LSEM > Articles by: Carolyn Mahal
Mar
15
Accommodating

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Mar
01
Stuffed

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Feb
01
For Such a Time as This

At faculty meetings these past years, it is uncanny how many times we as a team have discussed how we desire to reach each child – with the saving message of the Gospel, grow faith formation, and encourage every success. But most recently there has been an underlying pattern or theme of struggles from the […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Jan
05
Nothing

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Dec
13
Blanketed

“If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents. Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear. You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Nov
30
What Gives?

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9: 7-8 November 29, 2022, […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Nov
02
Say Again?*

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Sep
30
Zero Value Added

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9 Being a Lutheran, I am very familiar with potluck dinners. These mainstays of the church calendar are simple to manage. You just invite people to […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Sep
20
Contradiction in Terms

Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” – 2 Chronicles 20:20 One method […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Aug
31
Painters & Pointers*

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33b Once upon a time, I found myself in a marriage bootcamp session listening to someone sharing some of the differences between men and women. This speaker was providing insights about approaches to communication. He offered two different communication styles that […]

Posted in: Devotions,