This post is an excerpt from Kim Marxhausen’s newest book, Weary Joy.

It seemed as if everything changed at that one particular moment. Dorris was hungry. She got in her little Smart car, the talk of her small Nebraska town, and headed for the local sandwich shop. Perhaps, as she insisted, she got her foot on the wrong pedal, or, as observers noted, she didn’t slow down. Either way, she ran her car right through the front door of the restaurant. Then she got out of the car, walked into the store, and calmly ordered a sandwich.

The Gospel for the day comes from Luke 13, where Jesus speaks of the narrow door to heaven. Our devotion comes from Meditations on the Gospels: According to His Word.

The Gospel for the day is Luke 12:49–56. Our devotion comes from Meditations on the Gospels: According to His Word.

What draws you to art? Is it the colors? the images? Have you ever been drawn to a work of art because of the words—not just the meaning of them, but how prettily the words are written?

The Old Testament Reading for the day is Genesis 15:1–6, where God promises Abraham that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars in the heavens. Our devotion comes from Day by Day in Genesis: 365 Devotional Readings from Martin Luther.

This Old Testament Reading for the day comes from the first two chapters of Ecclesiastes. Our devotional reading explores verse 2 of chapter 1, and comes from Ecclesiastes, Concordia Commentary.

Think back to when you were a child. Your day likely consisted of being woken up by your parents, playing with your toys, and eating grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. When the day was over, mom or dad might have read you a bedtime story, and that book may have been a book with an arch in the corner. For many Lutherans, this was a childhood staple.

Overview

The Book of 1 Thessalonians calls believers to live in the Gospel and fulfill their calling in the joy of the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds the Thessalonians of Christ’s return—a tricky passage to interpret—but also reminds them to simply follow Christ’s example while they await His coming.

On July 30, the Church commemorates Robert Barnes, Confessor and Martyr. Barnes was a sixteenth-century Protestant born in 1495 in England. Our devotional reading comes from The Protestant Reformation: 1517–1559.

This Gospel comes from Luke 11, where Jesus introduces the Lord’s Prayer to His disciples. Our devotional reading comes from Luke 9:51–24:53, Concordia Commentary.