Dear Fellow Children of
God,
Sometimes life is tough
and comes at you faster than you can anticipate, faster than I am personally able
to deal with the trials and challenges.
In all of life’s trials I
am thankful for the truth God shares in His Word and for His eternal love in
Jesus. Romans 8:38-39 says, “38 For I am
convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the
present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When life’s challenges are bigger
than I am, I am comforted and strengthened to know that nothing can separate me from God’s love in Jesus!
When a close friend and
mentor is going through serious surgery, “Nothing
is able to separate us from the love of God that is
in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When
loved ones and friends may be in the path of a dangerous hurricane, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When
family concerns tear at your heart, “Nothing is able to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When
the world around us is turning away from God, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When
medical concerns occur in our lives and in the lives of family, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When
a friend and colleague faces the realities of cancer, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When
we have concerns about the economy and finances, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When
the church as we have known it faces truly difficult challenges, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When
a loved one is called home and we will no longer see them in this life, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This
Friday I, to some extent, had all of these concerns on my heart at once. When all of these trials are happening at the
same time in our lives, and when we know that we don’t personally have all the
answers, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love
of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
But,
I am not alone. All of us face life
challenges from time to time. But, the
word “challenge” seems somewhat tame when talking about cancer, or family
concerns, or death. These times of pain
wrench at my gut and can make us all question where God is, and if he loves
us. For these moments when life seems
overwhelming, God gives strength and hope in the midst of the worst that life
can throw at us. “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
As
you face the pain, the challenges, and the trials of life may the assurance of
the love of God give you strength and hope.
“38 For I am convinced that
neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the
future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.”
A Child of God, Thankful
God is in Charge of this Life and that His love is Sure!
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. I took two of
my grand kids, Jackson and Kendall fishing on Saturday and invited along Leif
Neslund. It was an interesting
time. Here are some pictures. https://goo.gl/photos/RYNUDvH9XHUcXJAF8
P.P.S. I did some harvesting last Saturday and
Monday. Here are a couple of
pictures. https://goo.gl/photos/Cg2ZxZqS7Qvh1puAA
****
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 regularly 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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