Something to consider  
Prayer requests  
Dates to remember  
Various updates  
LCMS convention update

Something to consider

The term “walking wounded” is familiar to most everyone. These days it’s a term used especially for those who are involved with athletics. With football season upon us, a team that fields the “walking wounded” is a team that has been devastated by injuries. There are sprained ankles, twisted knees, and dislocated fingers; all of which need attention. But such injuries don’t keep athletes off the fields. They may limp, their fingers may be taped together, but they are still out on the field playing. Playing hurt is part of the game of football. In most sports only those with the worst injuries are exempt from playing. In most sports injuries are to be expected. Injuries are part of the process. Athletes are expected to play through the pain. Athletes are expected to play even though they are injured.

The term “walking wounded” can also be applied to us. We are walking wounded. Such things are to be expected as we move through this life just as they are to be expected on a football team. The difference is: football is just a game. Life is much more important. Life can be much more painful. The struggles of life have left their marks upon each us. We bear the scars left over from facing various temptations. Relationships have failed. Children have disappointed us. Merchants have cheated us. Even fellow Christians have let us down. We may not actually walk with a limp, but at times we have limped along because we have been wounded spiritually or injured emotionally. What someone has said has cut deeply into heart. What someone has done causes so much emotional pain. What we have done; what we have said causes us untold spiritual heartache. Emotionally we may be running on empty. Spiritually we may be in need of healing and renewed strength. And yet we have to get out of bed and face the world every day.

When tempted to complain of weariness, consider Jesus. When on the verge of losing heart, consider Jesus. Look at what he endured for us. Remember how determined he was. By his strength and by his love we are able to be the same. Things may not always make sense to us, but we can be confident that God knows where he is leading us. Remember what the prophet Jeremiah writes, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” We may not always have the strength to stand on our own two feet, but have God on our side who is all-powerful. We may not always feel loved, but we have the assurance that we are indeed loved. Someone no less the sinner than King David reminds us in Psalm 103: “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.”

We may not see it with our eyes; we may not understand it with our brain. But by God’s grace we believe it and we know it in our heart. That is the result of faith that has been taken to a higher level. St. James writes in his Epistle, “You know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Perseverance is understands that God cares. God cares so much that he gave his Son into death to rescue us from the curse of our sin. Perseverance understands that while at times we might be the walking wounded, we are not walking alone. God himself walks with us. God himself carries us when we cannot carry ourselves. 

Prayer requests

Please keep in your prayers/petitions:

• Rev. Leonard Payton, St. John, Horicon, recovering from surgery; 
• Rev. Kenneth Roever, emeritus, recovering from surgery – please pray that this surgery might improve Ken’s overall health and reduce his pain; 
• Mrs. Asenath Dobratz, wife of Rev. Wayne, St. Stephen, Watertown, who has been hospitalized; 
• Mrs. Lois Huff, mother of teacher Sharon Bellin, Concordia, Sturtevant, who is undergoing cancer treatment;

Dates to remember

• Sept. 4, 2007 — Circuit counselors’ meeting, District ffice
• Sept. 7-12, 2007 — Council of presidents, St. Louis 
• Sept. 21, 2007 — Wheat Ridge wellness day, Brookfield 
• Sept. 29, 2007 — SWD fall fiscal conference

Various updates

• SWD executive team contacts for schools and stewardship: There has been some question whether or not SWD has a schools executive—WE DO. The schools exec is Gary Janetzke; and Tim Dittloff has taken stewardship under his wing with LCEF’s “Consecrated Stewards.” It’s the way that we have organized to make the best use of our resources.
• SWD fall fiscal conference: This is something completely new. It’s a day set aside to discuss the SWD budget, stewardship resources, salary guidelines, the latest from Concordia Health Plans, fiscal responsibility both at the congregational and District levels, as well mission opportunities both in SWD and elsewhere. Mark it on your calendar. Pastors and congregational leaders are encouraged to attend. More information will be available shortly.
• SETS/PIFS: Pastors: if you haven’t updated your SET or your PIF lately, now is the time to do so. Please get the new SET CD from Arleen Johnson and the PIF that needs to be updated by hand and returned to Arleen.
• Fan Into Flame update: Most of the congregations who involved in FIF are well on their way to completing the process. A continuation committee is being formed. If your congregation would still like to get involved, please contact Peg Raabe at the District office. She will send you the materials. 
• We thank all the congregations and pastors who have honored their financial commitments to the LCMS convention. The response has been fantastic!
• From Dr. LeRoy Hass for consideration at circuit winkels: "A Prescription for Emotional Health: Regular Doses of Metanoiade." Negative emotions often burden us and interfere with good relationships. Positive emotions can be good for us and enhance our relationships. A cognitive theory of emotions will be used to highlight the relationship between our cognitions (thoughts, beliefs) and emotions. "The anger triad: An outline of the biblical portrayal of anger":
  • God's righteous anger toward we humans
  • Our own anger toward God and neighbor
  • Others' anger toward us and God

LCMS convention update

• The best place to find accurate information regarding the convention is at lcms.org. There is also a link to information at our SWD website.
• Convention theme: “One Message: Christ” set the tone for the convention. 
• Among the resolutions adopted at convention: a new model for alternate route for ordination, expansion of the boards of regents for the Concordia University system and seminaries, adoption of pulpit and altar fellowship with the AALC, a two-thirds resolution empowering the council of presidents to call for a special convention to address structure, as well as a resolution addressing the relationship of the LCMS board of directors and the committee for constitutional matters (7-02a).
• All in all, this summer’s convention was one of the better and less contentious of recent memory. It was an example of what can happen when we understand that the devil is the enemy; and that our focus is the harvest of sinners.
• As District president I want to thank all our delegates for their dedication and faithfulness; and for the spirit of togetherness that was displayed both at our breakfasts and on the convention floor. Thank you all!!!