Dear Fellow Children of God,
What does 2014 have in store for us? I have seen some predictions for the coming
year. The predictions I’ve seen include
a better economy, unless there is unrest in economically sensitive areas of the
world. Then, those predicting say, we
could face more economic challenges. The
predictions I’ve seen talk about continued political struggle in the United
States during this coming election year.
But no one claims to know the outcome of this struggle. The predictions I’ve seen for 2014 suggest
there will be continuing confusion surround the new Affordable Health Care Act. But, no one really knows if there will be
more delays, surprises, and challenges.
In other words, most of those making predictions are
suggesting a time of uncertainty. No one
really knows for sure what the future holds.
We do know from our past experience that the future holds both
challenges and blessings. Actually, even
in the midst our present experiences, we don’t always understand what is
happening until we have a chance to think on what has occurred. So, how can we know about the future?
However, I can tell you something that is sure in the
coming year. In the midst of an unsure,
confusing, and changing world, God does not change. In Malachi 3:6 God’s tells us, "I
the LORD do not change.” In Hebrews 13:8 we are told, “Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday and
today and forever.”
So, when God says that He created the world with order
and wisdom, in power and love, and that He continues to watch over His
creation, that does not change. God does
continue to watch over His creation. When
God says that loves us, even as sinners, so that He sent His only Son into the
world, that sacrificial love of God does not change. When God says that Jesus cares for His people
as a shepherd cares for his sheep, and that Jesus keeps His sheep in His loving
hand in such a way that Jesus can say, “no
one can snatch them out of my hands” (John 10:28), we do remain safe in the
loving hands of our Lord, no matter what is happening in the world around us.
What does 2014 hold for us? God knows, but no one in this world is really
sure of what will happen in the coming year.
But, we do know that in the midst of this uncertain future, God is unchanging.
There is an old pithy saying, “I don’t know what the future holds, but . . . I know Who holds the
future.” May the assurance of God’s
love and presence bless you in 2014.
A Child of God, Depending on our Un-Changing Lord,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Hunter Richards and Brittany Arlow are St.
John members who grew up here in Palmer.
Both went away to school to study to be church workers. Both are serving their internship this
year. Hunter is studying to be a pastor
and serving his internship year of “vicarage” in North Canton, OH. Brittany is studying to be a Director of
Christian Education and serving her internship year in Plant City, Florida. Here is a picture of Hunter and Brittany with
Jamie and me in church at St. John this past Sunday, December 29! https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/5964778360630192865?banner=pwa
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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ - I am
sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and
friends whose e-mails I have. (I am always adding new names of friends
and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first
time.) However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me
know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if
you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me
their e-mail address.
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