Dear Fellow Children of God,
Sometimes, the best wisdom comes from the mouths of
babes.
Life can get complicated, really complicated. It would be wonderful to find a simple
solution to life’s complex problems.
This reminds me of a fishing trip last February with my grandson, Henry.
Henry and I went ice fishing at Long Lake at mile 85 on
the Glenn Highway on a Monday afternoon in February. It was a cold and windy day, so Henry stayed
in the truck while I started the fish to biting. We did not stay long, but we caught
fish. (You can look at the pictures.)
As we drove home I was pointing out animals and land
marks. “That’s King Mountain, Henry,” I
told him as we passed the large tent looking mountain across the river to the
left of where we drove.
The thought patterns of a 3 year old can be mysterious. Henry’s response went something like
this. “Poppy, do you see that
mountain. We could take our sleds up
there and slide down. Do you see
where? Or, if we can’t go there, the
mountain next to it would work. We can
ask King.”
“We can ask King.”
After all, it was King Mountain. I sort of understand his logic there. And, the solution is very simple. If the mountain belongs to King, as Henry
thought, we just ask him. Surely he
would listen and help us out, as any reasonable person would. That was Henry’s logic at least.
There is a simple wisdom to Henry’s logic. If I have a question of someone, just ask
them. Such a solution is simple, direct,
and assumes the best of the other person.
It’s such a simple solution! How
many times do we become distraught because we have trouble going to someone
else with our questions or concerns?
Perhaps our thought or request might seem to be pushing the envelope.
Maybe we are asking more than might be comfortable for the other person. Or perhaps our question might be considered
criticism. So, we hesitate in our
communication. But, the first simple
solution is, “We can ask King.”
Actually, God tells us the same thing that Henry assumes about
our relationship and conversations with Him and others. Listen to these verses that follow.
Psalm 50: 15 “and call upon me in the day of trouble; I
will deliver you, and you will honor me." That’s pretty simple. If we have trouble, call on or ask God!
Matthew 7:7, 11 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and
you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. . . 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know
how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in
heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Again, God calls us to simply ask
Him, about anything. God will answer as
a loving father.
Matthew 18: 15 "If your brother sins against you, go
and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.” Before
talking about someone, I go and talk to
that person. That’s pretty simple.
John 16: 23 b,
33 I tell you the truth, my Father will
give you whatever you ask in my name. . . 33 "I have told you
these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have
trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." The world is full of trouble. We can go
to the Father in Jesus’ name. He has overcome the world and its sin when
He died on the cross and rose again! He
will listen and answer.
I confess to worry at times. I do worry about personal issues and I do
worry about church issues and I do worry about people issues. Jesus is saying that He has some simple solutions
for our complicated worries. When we
talk directly to God and to others as our first line of communication we often
do away with life’s complexities before they happen. You see, God wants what is best for His
people. God wants His people to live
together in love. And, Our Heavenly
Father answers prayer.
A Child of
God, Trying to Live in the Simple Wisdom of God,
Pastor Jonathan
P.P. S. These recent
fishing pictures have had additions in the last week. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/FishingSummer2015
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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.
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