In this deeply personal episode of Live IT Today, Greg and Stephanie Schlueter share the extraordinary graces of returning to Greg’s “homeland”: Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and his fortieth Lourdes Academy class reunion.
It is a journey through familiar streets, old homes, Washington Avenue, Menominee Park, Lake Winnebago, the parish and school that formed him, and friendships that had somehow remained alive beneath four decades of distance. But this is not merely a nostalgic look backward. It is an invitation to recognize that our roots matter—however joyful, awkward, complicated, painful, or unfinished they may be.
Because we are not isolated individuals. We belong to a people. And when we reconnect with the people and places that formed us, God can reveal a deeper truth about who we are, who they are, and the life still waiting to be lived between us.
In this episode:
Greg’s return to Oshkosh with Stephanie—and the unexpected gift of seeing his childhood world, lifelong friends, and parents’ impact through her eyes.
The beauty of rediscovering old friendships in real presence: not merely names, photographs, stories, or voices on a phone, but people encountered again face-to-face, heart-to-heart.
Why our roots matter: classmates, family, neighborhoods, schools, churches, memories, joys, regrets, wounds, and all the imperfect places from which our lives have grown.
Why reconciliation so often begins when one person is willing to cross the bridge first—and why we should not wait for a funeral to do what love can do today.
The deeper meaning of Holy Communion: Christ gathers a people, gives us His broken Body, redeems our wounds, and forms us into the holy community we were made to become.
Superpower #1: See yourself through God’s eyes. Refuse to let old shame, failures, embarrassing memories, labels, or the world’s expectations define who you are.
Superpower #2: See others through God’s eyes. Refuse to keep classmates, parents, siblings, friends, or difficult people trapped in the narrow box formed by one moment of their story.
Superpower #3: Love actively. Move beyond passive goodwill to send the text, make the call, ask the deeper question, pray, encourage, and tend to another person’s heart.
Superpower #4: Show up. Be present at the reunion, holiday, funeral, hospital bed, difficult conversation, for the aging parent, estranged sibling, struggling child, or friend you have not seen in years.
This is an episode about the gold hidden in our history. It is about the God who has been present through every chapter—through the foolishness and joy, the wounds and losses, the friendships and separations—and who may still be calling us home to one another.
That’s the IT.
More than a program, we invite you to be united with us through the Live IT Today daily reflection, where thousands begin each day listening for the Father’s voice and learning to Live IT in their marriages, families, and daily decisions. If this episode strengthens you, please like, share, and subscribe—and consider becoming a paid subscriber at $5/month or $50/year to help us bring God’s voice to more souls.
Please take a moment and read this short note.
Hear His voice. Live IT.
WELCOME TO ROCK OF SAGES
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🐽The Magnificent Piglets of Pigletsville—our present-day plight wrapped in a fairytale, accurately foretelling in detail the most consequential events that have unfolded in recent years.
🎠 Ride of a Lifetime—a captivating children’s book set in an amusement park, honoring parents and grandparents who paved our rides on earth and into eternity. Listen to the story set to beautiful illustrations and the soundtrack.
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👑Help us share the story of Slaying Giants—learn more at SlayingGiants.us
