The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

Dear Fellow Children of God,

This past week God again put on a show in the heavens, this time around Palmer, Alaska.

Last Thursday my plan was to get up early and finish the job of mowing the grass which I started after Church on Wednesday night.  I did awake early Thursday morning.  But it was raining, and it rained all day.  However, Thursday night the skies cleared some in the late evening and the sun shone brightly from the northwest illuminating Pioneer Peak in the south.  In the midst of low light because of clouds, it appeared that God had turned on a light for this mountain.  What a scene of beauty!

Then on Saturday evening it rained again.  Kathy and I had just returned from work.  We had both finally settled down when Kathy called me a little after 9:00 p.m.  “Jonathan, Look!”  Through the rain the sun broke though.  This time there was a rainbow shining over Pioneer Peak.  Most Christians know that the first rainbow appeared after the great flood as a sign of God’s promise and covenant for good, not to again destroy the world in that manner.  (Genesis 9:12-15)  We in Palmer got our own reminder of God’s good promise!

The thing that strikes me is that these two beautiful scenes from God’s creation happened after storms.  You see, it is not just that God showed the beauty of creation.  But the beauty in the heavens followed the rain.

That is the way that God often works.  The victory and joy of Jesus’ resurrection comes after the pain and despair of his death on the cross.  The sweetness of God’s forgiveness comes after the guilt and anguish of our sin.  Sometimes the realization of how blessed we really are comes after a time of difficulty and trouble.

God inspired David to write in Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Thursday night and Saturday night God declared His glory.  After the rain God was reminding us that He is there with us through and after the storms of life.

How has God recently shown His glory and love for you after the storms of life?

A Child of God, Moved by the ways God chooses to Work,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  Here are pictures of the skies ‘declaring the glory of God.’  https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/PioneerPeakJuly14And162011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPb9s7XQp8bQxgE&feat=directlink

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

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ST. JOHN NEWS

PLEASE PRAY FOR KALEIDOSCOPE AND THE 20 YOUNG PEOPLE ATTENDING (and 6 adults leading) this week, July 17-22.  For decades Alaska Lutheran Churches have provided Kaleidoscope as an opportunity for high school students to grow in faith, and grow as Christian leaders.  Kaleidoscope is held this coming week, July 17-23 at Meier Lake Camp in Wasilla.  St. John DCE, Jamie Walters, is the primary leader for this year’s Kaleidoscope. 

            Please keep the youth and adults in prayers as they spend time together growing as children of God.

THANKS to all who helped us to bless and send Hunter and Elizabeth Richards as they leave for Concordia Seminary in St. Louis so Hunter can study to be serve as a pastor.  It was a time of love and joy.

THE BLESSINGS OF WEDNESDAY WORSHIP –Wednesday worship continues each week at 6:30 p.m.  The goal for Wednesday worship is to provide an alternate opportunity for those who can’t make Sunday worship, and to provide extra opportunities for time with the Lord and His people for people who nevertheless can attend on Sundays.  The services and sermons on Wednesday are different from the Sunday service and sermon.  Our attendance has been growing.

Come and join us some Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.

HIKE CHANGE  This week’s hike will not take place on Thursday, but on Saturday.  Meet at St. John at 9:00 a.m.  Jamie and Sara will be leading a hike up Pioneer Peak, 6398 feet high.

           

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DID YOU KNOW THAT MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT ST. JOHN is available on our church website?  On our web page you can find sermons, newsletters, and these weekly devotions.  The link is:  http://www.st-john-lutheran.org 

In fact, IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE YOUR MONTHLY CHURCH NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL please e-mail Judy Stahancyk and let her know.  If you receive the newsletter by e-mail it saves printing, postage, and time compiling the newsletter.  Also, you receive the monthly newsletter more quickly!!