Sharing What's Really Important: January 2015

Saturday, January 31, 2015

"The Last Days Don't Have to be Lost Days'

Dear Fellow Children of God,

When Jesus knew that his suffering and death on the cross were imminent he went to the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples to pray. Jesus’ prayer on the night before His crucifixion is well-known. "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42) The human side of Jesus would rather not face the brutality and death that was coming. But, Jesus the son of God and the son of Mary knew His passion was the only way to forgive the sins of the world, so he also prayed, “. . . yet not my will, but yours be done.”

We pray for God’s will to be done in our lives every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer. However, how well do your actions follow the words of the prayer? Do you say those words with all your heart? Do you know what it means when we pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, but perhaps you also make room for human weakness? Or, do you sometimes just say those words because they are part of the prayer Jesus taught us?

None of us are Jesus, the sinless Savior of the world. But, last week I was touched, encouraged, and inspired by the faithful life of a personal friend and a friend of our congregation.

I have been visiting Barb Woods Nakajo monthly in Anchorage for over two years. Barb grew up in the valley. She is the sister of St. John member Wayne Woods, and the daughter of St. John members and long time valley residents, Noel and Jean Woods. I visit Barb because she suffers with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease.

When I visit Barb is in her wheel chair with various medical machines hooked up to assist her. Often her family is there. Barb’s son, William, is often home helping his mom when I visit. I’ve also visited when Barb’s sister, or brother, or parents are there. And, Barb’s insurance provides a care giver who can help with her various needs. There is always a care giver present.

Barb has faced various changes and crises to her health over the years because of her ALS. But, invariably, when I visit Barb is positive. She talks about articles she has read. She enjoys having me read the Bible with her and talk and pray with her. We have talked gardening and fishing. And, Barb rejoices in the gift of forgiveness in the body and blood of Jesus as she is always glad to receive God’s grace in the Lord’s Supper.

I’ve read “Tuesdays with Morrrie” by Mitch Albom about the progression of ALS. This is a horrible disease. But when I visit and bring God’s love, in spite of her struggles, Barb has always exhibited her faith in Jesus and a positive attitude.

On January 23 I told Barb that her faith is an encouragement to me. When I visit to bring her God’s help, I feel that instead her trust in God and her positive attitude minister to me. I have said to myself, “If Barb can face this disease with God’s love and strength, I can face my own much smaller problems.”

Barb wanted to respond to my thanks, so she had her Personal Care Assistant clear her throat and adjust the air pressure in her vocal cords so she could speak. Barb told me, “The last days don’t have to be lost days.” In other words, just because she is facing the debilitation of this disease, and ultimately death, does not mean that God no longer has a purpose for her life. Wow!

I read and prayed with Barb. William and Barb received God’s love in the Lord’s Supper, and I said good-bye and left.

The more I thought of what Barb said the more I realized how much faith those words expressed. The only way to face a disease like ALS with such a positive attitude is to know God is still with us in our struggle and provides His purpose. The only way to face a disease like ALS with such a positive attitude is to know that God has eternal life in heaven for us because of Jesus.

None of us are Jesus. He alone is the holy son of God. But I feel like I was listening to the prayer of Jesus, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." No, “The last days don’t have to be lost days!” God’s love is stronger than any trial we face. God’s love gives eternal life through faith in Jesus, and this life in heaven overcomes any death in this world.

Thank you, Barb. Thank you, Jesus!

A Child of God, Blessed by the faith of others,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. I asked Barb if I could share her words and she said “Yes.”

P.P.S. Here are pictures of the baptism of Evan Toms this past Sunday. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/BaptismsWinter2015#6110394541704823458

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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. . .

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Friday, January 23, 2015

Hope in the Midst of Grief

Dear Fellow Children of God,

This week I talked to 5 people about recent deaths. In each situation the person who passed away was a close family member. In most of these situations, the death was not unexpected, the loved ones had been ill for a significant period of time. Yet, even though death was anticipated, nevertheless in each situation there remains a feeling of emptiness. The pain of loss continues. There is grief.

As I listened I heard more than loss, however. I heard memories of past joy. Together we reflected that it is natural and healthy to grieve.

Actually, even when we lose someone we care about we still have reason for thanks. Surely we are not thankful for their loss. But we still have the memories and we can be thankful for the love and for the time shared together. We can give thanks for shared faith and family.

Yes, the pain of loss continues. We know that the memories of the past are blessings we will not experience again. Sometimes it seems the grief does not seem to diminish.

Thankfully, Jesus was in the middle of each of these relationships. So, the words of Paul bring help in the midst of the pain of grief. God’s children are told in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, “13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

When a loved one “falls asleep in Jesus,” God’s grace gives more reason for thanks. God “brings with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.” In other words, our loved ones are still gone from our lives, but their suffering is over and they are with Jesus in heaven. We may miss the good old days. We can be thankful that our loved ones who died believing in Jesus are experiencing the best times with their Lord.

All of these situations of loss touched me personally this week as well. My dad and sister reminded me that it had been 4 years ago last Saturday, January 17, that my mom passed away. It was 4 years ago since January 24 that our family gathered to say good by. Actually, I had remembered my mom’s passing and had recently been looking at pictures from past family gatherings. The pictures gave reason for thanks because of the love and the good times we shared. There continues the tinge of loss. But, there is the thanks that my mom is with Jesus.

Christians grieve too. We lose those we love and we miss them. But we grieve differently. We don’t grieve like “those who have no hope.” While we hurt from the loss of our loved ones, we are thankful for God’s blessings, past and future.

A Child of God, Thankful to Grieve with hope,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Some of the reasons for thanks – family times together. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/FamilyMemories#

P.P.S Here are pictures from last Monday’s ice fishing outing with Andy, Jackson, and Kendall. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/IceFishingWithAndyJacksonAndKendall1192015#

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Friday, January 16, 2015

God's Love and Power in Our Lives

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Recently a member of St. John told me, “Expect a miracle.” But, by definition a miracle is unexpected. However, my heart is full of joy because I am seeing the unexpected blessings of God changing lives at St. John and in the local Christian community. As a congregation we have recently had good news that was somewhat of a surprise in the areas of participation in ministry, church finances, answers to prayer, and worship attendance. However, the area where I am seeing God’s hand most wonderfully and powerfully is in the lives of His children. God is working though His people in unexpected ways to bring others to know His saving love in Jesus. God is working through His people and many are coming believe that God loves and forgives and saves us through Jesus. Praise the Lord!

One of the most frightening requests for many Christians is to be asked to share Jesus with someone who may not know Him. The word “evangelism” feels uncomfortable to many. In fact, the public sharing of faith is criticized in our world today, even if that sharing is done faithfully, gently, and respectfully. But, God’s people at St. John, and God’s people in our local Christian community, are reaching others with God’s love in Jesus with a frequency I’ve personally never seen before.

In Acts 1:8 Jesus tells His disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses” I have seen this power of God and the witnessing from God’s children, even when they don’t know they are witnessing. I have seen God’s people trust His love for their lives, and care about others, so that they reach out in faith and love to help friends in need. And, I have seen God work through this witnessing to bring people to faith in Jesus as their Savior. Many people who have doubted God or not believed in Him have recently come to faith. Many people who have been separated from God’s church have recently come to worship.

Recently I saw God at work as one of his children was dying. Life had been difficult for this person and robbed them of the joy of faith in God’s love. But the dying person was lovingly cared for by Christians in a time of terminal illness. In addition, four different members of the St. John family reached out in love, not necessarily knowing that others were reaching out too. There was no prepared presentation. God’s children simply believed that He loves and saves us, and they shared God’s love with the person who was ill. As they reached out, God touched the heart of the person who was dying to the point that they came to acknowledge the love of God for them. The dying person even asked for and received God’s love and forgiveness in the Lord’s Supper.

Sometimes we miss seeing that power and love of God in our lives today. Churches are often facing difficult issues in our modern culture. Financial challenges, disagreements, and overwhelming needs can cause us to wonder if there is a future for God’s church. But, such issues will always be there in our sinful world. Nevertheless, these distractions cannot deny the fact that God is working, powerfully and lovingly in His children, so that they reach out with faith and love, and so that God may call others to faith and eternal life in heaven. I have seen God work powerfully in the lives of the members and friends of St. John and in the local Christian community. I have seen God act in grace to bring people to faith and eternal life.

What great joy to see God working so powerfully and lovingly right in our midst today!

A Child of God, Joyfully Watching God at Work in the Lives of His People,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here are recent pictures from 3 baptisms in the last week for Kalen Johnson and

For Dalton and Luke Peltier. https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6105100932013912881?banner=pwa

P.P.S Here are pictures from last Monday’s ice fishing outing. https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6103718805054037489?banner=pwa

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Saturday, January 10, 2015

"The Gifts of Baptism - Living in Faith and Hope"

Dear Fellow Children of God,

The cold blooded killings in Paris shocked the world again this week. Unfortunately, such savagery is becoming only too common. In our own capital, even before the new session of congress has begun, a veto is threatened and battle lines are being drawn, seemingly spelling the end of any cooperation. On a state level the low price for oil has Alaskans worried. Personally, each of us face challenges for which we often do not have answers. As children of God how can we live faithfully, and how can we make a difference for good in such a troubled life?

There is an answer to those questions in the Gospel lesson that will be read at St. John this Sunday, and read in many other congregations around the world. We will hear about the ministry of John and the baptism of Jesus. If you have been baptized you have the gifts and tools to live faithfully in this troubled world.

Two short sections from Mark 1 sum up what we need to hear. In Mark 1:4 we are told, “And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Listen also to verses 7 and 8. “And this was his message: ‘After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’”

The most important gift to which these verses point is that Jesus was coming into John’s world and He has come into our lives. Life may be troubling, confusing, combative, deadly even. There are times that we don’t seem to have answers to bring the outcomes that seem right. But, Jesus has come. He came that first Christmas. He came as Messiah and Savior into the world in which John lived. And Jesus is with us today. God does not leave us alone.

One of the real gifts or tools we need to face the trials of life is found in verse 4 . . . forgiveness. The trials of life are not always our fault, but we cannot escape responsibility. Our own selfishness and greed, our own failures to love God and others, contribute to the mess in our lives and the world around us. We are each part of the problem. But, John preached forgiveness from God. Jesus, the Son of God, lived and died to win forgiveness for a sinful world When we are baptized and when we believe God’s love in Jesus, the Lord forgives us. The world may be troubled, but we do not have to live in our sin and failure. In our troubled and confusing lives we can live and act in love and peace, because God forgives us.

There is more help from God. We may feel powerless and hopeless as we look at trials seemingly beyond our control. But we see in verse 8 that God has given His Holy Spirit to His people. In the midst of our weakness and failure, God Himself guides us and strengthens us so that we can live as His children and show the love He has given us in Jesus. God gives hope through His Spirit.

We may be overwhelmed at times by life and its trials. But, God has come to forgive and save us in Jesus. God lives in us today by His Spirit. The world may be troubling and deadly, but we don’t have to wallow in life’s mess. We can live in forgiveness and in hope. We can make a difference for good as children of God.

This coming week we will have 3 baptisms at St. John. Baptism may seem like a simple ceremony. But, God works through this gift of grace to equip us for a life of faith in an overwhelming world. I pray that you may face your life this week with Jesus by your side, living in forgiveness and in hope that come from God.

A Child of God, Facing Life’s Challenges with the God’s gifts from my baptism,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Thanks to Scott and Sean Brewer who pulled the sled and started the ice auger so we could go fishing last Saturday. https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6101152085590746417?banner=pwa

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Saturday, January 3, 2015

Jesus, the Light of the World

Dear Fellow Children of God,

On Friday evening I drove out to Pt. McKenzie to do some business at the Goose Creek Correctional Center. Thankfully a nearly full moon shone in the sky. So the drive was not dark like it could have been. If you have driven among the farms and marshes of Pt. McKenzie you know that light by which to drive on a winter night is a good thing.

When driving in the dark it can be difficult to see if the road is icy, and it was icy on Friday evening. But I saw the ice easily because of my car lights, and also because of the moonlight. So, slower speeds were wise.

In the dark night of winter, while driving these country roads, it can be difficult to see the curves coming in the road. As you perhaps know, curves present another opportunity to lose control of a vehicle when there is ice. But the moon was shining brightly, so the roads were actually quite visible. I was able to drive slowly and safely into and out of the curves.

And, in the dark it can be difficult to see any moose that may decide to cross the road in front of one’s vehicle. Thankfully, I saw easily that there were no moose on the road on Friday night. In fact, with the large moon and the clear sky I could have turned off my car lights and driven. I’m sure that many of you have driven by the light of the moon on a clear winter night as well.

There are also dangers to our lives as children of God that can be difficult to see. Many in the world around us may be involved in behaviors that lead us away from the Lord. But, when something is acceptable to many others our eyes can be blinded to the danger. A tragedy may rise up in our lives and cause us to doubt the love of God. Our pain can make it difficult to see God’s loving presence. The changes and curves of life are difficult for anyone to navigate. How do we keep on God’s narrow path when we don’t always understand what is happening in our life?

So, in the middle of the dangers of darkness in this world, God gives us light. In Psalm 119 God speaks through David to tell us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” When dangers arise in our lives God’s Word points us to the dangers of sin. God’s Word also points to the safe path of obedience and righteous.

But, life’s greatest dangers are not necessarily found outside of us, but come from inside. Our desires, our proud self-sufficiency, our weakness in the face of life’s temptations and challenges can cause us to fall away from the love and life that is ours in the Lord. That is why another statement about God’s light for our life is perhaps more important than the verse from Psalms. Jesus told his disciples in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Jesus, the righteous Son of God, whose sacrificial love is so contrary to the ways of this world, Jesus is the source of light and life. When we fail the forgiveness of Jesus gives life. When we struggle, the sacrificial love of Jesus assures us of God’s presence and help through the hard times. Following Jesus in faith gives eternal life. Following Jesus in faith gives direction to the paths of our life in this world. Jesus is light in a dark world of sin.

Driving on icy roads in the middle of a dark winter under a bright moon made me thankful for light that helped keep me safe. In the darkness and dangers of this world, Jesus is the light of the world. Whoever follows [Jesus] will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

A Child of God thankful for the grace and guidance of Jesus, the Light of the World,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. After 7 ½ weeks of recovery from shoulder surgery I will finally be able to go ice fishing. On Saturday and on Monday I have folks who have offered to pull the cord on the ice auger for me. I’ll let you know how the fishing goes in next week’s devotion.

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