Comments for Fill... Spill... Thrill... http://fillspillthrill.org Bishop David deFreese's newsletter for ministry leaders of the Nebraska Synod, ELCA Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:34:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 Comment on Time for immigration reform by Sandra Block http://fillspillthrill.org/2010/08/bishop-hanson/comment-page-1/#comment-107 Sandra Block Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:15:46 +0000 http://fillspillthrill.org/?p=702#comment-107 Over the years, I have had many students who have been undocumented. While still children, they had suffered thirst in the desert and deportation to strange places. Many graduated from American high schools and paid their own way to colleges, only to have doors slammed in their faces. They are true "innocents" whom Jesus would have welcomed. Why can we not do as much. Over the years, I have had many students who have been undocumented. While still children, they had suffered thirst in the desert and deportation to strange places. Many graduated from American high schools and paid their own way to colleges, only to have doors slammed in their faces. They are true “innocents” whom Jesus would have welcomed. Why can we not do as much.

]]> Comment on Be wise! by The Rev. David M. Frye http://fillspillthrill.org/2010/08/be-wise/comment-page-1/#comment-105 The Rev. David M. Frye Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:01:43 +0000 http://fillspillthrill.org/?p=700#comment-105 Several years ago I spent a weekend at the Benedictine Mission House in Schuyler on a retreat entitled, "Experience the Life of a Monk for a Weekend." That's exactly what the weekend was! And what I experienced was how peaceful and whole lives can be, not when they are cloistered, but when they strive for spiritual balance. The monks spoke about how they embrace the ancient saying of St. Benedict, "ora et labora," meaning "prayer and work." When the bell rang, telling them it was time to pray the Daily Office, then they would set aside the tools of their labor, and walk to the oratory for prayer. When it was time to work, they would immerse themselves in that labor. And when it was time to rest, they would commend their lives to God and relax. This weekend changed my life! It has helped me seek and maintain balance in my ministry, and to know when I have gotten off-kilter, when a part of my life is out of balance with the rest of my life. If you are looking for a tiny resource to help guide you in seeking and maintaining spiritual balance in your life, I'd recommend "The Rule of St. Benedict." This way may seem daunting, but as St. Benedict writes, "What is not possible to us by nature, let us ask the Lord to supply by the help of his grace" (RB, Prologue 41). Blessings, Pastor David Frye Several years ago I spent a weekend at the Benedictine Mission House in Schuyler on a retreat entitled, “Experience the Life of a Monk for a Weekend.” That’s exactly what the weekend was! And what I experienced was how peaceful and whole lives can be, not when they are cloistered, but when they strive for spiritual balance. The monks spoke about how they embrace the ancient saying of St. Benedict, “ora et labora,” meaning “prayer and work.” When the bell rang, telling them it was time to pray the Daily Office, then they would set aside the tools of their labor, and walk to the oratory for prayer. When it was time to work, they would immerse themselves in that labor. And when it was time to rest, they would commend their lives to God and relax.

This weekend changed my life! It has helped me seek and maintain balance in my ministry, and to know when I have gotten off-kilter, when a part of my life is out of balance with the rest of my life.

If you are looking for a tiny resource to help guide you in seeking and maintaining spiritual balance in your life, I’d recommend “The Rule of St. Benedict.” This way may seem daunting, but as St. Benedict writes, “What is not possible to us by nature, let us ask the Lord to supply by the help of his grace” (RB, Prologue 41).

Blessings,
Pastor David Frye

]]> Comment on More Than Cosmetics by Pr. Pam http://fillspillthrill.org/2010/07/more-than-cosmetics/comment-page-1/#comment-104 Pr. Pam Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:17:58 +0000 http://fillspillthrill.org/?p=677#comment-104 thanks for your reflections ... they are an encouragement thanks for your reflections … they are an encouragement

]]> Comment on A Tale of Two Eateries by Marla Maschmann http://fillspillthrill.org/2010/07/a-tale-of-two-eateries/comment-page-1/#comment-103 Marla Maschmann Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:39:18 +0000 http://fillspillthrill.org/?p=680#comment-103 Loved the story!!!! Reminds me of a plaque my daughter gave me that I have in my church office. "Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you.":) Loved the story!!!! Reminds me of a plaque my daughter gave me that I have in my church office. “Live in such a way that those who know you but don’t know God, will come to know God because they know you.”:)

]]> Comment on A Tale of Two Eateries by Loren Nothwehr http://fillspillthrill.org/2010/07/a-tale-of-two-eateries/comment-page-1/#comment-102 Loren Nothwehr Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:50:49 +0000 http://fillspillthrill.org/?p=680#comment-102 Lisa, Once again you have demonstrated your understanding of who and why we are serving. I loved the story and wish we could do something similar for the seniors in our local Sinai church. I will be encouraging our Council to hook up with Champs to do so. In Christ's love, Loren Lisa,
Once again you have demonstrated your understanding of who and why we are serving. I loved the story and wish we could do something similar for the seniors in our local Sinai church. I will be encouraging our Council to hook up with Champs to do so.
In Christ’s love,
Loren

]]> Comment on The Church and Justice by Daryl Nelson http://fillspillthrill.org/2010/04/church-and-justice/comment-page-1/#comment-90 Daryl Nelson Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:58:54 +0000 http://fillspillthrill.org/2010/04/603/#comment-90 I appreciate the opportunity, Bishop deFreese, that is being provided to talk directly with someone from the Washington Office. I hope your offer to engage in meaningful conversation with people holding differing views comes to fruition. All too often only one political view is being offered in our church's advocacy and in the formation of taskforces preparing social statements. The ELCA has had a history of determining the outcome before the discussion. I hope that is changing. I appreciate the opportunity, Bishop deFreese, that is being provided to talk directly with someone from the Washington Office. I hope your offer to engage in meaningful conversation with people holding differing views comes to fruition. All too often only one political view is being offered in our church’s advocacy and in the formation of taskforces preparing social statements. The ELCA has had a history of determining the outcome before the discussion. I hope that is changing.

]]> Comment on The Church and Justice by Sylvia Karlsson http://fillspillthrill.org/2010/04/church-and-justice/comment-page-1/#comment-89 Sylvia Karlsson Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:38:44 +0000 http://fillspillthrill.org/2010/04/603/#comment-89 Thank you Bishop deFreese for this straightforward information and for placing it within an understanding of God's grace. I look forward to the meeting in Grand Island, and hope to learn more. Just this month, I wrote a short article in our local church newsletter about the negativity coming from some TV commentators on social justice. We must speak out as Christians for the sake of the Risen Christ! Thank you Bishop deFreese for this straightforward information and for placing it within an understanding of God’s grace. I look forward to the meeting in Grand Island, and hope to learn more.

Just this month, I wrote a short article in our local church newsletter about the negativity coming from some TV commentators on social justice. We must speak out as Christians for the sake of the Risen Christ!

]]> Comment on Meeting the Mission: Dress a Girl (St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Valley) by Sharon Josoff http://fillspillthrill.org/2010/04/meeting-the-mission-dress-a-girl/comment-page-1/#comment-88 Sharon Josoff Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:35:26 +0000 http://fillspillthrill.org/?p=617#comment-88 To retrieve the pattern and learn more information, go to: www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com or contact: rachel@dressagirlaroundtheworld.com Kohls Dept. Store will also assist you in this project. Contact: Patricia.Bruns@Kohls.com for more info. May God bless you and your work! To retrieve the pattern and learn more information, go to:
http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com or contact: rachel@dressagirlaroundtheworld.com

Kohls Dept. Store will also assist you in this project. Contact: Patricia.Bruns@Kohls.com for more info.

May God bless you and your work!

]]> Comment on The Church and Justice by Diane Kelly http://fillspillthrill.org/2010/04/church-and-justice/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Diane Kelly Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:27:11 +0000 http://fillspillthrill.org/2010/04/603/#comment-87 THANK YOU! I asked, you responded. This is a gift to those of us who are being asked challenging questions and have no knowledgeable answers! I echo Pastor Michael's words "thanks for your leadership!" THANK YOU! I asked, you responded. This is a gift to those of us who are being asked challenging questions and have no knowledgeable answers! I echo Pastor Michael’s words “thanks for your leadership!”

]]> Comment on Meeting the Mission: Dress a Girl (St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Valley) by Becky Parks http://fillspillthrill.org/2010/04/meeting-the-mission-dress-a-girl/comment-page-1/#comment-86 Becky Parks Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:44:14 +0000 http://fillspillthrill.org/?p=617#comment-86 Is there a pattern for these dresses - or instructions? Who would I talk to about getting involved in this projet? Is there a pattern for these dresses - or instructions? Who would I talk to about getting involved in this projet?

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