of trees, so that we’re growing quality trees. It wouldn’t be hard, however, to high-grade the forest, which means harvesting only the valuable trees and leaving behind those of little value. Not all landowners are well-versed in forest management; they don’t know what’s of value and what isn’t. I could get more revenue in the short-term and leave a poorer forest behind. It’s common to find forests that have been high-graded, with not much value intact. I see it all the time, for example when I’m looking for timber, or if a landowner calls me for a consultation on what to do with their forest. Sometimes it’s not worth it to do anything, since there’s no value there. I choose not to work this way, though, because it does not align with my sense of integrity. Integrity is one of the most important values in running a business. There are other ways too in which I could manage timber and get a better return for myself, and my customers may not know better. Honestly, most of them are landowners that are not in the timber business. So they mainly rely on me to develop a plan for their forests. If I were to high-grade their land, they may not know the difference. It is integrity that guides me to manage forests to the best of my ability, to cultivate them properly and upkeep future value. Running a business, I’m trying to survive every day. Logging and forest management is not an easy business. I have to maintain the bottom line, preferably with a profit margin. It is often difficult to even reach the break-even point. I would say in one way I’m hungry for money, as other entrepreneurs are, since it takes a lot of it to pay the bills every month. Yet, I would not want to have to cheat customers to survive. As mentioned, it wouldn’t be too hard. I sell landowners’ timber to mills, who pay me for what they buy. The landowners rely on me to give them their share of the proceeds. Since this money goes through my pocket first, the landowners rely on my honesty and integrity to get their fair share. Without belaboring the point, there are many ways throughout this process where one could misrepresent what is harvested and sold, and how much the sale yielded. But I want to act as a believer does and pay the landowner what they’re entitled to. I feel it’s necessary to have a certain level of integrity to stay in business. Without integrity, my reputation would suffer and eventually no one would want to do business with me. As a business owner, it boils down to what you are willing to do or how far you are willing to go to make your bottom line look good. I sell timber to mills and other places and sometimes it feels like they’re squeezing every penny out of me to make their bottom line better. It would be easy for me to get bitter about this, but it’s part of business dealings. If the bottom line is all you care about, you’re going to act accordingly. It requires sacrifices to grow and succeed and make money. The higher you aim, the greater the sacrifice, whether that is time, reputation, relationships, or other things. We all make choices in this regard. Personally, I make the choices I do because I have a vested interest in maintaining this business in the long run. After I harvest a forest, I can work with that same client again 12–15 years later. I have recently returned to forests I’ve managed a dozen or more years ago and found a healthy forest, ready for harvest. To me this is very satisfying, and I know I’ve done the right thing by upkeeping the value of the landowner’s property. How I act on a daily basis is also a matter of conscience: a good motto to follow is to do what’s right when no one is looking. Act like a Christian when no one can see what you’re doing. After all, God knows. We all must answer to our Creator. In my business, reputation is very important. Most of my business comes to me through word-of-mouth. Landowners are willing to work with me because of what they’ve heard from others. Overall I have been satisfied with how my career has gone. There have been times of difficult trials, but when we have placed trust in God, He has blessed us sufficiently; there has always been enough work to feed, clothe and shelter my family. I get to do what I have a passion for. I can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation around me every day. My work is that which God ordained: to harvest and replenish. I try to remain thankful for the opportunities God has blessed me with. I want to pass my values on to my children as well. I encourage them to work hard and be successful in their chosen career. The oldest ones are just entering adulthood. If they have a passion for this business, I will teach them all I can. If not, that’s fine too. I will remind them to work hard and to be honest in what they do, to act like a Christian when no one is looking. I guess my values as an entrepreneur are not different than those of any other believer. Volunteerism Reflects Values Kevin Ylioja | The Voice of Zion August 2021 - Home and Family Article -- We are in the world but not of the world (John 17:16). We have heard this statement, based on John’s writing, said many times. And we agree that it is so. As we travel in God’s kingdom – striving to keep faith and a good conscience, there are many activities in the world with which we do not want to be associated. Our interaction with the people of the world is important though. Our light of faith shines to them even if we don’t confess it with words. This is true especially in small communities. Because I know my neighbors and friends so well, I have felt the need to participate in community activities that do not harm my faith life. Community tasks need community members to assist and serve. There are many associations within our communities that can use the services of a volunteer. I have found it fulfilling to serve in some of these capacities over the years. I have also been able to form lasting relationships for both my personal and business life. I found it especially rewarding to spend time on the school community council. To me it was a productive time of creating some understanding between the school and the congregation. We had a couple of meetings at the church with school officials and parents where many topics were discussed. The teachers and the director of education were happy with the input they got at that time and said it helped them to better understand how we believe. The relationship between the believers and the school was strengthened. Just this one example shows how our involvement can be so important. There are other capacities that a believer can freely take part in our communities. Volunteering to sit on a board of directors for our local municipal council can also be very beneficial in strengthening ties. Local co-ops have boards that can use help. Here in our communities the local fire departments are all volunteer. Not only are we helping with a good cause, but it is also useful to learn about fire control. These interactions have deepened friendship and trust between me and other community members. I have sometimes got the feeling of resentment from some community members if we do not do our part in these capacities. Why might that be? “We are in the world but not of the world” and it’s the “in the world” part that asks us to take the time and energy to help where we can. Volunteering in the community is one way to show love for our neighbors. ‍ Discussion Points 1. Our values denote what is important to us. How we spend our time reflects these values. Discuss. 2. What can we do when our values are clearly out-of-line? 3. How does the gospel help us keep our values in order?

Jennifer Jurmu | Shepherd's Voice August/September 2021 - Home and Family Article -- What do you think of when you think of an angel? Maybe you think of wings, a halo on the head and a long dress? While it’s true that angels are heavenly beings, angels can also be friends or family. Sometimes an angel is your friend that comes to give you a hug when you are sad. They will ask you if you want to go play with them. An angel is someone who preaches the gospel to you in Jesus’ name and precious blood. Have there been angels in your life? An angel can also be called an escort which is a fancy word for someone who goes somewhere with you so that you feel safe. We are on a journey to heaven and our escorts help us get there by reminding us to listen to our mom and dad, by showing us the right way to behave, by asking us what is wrong when we are sad, by giving us hugs, by including us when they see us by ourselves and by standing by our side when someone is not being nice. Most important, though, is that escort-angels tell us that our sins are forgiven. The gospel helps us get to heaven. ‍ How Can Children Help Other Children? • Be a friend! Greet other children and talk to them whether you know them or not. • Include someone who is by themselves or looks lonely or lost. If you don’t know them, introduce yourself. If you already know them, ask them to join you. Ask how they are doing and what’s new with them. • Play a game with someone. Here’s one idea: Write a list of six fun things to do together. Roll a die and do the thing that corresponds with the number on the die. • If you see something that looks like an argument or an uncomfortable situation, ask what’s going on. Ask if you can help somehow, or if you should find an adult to help. • Teach someone something new. Or ask them to teach you something new. • If someone has chores, ask if you can help with the chores. • Ask someone what their favorite song is. Sing the song together. • If you are feeling restless or sorrowful or bad about something, you can ask someone to bless you with the gospel. Things to visit about: 1. Have you seen an angel? Has anyone? 2. Who has asked you why you are sad? 3. Has anyone given you hugs when you’re hurt? 4. Have you heard forgiveness preached in your home? ‍

Adrian Pirness | Shepherd's Voice June/July 2021 - Home and Family Article -- If we look back in history, we can find out that the word minister comes from Latin and it means “a servant.” In the following interview, Adrian Pirness, LLC Mission Director, tells about ministers. Why do we have ministers? We know God’s written Word is found in the Bible. We understand that the key that opens God’s Word is the Holy Spirit. God speaks to us in this time through the spoken Word. We hear the spoken Word when we go to services and listen to the sermons. How do we get ministers? Throughout time, God has called servants – ministers – to serve the congregation. Read more about this on page 3. Who gets to be a minister? In God’s kingdom, we understand that God calls men to serve in the duty of being a minister. People themselves do not try to become ministers. In some places, it is possible to study theology and through these studies, God may call a student to become an ordained minister. If God calls one to serve, we accept it and we understand that it is good. God knows what gifts He has given, and He knows how to use these gifts to meet the congregation’s needs. When men are asked to serve, all that is required is that they speak how they believe, and that they have a believing heart and want to care for their faith. How does a minister know what to say? The congregation prays and the minister also prays that God who knows all things would give the words that are necessary for a particular sermon, for this moment in time, and for these listeners. A minister can also prepare by reading articles written about the Bible text, or by listening to sermons kept before on that text and topic. Above all, we trust that God will give the words we need. Is it scary to go in front of lots of people to talk? A minister feels his own lackings and may wonder how God would be able to speak through me. So it is not even the size of the group of listeners that might make one fearful, but rather one’s own doubts. It can make the minister feel very humble and small. How can a minister serve when he feels lacking or fearful? The brothers and sisters in faith, the congregation gathered there join in praying that God would open His Word. And the minister can also feel these prayers. These prayers, and also the songs sung before services, comfort and support the minister and give him strength to speak. Why does the minister start the service with a prayer? When we pray, we share thoughts and hopes with God. At services, the whole congregation can join in praying. We quieten our hearts and pray to God that He would speak to us through the minister. The minister sometimes asks God for a service blessing. This means that we ask God to care for and comfort all listeners, and that God’s children would be reminded that we are on the way to heaven. We pray that God would feed us through His Word, that He would give what we need for our life and faith. Why does the minister ask for a blessing? When a minister is serving, God speaks to the congregation, and He also speaks to the minister directly. The minister may feel his own sinfulness and doubts. Then he wants to hear the gospel, the message that his sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name and precious blood. This most important message is also said to the listeners. They too, however they find themselves, have permission to believe their sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood! Things to Visit About: 1. Why does the minister read a Bible text at the beginning of the sermon? 2. What kinds of things do ministers talk about in their sermons? 3. How can we help support those brothers who serve as ministers in our congregation?

The Voice of Zion May 2021 - Home and Family Articles -- For the Home and Family section this month, the publications department asked writers what things in their lives bring joy – faith, home, family, their pastimes or workplace? In turn, we received heartfelt articles that described how they find joy, beautiful sentiments of contentment though service and fellowship in God’s kingdom. However, along with these articles, another message arrived in our inbox – that joy, even the joy of believing can be stolen by acts of ostracism, discrimination and bullying, even within a congregation. This Home and Family page reflects those contradictory images of life as believers: we are both sinners and believers whose sins are forgiven. We have included articles, an anonymous letter, and questions for discussion. Our wish is that these articles will help us all understand that in this journey we have responsibilities to care for others, we are escorts. In this task we have both our good intentions, our weaknesses and the power of the gospel. May God help us in this as He has in the past. God's Kingdom Is a Source of Joy Tom Skoog | The Voice of Zion May 2021 - Home and Family Article -- Joy is a word worth contemplating. There are many blessings in my life that bring joy. I have been able to pursue many of my dreams and it seems that the few that I have left are not so important anymore. What seems to be important is hanging on to faith that I have been gifted with from my childhood. It seems a matter of prayer that I, and those close to me would be preserved in faith, that we would maintain the hope of meeting one day in heaven. Therefore, it seems that joy for me is precious, when I can live in the shelter of the kingdom of God, living of grace under the reassurance of the redeeming gospel. I understand by faith that my earthly home is a temporary place. If I endeavor to stay in the middle of the flock, I can securely get to the destination of heaven. I am thankful for the unity of God’s kingdom. The work that is happening is truly amazing. The gifts that God has given to do the work are abundant. It is humbling to see the candlestick of visitation moving to the uttermost parts of the earth. Vast amounts of God’s work are being done over the internet. This is being done in so many forms: songs, programs, sermons, Bible classes, Sunday school, etc. The world is churning like a storm. The wind is blowing. Yet, inside God’s kingdom there is righteousness, peace and joy. It is a safe place. The last two verses of SHZ 208 remind me of the Holy Spirit which is only found in God’s kingdom. When I sing it, it brings me great, comforting joy. The Holy Spirit calls and gathers and by the spoken gospel gives new birth. This Spirit never teaches errors, it makes His church the ground of truth on earth.... The end of this verse and the beginning of the next are remarkable. They speak of “trusting hearts.” The last line of verse 5 refers to living faith as trusting: “...in hearts He makes to trust what they have heard.” Do children have trusting hearts? Peter hopes that we would be as newborn babes, desiring the sincere milk of the Word. He advises to lay aside “all malice, all guile, hypocrisies, envies and evil speaking” (1 Pet. 2:1–2). The last verse also speaks of trust: These trusting hearts make up His kingdom wherein the only living hope is found; The Spirit holds this flock in union, And here the hearts of men are loosed and bound. I find it a source of joy, that the kingdom of God on earth is like a building, built with earthly stones, faulty, poor and sinful. Nevertheless, Peter describes these stones as “lively stones, which are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood” (1 Pet. 2:5). Paul says the house of God is “the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). I pray to God that He would continue to reveal the preciousness of God’s kingdom to me and my loved ones. Here trusting hearts can be content to sit on the green grass at the feet of the Good Shepherd, be in subjection to one another, and taste the graciousness of God. Then, as the poet Niilo Rauhala assures us in the final line of SHZ 208, “And when the Lord shall resurrect the dead He’ll bring His flock unto himself! Amen.” Joy Is Serving Perry Simonson | The Voice of Zion May 2021 - Home and Family Article -- My experiences serving in the congregation have brought joy in each phase of life. In my youth, I assisted my parents in janitorial duties and helped with various church construction projects. One of the more memorable projects was assisting in building the Cokato church. This project was an opportunity to get to know other congregation members whom I had previously not known so well. I looked forward to spending my evenings and Saturdays helping in whatever way I was asked. It also was an opportunity to learn new skills. Sometimes we don’t realize all the skills we may have, if we don’t have an opportunity to use them. As I’ve grown older, duties in the congregation have changed. I now have duties as a service director, Bible class teacher, and assisting with the congregation’s bookkeeping. When I was asked if I could take on these new duties, I had doubts on whether I would be able to fulfill the needs of the congregation. Many questions swirled in my mind. Would I be able to put together Bible class lessons, or would I have enough time to help with bookkeeping? I’ve found the need to put my trust in God and that He will bless. Each duty in a congregation has its own blessings and serves the congregation in its own way. Each one of us has our own God-given gifts that we are able use in serving our brothers and sisters in faith. If we’re asked to serve in the congregation, we can accept the duty and give it our best effort. We all know that many hands make the workload light. God’s Word reminds us: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). Often when we are asked to serve in the congregation, the blessings are greater than any of the inconveniences we encounter in serving. If we do our duties willingly and cheerfully, God will bless the work. Ostracism Hinders Joy Sandra Pylvainen | The Voice of Zion May 2021 - Home and Family Article -- Many young people struggle to fit in with their age group, whether at school or at church. This struggle is a part of growing up and integral to self-identity and character development. As we move toward adulthood, it is essential that we discover who we are, what we stand for, and what we will not stand for. In this, young believers want to find friends who share values and interests that coincide with their own, both at school and at church. But what happens when a middle-schooler cannot find friends in their congregation? What about teenage years without a believing friend? This situation can make other areas of personal growth and development even harder. This situation can also cause a teen to feel forsaken, even though we know that a believer is never truly alone. Still, a depressed or sorrowful teen may feel that the love in God’s congregation does not extend to them, especially if love given by the Holy Spirit is not felt from peers. If a situation of being friendless continues, those left alone may feel ostracized and unlovable. Then the joy of believing may be elusive or concealed by a cloak of depression. In these situations, we pray as the Psalmist “lead me beside the still waters and restore my soul.” The lone individual can pray and trust that God will provide comfort. Also, we pray that parents, teachers and camp directors, all of us, will be given the thoughts and hearts to diligently prepare for camps and events, always planning to introduce all children to each other, create activities that promote bonding and sharing, and that we ourselves will exhibit God’s love to all children, seeking the loner, the reticent, the out-of-towner, or the one who has no cousins nearby – whether or not the child is from a believing home. May we teach our children in love that a group, even if two people, have the ability to invite the one left alone. Joy of the believer is also the joy of belonging and showing others that they can belong. We can all reach out to someone who is alone, feels left out, or is not included. If at first they are hesitant to join our group, we can patiently ask again and show that we do want them along. Showing this love is a fruit of faith, and the joy of believing is the feeling that “my cup overfloweth.” *Ostracize: to exclude from a group by common consent. Anonymous Letter, March 2021 Name Withheld | The Voice of Zion May 2021 - Home and Family Article -- Subject: How Do We Treat Others? Dear Voice of Zion Publications Staff, My mother’s heart is aching. Other moms across American Zion also have the same aching hearts. We are concerned about how our children treat each other, especially around the ages of eleven-twelve through sixteen-seventeen. Kids are being ostracized in the middle-school years and then also in the teen years – if they are not “cool” enough. Parents like me want and need this issue to be discussed in truth and in love. Would it be appropriate to address this in Voice of Zion articles, in Sunday School lessons, and at camps? The pain and trauma from ostracism can be deep and long-lasting. One teenage boy asked, “Why is it that when I’m at school or the store people are more kind to me than at services?” We need each other. Kids need each other. Love needs to be extended to others outside of our friend groups or even our extended family groups. God’s Peace, A Concerned Parent An Elders' Joy Verna Jacobson | The Voice of Zion May 2021 - Home and Family Article -- “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:17). Along life’s way of varied challenges are moments of pure joy. First in my life, of all the joys I have known, is the joy of being a child of God and knowing that my sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name and precious blood. I can now look back to my years as a child in the kingdom of children, and I see they included many rich experiences. All stages of life offer joy. Many, many memories of these joys come to mind, but some memories come back with love that warms my heart. I recall those days when we were raising our children, trying to teach them in the way they should go: the simple ABCs of living faith. I think of teaching them that when they offend these matters should be taken care of with the gospel, asking for their sins to be forgiven. Bedtime was always so beautiful for us, especially when the children, down to the littlest one, would come running to ask for their sins forgiven, then with happiness run to bed. I also remember how much joy there was when a new baby was brought home from the hospital. There was so much love to share towards that little one from everyone in the family! My arms still ache to cuddle and feel that newborn baby. If you were blessed to be a mother, you may know that great joy. The joy as an elder is just a little different. We have gone to school, graduated, maybe gone to college, worked and perhaps retired, maybe married and had children who have grown up and gone their own way. There is then a change to your life. It can be quiet, and sometimes lonely. There is still that joy of memories you have when you worked outside the home. But now you have slowed down your pace of life. Days are silent without the hustle and bustle of raising children and all that comes with it. This is when joy takes on a quiet and reflective mood. This time of life allows other choices that bring joy. Some may decide to travel, others choose hobbies – baking, which is my joy to this day, gardening, crafting, volunteering, grandparenting, carpentry and so many more. Depending on gifts, retirees can find joy in helping at camps, giving presentations, maintaining the church building and maintaining their own homes. Health issues may arise, but still at the end of the day a weak prayer rises from deep within as we fold our hands and pray to God. The prayer is beautifully expressed in SHZ 490, that He will carry us to that joyous homeland shore where we can sing songs of praise forevermore! Remember me, dear Father, in my declining years; With sin I still must battle; I oft have pain and fears, You are my staff and stay, oh carry me, I pray. As when I was an infant, and cast me not away. Oh Jesus, I am feeble, and powerless in all; I sigh beneath my burdens; my faith is weak and small; My strength of youth is gone; oh leave me not alone; when health and senses fail me, may angels lead me home. When near the hour of parting I weaken ev’ry day. O gracious Holy Spirit, on my behalf You pray. I soon will be undressed of my corrupted flesh! Oh, take me home to heaven, to everlasting rest. Joy and Friendship with Ida Carol Tiffany | The Voice of Zion May 2021 - Home and Family Article -- Are all our friends of similar age and do they have similar life experiences? Sharing a similar age and having similar life experiences can be the basis of friendship. However, having friends of all ages can bring special joy to our lives. When I was a college student, just having graduated from high school, I had a special believing friend much older than I was, Ida Leppa. After my high school graduation, I moved to Esko, Minnesota to attend college in Duluth. At the time, there was a small believing congregation in Esko. Since the congregation was small, about twenty members when I moved there, it was easy to become friends with everyone of all ages. I was busy with my studies, but I still craved believing friends and having connections with a congregation. Ida was a believing woman, retired, widowed, and living alone in a home in Cloquet, a town about five miles from Esko. Ida was friendly and took interest in everyone and their lives, regardless of age. She thoroughly enjoyed the company of other believers and loved to have believers visit in her home. Ida invited me over for coffee and Sunday lunches. These lunches were a delight as Ida was a talented cook. I would often worry about eating too much because everything tasted so good. However, Ida would advise, “If we’re blessed with good food, we should eat.” During our visits, Ida was always interested in my life and how everything, including my studies, were going for me. She also shared about her life, her joys, her struggles and experiences. As a young adult it felt warm and comforting to share about the way and the journey with this older believer. It brought me joy to know that this older sister was believing the same way I endeavored to believe. Often, we preached the gospel to each other. Ida freely shared her life experiences with me. She had lost family members to previous heresies which caused her sorrow. However, Ida found joy in believing day to day. She eagerly attended any services in our area and entertained visiting believers. If she had believers from other localities visiting, she would often invite me to join them. Ida was an artist. She shared the background to each of her paintings with me. Ida also wrote a hymn, which is SHZ 288, “The Blood of Christ is Far More Dear.” Along with Ida, I also made another lifelong friend, Ida’s daughter Pauline Leppamaki. While I lived in Esko, Pauline moved back to live in Cloquet. Even after I moved from Esko, I maintained my close friendship with Ida and Pauline as they moved to Menahga, Minnesota and then to Brainerd, Minnesota. Thinking about Ida makes me lonesome for her and other dear older believing friends from the Esko congregation that have gone to “…the place prepared for me where I shall praise the Holy Lamb whose blood has set me free” (SHZ 288:7). Discussion Questions: 1. What is joy? How is it different from contentment? 2. What is special about the joy found in God’s kingdom? 3. If joy is a fruit of personal faith, why would ostracism or bullying prevent another from feeling joy? 4. If you have prevented someone from feeling joy at camp or church, how can you restore the joy? 5. In everyday life, what kind of pastimes give you joy? What about your family members?

Jason Grangroth | The Voice of Zion April 2021 - Home and Family Article -- A quiet splash sounded off to my left and then another. I turned quickly, scanning the water’s depths; I was just able to pick out the dorsal fin of a fish gliding through the water just below the surface. Moments before, it had sipped a small insect off the top of the water. Peering through the evening shadows that now lay across the crystal-clear water, I watched as a handful of bugs skittered along the surface. Those must be the bugs the fish are eating, I thought to myself. I pulled out my little fly tackle box and began to sort through the imitation flies I had carried along. It was the summer of 1996, and I had joined my cousin on a backpacking trip to the Rocky Mountains of Idaho. Our adventure was about six days of hiking and camping at a couple of different lakes along the way. The lakes no doubt were full of fish; now we just had to figure out how to catch them. After tying a small black and gold colored fly to my tippet, my attention quickly went back to the water, scanning for a fish, more than likely a cutthroat trout. It wasn’t long before I glimpsed another fish as it broke the water with its nose to sip in its food. I flipped my flyrod in its direction and landed the fly on the water. Now with a little luck I’d catch its attention. Suddenly, as I stared in that direction a fish nose crested the surface and swallowed up the fly. Fish on! Yes, I have always enjoyed fishing. It has allowed me to take my mind off the busyness of life. Many of the places I have been fishing are remote or well off the beaten path. There it is peaceful and I’m content – an irreplaceable feeling while being fully immersed in the depths of nature. This must be like heaven, I would often think! I would marvel, while standing on a lake’s shore or on a mountain, at the sheer beauty of God’s creation. And at times in nature, a prayer would come to mind: Thank You, God, for this beautiful place and all that You have provided. Oh, Look at the Bird Maria Wuollet | The Voice of Zion April 2021 - Home and Family Article -- Oh, look at the bird on the branch of the tree; its singing is always so lovely. It opens its mouth to thank God Almighty; no cares weigh its mind, it sings freely; in singing it thanks its Creator. (SHZ 341) The familiar song about the “bird on the branch of the tree” resounds in my head and has a special place in my heart. As I look back, I recollect memories of growing up in Ecuador and my present life in Arizona, and from these I can see how my relationship with nature helps me to feel God’s care in so many aspects along my pathway. I grew up in Ecuador, a small country in South America – right in the middle of the world and a tropical paradise of biodiversity. I loved the lush green leaves everywhere. And my parents’ colorful flowers in the planters alongside of our house were delightful to smell and admire. Most memorable were the fruits of all kinds that would grow quickly in the tropical climate. As a family, we often travelled to the highlands where it was cold but so colorful as well. One of my most vivid memories is the road leading to Riobamba, the town where my parents were born and raised. The mountains appear covered in giant quilts of all shades of green, yellow and golden colors. My heart would race in excitement just gazing at that pretty landscape of green fields. Often, my dad and mom would stop on the side of the road to contemplate the beauty of the sight. There they would teach me to identify and name the grains and vegetables growing in each field that covered the high and low mountains. Sometimes we would travel to Baños, the gateway to the jungle or Amazon entrance. The nature there was breathtaking with many waterfalls and lush vegetation. While listening to the chorus of birds in the rainforest, I heard their beautiful song of thanks to God. I grew up loving my little country of Ecuador, and I even began to dream of becoming a tour guide and traveling around the country, taking tourists all over to show and teach them about the beauty of our country. Yet, God knows our lives better than we do, and He had different plans for me. He gifted me a believing husband, who took me to a very different land where I would have never imagined living. I moved to Arizona in November and my life changed. Newly arrived in Arizona, I looked out the car window and saw lots of reddish-brown land. I asked my husband, “Where are the leaves of the trees?” Here, in this desert climate, most plants had thorns, and, to me, looked dead. But spring came and nature took on a different look. Yellow flowers started to fill the trees; pink, purple, bright red and white flowers bloomed from cacti along the roads and along the path where we went for walks around the desert. I couldn’t stop often enough to capture the beauty in pictures. The towering saguaros amazed me, and while living in Tucson, Arizona, we made many picnic trips with our children to explore the desert and watch the giant cacti bloom in the late spring. The picnics and the walks in the desert were full of bird song, bringing me so much peace. They sounded happy and cheerful, which made me smile. This reminded me that if God takes care of them, He will certainly take care of me. Time has passed and I have learned to love Arizona’s desert beauty. One of the summer highlights is the monsoon storms in the desert. Our family loves to watch those and sometimes we even drive towards the rain cloud in the distant desert. Even at home, after every rain as the sun peeks out I tell the kids to go look outside in the sky for a rainbow. It’s lovely! Arizona feels like home. It amazes me how God placed me in such a different place, yet He offers beauty no matter where we might be. We have traveled around this beautiful country and have witnessed God’s hand in nature. He teaches me that we can put our trust in Him, that He will take care of us each and every day of our lives. As a little girl, the song 341 “Oh, Look at the Bird” spoke to my heart. I thought and thought about how birds handle things. Still today, how I pray to be like that little bird in the song, without worries about what tomorrow will bring, knowing that He will always be caring for us. I am fortunate to witness God’s creation each day; it reminds of the many blessings of beauty and care He bestows to me wherever I may live. Like a bird, I can put my trust in Him, and having my sins forgiven, I can remain in His precious flock. Back to Nature Deanna Byman | The Voice of Zion April 2021 - Home and Family Article -- When I was a kid I was told to go play outside, just like most other kids back then. I spent hours upon hours outside, playing in the long grass in our field, gazing at the clouds, and just being part of nature. These were formative hours spent forgetting the cares of the day and recharging my zest for life. Recently, I made a decision and a real effort to be more active in nature and to reclaim that childlike appreciation for the outdoors. My adult life had gotten busy and without even realizing it, my days have been increasingly consumed with work and mundane tasks indoors. I have found myself craving those hours in the fresh air where my mind can wander and process the day’s events and my body can move and rejuvenate. Luckily I live in an area where I have many different opportunities within an hour or two, snowcapped mountains and wooded lakes, endless ocean, dry, beautiful high deserts and moist, thick, cool rainforests. One activity that I really am drawn to is hiking. While hiking I am able to get away from modern conveniences, seeing the land stretched out before my eyes, and the hard effort put into hiking make the whole experience rewarding to me. As a high schooler I summited Mt. St. Helens. This spring I made a goal to summit the mountain again. In preparation for my goal to climb Mt. St. Helen’s, I trained by walking hills around my hometown, hoping to make the climb more enjoyable and less challenging. As the date for the hike got closer some preparations needed to be made, alarms set early, clothes laid out, lunch or snack packed along with plenty of water and a first aid kit. The Day of the Hike Finally Arrives “Beep, Beep,” my alarm goes off. With a little anticipation and excitement, I wake up to a dark, early morning, pull on clothes and hiking shoes, eat a warm bowl of oatmeal, blueberries and almonds and hop in my car to drive to the trailhead. “Good Morning, God’s Peace,” rings clear in the mountain air. With dim light glowing on the edges of the horizon, my companions and I start picking our way up the trail, over logs, steps, roots and hills of rocks. While hiking, one has ample time to think, gazing at nature all around, moss growing on logs, huge piles of rocks, sandy steep hills. I often find myself humming various songs and hymns of Zion. A repeat occurrence is SHZ 524, “I’m amazed at God’s creation, when I see the birds in flight, when the clouds above are passing, when I see a star-filled night.” These words voice my amazement at the world around me and how all of nature was created. While hiking Mt. St. Helens, I ponder about this trail, how it leads through forest, then rocks, then sand and snow. All these natural elements together make the mountain. From a distance, the mountain looks huge and unattainable, but each obstacle is faced, overcome and the top is reached. I find that whenever my trail is steep, I can pray to overcome each obstacle. If I keep faith, I will sometime reach the distant, beautiful mountain top: heaven. ‍ In the Grand Canyon: A Wilderness Journey Doug Karvonen | The Voice of Zion April 2021 - Home and Family Article -- Arizona’s Grand Canyon is a wonder of the natural world. Carved by the Colorado River, this steep canyon runs 277 miles long and 18 miles wide, exposing layered bands of red rock – a stunning sight at any time, but incredible at sunrise and sunset. In November of 2012, I, along with nine other believers spent three days in the Grand Canyon. We hiked eleven miles down into the canyon, enjoyed a day of rest at the bottom, and then hiked back out of the canyon along a six-mile trail. Throughout the hike into the canyon, even though our leader had hiked the trail years before, we lost our way. The trail was not frequented and therefore was not well marked. Often, our leaders would realize that they had taken a wrong turn. When that happened, they would call back to us asking if we knew where the trail was. Then we would have to search the trail for our wrong turn. At times we would have to send scouts ahead to see where the true trail was. The actual trail was marked with cairns, rockpiles that have been piled by those who have gone before to mark a trail. When they located these, we knew we were on the right trail. There were numerous times that this happened in this eleven-mile trip. As the day progressed, my feet and knees became sore and tender. I could not go at the same speed that I had earlier in the hike. Some of my travel partners did not want to leave me behind, for fear that I would lose my way. Others went ahead to find a campsite at the river. Darkness descended on us before we got to the river. For the final distance, we relied on our headlamps to light the way, so we would not stumble and fall. Similar to our wilderness journey in the canyon, our faith life in God’s Kingdom needs the support of our fellow brothers and sisters. They can help us stay on the narrow pathway so that we do not become lost and lose this living faith. In the Grand Canyon, we had times when there was a disagreement about which direction to take when the path diverged. When we disagreed, we would send scouts ahead to find the true way. When the scouts located the cairns, we knew which way we would go. In this way, we were following the way that was already traveled, the old pathway. We today in our life of faith need to follow the old way, and we need escorts on this journey to guide us. Trav’ling in this wilderness I often sigh, or the clouds of darkness hide my home on high. But when Jesus through His Spirit comforts me, then the dark clouds scatter and, behold, I see. (SHZ 575) Discussion Questions: 1. Discuss the benefits of spending extended time in nature whether in the garden or in a remote outdoor location. 2. What do we learn from hobbies like gardening, animal care or bird-watching? 3. What does God’s Word say about caring for the environment? 4. How has science helped us care for the environment in the past? 5. Discuss the perspectives of faith vs. science. Are these perspectives in opposition?

Beth Simonson | Shepherd's Voice April/May 2021 - Home and Family Article -- In the title of this writing, we see the phrase, “Holy Word.” Do you know what is meant by “Holy Word?” It is God’s Word. God has given us His Word in the books of the Bible. In the Bible, God teaches us how to live our lives as believers and how we can one day go to heaven’s home. The next words in our title above is “our Sun.” The word “Sun” has a capital “S” because this is also another meaning for God’s Word. “Our Sun” shines on us and gives us power to believe, just like the sun in the sky has power to keep us warm. God’s Word, our Sun, can spread over all people and warm their hearts, if we believe in Him and His saving gospel. The power or strength of our Sun – God’s Word – is felt when we gather at services and listen to what God has to say to us. We also feel the power of God when we visit with other believers. This is the bond of the Holy Spirit. Hearing the forgiveness of all our sins gives us power to continue believing. We need this power of the “Sun” day by day, week after week. If this power does not shine on us continually, we can get cold. Then if sin is not put away, we can become dark and not want to believe in God’s Word. We personally have felt the power of God’s Word during the pandemic. We have not been able to gather as a large congregation during the state restrictions. We have chosen to stay home and listen to online services. We feel the power of God in our own small home congregation. The power of God’s Word, “our Sun,” is felt as we listen to speakers from all over the continent. We feel the bond of the Spirit through this modern technology. We have heard the precious gospel preached and comforting words for ones who are lonely or alone in their homes. We feel the warm Sun of grace reach us even when we are not able to gather as a congregation. We have also experienced the power of God’s Word through our many believing escorts in the trials of poor health. Through the loving support of many friends who have come to visit, lent a helping hand, or who have remembered us in prayer, we have felt God’s powerful presence. Our escorts are like heavenly angels, shining their God-given light and giving us strength to continue in faith and to keep trusting that God is with us. Things to Visit About: 1. When has God’s Word felt most powerful in your life? 2. What has caused God’s Word to feel weak or cold in your life? 3. What has helped you to keep “our Sun” shining for you day by day?