Back to the Basics

Dear Fellow Children of God,

On Tuesday night some of the St. John Stephen Ministers made a trip to the Palmer Pioneer and Veterans Home.  You see long time St. John member and original St. John Stephen Minister, June Liebing, was turning 90 on Wednesday.  We wanted to let June know she is not forgotten and that she is still loved.  We also wanted to celebrate God’s goodness in June’s life.  Time and again June reiterated how blessed she is.

Then someone asked June, “So after 90 years, do you have any words of wisdom?”  June’s reply was short.  “Love your neighbor.”  That simple statement is good advice for anyone.

Actually, these are words from Scripture that Jesus used as well.  In Matthew 22   Jesus was asked by a religious leader what the greatest commandment was.  Quoting the Old Testament Jesus replied, “37 "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

So, after 90 years of life’s trials, the principle that stuck first in June’s mind is the simple call to love others.  Actually, loving our neighbor is part of how we love God.  But when life seems so complicated and difficult the simple guidelines are still the best.  ‘Love God.’  ‘Love our neighbors.’

However, these guidelines may be simple to remember, and good to follow, but not simple to keep.  That is why the words of 1 John 4 are so important.  10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  It is God’s undeserved love for us in the dying and rising of Jesus that leads us to love Him, and then strengthens us to love others. 

Look at the problems in today’s world.  It might be the world economy.  It might be terrorism.  It might be dealing with poverty, or illness.  Imagine how much better our world would be if we could hear and follow the call of our Lord.  "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' . . . 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Thanks, June!

A Child of God, seeking God’s simple wisdom in life’s confusing complexity,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  Here are pictures June’s birthday party.  https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/StephenMinistersCelebrateJuneLiebingS90thBirthday822011?authuser=0&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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