Thankful that in a World of Change, We can COUNT ON God’s Love in Jesus!

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,

 

One of my favorite movies is “Grumpy Old Men” with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon.  This film is a somewhat crass, somewhat sentimental look at aging and friendship.  Maybe I like this movie because, as my kids tell me, I’m a “grumpy old man.”  J  Maybe I enjoy the film because it includes a lot of ice fishing scenes.  But this movie, “Grumpy Old Men,” has not only become one of my favorites, but a favorite picture for our family to watch together.

 

In this movie a friend of Matthau’s (Max), and Lemmon’s (John) dies.  Their friend, Chuck, had been with them at the bait shop the day before.  But then Chuck is found dead of natural causes.  So Matthau’s character utters a statement I can still hear.  “I hate change!  Nothing good ever comes from it.”  I believe most of us struggle with change, even if changes might bring some improvement in our lives.  We become comfortable in old routines and habits.  And if our world shifts, it might mean we need to live differently.  How about you, do YOU hate change?

 

Change is a big part of my life these days.  Having retired at the end of August, the demands on my time have changed big time.  As others told me I would experience, I don’t believe I have been less busy.  My time is just being spent on tasks that are not specifically those of my former job as pastor at St. John Lutheran.  I am still spending time in devotions and reading God’s Word, and I’m still spending time in prayer.  I still write my weekly devotions, and I am also still preaching, only in other congregations.  However, the demands of work are not 25/8, I am finding my time a little less rushed, and I am also finding opportunities to accomplish some chores which had been neglected around the home.

 

Still . . . there is a way in which I found meaning and purpose in what I did and how I served as pastor.  And, I love the people I served.  While part of me can appreciate my new freedom, there is another part of me that is uttering the words of Matthau’s character, Max.  “I hate change!” 

 

However, that is an unrealistic attitude.  One constant in our world is that life changes.  We grow older.  Our families get bigger, and then smaller.  Work and health are constantly in flux.  And the biggest change we all face is death.  What else should we expect in a world of sin?

 

Yet, in our changing lives, in our world, where nothing seems to stay the same, there is one constant.  In Malachi 3:6, when the people of Israel are struggling, God tells them through the prophet, "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”  And, the writer to the Hebrews comforts that church as it faces persecution and suffering, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” ( Hebrews 13:8 )  In a world where change causes anxiety, and fear, and grief, God stays the same.  We can count on HIM!

 

In fact, perhaps Romans 8 tells us the greatest hope we have because God is unchanging and trustworthy.   “38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  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)  In a world where our rebellion brings the difficulties of change, and where our sin brings the grief of death, nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Jesus’ forgiving love, and His gracious salvation are sure.  When we believe in Jesus we can’t be separated from this love. 

 

God never changes.  And, as I seek to grow as a child of God in this journey of retirement, this sure love of God in Jesus gives strength, endurance, and peace.

 

So, Max hated change in the movie, “Grumpy Old Men.”  But all of us face change.  It is how we face the changes of life which we experience that makes a difference.  If we know that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” then we can face anything.  If we know that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” change is not something to fear, but a new opportunity to serve God and love His people.

 

A Child of God, Thankful that in a World of Change, We can COUNT ON God’s Love in Jesus!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Last weekend Kathy and I traveled to Juneau.  I preached at Faith Lutheran Church, and visited with the congregation.  On Sunday afternoon, before our plane left, we visited some of the town.  Our son Tim served as a page for the Senate in Juneau.  He told us to see a) Mt. Roberts, b) the Mendenhall Glacier, and c) Auk Bay.  We did all three.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/KaqgcmZf2xKhXAaL8

 

 

 

 

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

 

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Thankful for the Wisdom of Jesus' Cross in our MESSY Lives

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,

 

Last weekend Kathy and I used a Christmas gift we received in 2018.  Our daughter, Mary, gave us tickets on the Alaska Railroad to Seward, for September 13 and 14.  So, on Friday morning, in the rain, we rode down to Seward on the train.  But, Saturday was an exceptionally beautiful day.  We walked around town in the warmth and the sun.  We visited some shops, ate some seafood, talked to a few fishermen, and generally took it easy.  I even bought a fishing lure.  J  Saturday evening, we enjoyed a ride on the train through the beauty of the Alaskan fall, returning home around 10:00 p.m.

 

As our trip concluded, the conductor came on the microphone and said some of the things conductors and flight attendants are supposed to say at the end of a trip.  “We know that you had other options for travel.  Thank you for choosing us.”  But, then our  conductor gave a little personal commentary.  He stated a conviction he had come to, and he made a request.  The conductor continued, “Our country seems to be heading in the wrong direction.  We are not as kind to one another as we once were as a nation.  I have made a decision, and I ask you to consider doing the same.  Would you please consider treating one another the way you would like to be treated?  We would all be better for it.”

 

Christians recognize this request from the conductor as what we call “The Golden Rule.”  In the sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches His followers.  “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,” (Matthew 7:12)  There is wisdom in these words of Jesus.  Imagine if people in our world actually thought about others before acting.  Imagine if we did not act in selfishness, or greed, or with a mean spirit.  There would be no more crime, no more racism, no more abuse.  If people treated each other the way they wish to be treated themselves, our country, our world, and our homes would much more be places of love and peace.

 

As I write this devotion I confess to you that I have been the recipient of such kindness.  I have been trying to get down to our cabin in Sterling since July.  But work and travel and fires have kept me away.  One reason I wanted to visit the cabin was to get in some fishing.  However, I also have had some work to do on our cabin.  The cabin was moved onto our property in May.  But, I have never yet put up the skirting around the bottom of the cabin. The skirting is insulated, so it helps keep the cabin warm in the winter.  I have dealt with the electric, with the gas or the propane, and with some decorating and supplies.  I have also painted the cabin.  But, I never got the time to do this pretty big job of measuring and cutting the skirting to fit the cabin’s new location. 

 

So, I left home on Tuesday morning for our cabin, and on the way I called Wayne Mize.  Wayne is a member of Star of the North Lutheran Church in Kenai.  We’ve known each other for 20-25 years.  Wayne lives near our cabin, and is a little more ‘handy’ than I am.  He has already given me some advice.  That’s why, on the way down to the cabin Tuesday afternoon I called Wayne to let him know I was driving down, and that I would be working on the skirting.  I needed a few supplies for the job, so I went to the store.  When I returned from the buying supplies, who was already at my cabin, but Wayne!  We worked in the rain on Tuesday evening and, in spite of a few challenges, we got the skirting up around the front of the cabin.  And, as I was washing dishes on Wednesday morning, Wayne showed up again around 8:00 a.m.!  His knowledge and advice, his help and his extra tools, helped us finish the skirting around 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.  Now, I did not ask Wayne to show up.  I did not specifically ask him to help.  But, I guess you could say that Wayne knew the job I was facing and he followed the teachings of Jesus.  “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,”

 

Wayne is not the only one who has helped me on these projects, either.  Harvey Kolberg stopped by in June and helped me with the appliances.  Pastor George Rakos has visited and given me helpful advice.  Pastor Tony Schultz offered to come down in September and help me paint.  (But I had already done the painting in June.)  It is such a blessing to have friends who offer to help, even when they are not asked.  Our world would be a much better place if we all followed the wisdom of God.

 

However, while it would be good if everyone acted in kindness, thinking of others, we know that this is not the case.  In fact, even Christians who know Jesus’ teaching, still fail to act in faith and love.  Even when we want to follow Jesus, we can and do fail.  We all struggle with our sinful nature.  That is why our world is in such a mess.

 

So, God’s even greater wisdom is vital.  Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth, “22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.”  (1 Corinthians 1:22-25) 

 

For a world that is truly “a mess”, God’s greatest wisdom is the cross of Christ!  Jesus was not just kind, He sacrificed His life to pay for the sin and evil in our world, to bring love and salvation from God.  When we have failed to act in kindness, we can and do have a new start in the forgiveness of Jesus won on the cross.  When others do not treat us with love or civility, we can act as Jesus did; we can pick up our cross and love even those who have not loved us.  This wisdom of the cross not only makes the world a better place to live, it saves us from ourselves!

 

It was a pleasant surprise to hear the train conductor share the teachings of Jesus at the end of our trip.  I’m not even sure if he knew that He was sharing the wisdom of God.  But, we all need God’s wisdom, especially the wisdom of the cross.

 

A Child of God, Thankful for the Wisdom of Jesus’ Cross in our Messy Lives,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from the cabin. 

·       This picture is some decorating I did.  We received many thoughtful gifts at my retirement.  I was able to hang some artwork, including the cutouts of salmon, trout, char, and grayling. (Thank you Grieses and Hecks for the fish!  J )  https://photos.app.goo.gl/QTK5iVAsXX5cSXgp8

 

·       These are the four sides if the cabin with the skirting up.  I still have some trim to do and steps to install.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/A5VsKsBgrivSHjR9A

 

 

 

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

 

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Learning Again to Be Thankful for God's Presence Through Life's Journeys

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,

 

I did not write a devotion last week because I was camping at 5200 feet elevation in the Talkeetna Mountains and hunting caribou with my son, Josh.  I’ve had quite a few people ask me about our hunt, and some have even asked about my devotions.  We flew out to our hunt site and had a personal limit of 50 pounds which each of us could carry.  When you bring a 20 pound tent, then sleeping bags and sleeping pads, guns and ammunition, food and utensils, there is no room for a computer, even if we would have had internet coverage 40 miles off the highway.  But, honestly, I would not have wanted to take my computer with me anyway.

 

Josh and I flew out on Saturday morning, August 31 with Meekins Air Service.  Mike Meekins and his son-in-law, Matt Keller, each flew one of us in a Super Cub to our hunt site west of Sheep Mountain.  On the way back from the hunt on Friday, Matt told me, “I’ve been flying with Mike for 16 years.  No one has ever come back from there without a caribou, or maybe without passing on a shot because the animals they were seeing were not a trophy.”  That sounds pretty easy, doesn’t it?  But the hunt was not that easy, for us at least.

 

The first day we were allowed to hunt was Sunday, September 1.  As we woke up that morning and finished breakfast, we surveyed the valley and the mountains around us and tried to decide where we should hunt.  With our packs on our backs, we decided on a spot we could see through our binoculars which looked like a game trail.  Then, as we were getting ready to leave, a small group of 4 caribou showed themselves on a ridge in that area.  According to my “fitbit”, by the time we got to that point we had walked over a mile.  So, obviously we did not shoot because of the distance.  But, we did start hiking in that direction, and then two more caribou showed themselves, also out of range.  When we finally arrived at that location, the animals were not to be found.  So, on the first day of our hunt we saw 6 animals during our first hour . . . and then we saw no more caribou for quite a while.  On Tuesday Mike Meekins flew in to talk with us.  He shared with us, “I’m worried.  We aren’t seeing any animals from the air.  They don’t seem to be moving yet.”  Maybe we were going to be that first group of hunters he flew in who would end up without an opportunity to harvest some of Alaska’s wild game meat.

 

During the days to follow we hiked in various directions, usually about 3-4 miles a day.  We were near the mountain peaks and the weather was constantly changing, from sunshine, to wind and clouds, to rain and sleet, and back to sunshine.  I’ve been exercising regularly for the last 3 ½ years and had thought I was in pretty good shape.  But, carrying a pack at 5200+ feet of elevation I found that, while my muscles didn’t tire, I often had to stop and catch my breath.  And, at night the temperatures usually got down around freezing or below.  We had snow on the mountain tops around us on Tuesday, ice on the coffee pot on Thursday, and frost covering everything Friday morning.

 

So, after seeing animals early that first morning, we saw no caribou the rest of Sunday, nor on Monday, or Tuesday, or Wednesday.  I think it was on Wednesday when Josh asked me, “What lesson do you think God trying is to teach us that we are out here hunting, but not seeing any caribou?”  We talked about that question.  It was good to have father-son time.  Even if we weren’t finding caribou, we were still seeing ground squirrels, sheep, eagles, and some other animals.  It was good to get away from the demands of our jobs.  In fact, this was the beginning of my retirement.    We were praying every day.  There are blessings and lessons to learn in stopping and meditating. Even though we were somewhat frustrated that we weren’t accomplishing our goal of harvesting a caribou, in the time to get away and soak in God’s creation, we could still see the hand of our Lord.

 

Actually, Josh’s question is a good question for more than just this hunt.  “What lessons can we learn about God and about ourselves when we work toward a goal and it doesn’t seem to happen?  What lessons can we learn about our Lord and ourselves when are we more than just frustrated, but when life is full of loss, and tragedy, and failure?  Is God still with us?”

 

Some Scripture verses came to mind as we considered Josh’s question, perhaps, most obviously, Romans 8:28.  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  God does not use His power to make everything in life good, or pleasant, or easy.  God’s love and power is so great that He can and does work good from “all things,” from all events of life.  God even works good for His people from the disappointments, the failures, and the tragedies of life. 

 

The greatest example of God’s love and power is that our Lord even worked good through the death of His Son, Jesus, on the cross.  God is the author and sustainer of life.  For the Son of God, for God Himself, to die would be the worst calamity our universe has faced.  Yet, in the death of Jesus, our Heavenly Father paid for our sin.  And, in Jesus’ rising from the dead our Lord saved us from death and judgement because of our sin.  He saved us for eternal life by His grace, through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection.  “ . . . God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

 

Our hunt was pretty expensive compared to our normal standards.  But, in the big scheme of things, a hunt without animals is a pretty small disappointment, especially compared to the other tragedies and failure’s in life.  But, that time on the mountain did give us time together as father and son.  That time without animals gave us an opportunity to consider the beauty of the creation around us, and the blessings God had showered on us.  That time of waiting gave us a chance to slow down, to consider God’s goodness, and to be thankful.  When we went to bed on Thursday night we had resigned ourselves to a hunt with no harvest.  But we had come to a point where we were thankful for our time together and for the blessings of God’s presence in the midst of our time.

 

When we awoke on Thursday, 5 caribou were grazing on the meadow across the creek in front of our tent.  So, together as father and son, we harvested the bounty of God’s creation.  I was with Josh as he shot his first large animal ever.  We had the opportunity to consider the blessings of God through the journey of life, and then we were also blessed with meat for the freezer.  Sunday evening’s meal of caribou roast was enjoyed by all.

 

So, I’ll rephrase that commercial.  Time in the wilderness is truly worthwhile.  Time hunting with my son was wonderful.  But, time in the wilderness with your son, considering the hand of God, is priceless!

 

A Child of God, Learning Again To Be Thankful for God’s Presence Through Life’s Journeys,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from our hunt.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZQ9RZGY7KJT72DD79

 

 

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

 

 

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