Sharing What's Really Important

Saturday, July 18, 2015

How Commited are You to the One who Died for US?

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Now that I am back from vacation with family, and the 4^th of July holiday and Vacation Bible School are completed, I am trying to catch up on visits of people who are ill or confined to their homes. One person I am visiting now was in the hospital previously when I visited, and then released as they improved. However, her health has now put this person back in the hospital. I’m talking about Mary Colberg’s mom, Pat Mills. Please keep Pat in prayer.

Pat has heart problems that make breathing difficult. In addition, her health problems can make talking a real effort and chore. She is often exhausted after speaking and needs to take time to catch her breath. But, when I visited Pat during her last stay in the hospital she had a roommate who really wanted to hear about God’s love. So, during my visits we included Pat’s hospital roommate in devotion and prayer. I also left some written materials for Pat and for her roommate. Then, after I left Pat would share God’s love with her roommate in times they were alone.

Mary pointed out to me about her mom, “She’s using her precious breath to share the love of God.” Imagine, having trouble breathing or talking, and using what little breath you have to serve God and share His love! That is faith and commitment!

Actually, I also remember a similar incident with now deceased, long time St. John member, Lillian Stamm. In her last days I visited Lillian in Valley Hospital once with my son, Timothy. Lillian also had trouble breathing and talking. But, she used the little breath she had to remind Tim about how much Jesus loved him, and how important it is for Timothy to live for Jesus. Lillian too is an example of real Christian commitment!

What is your level of commitment to our Lord? I have recently had a number of conversations about this issue others. It seems to me that in America people are trading in one “C” trait for another “C” trait. I wonder if people have not given up “commitment” for “choice.”

I personally see that attitude when it comes to marriage. God’s plan for marriage and family is for a man and woman to commit to one another in marriage before living together. I know that is not the practice of most today. Often, the freedom of “choice” replaces the responsibility and blessings of commitment.

I also see similar behavior when it comes to God’s Church. Being part of the family of God in a local congregation can include responsibility, and can be scary. So, people at time choose to attend and participate as they feel able, but may still refrain from commitments to the church for various reasons. I understand that no local congregation is perfect. I understand that people have been hurt in Christian churches. I also understand being overly busy with multiple commitments. But, what best serves our Lord and His work?

However, please think about Jesus and His commitment to us. Paul writes, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Jesus left the presence of His Father and the joys of heaven to take on the poverty, the suffering, and the sin of this world. Jesus was so committed to us that He suffered and died so that we can have the blessings and abundant grace of eternal life with our Lord. Even more than Pat and Lillian, this sacrifice of Jesus shows the love and commitment Jesus has for us!!

As a called and saved child of God, one who knows the sacrifice and love of Jesus for us, how is your level of commitment for Him?

A Child of God, Seeking to Live a Life COMMITED to my Lord!

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here is a picture of the baptism of David and Leif Neslund on Sunday, July 12. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/BaptismsWinterSpring2015#6172556648905610994

****

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. . .

****

Saturday, July 11, 2015

VBS Causes Me to Remember God's Love for Children

Dear Fellow Children of God,

This past week St. John has offered Vacation Bible School to the children of St. John and the Palmer community. The theme for VBS was “Hometown Nazareth- Where Jesus was a Kid.” What a blessing to see children growing in their knowledge and understanding of Jesus! What a blessing to see children singing and dancing to songs of faith! What a blessing to see young children hug each other with joy as they arrive each day, and to see them hug as they say good-bye at the end of each session!

As a parent and grandparent I have a personal interest in our Vacation Bible School. I had a daughter helping, and 5 grandchildren attending. Mary helped to lead the Preschool children. The preschool group was full with 25 in attendance, and others were wishing they could have attended. Josh and Erin’s oldest three children, Jake, Emma, and Henry attended classes for their age level. Andy and Justine’s children, Jackson and Kendall, made the trip from Peters’ Creek each day to attend.

And, this year I had a VBS experience that was both humorous and heartwarming to me. On Wednesday I got a text from Andy saying that Jackson had an ear-ache. The only doctor’s appointment they were able to schedule was during VBS, so Jackson and Kendall wouldn’t be attending that day. I responded, hoping that Jackson would feel better and I hoped to see him on Thursday.

But, to my surprise, as I was teaching I turned around and there were Justine and Jackson and Kendall. Justine told me Jackson said he was feeling better. Kendall, who is four, told me about her brother, “He cried because he couldn’t go to VBS.”

I don’t like to see my grandson cry, but Kendall’s words bring joy to my heart! I believe that the greatest gift that parents and grandparents can give their children and grandchildren is the grace and love and life of Jesus. Take a moment sometime and read Matthew 18:1-14 and listen to all the ways that Jesus talks about His love for children. Jesus calls others to the faith of children. (Matthew 18:3-4) He warns against leading children astray. (Matthew 18:6) Jesus shares the special attention of angels with which God cares for children. (Matthew 18:10) Then, in the parable of the lost lamb, Jesus shares how God loves each child and wants none to be lost. (Matthew 18:12-14)

A number of years ago at a sharing session in a Church Workers Conference Kathy shared with those present her favorite Bible verse. 3 John 4 says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” It is a JOY when our children and grand-children know Jesus, who is “the way, the truth, and the life.”

On Tuesday night Jackson and Kendall stayed with us for the evening and went with Kathy and me to a wedding reception. On the way to the party I heard Kendall singing. She was singing VBS songs about Jesus.

As a parent and grandparent who is a Christian I know that the greatest gift in my life is the love of my Savior Jesus. I want my children and grandchildren to have this gift too.

A Child of God, Thankful for Jesus’ love for Children,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here are pictures of the baptism of Hudson Eric Luthi in early service last Sunday, July 5. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/BaptismsWinterSpring2015#6169975386822558626

P.P.S. THANK YOU 2015 St. John VBS teachers and helpers! Thank you, DCE Jamie, and St. John Board of Education. What a blessing to offer Jesus to the children of Palmer so that they grow as Jesus’ little lambs and sing about Him as they travel! There is nothing more valuable than Jesus in the heart of one of His children. Here are some Vacation Bible School pictures from this week. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/2015StJohnVacationBibleSchool

P.P.P.S. The St. John Facebook page has 5 videos posted, one for each day of VBS. Go here to see the videos. https://www.facebook.com/stjohnpalmer Did you know there is information about St. John on our Facebook page AND on our webpage?! http://stjohnpalmer.org/main_pages/links.htm

****

Friday, July 3, 2015

"How I'm Responding to the Recent Supreme Court Decision"

Dear Fellow Children of God,

A number of people have asked me my opinion of the recent Supreme Court decision on gay marriage. A pastor is called to shepherd the sheep of God. My goal as pastor is to help people grow in their relationship with Jesus. That means speaking where God speaks, even if those areas are sometimes sensitive.

Lutheran Christians believe that Scripture has two main teachings, God’s Law and His Gospel or good news. The Law tells us what we should and should not do and points each of us to our sin. The Gospel shows us God’s mercy, forgiveness, and redemption through faith in the righteous life, the sacrificial death, and the victorious resurrection of Jesus.

Scripture is very clear about God’s teaching and law on sexuality. God gave sex as a gift for marriage between one man and one woman to strengthen families. (Genesis 2:24) So, when sex is used contrary to God’s plan there are often painful results, such as broken hearts, unwanted disease, or struggles for children. The Supreme Court of the United States has declared that marriage outside God’s plan is legal. Actually, similar ideas were accepted in the Roman Empire in the early days of Christian Faith. But, ultimately, the Supreme Court cannot change God’s plan in creation for marriage. However, God’s most important plan is for His children to have a loving and faithful relationship with Him! Christians are called to witness to what God says.

But, while Christians are called to speak the truth of God and the health of His plan for life, God does not want His children to act in self-righteous arrogance. We are called as children of God to “speak the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15)

There are many accounts in Scripture where people of faith addressed Jesus about what they perceived to be issues in the lives of people other than themselves. The response of Jesus was similar in all these situations. Jesus indicated, first, that He came to call, forgive, and save those who had strayed from God’s plan. And, everyone, all of us have strayed. (Isaiah 53:6) Secondly, Jesus often teaches and even scolds those who look down on others, pointing rather to the sins of those doing the accusing.

Please look with me at many of the responses of Jesus in Scripture.

When Jesus was criticized for eating at the home of Matthew, or Levi, whom Jesus had called from being a tax collector into service as a disciple, Jesus responded to His critics in Mark 2:16, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Jesus came for sinners in need of a Savior.

In Luke 13 Jesus was asked about the horrible, demeaning death of some from Galilee at the hand of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Jesus replied in verses 2 and 3, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Jesus tells the people of His time and the people of today that instead of judging others we should consider our own sin and our own failings and we should personally repent.

In Luke 15 Jesus was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners. Listen to the criticism of Jesus in verses 1-3. “1 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 Then Jesus told them this parable:” Actually, Jesus told 3 parables in response to this criticism. He shared the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin. Finally, Jesus told the parable of the lost son or prodigal son, which can also be called the parable of the unforgiving brother. Jesus calls those who criticize him to welcome their straying brothers and tells these religious leaders in verse 7, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Jesus came to call and save those who have strayed, and HE wants us to do the same.

In Luke 19 when criticized for eating in the home of Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector of Jericho, Jesus’ response was simple, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:10) Do you see the pattern? Jesus’ life work is to redeem the lost!

And, in John 8 the religious leaders tried to trap Jesus by bringing to him a woman caught in sexual sin, in the act of adultery. Jesus’ response to the religious leaders of His day is famous, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Everyone left without stoning the lady. BUT, Jesus’ instruction for the woman is also important. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." (John 8:10-11) The lady may have escaped punishment but that did not mean she should continue her behavior that was contrary to God’s plan for men and women. Because of the grace and forgiveness of Jesus she is called to the new life of faith and forgiveness.

Do you see what God teaches in Scripture? Jesus was merciful and redemptive. Every time Jesus comes in contact with people who have transgressed God’s plan for life, Jesus works to restore. (Look also at Luke 7:36 ff, and John 4.) Jesus came to forgive, to save, to redeem, to love those who had strayed from God’s plan for life in all areas.

The Christian faith is not about self-righteous pride, but about redemption through Jesus. But, when Christians are self righteous they can fail to share the forgiveness and redemption that God gives in Jesus.

How can Christians respond to the recent decision of the Supreme Court? God’s plan for this world is God’s plan, and no court decision can change that plan. But, God’s ultimate plan is forgiveness and redemption and salvation for people who see their sin and repent, believing in God’s Savior, Jesus. Jesus says in John 3:17, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

How will I respond to the Supreme Court decision? I will study the Word of God and continue to learn God’s plan for my life and of God’s love for me in Jesus. I will confess my sins, and seek to serve the one who lived and died and rose to forgive me. And, rather than judging others who stray, I will seek to share the teaching and saving love of Jesus.

A Child of God, Seeking God’s Guidance and Wisdom,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. I know this week’s devotion is longer than normal. Because this is a sensitive topic I wanted to speak clearly, sharing God’s truth in all the love He has for sinners.

P.P.S. I returned to the office from vacation this past Wednesday. Here is a link to some vacation pictures. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/FloridaWithFamily

****

Saturday, June 27, 2015

A Prayer For God's Church

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Before I left on vacation I was in Portland to attend the Convention of the Northwest District of our denomination, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Actually, when I arrived in FL and talked with my family I found that my two younger brothers and my sister had been at the convention of the Florida-Georgia District at the same time that I was in Portland. So we compared notes and found out that we had discussed some of the same issues on opposite shores of the country.

I have said in the past that I do not believe that majority votes in conventions are necessarily the best way to make spiritual decisions for the church. When we believe, as children of God, that God’s Word gives direction and decision, it is somewhat contradictory to make decisions by a vote of 51-49%. But, in this sinful world there are disagreements. So, acting in faith and humility and love God’s people sometimes meet to decide important matters. That is the reason for the events we read about in Acts 15. So God’s people continue to meet and discuss direction and plans for doing the work of our Lord.

However, sometimes God’s people forget whose work they are doing and to whom the church belongs. So, please look with me at what God says in the verses below.

· In Matthew 16:18 b, Jesus responds to the confession of Peter and says, “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Jesus tells Peter the church belongs to HIM!

· In John 21:15 b, Jesus restores Peter after his betrayal, and Jesus gives Peter the following work, "Feed my lambs." Please notice, the lambs belong to Jesus.

· In Ephesians 5:23, God tells us, “Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” Jesus is head of the Church, not us.

God is very clear that the church is the body of Jesus. Jesus is the head. But, when God’s people become so passionate about their work that they can forget to whom the church belongs, this can lead to divisions rather than unified work for our Lord. Unfortunately, we have all see such disagreements and divisions in God’s church.

So, I was happy to receive an e-mail prayer recently from Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer. He is president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and a friend of mine. (Dale spoke at St. John in 2003.) Please read below and pray this prayer with me.

“I was asked to offer a closing prayer at the convention of a district in our church. If you're active in your church, you may find this helpful.”

“O Spirit of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, You have blessed us more than we know and therefore it is in our frailty that we thank You not as we ought but as we are able. Created for life in this beautiful world and this incomprehensible universe, You fill us with the added awe that we are Your redeemed and members of the Body of Christ. "The fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 111:10).”

“As this busy day draws to its close, we have been privileged to be stewards of Your mission to people who are living and dying without the help and hope of their only Savior. We confess with shame those times when the feelings and thoughts that well up within us and those words that slip from unguarded lips reveal the heresy within us that this is our church, our doctrine, our practice. You, O Holy Spirit, keep calling us back to the truth that Jesus is the Head and we are His members. Thank You for the gift, the fleeting gift of daily repentance. Your patience fills us with the fear and love of God that should be the hallmark of all the baptized.”

“As the end draws near, lead us to pray not once but constantly, Dear Savior, abide with us for the day is far spent and the evening is at hand" (Luke 24:29). Give us joy in one another's company this evening. Make us kindly disposed toward everyone, for we are all precious members of the Body and love between us is the most excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31). Watch over our loved ones while we are absent from one another. What a mercy from You, our God, that they lovingly tend to hearth and home while we are away. Yes, the end is near, only one heartbeat away. Grant us to close out this day in the salutary fear and love that finds its yea and amen in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). Amen. “

Thank you, Dale! Jesus died to save us and has given us the privilege of serving Him in His Church. May God use us to share His love.

A Child of God, Seeking to Serve my Savior in HIS Church,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here are some pictures from our Fathers’ Day celebration in FL. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/FathersDay2015

P.P.S. Both the Florida-Georgia District and the Northwest District passed resolutions supporting licensed deacons in the work of God’s Church.

P.P.P.S. Here is another link to some vacation pictures. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/FloridaWithFamily

****

Friday, June 19, 2015

Some Scattered Thoughts about God's Changeless Love

Dear Fellow Children of God,

As I write this devotion I am on vacation visiting with my family in Florida. However, in the process of leaving Kathy and I had a hectic schedule. We attended our church convention Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Portland, then returned home for the Colony Days picnic on Saturday, and for Sunday morning worship, and then finally left for vacation on Sunday evening. During this hectic time we spent parts of five days out of six on an airplane. When I finally got to FL where most of my family lives I was tired, and cranky (I’m sorry), and my mind was a little scattered. So, speaking with a scattered mind I have multiple thoughts this week instead of just one.

First, I was again impressed by the efforts of all the St. John members who planned the Colony Days Picnic, donated food, carried chairs and food, grilled burgers and hot dogs, served our guests, scooped ice cream, hosted, cleaned up, and generally gave of themselves to serve the Lord at the picnic last Saturday. When we look at the food served we believe we fed about 1400 people. But, from the standpoint of pastor of St. John it was a blessing to watch everyone working together! As our Lord spoke to us through Paul, “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5) THANK YOU to all who served so willingly and faithfully. The workers heard many offer thanks and your actions shared the love of Jesus.

Last Sunday afternoon, as I prepared to leave for vacation, I worked in my yard and my garden. While outside I first heard sirens, and then I watched Forest Service planes fly overhead. Since then all in the Mat Su know about the fire in the Willow area which has burned many acres and cost many their homes. As I observed from FL two things struck me. First, to go from a beautiful summer day on Saturday and Sunday to homes burning on Sunday and Monday and beyond, says how quickly life can change. These events again remind me of how much we need the changeless love of God. (Psalm 46:1-2) Second, I am amazed and thankful for the sacrificial efforts of those who put their lives on the line to fight fires for the good of others. This time I know many of those who are fighting the fire. I am praying for their safety and success and I encourage others to do the same.

However, my heart goes from thankful admiration to horror and revolt when I see another shooting, this time in a South Carolina church. I wish I had an answer. This shooting is the exact opposite of how God calls His people to live. Jesus said, "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34) It simply seems to me that the further our culture moves from the Lord who laid down His life for us, the more senseless acts of evil and violence we see. Even from afar I grieve for the church and the families who lost loved ones to this violence. How different our Lord is who, instead of taking life, laid down His own life for us!

Finally, I will spend Fathers’ Day this year with my dad for perhaps the first time in 25 years. My dad is 87 and pretty healthy for someone in His late 80’s, which is a gift to all of us in the Rockey family. Over the years, my dad has been an example to me and to our whole family of a man of faith and love who trusts the Lord through all of life’s changes and losses. “5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3, 5-6) What a gift to their children a godly parent is! Thank you, Dad!!

I pray that these “scattered” thoughts point you to the constant love of God,

A Child of God, Thankful for God’s Unchanging Love,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here is a picture from the baptism of Ashley and Kennedy Knapp last Sunday, June 14. https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6105100932013912881/6161165443411598546?banner=pwa&pid=6161165443411598546&oid=114993745799525883148

P.P.S. Here are some pictures from the Colony Days / 80^th Anniversary Parade and Picnic. https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6160462664399200161?banner=pwa Again, THANK YOU to coordinators Diana Christensen, Joe Ahrens, Barb Thomas, and ALL the volunteers!!

****

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Thankful for Parents Who Bring Their Children to Worship

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Have you ever made a comment that caused a reaction in the person to whom you were talking so that you got more of a response than you expected? When I was a child and I started talking, my older relatives would say, “Who pushed your button.” On Tuesday I “pushed my wife’s button.” You see, on Tuesday two separate people thanked me for worship last Sunday. I mentioned those comments to Kathy. Then she responded with some loving sarcasm. I was somewhat surprised, but then I was thankful.

“You ought to come sit with us on Sunday instead of sitting up front all by yourself. (You see, Kathy sits with 3 of our grown children, and our 6 grandchildren in the back of the church, where hopefully our crowd won’t disturb others too badly.)

“First you get out the gum and give it to the grandchildren. About 2 minutes later they’re done chewing gum and you give the gum wrappers back to put the gum in, because they’ve been warned not to throw the gum on the ground.

“Then they want gummy snacks. So you get those out. They drop them and pick them up and eat them.”

“Then they want to find the page number in the big book. So you help them find their place in the hymnal.”

“Then they want to go see Poppy (who is leading worship) up front”

“Then we hand out money to put in the offering. Someone gets a dollar and someone gets 6 pennies. The person with the six pennies thinks they have more money than the person with the dollar. The person with 2 quarters decides he will keep one. When the offering plate gets there they all want to hold it and put their pennies in one by one.”

“Then they want to play with phone and you tell them no. And they want to write on all the yellow cards in the pew. They want to know if they can go to the nursery now.”

“Then they drop the lego into the floor vent. You try to get that out, and even when the vent cover is taken off later, you can’t find it.”

“Then they need to go to the bathroom (even though you made them go to the bathroom before church). When they come back they need to get a drink of water.”

“Then they want in your lap, then out of your lap. Then they want to go see Uncle Tim.”

“The people in the other seats think everyone is so cute, but you’re pulling your hair out. (Charlie Fox used to love to egg the kids on.)”

The people who talked to me on Tuesday mentioned Sunday’s sermon. Kathy continued, “The sermon, O yeah. I’m glad they liked it, but when you are taking care of grandkids you don’t get to listen very much.”

Wow!!! I had forgotten what it is like to have children in worship. But, if children are not in worship how will they learn the importance of spending time each week with God and His people. Our parents went through the same thing for us. However, when it came to bringing our children to worship, because I’m a pastor, Kathy has taken care of that responsibility. I especially remember one Sunday when, as I was preaching, I saw 4 bare feet sticking up from the pew. Kathy got to deal with that situation. I was busy preaching.

Jesus scolded his disciples for sending the children away and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” After all, what our children REALLY need, is Jesus! And that is what we want for them.

THANK YOU PARENTS! Thank you for your love and your effort and even for your struggles to bring your little children to Jesus!!

I guess I pushed my wife’s button. But, the truth is that the single event that most brings joy to Kathy is when all her children worship with her together. Then she is full of joy and contentment. And NOW, she gets to worship with all her grandchildren too! Kathy may have shared her grandmother struggles with me, but in truth she was full of joy on Sunday. It fills me with joy as well!

From a grateful husband and grandfather, “Thank you, Kathy!”

A Child of God, Thankful for Parents and Grandparents who Bring their Children to Jesus,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here is a picture from the baptism of Kai and Kadence Kastar last Sunday, June 7. https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6105100932013912881/6158653095952045426?banner=pwa&pid=6158653095952045426&oid=114993745799525883148

P.P.S. Please see the information below about our Colony Days Picnic.

****

Friday, June 5, 2015

Resting In Jesus

Dear Fellow Children of God,

My first summer in Alaska a church member made a comment to me as I was greeting people as church recessed. “I’ll be glad when summer is finally over and we can get back to normal sleeping hours.” I’m not sure I understood that comment then. But now I know from experience that Alaskans do have different sunlight hours than people in more southern climes. So we often have different sleep patterns. It is not uncommon for me to hear people say, “I’m so tired!”

However, being tired is not necessarily just an Alaska experience. In our affluent world, with so much to do and so much to occupy our minds, people are often sleep and rest deprived. We often indulge ourselves rather that follow healthy patterns and priorities. Why do you think there are so many commercials for energy drinks?

We may think that such lack of rest is unique only to modern culture. But, as I was preparing for worship this Sunday I was struck by the first verse from the Gospel reading. “Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.” (Mark 3:20) This experience of being overwhelmed is repeated in a different setting in Mark 6 where we are told in verse 31 “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Life can be overwhelming. We need rest.

“Rest” is an important truth of God taught in Scripture, and rest means more than just sleep. We could consider many of the Bible verses about rest (for example Exodus 20:8-11, Psalm 127:2, Hebrews 4:1-3). But, there is a positive point truth about rest we also hear in the Gospel of Mark. In the second chapter of Mark, after religious leaders had criticized Jesus for walking through the grain fields and eating some of the grain on a Sabbath, Jesus responded in the following way, 27 Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

Jesus teaches about Himself. He is Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus is Lord and ruler of the whole Law. But, Jesus also teaches the positive truth that the Sabbath and the rest it brings is a gift! "The Sabbath was made for man,” Yes, we need rest. That is how God made us. We need rest for our bodies. We need nourishment for our souls and our faith. So, God gives the Sabbath the day of spiritual rest and nourishment. You see, we find rest in God.

We weren’t made for the ultimate purpose of keeping God’s Law. (Though, we are created to bring praise and glory to the Lord.) God’s law was created to bless our walk in this world of sin. "The Sabbath was made for man.”

I practice certain disciplines to find times of rest. I worship on Sundays (and Wednesdays). I begin my days in Bible reading and prayer. And, most Mondays you will find me away from the office and perhaps by some water with a fishing pole, or walking around with a golf stick in my hand. Still, I know that I struggle to get enough rest. What happens if the hospital calls on a Monday, or we have VBS on a Monday, or a funeral, or I travel, or . . .? I do work many long hours. Perhaps the greatest energy theft in my life is the emotional energy required of being responsible for the people and ministry of a Christian congregation. But, also in this responsibility, rest is a gift. God Himself is the one who guides and feeds the His Church. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Knowing that God is in control gives the peace of being able to hand off the responsibility to the one really in charge.

Like the folks of Jesus’ day, people of our time also find themselves ‘weary and burdened.’ So, for weary people God gives rest as a gift. That rest is found in spending time and trusting in our Lord. May you find rest in Jesus this Summer.

A Child of God, Resting in God’s Promises,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here is a picture from the baptism of Glen Price last Sunday, May 31. https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6105100932013912881/6156978281258187506?banner=pwa&pid=6156978281258187506&oid=114993745799525883148

P.P.S. I found rest in time with my daughter last Friday, May 29, on Harvey Kolberg’s boat. https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6157040457982136625?banner=pwa

****