Sharing Jesus' Love

Dear Fellow Children of God,

So, what is the best way to share God’s love with someone else?  God wants us to share Jesus with others so they may know His sacrificial love and His victorious resurrection so they may come to faith in Jesus and have eternal life.  What is the best way of sharing God’s love?  Is there a special method?  Are there special words?  God reminded me again this week that He can and does work anywhere, so we need to always be faithful and ready for the opportunity to share Jesus with someone else.

On Monday I was standing at the gun counter at Sportsman’s Warehouse and the mother of one of our child members walked up to the counter too.  We struck up a conversation as we were looking at guns.  (By the way, she was faster to purchase a gun than I was.)  We also talked about worship schedules, and options for caring for a 1 year old and worshiping at the same time.  She said she will be in church soon.  I wasn’t planning on talking about God and church at the gun counter, but God can and does work anywhere.

On Wednesday I was standing in line at Subway, reading e-mail on my smart phone.  A man that I knew through former members now living in Nevada saw me and asked, “Are you working on Sunday’s sermon?”  So, we got to talk a little about God and church.  I wasn’t planning on sharing God’s love in the line at Subway, but God can and does work anywhere.

But, my favorite experience that shows that God works in amazing ways was the baptism ceremony we had last Sunday.  Baptisms are not uncommon at St. John, but this baptism came about in a way I have not previously experienced.  On June 9 members of St. John walked in the Colony Days parade.  Our float told about our Vacation Bible School that began the following Monday, June 11.  As our members walked beside the float they handed out leaflets that invited people to the Community Picnic we held that day, and these leaflets also invited people to come to Vacation Bible School the following Monday.  Willie and Lilly were along the parade route and got invitations.  They attended Vacation Bible School and asked to be baptized.  So, after meeting with Willie and Lilly and their dad and grandmother we arranged for the baptism which took place last Sunday.

Our hope is always that the parade and picnic and Vacation Bible School bring people to Jesus’ love and to our congregation.  But, I did not expect this quick a result.  God can and does work anywhere.

In 1 Peter 3:15 God tells us about sharing His love, “15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”  This week I gained a new respect for God’s instruction to “always be prepared.”  God can and does work anywhere.

A Child of God , Amazed at how God Works,

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 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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Pray for God's Church

Dear Fellow Children of God,

We don’t live in a perfect world.  That is why we need a Savior.

As I write this devotion, I am in Portland this week for the District Convention that happens once every three years for the churches in our denomination.  At these conventions, which every one  of our congregations is supposed to attend, churches gather together to renew their shared commitment to the mission and ministry of our Lord.  Congregations at convention also act on resolutions, like a legislature that meets once every three years, in order to better focus the direction of ministry.  But, while I don’t know of any better way for church bodies to make decisions, I am not always sure a convention is the best way either.

In my devotions this Thursday morning, one of my readings came from Ecclesiastes 3, where God moved Solomon to write, “Moreover I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.” (Ecclesiastes 3:16 RSV).  Imagine!  King Solomon himself is surprised to find wickedness even in places that make decisions, places like government.  And Solomon was king!  And selfishness and disagreement can ever rear their ugly heads in places of decision like church conventions.

But disagreement within the church and meetings to settle matters are not new.  We don’t live in a perfect world.  That is why we need a Savior.  Such disagreement is the whole background of Acts 15, where the early church had a heated meeting in Jerusalem to decide if Gentiles had to become circumcised Jews before they could become Christian.  I share this because, even respecting the faith and commitment of others attending the convention with me this week, from experience I expect this convention to display some obvious difference of opinions for the direction we take in doing the work of our Lord Jesus.

Thankfully, God sent Jesus to forgive everyone, even Christians when we act in ways that we may think are right but are actually selfish, or wrong.  Even in the church, maybe especially in the church, God’s people need the forgiveness of God.  The church of God is built, not on our righteousness, but on the righteousness of Jesus, on the merciful sacrificial death of our Lord, and on His resurrection victory.  We don’t live in a perfect world.  We are all sinful.  That is why we need a Savior.

I really appreciated the prayer in my devotion for today.  This prayer, written by Maria Hare, who helped me to pray, “Have mercy on me, poor and needy as I am, and subdue in me all that is perverse and wayward in my heart.  So fill me with Thy pure and heavenly love, that all my narrowness and selfishness may be done away with in the wideness of Thy love.  Amen.”

We don’t live in a perfect world.  That is why we need a Savior.  Lord Jesus, we pray that you would even bless Your Church, that we may accomplish Your will as we act to focus and work together as your people to share the wideness of your forgiving and saving love.  Amen.

A Child of God , Thankful I have a Savior,

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 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.

Our Heavenly FATHER

Dear Fellow Children of God,

About 15 years ago, while at a worship conference in the Chicago area, a group of St. John members and I worshiped at a nationally known church after the conference.  The day we worshiped was Fathers’ Day and fatherhood was the focus of the sermon.  I won’t forget the sermon because I was so disappointed.  The preacher that day talked about King David and what kind of father he was.  This famous pastor pointed to David’s shortcomings as a father, which David surely had.  The pastor then encouraged church members to turn to modern day teaching and counselors for help and direction in their families.

As we celebrate a day set aside to honor fathers it should not be a surprise that there is no perfect earthly father.  Being a good father is a challenging job.  As a father myself I can think of times I was too harsh or strict, and other times I was too lenient.  I can think of times as a father I lost my temper that I later regretted.  While I have tried to set a life example for my children through a Christian life of faith and love, I know that my children have lived with me and they have seen my worst as well as my best.  There are no perfect earthly fathers.

However, the thing that disappointed me the most about the sermon that day in Chicago is that the preacher did not mention our Heavenly Father.  Scripture is full of teaching on God as our loving heavenly father.  In the Old Testament we are told in “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;” (Psalm 103:13).  In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches, “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 7:11)  No, there are no perfect earthly fathers, but we all have a heavenly father who loves us, who shows compassion, who provides for our needs.  For our greatest need, the consequences of our rebellion and sin, our Father acted in love and compassion and sent His only begotten Son to save us.  There is one perfect Father – God Himself!

While I have some regrets as father, I have always loved my four children.  When I have struggled I have sought to make my first source of help and guidance the fatherly love of God.  Just because I have failed at times does not mean that I am giving up on being a loving and faithful father.  In fact, knowing that all fathers struggle gives me comfort for times I have failed.  Knowing that God is not only father of all, but also father of my children, encourages me to know that our Heavenly Father is watching over my children.  God’s forgiveness and help give me strength and direction to continue working to live a life of faith and love for my children and now my grandchildren.

No, there are no perfect fathers.  But, many of us have had fathers who have loved us and taught us and raised us to know Jesus as our Savior.  I know that my dad willingly took on a difficult job and faithfully worked at that job to love and bless me and my brothers and sister.  And, while not perfect, my dad did a really good job of being father to a son who caused him some trouble.  Such faithful effort in a difficult job is certainly worth honoring. 

May God guide and bless our fathers and our families in all His love and compassion.

A Child of God , my Heavenly Father – What a Blessing!

Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  Here is a picture of my dad and my brothers and sister taken this past January.  https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/RockeyFamilyGatheringMatthewLeonSBaptism#5700975016796150818

P. P.S.  Last week my devotion talked about options for worship when we are away from home.  Please remember our Wednesday worship.  This is another opportunity for worship when gone on the weekend.  Wednesday worship is held at 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday.

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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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Keeping in Touch With God

Dear Fellow Children of God,

As I talked to St. John members this week I learned that a number of families were out of town this past weekend.  I know of two St. John families that saw each other at Disneyland.  (Imagine!)  I know of two families that met each other in Homer.  One of those family groups was my two younger children who were in Homer for a baseball tournament.  How many other families do you think were traveling last weekend?

During summer, because school is out, schedules change.  I used to think that life slowed down in the summer.  Now I think that instead of schedules slowing down, we now plan different activities.  Many of those activities, such as fishing and camping trips, or vacations, take us away from home.  So, if summer schedules take us away from home how do we keep up our relationship with God and His people? 

God has established a Sabbath and established His church for the good of His people.  Children of God need time with God in praise and worship to maintain and strengthen our faith in Jesus as our Savior, so we have a day of worship.  And children of God need time together with other Christians to worship and grow and serve.  So I ask again, if summer schedules take us away from home how do we keep up our relationship with God and His people? 

When my family and I travel we seek to find another congregation where we can worship.  But, what do you do if your vacation takes you to a tent in the woods, or in Homer?  There are many verses in Scripture that encourage us to regular use or meditation on God’s Word.  For example, God spoke through Paul about the power and blessing of God’s Word, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”  (Romans 10:17)

Have you considered personal or family devotions as a possibility for spending time with God while you are away from home?  I can share with you that when my friends and I moose hunt we actually have devotions daily, but sometimes we have special devotional time in camp on a Sunday.  That has actually been an opportunity for sharing God’s love with people who are seeking answers about God. 

How about your time away?  If you can’t attend worship, why not consider intentionally planning a time of personal or family devotions?  While devotions do not give you time with God’s people for encouragement the same way that worship does, nevertheless God strengthens us and feeds our faith in His word.  It is good for God’s people to use this gift of God daily.  But, when we are away and cannot gather with the people of God I find it good to plan a time of devotion which can include Bible Reading, discussion, prayer, and maybe even singing.

God does tell us we need time to rest.  Especially during the summer months it seems that time takes us away from home.  But, we don’t want to take a vacation from God.  He is always with us.  Before you leave, why not consider materials you can bring so that you and the family get to keep strong your faith in God’s love for you.  If you want some ideas contact me.  I might even have some to share.

A Child of God  Encouraging God’s children to stay strong in their faith

Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  Another opportunity for St. John Members to worship during the summer is our Wednesday Worship service, held each week at 6:30 p.m.

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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.

The Blessings of Faith Shared

Dear Fellow Children of God,

A couple of weeks ago I was making pastoral calls on some elderly members of St. John.  I was visiting so that, as Pastor, I could bring them comfort and support for their faith.  But, in reality it was their faith which blessed me.

While visiting in the Pioneer Home with long-time St. John member, June Liebing, June said, “Pastor, I may not get around like I did, but I am so blessed.”  June then pointed out that even though she is in her 90’s and living in a nursing home, she can get around with a walker and her mind is clear.  She thanks God for the blessings of life and her relative health as she advances in age.

Later that same afternoon I was visiting with LeRoy and Thony Jenson.  LeRoy’s health has been a frustration and a struggle over the last few years.  However, as Thony was sharing with me the frustrations of LeRoy’s most recent doctor’s visit she said, “But, O Pastor, we’ve been so blessed.”  She reminded me that they will soon reach the 60 year milestone of their marriage.  Even knowing the on-going frustrations of LeRoy’s health challenges, Thony saw the loving hand of God in their lives.

It may seem easier to see God’s love when life is going well.  But, remember, God the Father sent His son, Jesus, as our Savior.  We need saving from our sin and the problems of life and death.  Jesus is not just here for the times of joy in life.  Jesus came because the problems of life are ultimately bigger than we are, and He saves us for eternal life through His life and death and resurrection. 

In John 16, the night His betrayal approached, Jesus told His disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  Yes, we will have trouble, but those troubles do not mean that God has left us or that he doesn’t love us.  Those troubles are the reason that Jesus came to earth as our Savior.

Not everyone always sees the loving hand of God in the midst of life’s troubles and frustrations.  It takes faith, it takes trust in God to know His love when life is hard or frustrating.  But, when someone in the midst of life’s challenges shares their trust in the love of God with others, that faith and that sharing is a blessing.

Last month I meant to bring encouragement and blessings to some St. John members with a pastoral visit.  In reality, it was these members who blessed me.  I pray that through the people of His Church God encourages and sustains you to know that He loves you and saves you through our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

In this world we will have trouble.  But we can take heart.  Jesus has overcome the world.

A Child of God thankful for the faith witness of others,

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 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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