THE SEPTEMBER 2021 Lutheran AMBASSADOR Restored AFLC YOUTH MINISTRY ENCOURAGING THE LUTHERAN WORD AMBASSADOR SEPTEMBER 2021 VOL. 59 NO. 9 Editor Pastor Robert L. Lee [email protected] Managing Editor Ruth Gunderson [email protected] Circulation Liz McCarlson PRAYING FOR RAIN [email protected] BY RACHEL MATTSON Editorial Board have always loved rain. The sound it farmer for his crops, so, too, the Word of God Monica Coyle makes on top of a roof, the excuse accomplishes that for which it is sent, to show Pastor Jerry Moan Pastor J. Christian Andrews I it gives to stay inside and read a the truth of who God is and who we are. I’ve book, the puddles it provides to never yearned so much for rain as I have this boot-wearing adventurers, the year because of my changed role in becoming a The Lutheran Ambassador refreshment it gives to a sweaty face, and the farmer’s wife and because we have seen hardly (ISSN 0746-3413) (USPS 588-620) nourishment it provides to the ground. I have any rain this year. My heart longs to see those is published monthly by the always loved rain. droplets come from the sky so that the seeds Association of Free Lutheran Over the past year I’ve gained a new insight planted yield a fantastic crop. Congregations, into the beauty and necessity of rain. You see, But I’ve been convicted of something in the 3110 E. Medicine Lake Blvd., I moved from the big city to a small farming process. How much more should I be longing Plymouth, MN 55441 community after I married a farmer, enhancing for the living and abiding Word of God to rain Phone (763) 545-5631 Periodicals postage paid at my love for rain all the more. It still accomplishes down on my heart and change it for the purposes St. Paul, MN and additional all my favorite things listed above, but now I’ve and plans that God has for me? For that’s what mailing offices. come to see it as something far more precious, He promises: that His words will change our Postmaster helping the crops to grow so that my farming stubborn, sinful hearts into moldable hearts Send address changes to family can survive financially. Rain is tied to our that yearn after God. Hearts that want to know The Lutheran Ambassador, livelihood. I’ve always loved rain because of its and love God more than anything. Hearts that 3110 E. Medicine Lake Blvd., beauty, but now I love and appreciate it for the understand that our eternal home far outweighs Plymouth, MN 55441. way it nourishes and provides growth to the the joys of what we see on earth. plants on which we depend. As I continue to pray for rain, my prayer also subscription changes This is why the verses from Isaiah 55:9-10 includes a cry for my own life. The cry that my and information have become more deeply understood in my mind heart would long for Christ and His Word, and 3110 E. Medicine Lake Blvd., and a little sweeter to my heart. They say, “As the that my heart would burst forth with joy in being Plymouth, MN 55441. rain and the snow come down from heaven, and changed by the powerful, true, and unchanging 763-545-5631 do not return to it without watering the earth and Word of Christ! Time spent in His Word is never [email protected] making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed wasted. for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not Subscription rates return to me empty but will accomplish what I $24 a year, Group, U.S. desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Mattson is a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran, $25 a year, Individual, U.S. Just as rain fulfills the yearning desire of a Thief River Falls, Minn. $27 a year, International 2 THE LUTHERAN AMBASSADOR sound bites When we are out of sympathy with the young, then I think our work in this world is over. —George MacDonald Accepting a personal, caring God comes first; in coming to know Him, one learns what is embodied in propositional truths. —Merton Strommen Really, a young Atheist cannot guard his faith too carefully. Dangers lie in wait for him on every side. —C.S. Lewis When I was young, I was sure of many things; now there are only two things of which I am sure: one is that I am a miserable sinner; and the other, that Christ is an all-sufficient Savior. He is well-taught who learns these two lessons. —John Newton It’s not about being perfect. We will always be on a journey of growing closer to God. —Tim Tebow September 2021 3 There is restoration on the other side of this. God wants to restore things in you, around you, and through you. ~Eric Samuel Timm By Ruth Gunderson Perspective & Pruning It was only one night. One-hundred and nine minutes, to be exact. But those minutes were full of Word- fueled, gospel-centered, and hope-restoring promises for a generation of teens who have lost many of the touchstone life events they grew up expecting to experience—graduations, family reunions, sporting events, and camps. Granted, one night—one measly hour and 49 minutes—cannot make up for the pandemic-fueled losses of the last 19 months. But perhaps the gospel- centered, Word-driven message that night would remind them of the One who knew these months would come and promised to walk with them through the losses. And, even more, promised to use these losses to restore them to a right relationship with Him. at the 2015 FLY Convention reactions of the remnant of That one night was held July 7, in the middle of (Identity), brought his Israel as they celebrated the the previously planned 2021 FLY Convention—now characteristic humor and foundation of the new temple. postponed to 2023. The free event, open in person to easy rapport with teens as he “Some people were high school juniors and seniors, was livestreamed to equated the pandemic to a cheering, and some people were youth groups around the country. It featured many childhood experience with a tearing,” said Timm. “You’ve got of the aspects of the FLY Conventions that students shark, a moment he vividly these two perspectives of the love—live worship music, a student testimony, and remembers every time he gets same event.” an engaging message. But instead of the lofty heights into the water. To illustrate how of the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo., “Metaphorically, this has paramount perspective is students gathered on the campus of the Free Lutheran been that shark moment,” said to restoration, Timm used a Bible College in Plymouth, Minn., approximate Timm, who then encouraged formula: E [event] + R [reaction] elevation 955 feet above sea level. And instead of 1,100 students, “There is restoration + F [faithfulness of God] = O students jammed into the Longhouse, a smattering on the other side of this. God [outcome]. Since you cannot of some 30 teens were well spaced in the chapel’s wants to restore things in you, control the event, and as God is cushioned chairs. around you, and through you.” always faithful, the only element There was a lot that was different about FLY One- But there are two factors in the formula that can change Night. But one thing didn’t change: God was there, necessary for restoration, he is your reaction. as He always is. And it was His enduring faithfulness said: perspective and pruning. “How you respond to which was the theme of the night, as speaker and artist Timm launched into his talk the event will determine the Eric Samuel Timm challenged teens to consider how by illuminating three Scripture outcome of that event,” Timm God is using this moment to restore His creation. passages. The first, Ezra 3:10- explained. “So, what are you Timm, who was a featured artist and speaker 13, recounted the disparate going to do on the other side 4 THE LUTHERAN AMBASSADOR OPPOSITE PAGE: Teens had a chance to chat with Eric Samuel Timm after the livestream event. Daniel Keinanen talks with Zofeyah Unverzagt, who gave her testimony during the event. E + R + F = O Event + Reaction + Faithfulness of God = Outcome of this event that God has been faithful through? You get to decide. We all get to decide.” the necessity of recognizing the John 15:1-6. “It’s not your job to been trimming with, it’s not a He challenged students to weirdness of the season we are produce the fruit. It’s your job hedge clipper, either. There have react in gratefulness to God, in, to, in effect, “interpret the to stay connected to the vine. been these moments where I who has provided the many present time.” And God will produce the fruit think God has really been using resources they enjoy: food, “We are meant to be in through you.” the chainsaw on us.” family, friends, home, and even relationship,” he said, noting How God prunes often But after the pruning, their very breath. how teens have had to live depends on what needs to be growth happens. Timm turned “To choose to be grateful much of the last 19 months cut away. To illustrate, Timm to his canvas and painted a tree is to choose the path of great separated from friends and used a student volunteer to hold stump.