Notice regarding the end of Take It home publication....

God is at work, and we are part of his grand plan. He is bringing his kingdom into the universe, and restoring it to its original, eternal glory. EACH OF US HAS A PART TO PLAY! ...

God is at work, and we are part of his grand plan. He is bringing his kingdom into the universe, and restoring it to its original, eternal glory. EACH OF US HAS A PART TO PLAY! ...

God is at work, and we are part of his grand plan. He is bringing his kingdom into the universe, and restoring it to its original, eternal glory. EACH OF US HAS A PART TO PLAY! ...

God is at work, and we are part of his grand plan. He is bringing his kingdom into the universe, and restoring it to its original, eternal glory. EACH OF US HAS A PART TO PLAY! ...

Christians foolishly believe that change is not only possible, it is the norm for those who follow Jesus! One popular author reminds us: Jesus loves you just the way you are, he is just not content to leave you that way! Through the power of God’s Spirit at work with in us, through Word and Sacrament, God works to reshape us into his image. He gives us the gift of maturi...

Christians foolishly believe that change is not only possible, it is the norm for those who follow Jesus! One popular author reminds us: Jesus loves you just the way you are, he is just not content to leave you that way! Through the power of God’s Spirit at work with in us, through Word and Sacrament, God works to reshape us into his image. He gives us the gift of maturi...

Christians foolishly believe that change is not only possible, it is the norm for those who follow Jesus! One popular author reminds us: Jesus loves you just the way you are, he is just not content to leave you that way! Through the power of God’s Spirit at work with in us, through Word and Sacrament, God works to reshape us into his image. He gives us the gift of maturi...

Christians foolishly believe that change is not only possible, it is the norm for those who follow Jesus! One popular author reminds us: Jesus loves you just the way you are, he is just not content to leave you that way! Through the power of God’s Spirit at work with in us, through Word and Sacrament, God works to reshape us into his image. He gives us the gift of maturi...

Christians foolishly believe that change is not only possible, it is the norm for those who follow Jesus! ...

God can use our suffering for good....

God can use my suffering for good....

God can use our suffering for good....

God can use our suffering for good....

God can use suffering for good....

The guilt from our past can live in our minds and lives long after the act itself, preventing us from being all God created us to be. From a human perspective this all makes sense ...

The guilt from our past can live in our minds and lives long after the act itself, preventing us from being all God created us to be. From a human perspective this all makes sense ...

The guilt from our past can live in our minds and lives long after the act itself, preventing us from being all God created us to be. From a human perspective this all makes sense ...

The guilt from our past can live in our minds and lives long after the act itself, preventing us from being all God created us to be. From a human perspective this all makes sense ...

The guilt from our past can live in our minds and lives long after the act itself, preventing us from being all God created us to be. From a human perspective this all makes sense ...

Jesus conquered sin and death by rising from the dead....

Jesus conquered sin and death by rising from the dead....

Jesus conquered sin and death by rising from the dead....

Jesus conquered sin and death by rising from the dead....

Jesus conquered sin and death by rising from the dead....

Righteousness is a gift from God made possible by the means of an atoning sacrifice, which is received by those who, in humility, approach as sinners trusting in God’s grace and not their own righteousness....

Righteousness is a gift from God made possible by the means of an atoning sacrifice, which is received by those who, in humility, approach as sinners trusting in God’s grace and not their own righteousness....

Righteousness is a gift from God made possible by the means of an atoning sacrifice, which is received by those who, in humility, approach as sinners trusting in God’s grace and not their own righteousness....

Righteousness is a gift from God made possible by the means of an atoning sacrifice, which is received by those who, in humility, approach as sinners trusting in God’s grace and not their own righteousness....

Righteousness is a gift from God made possible by the means of an atoning sacrifice, which is received by those who, in humility, approach as sinners trusting in God’s grace and not their own righteousness....

We do not appeal to a disgruntled judge but to a loving Father who will hear us and act on our behalf....

We do not appeal to a disgruntled judge but to a loving Father who will hear us and act on our behalf....

We do not appeal to a disgruntled judge but to a loving Father who will hear us and act on our behalf....

We do not appeal to a disgruntled judge but to a loving Father who will hear us and act on our behalf....

We do not appeal to a disgruntled judge but to a loving Father who will hear us and act on our behalf....

All we have and are, including eternal life, is a gift from God. How we respond to that gift is crucial. Will we respond with arrogance, self-indulgence, and indifference to the needs of others, or with patience, longsuffering, gentleness, and forgiveness? ...

All we have and are, including eternal life, is a gift from God. How we respond to that gift is crucial. Will we respond with arrogance, self-indulgence, and indifference to the needs of others, or with patience, longsuffering, gentleness, and forgiveness? ...

All we have and are, including eternal life, is a gift from God. How we respond to that gift is crucial. Will we respond with arrogance, self-indulgence, and indifference to the needs of others, or with patience, longsuffering, gentleness, and forgiveness? ...

All we have and are, including eternal life, is a gift from God. How we respond to that gift is crucial. Will we respond with arrogance, self-indulgence, and indifference to the needs of others, or with patience, longsuffering, gentleness, and forgiveness? ...

All we have and are, including eternal life, is a gift from God. How we respond to that gift is crucial. Will we respond with arrogance, self-indulgence, and indifference to the needs of others, or with patience, longsuffering, gentleness, and forgiveness? ...

God’s Messiah is inviting you to the party of salvation. Do not refuse!...

God’s Messiah is inviting you to the party of salvation. Do not refuse!...

God’s Messiah is inviting you to the party of salvation. Do not refuse!...

God’s Messiah is inviting you to the party of salvation. Do not refuse!...

God’s Messiah is inviting you to the party of salvation. Do not refuse!...

We are pressed to affirm that the real problem isn’t getting what we feel we deserve, but finding the will to serve God and others rather than our own self-interests....

We are pressed to affirm that the real problem isn’t getting what we feel we deserve, but finding the will to serve God and others rather than our own self-interests....

Wanting Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to give me my share of the inheritance that our father left us.” Luke 12:13 (GW) The issue was crystal clear to our Lord. The person in the crowd (we’ll call him John Doe- JD for short) had a coveting problem! Apparently JD was a younger son, whose older brother had received the entire fami...

We are pressed to affirm that the real problem isn’t getting what we feel we deserve, but finding the will to serve God and others rather than our own self-interests....

We are pressed to affirm that the real problem isn’t getting what we feel we deserve, but finding the will to serve God and others rather than our own self-interests....

We are pressed to understand: “I must become a neighbor to anyone in need. To fulfill the law means I must reach out in costly compassion to all people, even to my enemies. The standard remains even though I can never fully achieve it. I cannot justify myself and earn eternal life.”...

We are pressed to understand: “I must become a neighbor to anyone in need. To fulfill the law means I must reach out in costly compassion to all people, even to my enemies. The standard remains even though I can never fully achieve it. I cannot justify myself and earn eternal life.”...

We are pressed to understand: “I must become a neighbor to anyone in need. To fulfill the law means I must reach out in costly compassion to all people, even to my enemies. The standard remains even though I can never fully achieve it. I cannot justify myself and earn eternal life.”...

We are pressed to understand: “I must become a neighbor to anyone in need. To fulfill the law means I must reach out in costly compassion to all people, even to my enemies. The standard remains even though I can never fully achieve it. I cannot justify myself and earn eternal life.”...

We are pressed to understand: “I must become a neighbor to anyone in need. To fulfill the law means I must reach out in costly compassion to all people, even to my enemies. The standard remains even though I can never fully achieve it. I cannot justify myself and earn eternal life.”...

We proclaim our trust that what we have prayed will be so....

We proclaim our trust that what we have prayed will be so....

We proclaim our trust that what we pray will be so. ...

We proclaim our trust that what we have prayed will be so....

We reflect on God's call to live as His forgiven children...

We proclaim our trust that what we have prayed will be so....

We trust God's victory over the evil within us and around us....

We trust God's victory over the evil within us and around us....

We trust God's victory over the evil within us and around us....

We trust God's victory over the evil within us and around us....

We trust God's victory over the evil within us and around us....

We reflect on God's call to live as His forgiven children...

We reflect on God's call to live as His forgiven children...

We reflect on God's call to live as His forgiven children...

We reflect on God's call to live as His forgiven children...

We learn to see God as the source for all our needs and reflect His generosity....

We learn to see God as the source for all our needs and reflect His generosity....

We learn to see God as the source for all our needs and reflect His generosity....

We learn to see God as the source for all our needs and reflect His generosity....

We learn to see God as the source for all our needs and reflect His generosity....

We rejoice in God our King and pledge our lives to His kingdom....

We rejoice in God our King and pledge our lives to His kingdom....

We rejoice in God our King and pledge our lives to His kingdom....

We rejoice in God our King and pledge our lives to His kingdom....

We rejoice in God our King and pledge our lives to His kingdom....

Following the model for prayer taught by Jesus we explore styles of prayer to grow more fluent in our conversation with God....

Following the model for prayer taught by Jesus we explore styles of prayer to grow more fluent in our conversation with God....

Following the model for prayer taught by Jesus we explore styles of prayer to grow more fluent in our conversation with God....

Following the model for prayer taught by Jesus we explore styles of prayer to grow more fluent in our conversation with God....

Following the model for prayer taught by Jesus we explore styles of prayer to grow more fluent in our conversation with God....

Through the story of the wise men we learn to be resolute, not just make resolutions and build a life that worships Jesus. ...

Through the story of the wise men we learn to be resolute, not just make resolutions and build a life that worships Jesus. ...

Through the story of the wise men we learn to be resolute, not just make resolutions and build a life that worships Jesus. ...

Through the story of the wise men we learn to be resolute, not just make resolutions and build a life that worships Jesus. ...

Through the story of the wisemen we learn to be resolute, not just make resolutions and build a life that worships Jesus. ...

When the wrapping comes off there are 5 questions to ask....

After the wrapping comes off, there are 5 questions to ask....

After the wrapping comes off, there are 5 questions to ask....

After the wrapping comes off, there are 5 questions to ask....

When the wrapping comes off, there are 5 questions to ask....

Gabriel announces that the long-awaited Messiah with the command, “Behold!” We see and respond with words and deeds that reveal the same good news....

Gabriel announces that the long-awaited Messiah with the command, “Behold!” We see and respond with words and deeds that reveal the same good news....

Gabriel announces that the long-awaited Messiah with the command, “Behold!” We see and respond with words and deeds that reveal the same good news....

Gabriel announces that the long-awaited Messiah with the command, “Behold!” We see and respond with words and deeds that reveal the same good news....

Gabriel announces that the long-awaited Messiah with the command, “Behold!” We see and respond with words and deeds that reveal the same good news....

We rejoice in Jesus' victory over sin and death...

We rejoice in Jesus even in our struggles....

We rejoice in Jesus with good reason....

As we rejoice in Jesus we are moved to action that adds joy to another life....

We rejoice in Jesus and bring His joy to others...

We prepare for Jesus with Integrity. Reflections on Luke 3:10-14...

We prepare for Jesus with Care. Reflections on Matthew 25:5-10...

We prepare for Jesus with gentleness like His. Isaiah 42:1-4...

We prepare for Jesus with diligence. Reflections on 1 Peter 3:3-15...

We Prepare for Jesus with a turnaround. Reflections on Mark 1:2-4...

We reflect on how we watch and wait for Jesus with hope....

We reflect on how we watch and wait for Jesus with joy....

We reflect on how we watch and wait for Jesus patiently....

We reflect on how we watch and wait for Jesus with expectancy....

Today we reflect on how we watch and wait for Jesus with love....

Your gifts are from the Holy Spirit...

Growing into Christ...

Jesus gives us the gifts to grow the Trinity Family....

Our Family connection at Trinity ...

The Great Commission turns our focus outward....

During the "This is Us" series, the "Take It Home" format will be changing slightly. Instead of one post containing a weeks worth of devotions, each day a devotion will be posted. If you subscribe through a reader, you should see posts appearing more often. If you would like to have each post emailed to you Monday-Friday, contact Marge.Franzen@tlc4u.org....

There’s nothing like looking through arrow slots and walking ramparts to begin to understand the fine art of siege warfare back in the days of walled citadels. Walls are very formidable to attackers, but the weakest place is the opening at the gate. Lots of engineering and design go into strengthening the gate. Many towers look over the gate. Many arrow slots are aimed a...

Here’s Satan’s first appearance in the account of our early days in God’s creation being crafty and asking a question that insinuates that either Eve’s recollection is wrong, or the direction given by God is a liability. That’s the thing to look for in life, the places where you question your own conscience that has been shaped by God’s authority, or you entert...

The prophet Zechariah is pulling back the curtain so we can see the Spiritual Warfare going on. He shows us Jeshua, a priest who has lead a motley crew from exile in Babylon back to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s Kingdom. It’s a daunting, discouraging task. And there’s Satan accusing, making it clear that Jeshua is not up to it. I like God’s refusal to even entertain t...

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:9&10 ESV If you’ve heard of the title War of the Worlds, you’ve probably heard of Orson Welles famous radio adaption in 1938. Welles’ broadcasts about ali...

This week we will see that there are two responses to the kingdom of God: The first response is to worship God, which leads to peace, courage, and life. The second response is to worship something else, which only leads to insecurity, oppression, and self-destruction. The ramifications of our choice are profound....

What happens when you’ve been stripped of all you’ve known? When the place you call home is taken from you and you are a stranger in a strange land?...

Our culture is one of self-reliance, impatience, and instant gratification. Materialism whispers in our ear to promote, primp, indulge our outer self. What happens when your inner self and your outer existence collide leaving you spinning, no longer feeling you can rely on your own timing because, in hindsight, when you did, things went awry? ...

Many of us are taking all kinds of pictures using the camera apps on our phones. We record special events, use pictures to accompany text, send our pictures to friends and family via Facebook, Instagram, etc. AND… many people are addicted to taking pictures of themselves - better known as selfies. Like so many attitudes and actions of the 21st century, the selfie epi...

From the beginning of the world God placed people into community. We are not intended to live independently. Bound together under the wisdom of God, we are far more able to live and prosper. Even when we read about individuals like David or Paul, they are set in the middle of a community. God tells us His story through the people (plural) of God....

James 1:5 (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. As a child of God, charged up by the Holy Spirit with a desire to play a role in His Kingdom, you’ve assessed and identified one thing you’d like to change to be a healthier servant of God. Seek God’s wisdom and make a plan. The spi...

In Luke 10:27 Jesus said we should love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. This is a very holistic understanding of who we are. In Hebrew thought the heart was the wellspring of volition or will-power. This week we’re going to explore how our heart is connected to our strength or physical power. Use these each day before you eat breakfast or pack your lunch...

In Luke 10:27 Jesus said we should love God with all our heart, soul , strength and mind. This week in our Bod4God series, let’s just try and get our mind wrapped around our strength, our physical bodily self and how it connects to our love for God....

Through the waters of baptism, we are given a new identity....

This week we’re listening for the perspective of Ruth. She enters the story as an outsider yet demonstrates unfailing love… faithfulness… loyalty… mercy… grace… kindness....

Naomi has had it rough! She moves from her home to a foreign land and then her husband and two sons die. Given these circumstances, it would be easy for anyone to lose hope and Naomi did lose hope. Her words are full of despair......

Where is He? Where’s God? In a book planted firmly in the midst of the Old Testament, He should be there…. shouldn’t He? But at first glance, we don’t find Him ...

This week we’re listening for the perspective of Boaz. Of all the characters in this book, he is at home, he has connections, he has his own established security, and yet he also shows us the strength of that place in community as a launching into ministry, into hesed. Spot one instance and make a post....

What if Jesus, after raising Lazarus from the dead, had commanded each strip of grave cloth to become a butterfly? If, on His command, they flew away -- freeing Lazarus? Compared to His resurrection miracle, it would seem to be child’s play. People would have remembered it. More glory for Him. Instead, He gives His followers a simple task. “Take off the grave clothe...

Close your eyes and watch Lazarus stumbling his way out of the tomb. He’s miraculously alive yet still dragging the things of death. We do that, too. Christ’s death and resurrection gives us new life that is not defined as a journey to death. It’s life lived now in God’s love, to be fully lived when we pass into eternity. Why do we drag the trappings of the grave a...

Tombs deeply affect Jesus. They move him to tears. His mission in the world is to end the darkness of the tomb for all of His creation. That is incredibly good news for us, yet we turn the celebration into bunnies and chocolate. On Monday morning, we want to roll over, cover our heads, dread the day. Like Martha, we don’t want the tomb opened being sure of the stench....

Jesus tells a Christian: “I always have been and I always will be.” The Christian asks, “What do you mean?” And Jesus replies, “God was looking at His creation and saw that you needed to be saved not only from each other but from yourselves, sin and darkness....

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Jesus ...

What’s your gut reaction to words like Islam, Muslim, Allah, Quran? For most, I believe, it’s fear. How will Islam impact our lives?...

Jesus teaches that suffering is a result of sin and is the byproduct of life in a broken and sinful world, and can be brought to a God-pleasing end. He teaches that taking on suffering brings redemption....

For the Hindu, you are an eternal being that has been “reincarnated” in your present form. You may not have a memory of your previous incarnations, but you have always existed and will continue to exist in future incarnations once this current life is done. ...

Simply put, everything cannot be true. You cannot say all religions are true unless you are willing to open the door for the reverse, that all religions are false...

The Take It Home in this series 
offers Bible passages to reconsider, a personal story to see through other eyes, and exercises in personal reflection and prayer. This week we turn the corner taking action. We pray that the Holy Spirit will use these in moving you along in your journey of reconciliation with God and with all of His people....

The Take It Home in this series offers Bible passages to reconsider, a personal story to see through other eyes, and exercises in personal reflection and prayer. We pray that the Holy Spirit will use these in bringing you along in your journey or reconciliation with God and with all of His people....

The Take It Home in this series offers Bible passages to reconsider, a personal story to see through other eyes, and an exercise in personal reflection and prayer. We pray that the Holy Spirit will use these in bringing you along in your journey or reconciliation with God and with all of His people....

Through our baptism, we can live a new life of faith and hope now and on into God’s eternal kingdom. Let’s pause on some specific passages that help us see the results of that statement in our lives. Now is not only the time to celebrate the gift of baptism, but to dive into the new life baptism gives us....

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3

Clarity -- focusing on our mission is key to moving ahead as a congregation. "Strive for excellence, promote fraternity, serve the
community, educate the family, care for seniors, grow our memb...

This week, we focus on “What should we do?” God’s Word is not a simple list of instructions… “do this….do that”. It is a beautiful mixture of the Gospel grace and encouragement. Perfect Love from a perfect God! Reread today’s passage from Hebrews and let the Holy Spirit speak to you from the highlighted phrases. Where is he drawing your attention? Who is he...

Our Trinity answer is to look, live, and love more like Jesus. We take the complex journey of following Jesus step by step, attitude by attitude, action by action, a journey of becoming. Here’s a paraphrased message from God for you to keep handy on the journey. ...

The verses from John 10:1-10 have caused me to sit and meditate for days until like a slow wave the meaning was revealed and I could no longer unsee what was so vividly made clear to me. ...

“Just follow the signs,” I tell people coming to town on the interstate. It sounds simple but inanimate signs, even voiced sign posts on your GPS direction system often prove hard to follow. All of the images we’ve been looking at in Isaiah are things. Their tangibility makes the meaning of the message very accessible. But this week the sign lives and breathes. This ...

Another image for the coming messianic age in Isaiah is an oasis. A stream of water in the middle of the dry land. A pool in the desert. Water is often used as a symbol for God’s provision and blessing in the Bible. ...

The Green shoot, would bring light, hope and salvation for all. The Green Shoot was the promised Messiah....

You come to know God by experience as you obey him and he accomplishes his work through you....

Throughout the book of Isaiah we find prophecies pointing to the Messianic Age. The fulfillment of these prophecies can be found in the coming of Jesus that first Christmas, in the life of His people today, and when He comes again. ...

You must make major adjustments to your life in order to join God in what he is doing....

God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action....

God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, circumstances, and the church to reveal himself, his purposes and his ways. Memory Verse: “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son.” Hebrews 1:1...

God invites you to become involved with him in his work. Memory Verse: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 (NLT) ...

God created us for a love relationship with Him. Isn’t that amazing! The God of the universe; the God of Love; created us to Yada Him. Truth be told, that can be a little overwhelming. ...

Memory Verse: But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working. … Truly, truly I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he sh...

The theme for the week is the nearness of God, the intimacy/immediacy/tangibility of our relationship with him. Knowing Him!...

Our tears often can connect us with God in ways we would not have seen before, for in our sadness and despair we come to see that God is not absent, but mourns with us and, ultimately, brings us through tears to healing....

Do you ever tremble with anger inside? Anger over sin? -- The sin of your children, your spouse, your leaders? ...

Like the driver who has been pulled over for speeding and understandably feels the shame of being caught, so we feel the guilt and shame when we know God has caught us in our sin. We know better. After all, we’ve done it a thousand other times....

Ever since our fall into sin, our lives are plagued with fear. One of the greatest barriers to dealing with our fears is not expressing them ...

God gives us his Word, not only on the pages of the Bible, but in a way we can experience! In the waters of Baptism God acts to give us his Spirit. We receive the gift of faith and new life. We are made his children. Through the Lord’s Supper we receive his body and blood with the bread and wine. Because of this, we receive forgiveness, life, and salvation. In these ...

Sin… it is not a word we use very often in casual conversation. If we even allow for the concept, we put it on a sliding scale. We compare ourselves to others and generally, we come out some place in the middle, not too bad, not the best (thank you, Mother Theresa for ruining the curve!), but good enough....

You have to remember; God’s Word wasn’t always that Holy Bible you have bound as a book sitting on your shelf. God has been revealing himself from the beginning… todays text says from the very first spoken “Let there be” Word, later revealed to the world as Jesus. As God continued to reveal himself to the people of His creation, they found ways to make note, reme...

A survey of the “gods” of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome tells much about sinful man and more about the nature of God. The list is long and varied ...

... Then Genesis 3 and 4 tell how chaos slipped back in to mar the majesty of God’s creation. In chapter 3 Adam throws Eve under the bus, “the woman you gave me…” hmmm, is he blaming Eve or God for the mess they’re in? In chapter 4 Cain, the first born of the new creation kills his brother and in five generations Lamech boasts of killing someone for bruising him....

Jesus knows something about the human failure rate for running on fumes. First you have to fill the tank before you drive, then you have to refill after you've taken a long run. We see him using and training his disciples in the rhythm of rest for work, and rest from work. Our desperate cries of exhaustion show that this is a lesson we need....

Jesus talked a lot about economics in a culture that for most people meant subsistence living, what we would call paycheck to paycheck with some lay-offs scattered into the mix. If people in that setting needed to be told to consider the lilies of the field, what would he preach here in DuPage County? ...

I constantly say I want to make some time to… How silly of me! I can't make time. God made time when he set up the world with days and nights, months and years, finite in the stream of His eternity. My personal supply of time is totally in His hands. How I use it is in my hands....

We belong to God. Adam and Eve had to understand that in a very concrete way. Genesis 2 shows us a very hands-on picture of God forming Adam and constructing Eve. His garden was there home. Their success and happiness came from the provision of His hand....