Wal-Mart Flashlights?

Every once in awhile a person has one of those “moments” in their faith life. That moment when all of a sudden you gain some sort of reality to everything you believe in. Not as to say that you didn’t truly believe before, but somehow you gain this indescribable feeling of solidity to your beliefs.

I have been going to a passion mime at Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp every Thursday, all summer long, for as long as I can remember. I always would watch people have these grand eye-opening moments whilst watching the mime and it had always been a hope of mine that someday I might have one of these revelations. In fact, I wanted this so bad that I would try to force myself into this emotional state of vulnerability. Seems silly right? Yeah I thought so too, but I was sort of desperate.

Are You Ready to Tell the Story?

In 1949, I met the man and woman who would one day become my mother and father-in-law. They were so beautiful and I was aware from the beginning that here were two people who were truly Christians in every respect. They lived Christ in their daily lives and certainly showed their love for HIM on Sunday, hardly ever missing a Sunday of worship. They did not flaunt their Christianity in any way.

My Faith Story

Six years ago my father retired after more than 30 years of working in law enforcement. For twenty-two of those years he was the sheriff of Manitowoc County. It was a stressful job in many ways but he served faithfully and honorably. He was only 32 years old when he was elected as sheriff but he quickly earned the respect of those within his department and those within the community. Even the people who didn’t like my father and disagreed with him on most issues could not deny that he was a man of integrity.

1969, Apollo on the Moon, and Grandma

In 1969 my family made a journey of several hundred miles to Grandma’s house. We did it two or three times a year and I always looked forward to going. But this time was to be extra special. We were making the trip to watch the Apollo moon landing on Grandma’s new color TV, the first one in the family.

God Is In My Life

Two years ago, mortality hit me between the eyes. Tom was diagnosed with cancer. In my gut, death was not an issue of if but when. I was in shock. How can this be? God has given me this wonderful man that not only loves me but also shares my love of God. He puts God first and me not far behind, putting himself last. He spoils me.

A Seed Was Planted

The words on a plaque which hung on the wall of my family’s dining room have been etched in my mind for over eighty years. “Christ is the head of this home, the unseen guest at every meal, the silent listener to every conversation.” Growing up in that atmosphere, the seeds of faith took root early on in my life. As the years passed my faith kept deepening and my life became infinitely richer. My faith has given me strength to persevere through multiple surgeries and rehabilitations and continues to sustain me. The Lord gives me motivation to reach out to others, to be cheerful and helpful in every way I can. How I thank him.

Marie Knaphus

When You Feel God’s Nudge, Just Listen

What I’m about to say is not a “Mountaintop Experience”. God works in my ordinary everyday life sometimes in extraordinary ways and sometimes in subtle, often barely discernable ways.