Flipbooks

ADVERTISEMENT During this pandemic, there is no question that the health of the family is of great importance. We have learned how to wear masks, how to control the bubbles that are our immediate contacts, and how to navigate the perhaps unknown world of online work and learning. But have we given enough at- tention to the health of our family when it comes to our spiritual needs? After all, physical and emotional health, while important, will only serve us for a short time, but it is our spiritual health that will serve us for eterni- ty. Of course, the challenge is that so much of our spiritual health comes from the fellowship that occurs in the gathering of God's Church. But being wise about our physical and emotional health does not mean that we cannot gather, and many of us have even figured out how to participate in Bible studies and worship while maintaining the physical distance that wisdom may counsel, whether in- person or online. We hunger for the Gospel, knowing its power. We praise God that He has fed us His Word through this time, strengthening our faith. We know that soon we will share the peace with hugs and handshakes again, stand or kneel together at the altar to receive the Lord's Supper, and have that nosh and a cup of coffee with our brothers and sisters after the service. We have experienced the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes, and we rejoice in the fellowship that we have with Him through Christ—and the fellowship that we have with one another as well. But what about those children of God who are suf- fering a worse malady than anything a pandemic can inflict? Family wellness is about far more than our needs or even the needs of our immediate fam- ily. We are part of a larger family, and some of them are in need of being fed by the Gospel too. Some, even in our churches, may be overwhelmed by the news of the day, unable perhaps to connect with people via the internet, and in danger of being for- gotten. And the danger is even greater for others of God's children, even His first children, the Jewish people, who have yet to receive the power of God in the Gospel of Messiah Jesus. We are always challenged to focus on God and His calling for us. How is God calling you to grow in your faith, as we anticipate the wonders of God's sacrifice for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus? Burning Bush Ministries has been serving The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for forty years and is still here to help you learn how to reach your neighbors, both Jewish and Gentile, with that very wonder-filled Gospel, that they, too, might believe. We understand that it isn't easy to talk to people about Jesus, but it is easier amid a community of believers that understand the challenges. We have the resources and experience to help you and your church intentionally respond to the divine appoint- ments that God makes for you and others. Because of all that we have learned about gathering over distances, it has become very easy to build that community. We are offering our devotional Ponder the Path to you, available either by mail or online. We also have a six-sermon series that may help you explore our ministry and the need for sharing the Gos- pel with the Jewish people and others. We have resources to help your children learn and grow in their faith as they share the Gospel with their friends. Additionally, we are available to talk with you personally or to have a video conference with your church Bible study. More than anything else, we want to personally connect with you. It takes our community of faith working together to reveal Jesus to the Jewish people. w Call or write: Burning Bush Ministries Rev. Kevin Parviz, Executive Director 6327 Clayton Ave. St. Louis, MO 63139 www.lije.org RevKevye@aol.com (314) 645-4456 Lutheran Life 13

• Cover