--- title: "Blog" slug: Reflections date: author: "" original_url: https://www.lutheranindianministries.org/reflections/category/Reflections section: reflections images: ["images/145e7fa5-stock-prayer-hands-touching.jpg", "images/95b7e455-stock-fireman-carrying-girl.jpg", "images/c5411f39-auth-cree-fancy-dancer.jpg", "images/baa75669-auth-girls-holding-hands.jpg", "images/45258466-place-tipi-sunrise.jpg", "images/94dc3ec3-stock-prayer-woman.jpg", "images/472a5b7b-stock-sunset-cross.jpg", "images/e5e9a097-auth-woman-river-2.jpg", "images/f505fa90-auth-girl-on-tree-3.jpg", "images/cf38e668-thumb-bev-intro.jpg", "images/c746cea0-sherri-1-thumb.jpg", "images/a1c9bf22-bev-2-thumb.jpg", "images/5cfead28-bev-3-thumb.jpg", "images/6a2c2615-bev-4-thumb.jpg", "images/04817a70-bev-5-thumb.jpg", "images/32c9499f-katherine-gottlieb-his-hands-upon-me-thumb.jpg", "images/f9b0be46-blog-copper-center-blog-image-0.jpeg", "images/24167cf0-pastor-tony-hero-wide-trees.jpg", "images/8a1ae50b-ChatGPT_Image_Feb_2__2026__04_36_46_PM.jpg", "images/5b9644f3-pastor-tony-5th-graders-question-hero-wide.jpg"] --- # Stories of Reflection, Restoration and Renewal [![A 5th Grader's Big Question](images/5b9644f3-pastor-tony-5th-graders-question-hero-wide.jpg)](/reflections/gods-kindness-re65y) [Pastor Tony](/reflections/category/Pastor+Tony) Gary Ricke 2/16/26 [Pastor Tony](/reflections/category/Pastor+Tony) Gary Ricke 2/16/26 # [A 5th Grader's Big Question](/reflections/gods-kindness-re65y) Pastor Tony visits a fifth-grade class to address the difficult question of why Satan still causes chaos despite Christ's victory on the cross, explaining that while Jesus definitively won the war, a defeated Satan "still rages" and tries to recruit followers on earth before his final ultimate defeat. [Read More](/reflections/gods-kindness-re65y) [![God’s Kindness in the Dead-Still Season](images/8a1ae50b-ChatGPT_Image_Feb_2__2026__04_36_46_PM.jpg)](/reflections/gods-kindness) [Pastor Tony](/reflections/category/Pastor+Tony) Gary Ricke 2/2/26 [Pastor Tony](/reflections/category/Pastor+Tony) Gary Ricke 2/2/26 # [God’s Kindness in the Dead-Still Season](/reflections/gods-kindness) Even when your faith feels “dead still,” God’s perfect plan—relationship grounded in grace—holds firm, and His kindness (remembered especially through baptism) gently leads you to turn back toward His warmth. [Read More](/reflections/gods-kindness) [![Living in God's Perfect Plan: A Message from the Trees](images/24167cf0-pastor-tony-hero-wide-trees.jpg)](/reflections/a-message-from-the-trees) [Pastor Tony](/reflections/category/Pastor+Tony) Gary Ricke 1/13/26 [Pastor Tony](/reflections/category/Pastor+Tony) Gary Ricke 1/13/26 # [Living in God's Perfect Plan: A Message from the Trees](/reflections/a-message-from-the-trees) Pastor Tony reflects on a profound question about God's will, using the simple metaphor of trees in a forest to reveal that living in God's perfect plan isn't about what we do, but about who we are as His children. [Read More](/reflections/a-message-from-the-trees) [![Community Healing Through Scripture: A Journey in Copper Center, Alaska](images/f9b0be46-blog-copper-center-blog-image-0.jpeg)](/reflections/community-healing-through-scripture-a-journey-in-copper-center) Gary Ricke 3/25/24 Gary Ricke 3/25/24 # [Community Healing Through Scripture: A Journey in Copper Center, Alaska](/reflections/community-healing-through-scripture-a-journey-in-copper-center) Discover the journey from darkness to healing as Copper Center residents embrace trauma recovery through fellowship and faith. [Read More](/reflections/community-healing-through-scripture-a-journey-in-copper-center) [![Event: Katherine Gottlieb: “His Hands Upon Me”](images/32c9499f-katherine-gottlieb-his-hands-upon-me-thumb.jpg)](/reflections/katherine-gottlieb-his-hands-upon-me) Gary Ricke 9/5/23 Gary Ricke 9/5/23 # [Event: Katherine Gottlieb: “His Hands Upon Me”](/reflections/katherine-gottlieb-his-hands-upon-me) You are invited to a presentation by Katherine Gottlieb, who will share her life story of overcoming abuse and adversity, as told in her book "The True Story of an Alaska Native and Her Fight to End Abuse: His Hands Upon Me," focusing on the role of faith, healing, and resilience; the event is open to those aged 18 and older. [Read More](/reflections/katherine-gottlieb-his-hands-upon-me) [![Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed: Sheri's Path to Healing and Transformation](images/c746cea0-sherri-1-thumb.jpg)](/reflections/sheri) Gary Ricke 7/12/23 Gary Ricke 7/12/23 # [Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed: Sheri's Path to Healing and Transformation](/reflections/sheri) [Read More](/reflections/sheri) [![HOW TO START A JOURNEY TOWARDS RECOVERY](images/04817a70-bev-5-thumb.jpg)](/reflections/how-to-start-a-journey-towards-recovery) Robert Heffle · Lutheran Indian Ministries 1/23/23 Robert Heffle · Lutheran Indian Ministries 1/23/23 # [HOW TO START A JOURNEY TOWARDS RECOVERY](/reflections/bev#part-5:-how-to-start-a-journey-towards-recovery) Discover Bev's inspiring journey towards recovery and the transformative power of surrounding yourself with supportive and understanding individuals who have experienced similar challenges - watch this video and be inspired to embark on your own path of healing and growth. [Read More](/reflections/bev#part-5:-how-to-start-a-journey-towards-recovery) [![ALL MY 28 YEARS OF BEING A DRUNK, I NEVER STOPPED PRAYING](images/6a2c2615-bev-4-thumb.jpg)](/reflections/all-my-28-years-of-being-a-drunk-i-never-stopped-praying) Robert Heffle · Lutheran Indian Ministries 1/16/23 Robert Heffle · Lutheran Indian Ministries 1/16/23 # [ALL MY 28 YEARS OF BEING A DRUNK, I NEVER STOPPED PRAYING](/reflections/bev#part-4:-all-my-28-years-of-being-a-drunk,-i-never-stopped-praying) Watch this inspiring video and hear Bev's powerful testimony of never giving up on prayer, even during 28 years of addiction, as she shares her journey with Christ, offering words of encouragement and hope for anyone who may have strayed from church or is a new Christian. [Read More](/reflections/bev#part-4:-all-my-28-years-of-being-a-drunk,-i-never-stopped-praying) [![HOW GOD, MORE THAN TREATMENT HELPED ME AS AN ALCOHOLIC](images/5cfead28-bev-3-thumb.jpg)](/reflections/how-god-more-than-treatment-helped-me-as-an-alcoholic) Gary Ricke 1/9/23 Gary Ricke 1/9/23 # [HOW GOD, MORE THAN TREATMENT HELPED ME AS AN ALCOHOLIC](/reflections/bev#part-3:-how-god,-more-than-treatment-helped-me-as-an-alcoholic) Watch how divine intervention can bring healing and liberation beyond the limitations of treatment alone. [Read More](/reflections/bev#part-3:-how-god,-more-than-treatment-helped-me-as-an-alcoholic) [![What You Can Do if You Feel You Don’t Have Value](images/a1c9bf22-bev-2-thumb.jpg)](/reflections/what-you-can-do-if-you-feel-you-dont-have-value) Gary Ricke 1/2/23 Gary Ricke 1/2/23 # [What You Can Do if You Feel You Don’t Have Value](/reflections/bev#part-2:-what-you-can-do-if-you-feel-you-don’t-have-value.) Watch to learn how Bev overcomes self-doubt and rediscovers her value by connecting with her spiritual identity through scripture and the experiences of seasoned believers. [Read More](/reflections/bev#part-2:-what-you-can-do-if-you-feel-you-don’t-have-value.) [![Discovering My True Identity in Christ: A Journey of Recovery and Personal Growth](images/cf38e668-thumb-bev-intro.jpg)](/reflections/bev) Gary Ricke 12/26/22 Gary Ricke 12/26/22 # [Discovering My True Identity in Christ: A Journey of Recovery and Personal Growth](/reflections/bev) If you knew me in my drinking days, I apologize. [Read More](/reflections/bev) [![Baptism: Special Delivery](images/e5e9a097-auth-woman-river-2.jpg)](/reflections/baptism-special-delivery) Pastor Ricky Jacob 4/25/22 Pastor Ricky Jacob 4/25/22 # [Baptism: Special Delivery](/reflections/baptism-special-delivery) Have you ever received something via special delivery? [Read More](/reflections/baptism-special-delivery) [![I Know My Redeemer Lives](images/472a5b7b-stock-sunset-cross.jpg)](/reflections/redeemer) [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Pastor Ricky Jacob 4/25/22 [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Pastor Ricky Jacob 4/25/22 # [I Know My Redeemer Lives](/reflections/redeemer) Even in the most difficult of days, we can find relief and hope in these comforting words as we trust in our Redeemer to see us through [Read More](/reflections/redeemer) [![The Power of Prayer](images/94dc3ec3-stock-prayer-woman.jpg)](/reflections/the-power-of-prayer) [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Pastor Ricky Jacob 4/25/22 [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Pastor Ricky Jacob 4/25/22 # [The Power of Prayer](/reflections/the-power-of-prayer) If someone wants to describe adequately the usefulness of pious, earnest prayer, he will, in my opinion, surely find a beginning more easily than a conclusion. [Read More](/reflections/the-power-of-prayer) [![Spiritual Guidelines](images/45258466-place-tipi-sunrise.jpg)](/reflections/spiritual-guidelines) [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Pastor Ricky Jacob 4/25/22 [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Pastor Ricky Jacob 4/25/22 # [Spiritual Guidelines](/reflections/spiritual-guidelines) Today I would like you to reflect on what you will teach your family when it comes to spiritual guidelines. [Read More](/reflections/spiritual-guidelines) [![Oh God, Our Hope](images/baa75669-auth-girls-holding-hands.jpg)](/reflections/our-god-our-hope) [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Gary Ricke 4/18/22 [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Gary Ricke 4/18/22 # [Oh God, Our Hope](/reflections/our-god-our-hope) If you’ve never read Chan or heard him speak, be prepared. He has a way of laying it all on the line. He attacks hard truths that will really make you think and reflect. Here, he explores the mysteries of God’s love for us. [Read More](/reflections/our-god-our-hope) [![It's Time for Dangerous Prayers](images/145e7fa5-stock-prayer-hands-touching.jpg)](/reflections/its-time-for-dangerous-prayers) [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Gary Ricke 4/17/22 [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Gary Ricke 4/17/22 # [It's Time for Dangerous Prayers](/reflections/its-time-for-dangerous-prayers) Why your prayers need to be dangerous. [Read More](/reflections/its-time-for-dangerous-prayers) [![Living By Faith: Heroes](images/95b7e455-stock-fireman-carrying-girl.jpg)](/reflections/living-by-faith-heros) [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Guest User 4/16/22 [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Guest User 4/16/22 # [Living By Faith: Heroes](/reflections/living-by-faith-heros) When I was in 5th grade, we came across a house with smoke coming from the windows. I clearly remember my dad, without hesitation, turning to all the boys in the car and ordering us to stay as he left. Because of his bravery and selflessness, everyone made it out of the house. [Read More](/reflections/living-by-faith-heros) [![The Making of Spiritual Warrior](images/c5411f39-auth-cree-fancy-dancer.jpg)](/reflections/making-of-a-spiritual-warrior) [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Pastor Ricky Jacob 4/15/22 [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Pastor Ricky Jacob 4/15/22 # [The Making of Spiritual Warrior](/reflections/making-of-a-spiritual-warrior) Today's focus is on 'The Making of a Spiritual Warrior.' The training to make someone into a Spiritual Warrior is not a one-time event, nor is it a program to be completed. It is a cyclical ongoing and lifelong endeavor. [Read More](/reflections/making-of-a-spiritual-warrior) [![What is hope?](images/f505fa90-auth-girl-on-tree-3.jpg)](/reflections/what-is-hope) [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Gary Ricke 4/14/22 [Reflections](/reflections/category/Reflections) Gary Ricke 4/14/22 # [What is hope?](/reflections/what-is-hope) Many of our Native brothers and sisters live without the hope. This lack of hope covers them with a darkness that infiltrates their whole life. [Read More](/reflections/what-is-hope) [Older Posts](/reflections?offset=1649949180336)