We all have a story to share – stories of families, friendships, histories and faith. Every person’s life story is a precious glimpse of our collective story, enveloped in God’s much larger story of deep love and grace.
First Lutheran members were encouraged to identify the Bible story or verse that resonates most with their personal journey. Discover what members of all ages had to say:
Zacchaeus – I relate to the struggles and challenges he went through. The story of John the Baptist because Jesus was baptized. ~Owen
The Good Samaritan.
We moved so much in the Air Force when we were first married, but I always took and mounted my plague: “But for me and my house – we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) ~Ms. Laura
1st Corinthians 10:13 – With this one verse, God has given me the strength and courage to live a life in Christ
Feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) In this story, Jesus turned a few fish and loaves of bread into enough (and more) to feed 5,000 (plus women and children). Imagine how fish and loaves just kept on multiplying as they were passed from person to person! If we do a good deed or kindness for a friend or stranger, maybe they will in turn pass it along to someone else. The good deeds or kindnesses will just keep multiplying until 5,000 or many more are touched by them! ~Karen Lenzen
Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.” There is a plaque with these words on a chest in front of the rocker where I sit at each day. I gave it to my youngest son during his troubled times. Now it is mine and it guides me daily.
Noah’s Ark from Genesis 6-9 because Noah did the right thing and listened to God so God could make the earth a better place. ~Maddie Meyer
The Sermon on the Mount – The opportunity to learn of Jesus’ teachings and how to treat others.
Jesus the True Vine (John 15:1-11) – “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit…” ~Gordon Wolfe
Ruth and Naomi – Crossing boundaries, loyalty, family, strong women and support. ~Barb Johnson Frank
Jesus and the Children – Wide welcome and precious children! ~Barb Johnson Frank
Martha (Luke 10:38-42) – I find myself relating to Martha. I get so busy preparing, cleaning and doing things that I forget to sit to “Be still and know that I am God.” Sometimes I need the reminder to be still. ~Mandy West
The Prodigal Son – The father welcomes the son home with open arms. His love is not based on the son’s behavior. God loves me (all of us!) because of God’s mercy. ~Faye Doolittle
The Bent Over Woman Healed by Jesus (Luke 13) – I connect greatly to her suffering of chronic pain and finally being healed! After experiencing chronic back pain, I found a gifted PT whose diligence, creativity, experience and manual therapy skills (over 2 years) helped and guided me to gain strength. I now physically walk taller and feel more confident because she was Christ for me. I will be forever grateful for the One who gave her the gifts to benefit others. ~Carla Osberg
The story of Esther (Esther 4:9-17) connects with me – a woman who assumes responsibility of leadership and great risk to herself for the benefit of others. Remaining silent might bring harm to others. Speaking up might bring harm to self. Esther spoke up believing God had brought her to this point for a reason. ~Vicar Erick
1 Samuel 3:4-5 – For me, this message from Go to Samuel shows the importance of our own listening to God’s call to serve God. We need to listen and open our hearts so that when God calls we can and will respond with, “Here I am, Lord.” ~Pastor Bill Peterson
Micah 6:8 – “He has told you o mortal what is good and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.” This was the verse I chose for my ordination. In my life, I have tried to live my life in service to others and act with justice and kindness to all. ~Pastor Bill Peterson
Parable of the Mustard Seed – I pray for faith the size of the mustard seed and all that God will do with even a tiny faith.
The story of Esther has always been special to me. I love how at a time when women had little value, God used her to save a nation I love how she used her unique gifts God gave er, just as she was, authentically her, and blew the King away with her beauty. And, I love how smart and strategic she was. Esther is my hero. She was underestimated and she rose to speak to the head of the land and was victorious!
I relate to the story of Thomas needing to experience Jesus’ resurrection in order to believe. Sometimes I need experiences too. ~David Pitts
Nicodemus – Feeling caught inside the religious establishment and not being able to let go and leave “everything” behind to enjoy the freedom Jesus offers. ~Sharon Hardel
This is not a “story”, but an explanation of what may be the beginning of my faith journey. It comes from Matthew 5, commonly called The Beatitudes. While in a congregation in DeWitt, NE, Pastor Clark (RIP) inspired me to read the Gospels. This remains to be the foundation of my faith. ~Don Schnier
The Story of Esther (especially verse 4:14) – “Perhaps this is the moment for which you were created.” There are so many moments in my story where I felt I was created specifically for that moment. ~Kathleen Simley
Psalm 30:12 – “To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever.” Not being silent in this verse refers to singing praises to God , as the previous verse relates to God’s having turned the Psalmist’s “wailing into dancing.” My personal wailing refers to a painful divorce years ago. After that experience “not being silent” takes on extra meaning for me. In recent years when political rhetoric has heated up, I see my former spouse’s posts on FB. His political commentaries are based solely on his opinions and hardly at all on any facts. I had no idea that, over the years, we would become such polar opposites on all sorts of issues. Having arrived at my current beliefs and positions give me some consolation that I have journeyed to the place I need to be. My former spouse will not hear my divergent opinions, but in my heart, I know that I am listening to facts and am trying to speak up for the truth. I’m not there yet, but I’m on my way to finding my voice… and not being silent.
Good Samaritan Parable (Luke 10:25-37) – I grew up Lutheran but as I grew older and accepted my lifestyle, my life changed. I was rejected, beat up and bashed and told I was going to hell. I always felt that Christ hadn’t rejected me but at one point I wasn’t so sure. After not attending church for many years and people calling me a sinner, I called First Lutheran. Pastor Aaron welcomed and helped me return to church.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – This verse describes God’s unconditional love for me. He has never given up on me no matter how much I have messed up. His love will endure forever. Therefore, I try to live up to characteristics of this passage in my relationships with isn’t always easy. The reality is that we all lose our patience, insist on our own way and easily become irritable when loved ones don’t behave as we would like. However, the challenge of the passage is well worth it. ~Tracy Way
Creator God, our story starts and ends with you. Give us the wisdom to see where and how we might share our stories and the courage to share them. Amen.
So, what’s your story?
