Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.  Proverbs 27:9 (NIV)

Many smells are pleasing to the senses: freshly-baked bread, newly-mown grass, coffee brewing early in the morning, lilacs in the spring. Aromatherapy oils and lotions have a calming effect and help us to relax. Proverbs 27:9 compares the aroma of perfume to the sweet advice of a good friend — a friend with whom we can share anything. One who listens and loves us enough to give sound advice. That’s the kind of friend God instructs us to be: one who nurtures lasting friendships with love and prayers and gives God-pleasing advice, a friend whose presence is as sweet as the aroma of lilacs in the spring. Love must be sincere. Be devoted to one another in love (Romans 12:9a, 10a NIV). Have I remembered to thank my friends for their sound advice?

Special education task force – Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing us with schools that provide a high-quality Christian education. We ask for your guidance as a task force of WELS and ELS schools, Jesus Cares Ministries, and Christian Educators for Special Education meets to discuss how to enhance special education in our schools to better serve learners who struggle in academics or behavior. May the resources they develop support students, teachers, and administrators. Amen.

• Thank You, Father, for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives us peace. Equipped with that peace, help us to stand firm in our faith so we may share it with those around us. Please bless the work of Pastor Eric Roecker who was with us on Saturday, August 10th to talk about our outreach culture at Our Savior.  And bless all who attended and learned how to better “shine like stars, as we hold firmly to the word of life.”
• Shortly after Ashley Steiner remembered her beloved grandmother (home in heaven for 2 years), she got the news that her grandfather, Glenn Dolor, passed. We seek your comfort for her family, since this one came suddenly.  We join her in appreciation for all that you give, especially loving family.  With joy Ashley and her family of this special couple who had such impact on each of them, and the faith that they shared with them.  Bring the fruit of faith from their example as they celebrate a new life in heaven.
• Our prayers accompany Lee & Dorothy Bladow as her nephew Sean Ludtke went home to the Lord this past week. We’ve been praying for him through many illnesses over the past years and as his body wore out we asked finally for your mercy to help him to the “finish line.”  As Paul says so clearly, “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8
• Len Collyard who had been in ICU following a cardiac arrest, is now home and doing well. Lord, guide the doctors who are in the process of diagnosing and treating his rare condition including a run over to Mayo clinic in Minnesota.  Terry Schiessl, who had affib and also landed in the hospital for monitoring.  Lord, guard her life and give her answers.
• Pam Vroman’s mother, Marge Buelow, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Grant her answers as this reality begins to sink in, and give her assurance of your presence and power.  Lord, in every crisis be our Shepherd and lead us beside the “quiet waters.”