Fill… Spill… Thrill…

Pastor Martin Russell
Assistant to the Bishop
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

An English author once observed “Death was Nature’s way of telling you to slow down.” One could easily say “Lent is the Church’s way of telling you to slow down.” This first Sunday in Lent we slow down to encounter the temptations faced by Jesus in Luke’s gospel. I am indebted to Richard Rohr (Radical Grace: Daily Meditations) for the ways in which he reminds me that all of us face the same three temptations as Jesus did.

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Lisa Kramme
Director of Faith Formation
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

It’s another busy week. (Aren’t they all?) And although it can be a budget-buster, we’ll probably go out to grab a quick bite to eat tonight before our kids’ evening activities begin. Sometimes running into a fast food spot seems like a real necessity, but here’s what I’ve found—eating quickly at various restaurants around town may FILL ME UP, but a meal at home with my family around our table is where I get FED.

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Lisa Kramme
Director of Faith Formation
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

Can you see yourself in either of these scenarios?

A high school youth regularly helps with Vacation Bible School. You comment to the young man, “I can see you as an elementary teacher someday!”

A stay-at-home mom capably assists your congregation’s bookkeeper with recording income and expenses. You share with her, “If you ever consider working outside the home, I think you really have the gifts to be an accountant!”

In my opinion, people are usually very good at suggesting career paths to others as we see them exhibit their God-given skills, but here’s what I wonder—do we intentionally point out to others the gifts we see in them for the rostered ministry? I am not so sure that, even within the Church, people with gifts for ministry hear from trusted friends and mentors often enough.

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Jim Petersen
Assistant to the Bishop
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

Sometimes life reminds me of the guy standing on the observation deck atop the Empire State Building in New York. As he’s looking out over Central Park, someone comes up behind him, grabs him, and tries to throw him over the side. He struggles mightily but his assailant is stronger, so down he goes. As he’s zipping past the 42nd floor, he’s thinking, “Well, it’s going pretty well so far!”

Which illustrates two conflicting absurdities; the reluctance with which we anticipate change and, once it’s underway, the speed with which we adapt to it.

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Pastor Martin Russell
Assistant to the Bishop
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

At the invitation of the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, the Nebraska Synod recently sponsored a special vision trip to the Rukwa region of Tanzania. Rukwa is a relatively remote region of Tanzania that lies to the east of Lake Tanganyika. The two main towns in Rukwa are Mpanda and Sumbawanga. The Rukwa region is also a “mission area” of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania where the Northern Diocese is a leader in mission work.

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