Jesus - God's Grace and Love for Life's Unanswered Questions

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

This week I was sitting in a meeting when I was casually asked a number of questions.  It seemed that my answers to the questions were consistently, “I don’t know.”  Someone else jokingly pointed out the pattern of my not knowing.  But, a third person present responded with the comment, “It takes a wise person to admit when they don’t know something.”

 

Actually, there are many situations in which God’s children have to admit that we do not totally know or understand how God is working at that time in our lives.  For example, on Wednesday evening I used an example from a movie in my sermon.  After worship I had a conversation with someone who pointed out how much that example reflected their life.  I had no idea.  However, I also believe that when some incident in life may seem like a coincidence to us, maybe that incident is not a coincidence.  God may be acting in ways we don’t understand.

 

However, this week we have also prayed for God’s mercy in the life of a family member of one of our church members.  In spite of our prayers, every time we got an update it seemed that the health of the person for whom we were praying got worse.  While I believe God can and does act in grace and love even through death, I am not ready to say that death is God’s will.  Death is the result of sin, not the plan of God.

 

Does that sound inconsistent?  I am sure it does.  How can I on one hand say there are no coincidences, and on the other hand say that death and evil are not the plan of God.  But, who are we to think we can understand all of who God is or how He acts?  In fact, sometimes there IS wisdom in admitting that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours are.

 

St. Paul faced a number of mysteries.  One questions of those really tugged deeply at his heart.  Paul was born Jewish and deeply loved the people of his heritage.  Paul also believed Jesus’ words that people are only saved for eternal life in heaven by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus.  Yet, when we read Romans 9-11 and consider Paul’s struggle, we see that Paul also believed God had not abandoned his ‘chosen people.’  Paul believed God had a plan of grace and mercy in Jesus, the Messiah, for these beloved people.  Is this inconsistent?  Yes, it seems to be.  That is why Paul ended these three chapters with the following song of praise.

 

“33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!  34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"  35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"  36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”  (Romans 11:33-35)

 

However, when we are led to admit, “I don’t know,” when life leads us to questions that only God can answer, and when it seems that God is not speaking, there is something that God wants us to know.  That something is actually someone – Jesus! 

 

God also caused Paul to write in 1 Corinthians about the mystery of how our Lord works.  “22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”  (I Corinthians 1:22-24)

 

It doesn’t seem to make sense, it seems inconsistent that the Holy Lord of the universe who calls for His created children to live holy lives would send His only Son into the world to suffer and die for the sins of those who rebelled against Him.  But, the greatest action of God in history is found in the life and death and rising of Jesus Christ, even if the grace of God in the life of Jesus is beyond our understanding.

 

When I was in college in the 70’s a popular saying among Christians was, “Jesus is the answer.”  One of my friends was offended by the over-simplicity of this pronouncement.  When he heard someone speak this pithy statement his reply would be, “So, what’s the question?”  Yet, the longer I live, the more I realize that I don’t know and I don’t understand everything about life, nor how God is working.  But, I see greater wisdom now in that pithy saying.  Because when I don’t know and when life is beyond me, I believe God’s answer is Jesus.  In Jesus, God is speaking love and grace for the unanswered questions of life.

 

A Child of God, Finding Strength in God’s Wisdom for my Lack of Understanding,

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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Interesting Opportunities to Share God's Love

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Do you know James “Bim” Hoylman?  Bim is one of the newer members of St. John.  He attends late worship on Sundays, regularly riding the wheel chair van to church.  Bim was baptized on March 16 of this year.  But, perhaps you know Bim better as a man who helps Carrs customers carry out their groceries at our local grocery store.  Bim has worked there for about 15 years.  Because of his friendly, outgoing nature many know Bim by name.           

 

Bim and I first got to know each other on the baseball diamond about 12 years ago when I was coaching my son Tim’s Little League team.  Bim and his friend Pete were umpiring as I was coaching the team.  After that when I would see Bim in the grocery store he’d say, “Hi coach.”  When Bim later told me he was no longer umpiring, I told him I was now helping out as an umpire.  Bim asked if he could umpire with me.  So we have now served together for about ten years.

 

Anyway, Bim knows that my weekly devotions are printed in the paper and he asked, “Pastor, could you write an article about me umpiring?”  Actually, Bim has asked me that question regularly for the last month.  (Bim usually calls every day to check in.)  But, what do you write in a Christian devotion about umpiring?  Actually, it may not seem that there is a connection between baseball and faith in Jesus. 

 

But, perhaps this helps to show that faith grows from relationships.  Baseball was the first reason that Bim and I grew to be friends for the last 10 years.  Bim knew I was a pastor and we didn’t just talk baseball, we would also talk about faith issues.  Mainly, Bim would share that he knew Jesus loves him, that God answers prayer, and that God takes care of us even through difficult times. 

 

A few years ago, while he was carrying out groceries at work, Bim was hit by an auto in the parking lot and seriously injured.  During the recovery, even as he went through surgery, Bim reaffirmed his faith that God was taking care of him.  As our friendship grew, so did our faith in God’s love.

 

 Baseball doesn’t seem to be about Christian faith, but anytime a relationship grows there is an opportunity to share.  Baseball first gave Bim and me an opportunity to become friends and share God’s love and faithfulness with each other.  Now we talk more about Jesus than baseball.  Is there anyone in your life with whom you can share Jesus’ love?  In Peter’s first letter he tells us, “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 Peter 3:15)

 

By the way, you may wonder what kind of umpire Bim is.  Well, in the last game I umpired others questioned two of my calls, possibly with good reason.  In all his calls as umpire this year, even the close ones, Bim seems to have gotten the calls right.  Way to go, Bim!

 

A Child of God, Thankful for my friend and fellow child of God.

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  There is an old joke about the Bible and baseball.  “Do you know there is baseball in the Bible?  (pause)  Scripture does say, ‘In the big inning.’” (see Genesis 1:1)

 

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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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The Gift of Loving Fathers

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

This weekend Americans celebrate Fathers’ Day.  So what do you think, is Fathers’ Day just another made up holiday to sell greeting cards and encourage gift sales?  That might be the case if being a father was easy and everyone did it well.  But, being a father, a good father, is difficult.

 

I try to take my instruction for being a good father from Scripture.  In Ephesians 6:4 God tells us, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” 

 

First, please notice that God does not just give mothers the job of raising and nurturing children.  Actually, God calls for fathers to take the lead in parenting.  How often does that happen today?

 

And which of the two instructions in this verse takes precedence?  Do fathers first teach by providing “training and instruction in the Lord?”  Such instruction would include some correction and direction for healthy, godly, living. But you know as well as I do, seldom does anyone enjoy correction.  We’ve all seen children throw tantrums when given direction from parents.  Grown-ups don’t like correction either.

 

Or, does a father work first to build up and encourage, even in the face of bad choices by his children?  That would follow the instructions of this verse which say, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children.”  Children surely need to be loved and affirmed.  Children need to be loved no matter which mistakes they make, or which rebellion they engage in.  But neither can we ignore the need for correction and discipline in our lives.  Being a good father is difficult!

 

And just because a father makes a wise choice for fatherly love in one situation does not mean this choice will work for the next opportunity to nurture and instruct his children.  In the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11 ff) the same father had different reactions from two different sons.    Being a father, a good father, is difficult.

 

Maybe as a child, like me, you got angry at times that your father corrected your bad choices.  But, as a father myself who has struggled with what is the best way to love my children, I now realize what a difficult job being a father is.  It is difficult to love and direct children in choices that are healthy.  It can be especially difficult to direct children toward godly choices.

 

Perhaps the best help I have found in seeking to be a good father is not just in the direction of Scripture, but in the example of our heavenly Father.  In seeking to provide fatherly love and direction to my children I consider the love of our heavenly Father and try to learn.  God’s example is one of perseverance in love and compassion even in the face of the rebellion of His children.  In Psalm 103 we are told about God as Father. “8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;”

 

Even the heavenly Father has children who act in ways that are foolish and do not follow His direction.  Yet, God is compassionate and forgiving, even as He gives correction and guidance.  In sending His Son our Heavenly Father shows that His love to even be sacrificial.  I would like to be the kind of Father to my children that God is to us.

 

Being a good father is difficult.  So, I am thankful that my father was a Christian man who set an example of Christian faith and integrity.  I am thankful that my father sought to love me even when his son was foolish and rebellious.  I am even more thankful we have a heavenly Father who loves and forgives, who instructs and is compassionate.  May the love of the heavenly Father help fathers today do the difficult job of nurturing and instructing their children in faith and love.

 

A Child of God, Thankful for my father, and my Heavenly Father,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here is a picture of my dad with his five children from a family gathering in 2012. https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/5700975016738860449/5700975016796150818?banner=pwa&pid=5700975016796150818&oid=114993745799525883148

 

P.P.S. This past Monday I got to take three of my four children fishing with local guide, Andy Couch.  It was a great trip for father and children.  https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6023176388177557313/6023179169038140514?banner=pwa&pid=6023179169038140514&oid=114993745799525883148

 

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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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Please Pray for our Leaders

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

One of the e-mail devotions I receive each day comes from Dr. Dale Meyer, the president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.  This week he shared a prayer prayed publicly by President Franklin D. Roosevelt when he addressed the nation on the occasion of D-Day, which happened 70 years ago, June 6, 1944.  Here is Roosevelt’s prayer.

 

“Almighty God, our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.  Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.  They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest until victory is won.  The darkness will be rent by noise and by flame.  Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war.  Some will never return.  Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.  O Lord, give us faith.  Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade.  Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled.  With Thy blessing we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy.  Help us conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances.  Thy will be done, Almighty God.  Amen.  (Wall Street Journal, June 6, 2012)

 

I am thankful as a Christian for leaders who seek to lead with the help of God.  There are times that decisions such as that of Roosevelt need to be made. 

 

Scripture says that the job of those governing is to reward those who do good and to punish those who do evil (Romans 13:4-5).  God also tells us that the purpose of civil government is that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  (1 Timothy 2:2)  So, God has given His Church spiritual authority to proclaim forgiveness and salvation in Jesus.  God gives civil leaders the responsibility and authority to provide order and peace so that we can live as children of God.  No Christian is perfect as they seek to live for God.  No leader is perfect, even when trying to follow God’s guidance and direction.  But God does give direction that even leaders can follow.  I am thankful for leaders who seek God’s guidance as they seek to lead others toward justice and order and peace.

 

Leadership is always difficult.  Leaders are called on to make decisions that choose between conflicting interests and values.  Perhaps like me you have read about leaders who worry about decisions that seem necessary, but are also decisions which put others in danger, such as our service people.  I believe you can read this concern in Roosevelt’s prayer.  Often, no matter what a leader does he or she makes someone upset or angry. 

 

For these reasons it is important that we pray for those who serve us in leadership.  We should pray for our presidents, our congress, our governors and state legislatures.  (See 1 Timothy 2:1-2)  We should also pray that God would guide leaders of other countries.   Leadership is a difficult and lonely task.  Our leaders need help.  They really need the help of God.  So, I am especially thankful for those leaders who seek the help of the one who is all-wise, all-loving, and all-powerful.  Will you join me in praying for our leaders today?

 

A Child of God, Thankful for Faithful Leaders,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  The Annual Community Picnic and parade entry is held tomorrow, June 7.   

We need marchers, who might show up at 10 a.m., and folks to help with the picnic (please show up around 11:00 a.m.)  Here are some pictures of people preparing for the parade float the past two Thursdays.  Please also notice the food that is waiting to be cooked and served.

https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6019103448029985217?banner=pwa

 

 

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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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