Dear Fellow Children of God,
In the last two weeks two of my grandchildren have started
school for the first time in kindergarten.
Josh’s daughter, Emma, began attending kindergarten at Sutton Elementary
on August 14. Andy’s son, Jackson, started
kindergarten this past Wednesday at Birchwood Elementary. We are all excited for this big step in life
for Emma and Jackson. But school is more
than just a new adventure. Starting
school is an entry into much a bigger world around us.
Jackson and Emma know they will be studying about letters
and numbers and colors. They don’t know they
are also entering the world of discussions about student funding, and “No Child
Left Behind,” anxious thoughts and feelings over “Common Core” curriculum, and much more. That is a big arena for a 5 year old!
So, I prayed for Jackson and Emma, AND I prayed for their
teachers.
Do you remember when teachers were respected? When I got in trouble in school as a child, and
it happened often, I would get more punishment at home than I did at
school. My parents trusted and respected
my teachers. From what I read today, when
teachers discipline students, so that everyone can learn more about reading and
writing and math, teachers are often challenged by parents.
And teachers are being asked to do more than to just teach
academics. More and more teachers in
schools are being asked to provide values and nurture that sometimes children
are not receiving otherwise. Most
teachers I know care about children and want to help children grow into
maturity toward adulthood. But, while
teachers are being asked to do more, there are things teachers now cannot do,
and teachers often receive less respect for the job that they do. Maybe you understand why I prayed for Jackson
and Emma’s teachers.
Yet, teachers are not the only ones whose jobs have
become more difficult in our country. Law
enforcement officers do not receive the same respect I remember from days
past. Doctors and health care
professionals are often questioned. And,
imagine being a Christian and trying to serve as an elected official! I know some people who say it is impossible
to live one’s Christian faith and to serve in office. But personally I am thankful for Christian
people who struggle with the political system in order to bring honor and
values to our society.
Jesus knew about the struggles of His disciples to live
in this world. He talked to our Father
in heaven about such struggles. On the
night before He died Jesus prayed with his disciples and John recorded this
prayer. In part of Jesus’ prayer He asks
His Father, “15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you
protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not
of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:15-17)
Many have taken the
words of Jesus’ prayer to describe the struggle Christians face. We are “in the world, but not of the world.” In other words, instead of serving just
ourselves using the values of the world around us, Christians are called to
serve God and others, following God’s guidance and trusting His help.
As Jackson and Emma
enter this larger world they do have help.
They have help from their Creator, and they have help from the one who
loved them and died for them. As
teachers and policeman and lawmakers and all who might be God’s children seek
to serve the Lord in our sinful world they need help too. That is why I prayed for Emma, and I prayed
for Jackson, and why I also prayed for their teachers. After all, that is what Jesus did for His
disciples.
A Child of God, Praying for my grandchildren, and their
Teachers,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Here are some
more pictures
Summer Baptisms (3 sets of August baptisms) - https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6053417072012804385?banner=pwa
Fishing
·
Silver salmon fishing this summer with 2 new
pictures at the end. https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6042629097376762289?banner=pwa
·
First fish caught by Jackson and Kendall, and
first fish caught fly fishing by William Nakajo (Noel Woods’ grandson), https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6050530304028568641?banner=pwa
****
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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