Reflections(Re-visited) August, 2017

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spiritdistributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyoneit is the same Godat work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,to another a message of knowledgeby means of the same Spirit, to another faithby the same Spirit, to another gifts of healingby that one Spirit,to another miraculous powers,to another prophecy,to another distinguishing between spirits,to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

People ask, “What is the difference between spirituality and religion?” Well, not to trivialize either one with a very short answer, we could say religion helps us – or points us – to spiritual growth through a series of beliefs and practices (such as prayer, worship, sacraments) which allow us to express our spirituality and draw us into a closer relationship with God. Spirituality on the other hand, has to do with our intrinsic human nature/desire to define our purpose in the world: What is the meaning of life, why are we here, how do we live a fulfilling life beyond the day to day trials and tribulations, and rise above and beyond our (self-imposed) egos and ultimately connect with God.

For years now science has told usthat our material world is an illusion; what we perceive as being solid – a chair, a rock, a steel girder…or us! – is actually about 99.9% empty space…which leaves a lot of room for Spirit! Mystics have been telling us the same thing for hundreds of years. Thomas Moore said in the forward to “Spiritual Literacy,” “A spirituality that doesn’t touch every single aspect of daily, personal, and commercial life is bogus.”

We would probably agree. Without a sense or intuitive “knowing” of Spirit in our lives we can be left with feelings of emptiness and hopelessness. The opposite of being spiritual is, in essence, being dead to life. Compare that to the person living a spiritual life – “full of the Spirit” – brimming over with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Jesus said, “By their fruits you shall know them.” Spiritual growth moves us toward these “fruits.” (Galatians 5)

Where we get bogged down at times is when we think it is entirely up to us; that it is entirely our willpower that lifts us beyond the worries and anxieties in our lives. We often fail to acknowledge the power - and rely on the power – of God’s Spirit within us and then wonder why we feel over-burdened, stressed out, weary and resentful. Without turning our lives and our wills over to the care of God we miss knowing the freedom and peace that is promised to us when we choose to abandon ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit. But when we do … we are strengthened and directed to a manner of living that reflects our connectedness to God in that we know we are loved unconditionally by ourCreator. And we show that love to others by the way we treat ourselves and one another.

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An old Chinese proverb says, “Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” Or as self-help groups say it, “We claim spiritual progress, not perfection.” To know that life is a gift, and to be grateful for that gift, are keys to a spiritual life. And it is God as Spirit, made manifest in and through Jesus Christ, the very Source and Creator of all we are, that makes spirituality possible.

In Christ’s Love for you all!

Pastor Jay

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein

We have misinterpreted Death:

We do not cease with our last breath.

We’re not just a body; no, first we were a Soul.

Earth is where we Journey—Heaven is our Goal!

Heaven is the place we all come from,

But flesh can’t inherit this Kingdom.

We re-enter through Death’s door,

And shuck off our bodies as clothing we leave lying on the floor…

Not needed anymore.

“I am the Way and the Life” are Truths we’ve all heard.

In Jesus’ Resurrection—GOD gets the Last Word!

From Rob Gomoll, 2017

AUGUST 6TH IS FOOD PANTRY SUNDAY

During the month of August, the Food Pantry would especially like donations crackers, hamburger helper, tune, peanut butter, garden produce, facial tissues, bar soap and deodorant.

Maybe when you are out shopping, you could pick up one or two of these items and bring it to church on Sunday, August 6. Thank you so much for sharing what you can to help keep the shelves stocked at the food pantry so they can help those in need. You ARE the hands and feet of Jesus!

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COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

From July Meeting

  • Landscaping has been completed by Chad Blocklinger, David Speckhard, Sharon Speckhard, & Jim Ehlers. Thank you to the Keoughs for recently weeding the property.
  • Thank you to Rob Gomoll for preaching during Pastor's time at Synod Assembly in June.
  • Thank you to Lynn Tharp Sr. for his Vietnam presentation on July 2nd.
  • We need church members to volunteer for custodial duties until we are able to hire a new custodian.
  • St. John's is planning on having two Wartburg Seminary students this fall who will do field work.
  • The transitional housing construction is going to begin soon by Kevin Green. He will also give us a quote on remodeling the bathroom by Salzmann Hall.
  • Open Closet recently served 700 people with 450 people on site July 1st.
  • Carolyn Hildebrand has requested membership to St. John's.

Respectfully submitted,

Jolene Duschen

Council Secretary

With gratitude, all life appears as a blessing - without gratitude, all of life is perceived as a burden. Jonathan Lockwood Huie

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I’m a Lutheran: Kathryn (Kate) Koob

ByMegan BrandsrudJuly 13, 2017

Perhaps most widely known for being the only living female survivor of the Iranian hostage crisis, Kate Koob talks about how her faith got her through that challenging time and has played a significant role in her life inLiving Lutheran’sJuly “I’m a Lutheran” feature. “I know firsthand the power of prayer for others. During my time in Iran, I felt held up by the safety net of prayer that was being said for all of us during the time of our captivity,” she said.

Congregation:ZionLutheranChurch, Waterloo, Iowa

Occupation:Retired U.S. Foreign Service officer

I believethat I am a child of God and that God daily showers me with gifts of love and grace.

I wanted to pursue a career in Foreign Servicebecause I grew up wondering about how people lived in other lands. When I was working on my Master of Arts in theater, someone suggested I might enjoy the work of the cultural section of our embassies. I checked it out and became part of the U.S. Foreign Service, working primarily in educational and cultural exchange. I also served in public affairs and the press office.

My favorite way to spend my time in retirement isreading, traveling and volunteering in my community. I love being a reading buddy for first-graders and a conversational partner with international intensive English students. I also enjoy having time to volunteer for some jobs in my congregation.

My faith helped get me through being held hostage for 444 days during theIranian hostage crisisby putting into practice everything I learned at home, in Sunday school and confirmation, at college and Bible study: praying, remembering others in greater need than I was, learning how to forgive my enemies, hymn singing and relying on the promises of Scriptures. As I said shortly after my return, I was confirmed again in all I’d been taught about God’s power, love and grace.

I prayin many ways and for many things. I pray for my family, friends, church and world. I know firsthand the power of prayer for others. During my time in Iran, I felt held up by the safety net of prayer that was being said for all of us during the time of our captivity.

My favorite church memory isvisiting the Church of St. Catherine in the Sinai Peninsula, located at the traditional site of the burning bush and a gathering place for ascetics from earliest Christian times. While visiting the church, I was invited by one of the local priests to have a seat. I closed my eyes and was lost in meditation for some time. I love silence, and in this holy place I was surrounded by the silence of the great cloud of witnesses. It was an intensely beautiful and moving moment.

I decided to get my master’s degree in religion after I retired becauseI had so many questions about my church, my faith and the Scriptures. I didn’t really plan on getting a degree—I just wanted the discussion, reading lists and conversation I knew I would find at seminary. I didn’t always find answers, but I always found more questions, and my faith and understanding grew in God’s grace.

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My favorite piece of Scripture is .…What?? That’s like asking who your favorite child is! I love the Psalms, especially the imprecatory ones that let one shake a fist at God when one doesn’t understand what is happening in life! I also lean on the promise verses: “I am with you to the end of the ages” and “I will send you a comforter (advocate or helper) to be with you forever.” And then there are all the love verses: “Love your enemies” in Luke and the letters of John exhorting us to live in love.

Returning to my alma materWartburg Collegeas an adjunct professorwas a lovely experience. I loved the courses I was invited to teach: reconciliation, a couple of theater courses, intercultural communication and public speaking. Great students and professional colleagues. And to cap it, I was asked to work with the “Christmas with Wartburg” concerts for about 10 years. Joy!

My education at Wartburg helped shape meby encouraging me to explore ideas and to ask questions. Professors were willing to discuss ideas from most any angle, and encouraged wide reading and analysis. My principle job was reading and studying—what could be better?

People are surprisedthat I like a cold beer—especially in a Munich beer garden, or that I wish I’d been able to take Latin as a young student.

I think connecting with and learning about other cultures is importantbecause it’s all about loving our brothers and sisters of God’s creation. We are all children of God! We need to understand that different is not always better or worse—just different.

I strugglewith being judgmental.

I share my faithby participating in Bible study, worshiping regularly, speaking about my faith and occasionally writing about it. Prayer is also a constant in my life.

I chose to write about my experience of the hostage crisisbecause I’d been speaking about it in a wide variety of venues. I talked especially about my faith and the need to love one’s enemies as we are told in Luke 6. I’d been asked to write the story but was resisting when a friend said, “Kate, you can’t speak to everyone, but if you write your story a lot of people can read it.” That made sense.

An issue I’m fighting for isresolving the food deprivation issue in my community and worldwide. No one should have to send their children to bed hungry at the end of the day.

I’m a Lutheranin part because I was raised in the Lutheran faith, but even more because I love being part of a church that believes in teaching the vastness of God’s love and forgiveness, and that the Spirit can fill my life each day with the gift of grace.

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. Joseph Campbell

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Faith in the Storm

By Rob Gomoll

The waves surge.

The timbers quake.

I have the urge

To shake you awake.

But you sleep so peacefully

On a cushion in the stern.

Lord, we’re in the midst of the Sea of Galilee!

Have you no concern?

Don’t you understand

How far we are from land?

…I hear you breathe rhythmically,

So I will lie down by Thee…quietly.

Knowing there is no safer place to be.

August 6th

The Luther Manor presentation has been rescheduled for August 6th. Barb Barker, the director of Luther Manor will be speaking during fellowship time on behalf of Luther Manor. Hope to see you there!

I do not at all understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us. Anne Lamott

Health Beat

Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses such as bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine.

Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn't keep up with the removal of old bone.

Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races. But white and Asian women — especially older women who are past menopause — are at highest risk. Medications, healthy diet and weight-bearing exercise can help prevent bone loss or strengthen already weak bones.

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Your bones are in a constant state of renewal — new bone is made and old bone is broken down. When you're young, your body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone and your bone mass increases. Most people reach their peak bone mass by their early 20s. As people age, bone mass is lost faster than it's created.

How likely you are to develop osteoporosis depends partly on how much bone mass you attained in your youth. The higher your peak bone mass, the more bone you have "in the bank" and the less likely you are to develop osteoporosis as you age

A number of factors can increase the likelihood that you'll develop osteoporosis — including your age, race, lifestyle choices, and medical conditions and treatments.

Some risk factors for osteoporosis are out of your control, including:

  • Your sex. Women are much more likely to develop osteoporosis than are men.
  • Age. The older you get, the greater your risk of osteoporosis.
  • Race. You're at greatest risk of osteoporosis if you're white or of Asian descent.
  • Family history. Having a parent or sibling with osteoporosis puts you at greater risk, especially if your mother or father experienced a hip fracture.
  • Body frame size. Men and women who have small body frames tend to have a higher risk because they may have less bone mass to draw from as they age.

Osteoporosis is more common in people who have too much or too little of certain hormones in their bodies. Examples include:

  • Sex hormones. The reduction of estrogen levels in women at menopause is one of the strongest risk factors for developing osteoporosis. Men experience a gradual reduction in testosterone levels as they age. Treatments for prostate cancer that reduce testosterone levels in men and treatments for breast cancer that reduce estrogen levels in women are likely to accelerate bone loss.
  • Thyroid problems. Too much thyroid hormone can cause bone loss. This can occur if your thyroid is overactive or if you take too much thyroid hormone medication to treat an underactive thyroid.
  • Other glands. Osteoporosis has also been associated with overactive parathyroid and adrenal glands.

Osteoporosis is more likely to occur in people who have:

  • Low calcium intake. A lifelong lack of calcium plays a role in the development of osteoporosis. Low calcium intake contributes to diminished bone density, early bone loss and an increased risk of fractures.
  • Eating disorders. Severely restricting food intake and being underweight weakens bone in both men and women.

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  • Gastrointestinal surgery. Surgery to reduce the size of your stomach or to remove part of the intestine limits the amount of surface area available to absorb nutrients, including calcium.

Long-term use of oral or injected corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone and cortisone, interferes with the bone-rebuilding process. Osteoporosis has also been associated with medications used to combat or prevent: Seizures, Gastric reflux, Cancer, Transplant rejection

The risk of osteoporosis is higher in people who have certain medical problems, including: Celiac disease, Inflammatory bowel disease, Kidney or liver disease, Cancer, Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis.

Bone fractures, particularly in the spine or hip, are the most serious complication of osteoporosis. Hip fractures often are caused by a fall and can result in disability and even an increased risk of death within the first year after the injury.

In some cases, spinal fractures can occur even if you haven't fallen. The bones that make up your spine (vertebrae) can weaken to the point that they may crumple, which can result in back pain, lost height and a hunched forward posture.

Treatment recommendations are often based on an estimate of your risk of breaking a bone in the next 10 years using information such as the bone density test. If the risk is not high, treatment might not include medication and might focus instead on modifying risk factors for bone loss and falls.