Sharing What's Really Important

Saturday, September 29, 2012

The Mysteries of God

Dear Fellow Children of God,

My Devotional reading has recently led me to read the book of Job. In today’s readings, after Job in his suffering has complained that God is unfair, God answers Job by asking Job some questions about the wonders and mysteries of creation. The first section of God’s answer that struck me was Job 38:4-7, where God asks Job, 4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements -- surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” I personal don’t know how the foundations of the earth were laid. But . . . it must have been something to hear the morning stars sing!

Then I read Job 38:22 where God asks Job, “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail?” If you look outside this morning here in the Mat Su Valley you know why this verse struck me. September 29 is early for snow on the ground, even for Alaska! The point of all this is that life is full of mysteries, truths that are beyond our easy comprehension. Sometimes the mysteries of life in this world which God created are totally beyond the understanding of our finite minds.

While this part of the book of Job talks about the wonders and mysteries of creation, the book of Job is actually dealing with a greater truth and a greater mystery. The real topic of the book of Job is, “Why is there suffering and evil in the world?” And the Almighty Lord and Creator of the Universe does not necessarily give the answer Job is looking for. Nor does He give the answer we may want to hear. Basically God is saying to Job, “If you don’t understand the mysteries of creation, how can you understand these even greater mysteries?” That is not the kind of answer Job expects.

Actually, God does give us an answer to Job’s question in the New Testament. In Colossians 2:2 Paul writes, “2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ” The even greater mystery and question of life is Jesus. The even greater mystery and question of life is the answer to the question, “How can God love sinners like us? How can He love people who reject Him, and rebel against Him, and fail Him?”

How can God do this? The answer is that God loves us in Jesus! God sent His only begotten son to suffer and die and rise for people who don’t care about Him as we should.

Snow on September 29? I guess it could be a long winter. Actually, I enjoy getting out in the beauty of the Alaskan winter. As you look around and the beauty of creation causes you to catch your breath from time to time remember the lesson of Job. The Lord, whose creative power brought the beauty and splendor of our world into being, acts in an even greater way through Jesus to love and save you and me.

I guess I should be ashamed to wake up wondering about the mystery of snow on the ground, but to take for granted the greatest mystery, that God can love and forgive and save even me through Jesus. This greatest act of our powerful and loving Lord should surely not be taken for granted. Praise the Lord for the mystery of His love for us in Jesus, even through the evil and suffering and trials of this world.

A Child of God, Awed by the Mystery of God

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here is a picture of the snow in our back yard this morning, September 29. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/September292012#5793681364493756146

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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. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

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Monday, September 24, 2012

Christian Fathers

Dear Fellow Children of God,

About a month ago my wife, Kathy, told me, “I hear my mom talking to me in my head.” She explained that she often hears phrases her mom used to speak to her repeatedly. As I listened she asked, “Do you ever hear your mom talking to you?” I told her, I guess I did. She asked what my mom said to me and I told her, “Oh Johnny.” You see, I used to get in trouble a lot. I seem to remember those words, and maybe still do hear them from time to time.

But, today I’m thinking more about my dad than my mom. When you read this message it will be September 22, and my dad’s 85^th birthday. Can you think of a more difficult job than being a good Christian father?

In Ephesians 6:4 God instructs dads, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Fathers are called to train their children in Godly living, but to do so in such a way that the children are not driven away by the discipline of their father. You know as I do that children don’t like to be told what to do. But when a father is showing his child God’s way to live, the normal reaction of our children is to rebel. It is difficult to instruct our children and not to face rebellion for that instruction.

What is perhaps even more difficult is that the best way to teach is by example. It is one thing to tell our children how to live. It is another thing for a father to live in such a way that shows his children love for God and love for others.

I know of no perfect fathers. I know that I have personally failed at times to instruct my children well. I have failed because I have pushed my children in such a way that they were frustrated. I know that my example has not always been perfect, and it seems my kids always catch on to my mistakes, or the contradictions in what I say compared to what I do.

When it comes to being a good father the best example I know is that of our Heavenly Father. Psalm 103:13 tells us, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;” I firmly believe that when fathers keep their eyes on the actions of God as our Heavenly Father, it will help us to instruct our own children. It helps fathers to instruct their children in a way that does not exasperate or frustrate them. Keeping our eyes on our Heavenly Father and His forgiveness in Jesus helps us to keep loving our children even when we fail in our instruction, or our love, or our example.

I am thankful that my dad knew his Heavenly Father. My dad didn’t drop me off in Sunday School. He took me to Sunday School while he taught in another classroom. My dad took me to worship and led our family in worshiping the Lord. My dad was not perfect. I know of times that I rebelled against his instruction. But, as I look back I know that my dad sought to live what he believed. His integrity and service in the church and the community continued to give me an example even when I wasn’t sure about following him.

Thanks, dad, for watching and following our Heavenly Father. Thanks for your love, your teaching, and your example. I am blessed to have you as my father. Happy Birthday, Dad!

A Child of God, Thankful for God’s gift of a Faithful Christian Father,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. I was supposed to be in moose camp this week, but you know I had knee surgery on Wednesday. I am recovering well. After the first 24 hours I stopped the prescription pain medicine and have felt no pain. I can move my leg in small ways that used to hurt, but now do not hurt. I am waiting to be released by the doctor on Tuesday for physical therapy and the beginning of the resumption of regular use of my leg. Thank you for the prayers, the calls, and the cards!

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Saturday, September 15, 2012

Perserverance for the Christian Adventure

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Many of you know that I shot my first caribou last month. I finally got a caribou permit and hunted with friend and church member, Steve Arlow, who knew more about caribou hunting. The whole experience was something to remember. I enjoyed the opportunity to glass with binoculars and look for the caribou. I enjoyed the exercise of climbing the mountain stalking these majestic animals. I am still remembering the excitement of the shot. And I won’t forget the scenery on this beautiful sunny day; as we reached the fallen caribou Mt. McKinley loomed on the horizon. I even found joy and a sense of accomplishment in packing the caribou down the mountain. The whole experience is an adventure I will remember.

Many Alaskans love adventure. I’ve met Alaskans who climb mountains or raft white-water rivers. Many of my Alaskan friends enjoy the opportunity to hunt and fish. Some enjoy the adventure of simply viewing the wildlife and scenery not seen elsewhere. Unlike any other place I ever lived, there is a community of people in Alaska who dogsled and even race their animals. Others find adventure and accomplishment in prospecting for gold or other minerals. Alaskans I’ve met like to test themselves and experience challenges that perhaps are not available in this way anywhere else. It is true. Many Alaskans do love adventure.

The adventures available to Alaskans may be exciting, but have you ever thought of the challenges and adventure Christians face? First, the Lord God is “King of kings and Lord of lords” and we get to work in His service. What a privilege! In a world full of pain and sorrow and bad news, we get to bring good news that the Almighty God loves the world and offers eternal life in heaven through faith in His Son, Jesus. For some people machines or computers can be complex and confusing. But in reality there is nothing more complex than another human being. Christians have the call and the privilege to love people, to share with them, and to lead them to God’s love with His help. As Christians serve the Lord there is constant difficulty in this service because of our own weakness and sinfulness, and because of the opposition of the forces of evil. But we have the forgiveness and help and strength of the Almighty Lord of the Universe and our Loving Savior in our efforts to serve God.

Shooting my first caribou after 21 years in Alaska was a great adventure, but it does not compare with the adventure of serving our Loving Lord.

However, as with any effort people can become tired. Even Christians can become tired of the privilege and adventure of serving the Lord. I have seen people who are excited and enthusiastic as they begin the Christian adventure, but I’ve then seen even the most hearty people wear down at times. A very important part of Christian living is perseverance, the ability to continue in service to God. Near the end of the book of Hebrews, the author tells his audience, “1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

In other words, Jesus, the Son of God, endured suffering for us. His example and His love can help us to persevere, to continue in our service of our Loving God, even when we grow weary.

There is a way I also grew tired on my caribou hunt. I guess the knee of this almost 60 year old man wasn’t up to packing the caribou down the mountain. I’m having surgery soon to repair a torn meniscus. I hope with a repaired knee I can go hunting again next year. God’s love and forgiveness for us in Jesus gives us new hearts to persevere in our service of our Loving Lord.

A Child of God, Enjoying the Adventure of Serving my Loving Lord

Pastor Jonathan

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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The Sword of God's Word

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Do you ever worry about the world in which our children grow up? Recently I have helped a number of young people with various life issues. I was talking to another pastor about some of these issues and he said, “I wouldn’t want to have to grow up again in today’s world.” In other words the challenges, temptations, and distractions faced by our young people today are truly significant. These temptations and challenges faced by our children are much different than those faced by this pastor and I when we grew up.

For many of us adults, even if we did face drugs, or overt sexual temptation, or rejection of faith, or violent attacks from other students, those difficulties still did not exist at the same level as children today face. I understand what my pastor friend meant, “I wouldn’t want to have to grow up again in today’s world.”

So, as parents, grandparents, and concerned adults, how do help our children and the children in today’s world? Last Sunday’s epistle lesson was from Ephesians 6. In the face of life’s spiritual battles the church of God was encouraged with the following words, 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. . . 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:11, 17) God tells us that he has given us armor and weapons to face the spiritual attacks which assault us in this world. One of those weapons is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Last Sunday St. John and many other churches started up the Sunday School program again Children from age 18 months through their 90’s are studying what God has to say to us about life in this world and about eternal life. Through these classes our students learn they are created by God with love and wisdom and that they are precious in His sight. Through this study God assures our students that He loves and forgives them in Jesus. Through our Sunday School our students learn what God says about facing the challenges and temptations of life.

So, as parents, grandparents, and concerned adults, how do help our children and the children in today’s world? Won’t you feel better if your child is tempted with drugs, but you know they have been to Sunday School and learned about God’s love and His directions for their lives? Won’t you feel better if your child’s faith is challenged, but they have had time in Sunday School to consider all that God has done for them and continues to do? Won’t you feel better if your child faces bullying or violence of any other sort, but they have been instructed about how God’s children live in faith and love? God’s Word is the sword of the Spirit to fight the spiritual battles of life.

Even though God inspired Paul to write these words about 2000 years ago they are still meaningful to us in today’s world. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. . . 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:11, 17) I hope to see you in Sunday School.

A Child of God who needs the strength and direction of God’s Word,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Sunday School starts at 9:45 a.m. with Opening Worship in the sanctuary. See below for more information about classes that are offered for children and adults.

P.P.S. Here are some pictures from my caribou hunting trip last week. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/CaribouHunt2012?authuser=0&feat=directlink

P.P.P.S. Here are some fishing pictures from this past summer. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/SummerFishingWithFamilyAndFriends2012?authuser=0&feat=directlink

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Saturday, August 25, 2012

Grateful for God's High Grace and Love

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Have you ever thought about how we can take our blessings for granted?

This week our family received a letter from a young girl we sponsor for Compassion International. Astro Mesfin lives in Ethiopia. We have supported Astro and her schooling and Christian education for over 10 years with small monthly payments. In her recent letter Astro thanked us because our small gift had helped supply shoes, toiletries, and school supplies. She ended her letter by saying, “I pray for you with my family. Don’t stop praying for me. God keeps us alive and His grace is high.”

Ethiopians face many challenges. According to the internet the average yearly income for each Ethiopian is $1000 a year. Our small donations go a long way for people living in poverty. However, there is another danger for Christians living in Ethiopia. Conflict exists between Muslim and Christian Ethiopians. In Africa many Christians have died because of this conflict.

Astros’s choice of words, “God keeps us alive and His grace is high’ are a little different than the phrasing Americans would use. But they contain real truth and meaning. Yes, God does keep us alive, even in the face of poverty and violence. And yes, God’s grace is high. In Ephesians 3 we are told of Paul’s prayer for the Christians at the church in Ephesus. “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, (Ephesians 3:17 b – 18)

You see, not only does God keep us alive through earthly dangers, but through Jesus God gives eternal life to all who believe in Jesus as our Savior from sin. That makes the poverty and danger some face in this life more bearable, knowing that God has eternity waiting. God’s eternal love makes all the struggles of this life ultimately inconsequential, because in heaven God takes them all away. As American Christians who have not faced the poverty and dangers others in the world face, do we take God’s love for granted because we are so blessed with affluence compared to the rest of the world?

And yes, our family does pray for Astro. After reading Astro’s letter in our devotions after supper our family prayed for Astro and her family. We thanked God that He keeps her family alive and that His grace is high. But, the thing that brought tears to my wife’s eyes was that Astro and her family, in the midst of their poverty and danger, are praying for us! With all the danger and poverty she faces, she is praying for us? It sort of puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?

I pray, with Paul, for each of you and myself. I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, And, I pray that knowing this high love of Christ we may not take God’s love for granted, but may live lives that show His love in all we say and do.

A Child of God blessed more than I know by the love of Christ,

Pastor Jonathan

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Saturday, August 18, 2012

Making a Difference for Good with an Act of Faith and Kindness

Dear Fellow Children of God,

About a week and a half ago our whole family was surprised by the blessing of the kindness and generosity of others. Our daughter, Mary, was getting ready to fly to Chevak, AK, to teach school again this year. Mary actually left for school last Sunday, August 12. This is the second year that Mary and Falon Tardiff have taught in the Chevak School, which is about 20 miles inland from Hooper Bay. This year Mary is be teaching 5^th and 6^th grade students.

Mary had told Kathy that last year when her students left class at the end of the day they often asked for a “plastic,” a grocery bag so they could carry their stuff home. Kathy and Mary were thinking of what they might get for Mary’s 46 students this year so they had something other than a “plastic” to carry their supplies from home to school and back. Because Kathy works at our local hospital, Mat Su Regional Medical Center, Kathy asked her boss, Emily Stevens, if the hospital could donate any tote bags which they use as promotional gifts.

Emily told Kathy to e-mail her. Emily then passed on a challenge to hospital managers to respond personally, rather than institutionally. The results were that the managers, on their own, purchased 51 backpacks full of school supplies so that Mary’s 5^th and 6^th grade students could use them. We were told by some of the managers how much fun they had shopping. We heard from others who wish they had been part of the process. Mary even received a large box of extra school supplies to use with her class. What a gift!

What a difference an act of kindness and generosity can make in the life of, not just one person, but many people. The gift of time in shopping, the gift of the cost of the supplies, the even bigger gift of kindness and good will are blessings. Not only does this gift make Mary’s life as a teacher easier, but the students know that someone they don’t even know in Palmer cares about them. An act of goodwill sends out waves of blessings.

God’s directions to His people tell us, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” And “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37, 39). What a blessing when people love others as they love themselves. That is what God has done for us in the sacrificial death of Jesus.

This week I have been at church meetings in Portland and Seattle. As I traveled I was struck that the lines and scanning of TSA in the airports are becoming more and more interesting. Think of the difference that acts of terrorism have made causing challenges for the traveling of everyone else. On the flip side, think of the difference for good that the gifts of backpacks and school supplies will make for a teacher, for 46 students, for a whole Alaskan community!

Where are you making a difference for good in the lives of those around you? Where do you plan to share with others the love God has first given us? God can use your acts of kindness and good will in ways that bless others far beyond what you expect.

A Child of God blessed by the kindness of others,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here are two versions of a picture of Mary and her backpacks!

https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/BackPacksGiftedToMarySClassesInChevakAGiftFromMSRMC?authuser=0&feat=directlink

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Thursday, August 9, 2012

Is Jesus Necessary?

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Is Jesus just a good idea for some people, or is He really necessary for life, for a full life, for eternal life?

If you have read or watched the news lately you heard that the Matanuska Maid Building burnt to the ground on Monday. What a shame to lose this historic landmark for the city of Palmer and the Matanuska Colony! Reports say that the Fire Marshall is investigating what might have been the cause of the fire in this abandoned building.

But, perhaps you don’t know of other fires this summer that were assuredly arson. At the end of June the parents and players for the Palmer Little League were faced with a real inconvenience. Someone had set fire to all the port-a-potties at the Little League baseball field, and also at the soccer field. For a short time there were no facilities, and new port-a-potties were significantly more expensive to the Little League.

Then on Tuesday our Administrative Assistant, Judy Stahancyk, let us know that some mail we had attempted to send was burnt up in the drive through mail box at the Palmer Post Office. We are told this fire was caused when someone threw a flare into the mail box. Post Office employees returned to us what was left of a letter and package we were sending to a St. John member in marine basic training. The post office told us the perpetrator had been caught.

I can think of no way to say that such acts of destruction are good or acceptable or helpful. Such acts as arson affect many others in ways that cause loss of property and disruption of lives. Sometimes people are hurt and killed in such fires.

I am writing this, not only because a sudden a rash of suspicious fires have occurred, but also because these fires point to a truth that many find difficult to accept these days. Evil and sin are part of the world in which we live. Our lives are all impacted in negative ways because of the selfishness and sin of others. Our lives are all impacted in negative ways because of our own behavior which rebels against our Creator or hurts other people.

Yet, today people don’t like to talk about evil. In fact, to mention the word “sin” is often considered backwards, old-fashioned, or insensitive. However, look at the trouble in the world around us. Is there any spiritual truth that is more easily observed than the truth of evil and sin? Humans can seek to overcome results of sin. In some cases, when we admit a problem, we can make it better. But the pain and destruction and loss caused by sin are still there, ultimately showing the affect of sin in our lives through death. This is not just some small inconvenience, or the suspicion of backwards people. The stark reality of sin and evil affects our lives every day.

And, once we admit the existence and affect that evil and sin have on our lives and on the world around us, we then come to another realization that goes contrary to popular thought today. We need a way to deal with the sin and evil that is so pervasive. We need to be saved from our own struggle with selfishness, rebellion, and sin. We need a Savior!

That is what makes God’s gift of His Son such good news. Jesus told us 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.” God works in Jesus’ humility in becoming human. God works through Jesus’ sacrificial death and in His victorious resurrection to save us from the evil that we can fight but we can’t overcome. Since sin is a reality, Jesus, our Savior, is a necessity.

I pray that the arsonists are caught and the destruction is stopped. But, ultimately our real hope is found in Jesus. We need Jesus, and God has in love sent the gift of his Son. Maybe Christians can share this hope even with the arsonists. Jesus changes our lives for the better, now and eternally.

A Child of God, Thankful for my Savior!

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here is a picture of Jonathan with friend, Ron Hawkins https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/LongTimeFriendsAndFishingAdventuresJuly2012#5774790998367758946.

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