When I picked Proverbs 16:3 as my confirmation verse in middle school, I seriously misunderstood the verse, which reads, “Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” My interpretation of that snippet of scripture was that if I just gave God the glory for my fame, I would be famous. I didn’t understand the Lord’s plans; I was very much focused on my own plans for my life.

If you told me I would someday work as an office manager at a church when I was in middle or high school, I might have scoffed at you. I was set to pursue an ambitious, competitive career. I’ve always been a planner, and I have always had a very clear plan for my life. When I was seven years old, I wanted to be an animal rescuer when I grew up. At 13, I was going to be a singer. At 15, an actress. Then, I decided I was going to be a novelist and an editor. I went into college with that goal in mind, starting out as a creative writing major. It was in pursuing some of my media interests that a friend introduced me to public relations (PR), a specialization under the journalism degree at my college.

I truly loved learning about journalism and PR and all the things that fell under that umbrella. By my junior year, I had decided that I would start out my career at a PR agency before hopefully becoming the Director of PR at a non-profit that I care about. Something about that still didn’t feel like a good enough plan because I remember praying, “I love public relations, but God, how am I supposed to use this career to glorify You?” Then, I waited for an answer that I wasn’t sure would come.

A few months later, I was applying for various summer internships. One position caught my eye: Director of Communications for a Methodist church in Perrysburg, OH. I applied, despite the thoughts of Oh, they won’t hire me. I’m not qualified. They want someone with a bachelor’s degree, and I’m still in school. I’m not even Methodist. And so on and so forth.

To my surprise, the senior pastor called me the next day and invited me to an interview. Long story short, I was hired as the Director of Communications. After graduation, I took on an additional role as the Media Coordinator for the church, as well. I truly had my dream job. God had plans for my talents to glorify Him even when I couldn’t see how.

Through my time at that church, God revealed to me that I had spiritual gifts of administration and hospitality. When it came time for me to leave Perrysburg and move to Cincinnati, He had given me a heart for church ministry. I knew exactly what I wanted to do, but I wasn’t sure I would be lucky enough to find everything I wanted in a job. But I knew better than to settle for less than God’s plans for me, so I turned down the jobs that God wasn’t affirming for me, trusting that He was again preparing a way when there seemed to be no way.

Then I found the job listing for Office Manager at Lord of Life, and it checked every box on my list. Through much prayer and after seeking counsel from those close to me, I knew that this was what God had been preparing for me. I knew that this was where my career experience and my spiritual gifts met to serve and praise Him.

But that is just my story so far. Your story is just as important. Maybe you’re a dentist who displays the joy and peace of Christ to children who are scared or adults dreading their day of work ahead. Perhaps you teach math to freshmen and show them God’s patience and love when it seems impossible. Or you are a stay-at-home parent with a ministry to raise your kids to be more like Jesus.

My husband and I both work in ministry but in very different ways. We are extremely different people with very different gifts. While he has the gift of evangelism, I definitely do not. His spiritual gifts help him to thrive in college ministry. But we need people like me to send the church emails, and we need people like him to reach those who are lost, searching, or yearning, and we need people like you to be God’s light in the world.

We are the hands and feet of Jesus. We are one body of Christ. Each one of us has unique skills that are gifts from God to bring His kingdom to earth.

“Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:4-8

What gifts and talents have you been given? How has God positioned you uniquely to bless the world? In what ways are you trusting or can you better trust God to use your life for His glory?

Trusting Him always,
Maddie Pease

Even as my youngest child is almost done with grad school, this time of year is steeped in memories and feelings of those first days of school. August seems to roar into a frenzy of lasts of the summer and new approaching chapters. For our family, each year was different. We had seasons of sheer happiness going to school and others that were filled with anxiety and sadness. There were concretes, like the supply list, but countless unknowns, such as new teachers, subjects, and friends.

As parents or people who love the children in their lives, we want to take away the fears and pressures to create the perfect environment for our children to thrive. Oh, that we could! As we have experienced so frequently in our lives, there are detours and countless bumps. The road is blurry, and we can’t see the end. We can be their light, comfort, and guide, but we can’t clear the entire path.

The good news is that in the unknowing, we can leave space for God to act, and we can pay attention to the ways God is already acting. There is peace when we take moments to let go of our need for control, find patience, and allow ourselves to find the goodness of God. Our backpack tags this year are a reminder that the peace that passes all understanding is not only for us but to pass that peace to those around us.

As the new school year takes shape, we pray for all the children, teachers, staff, families, and care givers who are heading into this season of transition.

“O God, we give our own worries and desire for control to you. May we find peace in the unknown. Thank you for the gift of the first day of school and for all the days to come. May the children we love learn and grow, and may we learn and grow too. Teach us how to love you and our neighbor more every day. Amen.” (Adapted from “A Prayer for the First Day of School” in To Light Their Way by Kayla Craig)

Peace be upon you,
Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation

I’m in a unique position compared to many people. I know exactly where my family came from and when they arrived in the United States in every branch of my family, in every generation. In addition to that, I’ve participated in DNA testing services that give me a map of where my family is most likely to come from.

Usually, the tree of people I can name matches up with the DNA results. I can see exactly which generation came from England in the 17th century and were among the first settlers to expand into the wild west of Ohio, building on land that had been recently inhabited by Native Americans. Many of them left titles like “Sir” and “Lord” behind and took up roles like “Captain” and “General” to revolt against a tyrannical government. One of my ancestors, Nathan Hale, even spied for the newly formed United States.

In another branch, I can look at more recent family immigrations. One of my great-uncles was a guard for Kaiser Wilhelm of Prussia and convinced the entire family to flee to the U.S. when the German Empire fell in 1918. The family went on to run successful grocery stores, but public sentiment about German immigrants was pretty negative in some places. The “progressive” German views about allowing women to perform public roles, like serving beer at a pub, were enough to label them as leftists.

When I look at my DNA map, I see a few areas I can’t find other evidence for. My ethnically diverse features come from Southern Italy and Portugal, but I can’t name any family members from any generation who come from those places. That means at some point, some family members from Portugal or Italy migrated to England or Germany and claimed the new citizenship for their own, so that when I look at their records, I only see their new home countries represented.

I think I’m a pretty typical American mutt. I have some really cool people in my family tree who got here from different places at different times. Their prestige fizzled over time – I certainly didn’t inherit any titles or money. I would go as far as to say many of my family members are considerably worse people than my immigrant ancestors. My family has added some felons and drug addicts to the tree. But overall, they tend to be treated better than current immigrants who come to the United States now to escape the problems in other countries so they can scrape out a better life.

We are a nation built by immigrants. From the earliest settlers to those arriving today, each wave has shaped our society, bringing with them unique cultures, traditions, and hopes.

Jesus consistently challenged his followers to extend compassion and hospitality beyond the conventional boundaries of his day. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus intentionally chose an outsider, a Samaritan, to be the hero who showed mercy to a wounded traveler. This parable reminds us that our neighbor is not just someone who looks like us or shares our background, but anyone in need, regardless of their origin or perceived status.

For Lutherans, this often translates into a commitment to social justice and caring for the vulnerable. When we look at the immigrant experience through this lens, we are called to see the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, to recognize their struggles, and to respond with empathy and action.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians (3:28), declared, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This radical assertion of equality in Christ dissolves societal distinctions and calls us to a unity that transcends national borders, ethnic heritage, and social standing. It’s a powerful reminder that in God's eyes, there are no "mutts" or "purebreds" – only beloved children.

My family’s journey, like countless others, is a testament to the enduring hope that draws people to new lands. While my ancestors might have faced skepticism, their integration was, in many cases, smoother than what some immigrants experience today. As Christians, and particularly as Lutherans, we are called to be advocates for justice, to welcome the stranger, and to participate in building a society where all people can find safety, opportunity, and belonging. This isn't a political stance. We can have our own understandings of what the government’s role should be for immigration. Instead, this is a profound expression of our faith and a living out of Jesus' command to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Yours in Christ,
John Johns, Music Director

Three simple words that have completely dominated my week this week. BE THE LIGHT.

Seems easy, right?

Mark 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Okay, no problem!

This week I traveled with 34 others to Harlan, Kentucky to spend the week with Appalachia Service Project (ASP) working to make homes warmer, safer, and drier for families in need. On the surface, that seems like an easy way to check off the may your good deeds glorify your father in heaven portion of Mark. But it turns out that helping others—and being the light—can be harder than it sounds.

Teams spent hours learning brand-new skills to be able to roof houses, lay insulation, and replace siding this week. I learned how to replace a ceiling and hang drywall. As a STEM teacher, I am great at reading books to my students about construction and architecture, but to actually hang a piece of drywall—That is not my gift!

Spending a week totally out of your comfort zone makes doing good deeds feel more like stumbling in the dark. And believe me there were plenty of moments I felt that way.

But when I look back on each day in Harlan it is not the confusion or imperfections I remember. It’s not the moments I didn’t know what I was doing. I think about watching youth I’ve known since their Sunday School years step into leadership roles, now as young adults, encouraging me and teaching me how to build a wall.

I think about members of our congregation—some I rarely see because we attend different services—coming together to move rolls of roofing materials down hills to their housing project. I think about holding up a sheet of drywall while my own son, now one of those young adults, screws it into place, building a ceiling for the very first time, alongside me. And I think about the families we’re helping—building four new bedrooms so their children will have warm, safe beds to sleep in.

Sometimes it’s easier to focus on the darkness when you are doing hard things. But it turns out, it’s the Light that transforms the darkness. And without darkness, we wouldn’t even recognize the need for light.
And this week I watched 34 people BE the LIGHT—through hard work, sweat, and unconditional love—and it made us shine even BRIGHTER.

Living, sharing, and celebrating!
Danielle Beneteau

For years, when I visited my mom I would often page through a little book called 500 Things Your Minister Tried To Tell You… But The Guy Sitting Next To You Was Snoring So Loud You Couldn’t Hear. It was a little book filled with churchy sayings, motivational Bible verses, and profound theological one liners. A real page turner!

One visit, I was stunned by the message from Mildred Bangs Wynkoop for me – for us:

“Every generation needs to rethink, restate, and creatively apply its theological heritage
to its own situation. In this way the heritage stays vital and relevant.”

Wynkoop, an educator, pastor, missionary in Japan, and seminary professor in the Church of the Nazarene tradition, knew the importance of ongoing assessment and clarification. She spent her life interpreting and translating her faith tradition for new generations. She knew that only dwelling in the past, with no consideration of context and a changing culture, would see the rapid evaporation of her heritage.

As Lutheran Christians, we have a powerful theological heritage and worldview. Grounded in the Bible, we were birthed out of the protests in the 1500s, as Martin Luther prioritized God’s love and God’s action as primary in the Story of salvation. We are saved by grace through faith. It is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).

We embrace the mysteries of God that dwell in paradox, recognizing that we are both saint and sinner at the same time. God’s Word is law and gospel at the same time. We live in two kingdoms – a kingdom of God and a kingdom of humanity – at the same time. By the grace of God we live as free people, yet we are bound to serve – at the same time. We believe that God is still speaking, working, and dwelling among us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This way of thinking and living positions us well for this season of faith and life when we’re asking ourselves complex questions related to global unrest, polarizing political strife, wars and rumors of war, unrelenting disease, violent weather, and senseless suffering. “Who is my neighbor? What are our priorities? How do we need to live differently? How do I celebrate my civil liberties and still care for those around me?” Our Lutheran Christian perspective and voice is crucial during these uncertain days.

One of the songs we often sing at 10 am worship on Sunday morning gives us direction and is lifted from the Bible verses found in Micah 6:8:

“God has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”

I’m grateful that Holy Scripture tells us that not only does God require these things of us, but that they are GOOD! Justice is good. Mercy is good. Humility and kindness and compassion are good. We know this, but we so often forget.

Let this be a reminder. We are called to love and care for our neighbors near and far. What this looks like may shift from generation to generation or even from week to week. Right now, work for justice, fully embrace mercy, and cultivate a life of humility. These are some of the ways that God’s love spills out into the world.

Still working on loving my neighbor,
Pastor Lowell

This blog has been adapted from a Lord of Life blog originally posted July 16, 2020.

Some people love it so much they choose to live a life of constant change. For example, people who choose to sell all their worldly possessions and travel the world living in a van or a boat. Then there are those of us who enjoy change or can move fluidly with the change, but maybe in a smaller way: a new job, remodeling/painting, a new car, etc. Then there is one final group: those of us who are totally and completely uncomfortable with any change, even if it is necessary, good, or right.

I fall into the latter group, completely uncomfortable with change every step of the way, even if I know it’s needed, even if I want the change to happen. I have recently found myself in what feels like a state of never-ending change. In May, I left my job as Behavioral Health Specialist at Cincinnati Children’s to become the director of Lord of Life Christian Preschool (LOLCP), our middle daughter graduated from Pre-K, and our 3 girls came home for the summer. In June, I began my new career as director of LOLCP, took on co-leading the Leaders In Training program at Vacation Bible School, became a Girl Scout Camp unit leader for the first time, and my husband took a new job. I am currently surrounded by change, and I would be lying if I said I was just rolling with it without anxiety and resistance.

I have been spending time in prayer, reflecting on change, and reflecting on my word for the year from the women’s retreat this year: discernment. I know all of these decisions have been carefully considered, evaluated, planned: discerned. So, I keep coming back to the question of why I question the change. Why do I resist the change I know is good and right? Why do so many of us struggle with change? I think it is because of the unknown, the uncomfortableness that first comes with any change, the unsettling feeling of all the normalcy you once felt being wiped away, and the new routines being put in place.

What does God say about change? These two verses stick with me in times of change and give me comfort and peace in knowing God is with me. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Joshua 1:9 invites us, “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Although I am still on a journey to fully accept change, I am able to find comfort in the day to day knowing God is with me and is guiding me to a beautiful future.

I invite you to reflect on change and your outlook. Are you like me and find yourself always uncomfortable in seasons of change? Are you a person who craves, wants, and likes changes? Does discernment come easy for you? How can God guide you in your journeys through change?

Journeying through discernment,
Nicole Wells