The Slower Group

As I write this note many people at Peace are nearing the end of a month-long study entitled “Simple Abundant Life.” It is a spiritual growth study that looks at our relationships with God, Time, Money and Others. I lead two of these groups and, as usual, the teacher is convicted by the subject matter. For me personally, the subject of honoring God with my time has convicted me the most.

It reminds me of the guy who comes home with a big pile of work he needs to finish. His little kindergarten daughter looks at the pile and asks him why he’s working so hard and why he always has to bring work home. The father answers, “The problem is, I just don’t get it all finished at work so I need to bring it home and get it done here.” The daughter looks up at him and says, “Daddy, I think they should put you in the slower group.”

Why is it we keep every moment of every day busy? Why do we have the mind-set that everything has to be done right now, and wherever we’re going, we have to get there quickly? The truth is, life’s not a race, it’s a journey. I don’t think I am the only one who struggles with having no white space on my calendar. It’s absolutely crammed with meetings, reminders and a task list. We’ve left no margin in life, no place for rest, and I think God would say, “This is not good. This is not how I intended you to live.”

Another great quote comes from Elizabeth Elliot, “You have just the amount of time to do what God wants you to do. If you run out of time you must be doing something else.”

Focus is hard but so necessary. Choosing the simple, abundant life means eliminating some things in life in order to elevate those things that are most important. Are our priorities God’s priorities? We have to focus on what God wants of our day and let the rest go. It isn’t how fast we live that’s important, it’s how well we live. Some of us just need someone to give us permission to slow down. Why not consider this your permission? “Be still and know that I am God”. (Psalm 46:10)

Polly Wegner

Dir. of Discipleship

pwegner@peacelutheran.net

303-424-4454

Faithfulness

“The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.” (Psalm 145:13) Faithfulness is God’s dependability in action. All the time God is allegiant, dedicated, devoted, loyal, loving and steadfast to us.

We respond to His faithful acts with words of praise and thanksgiving and by mirroring His actions. The definition of faithful is “A firm adherence to the truth; loyalty; constant in performance of duties or service.”

Faithfulness is passing along the faith – the Good News that Jesus is Lord and Savior. Though it may seem our contribution is insignificant, our faithful actions are indeed significant. Our faithful telling and retelling of the mighty acts of a dependable God is important – even critical. “One generation will commend your works to another, they will tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4). In 2 Timothy we are reminded, “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power of love and of self-discipline.” (v. 7) No one individual’s place is insignificant.

Day by day, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we grow in our knowledge of God’s faithfulness and the ways He faithfully works in us and through us to touch the lives of others with His love and care. God’s faithfulness to us, and ours to Him, draws us in an even deeper relationship with our Lord and with one another.

To that end we pray as did Richard of Chichester, an English bishop of the 16^th century: “Day by day, dear Lord of Thee, three things I pray: to see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, follow Thee more nearly, day by day.”

All Saints and Thanksgiving Day

Following is a poem about people sitting around the Thanksgiving dinner table. For many years I had it tacked to my bulletin board. Each time I read it I think of Thanksgiving dinners enjoyed as a child with my relatives. Coming from a large family, Thanksgiving dinner shared with others always meant several rooms full of card tables and chairs. As a child I felt great anticipation for Thanksgiving Days spent with cousins. Looking around the crowd, there was always a baby or two, several children younger than me and many people older than me.

Can you recall the heads bowed around Thanksgiving tables of years past? How I thank God for my sainted uncles, aunts, father, and grandparents who are now bowing before the throne of God. These are the adults in my life who modeled faith to me. Yes, there were dozens of Christian teachers, pastors and college professors, but these are the adults who had the greatest influence. To the young child watching, they could have modeled many different behaviors on Thanksgiving Day, but they chose to model a heart of prayer, kind conversation that told me of my roots, and an attitude of serving (for some reason they did all the work but the kids got to eat first!!).

This month, on All Saints Day (Nov. 6) and on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24), I will quietly be remembering the saints in my life who served as powerful models of faith for me. They were the “Directors of Children’s Ministry” back then, and I praise and thank God that they had their priorities right, because I was watching. May God bless all your family celebrations in the coming weeks.

Thanksgiving Table

Heads are bowed in silent prayer
at words of grace for all to share.
Silken tresses, braids and bows,
salt and pepper, drifts of snow.
Heads so new the fuzz is there.
Heads grown old, thinning, bare.
Families gather in festive mood
to feast on love as well as food.

-Corinne Adria Bariteau

Polly Wegner,
Dir. of Discipleship

Emotions Are Raw

People have been crying more lately. Have you noticed that? As the 10^th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attack on our country approaches I see patriotism burn to the point of pain in the hearts of our nation. The memories of that day are brought back with all its raw emotion. It easily chokes us up. A tear rolls down my cheek as the national anthem is sung. I see crying on television as families retell the stories of lost loved ones...the innocent, the brave, the heroes… who are still missed terribly. Parents are hyper-sensitive as they send off their young men and women to military service. Yes, our emotions are on edge.

Jesus cried. He cried when He saw His people harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). He cried when He saw the pain in the lives of His friends who had suffered the loss of a brother (John 11:25). He cried when He stood looking over a sinful city, Jerusalem, which had failed to recognize Him as Messiah (Luke 19:41). I imagine He cried along with each of us on September 11, 2001 and those terrible days that followed. Jesus cries when cancer invades our bodies. He cries when our relationships crumble. He cries when our hearts are burdened with sadness and fear and the dreaded unknown.

He cries because of His great love and compassion for us as we live in this broken world. Yet His promises and His faithfulness are still true. ‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

Is our church a place where people can experience the compassion of Jesus? Is His heart of love evident in us? Are His healing hands touching others through us? Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones, to cry with the hurting and then lovingly and practically care for their needs? How can we share the unfailing love of God and His peace at this time in history, and with individuals carrying heavy burdens? These are questions worth asking because people have been crying more lately.

May God clearly direct and bless Peace Church through our organized caring ministries. May God clearly direct each one of us as individuals to be attentive to all whom God ordains to cross our path. We are people with a hope. We are broken but claimed. Let’s share the hope, the love, and the promises of God as we extend our hand to help.

Please check out the page on what is happening at Peace on September 11 and invite others you know to join us.

See you in Church,

Polly Wegner

Director of Discipleship

pwegner@peacelutheran.net

Seeker to Soaker

People today who have questions about faith, questions about the Bible’s message, or are desiring a stronger spiritual life are often called “seekers”. Christian churches work to attract people who are seeking because we have the eternal answers they are looking for. There is a real need for Christian education at a basic foundational level because that is where seekers, children, and many Christians are at in their spiritual lives.

However, it is important for all of us to move from seeker to “soaker”. A disciple immerses him or herself in the Teacher’s words. A soaking follower is familiar enough with Scripture to speak words of faith and hope. A Scripture soaked individual knows and shows the God we believe in.

Please continue to invite seekers to Peace. Walk the journey with them through basic Bible classes. Then challenge them and yourself to continue to soak in God’s Word through a number of Bible classes or small groups that strive to deepen, stretch and equip believers for discipleship in this world.

Classes for all ages and stages are held year-round at Peace. This Fall be watching for new Bible studies and opportunities to soak and grow, to be all that God has set us apart to be in this time and place. If you have comments or questions regarding adult ministries, small groups, areas of service, or membership at Peace, please call.

See you in Church,
Polly Wegner, Dir. of Discipleship
pwegner@peacelutheran.net
303-424-4454