Google yourself lately? Come on, you know you do it. It’s kind of like getting an annual credit report. It’s good to see what’s out there under your name, and to make sure your name isn’t on a “Most Wanted” list somewhere.
My most memorable “Googling” took place exactly twelve years ago. Found my name on an organization’s “Do You Know Where These People Are?” list. I sent an email. Two days later, at 7:15 a.m. (Arizona time, where I lived at that moment) I received a phone call from Vivian of Barron Electric Cooperative, a power company in northwestern Wisconsin.
She asked if I was really Stephen Luchterhand, married to Heidi, and did I live in Spooner, WI, at one time? (Look up Spooner on the Web; not many people can claim to have lived there) Yes, we did, from 1991-1997.
“Well,” she said, “because you were a member of the co-op, you are owed a capital credit, sort of like a refund.” I’m thinking – this is great, what a way to start to February, taxes are due soon, what a great time to get a little bit of a financial windfall! I’m thinking about what to do with this unexpected windfall, which bills to apply it to, or into which investment to place it. The amount has got to be substantial; it’s been 12 years since I lived there (back in 2009). (So…math…this happened 24 years ago…good to remember the “important things”)
Vivian says, “You are due a credit of…” The suspense is killing me at this point. In my mind, I’m beyond doctor bills, I’m paying off credit cards, half my mortgage…
“The total,” she declares, “is (wait for it…) $7.28. I will send that check out to you right away.”
“Thanks so much,” I managed to say. And resumed my current indebted status.
So much of life is like my phone call from Barron Country Electric Co-op. This world never delivers what it promises. It gets our hopes up with false promises then lets us down. King Solomon learned that and shared those lessons with us in the book of Ecclesiastes. Education, work, pleasure, possessions – all fail to give life meaning and fulfillment and happiness.
But God delivers. He’s delivered a risen Savior, meeting our greatest need. He’s also delivered everything else we need to get through the day – our daily bread. And he will do so tomorrow and the next day and every day until we see him face to face forever.
He cares, he sustains, he carries us. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
Join us for a “birthday drive-by” this Sunday, February 7th. Trinity’s oldest member, Mrs. Laura Lee, turns 103 years old on that day. She currently lives just down the road from Trinity, at Country Terrace, 8730 Packing Plant Road, Minocqua. We’ll meet in the Trinity parking lot between services at 9:30 a.m., then caravan to Country Terrace (one mile away). Laura will be seated at a place where she will be able to see and hear us drive by, wave, honk horns, etc. Yes, it will be cold, probably below zero, but let’s make this a memorable day for Laura! Join us!
My most memorable “Googling” took place exactly twelve years ago. Found my name on an organization’s “Do You Know Where These People Are?” list. I sent an email. Two days later, at 7:15 a.m. (Arizona time, where I lived at that moment) I received a phone call from Vivian of Barron Electric Cooperative, a power company in northwestern Wisconsin.
She asked if I was really Stephen Luchterhand, married to Heidi, and did I live in Spooner, WI, at one time? (Look up Spooner on the Web; not many people can claim to have lived there) Yes, we did, from 1991-1997.
“Well,” she said, “because you were a member of the co-op, you are owed a capital credit, sort of like a refund.” I’m thinking – this is great, what a way to start to February, taxes are due soon, what a great time to get a little bit of a financial windfall! I’m thinking about what to do with this unexpected windfall, which bills to apply it to, or into which investment to place it. The amount has got to be substantial; it’s been 12 years since I lived there (back in 2009). (So…math…this happened 24 years ago…good to remember the “important things”)
Vivian says, “You are due a credit of…” The suspense is killing me at this point. In my mind, I’m beyond doctor bills, I’m paying off credit cards, half my mortgage…
“The total,” she declares, “is (wait for it…) $7.28. I will send that check out to you right away.”
“Thanks so much,” I managed to say. And resumed my current indebted status.
So much of life is like my phone call from Barron Country Electric Co-op. This world never delivers what it promises. It gets our hopes up with false promises then lets us down. King Solomon learned that and shared those lessons with us in the book of Ecclesiastes. Education, work, pleasure, possessions – all fail to give life meaning and fulfillment and happiness.
But God delivers. He’s delivered a risen Savior, meeting our greatest need. He’s also delivered everything else we need to get through the day – our daily bread. And he will do so tomorrow and the next day and every day until we see him face to face forever.
He cares, he sustains, he carries us. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
Join us for a “birthday drive-by” this Sunday, February 7th. Trinity’s oldest member, Mrs. Laura Lee, turns 103 years old on that day. She currently lives just down the road from Trinity, at Country Terrace, 8730 Packing Plant Road, Minocqua. We’ll meet in the Trinity parking lot between services at 9:30 a.m., then caravan to Country Terrace (one mile away). Laura will be seated at a place where she will be able to see and hear us drive by, wave, honk horns, etc. Yes, it will be cold, probably below zero, but let’s make this a memorable day for Laura! Join us!
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