The Lutheran Community Foundation

To Live in Love is Life's Only True Joy

by Erik Haaland

Not so long ago I was asked to preach on a Sunday morning, and at the end of the sermon I found myself saying these words: "Dear friends, to live in love is life's only true joy." I don't usually think of myself as particularly quotable, but this little sentence has stuck with me. I don't know if it's remained with anybody else from that day, but I'm thankful that it's still with me. I like it because I think it is true.

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Embracing each day with Joy

by LCF donor Sandra Eggers

My late husband, the Rev. Dr. Steve Eggers, was called home to be with his Lord on December 2, 2005, after a 2+ year battle with colon cancer. He was 50.

As we have a dual headstone, each side has an epitaph. His is: "Well done, good and faithful servant," something I know he heard from his Lord the moment he arrived home.

Since I am a professional writer, it wouldn't do to select some stock phrase. So I wrote my own. My epitaph is: "Trust God; live boldly, embracing each day with joy."

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The Joy That Comes from Intention

by LCF staff member Rebecca Westermeyer

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We wove them together

by LCF Donors Loretta and Hildegard Kuse
Joy is God’s gift.
It’s meant to be shared.
For we are the children
Of a Father who cared.

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Joy

by Rev. Martin Marty
In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the sign of the holy cross and [after a prayer] you are to go to your work with joy.
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Bearing witness is critical to the process of transformation

by Beatriz F. Vieira
I am often asked how I came to work with victims of domestic violence. I grew up during the military dictatorship in Brazil, immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager and was raised by an abusive stepfather. While I arrived at my work through personal experience, it is through my professional experience that I have learned how bearing witness to injustice and abuse is critical to the process of transformation.
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Joy is through our daily actions of serving others

by Dr. Kurt Senske
Joy is a word that is much deeper and more spiritual than more earthly descriptions such as happiness and fulfillment. In the words of Teithard de Chardin, "Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God."
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I am one of few who survived

by Angelos Agok
My name is Angelos Agok. I am from southern Sudan. In 1986, I sought a government scholarship for university studies. The scholarship came with a condition -- two years of compulsory military service. The military training was based on Islamic teachings of jihad -- holy war. When we requested a program for non-Muslim students, some of us were arrested and beaten.
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I awake at the dawn to its fingers of light

by Rev. Foster McCurley
I awake at the dawn to its fingers of light
As I ponder the state of my middle-aged frame.
I’m relieved to discover no pain from the night,
Not a squeak from my knees, not a crack from my back.
I’m healthy! I’m happy! God be praised!
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