Southwood Lutheran Church

Not so Random Thoughts

Yesterday I was driving to my small group meeting. On the way there I decided to turn off the radio and before I knew it a song popped into my head and I was singing away. The song? A random choice, or so I thought. It was a song I sang in church when I was a 6th grader. Here's the words (at least the ones I can remember):

Like as a father, filled with compassion.
So the Lord has mercy on those who fear him.

It was a pretty simple song in some ways. Although there were about four different parts that we sang. It was such a great song. The thing I was thinking to myself as I drove was - why in the world is this particular song in my head at this particular moment.

I figured it out during small group.

We are continuing our study of prayer. Yesterday one of the things that stuck out to me was when one person shared that she knows when random things or people (or in my case songs?) pop into her head she's supposed to pray about them. At first the skeptical side of me said: "that is just a coincidence!"

But then as our study guide led us into a time of group prayer. Our prayer started with a few verses from Psalm 103. Can you guess what the words of Psalm 103 were? I know, I know - the suspense is killing you! Check this out:

As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.

The skeptical side of me is tempted to call it a random coincidence. But the part of me that is trying to grow in relationship to this compassion father is telling me its not so random after all.

So this week my prayer is that I will pay attention to the subtle (or not so subtle) ways that God is communicating with me. Wow! Thanks be to God.

Pray With Purpose - Week 3

Pray for Adult Discipleship.
Spend time this week praying for Adult Education and Small Group Ministries at Southwood.

Pray for:

Pastors and Small Group Leaders as they teach the Gospel.

All of our Small Groups as they meet and grow in their faith and prayer life.

Those who might be new to small groups that they would find a group that supports them and challenges them to grow.

Adult Sunday School that it would be a place where people learn to grow and thrive in the study of God’s word.

All those who are considering a new way to grow in faith that they might find places of acceptance and encouragement.

Pray about how God would use you as a growing disciple.

What are your prayers for Discipleship? How is God calling you in this ministry? Post a comment.

Two Thoughts on Prayer

ONE:
Last night after church one person shared with me her own prayer routine:

"I always pray prayers of thanksgiving and praise at night, and in the morning I do my asking. I go to bed honoring God for the day I've had; and I wake up only asking for God's support and encouragement throughout the day ahead."

What a great insight. I know this person looks at life as a true gift from God, even through grief and pain - there is a sense of God's peace.

TWO:

Kim shared this great quote with me this morning and I got to wondering if changing the word "faith" to "prayer" would work. I think it does. So are faith and prayer the same thing? I'm still thinking about that one.

Six Crosses

Last week Northern Illinois University was tragically affected by loss. A gunman killed five people and himself. The Lutheran Campus Center quickly erected 6 crosses in their front lawn.

A good friend of mine is on the board at the Lutheran Campus Ministry center there and she sent me the following article. It is the pastor's description of why 6 crosses rather than 5. Her response is not only inspirational - it speaks directly to who we are called to be as followers of Christ. Take a moment to read her thoughts:

“Why Six?”

By noon of last Friday, six crosses draped in red and purple were erected outside the Lutheran Campus Ministry in DeKalb. I had asked my husband, a dear friend who had driven in from Iowa to be with us, and some students and friends of LCM to build big crosses and plant them on our lawn. They are beautiful and they have come to mean so much for so many. But many ask, "why six?" For me, the answer is not difficult...six crosses, six children of God gone from us. All six were loved by God and all six were victims and all six left behind families who are hurting, confused, empty.

Saturday night a man came into LCM. His hands were ice cold and he was warming himself with some sturdy coffee. He was visibly shaken which was my invitation to ask him to sit with me, talk with me. He was not a student. Up until Thursday, his only connection to NIU was through a sister who had graduated from the school years ago. As of Thursday, he was connected by a sixth cross.

"I'll Pray For You."

"I'll pray for you." Have you ever been on the skeptical side of those words. Either hearing them, or saying them - wondering if that prayer will actually happen.

Last night at Clinic With a Heart I heard one of our volunteers offer just those words to a patient at the clinic. "I'll pray for you." First she listened to his story, heard his pain, and knew that he was in true need. As he was waiting to see the doctor she offered - "I'll pray for you." His first response was to laugh. She quickly responded with "I'm serious, I really want to pray for you." At this point he was a bit taken aback. She asked his name, he gave it, and she assured him that in the midst of this busy place - she would lift up prayers to God in his behalf. In the end, I think he sensed her sincerity and was genuinely grateful.

What I love about that story is that she didn't just offer that prayer and walk away. She offered that prayer in the midst of an organization that is being the hands of God in our community to meet his need. She knew she could offer that prayer to him with confidence knowing that God is using her and various other people to bring him a sense of healing, support, and peace.

This week we've asked you to pray for Community Missions. Make it a part of your prayer to ask God how he might use you to not only pray the prayer but to be there when it is answered!

Pray With Purpose - Week 2

Pray for COMMUNITY MISSIONS.
Spend time this week praying for ministries that reach out to our community.

Pray for:

All volunteers recognizing that they are the vital link to serving those in need.

All of the people served that their needs would be met and that they would discover the resources that will give them opportunities and hope.

Those still in need that we may be inspired with new visions for reaching out to our community and beyond.

Our community partners: Matt Talbot Kitchen, The Gathering Place, Meals on Wheels, the Backpack program, Clinic With a Heart, Center for People in Need, City Impact, and TeamMates; that they would be attentive to where God is continuing to call them.

Those among us who have not yet found a way to serve that they might be inspired to look beyond themselves to see how God would use them.

Pray about how God would use you to serve people in need in our Community.

What are your prayers for our community? How is God calling you in this ministry? Post a comment.

How does your Small Group grow?

Here's what one small group leader is saying about their group's study on prayer:

"Our first study went well. I think we reached a depth of discussion that our group has never reached. People are opening their hearts and sharing concerns and questions, knowing there is total acceptance and support of group members."

What has your group been up to?

USE it on Wednesday.

Take some time to think about this quote:

The circumstances of our lives are another medium of God’s communication with us. God opens some doors and closes others.... Through the wisdom of our bodies, God tells us to slow down or reorder our priorities. The happy coincidences and frustrating impasses of daily life are laden with messages. Patient listening and the grace of the Spirit are the decoding devices of prayer. It is a good habit to ask, What is God saying to me in this situation? Listening to our lives is part of prayer.

- Marjorie J. Thompson, Soul Feast

Then, think about these questions:

How is the Listening part of prayer working for you this week?
What is God telling you in the circumstance of your life?
What is God telling you through the wisdom of your body?
Where are you hearing God this week?

Please share your thoughts and help others grow by posting a comment!

Pray With Purpose - Week 1

Pray for Children, Youth, and Families.
Spend time this week praying for ministry with children, youth, and their families.

Pray for:

The 600 children and youth who are a part of Southwood’s Sunday School and Youth Programs that they may be bold to live out God’s purpose for their lives and be empowered to invite others into a relationship with God.

Parents that they may be encouraged to make faith in God the most central part of their identity as a family.

Leaders, teachers, and all volunteers that the would be inspired to share the Gospel with all of God’s children, that they would fulfill the baptismal promises to nurture the faith life of all children.

For the children, youth, and families who are not here yet that Southwood would be a safe, welcoming, and vibrant place for Christian education.

Pray about how God would use you in ministry to Children, Youth, and their families.

What are your prayers for children, youth, and families at Southwood, in Lincoln, or around the world? How is God calling you in this ministry? Post a comment.

Sweet Baby Ray!

On Ash Wednesday we all recorded our prayers for our families, our church, our community, and our world. One of my prayers was for a safe delivery and healthy new baby for my sister and her husband. Already I get to report that my prayer was answered.

Today I woke up at 5 a.m. After three worship services, a quick lunch, and then a short 450 mile/6.5 hour drive to Minneapolis. I arrived to meet my new nephew Ray William! Here's me, my dad, and the new little one.

Just so you know how balmy it is in Lincoln - its a beautiful -7 degrees here in Minneapolis.