Messages of New Life

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Last Monday I took four middle school Confirmation students ice fishing.  It was one of those Chamber of Commerce days.  The sun was bright.  The snow was new.  The temperatures were cold enough to be invigorating, but it was warm enough that we didn’t need our gloves to bait the hooks.  It was hard not to feel refreshed after a day outdoors in the beauty of late winter.

 

The time of late February and early March is one of my favorite times of the year in Alaska.  The daylight hours have grown so that the darkness of winter begins to fade, giving way to longer hours of sunlight.  Yet, winter is not yet over.  A whole season of snow has dropped so the extra sunshine reflects off the white snow of a full winter, giving even more light.  The crisp winter temperatures combined with the long hours of light provide an opportunity for really appreciating the outdoors and God’s gift of winter.  These are some of the best days to walk, or ice-fish, or ski, or snow shoe, or snow machine.  The days of darkness when we feel like hibernating have given way to a sense of being awake and being alive. 

 

I am convinced God uses many different voices to speak to us.  God’s clearest message of love comes in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus.  Today, we hear God’s plan for us in Jesus most clearly and faithfully in the Scriptures.  God also speaks to us through acts of faith and love in His children.  God’s powerful acts in history also speak.  For example, Scripture tell us that the Old Testament events of the Flood and the Exodus communicate to us God’s ultimate plan to save us.

 

The awakening from winter which happens this time of year is one way God speaks to my heart of the new life He gives us in Jesus.  We awaken from the darkness of sin and death and live in what God has won for us in the forgiving death of Jesus, and his victorious resurrection.  Yes, this new life is totally fulfilled in heaven, but we get to live in the beginning reality of new life in Jesus today.

 

That is what God tells us through Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:15-17.  Jesus’ saving life and death and resurrection give us new life.  We begin to live in that new life now.  “15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

 

This time of year awakens my heart and speaks to me of new life.  That new life comes from Jesus.  May the growing light of late February and early March be a blessing to you, and speak to your heart of the new life God gives us in Jesus.

 

A Child of God, Enjoying the longer daylight hours, rejoicing in Jesus, the Light of the World,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from the fishing trip.  https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums?banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#photos/114993745799525883148/albums/5847903403474505313

 

P.P.S.  This weekend Jamie, our Director of Christian Education, myself, and some other adults will take between 15 and 20 middle school children to Victory Bible Camp for a retreat.  This is another opportunity to enjoy God’s blessings this time of year, and grow in faith and love. 

 

 

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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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Ash Wednesday and a Repentant Spirit

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

This Wednesday, February 13 is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  Lent is the church season where Christians especially remember our sin and Jesus’ suffering and sacrificial death.  St. John celebrates Lent with special mid-week Lenten services at 6:30 p.m. each week during this season.  This year our worship focuses on “The Prayers of Jesus” and the services are held on February 13, 20, 27, and March 6, 13, and 20.  Please join us.

 

The season of Lent may be ‘famous’ in our world for two reasons.  First, many Christians have taken on the discipline of self-denial or fasting during Lent.  This Lenten discipline helps us to grow in our fight against our sinful desires and passions.  Every human has rebelled against our Creator and our Savior with acts of rebellion, selfishness, and disobedience.  We deserve God’s punishment now and eternally for our sins.  But, God has worked to forgive us through His Son.  Jesus had to die so that our sins could be paid for.  This discipline of self-denial helps Christians take our sin seriously and helps us to live for God rather than ourselves. 

 

The other reason Lent is famous in today’s world is the event of Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, which takes place in New Orleans and other cities around the world on the day before Ash Wednesday.  This event began with the following rationale;  ‘If I am going to give something up during the season of Lent, let’s participate in one last event of self-indulgence before the self-denial begins.’  You know as well as I do that Mardi Gras for many has just become an excuse for a big wild party, even if the participants are not giving up something for Lent.

 

Actually, the best way to celebrate Lent is an attitude of humble repentance.  No matter how much we deny ourselves we are still sinners.  We still need God’s merciful and sacrificial love in Jesus.  We all desperately need a Savior.  Repentance trusts God’s forgiveness rather than our work and effort.  Repentance trusts God’s love rather than our righteousness.  Repentance admits our own failings and leads us to live in humility.

 

In 1 John 1:8-9 God caused John to write, “8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

 

In a world where people want to be known for their good deeds rather than their sins, repentance goes contrary to the way people think and feel.  But, the truth is we have all failed God and are sinners.  In a world that often encourages ‘in your face’ trash talking and pride, repentant humility is not common.  Sometimes because we struggle inwardly with repentance, outward acts and signs help our heart in its search to serve the God who loves us and saved us.

 

So, consider what might help you in your bringing repentance to your heart.  Perhaps the imposition of ashes in the Ash Wednesday service will help your humble repentance.  Perhaps the disciplines of self-denial and worship will help your heart.  Or, best yet, maybe knowing the love of God that He forgives our sins will change our heart so we live for Him.

 

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 

A Child of God, Seeking humble repentance in the presence of God and others,

Pastor Jonathan

 

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures of ice fishing at the Marriage retreat on Saturday, February 9, and from ice fishing on Monday, February 11, with Granddaughter, Emma.  https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/IceFishingFebruary9And112013?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.

 

God's Help for Marriage

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

After Wednesday night worship I was making announcements and mentioned about the Marriage Retreat we are holding this weekend for couples out the Alaska Sunset View Resort on Big Lake.  One of those attending worship joked that they would like to go to the lodge, but they couldn’t attend because they weren’t married.  I was being “discriminatory.”  I replied, also somewhat joking, that marriage was part of God’s plan for His creation, and married people had special problems and needed special help.

 

Those words may have been said in a joking manner, but I believe what was said.  I do believe that marriage is God’s plan and married people need special help.  Jesus himself said this in Matthew 19,  4 "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'  5 and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."  (Matthew 19:4-6)

 

In a recent gathering of pastors we discussed the topic, “Things you aren’t supposed to talk about.”  Maybe a better title would be, “Things people wish pastors didn’t talk about.”  God’s plan for sexuality and marriage is one of those topics. But it is obvious that Jesus talked about God’s plan and God’s help for marriage.  The church is called to share the “whole will of God.” (Acts 20:27)  So I believe a faithful pastor speaks God’s Word to help people with God’s plan.

 

Some lessons we can learn from these words in Matthew 19 from Jesus himself include that marriage is God’s plan from creation, from the beginning.  God intends marriage to be between one man and one woman.  When a man and a woman are married, they become one.  Jesus indicates that this physical, spiritual, and social unity are intended by God to last till death. 

 

So there are certain practices that are common today that are not part of God’s plan.  Sex outside of marriage is not part of God’s plan.  Sex between those who are not a married man and woman is not part of God’s plan.  Divorce is not part of God’s plan.  I know that these teachings which 50, 40, even 30 years ago would have been considered so accepted that they didn’t need mentioning, are controversial today.  But, God’s plan for creation continues to be the healthiest, most joyful, and most fulfilling way to live.  Yet, you and I all know people who struggle to live God’s plan.  In honesty, all of us struggle and we all need God’s help.

 

That is why Jesus spoke these words in the verse above.  It is not just people today who struggle with God’s plan for marriage and sexuality, the people of Jesus’ day were struggling with these same issues as well.  So Jesus was providing direction and help. Therefore, the most important words of Jesus in this section of Scripture might be from verse 6, “what God has joined together.”  If God’s plan for marriage is a struggle, it is good to know that God Himself is there helping us and joining us.  Thankfully, during His ministry Jesus gave help for God’s plan as well, in words and actions of love and forgiveness.  Time and again Jesus met people who struggled in this area.  Time and again Jesus reached out in love and forgiveness and worked to bring them back to God.

 

This weekend a group of couples are “retreating” so we can be by ourselves, and so that we can receive God’s help.  In fact the theme of the weekend is, “Growing in the Lord . . . Growing in our Marriage.”  May God bless all His created people with his love and forgiveness, and may God bless families to live in the joy and health of the wise plan God has given since creation.

 

A Child of God, Constantly seeking the help of God,

Pastor Jonathan

 

 

P.S.  NEW BIBLE CLASSES!!!!!!  New Bible classes are starting on Sundays.  Please plan to attend.

 

·         TOPICAL CLASS – Dave Nufer will be starting a topical class, on “Stress”, beginning February 3.  The actual title of this class is, “Busy, Tired, Stressed Out and Stretched to the Limit?”  This class will meet in the Fellowship Hall.

 

·         WOMEN’S CLASS – Mary Jo Lentz continues to teach a class on  "Romans.” This women’s class meets in the Cry Room in the Sanctuary.

 

·         SCRIPTURE CLASS –Randy Luffberry finished the class on Ecclesiastes, Jim Summers will also be teaching a class on Romans.  This will be held in the library, beginning February 17.

 

 

 

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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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Whether we Live or Whether we Die, We are the Lord's

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

You probably know the old proverb, “The only things sure in life are death and taxes.”  We have been living that proverb at St. John the last couple of weeks.  Last week we had a funeral for regular St. John worshiper, Burton Fields, who passed away from lung cancer.  Then this past Friday the funeral was held for 18 year old Zach Sharlow, killed in a tragic car accident, and we grieved with his family and friends as they said good-bye and took comfort from God’s love.  There have also been other deaths which have touched our congregation and God’s ministry here. 

 

And, if all that isn’t enough, our Promise Keepers’ Men’s Group began a new Bible Study this week.  The title of the study is, “Death – Then What?”  One of our attendees, Fred Voight, even said something about the dark days of January being a time we often experience death in Alaska. 

 

There are a lot of grieving and hurting people in our community right now.  While we cannot take away the hurt of the loss, there is comfort to give in these times of grief.  Surprisingly, some of that comfort comes from another death of sorts.

 

Last Sunday we had a baptism in worship for 80 year old Al McNiven.  This Sunday 4 year old Leland Nichols will be baptized.  Baptism is described in Romans 6:3-4 as death.  God tells us in Romans that in baptism we die with Jesus to rise with Him and walk in newness of life.  Baptism is also described as new life in John 3:3-5.  It isn’t the water that turns death into life, but the relationship with Jesus does this.  God uses the Word and the water of baptism to work faith and strengthen faith in Jesus.  When we are joined to Jesus we are united with the one who died in love for us to defeat sin and who rose to give eternal life.

 

Death and taxes may be inevitable, but they do not have the final word.  God’s love speaks more loudly than death, and God’s Word speaks more loudly than the sin that causes death, because in love He took on our suffering Himself so that we might be saved through Him.

 

So, in two weeks time we will have experienced 2 funerals and 2 baptisms.  We have encountered death, and the victory over death that God gives in Jesus.  No wonder God causes Paul to write to the Christians in Rome, “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:8)

 

I am glad that Burton and Zach knew Jesus who overcomes death.  I am glad the Al and Leland know Jesus and are growing in His love and life.  There is reason to rejoice both at the victory over death and new life which God gives to His people.

 

 

A Child of God, Grieving and Rejoicing,

Pastor Jonathan

 

 

P.S.  On top of all this, I have an appointment to work on taxes this coming Tuesday!!!

 

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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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