Sharing What's Really Important: July 2012

Saturday, July 21, 2012

God's Plan for Marriage

Dear Fellow Children of God,

The summer of 2012 has been a season of weddings at St. John. This Saturday, July 21, I am presiding at the marriage of a young couple from St. John. But this is only one of five weddings at St. John this summer. In addition, I have helped 3 couples prepare for weddings which are being conducted in other locations or by other people. With all the work and planning that goes into most weddings that is a lot of time spent thinking about marriage, and thinking about God’s part in marriage.

You can probably imagine that preparing for weddings is one of the more joyful tasks in which a pastor gets to engage. There is talk of the future, and discussion of faith and love. But, I’m sure most of you know the reality of marriage these days. Depending on whose statistics one uses, only about half of the marriages in the United States actually make it. And, many today do not even choose to get married.

In some ways we should not be surprised at these statistics. People may love one another at 25. But, when a couple marries they are promising to love that person at 35, and 45, and 75! The person we marry at 25 is not the same person when that person turns 45. So marriage takes commitment, and marriage takes work, and marriage takes help.

Next month Kathy and I will have been married for 35 years. This past Friday night we were talking about things we had just learned about each other. Just this summer I learned about my wife’s plan and preference for flower gardens (“The Clump Theory”), something which I had never known before. The point is that there an unknown future when a couple commits to marriage. That is why Christians need commitment and help to make their marriages work.

The Bible verse that speaks most plainly to me about God’s plans for Christian people in marriage is found in Ephesians 5:21-33. Verses 31-33 say, 31 "’For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ 32 This is a profound mystery-- but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

Some of the things God tells us in this verse are:

· Marriage between one man and one woman is God’s plan from the beginning of time. Verse 31 is actually a quote from Genesis 2. Marriage isn’t our idea. Marriage is God’s plan for how life works best for His children.

· Marriage teaches us of God’s relationship with the church. Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is His bride. There is a unique intimate relationship between God and His people and marriage teaches us about that relationship.

· God is there to help us in our marriages. In God’s plan for marriage 3 people are involved;. the husband, the wife, and Jesus. Jesus is there to help us love and forgive and endure with one another.

· Christians and God’s church are called to honor and support marriage because it is God’s plan.

It is a joy to help a young couple get started with God’s help on the adventure of life that is marriage. When marriage lasts it is one of the greatest earthly blessings God can give. But, we all need God’s help. Please pray for these new marriages. Please pray for all families. God’s love and direction do make a difference.

A Child of God, Praying for Christian Families,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here is a picture of Kathy and myself on our wedding day. Who is that guy standing with Kathy, and what is that look in his eye? https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/JonathanAndKathySWeddingDayAugust201977?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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Sunday, July 15, 2012

Seeking to Follow God's Guidance

Dear Fellow Children of God,

A number of weeks ago I was entering the Palmer Post Office and I saw a lady who was also approaching the door. I waited for her and held the door open so she could enter. She said, “Thank you,” and then went into the entry way and held the door for me saying, “Let me return the favor.” I also thanked her. But, as she walked away I muttered under my breath, “I guess I’m old-fashioned. I’m used to holding doors for the ladies rather than the other way around.” Another man who was there and heard me, commented, “But, that’s not the way it’s done these days.”

Are you old-fashioned? I know that is a loaded question. I am sure all of us are influenced by the way we were raised and the customs of our youth. Just blindly following the customs of the past is not necessarily a safe thing. Martin Luther saw the reliance on custom and tradition in the church of his time and worked for reform or change. This reform brought the church more in line with God’s Word. I am not a proponent of the racial prejudice I saw as a child in the south. I am glad that custom of racism has been reformed and is not the accepted practice in our society any longer. Maybe there are some customs that are good, and some that aren’t.

But, there is a way in which I am old-fashioned. I personally believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God Himself, and therefore is the basis for my faith and life as a Christian, as a husband, and as a pastor. You see, I believe God is smarter than I am. I believe that God is wiser than I am. I believe the words of Isaiah 55 where God speaks to us saying, 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.”

So, when it comes to behaviors like speaking the truth, respecting authorities, being merciful, practicing godly chastity, refraining from greed, supporting God’s church, setting priorities, and other behaviors, I seek to follow what God says to me in His Word. I believe the words of Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

This attitude of looking to long-written words of Scripture is considered old fashioned in many arenas these days. And while I don’t want to blindly follow customs and traditions of the past that may not necessarily serve God or may not be appropriate in our modern times, there are some things that don’t change. Trusting God’s wisdom and trusting God’s love, I also trust His Word for guidance.

That may be why I continue to believe that a good mission statement for God’s church, and a good mission statement for St. John is the motto of the Reformation, “By Grace Alone, By Faith Alone, By Scripture Alone.” I believe this is God’s direction as revealed in Scripture.

There are some places where I have become part of the new culture. I’ve become part of the new computer and communication age. But, I still think I should hold the doors for the ladies. I guess in some ways I am old fashioned. My kids just call me a “putz.” I’m just trying to follow the guidance of God and to live in faith and love.

A Child of God, Seeking to Follow God’s Guidance in my Life,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. I love the Alaskan summer, even a cool and rainy one like 2012. I also listen to the words of Psalm 127 about rest and re-creation.

“1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

P.P.S. On Sunday our God-son from Jacksonville visited us and worshiped at St. John. Kathy and I were god-parents to Scott Plymill and his sisters almost 30 years ago. Here are 2 pictures of most of our family and Scott and his friends. https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/VisitByGodSonScottPlymillJuly82012?authuser=0&feat=directlink

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Friday, July 6, 2012

God's Network to Support Us

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Who do you go to when you need to talk when you need someone to listen to you? Personally, I can tell you that I am blessed that my best friend is my wife, Kathy. There is much I share with her. Also, the Promise Keepers men’s group at St. John has become a source of Christian encouragement and support for me. I pray that this group gives support for Christian faith and life to all who attend. There are also many other supporters and friends at St. John with whom I talk.

But, in addition to family and friends, when I need to talk with someone I often talk to other pastors. There are other long-time pastors who have spent time serving God and his people and they understand the difficulties and challenges of serving God as a pastor. Some of the issues I would like to talk about with others may be issues that include areas of confidentiality, so I don’t share that with friends or other church members, or even my wife. But, it is appropriate to talk about professional issues, pastoral issues, with other pastors. I have some really good friends who are pastors and I appreciate their friendship and willingness to listen.

So, who do you go to when you need the encouragement of a listening ear? Do you visit with a parent, a brother or sister, or do you have a close friend whose listening and advice you really cherish?

Have you ever thought that God has a web of support for his children? God has given us family. What a blessing when a home is a place of love and faith and security. What a blessing when we can go to a family member with concerns. Proverbs 17:17 says, “a brother is born for adversity.” Do you have such support at home?

There are times that before we go to family, we speak with a friend. In Proverbs 18:24 we are told, “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Do you have such a friend who is so close that you trust them as much or more than even family? What a blessing to have such a person of faith and love in our lives!

I am sure you know the words in Matthew about God himself listening and responding to our prayers. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) What a blessing to know that the Lord of heaven listens to our concerns and acts in love and power and mercy when we go to Him in faith.

The point is that God has not left us alone. In a world of trials God has sent Jesus, “Immanuel – God With us.” And, it is God’s plan to give us companionship, encouragement, and love today in our families, through church and friends, and from personal communication with God through prayer. God has a network of support for us as we face life and its struggles.

Do you need some encouragement? Why not reach out to a Christian friend? Do know someone who needs a shoulder to lean on? Reach out to them and listen. It’s part of God’s plan that we have friends. It is part of God’s plan that we serve others as friends.

A Child of God, supported by God’s web of love,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. In Sunday’s sermon, based on Mark 6:1-13, we will look at the reception Jesus got from family and compare that to the reception He got from His disciples. I hope to see you Sunday..

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