Have I told y’all that I’m getting married soon? Just kidding. I know I have. And if you’re not keeping track like me, it’s in 9 days. I’m fairly confident some people in my life are tired of me mentioning it. I have accepted that it is my personality until the day arrives . . . and then some more. That’s what’s expected though, right?

What’s ironic about that though is that while Justin and I are continuously planning logistics, Justin doesn’t make a big hype about our wedding day. At least, he doesn’t have the same hype as he does for us being married. Nearly every day he brings up his excitement for us to be finally living together, as he daydreams of what all can be and will be for our lives together. “Oh the places WE will go, and the things WE will do,” would be his book title if he was Dr. Seuss. It’s sweet to join him in his excitement for our marriage, as it reminds me that if all of the planning goes sideways, it’s okay because I’ll be married. With all the stress that comes with planning, it can be easy for me to forget why I’m doing all the things I’m doing - running errands, making lists, etc.

I wonder how much of life is like that? Constantly being in motion and needing to be reminded of why we are doing the things we’re doing. Life can easily be draining if we forget why we do the things we do. Life can also be unsatisfying if our day-to-day normal is completely disconnected from what would give us meaning in our lives. Oftentimes, we find ourselves in these scenarios. We find ourselves in jobs that leave us feeling vanquished than empowered. We’re constantly on the “go go go” that we do not stop and appreciate why that is - friends and family, aspirations.

Perhaps every once in a while we should take an inventory. Kind of like the KonMari method of organizing physical clutter, which is basically holding stuff in your hand and if it doesn’t spark joy, throw it out. I’m not simply talking about physical objects, but about life as a whole.

When thinking of centering ourselves with what sparks joy and gives our day-to-day lives meaning, my mind leaps to the gospel of Luke (my favorite gospel). In Luke’s narrative, Jesus’s ministry is largely centered around meals. Through meals, Jesus focalized fellowship, teaching, and creating personal connections. I like to think of those meals as an inventory moment of Jesus holding what gives him joy, basking in why he’s traveling throughout communities of faith sharing the Kingdom of God to a famished world. It’s so relatable, as we sit down at dinner tables with our parents, spouse, friends, and/or kids, and we come to know why we do some of the things we do too. Similarly, as a church we gather at the communion table every Sunday, remembering that we are one body in Christ, living for each other.

Place parts of your life into your hands. What gives you joy? What’s worthy of being thrown out? What is life-giving? What creates meaning? What’s draining? Obviously, realities and people are not the same as objects. You cannot throw out your most frustrating relative. But through taking inventory we can decenter what leaves us feeling debilitated and create room for the forgotten things that give us joy.

Your sibling in Christ,

Pastor Alec Brock, Seminary Intern

I love Easter. Every year, we travel to be with family for a celebration. For my in-laws, Easter is “the big one;” the main annual family gathering. Everyone comes together. And there is a good reason: candy. Easter has the best candy of any holiday, period. Jellybeans, Cadbury Crème Eggs, Peeps, chocolate bunnies, candy-coated almonds, chicks, bunnies, and those carrot-shaped bags of Reese’s Pieces. Easter candy is unrivaled. That’s what Easter is all about, right? A bunch of little kids (and me), all jacked up on sugar, battling a tummy ache, and smiling the whole time. So much joy. Is Easter about candy? No. But it is about joy, so also yes.  

Often, when we talk about the time Jesus spent in the desert before he began his public ministry, our focus is on the tempter. But Matthew 4:11 tells us of others who were there: his shepherds. 

“Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.”  

Jesus’ time in the desert was one of preparation. This January I took a giant leap into the world of ministry and entered study at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH. I am being prepared for a life of ministry. I view seminary in many ways as my desert, a place of preparation. Thankfully, I’m with shepherds, not tempters, but it is my desert, nonetheless. In this season of rebirth, this year specifically, Easter and our family celebration has a special meaning. Thursday will be the end of my first semester. 2022 has been a year of rebirth for me, and this Easter will be an emotional one. We are heading out of town to be with family like we always have, but this trip may well be my last. By next year, duties at a church might interfere with my ability to travel and I’ll be a semester away from my internship placement. I am being prepared for a great change. I am saddened by the possibility of missing the party, and yet this change fills me, like too many jellybeans, with so much joy.

Pastor Rick. That sounds very strange to me, but that will be my reality once I am ordained.  The process of listening to the Holy Spirit and choosing to be guided by it has revealed to me that becoming a pastor is what I need to do. This is not what I thought I was going to do even when I began studying, but it has become clear to me that I am being guided to this place, in this time, to live into that mission. God has revealed to me that working in ministry is making me happy in ways I’ve never imagined. So much joy.

As we enter Easter weekend, I wonder, what is Easter for you? Is it the joy of an Easter basket full of treats? Is there trepidation, sorrow? Easter hits all of us in a unique way, and all should be honored. I pray that each and every one of you has a joyous and peace-filled Easter and that the Holy Spirit is there as your shepherd. While my transformation has been visible, dramatic, and (at least at Lord of Life) very public, we are all, all of us, all of you, a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Have a wonderful Easter and enjoy your candy.

Pax,

Richard Ponton, Lord of Life seminarian

I can picture laying on the bed in the front room of my grandma’s lake cottage reading books while the sun made the reflection of the water dance on the ceiling.  As a child, I read many books in that spot but none as all-encompassing as “Where the Red Fern Grows”. Spoiler alert: I was all in and my heart hurt for weeks after finishing it. I still get a little tug in my soul as I think of the great love and devotion that they had for one another.

Old Dan and Little Ann still live vividly in my mind.  As a dog lover, I was in the story with them.  Completely understanding the intertwined relationship between Billy and his dogs. Trying to wrap my head around the choices that were made and always hoping that everything would be alright as the trio experienced life in harrowing ways.

I didn’t want the story to end. A good book can stir endless emotions, allow you to imagine another world, draw you into the experiences of different places and times while taking you on a compelling and possibly life-changing journey.

This past weekend, we presented 5 young people their first big kid Bible. What an honor and privilege to present them with the book that was given to us to guide us through all of life's joys and challenges. The living word of God. It has everything we want in a good book; a strong opening, compelling characters, an absorbing story, sharp dialogue, and a life-altering conclusion.

Spending time Sunday afternoon with these children and their parents as they begin their own journey into this sacred book was priceless. The stories in the Bible have been handed down from generation to generation and we are continuing this holy mission. We learned that God is speaking to us from not just one book but a collection of 66 books. The Bible is like a diary, a newspaper, a map, and a photo album all rolled into one. It is our guide in faith and life.

What is your favorite book in the Bible? Is there a time or place that you like to sit with God’s word?

This is the book that keeps on giving. We don’t need to be sad when it ends. The good news is that it is meant to be shared. Don’t keep the ending to yourself. No spoiler alerts here. We welcome the transformative message of the grace of God in Jesus Christ and continue to learn, share, and grow through the words of God throughout our lives both individually and as a community.

As we approach Holy week, revisit the story of Jesus in the coming days. Let the news of our salvation and his unconditional love sink into your soul. Read it. Hear it. Embrace it.

One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.   Mathew 4:4

God’s peace always,

Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation

I grew up surrounded by beautiful things. It wasn’t curated art on the walls of our custom home or a curio cabinet loaded with generations of heirlooms. It wasn’t jewelry, cars, or exclusive vacation vistas.

Instead, the thick woods surrounding our neighborhood where our gaggle of friends ran, played, and explored, provided hours of beauty and awe. The trees, creeks, and trails were each compelling in their own way, no matter the season. We couldn’t stay away. If we weren’t snacking on somebody’s porch, we were most likely in the woods walking, digging, building, or splashing.

All day, every day, we are surrounded by beautiful things. Some are long-lasting, gorgeous creations that we can count on to provide joy and stimulation again and again. Nature, art, music, a book or film, a stunning panorama, or a special someone in our lives.

There are also many creations of beauty that only last for a brief time. In my part of the world, there are red and white springtime blooms everywhere right now, which will soon give way to summer leaves. The yellow daffodils dancing in the breeze will soon disappear. Even a smile, a hug, or a high five, with their short life span, can provide both temporary joy and a lasting impact.

I had an overload of beauty on our recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land. As I reflect on my trip, I’m slowly sifting through 1,800 pictures. How can one begin to make sense of such a trip in the multitude of holy places?

Some of the images are simply barren wilderness, offering only rock and dirt as subject matters. Still, there is great beauty as they tell their story and invite us into it. Other images are overflowing with the color and activity of the crowded markets of Jericho and Jerusalem. Bustling with people and vehicles in the midst of fresh produce and handicrafts, you can almost smell the spices and hear the conversations of friends as they greet one another in the image.

Try this. Stop what you are doing. Yes, even reading this. Pause and celebrate the beauty that surrounds you in your space at this moment. Is it a person? Tell them what a gift they are to you and how they enrich your life. Is it an image, a feeling, or a smell? Savor it and thank God for the tremendous and endless gifts of beauty that envelope us in this moment.

Mary Oliver, in her poem “Sometimes,” offers her best advice for embracing this and every occasion:

Instructions for living a life.

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it.

In the coming weeks, we will join Christians around the globe as we lean into the events of Holy Week. We’ll wave palm branches and shout “Hosanna!” We’ll listen as Jesus gives a new commandment to his followers to “Love one another.” We’ll watch in shock and awe as Jesus offers himself, while Barabbas goes free. We’ll sit with the distraught and exhausted disciples in their grief and then declare “He is risen!” when the stone is rolled away.

As we hear these stories, pay attention, be astonished, tell about it. Who needs to hear a message of hope? Who do you know that could use a dose of resurrection promise in their lives? Invite them into the beauty and awe of this season.

American songwriter and protest singer Phil Ochs declares, “In such ugly times, the only true protest is beauty.” In a season of despair, let’s speak hope. In a time of retribution, may we declare forgiveness. In a world determined to hate, God offers love.

I praise God for you!

Pastor Lowell

One of my favorite moments of the day in the change of season is when I open the back door in the morning to let our dog out. How many birds will I hear? At first, there are a few chirpings here and there, but it gradually builds to an array of constant chatter. I love the sound of the world becoming alive again. What are they saying? Have they spotted a juicy worm finally coming to the surface in the softening ground or are they calling for a sweet partner to help fill a nest? Maybe both? We might miss the beautiful intricacies and intertwined life in the spring that God has created if we do not listen.

How often do we take the time to really listen? We move at such a fast pace, and there is constant noise in our world and in our heads that distract us. God wants us to listen but also have the wisdom to discern if what we hear deepens our faith or takes us further from our life in Christ. Finding the balance of listening to a constant bombardment of 24 hours of social media or news and listening to your child or spouse talk about their day should not be a difficult choice but many times it is. Our own agendas seem to drown out opportunities to love others by simply listening.

“Incline your ear, and come to me; listen that you may live…” Isaiah 55:3.  When we listen with our hearts set on Jesus, we move to living more fully in the life of abundance that God offers. If we start by listening to where God is calling us, we will be able to better hear what is going on with and through people. We all long to be heard and known. What if you gave the gift of truly listening to someone today? How might that profoundly change you and them?

As I was writing this and thinking of the birds, I began to contemplate about the real science behind their early morning chatter. Do I google or ponder? At least for now, I am going to continue to enjoy the start of my day by wondering and discerning how to really listen in the fullness of God’s amazing creation.

God’s peace,

Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation

Pilgrimage means different things to different people.

For some, it’s a return to the stomping grounds of their childhood. Meeting up with friends for the homecoming football game or celebrating and reconnecting at a class reunion can bring back a flood of memories and create new ones.

For others, pilgrimage might mean visiting a place you’ve always yearned to go and see. For the art student, you might land in Paris or Florence to connect with the masters. For the musician, you might grab a seat in a European cathedral or dance on the lawn at a bluegrass music festival as your favorite artists take the stage.

For a group of us this week, pilgrimage finds us in the Holy Land filling up on sites and sounds where biblical heroes walked and three major religions continue to call this area home.

We’re six hours ahead of Cincinnati, so we’ve already wrapped up our first day with stops in Caesarea, Megiddo, and Nazareth. We strolled along the Mediterranean and saw ruins of the ancient theater and palace. Perched on Tel Megiddo, we stood atop thirty layers of cities that had been destroyed and reconstructed, one atop another. 

Exploring the ruins of Jesus hometown, we celebrated the announcement from Gabriel to Mary and lingered over excavated first century homes and buildings.

Over and over, our tour guide has reminded us that we’re not here to look at rocks but to be enveloped by the stories and follow in the footsteps of Jesus and pilgrims throughout the centuries.

Join us this week as we tell stories and post images during our Holy Land pilgrimage. You can see photos from our second day on our Facebook page and other social media.This is a shared journey. Keep following along to share with us.

On the journey with you,

Pastor Lowell and John Johns