Time in the Wilderness

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Few people live as close to the wilderness as Alaskans do.  Most Alaskans I know enjoy the blessings of living near the wilderness.  Alaskans experience wildlife in ways others cannot.  We also have outdoor recreational opportunities that include both beauty and adventure.  We Alaskans are blessed by the wild land around us.  But, if you have traveled into even the edge of the wilderness you know there are dangers as well.  The wildlife we enjoy viewing can cause injury and death.  There are dangers in the waters, dangers in the isolation, dangers in the weather, and dangers in the terrain.  The wilderness brings blessings, but it also brings danger.

Do you know that Scripture is constantly telling us about times in the wilderness, with the point being that our lives are wilderness times?  The Children of Israel spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness before they were able to enter the Promised Land.  These 40 years were a time of trial and waiting.  For some Israelites the dangers in that wilderness overcame them.  You and I live in a world where we face trials and temptations as we await the Promised Land of heaven.  Our life is spent in the wilderness of a sinful world.  There are trials and temptations that can lead us away from the Lord and dangers that can lead us away from the promised land of heaven.

Jesus also had time in the wilderness.  Before beginning His ministry Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. But, this was a different kind of experience from that of the Israelites.  It is like Jesus went to the wilderness to train for the coming challenges of His earthly ministry.  Where the Israelites often failed to resist the temptations and dangers of the wilderness, Jesus overcame Satan’s temptations.  Jesus spent His time in the wilderness alone with God.  He spent His time in prayer, in fasting, and using God’s Word.  So, where the Israelites often failed, Jesus was strengthened for His life of ministry and service. 

So, how do we face our wilderness time in this world?  The Lenten Season has traditionally been a season set aside for training and growth to help Christians resist the temptations in this world, and to help Christians live their lives for the Lord.  This time of 40 days (not counting Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Easter reminds us that we constantly face trials and temptations and dangers in this world before we reach the Promised Land.  This time of 40 days is intended to help us follow the example of Jesus and grow in the spiritual discipline to face these dangers. 

However, our greatest weapon in facing the dangers of this world is not our discipline or our strength.  We all face times of sin and failure.  Our greatest help in life’s dangers is the love and the forgiveness given to us through the grace of God in Jesus. 

But, Christians can also use our Lenten season like Jesus used His time in the wilderness, as training for Christian living.  Some Christians have traditionally spent Lent in self-denial to develop the strength to say “no” to the temptations and dangers of life.  Christians have also used the season of Lenten as an opportunity to develop the tools and disciplines for Christian living.  This is a good opportunity to set aside time to be alone with God, to set aside extra time to pray and use God’s Word, and for worship. 

When I go to the edge of the wilderness to enjoy ice fishing I make sure I have the clothes to protect me from the cold, and the equipment to do the work of fishing.  As you live in the wilderness of this world, are you protected and equipped for the Christian life?  Lent is a good time to prepare as a Christian for time in the wilderness of this world.

Seeking to Grow as A Child of God,

Pastor Jonathan

****

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.

****

Celebrating Presidents' Day as a Christian

Dear Fellow Children of God,

So, how are you going to celebrate “Presidents’ Day” this Monday?  This national holiday is set aside to honor presidents.  It seems to me that many people get a day off work, but there seems to be little done by the general population to remember or honor our presidents.  When I was a child, instead of just one holiday, we celebrated Lincoln’s birthday on February 12, and we also celebrated Washington’s birthday on February 22.   These men are not only remembered because they held the office of president of the United States, but they are remembered fondly because they served with integrity and honor in critical times in our nations’ history.  Because their service blessed our country, we actually did took time on these days to honor them.  How will you celebrate “Presidents’ Day?”

You might think this is an interesting question for a pastor to ask his congregation and other Christians.  “Isn’t this a political question?”  Are politics and faith really connected?  Actually, Christians seek to live their faith in God by serving Him in every aspect of their lives.  So, while politicians may try to steer clear of recognizing one faith above others, Christians are deeply concerned with living as a child of God in their own country.  However, as I read God’s Word, this Christian activism takes on a different appearance than much partisan political activism we see today.  Christians are called first to submit to and honor those in authority, and Christians are also called to pray for those in authority.

In Romans 13:1 we are told “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. . .”  This does not say that those in authority are perfect.  There are no perfect Christians.  There are no perfect parents or children.  That is why we need Jesus as the one who saves us from sin. There are also no perfect citizens . . . and there are no perfect leaders, nor presidents.  Still, if you read the rest of Romans 13:1-7 you can see that God has established earthly authority for a purpose.  Governments are to commend those who do good and to punish those who do evil.  In order for the government to carry out its authority, Christians should submit to laws that don’t conflict with our conscience (Acts 5:29) and Christians are to give honor and respect to those who serve.

In fact, in 2 Timothy 2 God tells us how to honor our authorities.  I suggest that this is a good prescription for celebrating Presidents’ Day.  “1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Christians are to pray “all for those in authority” so that they may govern in such as way that we can live godly lives.  What a great way to celebrate President’s Day!

But, what if we disagree with the policies or actions of a leader?  Think about it.  Then they need our prayer even more.  Actually, when we pray we are trusting God to accomplish His will.  We certainly want the Almighty and Loving God directing those in authority.  Practically in American that means that even Democratic Christians should have prayed for President Bush, and even Republican Christians should be praying for President Obama.  We want God to direct our leaders. 

I was reading on the internet something that Abraham Lincoln himself said about prayer.  “"I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go."”  If President Lincoln knew of his need for prayer, we surely need to pray God’s guidance on our leaders today.

A Child of God, praying for God to guide all leaders in wisdom and justice,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  Actually, my current prayers are not just for our leaders, but that God turn America back to Himself.  I find that when I disagree with our leaders, they are often following the current wishes of the people of our country.

****

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.

****

The Blessing of Marriage

Dear Fellow Children of God,

I have a VCR that isn’t working.  I know, VCR’s are old technology!  Today people are downloading videos off the internet and watching them on their phones.  But, I still have some video tapes I want to watch, so I need a VCR.  The thing that frustrates me is that it is cheaper to buy a new VCR than it is to have my broken VCR fixed.  There is something wasteful about this economy that I don’t like.  Maybe you feel the same way. 

Do you realize, however, that we often think and act the same way about marriage?  This may be stretching the analogy, but often it seems easier to get a new marriage than to fix the old one, so the old marriage is thrown out.

Marriage is on my mind because our church is holding a marriage retreat this weekend and I have been working hard for the past few days to prepare for the retreat.  Do you know what Jesus says about marriage?  In Matthew 19 Jesus quotes Genesis 2, and then gives some practical application.  Jesus says, 5 . . . “'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'?  6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Please hear Jesus’ words as encouragement rather than condemnation.  Marriage, like any relationship, can be difficult.  There are times, such as in the instance of unfaithfulness, abuse, or desertion, that God himself gives permission for divorce.  But, God does not intend marriage to be a burden that we need to bear.  God intends marriage as a gift to help us share the burdens of life.  I can tell you, as we approach Valentine’s Day, that I am incredibly blessed to have God’s gift of my wife, Kathy.  I can say Biblically and personally that in many ways she completes me.  I am more of what God intended me to be because of my wife.  What a gift!!

But, marriage still has its trials.  That is why it is good to know that married couples don’t just bear the burdens of life with one another, but we have an even greater resource for help and strength.  Did you see what Jesus said in Matthew 19:6?  “Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."  Marriage is not just held together by love, which changes. A couple is not kept together only by commitment, which can weary a person.  It is not just kept strong by hard work.  Though love and commitment and effort all help to strengthen marriages.  Jesus says, “Therefore what God has joined together. . . ”  By His plan for creation, by His forgiveness in Jesus, by the presence of His Spirit in our lives and through His family the Church GOD is joining us together.  He not only gives the gift, He helps us to keep it alive and strong.

As Valentine’s Day reminds us of the worlds tribute to romantic love, I pray God blesses the marriages of our congregation and our community with a Godly love of giving and forgiving and sacrifice.  Thankfully, we don’t have to depend on ourselves.  God Himself is joining us together. 

   

A Child of God, Blessed in marriage by my loving wife,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  Monday I took Jake (almost 4) and Emmalee (2 ½ ) ice fishing.  The fish weren’t biting much, so here are pictures of what they did.  However, when the big one came along and I had it’s head out of the hole, the fish got away by straightening my hook!

https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/FishingWithJakeAndEmmalee262012?authuser=0&feat=directlink

****

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.

****

Put Your Hope in God

Dear Fellow Children of God,

I am currently reading again some delightful books by author, Jan Karon.  She tells the story of a pastor who is serving as shepherd in a small town called, Mitford, NC. (At Home in Mitford is the first book in this series.  I am currently reading In This Mountain which I had not previously read.)  While these books are generally upbeat stories of God’s blessing and power in people’s lives, nevertheless Father Tim faces many serious problems.  As I read the 7^th book in this series he personally faces the problem of depression brought on by his diabetes, brought on by a serious auto accident, and brought on by his guilt from that accident.  Perhaps like me, when you read a book you can identify with the character in the book and their life experiences.  As I have identified with Father Tim in this book I have hurt and struggled with him as he faced his depression. I am currently at the place in the book where Father Tim is about to come out of his depression.  I must say that I am certainly ready for his depression to end. 

I have now been pastor in Alaska for over 20 years, and I have known more people here who face depression than any other place.  Perhaps it is because the extreme swings between light and darkness have an effect on people’s mood.  Perhaps depression is so real in Alaska because of the long distance from family and support in the lower 48.  Or maybe people are just more open to talk with me because I have been here so long.  But I know from my time here as pastor that depression is real and it is common.

Sometimes people think if they are depressed there is something wrong with them in a way that is different from others.  But depression is not uncommon among God’s people in Scripture.  Elijah, David, and probably Saul faced depression to name a few.  Some think that Jonah and Paul also faced this crippling experience.  In other words, if a person faces depression it does not mean they are different from other children of God.  In a world ruined by sin it should not surprise us that life can get us down.

As I have read this current book the words of Psalm 42 keep coming to me.  In Psalm 42 verse 5 and verse 11 David writes, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

In this Psalm we are told that when a person faces depression they can ‘put their hope in God.’ But I have learned from helping people as pastor that when a person is depressed it is often not possible to ‘pull themselves up by their bootstraps.’  You can encourage someone to hope in God, but often they do not feel it.  But I have also learned my feelings do not control God’s faithful love.

If, as Psalm 42 encourages, a person hopes against hope when they may be ‘downcast’ and ‘disturbed’, this does not mean that there are no troubles.  Life is full of trouble because the world is place of rebellion against our Lord and Creator.  But, God’s power is stronger than our troubles.  And, in Jesus’ dying and rising God’s love has overcome our sin and death.  And God offers forgiveness to hurting people through faith in Jesus.  So, in life’s low points a person can continue to ‘put their hope in God’.  His love is stronger than the cause of those low points.

If you get the winter blues, or if you face deep depression, I pray that this verse from Psalm 42 might give you hope.  “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”  Even when we feel down, God’s love for us in Jesus continues.

A Child of God, thankful for God’s sure, powerful love,

Pastor Jonathan

****

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.

****