September 15, 2026
Dear fellow redeemed,
Last Sunday, I watched and cheered for my son, Brad, as he completed the Ironman (2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles biking, and 26.2 miles running). It was a day that began at 7 am and went until after 11pm. It was exhausting! And I’m referring to all the walking, standing and cheering that we did all day long. (But don’t tell my son that, as he kept up his pace for all of those hours!!).
He told us before the event, that he “just wanted to have fun”. And he was smiling at every spot that we saw him, and the photos show him smiling, even at the end of a long and exhausting day!!
Now I’m not sure if any of us can make a comparison to an Ironman. But most of you who are reading this have spent a lifetime of being a Christian, trusting in God, worshiping, serving the Lord in this congregation and wherever you’ve been. And I’m wondering: why do we do what we do?
Let’s be clear: all that God has done is coming from His love and grace for us all. He doesn’t do what He does because He expects us to pay him back. We could never do that anyway.
Our faith, worship, service to God is all in joyful response and worship of God our Creator, Savior and Lord. So in a sense, we do what we’re doing in a similar way to Brad’s event at the Ironman. Because we enjoy the love and grace of God. Maybe I can even say, because we “just wanted to have fun”. I think God understands that. He wants us to be filled with joy, and to have fun as His children!
So let’s keep it up: being a child of God, worshiping and serving God. And we’ll cheer one another on! All “day” long, All lifelong! And be assured that God is with us, following us, even cheering us on as we continue to live as His people!
Enjoying life with you,
– Pastor Steve
Pastor Steve’s 2-Minute Devotion – 9/2/26
Pastor’s Monthly Update – August 2026
Dear fellow redeemed,
As I write this, it is raining! Before this rain it was looking like one of the driest months in many years. But now, it looks like the green grass will return (though wind and hail is still predicted, so maybe we should wait to see…). So for now, I am thankful for the blessings of good weather. God blesses us with rain and sunshine, all the seasons, food and shelter, and all our needs.
But then, you may be reading this as you struggle with health concerns, finances, conflicts with family or friends, losses, or needs. So then what do you say about “God’s blessings”? Does God only bless those who receive rain when needed? And are only those who are healthy blessed by God? What about those without food and shelter, or where is God’s blessings when it hails or a tornado strikes your house or your basement is flooded?
I remember once early in my pastoral ministry, I thanked God for the rain in a Sunday morning worship service. After the service, an old member who was a farmer cautioned me, saying that in this region, when it starts to rain, it often doesn’t quit until we have too much rain. So maybe my prayer could be considered part of the fault of a flooded region. Since then, I’ve tried to pray only for “good weather”, leaving it up to God to decide whether to have it rain, or to give sunshine.
So what do we do with the Scriptures that tell us God heals, provides, protects, when we may be ill, lacking, or in danger? What if we pray for help, but don’t see anyone or anything helping us in times of need? What if we ask God to heal, but instead the person for whom we prayed dies?
One way to answer these questions is to recognize God’s sovereign and mysterious ways. I like to compare God’s ways with us as a parent with a small child. The child will not be able to understand all the ways of their parents. Even more so, we will never understand all the ways of Almighty and Eternal God.
Another response to these questions is to recognize that God’s ways and timing is often different than ours. Similar to a child’s complaint about not having supper when and how they want, so God may provide healing, protection, etc. according to His plan, not ours.
Here’s what we know no matter what: God loves each and every one of us. He promises to be with us. Even to suffer with us, grieve with us, and to walk with us every step of the way through life (and if you doubt this, read again the words of Psalm 23!)
We are not called to understand everything. Or to be able to answer all our questions. God does promise us to work faith and life in Christ in each and every one of us.
May you have a good day, whether it is raining or full of sunshine, whether you are sick or well, rich or poor, happy or sad. Be assured that God is here with you now, and forever!
With you in Christ,
– Pastor Steve
Redeemer Lutheran Church - Hartford, WI 