Mother's Day 5-1-2003
The earliest memory I have of my mom is sitting next to her in church. She would wear her “fur” coat that Dad got for her when he came back from the Army. I would sit between Mom and Dad and Mom would put her arm around me. I would be wrapped in her “fur” coat and fall asleep as the pastor delivered his sermon. I felt warm, content, happy, protected and loved.
I remember the time I was in grade school and was playing ball in front of the house. I ran after a ball and stumbled towards the door. I put my arm up as I fell into the storm door. My elbow went through the glass. I could watch a fountain of blood pour out of my elbow. It looked like the water coming out of the hose. I went into the house and Mom quietly and efficiently patched me up. She did not panic, did not scream, but knew what to do and did it.
I remember getting up on cold winter mornings to hot bowls of oatmeal, lunches that were packed with all of my favorite foods, and dinners that required stoves and ovens. Mom fed her family, cleaned the house, did the laundry, and trained up her children – all without complaint. Oh, she would use the mother’s guilt on her teenaged boys, but that was more for motivation than complaint. She was my “mom” and I loved her.
I watched Bunny with our children. Bunny also showed love in all that she did. She, too, would feed her family, clean the house, do the laundry, and train up her children – all without complaint. She would see to it that the children always knew they were loved. She would make special treats, go the “extra mile” to insure that her children experienced love. It was always a joy to me to see her interact with the children. She even disciplined with love. When the kids were little and they needed a reminder on their bottom, she would apply the reminder and they would turn to her for comfort. I could apply the reminder and they still turned to her for comfort – go figure.
I watch Lori with Abby and see in her my mom and Bunny. She will sacrifice for her child, nurture her child, love her child.
Mother’s Day will be the time we celebrate the special love between a child and a mother. This love is a special love. This love shows itself in the words and deeds of both mother and child. The mom loves her child so much that she will forego sleep, food, new clothes, and all manners of special treats for her child. New mothers with babies look forward to the time they will get a long night’s sleep as older mothers smile and know that the nights will always be filled with anxious thoughts about the child, regardless of his age.
Mothers know about unconditional love. They love their child unconditionally. If Mom says, “clean your room,” and the child doesn’t – Mom still loves the child. If Mom receives a gift of dandelions from her child, they are the most beautiful flowers in the whole world. If her child is dirty, messy and hurt, Mom hugs and comforts. There is very little a child can do to a mother that will turn her love away.
A Mother does show unconditional love, but she is a sinful human and the “un” sometimes is removed from “unconditional.” My mom and Bunny’s mom are basking in the true unconditional love of Christ – in heaven. Jesus gives His perfect unconditional love to us. It is His love that will allow us to enter into heaven.
I thank God for mothers. I thank God for Jesus.
I remember the time I was in grade school and was playing ball in front of the house. I ran after a ball and stumbled towards the door. I put my arm up as I fell into the storm door. My elbow went through the glass. I could watch a fountain of blood pour out of my elbow. It looked like the water coming out of the hose. I went into the house and Mom quietly and efficiently patched me up. She did not panic, did not scream, but knew what to do and did it.
I remember getting up on cold winter mornings to hot bowls of oatmeal, lunches that were packed with all of my favorite foods, and dinners that required stoves and ovens. Mom fed her family, cleaned the house, did the laundry, and trained up her children – all without complaint. Oh, she would use the mother’s guilt on her teenaged boys, but that was more for motivation than complaint. She was my “mom” and I loved her.
I watched Bunny with our children. Bunny also showed love in all that she did. She, too, would feed her family, clean the house, do the laundry, and train up her children – all without complaint. She would see to it that the children always knew they were loved. She would make special treats, go the “extra mile” to insure that her children experienced love. It was always a joy to me to see her interact with the children. She even disciplined with love. When the kids were little and they needed a reminder on their bottom, she would apply the reminder and they would turn to her for comfort. I could apply the reminder and they still turned to her for comfort – go figure.
I watch Lori with Abby and see in her my mom and Bunny. She will sacrifice for her child, nurture her child, love her child.
Mother’s Day will be the time we celebrate the special love between a child and a mother. This love is a special love. This love shows itself in the words and deeds of both mother and child. The mom loves her child so much that she will forego sleep, food, new clothes, and all manners of special treats for her child. New mothers with babies look forward to the time they will get a long night’s sleep as older mothers smile and know that the nights will always be filled with anxious thoughts about the child, regardless of his age.
Mothers know about unconditional love. They love their child unconditionally. If Mom says, “clean your room,” and the child doesn’t – Mom still loves the child. If Mom receives a gift of dandelions from her child, they are the most beautiful flowers in the whole world. If her child is dirty, messy and hurt, Mom hugs and comforts. There is very little a child can do to a mother that will turn her love away.
A Mother does show unconditional love, but she is a sinful human and the “un” sometimes is removed from “unconditional.” My mom and Bunny’s mom are basking in the true unconditional love of Christ – in heaven. Jesus gives His perfect unconditional love to us. It is His love that will allow us to enter into heaven.
I thank God for mothers. I thank God for Jesus.
Storms 5-8-2003
The sky darkened, the wind grew strong, the sirens wailed and we needed to find shelter. But where does one find shelter at a McDonald’s restaurant? It was our son Bobby’s 6th birthday and we hosted his party at the McDonald’s. We did not think of a tornado; however, the sirens indicated that one was on the way. Where to go? Bunny herded the children under the benches in the center of the room as frightened counter workers hid under their counter. The wind intensified. Soon the children were crying in fear. The sky became dark as midnight as the wind moved cars in the parking lot, bent signs and threw debris into the air.
At the height of the storm, a small voice was heard singing, “Jesus Loves Me.” Bunny sang with all of her might. Soon the children joined in and sang with her. The song ended and “I am Jesus’ Little Lamb” was next. As the winds passed over the restaurant, the children sang. No one was hurt, no one was afraid. The windows shook and rattled, but held fast. The wind calmed, the workers returned to their places and the party was completed. Laughter and joy filled the McDonald’s.
As we drove home to drop off the children, we saw the extent of the storm – trees uprooted, roofs destroyed and cars overturned. Yet, no one was hurt. Children were hugged as we returned them safe to their parents. We thanked God for His protection – His intervention.
We were reminded this week of the power of the storms. Tornados, winds, hail, and floods destroy property and take lives. The news reporter announced, “The town is without power.”
That struck me – “The town is without power.” Oh, I know what he means, there is no electricity. However, power is not just electricity. The power of the Spirit is alive and active in the lives of people. God’s power is awesome. He can calm the wind and still the storm. His power is almighty and eternal.
Not all storms in our lives are weather related. We experience many different types of storms. There is the “tornado” of cancer, the “flood” of job loss, the “fire” of divorce. We experience the thunderstorms of anger, guilt, and fear. We have the rains of self-doubt, rejection and worry. It is in the storms that we call on His power for comfort. He never fails.
We grieve with those who have lost loved ones, we reach out with compassion and aid to those who have lost possessions, we pray. We are once again reminded of the urgency of spreading the Gospel message.
by what we do not say or do that makes a witness.
How are you doing?
At the height of the storm, a small voice was heard singing, “Jesus Loves Me.” Bunny sang with all of her might. Soon the children joined in and sang with her. The song ended and “I am Jesus’ Little Lamb” was next. As the winds passed over the restaurant, the children sang. No one was hurt, no one was afraid. The windows shook and rattled, but held fast. The wind calmed, the workers returned to their places and the party was completed. Laughter and joy filled the McDonald’s.
As we drove home to drop off the children, we saw the extent of the storm – trees uprooted, roofs destroyed and cars overturned. Yet, no one was hurt. Children were hugged as we returned them safe to their parents. We thanked God for His protection – His intervention.
We were reminded this week of the power of the storms. Tornados, winds, hail, and floods destroy property and take lives. The news reporter announced, “The town is without power.”
That struck me – “The town is without power.” Oh, I know what he means, there is no electricity. However, power is not just electricity. The power of the Spirit is alive and active in the lives of people. God’s power is awesome. He can calm the wind and still the storm. His power is almighty and eternal.
Not all storms in our lives are weather related. We experience many different types of storms. There is the “tornado” of cancer, the “flood” of job loss, the “fire” of divorce. We experience the thunderstorms of anger, guilt, and fear. We have the rains of self-doubt, rejection and worry. It is in the storms that we call on His power for comfort. He never fails.
We grieve with those who have lost loved ones, we reach out with compassion and aid to those who have lost possessions, we pray. We are once again reminded of the urgency of spreading the Gospel message.
by what we do not say or do that makes a witness.
How are you doing?
Stress 5-15-2003
Stress! The very word caused my heart to race. Stress; it is defined as "a number of normal reactions of the body (mental, emotional, and physiological) designed for self-preservation.
Stress then is a good thing – it is the response that can save our lives, protect our loved ones, or give us the vitality to lead an active lifestyle. However when the body is subjected to a stress overload or we experience too many stresses, it can have a detrimental effect on the body.
Many factors cause stress in our lives: illnesses, anxiety, joy, rage, anger, happiness, and love create stress reactions in our bodies. Situations can also lead to stress reactions in our body: getting laid off from a job, death of a friend or loved one, birth of a baby, marriage and moving a household can cause the body to experience stress indicators. Yes, events we often consider happy times cause as much stress as those bad times in our life. Stress contributes to high blood pressure, anxiety attacks, heart attacks, and many other illnesses. Untreated stress can lead to death.
I do not react well to stress. I tend to panic. I know that if I stop breathing in a hospital, lots of people come into the room – very fast. (Even if it is only for a panic attack.) I get lost in the city and announce, "That's it – we are going to die." (Even when I find my way home.) I see a police car and think, "That's it – I'm busted." (Even when I am not speeding.) My computer stops working and immediately I feel worthless and dumb. (Even when it can be fixed.)
Why do I react so badly to stress? I don't know - I don't always. My head knows that my reactions are inappropriate. My heart needs to catch up with my head. The older I get, the calmer I can be. The years have taught me that most everything in life can and will be fixed. My experiences keep pointing me to the fact that God has plans for me – plans for good and not for evil. I have learned to say, "What is the worst thing that can happen to me?" Each time the answer is different, but each answer is similar – "And take they our life, Goods, fame, child and wife, Let these all be gone, They yet have nothing won; The Kingdom ours remaineth."
Nothing that I can lose on earth can compare to what I will gain in heaven. I do not have to worry about the future - I know where I will be. I can share this Good News with all I see. Do I experience stress? Yes. Will it destroy my life? Not for eternity.
u do.
Stress then is a good thing – it is the response that can save our lives, protect our loved ones, or give us the vitality to lead an active lifestyle. However when the body is subjected to a stress overload or we experience too many stresses, it can have a detrimental effect on the body.
Many factors cause stress in our lives: illnesses, anxiety, joy, rage, anger, happiness, and love create stress reactions in our bodies. Situations can also lead to stress reactions in our body: getting laid off from a job, death of a friend or loved one, birth of a baby, marriage and moving a household can cause the body to experience stress indicators. Yes, events we often consider happy times cause as much stress as those bad times in our life. Stress contributes to high blood pressure, anxiety attacks, heart attacks, and many other illnesses. Untreated stress can lead to death.
I do not react well to stress. I tend to panic. I know that if I stop breathing in a hospital, lots of people come into the room – very fast. (Even if it is only for a panic attack.) I get lost in the city and announce, "That's it – we are going to die." (Even when I find my way home.) I see a police car and think, "That's it – I'm busted." (Even when I am not speeding.) My computer stops working and immediately I feel worthless and dumb. (Even when it can be fixed.)
Why do I react so badly to stress? I don't know - I don't always. My head knows that my reactions are inappropriate. My heart needs to catch up with my head. The older I get, the calmer I can be. The years have taught me that most everything in life can and will be fixed. My experiences keep pointing me to the fact that God has plans for me – plans for good and not for evil. I have learned to say, "What is the worst thing that can happen to me?" Each time the answer is different, but each answer is similar – "And take they our life, Goods, fame, child and wife, Let these all be gone, They yet have nothing won; The Kingdom ours remaineth."
Nothing that I can lose on earth can compare to what I will gain in heaven. I do not have to worry about the future - I know where I will be. I can share this Good News with all I see. Do I experience stress? Yes. Will it destroy my life? Not for eternity.
u do.
Child of God 5-22-2003
I was thinking about all of the titles I can put behind my name. I was watching an old movie and saw a picture of a business card that read, “Name, Esquire. I liked that, Esquire. So what can I put behind my name?
I started out with Rich Cohrs, son. I was born the son of Marge and Dick Cohrs. I was also known as baby, nephew, and grandson. As I grew older, I added other titles: student, Cub Scout, best friend, brother, Godson, nephew, paperboy, Confirmand, boy friend, factory worker, day laborer, grass cutter, licensed driver, graduate, fiancé, teacher, coach, DCE, husband, son-in-law, brother-in-law, father, Uncle, Godfather, principal, friend, and now I am Manager for Volunteer Opportunities, Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Recently I have added “Grandpa” to the list. Each one of us is able to add many titles behind our names. We define ourselves by our family relations, work positions, community responsibilities, and relationship with other people. Some of the titles we put behind our names are temporary: customer, caller, e-mail sender. Some of our titles we are born with, some we earn, some we are given.
This weekend Bunny and I will fly to Denver to witness the baptism of our granddaughter, Abigail Anne Cohrs. She will become a child of God through the washing and regeneration of water and the Word. The title, child of God, is perhaps the greatest identification we can add behind our names. I watch Abby and am reminded of how dependent she is on her parents. Her Mommy and Daddy provide for her very life. Abby cannot feed, clothe or bathe herself. She cannot adjust the temperature of the room nor would she be able to save herself if she was placed under water. She is totally dependent. She will make her needs known. She will cry when she is uncomfortable, hungry, tired, or lonely. She is persistent. She is loud. She makes her needs known to her parents.
Now she will be a child of God – just like all of us. We, too, are totally dependent on our Father for our very life. We may have more control of our movements, language or environment; but we remain always dependent on our Father. He gives us all of our gifts and abilities. We can learn from Abby and cry out – loud, long, and persistent.
I rejoice with Abby. I thank God for His good and generous gifts. I am a “Child of God.”
I started out with Rich Cohrs, son. I was born the son of Marge and Dick Cohrs. I was also known as baby, nephew, and grandson. As I grew older, I added other titles: student, Cub Scout, best friend, brother, Godson, nephew, paperboy, Confirmand, boy friend, factory worker, day laborer, grass cutter, licensed driver, graduate, fiancé, teacher, coach, DCE, husband, son-in-law, brother-in-law, father, Uncle, Godfather, principal, friend, and now I am Manager for Volunteer Opportunities, Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Recently I have added “Grandpa” to the list. Each one of us is able to add many titles behind our names. We define ourselves by our family relations, work positions, community responsibilities, and relationship with other people. Some of the titles we put behind our names are temporary: customer, caller, e-mail sender. Some of our titles we are born with, some we earn, some we are given.
This weekend Bunny and I will fly to Denver to witness the baptism of our granddaughter, Abigail Anne Cohrs. She will become a child of God through the washing and regeneration of water and the Word. The title, child of God, is perhaps the greatest identification we can add behind our names. I watch Abby and am reminded of how dependent she is on her parents. Her Mommy and Daddy provide for her very life. Abby cannot feed, clothe or bathe herself. She cannot adjust the temperature of the room nor would she be able to save herself if she was placed under water. She is totally dependent. She will make her needs known. She will cry when she is uncomfortable, hungry, tired, or lonely. She is persistent. She is loud. She makes her needs known to her parents.
Now she will be a child of God – just like all of us. We, too, are totally dependent on our Father for our very life. We may have more control of our movements, language or environment; but we remain always dependent on our Father. He gives us all of our gifts and abilities. We can learn from Abby and cry out – loud, long, and persistent.
I rejoice with Abby. I thank God for His good and generous gifts. I am a “Child of God.”
God's Army 5-29-2003
Ascension Day! Yes, tonight I will attend Ascension Day services at St. Luke’s. I appreciate attending church on Ascension. I particularly like saying the creed on Ascension Day, “He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.”
Ascension reminds me that there is more to come. Life for me on this earth will end. Life eternally for me will come. I have a hope. I know that Christ ascended into heaven. He is there now. He will return on Judgment Day – I will be judged, whether I am living or dead. That is a good thing. I will spend eternity in heaven with all of the saints. I will bask in the glory of God.
I was thinking about all of this as the family gathered around my parents’ gravesite this past Memorial Day. Dad served in the Army in World War II and is buried with Mom in the Fort Logan military cemetery. This was my first visit to the grave since the funeral. It was an emotional day. Flags fluttered in front of each marker, military jets flew over the cemetery, and Taps followed a 21-gun salute. The atmosphere was charged with patriotism mixed with sorrow. People grieved for their family members, yet were proud of their service to their country.
Dad shared with us kids his role in the Army. We heard the stories, held the medals and sang the songs from the war. Dad also drummed into us that we all served in another Army. He insisted that we knew that we were soldiers of the cross. We were privates (Dad was very proud of the fact that he served in the Army for two years and obtained the rank of PFC – he didn’t want anything to do with giving orders) in God’s Army. He taught us Bible stories, hymns, prayers and Bible verses. He made sure we attended church – every Sunday. We were enrolled in Sunday school and vacation Bible schools. He listened to our memory work and showed us no sympathy if we got it wrong.
I still serve in God’s Army. My orders have not changed – I am to teach all nations.
When I leave this earth – I will join with the saints in Heaven. That is a promise that I hold fast to.
Ascension reminds me that there is more to come. Life for me on this earth will end. Life eternally for me will come. I have a hope. I know that Christ ascended into heaven. He is there now. He will return on Judgment Day – I will be judged, whether I am living or dead. That is a good thing. I will spend eternity in heaven with all of the saints. I will bask in the glory of God.
I was thinking about all of this as the family gathered around my parents’ gravesite this past Memorial Day. Dad served in the Army in World War II and is buried with Mom in the Fort Logan military cemetery. This was my first visit to the grave since the funeral. It was an emotional day. Flags fluttered in front of each marker, military jets flew over the cemetery, and Taps followed a 21-gun salute. The atmosphere was charged with patriotism mixed with sorrow. People grieved for their family members, yet were proud of their service to their country.
Dad shared with us kids his role in the Army. We heard the stories, held the medals and sang the songs from the war. Dad also drummed into us that we all served in another Army. He insisted that we knew that we were soldiers of the cross. We were privates (Dad was very proud of the fact that he served in the Army for two years and obtained the rank of PFC – he didn’t want anything to do with giving orders) in God’s Army. He taught us Bible stories, hymns, prayers and Bible verses. He made sure we attended church – every Sunday. We were enrolled in Sunday school and vacation Bible schools. He listened to our memory work and showed us no sympathy if we got it wrong.
I still serve in God’s Army. My orders have not changed – I am to teach all nations.
When I leave this earth – I will join with the saints in Heaven. That is a promise that I hold fast to.