Living in the Spirit

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel with Community Lutheran Church's Youth Group on a mission trip. It is hard to believe that this was our first mission trip in three years! There is so much that goes into the preparation for these experiences, and in the end, there are always things we can't control. However, we had a wonderful week! I always find meaning in these trips, and this year was no exception. I was reminded of the need we all have for reconnecting with others and experiencing God's Love!

Our primary service site was located in Long Beach, CA. We served a population of people who were experiencing homelessness, and we worked with an organization called Christian Outreach in Action. This was the first time our church worked with this agency, so we didn't really know what to expect. However, when we walked in, they immediately put our team to work, and it was wonderful to see the youth of our church jump right in. They hauled provisions back and forth, organized clothes, and handed out all kinds of food and supplies. 

I love seeing the willingness to serve, but I really cherished the moments when our youth went out of their way to build relationships with the people they met on the streets. They listened to their stories. They learned people's names. They brought a lot of laughter and joy, and they were willing to open their eyes to new perspectives. 

God is present in the world around us. Sometimes we dismiss other people. We want to believe we are better than they are, or we want to believe our story is more important than theirs. However, God is equally present in all our lives. It is my prayer that we all would open our hearts to see God's grace and share God's love in all that we do. 

Blessings,

Brian Ward

Here's a few photos from the trip! :)

A new day

A week ago, I celebrated my 40th birthday. It is hard to believe how quickly the time has flown by. How can I be 40 years old? It seems like yesterday that I graduated from seminary. How can I possibly have a child in first grade! Where does the time go?!?

I think it is easy for all of us to lose track of time. My two kids love their birthdays, and they can't wait to grow up! Most of the rest of us are not as excieted. At times we can even start to dread the passing of time. However, I think it is important to take a few moments to remember all the ways we have grown. God has blessed us every day of our lives, and it can be very meaningful to look back and ponder what God has done.

Isaiah 46:3-4, 8-9

“Listen to me, O Israel

Hear me, O Jacob

I have upheld since your birth,

and have carried since you were born.

4 

Even to your old age and gray hairs

I am the one who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

“Remember this, and take it to heart,

Remember the former things, those of long ago;

I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like me.

 

5 

I hope you still find ways to celebrate your birthday no matter how old you are. I also hope you find time to refect on your life, even when it does not turn out as you expect. Last week, my 7 year old came home from school with a cold. This wound up changing the vacation that my wife and I had planned for the week. We had to sit at home for a few days recovering from the virus. (It was not Covid. Just some other bug.) Then we got out of town for a couple of days to Utah. It meant lost of adjusting. It meant we had to let go of some of our ideas, and we had to be open to new possiblities. As we reflect on our lives, there are so many moments of adjustment and new growth. It is pretty rare that everything works out just as we plan it. However, these are the moments that can teach us and allow us to improve ourselves. 

Today I hope that you can all open your hearts to the new possiblities God is offering. I hope you can also take time to reflect on your lives and discover all that God has done for you. You are growing, and God is working in you... even if that is difficult to see in the moment.

Blessings

Brian Ward

And here are a few pics from my birthday week!