Pastor Encouragement in Pandemic

Pastor's Note

As we continue on in what has become a much lengthier and challenging crisis than anyone imagined at the start, you might be getting weary and, at times, feel like you are losing heart. I know this describes my experience. Though we probably share much in common, everyone's weariness is a bit different. Some are growing very weary of social distancing, others are weary that they can't distance themselves from those they are quarantined with! Some are growing weary of the stay at home "rules", others are weary of those breaking the "rules". Some of us are losing heart because of an uncertain future, others are losing heart at a more certain "present" as sin and conflict in relationships are revealed. All of us are losing heart as we look back at almost two months of cancellations and postponements. While I am so thankful for how technology connects us, I am growing weary of livestreams and zoom meetings.

In this week's CBR readings, we've been looking at the letter of 2 Corinthians. In Chapters 3 and 4, Paul describes what keeps him from giving up in a world of suffering and difficulty.

He doesn't give up because of the freedom we have in coming to Jesus as we are - nothing to hide. (3:17) In fact, only when we come with nothing to hide (no veil) can we experience Jesus and His transforming love for us.

He is confident in the transforming work of the Holy Spirit who makes us more like Jesus - often most powerfully in our struggles/suffering (3:18)

He doesn't give up because the God who created all things shines the light of his presence into our darkness and suffering. We may not be promised a painless life but we are promised the satisfying presence (the glorious "face of Jesus") (4:1-6)

He doesn't give up because we don't look to ourselves for strength to endure or power to preserve. The power is from God. He keeps going knowing he's only a clay jar - ordinary and unremarkable. It is the gospel that has extraordinary power - especially for those who come to the "the end of their rope". (2 Cor. 4:7-9)

He doesn't give up because he remembers the tension of living in the already-not yet kingdom. Suffering will come but God will not leave us crushed, despairing, abandoned or destroyed (4:8-9)

He keeps going when he is weary because he remembers the death-resurrection pattern of the gospel. The things that must die, the losses we must bear, the pain we will feel will all moves deeper into the resurrection life of Christ - as the life of Jesus is revealed through our weakness and as the resurrection life of Jesus becomes fully ours in the new creation. (4:10-15).

Paul doesn't give up because he remembers he is not living for success, for the approval of others, for the maximum comfort he can achieve in this world but for the glory of God (4:15).

Paul endures weariness remembering tomorrow's grace doesn't "transfer" to today. We need (and are given, even when we don't feel it) day by day renewal of our inner man. (4:16)

Paul doesn't give up as he weighs the sufferings of this "moment" against the incomparable glory of eternity. He focuses on what can't be seen (the really real) instead of the what can be seen (that changes, that fades, that only gives the illusion of a pain free path in life). (4:18)

I wrote all that out for myself! I know a few of you really needed to hear it now and others of you will need it in the future. As we get weary and wonder, "When will it end?" "What lies on the other side of all this?" - we can remember on the other side of any/all suffering, waiting and weariness we endure in this life there is a God who is remaking us in his image and who will one day welcome us into the renewal of all things.

Love in Christ, 
Eric K

Lizards Are One Of God's Creatures

CATCHING A LIZARD - I like lizards. We have many on our property. And that is fine with me - until one gets in our house. Over the years I have caught at least four...and because I do it all by myself (funny that Charlie is never home when I find one) and have done it without harm to the lizards, this makes me an expert! So here is my #1 2020 lizard story. Jackson (our little dog) starts growling and looking at the hallway table. Next to it is a coat rack with my neck scarfs and it appears that is why he is growling. After my attempt to reassure him, I see a lizard, hiding behind the table leg close to the wall. "WHAT TO DO" I ask myself. First, remove Jackson. Next, isolate the lizard and make barriers to keep him in the hallway. This step calls for ingenuity but I did it. Next, get my "lizard bowl". This bowl is a large see through salad bowl that works great because I can pop it over the lizard and also watch him and know he is safe. Next, get a large piece of sturdy paper to place on the floor under the lizard. Now, I can lift up the bowl and carry outside. It didn't go as smoothly as other catches because something fell off the table and scared the lizard who ran toward me and FREAKED me out!...couldn't find him so I decided to have Jackson help me find him. IMPORTANT - leave the barriers in place. After searching the hall closet and living room I found him at the front door. It was as if he knew how he got in and wanted OUT the same way. So, once again the lizard bowl was used...lizard caught, trapped and Charlie arrived just in time to take him outside to the plants. <3

Word Picture of Losing a Loved One

The attending doctor called a couple of hours later and I could not comprehend his words, “Come now. He’s dying.” Even now, six weeks later, those words cut through me; they sear my soul.
The next two hours were without equal in my life. I have never experienced emotional pain and loss to that extent and I pray I never will again. I’ve never sobbed that way - huge, wracking, choking sobs. I was kneeling in the big chair by his bed and leaning over trying to hold him. I kept brushing his hair back from his head and pleading with him to not go. How selfish to beg him to stay here facing so much pain when God was calling him to be pain free and with Him forever.
Shannon came just a few minutes after her dad left us. I was so sad she hadn’t really gotten to say goodbye. If only they had let us stay with him. Chad was in Winchester and didn’t make it until that evening. We just never dreamed that we would be losing him that day. I am grateful that the doctor called me and I was there at what was the end for me but, for Rob, a wonderful beginning.

Second reading of The Harbinger

Yesterday I finished my second reading of The Harbinger.  Because of our current world wide status with The Virus, this reading was challenging.  And, now that I am finished, I am challenged about what I am to do with what I read.  Two messages in the book: RETURN, America to God and be personally responsible for sharing the Good News of Jesus with those I know.

In 2013 I wrote the following on Facebook:

addition remarks on my current reading of The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn - It has captivated me in a way different from any book I've read - startling amazed at his words. He speaks often of the connection of America and Israel. Two good questions to ask: how? and why? If you are very curious about this but don't want to buy the book yet, I'd suggest you check the web regarding Jonathan Cahn...you can then click on the video of his talk as the key note speaker at the 2013 inauguration prayer breakfast. Riveting is the word I use to describe his 40 minute talk. I also discovered an interesting connection between Ground Zero and the consecration prayer after Washington was inaugurated. Hope I've tickled your curiosity enough for you to check this out

The Three Most Beautiful Words Ever Spoken

THE THREE MOST BEAUTIFUL WORDS EVER SPOKEN - Imagine the satisfaction an artist feels when the last brush stroke is placed; satisfaction an architect feels when the last line is drawn on the plans for a structure; satisfaction a seamstress feels when the last stitch has been sewn on a beautiful garment; satisfaction when an author writes the final word; satisfaction for any creative act, including all of creation. Each of these and any other that may come to mind ends with "It Is Finished" But when Jesus drew His last breath on the cross and spoke "IT IS FINISHED" the foundations of Hell shook and Satan and his demons cringed at the reality of those THREE MOST BEAUTIFUL WORDS EVER SPOKEN. Remember them.

Deep sorrow, seven years ago, after Easter

April 7, 2013   On Facebook, I wrote:

Sometimes my posts feel like emotional roller coasters - the last one was a Goethe quote: "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it." Today it is focusing on the black hole of depression sucking the life out of dear ones like Rick Warren's son. We grieve with the Warren's as they journey through this unspeakable pain of loss. Just a week ago, they celebrated Easter...They sang with joy. And now they live with sorrow. Oh God, comfort your people.
Rick Warren's son committed suicide, leaving them to grieve and question God.