We invite you to take a peek inside our weekly Light for the Way devotional series provided for staff.
By Pastor Kurt Linn, director of spiritual care, Johanna Shores
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7
The role of parent or grandparent can be challenging. And once a parent, always a parent! Parenting is also a gift, and a special calling the Lord has blessed! Even if you are not a parent, you can encourage a young person the Lord has put in your life.
Reflecting on what matters most in training up a child, the one thing I desire more than anything else…is that they know the love of Christ. Once a person has genuinely connected with and experienced the love of Christ, a powerful foundation has been laid to build upon.
I used to do music ministry for many years with a band called River. Our song titled “My Only Prayer” expresses this desire and prayer of a parent.
The lyrics go:
We gathered ‘round you in faith
We laid our hands on you and began to pray
For the Lord to write His name upon your life
That you would be
A testimony of a child who believes
In the love and grace of God
With all your heart with all your soul
With all your strength with all you know
When you sit and when you rise
As you walk this road of life
My only prayer is that you know
The love of Christ
As you find your life unfold
May His hand of grace be the hand you hold
May each trial and victory bring praise
May the love of God surround you
May you learn to seek His face
You are loved!
Listen to the band River perform “My Only Prayer”
Words and music by Paul Marino; © 1999 Paul Marino Music. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Pastor Kurt Linn serves as director of spiritual care at Johanna Shores in Arden Hills, Minn. He previously served as campus pastor at EagleCrest (joining the Presbyterian Homes & Services’ family in November 2015). He, his bride Kim and three children (Brennan, Honor, and Gabriel) live in Roseville. Other members of the family are Koa, the adorable golden retriever, and Ace, the adventurous shepherd/husky. PK enjoys music, God’s handiwork, a good movie and popcorn, coffee and conversation. He is the pastor of a house church (The Crux) and loves gathering as the Church.
The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian Ministry.
