Amazed and Thankful that God Even Works through Sinners . . . Like Me

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

This week, as I write my devotion, my thoughts are in a little more difficult place.  I attended the Alaska Church Workers’ Conference for our portion of the Lutheran Church.  We met in the seaside city of Seward from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday noon.  The presentation was given by Dr. Steve Saunders of Marquette University.  Dr. Saunders also works with a group called “Doxology” which helps church workers deal with the challenges and stress of the call to serve the Lord.

 

Our presenter pointed out that, for pastors and for other church workers, the job has some built in stress.  Being a church worker calls for serving an Almighty, holy Lord.  But pastors and church workers try to lead God’s people, sheep who often wander and go astray.  The job of church worker means leading God’s people in doing the Lord’s life-changing work.  But there is often much criticism in this high calling from those people whom church workers are called to lead.  Professional ministry in our denomination requires an advanced education, but often comes with comparatively lower pay for the education.  While church workers need to be healthy to serve God’s people, the job can often be, as our speaker pointed out, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year – so living healthy is a challenge.  The call of God for church workers to lead His people is a holy call.  But, workers and pastors whom God calls are sinful people.

 

So, you can understand why there are stresses in the job of leading the people of God.  During the readings scheduled for worship this June we will hear about Elijah and his struggles.  Elijah’s difficulties are instructive for our lives.  After an epic battle with prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, Elijah faces opposition from the idolatrous king and queen of Israel.  Listen to the struggle and emotions which Elijah expresses.

 

1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them." 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." (1 Kings 19:1-4)

 

Did you know that the king and queen of Israel (especially the queen) wanted to kill Elijah?  Did you remember that Elijah was suicidal?  Doing God’s work can be difficult.  But, in spite of Elijah’s anxiety and fear, God had not abandoned Elijah.  Elijah runs to Mt. Horeb and experiences the presence of God in a surprising way. 

11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

 

God came to Elijah and spoke to him in spite of the struggles he faced.  Even though Elijah was full of doubt and fear, the Lord did not abandon him.  Elijah experienced the presence of God, listened to the Lord’s call, and continued to do God’s work. The Almighty Lord of all worked through a weak and doubting man to do His holy work.

 

The truth of God’s grace is not just meant for prophets and pastors and church workers.  All God’s children are called to do the holy work of following the Lord and spreading His kingdom.  But, God calls people who are weak and sinful.  I sometimes tell others that when sinful people are called to do God’s holy work, this is a “recipe for disaster.”  No wonder Gods church has so many problems. 

 

In serving our Lord we do face many challenges and stresses. But, God came to Elijah in spite of his weakness and doubt.  God comes to His people today, in His Son, Jesus, in spite of our sin and failure.  What a blessing to know that God knows our weakness, yet He loves us and forgives us, and nonetheless calls us to serve Him.  We have the amazing blessing of serving the Lord of the universe, the Savior of the world!

 

I had the privilege of sharing at this conference in a devotion.  We read from John 21:15-19.  Jesus restores Peter after Peter had denied Jesus three times. Then Jesus calls this sinful leader to continue.  "Follow me!"  (John 21:19)  Perhaps, surprisingly God continues to call weak and sinful people today too.

 

A Child of God, Thankful and Amazed that God Even Work through Sinners, like Me!

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  The Youth held a pig roast on Saturday, May 25, to raise money for the youth for the National Youth Gathering.   Here are pig roast pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/xYTLSQ2Waiduuw7XA

 

P.P.S.  Last winter we took offerings for a fire-suppression vent hood in the kitchen. It is still being installed.  Here are some MORE pictures from the new vent hood as installation begins.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/PTRFdAZvt8bAybceA

 

P.P.P.S.  We did yard work on Memorial Day.  We mowed the lawn (not on a riding mower), did some weed eating in the yard, cleaned the front flower garden, cleaned the strawberry patch, transplanted raspberries, roto-tilled the garden, and planted veggies.  I had planned to fish, but my fitbit says I did over 34,400 steps!  I was tired.  Here are some pictures of Jackson and Kendall helping me plant the garden.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/m3s6xc8RgZY5mjHu9

 

P.P.P.P.S.  (I am in Seward at a Lutheran Workers’ Conference Tuesday-Thursday.  Friday is halibut fishing day! J)

 

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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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Learning the Lessons of Humility from Life and From God

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

An attitude of humility is always wise.  I recently learned that lesson . . . again.

 

On Monday evening, May 20, I umpired a Palmer Little League baseball game with St. John member, Bim Hoylman.  While I was assigned to this game by league officials, there was a family connection.  My grandson, Jake, was on the visiting team.  I turned around between innings saw another grandson, Henry, Jake’s brother, running to a lady sitting in a chair behind home plate.  Henry was talking to this lady.  Now, I had texted my wife, Kathy, and thought she might come to the game.  There was a breeze, so this lady behind home plate wore a hoody that covered most of her head.  But, her glasses looked like my wife’s glasses.  She was sitting in a chair like one we have.  I said to Henry in what I thought was a joking manner, somewhat loudly, “Who’s that woman you’re talking to?”  I confess, I thought that maybe I hadn’t recognized my wife.  Well, the lady behind home plate was not my wife, Kathy.  The lady looked surprised at my words.  I explained my mistake to her, and I saw others in the stands smiling at my mistake.

 

It wasn’t too long before Kathy showed up. I told her what I had done, to some more chuckles in the stands.  She said, “You mistook someone else for me and, you are the umpire? So, how is the game going?” (Umpires have been accused of being blind, haven’t they?) It’s good to be humble.

 

This wasn’t the first time I’ve spoken to someone because I thought I knew them, but then found out they were actually total strangers.  Maybe I’m friendly, or foolish.  But, I’ve made mistakes like that all my life.  But this mistake included my own wife!  Yikes!  Some folks say I remember names well.  But, I confess, sometimes I don’t always recognize faces.  When this happens, I have learned to confess my mistakes and to say that I’m sorry.  I think I have learned that I can be wrong at times in my judgements, to be humble. 

 

In Scriptures God calls us to humility.  He calls us to admit our faults and weaknesses, and not to place ourselves above others.   When it comes to understanding the Lord, there is a good reason for humility.  Listen to God’s lesson on humility in Isaiah.  8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)  Because God is greater and higher than we are, we should not expect to understand everything about Him, or how the Lord works.  We are called to be humble, to admit that we don’t have all the answers.

 

For example, when Jesus came to this world the religious leaders of His time thought they understood God’s plans.  They thought they understood who the Messiah would be and what He would do.  But, these men who thought they knew God, did not recognize Jesus.  As God told Isaiah, “. . . my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  It is good to be humble, especially when talking about who the Lord is and how He works in our world.

 

Judgment Day is another topic of mystery.  Jesus taught His disciples, 36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. . . 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:36,44)   So, concerning end times, Jesus teaches that we always need to be ready, to be believing and living our faith, because we don’t know when they end will come.  But, in my life I can count at least 10 times that religious leaders have named the day Jesus would return.  Every time these public proclamations were made, they were wrong.  As God told Isaiah, “. . . my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  It is good to be humble.

 

The greatest mystery in the world is our Lord Himself.  How did God create?  Why do the children of a holy God struggle with evil?  Why would God send His Son, Jesus?  How can Jesus be both the son of God and the son of Mary?  Why would the Son of God, God Himself - the author of life, die on a cross?  How could Jesus rise from the dead?  Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that the ways of the Lord are a mystery.  “21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 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 1:21-25)  The cross of Jesus raises many questions.  Or, as God told Isaiah, “. . . my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  It is good to be humble.

 

When was the last time life taught you humility?  A number of people in the stands at Monday night’s baseball game had a good chuckle at my mistake, and I re-learned a lifelong lesson, that it is good to be humble.  When it comes to knowing God, there are some truths we find in Scripture which we can understand.  But there are some teachings about God that are beyond our understanding.  All we can do is believe.  In these situations we are called to confess the truth of God’s word, but also to humbly admit what we do not totally understand about our Lord.  As God told Isaiah, “. . . my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  It is good to be humble!

 

A Child of God, Learning the Lessons of Humility from Life, and from God, J

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  THANK YOU to all who came out and served helped at the Spring Trustees Work Day, 5-18-2019.  Here are some pictures  https://photos.app.goo.gl/oyooYs9HExEeXZ8y6

 

P.P.S.  Last winter we took offerings for a fire suppression vent hood in the kitchen. It is now being installed.  Here are some pictures from the new vent hood as installation begins.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/PTRFdAZvt8bAybceA

 

P. P.P.S.  On Sunday, May 19, we commissioned four new Stephen Ministers at St. John, Michelle Bower, Dan and Cynthia Carlson, and Dave Neslund.  Here are some pictures from Stephen Ministry commissioning.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/5dmL1Uw9R8kZvTiv6

 

 

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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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Seeking to Live a Simple Life of Faith in the Powerful Love of God

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

Do the problems we face in this world ever seem overwhelming to you, complex beyond reasonable solution?  How do people, especially God’s people, deal with issues like drug problems in our communities?  How do we face family disintegration and struggles, trade wars, terrorism, and environmental issues? 

 

I recently completed a “Basic Teachings of the Bible Class” again.  In this class we discuss Who God is, what He has done for us, His blessings in our lives, and how He calls us to live.  In the midst of a complex and confusing world, God’s call to Christians is actually quite simple.  He calls us to believe in Him, and to live in faith and love.  But while God’s call to live in His grace may seem simple, it is actually very difficult as we struggle against the enemies of God and His people, the devil, the world, and our flesh.

 

Therefore, God gives His help to His people.  The Lord gives His word, which we receive in regular worship and through personal devotions.  Our Savior promises to work His gifts of love and faith in our lives through our baptisms and in the Lord’s Supper.  God promises to answer our faithful prayers.  However, sometimes these answers from God to the complicated problems of life seem so simple that we dismiss God’s call to Christian living, and even God’s people can doubt His promises to help.

 

So, let me share with you story I heard this past week.  For the last 7 years Mrs. Temple Christiansen has taught seventh grade confirmation classes.  This is a real labor of love, since Temple’s four boys have all finished confirmation classes and are in college, or have graduated from college.  With her classes, Temple has been trusting God’s promises and going to Him in prayer for various concerns.  Please read below as she shares one journey our prayer she and her classes have taken with our Lord.

 

For the last four or five years our 7th Grade Confirmation Class has had a lesson which included discussion on the persecuted church around the world. At some point in those years a certain Pakistani Christian woman’s story was in the news, and I shared it with our class.

The woman’s name is Asia Bibi, a mother of 5 or 6 children. She was arrested, tried, convicted, and condemned to death in Pakistan of blasphemy, because she offered a cup of water to two Muslim women whom she worked with on a farm. The women claimed that instead of a very caring Christian act of recognizing other’s needs and doing what she could to help, that she was attempting to defile them.

Asia was imprisoned for many years, and struggled through multiple appeal attempts with dignitaries and ambassadors and lawyers from the United States and other countries working on her behalf. Prayers were requested through Christian organizations around the world.

A number of our 7th graders in Confirmation at St John Lutheran Church in Palmer, through the years, have prayed for Asia Bibi. At some time this past year, the Lord miraculously moved on the hearts and minds of the Pakistani justices, and Asia Bibi was acquitted by the Supreme Court in Pakistan and set free from the penalty for her alleged blasphemy, which was death.

But, there were such violent protests from Muslim radicals in the country who said if the justice system wouldn’t do it, THEY would kill her, that Asia Bibi had to remain in prison for her safety!

Today, I am so excited to share with you, that just this past week, Asia Bibi was finally able to get out of Pakistan, and is now on her way to, or already in Canada.

Thank you for your prayers, and praise God for his mercy and grace. Please continue to pray that this courageous Christian women will also be able to be reunited with her family soon.

                        Always trusting in Christ,

Mrs. Temple Christiansen

 

Life is complex and can seem overwhelming.  But God gives us a simple call of grace.  Our Heavenly Father loves us in Creation, and in the saving life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  God calls us to believe His love and to live in faith and in love.  God promises to help us through His word and worship, through the sacraments, and through prayer. 

 

While this can seem overly simple, when God’s people answer His call we are not trusting our own faith, or our own worship, or our own prayers.  We trust the One who created us with His spoken Word, who saved us in the gift of His Son, and who calls us each to follow Him.  We trust the One who is more powerful and more wise than all the troubles or complexities of life.

 

I pray that you may face the trials and complications of your life with simple faith and love from God, and that you may see God answer your prayers!

 

A Child of God, Seeking to Live a Simple Faith in the Powerful Love of God,

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  Here is a picture from Sunday’s baptisms of Elizabeth Morey (Mom), and her children Zephaniah Horman, Jackson, Tucker, and Wrangell Morey.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ppELYGH4Nzf1fUat9

 

P.P.S.  New Stephen Ministers are commissioned in worship this Sunday.  Here is a picture from Stephen Ministry training last Thursday, May 9.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/7P69zwMw7rd4BiCU9 

 

 

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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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Called by Name to God's Love in Jesus

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

On Saturday, May 4, my wife, Kathy, and I attended one of the annual rites of spring in Palmer.  We watched 5 grandchildren participate in the opening ceremonies for the Palmer Little League.  I’m not sure how many kids were present, decked out in their uniforms, but there were a lot!  I believe I was told in 2018 that there were about 450 children playing Little League baseball in Palmer.  If there were that many children this year, with parents, grandparents, and siblings also present, then well over 1000 people attended the ceremonies last Saturday.

 

A unique feature of opening day ceremonies for Little League every year is that, as the teams are introduced and take their place on the field, each child who is registered has their name called out over the loud speaker.  Imagine that, calling out 450 or so names!  That is more than a high school graduation in our area.  But, as I have observed Little League baseball in our community, this is all about the children.  The goals of Little League baseball are that children learn teamwork, learn sportsmanship, skills, and the ability to face adversity and to grow and improve as a player and a person.  Those are high ideals. But, the children are important. So, we stood in the crowd as child after child had their name spoken over the loud speaker.  (By the way, I like the Little League Pledge which states, “I trust in God. I love my country and will respect its laws. I will play fair and strive to win. But win or lose I will always do my best.”)

 

From a happy event of name reading on Saturday, I read about a sad instance of reading names in the Anchorage Daily News from Sunday, May 5.  The paper reported that on Saturday, May 4, in a ceremony sponsored by the Southcentral Foundation at the Alaska Native Heritage Foundation, there was a reading of the names of 191 Alaska Native Women who have gone missing or been murdered.  According to the article, the list of names was 5 pages long.  This reading is intended to foster healing from the grief of loss.  These women are still remembered and missed by families and friends.  Even if these women have gone missing they are still important, every one of them.  So, their names were read aloud in this ceremony on May 4.

 

Then on Tuesday evening I was listening to a sports and music show on Big Cabbage Radio.  (I know the show’s radio host!)  I heard more names read, this time on the radio.  The American Legion baseball team for our community, the Palmer Pioneers, has been chosen for 2019.  The names of all those players chosen for the team were read aloud on the radio.  It is an honor and accomplishment to make a team.  And, a team needs the contributions of each member.  So the names of these players were read aloud on the radio.

 

It has long been a source of comfort and strength for the people of God to know that our Lord knows us personally, even by name.  I often hear the words of Isaiah 49 spoken when talking about God’s personal love.  Isaiah writes, “Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name.” (Isaiah 49:1)  While this verse is a prophecy of the coming Messiah, it also teaches about God’s personal love for each of us. 

 

All of Psalm 139 shares about God’s personal knowledge and love for His people, but, verses 13 and 14 are most well-known.  “13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)  We are not nameless beings walking the planet.  Each of us is individually known and loved by our Creator and Savior. We are known from conception by God Himself.

 

In the New Testament, Peter reminds the dispersed Christians how they have received God’s individual and personal love as they have come to faith and received the blessings of his covenant, His promises, in Jesus.  Listen to 1 Peter 2:9-10.  “9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”  Think of that.  To our world we might seem like nobodies.  To God we are His chosen and saved people with a purpose for life!

 

At St. John we have been rejoicing at a concrete way in which God is showing His personal love in our midst.  On March 31 we heard the name of Myra Marie Thomas spoken, as God called her in baptism, as He forgave her sins and gave her the gift of the Holy Spirit, promising His personal love.  On April 14 Freya Ann Kopperud was called as a child of God in baptism.  On Mothers’ Day, May 12, God will keep His promises of personal love for Elizabeth Mary Morey, Zephaniah Alexander Horman, Brooks Jackson Morey, Elias Tucker Morey, and Wrangell Colton Lee Morey.  (By the way, Elizabeth is the mom!) God will also speak His personal love on June 9 for Jessie Ann Ford and for Mallory Ann Ford, and on June 23 for Sadie Rae Psenak.  Do you hear those names?  God knows each of these people personally.  He knows them in mind, body, and soul. Our Lord knows they need a Savior.  So, in baptism they are called by God to His saving love in Jesus. In baptism they die with Jesus as their sins are washed away, and rise with Jesus to new life, as God acts in power and personal love.

 

Do you know God’s personal love from your baptism?  Have your children or grandchildren received God’s personal saving love in their baptisms? 

 

There are so many people in our world, and it can seem that the large numbers tell us we are unimportant and nameless.  But God knows us by name from His powerful creating love.  God calls us by name in our baptisms to His saving love in Jesus.  In God’s eyes we are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

 

A Child of God, Called by Name to God’s Love in Jesus,

Pastor Jonathan   

 

 

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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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Thankful that God is Stronger than the Enemies to Faith and Life

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

Last Saturday, April 26-27, the Alaska Mission for Christ offered a class on church history at St. John.  This history class was open to everyone, though it was specifically a continuing education opportunity for Licensed Deacons and Lay Ministers.  Before studying about the first three hundred years of the history of the Christian Church on Saturday, Friday night prepared us for that study by examining different types of thinking.  Our teacher, Aaron Hayes, talked about “classical thinking” which looks to God’s Word and to God Himself for truth.  We discussed “modern thinking” which looks to scientific observation and explanation for truth.  And, we considered “post-modern” thinking which often states there is no ultimate truth, but that everyone has their own truth.  Interestingly, all styles of thought continue in today’s world, though modern and post-modern thinking seem to predominate in public conversations.

 

Our teacher, Aaron Hayes, made a point about “modern thinking” that caused me, and others, to pause.  Hayes said that a large portion of modern thinkers, those who look to experience and to the interpretation of science for truth, purposely left God out of their models.  They had no place for God in their thinking.  Some of that “leaving God out of our world” has also bled into the post-modern thought patterns.  But, perhaps you know from your own experience this desire by some to eliminate God from our public life.

 

I confess, as a father and grandfather, I am concerned.  As a Christian man, I want my offspring to know about the love and the grace and the life that God gives.  I want my children and my grandchildren to know about God’s love and providing through creation.  I want them to know God’s saving love in Jesus.  I want those I love to know that in His Word, in the Bible, God has given truth that teaches His children about Him, truth which creates saving faith, and guides our lives.  I want my children and grandchildren to know and trust the gifts God shares in Scripture.

 

But, if there is no place in certain areas of life for God, or if God can only have a secondary place, what kind of world am I leaving to my children and my grandchildren?  What if they have to be quiet, or if they have to hide God in their schools, in their places of work, or in their political discussions?  If God is the source of life Who gives wisdom for living, why do we have to keep His wisdom silent?  I know this issue is much more complex even than I am stating, but I confess that it causes me concern as I think of the future of my family.

 

There are many issues in life which seem bigger than we are.  How do God’s children deal with this desire in the world around us to eliminate God from the world He created?  How do we continue, for example, with chronic disease or terminal illness?  How do we face life failures and sins that have hurt others, and have changed our lives?  How do we deal with a world that seems intent on violence and destruction?

 

As I work through my daily devotions I recently read Deuteronomy 20, where the Lord instructs the Israelite people about entering the Promised Land and facing enemies that were stronger than God’s children, at least militarily.  But, listen to what God tells His people about facing enemies stronger than they are.  “1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."  (Deuteronomy 20:1-4)  God says He is with us, and HE fights for us!

 

As a Christian man in a world that often demands that I leave my Creator and Savior on the sidelines, as a Christian father who sees these thought patterns which seek to steal the faith of my children, as a Christian grandfather who wants to see his children and grandchildren in heaven, God’s words comfort me.  The trends in our world may seek to silence God’s love found in His Son, and may seek at times to diminish my faith in Jesus found in His Word.  But, God is stronger than our enemies, stronger than His enemies.

 

In fact, during this Easter season God’s power over our enemies is more evident than ever.  The forces of Satan and the effect of sin can seem overwhelming.  On our own, our enemies are stronger than we are.  But, guess what?  God’s words to the Israelites are also spoken to us.  “For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."  Jesus has gone before us into death, and into eternal life.  Jesus offers that eternal life to all who know and confess their enemies, sin and death, and who trust in Him.  Before His death Jesus used similar words to strengthen and encourage His disciples for their coming crisis.  "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."  (John 16:33)

 

Do you have concern for your family?  Do you worry about the future direction of our country and of our world?  Life is difficult and we are not strong enough on our own to face the attacks that come our way.  But God is stronger and He fights for us.  Therefore, we can even face the impossible battles.  We don’t have to be afraid.  God is with us in this life.  God has won eternal life for us in Jesus dying and rising, in His forgiveness and His salvation.

 

A Child of God, Thankful That God is Stronger than The Enemies of Faith and Life,

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  Rev. Jake Dickerhoff is pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Anchorage.  His two daughters, Harper and Magnolia Mae, required serious heart surgery in Boston, MA, earlier this winter.  They are home and “Maggie Mae” attended a meeting of Lutheran Church workers in Funny River on Tuesday, April 30.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/YbSpFgdEu7f6xBtk8

 

 

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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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He is Risen Indeed!

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

“He is risen!  He is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!!” Those words, spoken last Sunday in worship services around the globe, proclaim good news that has changed the world, and that has changed our lives.  Yes, the sin of this world and the sin of our lives has shown itself in hatred, violence, greed, and death. BUT, Jesus died and rose again.  Jesus has paid the price for the sins that cause such pain and trouble in our lives.  Jesus rose again and offers eternal life in heaven to all who believe in Him.  This good news of eternal life is a stark contrast to the death and judgment our sins deserve.  Could there ever be better news than the resurrection of Jesus our Savior?

 

Perhaps you have considered how the grief of Jesus’ followers made them numb to this good news of Jesus rising.  As we read the Bible, it seems the disciples could not see nor believe the reports that Jesus had risen.  Consider that, at the tomb, Mary Magdalene did not at first recognize Jesus.  Jesus had to call Mary by name.  (John 20:1-18) The grief in Mary’s heart had blinded her eyes to the Good News she was actually seeing right before her eyes!

 

When the women returned to the disciples on Easter morning and shared with them the words of the angels that Jesus had risen, we are told of the disciples’ response. “But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.”  (Luke 24:11) The grief of Jesus’ disciples made them unable to see and believe. 

 

On Easter Sunday evening Jesus appeared to His disciples, though Thomas was not with them.  The ten told Thomas about Jesus’ appearance. But, Thomas could not believe Jesus had risen.  Perhaps you’ve heard Thomas’ words.  “. . . Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." (John 20:25 ) The pain of Thomas’ grief kept him in the depths of doubt, instead of the joy of faith.

 

I think we can all understand how the loss of a loved one changes our lives.  No wonder grieving spouses are told not to make any important decisions for 6 months after the death of their loved one! No wonder Jesus’ disciples struggled to see and believe.

 

However, can the news ever be too good to believe?  The disciples on the way to Emmaus had been told that Jesus had risen, but when they saw Jesus they did not recognize Him.  They told Jesus, “20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.”  These men heard that Jesus had risen, from more than one source.  But, Jesus’ rising seemed too good to be true!

 

Even after the disciples had seen Jesus alive, when they later met Him on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, they still did not recognize Jesus at first.  And Peter had to be reassured that Jesus’ dying and rising were really true for him.  You see, Peter had denied 3 times that he knew Jesus.  How could he be forgiven?  Such news would be too good to be true (or so it seems)!  So, Jesus had to reassure Peter 3 times that he was still called to serve as an apostle.  (John 21:15-19)

 

The news of Easter is so good, it can be hard to believe.  But, thank the Lord above that His love and salvation are not an empty hope, but is as real as the death and resurrection of Jesus.  When this good news hits our hearts, when our eyes open to the fact that Jesus rose, then the resurrection of Jesus should and does make a difference in the way we live today.  We have joy in the midst of trials, because Jesus lives!  We have courage in the face of opposition, because Jesus lives.  When life looks difficult, we have faith and we trust God to care for us, because Jesus lives and defeated sin and death.  In a world of selfishness we love, even loving our enemies, because the risen and living Jesus loves us.  Do people see the light of Jesus’ forgiveness and salvation shining through you?  The prayer of pastors, the prayer of this pastor, is that the good news of Jesus is not just words.  My prayer is that the good news of Jesus rising changes the hearts and lives lives of those I serve.

 

So, I’ll tell you a story.  There is a young many in my “Basic Teachings of the Bible – Adult Member Class”, named Lucas Fisher.  Lucas has been attending St. John for a number of months.  He has participated in the St. John Youth Group and helped with the Good Friday service.  I hope the class I teach has taught Lucas about God’s love, and that God’s love has made a difference in Lucas’ life.  On Saturday night, before Easter Sunday, about 15 men gathered to set up for Easter Breakfast the next day.  Lucas and his dad were there.  As we finished setting up and as people were leaving, I told Lucas and his dad, “Thank you for helping!”  Lucas replied, “Thank you for LETTING us help!” 

 

Lucas’ response may seem like a small thing, but his response warmed my heart.  In this world of selfishness and sin, to hear a young teenage man thank the leaders of his church for the privilege of serving, tells me that Jesus is making a difference in Lucas’ life. 

 

The accounts of Good Friday and Easter are not just past history, they affect us personally.  I pray that you see, understand, and believe that Jesus died and rose for you.  I pray, as Jesus’ dying love and resurrection victory has an on-going affect on your life, that people do see the light of Jesus’ forgiveness and salvation shining through you, and through me.

 

“He is risen!  He is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!!”

 

A Child of God, Seeking to Let the Light of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Shine Through Me!

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from Holy Week.

·       St. John Passover and Maundy Thursday Worship – First Communion for 7^th Grade Students.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/CGAmBLaceraYNAW28

 

·       St. John Easter Festival.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/cPfNCLp2Ti1uFvgg9

 

·       Saturday night preparation for Easter Breakfast.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ykSUAhSVKTZCN3979

 

P.P.S.  Snow on the day after Easter.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/J2ToWigMnWYxbJKN7

 

 

 

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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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Easter - After the Greatest Loss, The GREATEST Victory!

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

Perhaps you were shocked and saddened, like many at the fire in Paris which engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral on Monday, April 15.  This historic cathedral, begun in the 12^th century, has been a center of the Roman Catholic faith, and of Christianity, in France.  In many ways, however, Notre Dame represented not just the Christian faith, but represented France to many around the world.  In fact, the cathedral was so important in the mind of the French, I am told, that when mileage from Paris to another location in France is calculated, the Paris location of measurement was Notre Dame.  It was the center, the heart of Paris.  So, losing this center of Christian faith, this center of French spirit, is a blow to the heart and to the spirit of many. 

 

Reality of the fire is now soaking in.  The disbelief and the grief at the loss of the cathedral is palpable.  Many are left wondering, “How could this happen?” Many are left asking, “What now?”  Even as people search for the cause of the fire and destruction, there seems to be a sense of emptiness, of sorrow.  The cathedral will never be present again in its historic form.

 

Perhaps this loss can begin to remind us of the loss experienced by the disciples of Jesus on Good Friday.  However, the death of Jesus was so much greater than the destruction of an historic cathedral. Jesus was not just a symbol of God’s power, compassion, and love.  Jesus is the Son of God Himself.  Jesus is the cornerstone of the foundation of God’s Church.  On Good Friday, it was not a building that burned, but the promised Messiah, the Son of God who died on the cross. No wonder the disciples could not recognize Jesus on Easter morning, and could not recognize Him on the road to Emmaus.  The eyes of their minds were blinded with grief and loss.

 

Sadly, tragically, the death of Jesus was necessary in God’s effort of sacrificial love to make atonement for sins we had committed.  As Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Jesus,  “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)  Our sin made the death of God’s Savior necessary, if we were to be forgiven and saved.

 

As I read about the fire at Notre Dame, I have also read that there were reparations taking place.  The cathedral was deteriorating.  The limestone structure was in danger of crumbling because of pollution.  If and when a rebuilding occurs, maybe this problem will now be addressed in a way not previously possible.

 

Christians see Jesus’ tragic death as bad news that points to our sin, but also as good news concerning the love of God.  When He died, Jesus willingly laid down His life down to pay for the sins of the world, to pay for our sin.  As Jesus taught,  11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. . . 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life-- only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." (John 11:11, 17-18)  What a tragedy and burden of guilt. Our sin is so grievous that the Son of God had to die to pay what we owed!

 

Therefore, what unbelievably good news for the people of the earth, for us sinners, that Jesus did not stay dead, but He rose again that first Easter!  What good news, what a reversal of fortune, that the tragedy of Jesus’ death, is overcome by His rising to life!  What victory that Jesus’ rising overcomes the consequences of our sin, which caused even the Son of God Himself to die!  Because Jesus rose, as we trust in Him as our Savior, we now have the promise of new life in heaven where God promises, “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  The destruction caused by our sin and our weakness has been overcome by the sacrificial love and the victorious rising of Jesus.

 

The loss of the Notre Dame Cathedral will continue to cause downcast hearts and spirits.  But, hope is rising that perhaps a new cathedral will take its place, one built of even better materials. 

 

In order to understand the good news of Easter, we need to first understand the depth of our lost-ness and sin.  But, when our sin hits us on Good Friday, Jesus’ Easter victory lifts us.  I pray that you can join your heart in the joyful chants of Easter victory from Christians around the world again this year.  “He is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!!

 

A Child of God, Finding Truth in Jesus’ death, and Life in His Easter Rising!

Pastor Jonathan   

 

 

P.S.  It is worth also considering what a friend of mine reminded me this week.  God never commanded His people to build a temple or a church.  In 2 Samuel when David told the prophet Nathan that he wanted to build a house, a temple, for the Lord, God responded in the following way.  “Would you build me a house to dwell in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling” (2 Samuel 7:5-6).  In fact, God did not allow David to build the temple.  David’s son, Solomon, built the temple for worship of God, with these words in his prayer.  “Will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! Have regard to the prayer of your servant…that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there’” (1 Kings 8:27-29).  God’s people on earth construct buildings, temples, churches, cathedrals, because they serve as practical tools for worshiping God and equipping for living out the Christian faith.  But, our real treasure is the God and Savior we worship, not the building in which we worship.

 

 

P.P.S   It has been a busy week – I have LOTS of pictures to share

 

·       From April 14, Palm Sunday, Confirmation day;

o   Here is a picture from the baptism of Freya Ann Kopperud, April 14, 2019.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/CPwHjKHYf3MsmPWa8

 

o   Here are some pictures from Confirmation Day, April 14, 2019.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/L5KJsLsFH8BgSkHn7

 

·       Here is a picture from the last day of Confirmation Classes on April 10.  MOST of our 6-8 grade confirmation students for 2018-2019 are present.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/6w5tZyhhz4jecddn8

 

·       Here are some pictures events last week with food.

 

o   Our Lenten Meal April 10, 2019, https://photos.app.goo.gl/md3sfpW19PrzuYrQA

 

o   The Confirmation Banquet, April 12,2019.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/LGYKEnZZt6CAb2oS6

 

o   Here are pictures from our Little Mermaid Outing and Meal, April 13, 2019 - https://photos.app.goo.gl/frV1w4tM5rZdN24Z8

 

WHEW!!

 

·       FINALLY - I actually put my boat in the water at Finger Lake to try it out on Monday, April 15.  That is the earliest ever for me!  https://photos.app.goo.gl/QD7Cwmanyvd9Lxa58.

 

·       Of course, this was followed by snow on Wednesday.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/jwq8Jv3km2jeg8xr9

 

 

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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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