Humbled in the Presence of God by the Deep Questions of Life

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,

 

Every once in a while, when reading the news on the internet, there are stories about our universe.  “NASA’s Planet Hunter has Found Star Shredding Black Hole.”  (September 25).  “Black Hole at Milky Way’s Center Behaving Strangely.”  (August 15) And, “First Ever Black Hole Image Revealed.”  (April 10, 2019)  Maybe it makes sense that these stories go over my head and simply cause me to wonder.  My education has been primarily in the area of theology, in literature, and in people issues like counseling and outreach.  So, I understand what people mean when they talk about ‘how small WE seem to be in the middle of the expansive universe around us.’  (Have you seen Louis Giglio’s video, “How Great is our God.”?)  I humbly confess my personal lack of understanding when confronted with the mysteries of the universe!

 

But, there are also events from our lives in this world which also cause me to wonder, often without answers.  The suffering faced by people in our world leaves me with questions.  I learned earlier this past week of the death of a high school classmate from pancreatic cancer.  This lady was bright and beautiful, and in high school she ‘shone like a star.’  How could this be?  But cancer and death do not discriminate.  Unfortunately, I also heard similar news about the illness of a close relative.  It is hard to make sense of the world around us.  This lack of understanding is especially true when we look at the suffering of people created by the God of love!

 

Perhaps it is understandable that my mind is considering these mysteries.  My daily readings in my devotional bible have now taken me into the book of Job.  Job was a man who, as far as humanly possible, sought to live a righteous and upright life.  He was blessed with a large family and with many possessions.  But, in a short series of events Job lost his family, he lost his worldly goods, he lost his health.  And, when Job’s friends saw his appearance, changed by his calamities, Job had then also lost his reputation.  Why would something like this happen, especially to a man of God like Job?  Actually, considering that question is the purpose of the book of Job.  This inspired book of Scripture examines the mystery: ‘Why is there evil and suffering in our world?’

 

As I read this book of Job again, I work through and consider the actions and the re-actions of Job’s friends.  Four friends come to Job with the intent of comforting him.  Throughout this book they try to explain the unexplainable, the suffering which Job faces.  Sometimes, and this humbles ME, their words have a grain of truth.  For example, Job’s friend Eliphaz, shares words encouraging Job to confess his sins.  7"Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? 8 As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it. 9 At the breath of God they are destroyed; at the blast of his anger they perish.”  (Job 4:7-9)  Yet, these words of Eliphaz, and the words of all Job’s friends, are criticized by God Himself at the end of the book for seeking to share wisdom without any real knowledge.  (Job 42:7)  Sadly, I am sure there are times when my own words have sounded like those of Job’s friends.  The best thing Job’s friends did was when they first arrived to comfort him.  “Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.”  (Job 2:13)

 

The more experienced (older) I get, and the more knowledge I gain, the more I realize how much I do not know and how much I don’t understand, especially about the working of the Lord.  Paul was led to a similar response when faced with anguish over the lack of faith by His Jewish brothers.  He wrote in Romans, “33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!  34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"  35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" (Romans 11:33-35) Paul is actually quoting Isaiah 40 and Job 41 in these verses.  The Lord and God of the universe is higher and greater than we are.  His ways are a mystery, which we will not totally understand in this world.  Therefore, Paul concludes this section of his writing by praising God! “36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.  (Romans 11:36)

 

Therefore, I am led again, in humility, to confess my own lack of knowledge when it comes to God and His ways, even after all my education.  Yet, I have learned to trust Him.  I am thankful that God’s wisdom is found in Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:24)  Jesus is “The Word made flesh” (John 1:14), “The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29), “The Bread of Life” (John 6:35), “The Good Shepherd (John 10:11), “The Way the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6).  I am thankful that in Jesus God has acted to save, not to condemn, as we certainly all deserve.  “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17) 

 

Brought to unanswered questions, and to humility in the face of God’s greater and greatest wisdom, I am led to pray with King David, “23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  (Psalm 139:23-24)  How about you?  What do you do when faced with life’s great questions?

 

A Child of God, Humbled in the Presence of God by the Deep Questions of Life,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I am learning about retirement.  I have spent time with family.  I have studied.  I have preached 4 times in 4 different congregation.  And, in Florida I have also fished and golfed.  However, my golf scores have not been good.  And, in three fishing trips I have only caught one bowfin (mudfish), which people here do not keep. 

Nevertheless, the relaxation in God’s creation is a real gift!  Here are a few fishing pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/KS83ez52hf6ntc5E7

 

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

 

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How Can I Help? PRAY!

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,

 

Last Sunday evening, as I was preparing to leave town, I dropped some books off at St. John Lutheran Church.  While there I ran into Dorothy Jacobson.  Dorothy is the sister of John Glaser.  Both Dorothy and John are friends from my days as pastor of St. John.  John was injured in a serious accident on Saturday night, suffering burns over large parts of his body.  When Dorothy and I spoke on Sunday, John was already at Harborview Hospital in Seattle in the burn unit.  I asked Dorothy about John.  Her update was about what I had previously heard, but then she replied, “I’d like to do more, but he’s in Seattle and we’re here in Alaska.”

 

I understand Dorothy’s expression of wanting to do something for John, and her frustration of not being able to help as she would like.  Actually, I share her feelings.  I was not only John’s pastor for about 25 years, but I consider him a good friend.  Yet, as former pastor, there is a way in which I want to be sensitive about my new role and not get in the way of current Intentional Interim Pastor, Craig Schultz. 

 

But, John is not the only person whose health concerns me.  There are friends at St. John struggling with cancer.  A young man whose family became friends with our family is recovering from kidney surgery he underwent in September.  One of the elderly members of St. John had a stroke last month.  And then, my brother David in Orlando has had serious health issues for about a year now.  And there are more . . . many more!

 

Dorothy was frustrated by the distance between Palmer and Seattle.  I am now in Gainesville, Florida.  So, for all of these people who concern me there is distance between us also, like the distance between Dorothy and John.  When I visited with folks who were ill or injured to pray with them, I trust that those visits brought God’s comfort.  I understand Dorothy’s frustration of not being able to help as she would like to help.  I would like to be doing more too.

 

However, in times of care and concern for others we are not powerless.  God tells us to come to Him.  “Call on me in the day of trouble.  I will deliver you and you will glorify me.”  (Psalm 50:15)  Jesus, the only-begotten Son of God, constantly encouraged God’s children to know that God is their Father, and to approach Him as their beloved Father, trusting Him for mercy.

 

7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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!”  (Matthew 7:7-11)

 

But, have you ever heard someone who is faced with one of life’s challenges sigh and say with resignation, “Well, I guess all I can do is pray.”?  Prayer is not a last ditch hope.  We are created children of the Lord and the Maker of the universe.  As Jesus said in Matthew, that Lord is our loving Father.  I am convinced that God wants us to come to Him in prayer.  I am convinced that God always hears and always answers our prayers. 

 

There are times when I don’t understand God’s answer, but I always trust His love and mercy and wisdom.  That is because even more than I trust the prayer which I utter from my own lips, I trust the Lord of the universe who answers our prayers.  Maybe I can re-state that thought in another way.  I have often seen a slogan which declares, “Prayer changes things.”  I would change that slogan to read, “GOD answers prayer.”

 

As people who are God’s children, not only because He created us, but also because He redeemed us in the life and the death and the resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ, we have even more reason to trust God.  Jesus tells us to pray in HIS name and our Father will answer.  (John 16;23)  God inspired Paul to expound on that thought.  “31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”  (Romans 8:31-32)  God gave His Son to save us from our sin.  He will be with us through the trials of this life as well.

 

I do understand Dorothy’s desire to help her brother, John, and her frustration at not being able to do more.  There are many I want to care for as well, including John, and Megan, and James, and Carol, and Judy, and David, and . . .  Guess what? These people are all on my prayer list which is in my devotional Bible.  As I write this devotion, I prayed for them this morning.  And, I trust that the Lord who sent His own Son to die for us will act with mercy and power in their lives, (In fact, if you want me to pray for you, let me know what to pray about, and I will write your name on my prayer list as well.  In fact, you might already be there!) 

 

But God’s promise is for all His children, not just me.  “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!”  How can you help those you love?  PRAY!

 

A Child of God, Trusting in the Lord of the Universe to Answer the Prayers of His Children,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Pastor Schultz and I were talking recently specifically about the situation of my being former pastor.  I do not want to get in the way, but I do still care about my friends at St. John.  You should know that Pastor Schultz gave me permission to visit any “friends” I would like to visit.  I will take that opportunity.  I did talk with Cathy Glaser by phone on Monday.  However,  . . . I am now in Florida.

 

P.P.S.  If you see our son, Tim, on Wednesday, October 9, wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 

P,P.P.S.  Here is my plan for Wednesday.  J  https://photos.app.goo.gl/9kL7pX3CocVvw6EBA

 

 

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

 

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Take Your Children to Church

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,

 

First, let me share with you my deep conviction that the most important job facing parents, including and especially fathers, is teaching their children about Jesus.  Our Lord inspired Paul to instruct the Christians in Ephesus, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”  (Ephesians 6:4)  I want to spend time in eternity WITH my children.  God gives eternal life in heaven by His grace, through faith in His Son, our Savior.  Sharing Jesus with our children is THE most important job a parent has.

 

However, I confess that my job as pastor, which called for me to shepherd others in their faith, often caused me to leave the task of teaching my children about Jesus to my wife, Kathy.  Many other families had mom AND dad to help get children to church and Sunday School.  While Kathy was getting them ready, I was already at church.  Many other parents had a mother AND a father to guide their children during worship.  But, on Sundays I was always otherwise occupied with leading the worship service.  So, Kathy got children ready for Sunday School and church alone.  Kathy tried to keep the children in line and attentive during worship . . . alone.  In many ways Kathy had to operate as a single parent on Sundays.  What a blessing to have a wife who shares my conviction that sharing Jesus with our children was our most important job!

 

So, I take Kathy’s opinion on raising children in the faith seriously.  And this week she sent me an August 6 devotion called “The Quiet Life” by Author: Megan Breeland Woodham of One Step Ministries.  With deference to Kathy, I share with you this devotion, which she shared with me.

 

Take your kids to church.  Make the effort. Wake them up early. Fool with the belts and the buckles and the fancy hair bows. Endure the sleepy, grumpy faces and the misplaced shoes. Run around like a mad woman gathering everybody’s everything and trying to get out the door on time. Hop to the car with a shoe in each hand. Give those babies a pop-tart and some milk and let ‘em eat it in the car. If its raining, get wet. If its cold, get a jacket. If you’re tired, go tired. But take those babies to church.

 

You know why? Because Jesus is there. He’s there. And He’ll meet them there. And you too, Mama.  He’ll be there in the sweet smile of their Sunday School teacher as she greets them into their room. He’ll be there in the goldfish and the apple juice and the filling of their little bellies and hearts. He’ll be there in the hug from a sweet friend and the encouraging smile that assures you that they “just barely made it” too. He’ll be there in the sacred words read from the Bible speaking truth to their little impressionable hearts. He’ll be there in the worship and the raised hands and the watery eyes and whispers of praise.

 

So take them. Carry all of their Bibles and drawings and toilet paper tube creations. Sit by them in worship. Open your Bible and open theirs. Show them how to find the scripture the pastor is preaching from. Show them how to worship. Explain to them why He’s worthy of worship. Let them see you laugh and cry and praise and study. Forgive their wiggles and paper rustles and know that they’re listening even when it seems like they aren’t. Ask them questions and answer the ones they ask you. Introduce them to Jesus. Tell them of His greatness - his power - his faithfulness. Tell them with your words and show them with your life. Tell them what he’s done for you and how you’ve been changed by His grace and forgiveness and goodness and love. Tell them how they can be too. Point them to Jesus. Over and over and over again.

 

Take your kids to church. They’ll love it there. It’s the only place where they can go and just be themselves. They don’t have to “be” good enough or smart enough or athletic enough. They don’t have to perform for approval or achievement. They just get to go and hear how much God loves them. Just because they’re them. Just because He created them, they’re valued. Wanted. Their worth isn’t based on the grades they make or their ability to throw a curveball. Its not dependent on their performance or skill level. And they need a little more of that, don’t you think? A little more grace and a little less pressure. A little more love and a few less demands.

 

Take them to church. Before you take them to the ballfield or the gym. Before you take them on vacation or to grandma’s or to the backyard to play. Take them to church. Let them know its a priority. Show them it has eternal value. Let them see you set aside schedules and extra curricular activities and work and busy-ness to be present with the Lord in His house. I promise you won’t regret it. I promise you it won’t return back void.
Take them to church.

 

Thank you, Kathy, for all you did to raise our children in faith, for working with me to teach them about Jesus.  Thank you for all you are now doing for our grandchildren.  It’s important to take grandchildren to church too!

 

A Child of God, Planning to Continue Sharing Jesus with My Children and Grandchildren,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Last weekend Kathy and I traveled to Sterling.  I preached at Sterling Lutheran Church, and visited with the congregation.  On Sunday Sterling Lutheran celebrated the baptism of an adult, the neighbor of Pastor Bill and wife Roberta Hilgendorf.  Here is a picture of Elaine McGrath and the Hilgendorfs on Elaine’s baptism day!  https://photos.app.goo.gl/YegDki6iJqEhnyS6A

 

P.P.S.  On Saturday, September 28, we had our first visit to our cabin by grandchildren.  Our son, Andrew, and grandchildren, Jackson and Kendall, came down to Sterling for a visit before worship on Sunday.  After supper we fished, we roasted marshmallows, we watched a movie and ate some popcorn.  Here is a picture around the fire.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/fXDQAYjr3pPn1V6F9

 

P.P.P.S.  I went fishing 3 times since last week’s devotion.  However, I’m re-learning fishing on the Kenai in the Fall.  No fish caught.  L  Nevertheless, the fall scenery has been beautiful.  I took a couple of pictures this week.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/mnudDQtjGPk2u3vcA

 

 

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

 

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Thankful that in a World of Change, We can COUNT ON God’s Love in Jesus!

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,

 

One of my favorite movies is “Grumpy Old Men” with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon.  This film is a somewhat crass, somewhat sentimental look at aging and friendship.  Maybe I like this movie because, as my kids tell me, I’m a “grumpy old man.”  J  Maybe I enjoy the film because it includes a lot of ice fishing scenes.  But this movie, “Grumpy Old Men,” has not only become one of my favorites, but a favorite picture for our family to watch together.

 

In this movie a friend of Matthau’s (Max), and Lemmon’s (John) dies.  Their friend, Chuck, had been with them at the bait shop the day before.  But then Chuck is found dead of natural causes.  So Matthau’s character utters a statement I can still hear.  “I hate change!  Nothing good ever comes from it.”  I believe most of us struggle with change, even if changes might bring some improvement in our lives.  We become comfortable in old routines and habits.  And if our world shifts, it might mean we need to live differently.  How about you, do YOU hate change?

 

Change is a big part of my life these days.  Having retired at the end of August, the demands on my time have changed big time.  As others told me I would experience, I don’t believe I have been less busy.  My time is just being spent on tasks that are not specifically those of my former job as pastor at St. John Lutheran.  I am still spending time in devotions and reading God’s Word, and I’m still spending time in prayer.  I still write my weekly devotions, and I am also still preaching, only in other congregations.  However, the demands of work are not 25/8, I am finding my time a little less rushed, and I am also finding opportunities to accomplish some chores which had been neglected around the home.

 

Still . . . there is a way in which I found meaning and purpose in what I did and how I served as pastor.  And, I love the people I served.  While part of me can appreciate my new freedom, there is another part of me that is uttering the words of Matthau’s character, Max.  “I hate change!” 

 

However, that is an unrealistic attitude.  One constant in our world is that life changes.  We grow older.  Our families get bigger, and then smaller.  Work and health are constantly in flux.  And the biggest change we all face is death.  What else should we expect in a world of sin?

 

Yet, in our changing lives, in our world, where nothing seems to stay the same, there is one constant.  In Malachi 3:6, when the people of Israel are struggling, God tells them through the prophet, "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”  And, the writer to the Hebrews comforts that church as it faces persecution and suffering, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” ( Hebrews 13:8 )  In a world where change causes anxiety, and fear, and grief, God stays the same.  We can count on HIM!

 

In fact, perhaps Romans 8 tells us the greatest hope we have because God is unchanging and trustworthy.   “38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38-39)  In a world where our rebellion brings the difficulties of change, and where our sin brings the grief of death, nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Jesus’ forgiving love, and His gracious salvation are sure.  When we believe in Jesus we can’t be separated from this love. 

 

God never changes.  And, as I seek to grow as a child of God in this journey of retirement, this sure love of God in Jesus gives strength, endurance, and peace.

 

So, Max hated change in the movie, “Grumpy Old Men.”  But all of us face change.  It is how we face the changes of life which we experience that makes a difference.  If we know that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” then we can face anything.  If we know that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” change is not something to fear, but a new opportunity to serve God and love His people.

 

A Child of God, Thankful that in a World of Change, We can COUNT ON God’s Love in Jesus!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Last weekend Kathy and I traveled to Juneau.  I preached at Faith Lutheran Church, and visited with the congregation.  On Sunday afternoon, before our plane left, we visited some of the town.  Our son Tim served as a page for the Senate in Juneau.  He told us to see a) Mt. Roberts, b) the Mendenhall Glacier, and c) Auk Bay.  We did all three.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/KaqgcmZf2xKhXAaL8

 

 

 

 

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

 

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Thankful for the Wisdom of Jesus' Cross in our MESSY Lives

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,

 

Last weekend Kathy and I used a Christmas gift we received in 2018.  Our daughter, Mary, gave us tickets on the Alaska Railroad to Seward, for September 13 and 14.  So, on Friday morning, in the rain, we rode down to Seward on the train.  But, Saturday was an exceptionally beautiful day.  We walked around town in the warmth and the sun.  We visited some shops, ate some seafood, talked to a few fishermen, and generally took it easy.  I even bought a fishing lure.  J  Saturday evening, we enjoyed a ride on the train through the beauty of the Alaskan fall, returning home around 10:00 p.m.

 

As our trip concluded, the conductor came on the microphone and said some of the things conductors and flight attendants are supposed to say at the end of a trip.  “We know that you had other options for travel.  Thank you for choosing us.”  But, then our  conductor gave a little personal commentary.  He stated a conviction he had come to, and he made a request.  The conductor continued, “Our country seems to be heading in the wrong direction.  We are not as kind to one another as we once were as a nation.  I have made a decision, and I ask you to consider doing the same.  Would you please consider treating one another the way you would like to be treated?  We would all be better for it.”

 

Christians recognize this request from the conductor as what we call “The Golden Rule.”  In the sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches His followers.  “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,” (Matthew 7:12)  There is wisdom in these words of Jesus.  Imagine if people in our world actually thought about others before acting.  Imagine if we did not act in selfishness, or greed, or with a mean spirit.  There would be no more crime, no more racism, no more abuse.  If people treated each other the way they wish to be treated themselves, our country, our world, and our homes would much more be places of love and peace.

 

As I write this devotion I confess to you that I have been the recipient of such kindness.  I have been trying to get down to our cabin in Sterling since July.  But work and travel and fires have kept me away.  One reason I wanted to visit the cabin was to get in some fishing.  However, I also have had some work to do on our cabin.  The cabin was moved onto our property in May.  But, I have never yet put up the skirting around the bottom of the cabin. The skirting is insulated, so it helps keep the cabin warm in the winter.  I have dealt with the electric, with the gas or the propane, and with some decorating and supplies.  I have also painted the cabin.  But, I never got the time to do this pretty big job of measuring and cutting the skirting to fit the cabin’s new location. 

 

So, I left home on Tuesday morning for our cabin, and on the way I called Wayne Mize.  Wayne is a member of Star of the North Lutheran Church in Kenai.  We’ve known each other for 20-25 years.  Wayne lives near our cabin, and is a little more ‘handy’ than I am.  He has already given me some advice.  That’s why, on the way down to the cabin Tuesday afternoon I called Wayne to let him know I was driving down, and that I would be working on the skirting.  I needed a few supplies for the job, so I went to the store.  When I returned from the buying supplies, who was already at my cabin, but Wayne!  We worked in the rain on Tuesday evening and, in spite of a few challenges, we got the skirting up around the front of the cabin.  And, as I was washing dishes on Wednesday morning, Wayne showed up again around 8:00 a.m.!  His knowledge and advice, his help and his extra tools, helped us finish the skirting around 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.  Now, I did not ask Wayne to show up.  I did not specifically ask him to help.  But, I guess you could say that Wayne knew the job I was facing and he followed the teachings of Jesus.  “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,”

 

Wayne is not the only one who has helped me on these projects, either.  Harvey Kolberg stopped by in June and helped me with the appliances.  Pastor George Rakos has visited and given me helpful advice.  Pastor Tony Schultz offered to come down in September and help me paint.  (But I had already done the painting in June.)  It is such a blessing to have friends who offer to help, even when they are not asked.  Our world would be a much better place if we all followed the wisdom of God.

 

However, while it would be good if everyone acted in kindness, thinking of others, we know that this is not the case.  In fact, even Christians who know Jesus’ teaching, still fail to act in faith and love.  Even when we want to follow Jesus, we can and do fail.  We all struggle with our sinful nature.  That is why our world is in such a mess.

 

So, God’s even greater wisdom is vital.  Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth, “22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.”  (1 Corinthians 1:22-25) 

 

For a world that is truly “a mess”, God’s greatest wisdom is the cross of Christ!  Jesus was not just kind, He sacrificed His life to pay for the sin and evil in our world, to bring love and salvation from God.  When we have failed to act in kindness, we can and do have a new start in the forgiveness of Jesus won on the cross.  When others do not treat us with love or civility, we can act as Jesus did; we can pick up our cross and love even those who have not loved us.  This wisdom of the cross not only makes the world a better place to live, it saves us from ourselves!

 

It was a pleasant surprise to hear the train conductor share the teachings of Jesus at the end of our trip.  I’m not even sure if he knew that He was sharing the wisdom of God.  But, we all need God’s wisdom, especially the wisdom of the cross.

 

A Child of God, Thankful for the Wisdom of Jesus’ Cross in our Messy Lives,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from the cabin. 

·       This picture is some decorating I did.  We received many thoughtful gifts at my retirement.  I was able to hang some artwork, including the cutouts of salmon, trout, char, and grayling. (Thank you Grieses and Hecks for the fish!  J )  https://photos.app.goo.gl/QTK5iVAsXX5cSXgp8

 

·       These are the four sides if the cabin with the skirting up.  I still have some trim to do and steps to install.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/A5VsKsBgrivSHjR9A

 

 

 

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

 

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Learning Again to Be Thankful for God's Presence Through Life's Journeys

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,

 

I did not write a devotion last week because I was camping at 5200 feet elevation in the Talkeetna Mountains and hunting caribou with my son, Josh.  I’ve had quite a few people ask me about our hunt, and some have even asked about my devotions.  We flew out to our hunt site and had a personal limit of 50 pounds which each of us could carry.  When you bring a 20 pound tent, then sleeping bags and sleeping pads, guns and ammunition, food and utensils, there is no room for a computer, even if we would have had internet coverage 40 miles off the highway.  But, honestly, I would not have wanted to take my computer with me anyway.

 

Josh and I flew out on Saturday morning, August 31 with Meekins Air Service.  Mike Meekins and his son-in-law, Matt Keller, each flew one of us in a Super Cub to our hunt site west of Sheep Mountain.  On the way back from the hunt on Friday, Matt told me, “I’ve been flying with Mike for 16 years.  No one has ever come back from there without a caribou, or maybe without passing on a shot because the animals they were seeing were not a trophy.”  That sounds pretty easy, doesn’t it?  But the hunt was not that easy, for us at least.

 

The first day we were allowed to hunt was Sunday, September 1.  As we woke up that morning and finished breakfast, we surveyed the valley and the mountains around us and tried to decide where we should hunt.  With our packs on our backs, we decided on a spot we could see through our binoculars which looked like a game trail.  Then, as we were getting ready to leave, a small group of 4 caribou showed themselves on a ridge in that area.  According to my “fitbit”, by the time we got to that point we had walked over a mile.  So, obviously we did not shoot because of the distance.  But, we did start hiking in that direction, and then two more caribou showed themselves, also out of range.  When we finally arrived at that location, the animals were not to be found.  So, on the first day of our hunt we saw 6 animals during our first hour . . . and then we saw no more caribou for quite a while.  On Tuesday Mike Meekins flew in to talk with us.  He shared with us, “I’m worried.  We aren’t seeing any animals from the air.  They don’t seem to be moving yet.”  Maybe we were going to be that first group of hunters he flew in who would end up without an opportunity to harvest some of Alaska’s wild game meat.

 

During the days to follow we hiked in various directions, usually about 3-4 miles a day.  We were near the mountain peaks and the weather was constantly changing, from sunshine, to wind and clouds, to rain and sleet, and back to sunshine.  I’ve been exercising regularly for the last 3 ½ years and had thought I was in pretty good shape.  But, carrying a pack at 5200+ feet of elevation I found that, while my muscles didn’t tire, I often had to stop and catch my breath.  And, at night the temperatures usually got down around freezing or below.  We had snow on the mountain tops around us on Tuesday, ice on the coffee pot on Thursday, and frost covering everything Friday morning.

 

So, after seeing animals early that first morning, we saw no caribou the rest of Sunday, nor on Monday, or Tuesday, or Wednesday.  I think it was on Wednesday when Josh asked me, “What lesson do you think God trying is to teach us that we are out here hunting, but not seeing any caribou?”  We talked about that question.  It was good to have father-son time.  Even if we weren’t finding caribou, we were still seeing ground squirrels, sheep, eagles, and some other animals.  It was good to get away from the demands of our jobs.  In fact, this was the beginning of my retirement.    We were praying every day.  There are blessings and lessons to learn in stopping and meditating. Even though we were somewhat frustrated that we weren’t accomplishing our goal of harvesting a caribou, in the time to get away and soak in God’s creation, we could still see the hand of our Lord.

 

Actually, Josh’s question is a good question for more than just this hunt.  “What lessons can we learn about God and about ourselves when we work toward a goal and it doesn’t seem to happen?  What lessons can we learn about our Lord and ourselves when are we more than just frustrated, but when life is full of loss, and tragedy, and failure?  Is God still with us?”

 

Some Scripture verses came to mind as we considered Josh’s question, perhaps, most obviously, Romans 8:28.  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  God does not use His power to make everything in life good, or pleasant, or easy.  God’s love and power is so great that He can and does work good from “all things,” from all events of life.  God even works good for His people from the disappointments, the failures, and the tragedies of life. 

 

The greatest example of God’s love and power is that our Lord even worked good through the death of His Son, Jesus, on the cross.  God is the author and sustainer of life.  For the Son of God, for God Himself, to die would be the worst calamity our universe has faced.  Yet, in the death of Jesus, our Heavenly Father paid for our sin.  And, in Jesus’ rising from the dead our Lord saved us from death and judgement because of our sin.  He saved us for eternal life by His grace, through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection.  “ . . . God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

 

Our hunt was pretty expensive compared to our normal standards.  But, in the big scheme of things, a hunt without animals is a pretty small disappointment, especially compared to the other tragedies and failure’s in life.  But, that time on the mountain did give us time together as father and son.  That time without animals gave us an opportunity to consider the beauty of the creation around us, and the blessings God had showered on us.  That time of waiting gave us a chance to slow down, to consider God’s goodness, and to be thankful.  When we went to bed on Thursday night we had resigned ourselves to a hunt with no harvest.  But we had come to a point where we were thankful for our time together and for the blessings of God’s presence in the midst of our time.

 

When we awoke on Thursday, 5 caribou were grazing on the meadow across the creek in front of our tent.  So, together as father and son, we harvested the bounty of God’s creation.  I was with Josh as he shot his first large animal ever.  We had the opportunity to consider the blessings of God through the journey of life, and then we were also blessed with meat for the freezer.  Sunday evening’s meal of caribou roast was enjoyed by all.

 

So, I’ll rephrase that commercial.  Time in the wilderness is truly worthwhile.  Time hunting with my son was wonderful.  But, time in the wilderness with your son, considering the hand of God, is priceless!

 

A Child of God, Learning Again To Be Thankful for God’s Presence Through Life’s Journeys,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from our hunt.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZQ9RZGY7KJT72DD79

 

 

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

 

 

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Basking in the Glow and Recovering from the Emotions of Last Sunday

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

As I write my devotion this week, my heart is full.  I am both exhilarated and exhausted.  I have experienced amazing love, but also have real questions about the future.  Sunday morning, August 25 was my last Sunday as full-time senior pastor at St. John. Then, Sunday evening, St. John held a retirement celebration which I experienced to be both a festival of love and an adventure of faith.  I am still basking in the glow of that day, but also recovering from the emotional aspect of the event.

 

If you worshiped at St. John last Sunday morning, you know that, based on Luke 13:30, I spoke about “Living by God’s Grace Alone.”  There were emotions shown in worship that morning, and I was not the only one with tears in my eyes.  Sunday afternoon’s retirement worship service and presentations celebrated the love of God in our midst, and celebrated our Lord’s love shown among His people at St. John.  To be the center, in many ways, of such a celebration is humbling, but amazingly heart-warming. 

 

Since I am retiring, it is natural that some of the attention of the day focused on me.  However, and that is a BIG ‘however’, there is a danger when any one person is celebrated.  I shared this danger both Sunday morning and Sunday evening.  This assertion may surprise you, but please listen to the words of God through St. Paul in his second letter to the Corinthian church.  Paul wrote to this church about his work as a leader to Christ’s people. “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.”  (2 Corinthians 4:5)  Paul did not preach himself, he preached Jesus!  Jesus Christ is our Creator God.  Jesus is the Son of God who gave His life for the sin of the world.  Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.”  HE is the Savior of the world.  Jesus, our risen Savior is ruler of all, sitting at the right hand of God, and is Lord of the Universe.  Thankfully, God uses people to do His work.  But, the one who deserves our heart-felt worship is first and foremost, our Lord Jesus!  This was even true last Sunday.

 

Nevertheless, my response to the events of last Sunday can be best described in Paul’s words in Philippians 1.  “3 I thank my God every time I remember you.  4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

 

First of all, what a JOY to gather last Sunday with my family, with my Christian family – the church, and with so many friends.  THANK YOU for celebrating on Sunday the ministry of Jesus that has happened between us at St. John!  My heart is full!

 

In addition, I honestly believe that the greatest adventure of this life is doing the work of spreading God’s kingdom, the work of sharing our Lord’s love.  A Christian life of service to our Lord is a journey full of many challenges and difficulties.  Therefore, I rejoice and I thank you for what Paul called the “partnership in the gospel” which I have shared with God’s people!  What a joy to work together with other believers along this journey in this most important calling of this world, the work of sharing the way to eternal life which is found in Jesus!!

 

Finally, I wrote above that I have questions about my future.  I have also heard questions from others concerning the future of St. John.  However, I can tell you one truth beyond doubt about the future we face.  My future, and the future of St. John, are in the same hands now that I have retired that they were in before my retirement.  Thankfully, as Paul wrote, I am “confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  It was the Lord Jesus who was present when work was begun at St. John in 1935.  It is the Lord Jesus who continues the work of salvation in our lives today and into eternity.

 

Last Sunday was an amazing day!  I am still basking in the glow of the celebration while also recovering from the emotions of the event.  In the middle of these conflicting emotions, I find peace to know that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  This work of our Lord is true for me as an individual child of God.  God is also continuing to carry on His work at St. John.

 

A Child of God, Basking in the Glow While Recovering from the Emotions of last Sunday,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from the baptism of Henry Koepp Sunday morning, August 25, https://photos.app.goo.gl/DqKAXoKWwUERaxa86

 

P.P.S.  Here are some pictures from the Sunday afternoon retirement celebration.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Sh4dHJ6ayyUcEbjv8

 

P.P.P.S.  This e-mail is my last “Thoughts from the Pastor” which I am writing as full-time pastor at St. John.  My retirement is effective as of August 31.

            However, when I retire I will continue to write these devotions, but I will no longer send these e-mails as a St. John newsletter, since I won’t be pastor at St. John.  I will post these devotions on my Facebook page, but not on the St. John Facebook page, for now at least. I believe the devotional articles will also continue in our local newspaper, The Frontiersman, each Sunday. 

Please respond to let me know if you want to continue receiving them.  If you respond with a “Yes” then I will include you on the new distribution list.  You can respond to me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net to let me know.

 

 

 

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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 regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you do not 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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THANK YOU!!  THANK YOU to everyone for the words of love and encouragement as I retired, and for the celebration of August 25!!  We are God’s family and that was very evident again at this celebration!

 

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