Sharing What's Really Important

Friday, December 13, 2013

Faith Like Mary's

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Do you own a GPS (global positioning system device)? I have a GPS application on my phone and it has helped me a number of times find my way to the homes of people I have not previously visited. But I guess my GPS application is an old model. I am told there are now GPS devices that will warn you of traffic problems and re-route you so that you miss the problems. I don’t have one of those.

How would you like to have a GPS for life that would help you navigate around life’s problems and help you miss them? Many of us would probably like something that would help us miss the troubles of life. But, as I was reading in Luke 1, I found someone who purposely did just the opposite. Last week we considered Jesus’ father, Joseph. This week as I was reading about Jesus’ mother, Mary, I was again amazed by her reply to the angel Gabriel.

Gabriel appeared and told Mary she would become the mother of the promised Messiah, God’s Son, Jesus. This birth would happen miraculously and would cause challenges for Mary in her engagement, challenges in her faith, and challenges in her life. As Mary considered Gabriel’s words which promised problems, she did not look for a way out of this challenge. Her answer to Gabriel and her answer to God was, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38) As I read this conversation I hear Gabriel saying, “God is sending you a wonderful blessing, which will also come with great troubles and problems.” Mary’s reply of faith was, “May God use those troubles in my life so that I serve Him.”

Many of us trust God to bring blessings. How many of us trust God enough so that we take on trouble to serve Him? Actually, we may not realize it, but we often step forward taking on the problems of life. Any time we reach out in love for another, we are accepting their problems as well as their blessings. Anytime we commit to work for and serve God, we are not only promising to live in the love of God, we are also committing ourselves to the rejection and persecution that God’s people face as His followers. Such willingness to bring faith and love to the problems of life makes this world a better place. But, are we always willing, like Mary, to accept the pain and grief that come with such challenges?

Mary did not know all the soul piercing pain and grief that lay ahead. But Mary trusted the Lord who had saved Israel through the Exodus. She trusted God who had promised the Messiah. Mary trusted the Shepherd of Israel who sent Gabriel to her with this message. And trusting God, Mary accepted the challenges and troubles of serving God as the mother of Jesus.

I pray for faith like that of Mary. And, I pray that as you marvel with me again this Christmas, I pray that as the love of God and the faith of Mary touch your heart, I pray that you grow in your trust for the Lord who loves us. After all, He came to take our troubles and our sin on Himself.

A Child of God, Praying for Faith Like Mary’s

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Our choir director, Sara Guhl, has tried over the years to teach me some things about Christian music. One song Sara taught me about 10 or 15 years ago has become one of my favorite Christmas Carols. Here is a link to the Christina Rosetti poem and carol, “In the Bleak Midwinter.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRobryliBLQ

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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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Saturday, December 7, 2013

"Joseph"

Dear Fellow Children of God,

What are your worries right now? Is there something that keeps you awake at night? Is there a hurt that causes your heart to ache? Does the future hold problems for which you don’t have solutions? Is peace more a hope than a reality?

The stores say we are in the Christmas season. During Christmas it seems everyone remembers the promise of the angels, “peace on earth.” We may hope for peace, but too often the regular problems of life only become even more worrisome with the high expectations and the frantic schedules of the Christmas season.

I have heard people long for the peace of that first Christmas. They think about a young married couple, and shepherds in the fields, and a baby born in a stable. Today that story seems peaceful. The Christmas carol even sings of heavenly peace. We wish or hope that this Christmas might bring us the peace of a trouble free life. Sometimes when work stops and family gathers and worship points us to Jesus we do experience a time of respite from our problems.

But, please think with me again about Joseph. That first Christmas was not trouble free for him. Even though Joseph was getting married, life was not necessarily all anticipation and joy. Instead Joseph’s world was full of problems bigger than Joseph himself. Matthew 1:18 says, “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”

The people of Joseph’s day took God’s plan for sex and marriage seriously, even though the people couldn’t always live according to God’s standards. For Mary to be pregnant before she and Joseph were married was a public disgrace. Joseph tried to deal with this situation in an honorable way, but no matter what he did the results were less than what Joseph had hoped and planned for his family. Imagine trying to explain to others that the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. But sending Mary away meant there would be no marriage and no family.

That first Christmas was not trouble free for Joseph, but actually added more problems to the troubles he already struggled with. In fact, even the birth of Jesus did not solve all of Joseph’s problems either. But, Jesus’ birth did help. And Jesus’ birth did bring promise and hope.

You see, the child Mary bore was Jesus, the Son of God. Matthew 1:21 tells us that an angel told Joseph about this child, “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." You see, the child born to Mary was God who came to live in this world and take the sin and troubles of this world on Himself. Joseph may face danger and trouble, but God cared enough to share those problems in Jesus. Joseph may have struggled with life’s disappointments throughout his days on this earth, but Jesus, the son of Mary and the Son of God was not only born in a stable, but He also died and rose to win eternal life in heaven and final peace for Joseph, and for all who believe in Him.

Do you long for peace this Christmas? Do you hope for help with your worries, aches, and pains? Come to Jesus. He came to this world to take your pain and your sin on Himself. He has won eternal life in heaven for you when life here is over. Jesus came to save people from their sins, and their troubles. When we receive the gift of Jesus again this Christmas, God brings peace even in the midst of our worries, troubles, and disappointments.

A Child of God, waiting with Joseph, for Jesus!

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. One way to receive God’s Son and His peace this Christmas is in worship. We have many special worship opportunities offered along with our regular Sunday and Wednesday worship. Please look below to see some of the special worship and service opportunities available this holiday.

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Saturday, November 30, 2013

"Thankful for God's Presence NOW"

Dear Fellow Children of God,

A number of years ago I was golfing. (It is fun to think about golf with snow on the ground and temperature below zero.) One of those golfing with us was not part of our regular group. This man hit a bad shot and some “colorful” language filled the air. But, then the man remembered hearing that I am a pastor. He looked at me and apologized, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that with a pastor around.” I accepted his apology, but thought about the implications of what he had said. I thought to myself, “So, if I wasn’t around is that language acceptable then?”

God has given us His law, His commandments, guidelines for his children to follow as they live. However, God does not intend for His people to keep His commandments only when they are in a church building or in a worship service, or only when they are in the presence of a pastor or other Christians. God’s law is good and healthy for us at all times. He wants us to live for Him in all we do, all the time.

You see, it’s not like that golf game, where the pastor may be there one day, but he might not present for the following day. There is never a time that God is not with us. Jesus told His disciples that “wherever two or three are gathered in His name, there I am in your midst.” (Matthew 18:20) As He prepared to leave this world physically, Jesus told His disciples, “Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) Jesus is always with us!

God comes to us through His Word and through the Sacraments. God comes to us by His Spirit, come to us in Jesus who is “Immanuel,” “God with us.” God is present in the people around us.

So, if we watch our language at the times when we are with the pastor, how do we watch our behavior during the time that God himself is with us? Remember, God is present all the time!

I talk about God’s presence because this Sunday is the beginning of the season of Advent. Advent means coming. Advent prepares us for God’s coming in our lives. The season of Advent helps us prepare to celebrate God coming to this world as a man that first Christmas to be our Savior. Advent also reminds us that Jesus will come again on the last day as Lord and King and Judge of all. But Advent doesn’t just remind us that God did come, or that He will come. Advent reminds us that God comes to us and is with us every day.

That is why as John the Baptist prepared people for the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, the Son of God and the Messiah, we are told. 1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"

Think of it. How would you live if you knew God was here watching? But, God is here, and He is watching. John called for repentance. I’m sure all of us have more sin to be sorry for and more sin to turn from than just a few colorful words. In each of our lives there is pride in which we put ourselves ahead of God, and selfishness in which we put ourselves ahead of others. Yes, repentance is a good way to prepare for the coming of the Lord. And, now is a good time for that repentance since God is with us right now.

But, God’s presence is not just like having a policeman around. God comes as the Good Shepherd and as our Savior. Jesus is with us always to love us, and care for us, and protect us, and to forgive us.

This Sunday begins the season of Advent. We prepare for Jesus to come to us, but we also remember and rejoice that Jesus has come and is with us right now. Now that you remember and know that Jesus is with us, how does that change and bless your life this Advent (and Christmas) season?

A Child of God, Thankful that God is with me, right now,

Pastor Jonathan

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Saturday, November 23, 2013

A Prayer for Repentance by our Country

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Do you remember where you were on Friday, November 22, 1963? Fifty years ago President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed as he rode through Dallas in an open limousine. The event still sends shock waves through our country today, and causes people to remember and wonder.

Obviously, many today were not alive and don’t remember this event. I do. I was sitting in my 5^th grade class at Maple Street School in Easthampton, MA. The principal came into our classroom and told us that something had happened to the president. Her facts were wrong when we first heard about this tragedy, but we slowly learned the sad truth. In fact, I spent that weekend with my uncle and aunt. All weekend we watched their black and white TV, learning about the shooting of the president and all the news surrounding the event.

Perhaps because of the 50 year anniversary of this event I have found myself thinking even more this year than in previous years about this tragedy that continues to shape our country. But others also paid more attention. I’ve noticed the news article and seen the schedule of TV shows that point back to the assassination. Someone asked me, “Do you think Oswald acted alone?” But, the question is not just “Who killed the president? The question that seems to continue to be unanswered is, “Why was President Kennedy killed?” Have we learned from the death of our President and changed as a nation? Or do the same issues which led to Kennedy’s assassination threaten more violence today?

As I had the Kennedy assassination on my mind I happened to read Psalm 105 and Psalm 106 in my devotions. I’m not sure I ever quite caught the unique nature of these Psalms. They are prayers that confess the sins of the Israelite nation and ask for and hope in God’s mercy and deliverance. At the beginning of this Psalm the people confess, “We have sinned, even as our fathers did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly.” (Psalm 106:6) Then after many verses which recount the many ways the people of God had rebelled against Him, near the very end of the Psalm the people turn to the mercy and love of God with hearts of repentance. “44 But he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; 45 for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. 46 He caused them to be pitied by all who held them captive. 47 Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.” (Psalm 106:44-47)

As I look back on the violent death of our president in 1963, I confess that I have greater concern for our country today. I often pray for our leaders. But, today I pray more for repentance by the people of our nation. I have come to believe that decisions by our leaders that seem to lead us in ungodly or unwise ways are often instances when the leaders are following the desires of the people. When I pray for repentance for our people, I am not just praying for recognition of our rebellion, and that God’s ways are the best and healthiest ways to live. Repentance also recognizes the call of God to His mercy and love, especially as that is shown in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The people of Israel remembered their rebellion and turned to God in repentance. I pray the same for the people of our country today as I remember the assassination of President Kennedy 50 years ago.

A Child of God, Praying for Repentance in the Hearts of our Nation’s People,

Pastor Jonathan

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Saturday, November 16, 2013

Seeking to SHOW Thanks for the Lord's Many Blessings

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Last Spring I had a pleasant surprise. My daughter, Mary, was teaching in Chevak and had the responsibility of leading the cultural exchange program for the students from the Chevak school. I was pleased when she asked me, “Dad, will you take the group ice fishing?” So, I got to lead the Chevak Middle School students and some students from Begich Middle School on a fishing trip to a local lake with my daughter along. I believe there were 11 students who spent that crisp March day seeking to land a fish. Some of the students actually caught fish, though not all of them.

Now, I expected that this outdoor winter fishing opportunity was not a new experience for these native Alaskan youth. But Mary’s students, and the student from Begich, really seemed excited and to really seemed enjoy their time fishing. They concentrated on the task at hand, and rejoiced with one another when the fish were caught.

My surprise occurred at the end of the day when one of the students came up to me and said, “Mr. Rockey, thank you for taking us fishing.” I’m not sure why, but I didn’t expect these heart-felt words. About two weeks later I also received a thank you card in the mail signed by all the students from Chevak. Perhaps my daughter arranged the card. But, the words from the mouth of that middle school boy came from his heart.

I have been focusing on thankfulness for the last few weeks, on making sure to have a grateful heart in response to the love of God. In worship we have been listing blessings. Personally, I have spent a little more time on my “Gratitude Journal” during my morning devotions. But, it is one thing to have a grateful heart and it is another to show that thankfulness.

In the Psalms we are told, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:1) Hopefully, we don’t just realize the undeserved, enduring love of God who has given us life and saved us from our sin. Hopefully, like the young man from Chevak, we also show heartfelt gratitude to God in our words and in our actions.

As I write this devotion I know that I often miss saying “thank you” to God and to His people. There are so many blessings in our lives, in my life, that even if I say thank you for some of the love and help I receive, I often still miss other opportunities to express thanks. Please forgive me if I have neglected to say thanks to you.

Every day God blesses us with life, with care, with forgiveness, and with His promises. Every day God’s people bless each of us as their gratitude spills over in lives of faith. Thank you, Lord, because You are good and Your love endures forever. Thank you, children of God, for your partnership in the Gospel which blesses my life, and the work of God’s Church.

A Child of God, Seeking to SHOW thanks for the Lord’s many blessings,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here are some pictures from that fishing trip. https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/5865772135789370257?banner=pwa

P.P.S. Tomorrow, November 17, we have an opportunity to say thanks to God, with our Stewardship Sunday and Thanksgiving Pot Luck after late worship!!

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Prayer for Grateful hearts

Dear Fellow Children of God,

November is not only the month of our national Thanksgiving observance, but during November worship services this year at St. John we are also taking personal account of God’s blessings in our lives. Our goal is that we don’t miss God’s love, but rather to grow in wonder as we see the cup of God’s blessings overflow in our lives.

Yet, how easy it is to be ungrateful, even for seemingly understandable reasons?

Maybe you’ve seen the old (1965) Jimmy Stewart movie, Shenandoah. A pivotal scene at the beginning of this movie is a prayer of thanks as the family gathers to eat. It looks like a prayer of thanks, sort of, but you judge for yourself. Stewart prayed, “Lord, we cleared this land. We plowed it, sowed it, and harvested it. We cooked the harvest. It wouldn’t be here, we wouldn’t be eating it if we hadn’t done it all ourselves. We worked dog – boned hard for every crumb and morsel. But we thank you just the same anyway, Lord. For this food we’re about to eat. Amen.”

This prayer shows a lack of real thanks. But, after this prayer the family in the movie is hit by tragedy after tragedy as the Civil War ravages the United States. Sincere thanks ultimately is found through the family tragedies.

But how often do we take God’s blessings for granted today, or forget He is the Giver of all good things?

On a personal level, I continue to be excited about my recent bison hunt. You may have been “assaulted” by my stories of the stalk and hunt. Yet, if I stop my stories by telling you that I am the one who shot the bison, then I forget or ignore all the help that made this hunt possible. St. John member Harvey Kolberg took me under his wing to teach me about this once in a lifetime hunt. The local farmers were gracious in their permission to hunt on their property. Help above and beyond any expectation was given to us by Scott Hollembaek and family. And, I received daily help and encouragement through my illness and in the hunt from friend Gerry Zellar. If I focused on my part of the hunt and forgot all that help, I would be ungrateful.

Unfortunately, thankfulness should be natural, but ungratefulness is only too common, even in the lives and hearts of people who follow Jesus. That is why Psalm 103 warns in verses 1 and 2, “1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”

Even when we make a list of list our personal blessings we can forget the undeserved grace we receive through Jesus. Our sin and rebellion deserve God’s punishment and our death. But instead God showers love, forgiveness, and eternal life freely through faith. We receive life instead of death. Our hearts should be overflowing in heartfelt thanks.

My prayer is that my heart does not take God’s blessings for granted, nor accept ungratefulness. I pray instead to sincerely rejoice in the love of God which He showers on us in Jesus.

A Child of God, Praying to remain thankful,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here is an internet copy of the movie clip of Jimmy Stewart’s prayer from Shenandoah, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzzyZ1M-kVU

P.P.S. Do you know that Dave Sutton’s dad appeared in Shenandoah?

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Saturday, November 2, 2013

"Let us run with PERSEVERANCE the race set before us"

Dear Fellow Children of God,

The biggest surprise I encountered while bison hunting the last two weeks was not from the hunt, but, surprisingly, from a local Doctor. Unfortunately, my wife, Kathy, was out of work and quite sick with bronchitis the week before I left for my bison hunt. But she was getting better when I left on Sunday afternoon, October 20 and returned to work on Monday, October 21. Thankfully, I had not been stricken with the illness myself when I left.

However, while driving to Delta Junction on Sunday afternoon I had the beginning of a cough. Then through the week this progressed into a constant cough, into aches when I moved, into a constant headache, fever and night sweats, and into ribs that hurt every time I coughed. Finally, on Thursday I relented and went to the local clinic where I met a Dr. Andreassen. I like this guy!

This interesting Christian man wanted to talk about many topics in addition to my illness. But, when he had asked some questions and listened to my chest and breathing, when he had then further examined me, he told me I had contracted what Kathy had suffered. “You’ve got bronchitis.” Actually, this was not the surprise I experienced.

So I asked him, “Now what? I’m up here for my bison hunt. My drawing started last Saturday. What does this mean for my hunt?” I expected the doctor to tell me to stop hunting, to stay indoors, to take care of myself. But this doctor gave me my biggest surprise of the week. Dr. Andreassen told me, “You can cough at home or you can cough in the field. You’ve got the medicine. I’d say, ‘Keep hunting!’” What a surprise! I didn’t expect that!!

So I did what the doctor ordered. I took my medicine, drank and ate as he told me, took the vitamins he prescribed, and continued to hunt. I gradually got better, though I did have a slight relapse on Sunday. When I went to the doctor I felt badly enough that part of me was actually hoping to be told to stop hunting. Nevertheless, I persevered in hunting.

Much of our lives as Christians is a practice in perseverance. Living as Jesus’ disciples in faith and love and obedience is not easy. We face opposition and temptations. We sin and we fail. But God calls us to continue trusting His love and forgiveness and to continue living our faith in Him and His love for all.

Actually, while we are often surprised by life’s challenges, we should not be. As Christians, as people of Christ who follow Him, we follow the Son of God who endured temptations and suffering and death in order to save us. We should not be surprised that we are called to persevere through suffering as well. The writer to the Hebrews calls Christians to perseverance in these words.

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

When life hurts we can persevere. We can keep going through the difficulty and pain, because we know that Jesus not only suffered and died for us, He rose for us. In spite of life’s trials Jesus’ victory over sin and death is ours by His grace through faith. So yes, life can be difficult and painful, but we can keep going, because through our pain and failure God is faithful. He has eternal life waiting for us.

“. . . let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

A Child of God, Learning a Lesson from My Lord,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here are some pictures from the bison hunt. THANK YOU to all who helped in this effort! https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/5940824773428718225

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