The Gift of Prayer

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

This weekend I am leading a marriage retreat in Big Lake.  As the couples attending the retreat seek to strengthen their marriages through their Christian faith, we will be considering the gift and the blessing of prayer.  We will study about how prayer can and does bless our marriages and our families.  And . . . we will pray!

 

I would love to share with you some of the recent prayers that have been answered in my life, in our church, and in the lives of others, but that might reveal something others might not want me to share.  However, as I prepared for this retreat I came across a story about Josh McDowell.

 

Please know that Josh McDowell is a well known Christian apologist (defender of the faith) and author.  I have had his books on my shelves for decades.  In fact, he will be speaking in Wasilla at the banquet for the Heartreach Crisis Pregnancy Center this coming October.  With that introduction, let me share Josh’s story as related in the Our Daily Bread devotional magazine.

 

While Josh McDowell was attending seminary in California, his father went Home to be with the Lord. His mother had died years earlier, but Josh was not sure of her salvation. He became depressed, thinking that she might be lost. Was she a Christian or not? The thought obsessed him. "Lord," he prayed, "somehow give me the answer so I can get back to normal. I've just got to know." It seemed like an impossible request.

Two days later, Josh drove out to the ocean. He walked to the end of a pier to be alone. There sat an old woman in a lawn chair, fishing. "Where's your home originally?" she asked.  "Michigan -- Union City," Josh replied. "Nobody's heard of it. I tell people it's a suburb of --" "Battle Creek," interrupted the woman. "I had a cousin from there. Did you know the McDowell family?"  Stunned, Josh responded, "Yes, I'm Josh McDowell!" 

"I can't believe it," said the woman. "I'm a cousin to your mother." 

"Do you remember anything at all about my mother's spiritual life?" asked Josh. "Why sure -- your mom and I were just girls -- teenagers -- when a tent revival came to town. It was the fourth night -- we both went forward to accept Christ." 

"Praise God!" shouted Josh, startling the surrounding fishermen.  Our Daily Bread.

 

In Matthew 6 Jesus tells His disciples, 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 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!  God hears our prayers and answers them by giving us the “good things” He knows we need in His wisdom and love.  I have personally seen the love of God for a sinner like myself in His answers to my prayers for my children, for God’s church, and for myself.

 

May God bless you to see His love in your life as He answers your prayers in His wisdom and power and love.

 

A Child of God, Thankful for God’s answers to prayer,

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.

 

******

 

Life's Trial - God's Training for Sharing His Love

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

How does God share His love with people today?  Sometimes people learn and grow in God’s love through reading the Bible.  Sometimes God shares His love through worship, or the sacraments.  But, sometimes God shares His love through a word of encouragement, or a hand of love on the shoulder from one of God’s other children.  And, it is not uncommon for God to prepare His children to show His love when we go through life’s trials.

 

Some may or may not have noticed that we recently lost someone from our St. John family.  Karen Work’s absence might not be noticed because she came to worship on the wheelchair van, she was quiet, and she left quickly after worship when the van left. 

 

Karen was a friend of Norm and Barb Dietz.  They shared with her through some struggles, and they invited Karen to receive the comfort of God’s help and love by worshiping with them.  So, sometimes Karen came to worship with the Dietz’.  Then, when Norm became ill and it became more difficult for the Dietz’ to attend worship, Karen continued to attend, pretty regularly.  Now instead of riding with Barb and Norm, Karen came on the St. John wheelchair van. 

 

In fact, Karen didn’t just attend worship, but she actively sought God’s help during the week.  It was common for Karen to call me three or four times during the week and ask for prayer.  We would pray over the phone about her illnesses and ailments.  We would pray for Karen’s family.  We would pray for God’s strength and help.  So, Karen had gone from little or no connection with the Lord, to actively and regularly worshiping God.  Karen went from little or no connection with the Lord to regularly seeking the love God gives through Jesus.  All this happened because of the loving and quiet encouragement of friends who were kind to Karen in a time of struggle.

 

Have you ever thought of your struggles as God’s training so you can share His love?  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us that is one of the ways God uses our trials.  “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.   Sharing Jesus is not always done by a 15 minute sermon.  Sharing Jesus love can and does happen through an act of kindness or a loving word of comfort and encouragement.

 

Karen then responded in kind.  She took the comfort of God’s love and forgiveness she had received and shared it with another.  When Karen’s daughter went through trouble, Karen prayed for her, helped her, and asked me to visit her.  During Bible class on March 9 Karen called me to tell me she would not be in worship that day because her back was hurting.   On March 10 the Lord called Karen home.  But, as Karen passed away she knew from faith and from experience God’s love for her in Jesus.

 

How has God loved and helped and comforted you?  Who do you know who needs the same help you have received?

 

A Child of God, Thankful for the faithful encouragement through Christian friends,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  STEPHEN MINISTRY is a ministry of uniquely Christian care and comfort in a confidential relationship.  Stephen Ministers are holding a meal and silent auction this Sunday.  In addition, while I am in Spokane performing the wedding of Jared Berberich, Stephen Minister David Grosz is leading worship. 

 

P. P. S.  Here are some pictures from last Sunday.

 

·         Here are some pictures from last Sunday’s baptisms.  https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/5992968565926145745

 

·         Here are some pictures from last Sunday’s Shane Woods ice fishing outing.  https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/5992971313678001201?banner=pwa

 

 

****

 

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 Rescues Us in Baptism

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

If you ever watched the movie “Jaws” you heard a little about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis.  On July 26, 1945, this US naval ship secretly delivered the atomic bomb that would be dropped on Hiroshima.  After the delivery the ship was traveling toward the Philippines when it was struck by torpedoes.  The history I’ve read says 900 men who lived through the attack went into the water.  Four days later, after the survivors were seen by a plane, 317 of those men were rescued by ships in the area.  Those ships rescued these last 317 men from certain death.

 

This week we get to see God’s work to rescue His children in our very midst.  Five people from 4 different families will be baptized this Sunday.  Peter Walters, infant son of our DCE and youth worker, Jamie, and her husband, Philip, will be baptized in early worship.  In late service Bim Hoylman will join our family of faith as he is baptized, along with Elizabeth Turner, the granddaughter of Richard and Donna Firmstone.  After late worship Kaiyu and Naila Saecheo, two grandchildren of Peter and Eileen Probasco, are being baptized.  Did you know that when someone is baptized, God is working to rescue His children?

 

Sunday we will read the assigned gospel from John 3 about Nicodemus and Jesus.  In verse 5, Jesus tells Nicodemus, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”  People sometimes miss the connection between this statement from our Lord and verse 6 of Revelation 20.  “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them,”  In other words, when God works the “the first resurrection” of the new life of faith through the water and through His Spirit in baptism, He rescues His children from “the second death” of eternal death and judgment.

 

This new life which God gives does not happen magically when water is poured over our heads.  God sent His Son Jesus to save us from sin and death and the cost was high.  Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins and Jesus rose victoriously from the dead to give us eternal life.  God works in our hearts through the water and His Spirit in baptism to create faith in Jesus and to strengthen His people in that faith. 

 

This life of faith is a new life, different from life apart from Jesus!   Without this new life of faith we face death and judgment.  But, when God works in our life by His Word and by His Spirit, through teaching and baptizing, He rescues us so that we live today as members of God’s kingdom in the strength and peace and love of Jesus’ victory.  He rescues us so that we live eternally with Him in heaven.

 

What I am trying to say, but taking the long road to say it, is that I am excited.  God is working mightily right here in our midst to give new life and to give eternal life to His children this Sunday.  What a reason to rejoice and celebrate!

 

By the way, are you baptized?  If so, there is reason to rejoice in God’s grace in your life and to live out the blessings of grace God gives.  If you are not baptized,  . . . well, I’d be glad to visit with you about the possibility of God working His power and love and rescue in YOUR life.

 

A Child of God, Rejoicing in God’s Rescue!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from last Monday’s fishing trip at Finger Lake with grandchildren, Emma and Henry.  We were testing out the fishing for the Shane Woods’ Memorial Ice Fishing Outing this Sunday afternoon!   https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/IceFishing3102014?noredirect=1#

 

 

****

 

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.

 

******

 

An Opportunity to Share Jesus

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

On Monday I went ice-fishing on a lake north of Sutton.  It was a beautiful March day.  The sun shone brightly.  Snow covered the lake, which was surrounded by forest and mountains.  My dog was along and, in between nuzzling me to be scratched behind her ears, she enjoyed exploring the lake around our fishing spot.  And, best of all, this past Monday the fish were biting.  It was an opportunity to enjoy God’s beautiful creation in all it’s March Alaskan glory.

 

But, something happened to give this beautiful day a special surprise.  While I was enjoying a spring Alaska day one of the folks who had a home on the lake started walking across the ice.  It took a while for him to reach me on his snow shoes.  But when he reached me we visited.  First, we discussed the obvious; we talked about the beautiful weather.  Then we talked fishing and he admired the first fish I had caught.  We also discussed how long we had each lived in Alaska, where we were from originally, and we discussed our jobs. 

 

When the man who lived on the lake discovered I was a pastor the conversation took off even more.  We discussed the creative love of God we were experiencing on that day.  We talked about the forgiving grace and love of God in our lives.

 

Now, when I went fishing on Monday I was looking for some outdoor recreation and a quiet get away.  I was not expecting an opportunity to discuss God’s love in my life.  I’m sure when the man with whom I talked walked across the lake to meet me he wasn’t expecting a discussion about his faith, nor was he expecting a discussion about God’s love.  But God provided an opportunity and we took it.  What  a privilege!

 

When God moved Peter to write to Christians who were forced from Jerusalem by persecution, Peter wrote, “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,” (1 Peer 3:15)  Even in their persecution these Christians had hope in Jesus.  Peter encouraged them to be ready for unexpected opportunities to share their hope in God’s love.

 

How do we prepare for these opportunities to share God’s love and grace in Jesus?  Knowing what God has written in Scripture is surely a help.  But, sometimes knowing Scripture is more general knowledge than personal knowledge.  How has God’s forgiving love given you new life?  Where have God’s unexpected blessings surprised you?  What does the hope of eternal life mean as you have faced the trials of life?  Knowing the answers to these questions takes our faith from general knowledge to our own personal experience with God Himself. 

 

This has been a week of such sharing for me.  Not only have I shared with others they have shared with me in the hospital, in their homes, and also on a lake north of Sutton.

 

Can you remember when God blessed you with the opportunity to share Him with another?  Such sharing is more than a responsibility.  Sharing how Jesus has blessed you personally is a joy and privilege.

 

A Child of God, Thankful for an opportunity to share God’s love with others,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from Monday’s fishing trip.  https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/5988317091297708305?banner=pwa

 

****

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.

 

******