How Committed are you to Jesus?

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

How committed are you to Jesus?  Do you want to live for Him?  Are you willing to die for Him?  Is it your intent to work to grow in faith in Jesus as your Savior?  Is it your intent to follow Jesus, keeping The Ten Commandments by loving God and loving others?

 

I ask these questions because last Sunday was Confirmation Sunday at St. John.  Five young people shared with the congregation their faith in God and their plans to live for Him.  They also promised to “forsake all, even to be willing to die, rather than to fall away from Jesus.”  They promised to “forsake all, even to be willing to die, rather than to fall away from God’s Church.”  I talked at length with the class about the importance of these historic vows they were about to take.  So, how committed are you to our Lord?

 

I remember my confirmation day.  On March 27, 1967, I shared my faith in Jesus publicly in front of the members of First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.  I also remember that when the whole worship service was concluded my grandfather pulled me aside.  He told me, “I’m proud of you.  I hope you do a better job of keeping your vows than I have done keeping mine.”  This statement from my grandfather surprised me.  I saw him in worship each Sunday.  When I struggled in my early life, he was not the one who scolded me, but the one who encouraged me.  Yet, he was confessing his failures to me and praying for me in my walk of faith with Jesus.  His words stuck with me.

 

For many years 2 Corinthians 5:15 has been one of the major verses in Scripture which I have shared with my confirmation students.  There God speaks to us and says, “And he [Jesus] died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

 

God wants us to live for Him and not for ourselves, but we all struggle with our sinful desires.  There were times in my grandfather’s life that he did not live as He knew a child of God should live.  I remember my grandfather’s wishes and prayers for me, and I know I have failed at times.  I am a sinner.  I need a Savior.  There is no one who has lived perfectly.  We all need Jesus!

 

Praise God that when we have been weak, God is strong.  Thank God that when we have sinned, He is loving and forgiving and faithful.  Even though we have rebelled against our Creator and lived with selfish hearts and selfish actions, God sent His Son to live and die and rise for us.  He calls us daily to faith and trust in His love and forgiveness for us.  God calls us daily to lives lived for Him because of His faithfulness to us.  No one can always live for God, but He is always there for us.  And because Jesus died for us and rose again we want to live for Him. 

 

By the way, when the confirmation students made these historic vows they did not vow to live for the Lord on their own strength.  They promised to live for Jesus “by the help of God,” and “by the grace of God.”  They did not make these vows trusting themselves.  But knowing that Jesus was willing to die and rise for them, knowing that He is with them always, knowing God’s strength in the face of their own weakness, the students promised to live for God as they trust Jesus. 

 

How committed are you to Jesus?  When I look at my own life I know my weakness and sin.  But when I look at the perfect and faithful love of God for me in Jesus, I want to live for Him, even to the point of being willing to die for Him.  How about you . . . ?

 

A Child of God, Wanting to Live my Life for Jesus,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from Confirmation Day, 2013!  https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/5871323018153008369?banner=pwa

 

 

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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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Boston National Anthem - When I am Weak Then I am Strong

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Did you see news reports or video footage of the people of Boston singing the National Anthem at the Bruins hockey game on Tuesday night?  I expect all of you have been following the sad events in Boston.  On Patriots Day, after the Red Sox game was finished, about an hour after the first people finished running the Boston marathon, in the midst of the celebration of a state holiday, two bombs exploded killing three and injuring over 170 people.  Many people had limbs amputated because of the bombing.  Among those dead was an 8 year old child.  In the midst of a day of public celebration terror reared its ugly head.  Fear gripped the people of the city.  A search began for the perpetrators of the attack.  All this happened on Monday.

 

But on Tuesday the people of Boston faced the attack and faced their fears and came out in public again.  Almost in defiance, a sellout crowd gathered for the Boston Bruins hockey game, and something happened I haven’t seen before.  When it came time to sing the national anthem the man who usually sings the anthem was having trouble with his emotions, so he asked the crowd to join him in singing.  I’ve been to many sporting and public events where the national anthem is sung in respect at the beginning of the event.  But, I have never seen Americans sing with such gusto or such feeling.  I have never heard Americans sing their national anthem that loudly before.

 

In watching this singing of the anthem it seemed that the people of Boston were facing the attacks, facing their wounds, facing their fear, and facing their weakness to do anything about the attacks.  But, in their weakness the people found the strength of their shared values of freedom and community.  In their weakness, they found strength. 

 

The truth is that Christians are not really strong until we are weak.  St. Paul shares in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “9 But he [The Lord] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

 

We would like to be strong in love and righteousness.  We would like to be strong in commitment and character.  But we all struggle with our weaknesses that are a result of our sinful nature.  There is only one who did not fail, Jesus.  But, when we struggle, Jesus who faced similar struggles is with us.  When we sin, Jesus offers forgiveness through His death on the cross.  When we face death, Jesus offers eternal life through faith in His rising from the dead.  When we face and know our weakness, Jesus is our strength.  When we face our weakness and trust in Jesus He shines through us.  So, “When we are weak, then we are strong.”

 

A number of years ago the Promise Keepers Christian men’s organization had a march in Washington, D.C.   A reporter asked one of the marchers if they were speaking against the sins of the time.  A paraphrase of the answer of a wise man is, “I am a sinner.  I am not speaking against anyone else.  I need help.  Jesus is that help I need.”

 

In a world where we are weak Jesus is our strength, and we can face anything.  I was moved to tears by the people of Boston.  I am more thankful for my Lord, who is my strength.

 

A Child of God, Trusting in Jesus who is My Strength,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  If you haven’t seen a video of the anthem, I encourage you to watch it on You Tube!  Here is one sharing of the anthem.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzMsagY7oRs

I’m sure you can find others.

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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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Jesus - God's Answer to Life's Questions

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Do you understand how computers work?  Unfortunately on March 20, during the busy Easter season, I spilled tomato juice on my laptop while writing a sermon.  I had to buy a new computer and have since been using this new laptop with a new set of operating programs.  Some know this new operating program as Windows 8.

 

As I began using this new computer I sent out an e-mail message to those who serve as Lay Ministers at St. John, asking for some help with Easter services.  Then I started getting replies to my e-mail message.  I heard from pastors in California, Anchorage, and Florida, surprised that they were considered Lay Ministers at St. John in Palmer, AK (which of course they weren’t).  The message went to my sister-in-law in FL, and Kathy’s cousin in Washington.  Kathy’s cousin indicated, while he’d like to help, he might have trouble getting to Alaska from Idaho by Easter. 

 

I was embarrassed.  I went to the original e-mail message and the addresses listed on the message were the correct addresses for our St. John Lay Ministers.  So, how did these other people receive my message?  Do you understand computers?  Are they a mystery to you too?

 

I know some men in Jesus’ time whose heads and hearts were full of questions.  These questions wouldn’t have been about how computers work, but how God works.  The day Jesus rose from the dead two men left Jerusalem walking to the nearby small town of Emmaus.  According to Luke 24:13-35, these men knew Jesus had been crucified and died.  But they had heard from some women in their group that the women had seen Jesus alive.  The men were full of questions.  What was happening?   What was God thinking and doing?  Do you understand how God works?

 

When my computer acts up I go to my computer repairman.  Kevin is a talented person that has helped me time and again.  He helped put my old documents on my new computer.  But, even though he fixes computer problems for me, I still don’t always understand how computers work.

 

These men walking to Emmaus had Jesus join them in their walk.  He’s even better than my computer repairman (sorry Kevin).  We are told that Jesus explained the prophecies of the Old Testament about the Messiah to these men.  “27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”  But, when they realized it was Jesus who was walking and talking to them, He left.  The men had a better understanding of Easter events, but they still had questions.  God had raised Jesus from the dead.  But what did this mean?

 

Do you ever wonder what God is doing?  What is the Lord doing in world events today?  What is God doing in His Church?  What is He doing in my life?  Life is full of questions for which we do not have answers.  I am comforted that when I don’t understand what is happening in the world around me and in my life, God does.  God is acting in Jesus to bring His love and salvation to the world, and to my life.  God has given us insight through the Scriptures, as Jesus did for these men on the way to Emmaus.  But, when life brings questions, God answers with Jesus.

 

A Child of God, Trusting God’s love in a life of Questions,

Pastor Jonathan

 

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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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Easter - Jesus' Victory and Ours

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

More than once I have been at the hospital with a patient and their family when the doctor has shared bad news.  “There is nothing we can do, except make you comfortable.”  In such situations it is like the air is sucked out of the room.  Most often people go to the hospital hoping for a cure for their ailment or disease.  We trust doctors.  We are thankful for the amazing advances of modern medicine.  But, when a doctor tells us there is no hope for recovery, when medical science seems to have no answers, it can be a devastating blow from which we know no recovery.

 

There is an old saying, “The only sure things in life are death and taxes.”  While I’ve known some who don’t pay income taxes at least, no one escapes death.  It is one of those things in life we know is inevitable.  We may not know when death is coming, but we know that it is coming. There is no escape. 

 

It wasn’t this way at the beginning of God’s creation.  Death was not inevitable.  God created the world in wisdom and love, and death was not part of life.  However, people have rebelled against God in selfish disobedience.  There is no one who doesn’t think and feel and act in ways that serve ourselves, hurt others, and ignore God.  And the consequence of this rebellion and sin is death.  We cannot escape.

 

But, on that first Easter morning God’s love and power changed the inevitable.  Jesus, the perfect Son of God died on Good Friday for the sins of the whole world, and on Easter morning Jesus walked out of His grave alive.  This is not just a rumor, but Jesus was seen alive many times by his disciples and over 500 people.  Even Jewish and Roman historian (Josephus and Pliny) write about Jesus, who rose from the dead.

 

Christmas is one of the most important days for the world, because God showed His love when Jesus came to this earth.  But Easter is even more life-changing.  With His Easter resurrection Jesus, acting in power and love, has accomplished the reason for His Christmas coming.

 

Jesus didn’t just come to this world so He could personally overcome sin and death.  With His Easter resurrection Jesus offers forgiveness and eternal life in heaven for all who believe.  Bodily death may still be inevitable in this life.  But, because Jesus rose the inevitable defeat of death has become simple a doorway to eternal life in heaven.  Listen to God’s description of heaven for His children, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  (Revelation 21:3-4)

 

And Jesus’ Easter victory does not just change what happens after death, it changes our life now.  Since we know that Jesus rose and believers will join Him in heaven, we can face the trials of life head on, because God forgives us and gives us eternal life in Jesus.  Since we know that God has heaven waiting, we can face death with courage and faith.  Death is no longer the end, but the beginning of God’s gift of eternal life.

 

I’ve been with people in the hospital who were told there was no hope, but in some cases the doctors were mistaken and those people recovered.  Death may seem like the final defeat.  But, the truth is that Jesus’ Easter rising is God’s ultimate act of victory and love.

 

I pray Jesus’ Easter victory gives you strength and joy as you face the trials of this world, knowing God has eternal life waiting in heaven for all who believe in Jesus.

 

A Child of God, Living in Jesus’ Easter Victory,

Pastor Jonathan

 

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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 However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

 

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Love Worth Remembering and Celebrating - Holy Week

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

What do you remember about September 11, 2001, the dreadful day of the attack on the World Trade Towers?  If I asked you to remember this event, I expect your memory can bring back a picture of a tower smoking after the plane had flown into it.  These days with all the media coverage we have pictures seared into our minds and our memories. With those images also come the thoughts and feelings of an attack on civilians and the loss of innocent lives.  September 11 is a somber day etched forever in the minds and hearts of those who lived it.

 

This Sunday we begin another somber memory.  For this coming week we get to remember the sacrifice of Jesus, the eternal Son of God and the only perfect man who ever lived.  On Palm Sunday, celebrated on March 24 this year, Christians remember the shouts of joy and praise that welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem.  But, people of the same city which praised Him on Sunday as the Son of David and the Messiah were present to arrest Him on Thursday.  When Pontius Pilate wanted to release Jesus, people of the same city cried out, “Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!”  In the same city where Jesus was praised on entering Sunday, people on Friday mocked him as he hung on the cross in, dying in pain.

 

We weren’t there but we have all seen paintings and movies of Jesus hanging in bloody agony on the cross.  Those pictures easily come to mind.  Yet, there is something different about this scene.  The victim hanging on the cross is there knowingly.  Jesus went to Jerusalem on purpose, knowing that arrest and the cross lay before Him.  Jesus went in love for us because we were lost in sin and death.  The death of Jesus is the greatest sacrifice and the greatest love the world has ever known.  Scripture tells us, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10)”  Jesus knowingly went to Jerusalem so that He might suffer and die and save those who believe in Him as Savior, even if they had been calling for His death on Thursday and mocking Him on Friday.

 

I expect you may have celebrated a wedding anniversary.  We observe anniversaries to celebrate the day love began in a marriage.  We have even greater love to celebrate this coming week.  We get to remember and celebrate and receive the sacrificial love of God shown in the suffering and death of Jesus, even for a world that was rejecting Him. 

 

So, let’s remember and celebrate.  I urge you to make it a point to worship this Sunday, Palm Sunday.  Join Jesus’ disciples and the children of Jerusalem in welcoming Jesus with palms and praise as He willingly enters the city to sacrifice Himself for the world.  I also urge you to make it a point to celebrate God’s love in worship on Thursday.  Maundy Thursday is the day Jesus celebrated the Passover, washed His disciples feet, and instituted the Lord’s Supper, an on-going gift of forgiveness and love. I especially urge you to make it a point to worship on Friday.  Even though this was not a good day for Jesus, we call this day Good Friday, because the perfect Son of God died on the cross to forgive and save sinners like us.

 

We can’t help but remember somber days of loss.  We willingly celebrate the beginning of love in anniversaries.  This week God again calls us to remember and receive His sacrificial love that saves us from sin and death for eternal life in heaven.  This is worth celebrating.  I hope to see you in worship!

 

A Child of God, Overwhelmed by the Sacrificial Love of God,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  THE SHANE WOODS ICE FISHING OUTING was held last Sunday.  A good group of adults and children enjoyed a crisp day of sun on Finger Lake, and remembered Shane Woods who gave his life for His country.  Here are some pictures from that event.  https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/5856558582034437761?banner=pwa

 

 

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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 However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

 

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The Gift of Peace

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Have you ever heard someone say, “If only I could win the lottery, all my troubles would be over.”?  I’ve heard that statement more than once.  But, I’ve also read stories that most people who win a lottery end up with strained family relationships and in bankruptcy.  Perhaps you have known or heard of someone who was financially well off, but was not happy.  That seems to be a common place predicament for many of the Hollywood celebrities.  Wealth doesn’t always bring happiness.  Actually, it is not uncommon to hear about folks who have more in the way of possessions, that they also have more in the way of troubles.  People often think that if they had more money their troubles would go away.  But this thinking is a foolish trap.  More possessions bring more responsibility, and often more responsibilities bring troubles.

 

This week in my readings and studies I have twice come across God’s words and His gift of peace.  In my personal devotions I am reading in the book of Numbers and read where God instructed Moses to tell Aaron to give the blessings of God to the people.  Numbers 6:22-27 says, “22 The LORD said to Moses, 23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

24 "'"The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."' 27 "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."

When you worship today you still often receive God’s blessings in the same words as Aaron used 3500 years ago! 

 

In a Saturday Confirmation Class I’m teaching, one of this week’s lessons told of Jesus’ greeting to the disciples the night after his resurrection.  Jesus’ greeting was, “Peace be with You.” (or Shalom) (John 20:19).  The disciples were hidden and locked away in a room because they feared the same people who killed Jesus would kill them, and Jesus comes bringing peace!

 

Peace is different from Happiness.  Happiness comes and goes with the circumstances of life, and sometimes even when we are well off we aren’t happy.  Peace is the gift of God’s presence and blessings.  For those who know God’s forgiveness, God’s love, God’s presence, and the blessings God gives, peace is something that can bless us even in the worst of times.  God told Aaron to bless the Israelites with His peace even when they were wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.  Jesus spoke peace to the disciples the third day after His death. 

 

But, where troubles can take away happiness, God gives peace in the very midst of the troubles of life.  No matter what hardship, or illness, or loss you may be facing, as you know God’s love for you in Jesus you are safe in His loving hands. 

 

Money doesn’t always bring happiness.  But, for those who know and receive the love of God, He always brings peace, no matter what is happening in our lives.

 

A Child of God, Thankful for the Blessings of God,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  SHANE WOODS ICE FISHING DAY IS TOMORROW!!!!  – The Promise Keepers of St. John will be  holding an ice fishing day for the children of the congregation this Sunday, March 17, after late worship at Finger Lake. 

·         Poles and bait are ready. 

·         The ice auger is warmed up. 

·         Hot dogs and hot cocoa are purchased. 

·         Fire is coming. 

            Drive out on the lake and join us for this day of family fun in remembrance of St. John member and soldier, Shane Woods!!!  Pictures to follow next week!!

 

P.P.S.  My granddaughter, Emmalee and I caught fish on Finger Lake last Monday.

 

 

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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 However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

 

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Is Sin Really Serious?

 

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

This week in my devotional readings from the Today’s Light Bible I have been reading in Leviticus, specifically chapters 4-19.  As I have read through these chapters it is striking how many ways the Jews were called to stay away from personal sin against God and others, and how much work they had to do to stay ceremonially clean so they could worship the Lord.  The devotional writer in this Bible suggested that the many requirements for spiritual purity point to the overwhelming presence of sin in our world and in our lives.

 

Sin is considered by many today to be an “old-fashioned” idea that has little or no relevance in today’s world.  I guess if we don’t believe that we have been created in wisdom and love by God, and if we believe we don’t answer to our Creator and Lord, then sin can seem an outdated idea.  But, if we sincerely believe we are children of God, to whom we owe honor and love and obedience, then anything that harms or breaks our relationship with God is serious.  Christians believe that the struggle with sin is constant. 

 

This Lent as a small part of my Lenten disciplines I have given up caffeine.  Any of you who know me, know I especially appreciate a strong cup of coffee.  There are daily reminders and temptations to compromise my discipline during Lent.  In truth, drinking coffee in and of itself is not a sin, but it points me to the many ways we are daily tempted to compromise God’s call to be holy as He is holy.  Every day we each face temptations to selfishness, lust, unrighteous anger, or other actions that disobey God and hurt others.  These sins are not just some old fashioned way to think.  They are serious.  How serious?  The first half of Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death. . . ” If you think death is serious, then sin is serious.

 

These Lenten disciplines not only point us to our struggle with sin, but they point us to our only real hope.  I know that I have drunk caffeine at least twice this Lent.  One time I did so out of politeness at someone’s home.  Another time I thought I was drinking something that was de-caffeinated, but my racing heart later told me there was indeed caffeine in the drink.  Even with my best efforts I have not perfectly kept my goal.  We are all much worse when it comes to obeying God and loving others.  Even when we try to obey we fail.  And how about the times we don’t even want to try?

 

The Jews had many laws to keep them obedient and pure, but they were unable to keep them all.  We have a God who created us in love, but we do not always obey Him.  Often we obey our own sinful desires.  That is why it is important to know the seriousness of our sin.  That is why it is important to know the only real source of help for our eternal relationship with God. 

 

The whole verse from Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Thankfully, God has an answer for our failure, our Savior, Jesus.  Our sin demands and leads to death, but Jesus kept God’s law.  When we believe in Jesus God forgives our sins.  Instead of the death we deserve for the serious break that our sin causes in our relationship with our Heavenly Father, God reaches out with Jesus and calls us to love and eternal life.  Jesus’ life and death and resurrection are our only real hope.

 

If sin seems like an outmoded idea of a less educated time, then I guess it doesn’t seem like we need a Savior.  But, if death is real, maybe you know the depth of the gift that God has given in His only Son, Jesus.  May your Lent point you in faith to Jesus, our Savior from sin.

 

A Child of God, Thankful for the Gift of God,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME HITS TONIGHT.  Remember to set your clocks forward 1 hour before going to bed tonight.

 

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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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