No Matther How the World Changes, We Still Need God

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

This past week I attended a meeting of church leaders in Portland, OR.  We talked about challenges and blessings faced today by Christian congregations and by workers.  One of our speakers spoke on health for church workers and he began his presentation with an interesting question.  He asked, “What is different in your congregation today than when you graduated from seminary?”

 

The pastors with whom I was sitting gave some interesting and somewhat expected answers to the question.  Some talked about changing attitudes in the world around the church concerning Christian faith and the church.  Others discussed church finances.  Some of the pastors mentioned changes in commitment of church members and spoke of competing priorities.  Other pastors talked about issues surrounding respect for workers and for fellow Christians. 

 

The bottom line is that we live in a different world today than when I graduated from seminary over 36 years ago.  We live in a world that is different than that in which Christian congregations ministered and served even ten or fifteen years ago.  Two decades ago our culture was still said to have a “Judeo – Christian Ethic.”  This meant that most people had a belief in God, or at least respected that belief in the lives of a majority of others.  During past times in our culture people accepted shared social values like the Ten Commandments, believing the commandments carried authority for the society we lived in and gave direction for our individual lives. 

 

Those attitudes in our society have changed.  In fact, many in our culture not only don’t share the values which God gives to His people through Scripture, many in our world are offended if a Christian person even shares their God-given beliefs with others.  So, what does God’s church do when the world around us changes? 

 

In spite of the change mentioned, we continue to have personal needs that have not changed. 

 

Everyone is healthier when they have a good relationship with their father.  Likewise, everyone in this world is healthier when they have a good relationship with their Creator and our Heavenly Father.  Perhaps Psalm 103 speaks to your heart as it does mine.  “13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.”  What a blessing to know the love and compassion of our Heavenly Father who is also the Creator and Lord of the whole world, and who understands us better than we understand ourselves!

 

Everyone stumbles and fails at times.  We don’t always accomplish what we work to do.  We sometimes have acted in ways of which we are ashamed.  Sometimes we even hurt those we love.  And, try as we might, we often cannot undo the wrong or the harm we have done.  Christians know this failure and stumbling to be sin.  Everyone is healthier when we have someone to help us with our failures and our sin.  The word of God found in John’s first letter to the church is, therefore, good news.  “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.”  What a blessing, then, to know the Son of God, our Savior, Jesus Christ, who forgives our failure and our sin in His dying and rising. 

 

Everyone can use encouragement as we go through life.  Life is full of challenges and trials.  We are often assaulted with hurt and loss.  As we face the pain in life, a word of encouragement is such a blessing.  No wonder God sends the Holy Spirit.  “26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:26-27)  When Jesus left this world He sent the Holy Spirit, the Counselor.  The Greek word translated as “Counselor” also means “Comforter” or, listen to this, “Encourager.”  We need encouragement and help, and God gives us just what we need in Himself, in the Holy Spirit.

 

The message of God through the Church to the world in which we live may not be as readily received as it once was.  But, the truth is that we all still need God and the grace He gives.  Christians need a healthy relationship with our Father, with our Savior, and with our Counselor and Encourager.  The rest of the world has the same needs, even if they do not know these needs.

 

The speaker at our meeting asked “What is different today?”  However, the other side of this coin is that some things remain the same.  We all need God.  We need His Love and Forgiveness, His help and salvation.  In a world that has changed, Christians still need to grow in the blessings and help of our loving God and Savior.  We can also bless others when we gently and respectfully share with them the love of God they also need.

 

A Child of God, Seeking God’s help to live a healthy life as His child,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I will be moose hunting this coming week from September 17-25.  Pastor George Rakos will lead worship on Sunday, September 20.  Pastor Rakos knew the first pastor at St. John, Pastor Rudoph Frehling, who served beginning in 1935.  Pastor Rakos was also confirmed by Pastor Ed Imme who served St. John in the 1950’s.  (St. John’s September congregational newsletter had a letter of remembrance from Pastor Imme.)  Please welcome Pastor Rakos, and his wife Carolyn, warmly.

 

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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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"The Protection of Sunday School"

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Our family laughed recently after our grandson, Henry, received required vaccinations before entering preschool this year.  Henry’s leg hurt after the shots, so he walked around without bending that leg.  When the other children ran, Henry walked, very slowly.  When climbing stairs, Henry pulled on the railing.  He asked for help getting into chairs.  In some ways Henry looked like an old cowboy who hobbled along after years on a horse.  But, Henry did not stop being Henry. He just hobbled along slowly on the way to wherever he was going.

 

Why would parents (or grandparents for that matter) do that to a child?  Why bring a child for immunizations if the shots can cause enough pain to a child so that child even changes the way they walk for a time?  You and I both know the answer.  The danger posed by the illnesses which the immunizations fight is much worse than a week of a sore leg.  Immunizations are not 100% foolproof.  But, the protection they provide is worth a little pain. 

 

I say this because an “immunization” of sorts is offered to parents and families this week at St. John and in many Valley churches.  This being the first Sunday after Labor Day, SUNDAY SCHOOL STARTS IT’S REGULAR SCHEDULE AGAIN at 9:45 a.m.!!

 

You see, there are other dangers that threaten our children, and threaten each of us.  In addition to the physical danger of disease which endangers the health and physical life of our children, there are dangers to their spiritual health and their eternal welfare in the world around us.  Spiritual health is found when any of us, children included, have faith in God’s saving love for us in Jesus, and when we have love for one another.  But, the world around us teaches greed, selfishness, indulgence, promiscuity, rebellion, and disobedience.  These temptations not only endanger the lives of our children in this world, but also endanger their eternal welfare.  So, how do we protect our children and grandchildren?

 

Inspired by God, St. Paul had the welfare of his young friend Timothy in mind when he gave him the following advice.  “14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

 

Timothy’s grandmother and mother, Lois and Eunice, had taught Timothy about Jesus from the very beginning.  Timothy had known the truth of Scripture “from infancy.”  Paul encourages Timothy to continue in the knowledge of the Scriptures because this knowledge is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Paul encourages Timothy to continue in the knowledge of Scripture because such knowledge is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

 

The desires of our flesh and the temptations of the world around us seem to be growing more intense and dangerous in our time.  I fear for the spiritual health and the eternal welfare of my children and grandchildren.  But, I am convinced that teaching them about our Lord, teaching about His laws and His plan for our lives, teaching them about His love, and teaching them about His help and strength, is the best thing I can do to protect them and give them health and life.  Actually, I need that help too.  So we will be in Sunday School this Sunday.

 

By the way, Henry was at our home the other night running around like the Henry of old.  The sore leg is gone, but the protection of the inoculations remains.  What is your plan to protect your children and grandchildren and give them spiritual health?

 

A Child of God, Seeking the Health and Life Found in Scripture, for my Family and Myself,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Bjorn Neslund, infant son of David and Kristine Neslund, continues to fight and grow at Providence Hospital.  Bjorn was born at 23 weeks and 2 days of gestation on August 31.  Please keep Bjorn and family in prayers.  There is a work day at the Neslund home on Seventeen Mile Lake this Saturday, September 12.  (Follow the signs)  If you want to help, come and assist in winterizing the home and cleaning to fight illness.

 

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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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Seeking Healthy Faith So I can Serve God and Others

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

In worship on Wednesday night I shared with those worshiping that I was somewhat drained.  This was not a physical weariness.  Actually summer is a time I usually recharge.  But, in the first 3 days of this week I had been called five times to situations of urgency or emergency.  When a pastor cares about the people they serve, pastors can also grow weary as they share struggles with those they pastor.  I confess to being somewhat emotional in worship on Wednesday night as my concern for church members and friends had mounted up.

 

I have often preached at the ordination or installation of new pastors.  One of the verses I have often shared, because this verse speaks to me, is Acts 20:28.  In this verse Paul is on his way to Jerusalem and stops in Ephesus.  He meets on the beach with the leaders and elders of the Ephesian church.  Paul warns them of coming trouble, and gives the leaders some advice that he himself has learned through experience.  “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”

 

In other words, in order to take care of others and help them with their lives of faith, a pastor needs to be healthy himself.  Please notice, the elders are first told, “Keep watch over yourselves.”  AFTER being encouraged to take care of themselves, THEN they are taught to “Keep watch over . . . all the flock.” 

 

So, on Thursday morning, as I was spending time in devotions, the prayer in my devotions from Philip Melancthon touched my heart.  Melanthon was a New Testament professor in Wittenberg, Germany in the 1500’s and a partner of Martin Luther in the Reformation.  His prayer was a confession of sin and weakness, and also a prayer for personal health and growth.

 

O Almighty, Eternal God of Truth . . . I confess and I am deeply sorry that I am sinful and have so often sinned against Thee.  I implore Thee to forgive me all my sins, be gracious unto me, and justify me for thy beloved Son’s sake, whom thou doest decree to be our Redeemer.  With thy Holy Spirit purify my heart and guide my soul that I may truly know, love, and serve Thee.  Amen.

 

Personally, I do pray that I grow in knowledge and love for Jesus so that I can serve Him faithfully.  This is actually a good prescription for Christian faith and life.  First, we want to know the amazing, undeserved, gracious and sacrificial love of Jesus.  When we know our failure and sin, the sacrificial love of Jesus that caused Him to die for us is unexpected and surprisingly good news.  Knowing I don’t deserve God’s love, but Jesus sacrifices for me, creates love in my heart for the one who has loved me so amazingly.  Love in one’s heart leads to action in one’s lives, so I pray that my love for God leads to actions of serving Him willingly. 

 

In other words, my prayer is that my faith is healthy so that I can serve my Savior. I pray that my faith and heart are healthy so that, as a Christian and a pastor, I can help others. 

 

Pastors are not the only ones to need a healthy faith.  All Christians need to KNOW the love of God, so that in return they LOVE our gracious Savior, so that they SERVE God and His people willingly from the heart.  But, before we can serve others, we need a healthy faith ourselves. 

 

Please pray with me.  With thy Holy Spirit purify my heart and guide my soul that I may truly know, love, and serve Thee.  Amen.

 

A Child of God, Seeking A Healthy Faith so that I May Serve My Lord and His People,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  One of those for whom my heart has been tender this week is Bjorn Richard David Neslund, infant son of David and Kristine Neslund.  Bjorn was born on Monday at Providence Hospital at 23 weeks and 2 days of pregnancy.  Actually, in response to the prayers of many, Bjorn is doing quite well at this time.  Here is a picture from the baptism of Bjorn on Wednesday afternoon. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/BaptismsWinterSpring2015#6190563656442505618

 

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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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