Dear Fellow Children of God,
Sometimes life just hits you between the eyes and, as you
collect your wits, you are left wondering what happened. That describes this past weekend.
As Kathy and I drove to Kenai to lead worship, she noticed
that a friend in St. Louis had died. Otis
Woodard was a truly unique individual who had been part of our congregation 35
years ago. Otis dressed differently and
lived differently. He spent his life
working to help inner city people in St. Louis, MO, in the name of Jesus. Otis’ unique personality pushed some people
away, but his actions of faith in Jesus’ name drew many to him. I had reconnected with Otis in recent years
through Facebook and had taken time to visit with him in 2013 and 2014 when I
was in St. Louis for work. Otis was
still helping people in need. Kathy
said, “He is going to be sorely missed.”
I agree. It seems I had just seen
him and now he’s gone!
Then, on Sunday evening I had just gotten home from Kenai,
not even having sat down, when I got a call from Dwayne Jenson. I didn’t totally understand what Dwayne was
saying, but I did hear that his wife, Lisa, had stopped breathing. She was at the hospital and they were talking
stroke. This did not make sense. Lisa and family had all been in worship on
Wednesday. I had attended a Stephen
Ministry class that Lisa and Cathy Grosz taught on Thursday. They then taught another class at Dwayne and
Lisa’s house on Saturday, working to conclude training for this new Stephen
Ministry class. Lisa was in worship on
Sunday morning. But, when we sat with
the doctor at Providence Hospital he told us that Lisa had died. She had suffered unexpected bleeding in her
brain. It could not be true that this
faithful, active wife and mother and active member of St. John could have
died. We were all in shock and
disbelief.
Then, as we sat in the waiting room at the hospital we
learned that David Grosz’ brother, Rod, had passed away that very morning. David had led worship at St. John while I was
preaching in Kenai. When David got home
he had a call telling him that Rod had died.
David’s brother had been ill and we had been praying for him. Cathy told us, “I just loved Rod.” But, as we learned of David’s loss we felt
hit with another painful blow.
When life hits you between the eyes, do you ever want to
shout at God? I did. Do you ever get angry with the Lord? I was.
Do you wonder why he allows the pain and loss? Well, if you have had questions in the face
of the trials and losses of life, you are in good company. The Psalmists often
questioned God, displaying anger even.
Listen to Psalm 88:8-13.
”8 You
have taken from me my closest friends . . . 9 my eyes are dim with grief. I
call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you. 10 Do you show
your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you? 11 Is
your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction? 12 Are your
wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of
oblivion? 13 But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes
before you.”
Actually,
the surprising truth is that all these questions which we expect to be answered
with a “no,” God answers with His “Yes”!
When faced with life’s tragedies God brings grace and love and salvation.
The Psalmist asks God, “10 Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up
and praise you?” Actually, God does just
that. In Jesus’ death and resurrection
God has defeated death. God raises the
dead and “every tongue confesses that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of the Father.” (Philippians 2:11)
The Psalmist asks God, “11 Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in
Destruction?” God’s love is declared
as he raises the dead and brings all who believe in Jesus to everlasting life
in heaven, where we are told, “He will
wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or
crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation
21:4) The blessings we receive in heaven
in the presence of God show love that cannot be fathomed. God does
show love to those who have been in the grave.
“12 Are
your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the
land of oblivion?” Yes, God’s wonders and righteousness give
hope when facing death. God forgives
sinners, raises the dead, and gives life in heaven. Those wonders are shouted to eternity.
Sometimes
life just hits you between the eyes and, as you collect your wits, you are left
wondering what happened. But, when life
seems to offer only tragedy, God gives hope
and strength in His love and salvation. When
life seems to offer “No” through loss, God offers “Yes” through Jesus. The death of loved ones hurts deeply. But God is stronger than death. Through Jesus God gives eternal life in
heaven and hope in the midst of this world’s tragedies.
A
Child of God, Full of Questions, Trusting in God,
Pastor
Jonathan
P.S. Here are
a couple of pictures of Lisa and Otis. https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6118140821763314017?banner=pwa
P.P.S. Monday
afternoon with grandchildren, Jackson and Kendall. https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6118142540856164337?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. . .
****
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