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Investments

We (the LWML Board of Directors and district presidents) have just returned from a week in St. Louis. With the restructure at the national level having been approved at the Mobile convention, the district presidents gathered together for the historic first meeting of the LWML Presidents Assembly. Business was conducted, training sessions were held, and discussion panels allowed the presidents to share ideas and concerns as they serve the Lord in their districts. These servant-leaders invested this time so they can be better equipped and informed to inspire their members.

When you think of investments, what comes to mind? The dictionary defines the word “investment” as “contributing money to make money.” But it also defines it as “giving power or authority.” I devote (invest) a large part of my day in LWML. This volunteer position gives me much pleasure, and I look forward to serving the Lord each day in this capacity. I must be reminded, however, to invest in a diversified portfolio. Ha! Don’t I sound like the financial guru? But every financial consultant will advise managing risk through diversification.

I find myself pondering how diversification works in service to God. I believe we must invest in our personal relationship with our Savior first. We must devote time to prayer and Bible study. I believe we must devote time to our families, to our church, and to our community. Sometimes it’s overwhelming trying to do it all — and then I remember I don’t need to. I just give it to God!

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Join me in prioritizing our spiritual investments. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). 

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

Debbie

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Exclusively Inclusive

Amidst winter storms at the end of October, I flew to St. Louis and met with our seven, still serving joyfully, LWML past presidents. I was aware they got together every four years, but as I packed, I had no idea how to prepare for a meeting with these incredible leaders. How was it possible that I was now to be counted as part of this exclusive group of servants? How would I ever measure up to the responsibilities of the office?

The purpose of this get together, the sixth of its kind, was to allow these past presidents to encourage, challenge, counsel, and support me regarding the responsibilities and opportunities of the office of LWML president. And they did just that. Ida Mall (1991-1995), Gloria Edwards (1995-1999), Virginia Von Seggern (1999-2003), Linda Reiser (2003-2007), Jan Wendorf (2007-2011), Kay Kreklau (2011-2015), and Patti Ross (2015-2019), covered me in prayer during our time together. I know they will continue to pray for me.

I believe each of these past presidents would agree that while this particular group may be exclusive, God has called us to be completely inclusive as we share His saving Gospel with the world. 

The reason we share the Gospel? For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3: 22b-24). 

And the reason we rejoice as we share? This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

We are children of the Heavenly Father. That sounds pretty exclusive! Let’s continue to share Jesus’ message of salvation and strive to be exclusively inclusive. This news is just too good to keep to ourselves!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday, my dear friends.

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

Debbie

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August travels

Oh boy, did this summer go fast! Our Oklahoma schools open again in a week! It’s been a summer of traveling!  

Traveling last weekend took us to the Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) SENT event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Members of the Lutheran Layman’s League, LHM staff, donors, and guests kicked off a five year special program to spread the Gospel. They have taken the scripture from John 20:21 to heart and made it their theme verse, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you”, spoken by Jesus to His disciples.

President and CEO of Lutheran Hour Ministries, Kurt Buchholz, led a gathering that interacted with LHM Ministry leaders who traveled from Liberia, Jamaica, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, and Paraguay. LHM staff presented information about media offerings that sound really exciting. For instance, go to www.lhm.org and check out THRED, LHM Learn, Sentido Latino, Digging Deeper, Action in Ministry, and of course, The Lutheran Hour. And before you ask, no, they did not announce the new Lutheran Hour Speaker yet.

LWML Presidents

Ran into fellow LWML travelers there. LWML Presidents #14, 15, 16, and 18 were there. Also Karen Soeken, past LWML Planner, Past Convention Manager and Chesapeake DP, Jan Reuter, Past LWML Texas President, Dorothy Hunger and current LWML Oregon DP, Carmen Nagel were enjoying the event. If you have worked on the LHM Rose Parade float, you will recognize the names Dick and Lynn Gast and Lou Marting who were there. Rev. Ingo Dutzmann and Rev. John Nunes led us in devotions and worship. It was an inspiring, uplifting and educational event.

The two mission grants that you have funded from the last two conventions for LHM are pretty amazing outreach efforts in the Middle East. Reporting on the outreach to Syrian refugees in Lebanon –four women shared what it meant to them to now be Christians. Common denominator? A God who loves and forgives them. Really, really beautiful! They and many others will be reached by the broadcasts from the Christian TV station in Cairo that our second grant supports! You are helping make the Word of God travel through the Middle East!

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” Mark 16:15.

Our travels are not over!

Patti

Dick Gast, Bill, Patti