AboutDebbie, bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

My Grumbling — God’s Grace

As you read this, I am in Minnesota. It’s cold up here in the north country! But my heart is warm and full as Scott and I enjoy visiting family. We left Colorado a day earlier than planned to beat the winter storm but, alas, we traveled over 800 miles on snow covered, icy roads. Yesterday, we drove from Bismarck, North Dakota to Bemidji, Minnesota — yes, on snow covered roads. I humbly admit that I did complain but, as I look back, I praise my Lord for safe travel and a husband who will continue driving when he knows I’d rather not, scrape the windshield so I don’t have to, and fill with gas so I can stay in the warm car.

We spent four days with my son and his family. Not once did we get our afternoon nap (for which I will not apologize. Indeed, I brag about my ability to fall asleep sitting up). Again, no grumbling was justified. We were blessed to watch our grandsons during wrestling matches and basketball games, wake each morning to two very large and happy dogs, and spend time laughing and enjoying time together.

Are you like me? In moments of distress or times of interrupted routines, I often don’t see the good, but looking back on the day I see God’s hand. His hand is always upon me. God’s plans are always for my good. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Today, I will ask God to help me see His hand as I go through unknown valleys. The Lord blesses us with a landscape of valleys and mountains. Tomorrow and throughout this week, as Scott and I continue visiting relatives and friends, we will travel through winter weather, and I will ask God to help me see Him in each moment. By the grace of God, I will feel His hand upon my shoulder and trust in His grace and mercy.

Dear Lord, help me see Your hand in all situations. When I hesitate, direct my thoughts to You and Your love. Let my desire be to run to You for comfort, trust in You in all things, and praise Your name in the valleys and on the mountain tops. You walk alongside me. I am not alone. My family is safe in Your arms. You give me a future and a hope and my strength comes from You. I thank You and praise Your name. Alleluia and Amen!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

AboutDebbie, bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

You Can’t Make This Stuff Up!

I’ve just returned from an incredible trip to St. Louis for a number of important events. I was privileged to take our LWML Office staff out for a postponed Christmas celebration dinner. I also recorded (actually, our Digital Marketing Coordinator Jill recorded — I just talked!) the video “Report to the Districts” for our upcoming LWML district convention season this year, and we held our Board of Directors and Presidents Assembly meetings.

Each evening, the board members and I try to spend some time together NOT working on policy or making decisions. We talk about our families, childhood memories, our children, and other subjects that are totally random. We laugh, we pray, and we have become a family centered on Christ.

One night as the stories continued to get more personal — from touching memories of those who are now with Jesus, to telling of embarrassing moments you only share with those you trust —  we belly-laughed so hard I heard someone snort, and say, “You just can’t make this stuff up!”

Our memories make up who we are and how we see the world around us. Isn’t it amazing how we can remember snippets of being a toddler, the scent of Grandpa’s tobacco, and the feel of a soft quilt that Grandma wrapped around us? The capacity and miracle of the human brain do not happen by accident.

How can anyone believe this creation is by chance? We are intricately woven into the person we are. Each memory and each personality trait is a gift from God. He chose the color of my eyes and the sound of my voice. Each of us are unique and special in His eyes. I want to shout to the world, “You just can’t make this up!” You can’t look at this creation and each other and believe this was all by chance.

You, and I, just can’t make this stuff up. No human can explain why we remember some things and not others. No human, studying their whole life, can understand the intricacies of the human brain. If we can’t even figure out the why and how it works, we certainly can’t make this up — only God can! And He did! We know this because He shares creation with us in and through His Word.

When we snorted, “You just can’t make this stuff up” we were talking of simple and funny stories of our past. I love to find simple topics and relate them to God — and I have yet to find any topic that I can’t relate to our Creator. Creation — “stuff” starting from nothing at all — we can’t do that. But our Creator, in His love, made each of us and knows the number of hairs on our heads. I find that simple fact amazing and humbling at the same time. Ponder that, my friends!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace, Debbie

AboutDebbie, bloghome, Lutheran Women in Mission

A Lesson in Patience

Over the holidays, I was blessed to travel with my husband Scott to California to volunteer as a Petal Pusher (a decorator on the Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) Tournament of Roses Parade float and other floats in the same warehouse). I was also privileged to ride on the LHM float in the parade. It was amazing to watch the crowd stand in honor of our Savior as we passed. The float was titled “Jesus Teaches” and a local pastor, in costume, portrayed Jesus. It truly was all about Jesus!

I thought I’d begin this blog with something positive because, I admit, I was not in a positive mood on January 2 as we tried to fly home. Flights around the country were delayed or canceled. Our day was a lesson in patience, and mine was used up early in the day. Our flight from Ontario, California to Denver, Colorado was delayed. We arrived around 2:30 p.m. — sat on the tarmac for 40 minutes — no ground crews. Then we waited for luggage for an hour and a half — no ground crews. Our flight from Denver to Colorado Springs was canceled. We rented a car — along with half the people in the airport. Hours (2 ½ to be precise) later we were on our way to the Colorado Springs airport to pick up our car and drive home over the mountain pass.

Our patience had disappeared, and our moods were — not good. So on the way home we made lists of things/people for which we were thankful. The lists were long. Here are just a few:

My list: I was humbled to represent the LWML on the LHM float, thankful for all the wonderful Christians we met as we worked on the floats, thankful I have a husband with more patience than I, thankful our plane made it to Denver and we got our luggage, thankful I wasn’t traveling with small children who were tired and hungry and didn’t understand, thankful that we made it home in one day, and thankful we have a home to which we can return.

Scott’s list: He was thankful we got to fly home together (when flights were canceled they had originally booked us on separate flights), thankful we were reunited with a neighbor from over 40 years ago as we worked on decorating the floats, thankful he has a wife with more patience than he has (hahahaha!), thankful the icy roads had cleared off and we could find a rental car, and thankful for safely arriving home.

Yes, we are both thankful for Jesus! If you’re wondering if I prayed at any time for more patience, I did not. God gave me enough — I just refused to see it. I just got off a phone call with a friend that had a 60 hour experience in airports with many more delays and cancelations. So, as I write this blog I thank God for a lesson in trust, in patience, and in thankfulness. However, I may ask Him to make my next trip a little less eventful!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

AboutDebbie, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

Setting Priorities in the New Year

Another calendar year is almost over. Does time pass quickly for you or do the hours seem to crawl along like a sloth crossing the highway? I suppose it depends on what is going on in our lives at the moment I ask such a question of any of you. I know if I’m waiting for family to arrive for a special celebration, time passes slowly. If I’m enjoying time with a friend, time passes quickly. If I’m responding to LWML emails, time flies and it seems I’ve spent hours of the day to my laptop. (This is something I love to do — correspond with my sisters and brothers in Christ!).

I remind myself that we all have the same amount of time — you can’t buy more time. You have what you have been given. Every moment is a gift from God. So many things in this life can be bought, bartered, or borrowed, but not time. You can’t give your time to someone or share the time you’ve been given — or can you? I believe that’s what we do when we serve God by serving others. The time I spend packing Mercy Meals for Orphan Grain Train is time I’m able to give. The time I take to call a friend who has lost a loved one is time I’m able to share.

Yesterday, I found myself judging others and how they spend their time. Yes, I admit to doing this — forgive my sin, oh Lord! The Holy Spirit gently nudged my thoughts as I realized how much time I spend checking Facebook and on other non-essential activities in comparison to how much time I spend in the Word. Ouch ….

I can squander my time or make the most of it — we all make those choices. My priorities are evident through my actions. Today, I am the one who will choose how much time to spend with my Lord. I’m the one who will choose how much time I squander on social media. Tomorrow, I again will choose to spend time wisely or wastefully. With God’s help, I pray I choose wisely!

New Year’s resolutions are one way we express what we’d like our priorities to be. These are resolutions we know in our heart are priorities we should keep. I normally don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but I may this year — and I hope that I will think of them as opportunities to set priorities that will delight my Lord.

Resolution #1: The time I have been given is a precious gift from God and I will give Him thanks each morning for another day to praise His name and share His love. As the Lord grants me a new day, I will put Him first and trust that He will grant me time for everything else that is necessary. I trust He will do the same for you.

A happy and blessed New Year to each of you!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

AboutDebbie, bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission, Missions for God

It’s Not Pretty

I was sitting in church this last Sunday enjoying the festive decorations all around the sanctuary. I smiled as I realized that no matter how we dress up the church, the large cross above the altar continues to appropriately dominate the space. We Christians love our crosses. I have a delicate cross necklace. I’ve seen silver and gold cross jewelry, crosses embroidered on Bible covers, and many lovely wall crosses. The symbol of the cross is beautiful — to those who understand that Christ died in their place, for their redemption.

In biblical times, the cross was certainly not pretty. The practice of crucifixion began long before the Romans perfected this particular cruelty. Thousands of people were subjected to this most brutal and shameful punishment. Our Lord Jesus was not the first or last person to be crucified, but He was sinless and endured the cross — for me — and for you.

I arrived home from church and spent some time researching this reprehensibly cruel sentence. I looked up from my laptop at the Christmas tree. Why on earth would I dwell on this most somber subject during the joyful season of Advent and Christmas? Because, as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child, we must acknowledge He came to earth because of our sin — to be our teacher, our example, and most of all, our Redeemer.

Non-Christians have taken this most holy celebration and embraced it as a secular observation of feasting and gift-giving. Stay strong, my friends. Stay strong in your faith and conviction of the truth. Keep the cross of Christ at the center of every celebration. As we worship the baby Jesus, may we find peace in the hope the Christ child brought to this fallen world. Go ahead and feast. Continue to give gifts to those less fortunate and those you love. Dress up pretty and enjoy Christmas. Celebrate Jesus, who came as a child in a manger, grew to teach the truth, and endured a suffering and death on a cross that was … not pretty. No, to those who understand, the cross is beautiful.

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

AboutDebbie, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

Enough

In Bible study last Sunday, the pastor recalled a student who wanted to know more than the Scriptures revealed. This student constantly asked questions, seeking to comprehend the mind of God. Our pastor said he finally shouted, “Enough!” I remember listening to my kids argue as they were growing up. They would call it discussion… Sometimes, if the conversation got a little too heated, I’d step in and say, “Enough!” Jesus said, “Enough” to His disciples when He returned (for the third time) in the Garden of Gethsemane to find them sleeping on the night He was betrayed. Maybe He was frustrated with their lack of understanding.

I’m a lot like that student. I want to understand the mind of God. I’m quite sure God tells me “enough” in many ways. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10). Sometimes, when I recall this Bible passage, I think of it as a reprimand. Probably, because I know in my heart I need forgiveness for whatever has been interfering with my priorities. But most of the time, this verse gives me such peace, because I know the Lord is providing assurance that He is Lord of all. I may think I need to know the mind of God, but what I need is to trust and understand God’s will. This is exactly what He gives me through Scripture. Through the incredible gift of His Word, the Lord shares with me — with us — everything necessary for our salvation.

Enough with doubting and worry. Enough with coveting and envy. Jesus has many reasons to shout, “Enough!” Yet, even in my sinfulness and my zeal to know the unknown, my Savior reminds me He IS enough. This Son of God revealed His Father to sinners. He preached, taught, and gathered disciples to share His message after He ascended to heaven. Jesus willingly gave His life, and suffered temporary separation from His Father, to atone for my sins so I may have the assurance of eternal life in heaven. Then, with unwavering love and grace, He sent the Holy Spirit and gave me the ability to trust and believe.

His grace is sufficient for me. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2: 8). The next time I shout “enough” I will recall writing this and think of this word as it pertains to Jesus. This is a perspective worth sharing. My Savior is more than enough!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

AboutDebbie, bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

Growing up Rich

While visiting with old friends, the conversation turned to memories of our younger years. None of us grew up in families that were well-off financially. Our mothers sewed our clothes and hand-me-down winter coats and boots were the norm. As we talked, my first thought was that we grew up quite poor. Then I realized it was just the opposite. We all grew up rich! We were rich in our faith, in love and family, and even in material blessings.

I grew up knowing that Jesus loves me. I was asked once when it was that I realized I was precious in His sight, and I listened to others share how they became Christians. I was baptized as an infant. I have always known I am a child of God. Yes — definitely, rich in faith!

I am so thankful for the gift of my parents, siblings, and extended family. I realize so many were not blessed with a home filled with love and laughter. Oh, we had squabbles. I’m quite sure I was a little monster at times. I’m also quite sure that Mom and Dad didn’t always agree — but my memories of my childhood are filled with love, forgiveness, and joy. I truly grew up rich in love and family.

There wasn’t a week that went by that didn’t bring extra people to our dinner table. Neighbors or relatives would stop by, and even complete strangers who drove into the yard to ask for directions — all were asked to stay for dinner. There was always enough food for us and our guests. We slept in a cozy house, had shoes on our feet, and joy in our hearts. Material blessings overflowed and I am thankful.

I look back and realize I grew up rich — rich in all that the Lord has provided. As His children, we are given what we need. I will choose one passage from Scripture to illustrate this point, but I know you can also share many others. I love these words and know they will give you comfort and joy, too.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In lovehe predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christas a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guaranteeof our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:3–14).

As Lutheran Women in Mission, join me in thanking God for the riches He has showered upon us!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

Lutheran Reflection

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Learn more about LWML here 

 

Guest blogger this week is LWML Senior Pastoral Counselor, Rev. Robert Mundahl. He and his wife, Peggy, recently traveled to the Holy Land. My best wishes to all of you for a week of safe travel and joyful preparations for Christmas, family visits and Jesus’ birthday. – Patti

O little Town of Bethlehem is one of my favorite songs at Christmas, but after traveling to Israel last month my perspectives have changed. Bethlehem is no longer the little town of Jesus’ day. Instead of being a town of 300 to 1,000 people when He was born, Bethlehem has grown to envelop almost 76,000 people within its borders. It is quite easy to sit in Jerusalem and see Bethlehem in the distance. It reminds me of our spreading metropolises where every town simply runs into the next. The six miles Mary and Joseph journeyed to the Old City for Jesus’ purification is now filled in with walls, homes, and businesses. It’s hard to imagine that old little town anymore.

No matter the size of this town, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is considered to be the place where Jesus was born. Even though the Church is currently under renovation our tour group had the opportunity to enter down into the place set aside for His birth. Many paintings depict the cave like place understood to be where it all happened.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger (Luke 2:11-12).

I’ll still sing the song with reverent joy as I celebrate His birth again this year. Bethlehem is the place. The Savior was born there. Jesus is still God’s gift to us. I was blessed to see and touch and mark the place where the Word became flesh.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks be to God – Joy to the World!
Rev. Robert Mundahl

Lutheran Women in Mission

LWML Interdepartmental 2017

What do you do at an Interdepartmental Meeting? Just ask an LWML committee member. Enjoy this article written by Public Relations Team member, Beth Weber, from the Rocky Mountain District! -Patti

We came from far and wide to St. Louis where we were Engaged, Encouraged, Equipped, and definitely Enjoyed our time together.

Meeting Manager, Leslie Jaseph made sure that we all had transportation, worked with an awesome hotel staff securing comfortable rooms, and fed delicious food.

As Lutheran women in mission, we brought Gifts From the Heart, mites, and purchased many LWML products and devotional materials from the LWML Store hosted by Bev England of the Public Relations Team and Karen Andersen.

We sang songs led by Carrie Brumbaugh, Chairman of the Committee on Young Women.

We met as committees, planning the activity of the LWML for the 2017-2019 biennium, focused on nurturing faith in Christ; making our faith meaningful; and sharing encouragement. To learn more about the LWML Committees’ and Teams’ Purpose Statements, visit lwml.org and click on the About tab.

LWML President Patti Ross, our very capable Captain and Navigator, led us on an exploration to discover the opportunities that God has chartered for us during the next two years. The committees and teams mapped out these possibilities by writing and presenting informative and entertaining sketches which brought much laughter to all.

The Interdepartmental Meeting closed as we gathered in worship. Rev. Robert Mundahl officiated and Rev. Mitchel Schuessler assisted with the closing service where the Word and Sacrament were offered and received. After many hugs, we departed St. Louis to return to our homes far and wide; energized, enthused, and enabled to use our unique God-given gifts in gladsome service to our Lord.

God’s Blessings,

Beth Weber, Public Relations Team 2017-2019

Lutheran Women in Mission

LWML – On the Road

On the road again! LWML Treasurer Marilyn Schroeder and I traveled to New Orleans, November 16-18 to attend the Lutheran Church Extension Fund Conference, love.BOLDLY! Men and women across the country involved with LCEF met to be inspired to love, boldly, in their Christian lives. Individuals and ministries who have loved, boldly over the past year were recognized.

A ministry familiar to LWML received the Lietz Mission Project Award. Redeeming Life Maternity Home, (Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries), Sanford, Florida, a 2015-2017 LWML mission grant recipient and the founders, Rev. Ed and Sheryl DeWitt expressed thankfulness to the women of LWML for the grant they received.

There was a great lineup of guest speakers over the weekend who motivated attendees to love boldly which included Herman Cain, Gregory Seltz, Dave Dravecky, and Rev. John Nunes. Also addressing the assembly were LCMS President Matthew Harrison, Rev. Tim Carter, LCMS Southern District President Kurtis Schultz, Megan Miessler, and LCEF Board Chairman Rev. Max Phillips.

Rev. Ulmer Marshall, Mobile, Alabama, was proclaimer at the Sunday worship service.

The Rev. Max Biesenthal, LCEF Senior Vice President—Ministry Support since 2011, served as conference host and emcee, opening and closing the conference through biblical applications of the conference theme, “Love BOLDLY!” Biesenthal is the son of the late Marie Biesenthal, a dearly loved LWML sister.

LWML past presidents were also in New Orleans for meetings during the week which included the LCMS Foundation Board (Kay Kreklau, 2011-2015) and LCMS Board of Directors (Gloria Edwards, 1995-1999).

Marilyn and I were pleased and honored to be invited to attend. It was a joy to see one of “our” mission grantees receive the Lietz Award. We enjoyed meeting many of the LCMS District leaders and their wives and other LWML women in attendance. We also heard many positive comments about the mission of LWML!

And what is that positive mission? LWML loves boldly! We boldly step out of our comfort zone in service to the marginalized and those in need. We step up to fund ministries, like Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries. We step out boldly to serve on LCMS boards and committees. We love our LWML sisters like Marie who have lasting impacts on our lives.

We are Lutheran Women in Mission!

 

Love boldly and serve gladly!

Patti