We live in a world driven by screens. From our phones to our tables, we rely on glass surfaces to display high-definition text, crisp images, and vibrant videos. But anyone who has ever used a phone or tablet knows how quickly the screen collects fingerprints, grease, and dirt. As the smudges accumulate, the image becomes harder to see. Eventually, the screen can obscure what it is supposed to display.

31 years ago, I began serving with as one of Beautiful Savior's pastors. For the previous 5 years I had served as the sole pastor of Zion Lutheran in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio. Even though I was convinced that accepting the Call to Beautiful Savior was what the Lord was leading me to do, part of me didn't want to leave Zion because I had grown to love the people I had the privilege of serving and I was worried about what life would be like without me being there. Not because I was the world's best pastor and no one else could serve them well (if not better) than me, but because there is always a bit of fear of the "What if?"

In her 2012 book You Are What You Wear: What Your Clothes Reveal About You, Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner helps readers identify the psychology behind their clothing choices, so they can not only develop a personal style that suits their identity but also make positive changes in all areas of life.

For those of us who are fans of the old comic strip Peanuts, as soon as fall comes around we start having images of Lucy holding a football and coaxing Charlie Brown to run up and kick it. Every year the same thing happens: she pulls it away and Charlie Brown falls flat on his back. Every year he thinks maybe Lucy actually means it, that she'll hold the football for him, and every year he's disappointed.

Last weekend's message focused on the first part of Romans 12 and talked about what is Church. The Church is God’s people who through the power of the Holy Spirit live with Christ, respond to His love, and are blessed to be a blessing. So what exactly does that look like (or not look like)?

"If you don't use it, you'll lose it." If you once studied another language and haven't used it for years, or used to know how to solve complicated math equations but have not had to for years, you know it is true.

This weekend's Gospel account is about someone else who was waiting on the Lord --the Canaanite woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon and who came to Jesus on her behalf, only to have Jesus give her the silent treatment. When Jesus did speak, He seemed to give her no hope. But the woman did not give up. She came to Jesus for help and does not give up. Prayerful persistence rather than giving up will not be disappointed.

Have you ever had to plan for a large family gathering? One of the challenges is preparing a menu that will satisfy everyone. And with preparing the menu comes the challenge of making sure there will be enough food. No one wants to run out.