Grieving Over the Common-Place Violence in our Country

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

Our Alaska Lutheran Church Workers’ Conference in mid-October focused on “lament.”  We talked about areas in our lives personally, and in the life of God’s Church, that we need to grieve the evils of the day.  We talked specifically about social justice issues in this conference.  The presenter led us to consider, as we look at the evil in the world around us, where we fit in as part of the problem or problems of our world?  We asked, “Where do we need to confess, repent, and seek to receive and share the grace God gives in Jesus?”

 

I remember going to a Tuesday night men’s Bible Study in April of 1999 and learning with shock of the shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado.  Those of us gathered for this study were is disbelief that someone could perform such an act of violence and evil in a high school.  We were in grief over the loss of lives.  We were at a loss for how to respond, other than to go to the Lord in prayer and ask His mercy and His help.

 

I share these two random thoughts because, where this shooting at Columbine seemed unbelievable, last week we had two incidents of domestic terrorism and violence from individual citizens in our country.  Just a week ago we were hearing on the news about bombs being delivered to at least 10 leaders in the circles of the Democratic Party.  The man sending the bombs seems to have been caught and arrested.  Thankfully no one was hurt in this specific incident.  But, unfortunately such news is no longer a shock – it seems commonplace.

 

Then, on Saturday, October 27, at Tree of Life Synagogue in the Pittsburg, PA, area, a man attacked people during a worship service, killing 11 and wounding seven others.  Our whole country grieves.  And, unfortunately, this is not the only recent shooting in a place of worship.

 

Have you asked yourself, “What is happening in our country?  Why are there so many deadly acts of mass violence?  How is it that such horrible evil seem to have become commonplace in America?”

 

As I listen to those discussing these issues, I hear a lot of blame being placed, usually on other people.  I hear those people of a liberal political persuasion blame conservatives and their leaders.  I hear conservative people blame those whose politics lean to the left, and also blame their leaders.  I also hear people of faith involved in such blaming.  Unfortunately, there is enough blame to go around for everyone, every one of us.

 

As I grow older in years, and as I realize more and more how little I know personally, the book of Psalms has become a treasure to me.  The struggle, the prayers, the confessions, and the hope I find in Psalms speak to my own journey of faith as a child of God.  In the midst of these two national tragedies, and in this time of rampant mass violence, I share with you Psalm 130, and hope that it may speak to you as you deal with the questions above.

 

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

 2 O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

 3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

 4 But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than

watchmen wait for the morning.

7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

 

When we look at these national acts of shame, as people are blaming each other, I personally know the truth of Psalm 130, verse 3, If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? 

 

I also know that our only hope in this country is not found in our own wisdom, or the wisdom of a particular political party.  Our only hope is in God’s grace and forgiveness, which the Psalmist proclaims in verse 4.  But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

 

So, my first response to these tragic crimes is to turn to my Lord.  I will trust in His wisdom, His grace, and His love.  I will trust for His grace eternally, but also His intervening grace in this life.  6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

 

As I watch these tragedies unfold, I turn to my Lord, to His forgiveness, to His redemption.  I don’t have the answers to why this is happening.  I do believe that if people turned to the Lord in repentance, seeking His love and grace so that we could love one another, that our country and all of us would be much better off.  Lord, have mercy!

 

A Child of God, Grieving over the Common-Place Violence in our Country,

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from the 2018 St. John Fall Festival Saturday, October 27. Do the adults look like they’re having as much fun as the kids?????! - https://photos.app.goo.gl/oj26LkAHa3QpTXNM7
 

 

P.P.S.  Here are pictures from confirmation games and snacks, last Wednesday, 10-24-2018 - https://photos.app.goo.gl/gr5F1avn19eWieai9

 

P.P.P.S.  Here are some pictures of the snow we received Sunday and Monday as seen from my house.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/kjzWFVGtjEo5CV4j8

 

P.P.P.P.S.  PERSONAL DEVOTIONS FOR 2019-2020?  I am encouraging you to join me in studying God’s Word together by using the same devotional Bible I plan to use in the next two years.  I will use the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible” from Concordia Publishing House (our church’s publishing house) in 2019 and 2020.  If you want to buy one of these Bibles and study with me starting in January here are links for the Bible.

·         From CPH for $26.39 + $7.00 shipping - https://www.cph.org/p-22950-todays-light-devotional-bible.aspx

·         From Amazon for $32.99 + free shipping - https://www.amazon.com/Todays-Light-Devotional-Bible-Fryar/dp/0758643519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540403689&sr=8-1&keywords=Today%27s+Light+Devotional+Bible

 

 

 

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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 regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you do not 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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Thankful for Daily Faith and Direction Found in God's Word

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

This past Monday I was working outside in my yard and went to lock the tongue of my trailer.  However, when I reached for the lock I was surprised to find only half of the lock with the keys, and the other half was missing.  I looked on the ground.  I looked on the trailer and in the truck, but I did not find the missing part of the lock.  Then, the third time I looked on the ground I examined the area more closely.  There was the missing piece of lock, its dark color blending in with the dark brown color of the ground.  When I looked more closely I saw something I had previously missed.

 

As I read through 2 Timothy in my devotions this week, I saw something I hadn’t seen before.  I remember the section of 2 Timothy that warns about ungodly behavior in the end times.  I have memorized the verses in 2 Timothy 3 about the purpose and the power of God’s Word.  But I had somehow missed that these verse were connected.

 

Listen with me to God’s warning to the people of Paul’s day about the dangers of the last times. 

 

1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.  (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

 

Does that sound familiar?  Yes, people have always battled sinful desires.  But it is my experience that in the last few decades selfishness, greed, boastfulness, disobedience, unloving behavior, and loving pleasure rather than loving God, has increased in the world around us.  Such behaviors unfortunately have also increased even among God’s people.

 

Now consider God’s solution to the troubles of these last days. 

 

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)

 

Young pastor Timothy was facing some real challenges as he sought to shepherd the people of God.  God does not point Timothy to some new program of that time as a solution.  The Lord uses Paul to remind Timothy that it is in God’s Word that Christians find a foundation for their faith and a foundation for their lives.  Scripture first of all points people to wisdom “for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” In other words, God’s Word creates and grows faith in Jesus as our Savior from sin and death.  And, in contrast to the evil direction of our selfish world, God speaks to Timothy through Paul, and God points Timothy and his congregation to righteous lives, directed by the sure word of truth found in Scripture.

 

I knew both of these verses from previous readings of God’s Word.  But, somehow I had not put them together.  It was sort of like having only half of my lock for the trailer.  But, this past week when I read 2 Timothy in my morning devotions, I found something, God revealed something, I had not seen before.

 

This experience teaches me, and perhaps it can be a lesson to you.  Time in God’s Word (and time in prayer and in worship as well) is vital to the faith and life of the Christian person.  I have known that truth.  But, finding the connection between these verses, was like finding the other half of my lock.  This discovery re-affirmed what I knew. 

 

Will you join me in regular daily time in God’s Word?

 

A Child of God, Thankful for Daily Faith and Direction found in God’s Word,

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  In the past I have alternated devotional studies every two years, but I will re-use this year’s devotions so we can study and grow TOGETHER.  I am encouraging you to join me in studying God’s Word together by using the same devotional Bible I plan to use in the next two years.  I will use the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible” from Concordia Publishing House (our church’s publishing house) in 2019 and 2020.  If you want to buy one of these Bibles and study with me starting in January here are links for the Bible.

·         From CPH for $26.39 + $7.00 shipping - https://www.cph.org/p-22950-todays-light-devotional-bible.aspx

·         From Amazon for $32.99 + free shipping - https://www.amazon.com/Todays-Light-Devotional-Bible-Fryar/dp/0758643519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540403689&sr=8-1&keywords=Today%27s+Light+Devotional+Bible

 

P.P.S.  God acted with grace through baptism in the lives of two of his children the last two Sundays in early worship.

·         Here is a picture of the baptism of Walter Lee Downing, October 14  https://photos.app.goo.gl/7M28LpwUBThwSM8v8

·         Here is a picture of the baptism of Lorrie Ann Lutz, Sunday, October 21.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/bwhvHtxmno7538pUA

 

P.P.P.S.  Here are 2 pictures of confirmation students eating “snacks” Wednesday, October 17.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/6UEj588g1Wx5u9Gt7

 

P.P.P.P.S.  Here are some pictures of those at the St. John Youth Dinner Auction.  Ethan says we made about $3500 with this year’s event.  Money will go to help our St. John Youth go to the National Youth Gathering in MN next July.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/6Ubvg3wHQoH8hjio9

 

 

 

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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 regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you do not 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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Thankful for God's Peace Found in Christian Music

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

In confirmation class last Wednesday one of our students was going through a tough time.  But, even in his distress, when discussion about the lesson started, he pitched right in.  One of the questions for students in this lesson was, “Where do you find peace?”  We wanted our students to further consider how Jesus gives peace.  This student opened his heart and talked about how listening to music soothes him in time of trouble.  I was able to share with him how the music of the young shepherd, David, calmed the troubled heart of King Saul. (1 Samuel 16:23)

 

We then discussed in class the peace that Jesus offers.  When the rest of the world is against us Jesus brings peace to our lives because God’s love in Jesus is sure and is eternal.  “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.” (Romans 8:38-39)

 

We also taught our class to see how God’s forgiveness, through Jesus’ death on the cross and through His rising again from the dead, brings peace to people troubled by their failures and their sins.  “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 14:27)  So, in confirmation class we discussed all those ways that Jesus brings peace to our troubled lives.

 

But, let’s consider again the answer of that one student.  He found peace by turning to music.  Perhaps you have also experienced that music can be a place where we not only hear words of peace-giving truth, but where the tune of the music can also touch our heart, and enter our soul.

 

Actually, many of my favorite songs and musicians have come as recommendations or gifts from others.  Pastor Corbie Cross once gave me an album from Keith and Kristyn Getty, “In Christ Alone.”  That music lifts my spirit and points me to Jesus.  St. John member, Dave Ianson, once gifted me with an album from Emmy Lou Harris, “Angel Band.”  This simple country music shares deep truths about the love of God for us.  Long time St. John member, Bill Weith, once suggested I listen to the British boys choir, Libera, sing “Going Home.”  Boy, does that song feed faith in my heart.  Kathy bought me an album of their music. (You can listen to this song on YouTube.) 

 

When Pastor David Boedecker was a fellow seminary student with me, he shared his personal practice of listening to The Messiah each Christmas season while eating a pomegranate.  I’ve learned to appreciate both.  I also like to listen to Handel’s Messiah during Holy Week, especially on Good Friday!  Andrew Bosela attended a Kaleidoscope Christian youth camp I helped lead.  This former student recommended the music of Fernando Ortega.  I often listen to Ortega’s music in the morning while I clean the kitchen and prepare breakfast.  I have Ortega’s albums “Hymns and Meditations” and “The Shadow of Your Wings – Hymns.”

 

I have also discovered other peace-giving Christian music on my own.  Twenty years ago I bought Twila Paris’ album “A Heart that Knows You.”  This album is still one of my favorites.  I like Alan Jackson’s country music.  But his album of Christian hymns, “Precious Memories” has been one I’ve shared with others.  And recently I bought music of Joey and Rory Feek. Their album “Hymns” brings me the quiet peace of Jesus in a loud and troubling world.  The Christmas album by the Valparaiso University Chorus, “Behold What Wonder” helps me to truly enjoy the Christmas wonder of the gift of God’s Son!  And Johan Sebastian Bach . . . Ah, Bach!

 

The world around us can bring a lot of noise into our lives.  That noise can come from commercials, or from political rhetoric, or even from people who are angry, or hateful, but do not know Jesus.

 

What is your favorite Christian music?  Does the singing of Amazing Grace stir your soul?  It is true, the grace – the undeserved love of God in Jesus, is AMAZING.  But, when put to music that truth seems to me to sink even deeper.

 

In Psalm 96 the Psalmist calls us to “1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.”  But then, inspired by God, the Psalmist tells us we are not alone as we sing praise to God.  All creation joins in praising God through it’s songs.  “11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; 12 let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;  13 they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.”

 

Our confirmation student was drowning out the noise in his world with music.  I encourage you, not just to drown out the world’s noise.  I encourage you to bring the peace we have through God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus into your lives.  I too have found that Christian music helps me to know God’s peace!

 

A Child of God, Thankful for God’s Peace Found in Christian Music,

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  Here is a picture of closing prayer at confirmation last Wednesday.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/iCPhvBt6KDu1P4ZR7

 

P.P.S.  Here are some pictures from a mid-October fishing and discovery trip.  As you know, this is late in the year to be able to be out on the rivers.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/C5XkWaffRkHAYVAF6

 

 

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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 regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you do not 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 God's Grace to Witness to His Love through a Humble, Forgiven, and Forgiving Life

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

In our Promise Keepers men’s gathering on Tuesday night at St. John, we got into a complicated discussion about living in forgiveness.  Actually, this wide-ranging attempt to understand God’s word came from our Bible study.  In 1 Peter 2:9 we are told that God calls us as His “chosen people” for the purpose of witnessing to Him, “that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”   

 

But, according to this section of Scripture, our witness is done more so from holy lives, than from well-aimed words.  In 1 Peter 2:12, just 3 verses later, Peter describes this witness. “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”  The point of this verse is that, on Judgement Day, people will praise and glorify God because they were led to faith and to salvation by the witness of the lives of God’s people.  That is quite a witness!

 

But, while talking in this wide-ranging discussion about this high standard of Christian living, one man asked a question about marriage and divorce.  Our assigned Gospel reading last Sunday stated what can be considered another hard saying of Jesus.  11 He [Jesus] answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."  (Mark 10)  That seems like a pretty high standard, especially in today’s world. 

 

Ultimately, we all fall short of the demands of God’s law.  (See Matthew 5)  All Christians ultimately live in the grace of God found in the forgiveness Jesus won on the cross.  We need Jesus and His forgiveness for our lives.  Therefore, rather than living “Better than Thou” lives that speak judgement on others, Christians are called to live humble lives as sinners who are holy because we are forgiven by God.  We are called to live as forgiven sinners whose hearts are changed so that we want to serve God in faith and with holy lives.  We had quite a discussion on Tuesday night!

 

Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer is president of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and writes a regular devotion.  He wrote about forgiveness in his Wednesday devotion, following our Tuesday evening discussion.  After the contentious and divisive confirmation Supreme Court hearings last week in Washington, Dr. Meyer wrote that God calls Christians to live as people who are forgiven, and who are ready to forgive others.  Speaking from that attitude of humility and grace would be a real witness in today’s divided world.

 

As our Tuesday night discussion rolled around in my mind and heart, Dr. Meyer’s “thoughts” seemed to add to our conversation.  I share these deep thoughts with you, hopefully not to confuse you, but to point us all to our real hope, to Jesus!

 

Dr. Meyer writes:

“I’m sorry, but now that you’ve told me how you saw things, I understand where you were coming from. Do you see where I was coming from?”

Have you ever been in a conversation like that? I’ve been wrestling with the legacy of Christopher Columbus. Traditionally we’ve honored him on Columbus Day for discovering America, although there’s doubt he was the first. Italians use the day to celebrate their ethnic heritage, although Columbus sailed under the Spanish flag. But today more and more cities and states have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. I see where they’re coming from. In his journal for October 11, 1492, Columbus wrote, “They should be good and intelligent servants, for I see that they say very quickly everything that is said to them. And I believe that they would become Christians very easily, for it seemed to me that they had no religion.” (Online, “Fortune” on “Smart News,” October 7). Columbus took six natives of Haiti as his slaves. He’d tell you his words and actions were common conduct for the time, but if you asked the slaves how they saw things… I presume the two sides never talked. Power won.

More and more we see demonstrations against this, that or whatever. Some are peaceful, others not. Public officials are harassed at restaurants and at home. Protesters block roads. Personal phone numbers made public. If you’d ask the protesters, they’d say they’re totally justified in their disruptive behavior, but if you ask the persons and families harassed… Intimidation is a power-play but doesn’t make for civil conversation. It’s symptomatic of our “me-first” culture, not unlike Columbus taking slaves. It was acceptable in his circles.

It’s different when true followers of Jesus have conflicts. They talk about it in a context of forgiveness. “You know I’ve come predisposed to forgive you, and I talk knowing that you’re ready to forgive me.”  Being ready to forgive makes those conversations much easier than the power play “You’re wrong and have to apologize.” That’s law, not Gospel. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The constant question for a follower of Jesus: Am I predisposed to forgive?

 

My question from all this is, “Does my life witness to God’s grace and forgiveness for me, as I seek to live ‘predisposed to forgive’ others?”  Christian life is not easy.  But, living in the grace of Jesus is just the witness our world needs today.

 

A Child of God, Seeking God’s Grace To Witness to God's Love Through A Humble, Forgiven, and Forgiving Life,

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from our beautiful fall sunsets.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/hiUunVhGAUmYLP7P6

 

P.P.S.  Here are pictures of the first day of confirmation.  We had 26 students! (And 5 students couldn’t make it!)   https://photos.app.goo.gl/UMcgpUSQHR2f6eAq6

 

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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 regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you do not 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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"Seeing Life as an Adventure of Dying with Jesus to Sin and Rising with Him to New Life

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

One of the reasons I enjoy fishing is that every trip seems like an “adventure.”  Yes, equipment can break.  The fish may not be biting.  The weather can be challenging.  But, dealing with these challenges as we experience God’s creation, and making it home safely to then fish another day, that experience is an adventure. 

 

For example, the last time I went fishing on September 24, St. John member, Kym Miller came fishing with me.  First, at our beginning fishing hole, I lost the two dogs I had brought along for about a half an hour (after Mary’s dog had rolled in a rotting fish carcass).  Then we had a “close encounter of the moose kind.”  A cow moose walked out of the woods, right near Kym, into the river and up the other shore, followed by twin calves, and also followed by a young bull.  (He was not legal to shoot, even though it was still moose season.)  Perhaps the dogs had scared the moose across the river.  The bull stood on the far shore grunting, stating his claim for all to hear.  Finally, as we were getting ready to leave for the day, the clouds blew in quickly.  But, with 2 spawned salmon on the lines we sought to release them.  As we were dealing with the fish one of the most violent rain storms I have seen in Alaska unleashed wind, hard pelting rain, hail, and lightning which streaked across the sky.  It was such a violent storm that my dog, Mat, became scared and jumped out of the boat as we rushed down river to the landing.  But, we did finally get the boat out of the water, and ourselves into a warm and dry truck, and we made it home with stories to tell.  Now, that’s an adventure!

 

Do you feel like life is an adventure?  Or do you feel like every day is the same old thing? Are you weary of life’s trials?  Do you long for something new?

 

My recent devotions have led me through the book of Colossians.  In Colossians God calls us to a “new” life.  Paul writes in Colossians 3:10, “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

 

We are told in the first part of Colossians 3 what this new life is not like.  We fight sinful behaviors of the flesh.  “5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” (Colossians 3:5-9)  Does that struggle sound familiar?

 

Then, God calls us to live as the new person He made us to be in Jesus.  “12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

 

I don’t know about you, but when the world and the people around me are leading me toward anger or lust or greed, and I fight those desires, that fight is a challenge.  That fight and that challenge is a real adventure every day as a child of God.

 

When life is tough on the job or at home and I can act in gentleness, or in patience, when I can show forgiveness, or love, even if I do so imperfectly, that new behavior feels like an accomplishment.

 

Thankfully, we are not alone in this fight.  Actually, God has won this fight for us in Jesus, and we get to live as His followers in the victory of Jesus.  “1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”  (Colossians 3:1-3)

 

When God forgives our sins through Jesus death on the cross, really forgives our anger or lust or greed and remembers them no more, the old part of our lives has died.  We are not slaves to sin.  We don’t live in fear of judgment or condemnation.  Colossians 2:9-15 tells us how God accomplishes this death and forgiveness in our baptisms.

 

When we know the victory over sin and death in Jesus’ resurrection, we are “raised with Christ.”  We have the sure promise of eternal life in heaven because of Jesus, so we can face and we can take on these temptations and “adventures” of life, knowing that in Jesus we have eternal life in heaven.

 

Confirmation classes start this week at St. John for 30-40 middle school students.  Now, for the teachers, teaching these students is an adventure.  In confirmation I frequently hear young teenagers tell me they are bored.  I hope and pray to teach them the adventure of dying to sin, and rising to new life in Jesus.  (I may be crazy, but teaching these middle school students is part of the adventure I truly enjoy!)

 

A Child of God, Seeing Life as an Adventure of Dying with Jesus to Sin, and Rising with Him to New Life!

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  The grandkids and I harvested potatoes, carrots, and our remaining cabbages on Monday, October 1.  Here are a couple of pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/93Yjo8gYZECFuy3PA

 

 

 

 

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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 regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you do not 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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