Thriving Parents, this Monday, October 20 | Email from Oct 16, 2025

Upcoming Parent Events

Thriving Parents Meeting

Monday, October 20 in room 032 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM

We will be discussing a very interesting phenomenon called the “Gen Z Stare”. We will watch a short video by AXIS to get the discussion going and then look at some verses to help us know God’s thoughts. Please come and bring a friend!!! Remaining dates for Thriving Parents this year: November 17, January 12, February 23, March 23, April 20, and May 11.

Parents in Prayer this Friday, October 17, from 7:50-8:45 AM in the MAC (Classroom building attached to the church, Grace Lutheran, we share a parking lot with). Whether you can make it to Parents in Prayer or not, you are invited to come to Panera for coffee after from 9:00-10:00 AM!

Devotional Thoughts

What was I thinking?!?!?

That is a great question for each of us to ponder but a better question would be, “What AM I thinking?”

It is very interesting to see how many times God’s Word emphasizes the importance of what we think about and on what we focus.

“For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” Proverbs 23:7

The word “heart” in the Bible means mind (thoughts), will (decisions) and emotions (feelings).

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:7-8

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12: 2

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3: 1-3

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:5

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.” Romans 8:5-7

God is encouraging us to think, consider, believe, trust, fix our eyes, hope in Him. This is faith. We have an enemy that hates us. He wants to kill, steal and destroy us (John 10:10). What we think about really matters. The importance of “taking every thought captive” is so important. This means reorienting our thoughts from the accusations and lies of the enemy, to the truth of God’s Word and this is so vital to our spiritual well-being. God transforms us by the renewing of our mind when we hear, read, meditate, reread and share God's Word. Consider praying the following prayer, adapted from Ephesians 1:17-18 and 3: 16-19 for yourself and those God has put in your life.

"Dear Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, please give us spiritual wisdom and insight so that we might grow in our knowledge of You. We pray that our hearts will be flooded with Your light so that we can understand this confident hope and that from Your unlimited resources, that You will empower us with inner strength through Your Spirit. Also, that You will make Your home in our hearts as we trust in You. May our roots grow down into Your love and keep us strong. And may we have the power to understand, with all Your people, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love is. May we experience Your love, shown to us in Jesus, though it is too great to understand fully, that we will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from You. In Jesus Name, Amen."

What you think about matters. What we fill our heart and mind with is SO important. The Holy Spirit wants to guide and direct you to help you remember your baptism, that you are forgiven, loved, that you belong to Him. The Holy Spirit wants to transform your mind to show you how to love and forgive others as you have been forgiven.

Please, please listen to this sermon https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timothy-keller-sermons-podcast-by-gospel-in-life/id352660924?i=1000728572886 and skip to minute 11:50. This is C.S. Lewis’s depiction of how Satan might work in our minds in his book, “Screwtape Letters”.

In Him all things hold together,

Marty Kohlwey

Director of Campus Ministry

Resources

Breakdown of The Months You Have Left to Live | Instagram Video

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DK4q2Z2oTkK/?igsh=MXF5Mmk0eHhzZWQwNA==

“The Bible Is Not About You” Why all sermons should be Christ-centered | Tim Keller Sermons

https://youtu.be/4v_N2gxMnWQ?si=g5zAmcLh7J6KJ3Nj

Who Kids Want to Have Dinner With | Instagram Video

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DI1jCanAxK8/?igsh=MnQwODdlNW5uY3cy

Life After Delivery | Instagram Video