STAFF BLOG

About a month ago now, which seems crazy that time has passed that quickly, I had the pleasure of taking 10 of our students and 3 other chaperones on a mission trip down to Houston. I’d like to take this opportunity to share a few things: I was incredibly humbled by our congregation’s generosity in making sure we had all that we needed to go. Your support made all the difference, and I am grateful beyond words. The students were incredible. On day one I told them that it was each of their jobs to make all the rest feel included. They truly took it to heart. I watched our older students make the younger ones feel special and a part of the group. I watched them have each other’s back and take care of each other. Walls were broken down, and the students shared their hurts, concerns, and joys without holding back. I was in awe all week. I was in awe of their work ethic. The two oldest guys were up on a roof the last two days and were determined that their crew was finishing the work that had to be done. They were up on the roof long past the usual cut off time because they wanted to leave it finished. The students on my site didn’t even flinch that we would be muddy and dusty all week. They just made sure the job was done well. The students on the 3rd site worked hard and got to know their homeowner. I was even told by the Next Step Site director that our teens went above and beyond every day in every way and they were

My second intensive at Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne, is complete, and I am happy to be back in worship again with you all. It was a long time to be separated from my family but a very good two weeks in terms of the training I received. I took three classes, Pauline Epistles, focusing on Romans and Galatians; Heaven on Earth, focusing on worship and liturgy; and Into All the World, focusing on missions. I am now wrapping up these classes and turning in assignments in order to complete this semester’s work. A few thoughts from my studies that I hope will encourage you: One of my classmates asked a question of our professor regarding justification. He said something that has continued to roll around my head and my heart: “Jesus is the only true believer. He gives us His belief.” What a blessing to know that Christ stands before the Father and perfectly represent us in all things, including faith. Our human tendency is to tack things onto the gospel message. Paul’s letter to the Galatians is a reminder to us all that it is by faith alone in the saving work of Christ that we are adopted into God’s family. To add requirements to the gospel, such as that circumcision was being required of the gentiles at Galatia, is to proclaim something other than the gospel. I have been asking myself this question: Are there things I add to the gospel because of modern culture, tradition, or the desire to live a faithful life? The chair of the committee and author of the Lutheran Service Book, Dr. Paul Grime, taught my worship and liturgy class. I have a

As staff are wrapping up the last week of summer camp this year, I have learned a few things about how the spirit of camp can go with us throughout the rest of the year. First, we can bring people along with us. Jesus’ example to us of doing ministry alongside others is a big hint that it works. We had incredible camp directors, counselors, and crew leaders that supported each other and staff to accomplish our mission each week of camp. No way was this going to be accomplished by one person. In addition, campers brought siblings, cousins, neighbors, and friends with them. This clued us in that word of mouth is the best promotion. It can also be an example to us to invite those around us to be part of the life of the church as we follow Jesus. Those students experienced a good thing and wanted to share it with others. I am sure they experienced an extra ounce of joy from sharing this “Good Thing” with others – and we can do the same! Second, friendships formed/strengthened at camp led to invitations to hang out for more fun elsewhere after the morning camp hours. May we see, too, that our experiences can lead to living in community outside of the church campus. Yes, what the campers did and experienced here was great, but they get to take those relationships (with both the Lord and the other students) out into their “regular” lives – all the time! It’s great that they don’t just have “camp friends”, but friends they can call on in the rest of their context as well. May we see our church family

Can I be honest? This week has been rough. We are wrapping up week five of our six-week summer camp program and it seems that suddenly, things that have worked well all summer are no longer working. I’m not talking huge disasters (thankfully!) just many minor frustrations which are adding up to a challenging week. It’s been tiring and frustrating and as I fell asleep last night I was in a bit of grumpy mood. My brain focused on all the problems and my wheels were spinning as I tried to determine what I could do to make things go more smoothly. This morning, though, I woke up with this song stuck in my head. It’s the song that we have been singing each week as the children bring forward their offerings to support our summer mission project, raising money to provide care to mothers and babies in Zambia through World Vision. I like to think about the goodness of the Lord. He gives me everything I need and so much more. I just want to lift my hands and say that I love him. I just want to lift my heart in praise. And I want to be thankful. I want to be grateful.I want to remember all the things that the Lord has done.I want to be thankful. I want to grateful. It was a humbling wake up call. Our theme for the summer is “God is good!” and for this week we have focused on the reminder that “When life changes, God is good!”. We’ve talked each day about Joseph and the ups and downs that marked his life as described in Genesis. Most importantly, though, we

Our neighbors forgot to put their trash bin out for pickup last week. As they add this week’s refuse to the already full container, it can’t contain it. (Forget what Oscar the Grouch said about it being “A garbage ‘CAN,’ not a garbage ‘CANNOT!’”) The white, plastic trash bags are tumbling out, an avalanche of household waste. At least the flies are happy! The trash incident reminds me of the poem by the beloved children’s author Shel Silverstein.  In his book, “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” there appears the young, yet stubborn little girl named Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who will not take the garbage out. And what happens when she won’t take the garbage out? Exactly what you think happens—it piles up and up and up and up in only the way Silverstein can describe it: At last the garbage reached so high That it finally touched the sky.And all the neighbors moved away,And none of her friends would come to play.And finally Sarah Cynthia Stout said,“OK, I’ll take the garbage out!”But then, of course, it was too… Okay, so forgive the imagery here, but for the sake of making a point, it works–Jesus takes the trash out. Our trash. Not to the bin for weekly collection, but to Golgotha, the literal trash heap outside of Jerusalem where criminals were crucified by the Romans for crimes against the State. He, who committed no crime and did not deserve death, becomes for us both the trash and the garbage man. And, in taking our sins to the cross and offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins, he receives our punishment.  It sounds awful, and it was, but it was done

Summertime is my favorite season. It is busy and hectic and each day brings new mercies and challenges. Summer often provides tough love. I can’t count the number of times I have said “ no, you can’t pour water on yourself,” or “hey guys, listen to your crew leaders,” or “please stop talking and listen,” and this list goes on and on. Yet each day, I am greeted with smiles, hugs, and high fives. Each day I see new friendships develop between campers – kids who would never know each other if not for this ministry. Friendships develop over age lines and language barriers, and I am so grateful to be a part of the love that happens here. Most of all I am grateful for Jesus. I am constantly amazed at the opportunities he has given me to share his POWERFUL love! A love that cost him his life; a love that is unfair. Isaiah 53:5 says: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” In order to make the relationship we have with him possible Jesus paid a price that was incredibly unfair. His sacrifice meant our joy for eternity. So what do we learn? That when life is unfair….God is Good! And I’m so grateful He is SO GOOD!