Fill… Spill… Thrill…

Bishop David deFreese
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

“Hear, Oh Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)

Anita and I have just returned from the Bishops’ Academy pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Thankful for the experience, we will be processing and reflecting for quite some time what this opportunity meant. Its impact is profound.

At the risk of being too simplistic, please allow me some preliminary observations:

Thank you … Because of the timing with the incursion of Gaza and the war that was being waged, I was touched by so many of your expressions of concern and promises of prayer. We felt lifted and cared for. Those in the Holy Land who invited us, did not waver in their desire for us to come, and we simply trusted that they would not place us in harm’s way. They were very trustworthy.

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Pastor Martin Russell
Assistant to the Bishop
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

Writing on this Inauguration Day, I am grateful to live in a nation where there is a peaceful transition of power, decided at the ballot box. A presidential inauguration is a time to offer thanks to God for the gift of liberty and the right to choose our leaders. Let us pray that God will bless our new president and Congress with the gifts of wisdom, discernment and honesty, so that they may lead us faithfully in justice and peace, according to God’s will.

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Wenda Fry
Pastor of Worship and Spiritual Life
Bethany Lutheran Church, Elkhorn

How are you filled spiritually?

My mother and father taught me how to set aside my first waking thoughts for my Maker. When I was confirmed, I was given a bible, a pen, a notebook and an alarm clock which woke me for my time slot in the bathroom, a devotional space shared by my family of six. Since then, I have always had “a place” to meet God each morning. In that place as well as at tables of fellowship and in places of worship, I have encountered the healing presence of God and the power and efficacy of prayer.

How do you spill…and live out your faith?

Jesus says in John 5:19, “The Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. I only do what the Father tells me to do.” I take the Word of God to heart and seek to have an on-going conversation with God when I am ministering, preaching, teaching or leading healing sessions. I trust that if Jesus was guided by our Father in heaven, I, too, can listen for His guidance. This empowers me to live out my faith.

What is the thrill for you in this ministry?

Wow. What to say? I love being a minister of the Gospel because it is an honor and a privilege to see the healing ministry of Jesus still at work in the world. I have been involved with the planning and implementation of worship at Bethany for 21 years and while it has been thrilling, I am quite amazed that God is nudging me in a new direction toward a more intentional healing ministry. Nothing jazzes me more than when someone trusts in the healing presence of God, listens to His voice and holy Word on a daily basis, and changes their lifestyle or ways because of it.

Are you available to share this ministry with other congregations?

I am more than glad to share how to do intentional devotions, lead a healing session or service or to speak about the present day healing ministry of Jesus in this world He came to save.

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