Daily Devotional 3-24-20

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!” - Psalm 84:1

I am looking out my living room window as I write this, the Chugach Front Range radiating God’s light and beckoning me to come ... Don’t those mountains know that there is work to be done? I’m struck by how powerful and majestic they are, strong and beautiful, and yet full of mystery and adventure, foreboding, and terrifying at times. It’s no wonder that for so many years God’s people saw the mountain as the dwelling place of the Lord. What better place for God to abide? Just by their presence, the mountains remind you of God. They don’t have to say anything, you already know.

Of course, as God has revealed to God’s people throughout time, God doesn’t only dwell in the mountains (though, if I were up there right now surely God’s presence would be known). Indeed, God has had many homes over the course of history. In the Arc of the Covenant, in the Temple, and in the hearts and homes of each and every one of us. How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

Just the presence of God makes this world lovely.

As I feel frustration, anger, exasperation, impatience, fear, worry and exhaustion amidst the unfolding of the coronavirus pandemic, I am also aware of a tenderness. A streak of compassion for one another and the world. A certain vein of loveliness.

Though we cannot gather within the walls of the St. John sanctuary, how lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! Though we cannot go to work and to school, how lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! Though we maintain our separation and refrain from gathering together, how lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

Friend, find peace in knowing that wherever you find yourself, how lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

Amen.

- Pastor Emily Carroll

How God Sees - a poem by Erynne DeVore

God loves you
and God loves me
We’re all different as can be
Some of us quiet
Some of us wild and free!
Different shapes, sizes and colors we all are
Some small as a mouse
Some tall as a car!
No matter our outsides
Our insides are what counts
God made us each unique
And knows each of our hearts
When we look at other people
We may start to compare
Or even start to wonder what’s fair
Maybe you think “I look different than those other kids”
 Or “I’m too small to do that”
But God made you to be you
AND YOU’RE ALL THAT!
So next time you fear
Remember that God is RIGHT HERE
God lives in your heart, and made you to be smart!
You’ve got gifts and talents to share
If you’re brave enough to dare!
You are loved just because you’re you
You can share that love, too!

Daily Devotional 3-21-20

Jesus said, “Come and follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” ~Matthew 4:19

Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks of you about your hope. 1 Peter 3:15

This is the time of year I usually start thinking about fishing. I pull out my fly tying box and assess how many Coho flies I need to tie up, wondering all the while why we call them Coho flies when we use them for Sockeye, (insert best Rose McLean impersonation here) but I di-gress...

Last summer, David Donaldson (a regular 9:15am worshipper and mean French Horn player – actually he's about the kindest man I can think of without a mean bone in his body, but I di-gress...) and I had the most spectacular day fishing. We were dip-netting the mouth of the Kenai, and after netting a couple dozen fish for our families we said, “that's probably enough, we should quit.” Nah!

The fact is, we had SO much fun together, harvesting food for our families and friends, we just didn't want to quit. And we kept fishing. All. Day. Long. It was So. Much. Fun!

Sometime back I preached about this passage, Jesus instructing us to fish for people, and I said that perhaps fishing for people (the Christianese word here is WITNESS), when we witness to others about our faith, perhaps it's more like dip-netting than flipping a single Coho hook over and over and over again.

Covid-19 has given us quite an opportunity for dip-netting my friends. I can think of no better time than now to invite your friends, your family, your coworkers to church, and they don't even have to leave the comfort of their La-Z Boy(TM) recliner! They don't have to live in Alaska, all they need is an internet connection and a web browser and our Livestream Link.

So let's use the virus outbreak for good, witnessing to others, inviting them to be a part of this community of faith called St John, sharing the source of the hope that is within you. The fishing is good right now my friends. The world is in great need of the hope of Jesus Christ, and fishing really is So. Much. Fun! Who are you inviting to church tomorrow?

Our Lord Jesus, give us the courage and grace to share your Good News of hope, love, and light even amidst the fear that surrounds us. Help us to be fishers of people, inviting others into the goodness of your community. Help us to experience the thrill and excitement of inviting others into this way of life centered in forgiveness, grace, and love. We ask this in Your precious name, Amen.

Daily Devotional 3-20-20

O Lord Our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth... When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; it occurs to me, what are human beings in comparison? Why do you care for us so?  ~Andy's interpretation of Psalm 8:1, 3-4

This has been quite a week. So far, I've had the blessing of talking to over 90% of our South Africa Team members via ZOOM or Face-time. I've visited with clergy colleagues in the same manner. I've visited with St John members far and wide, also electronically. I've heard amazing stories of God at work in transforming ways, and I've heard heart-breaking stories as well.

And while I am so very grateful for the gifts of technology that allow us to keep connected and social despite the limitations of our physical-distancing, I've also found myself feeling disconnected, which for me usually means one thing. I've been on my computer too long and I must.. Get Outside.

Today, I took my fat bike out on the trails for a ride. There is no coronavirus free floating in the woods. And the people I did pass (keeping a distance of ten feet or better), were so very friendly, waving and sharing well wishes of good health. Real human connection experienced in a safe manner.

And then I arrived here, my new favorite “outdoor sanctuary.” 

O Lord my God, how majestic is your name as I see it carved in the Chugach, and painted with glistening snow upon the black spruce, and shining brightly in the warm (WARM!!) sun! In all this vast beautiful creation, who are we tiny humans that you care about us? And yet you do? Thank you dear Lord, for your care and love of us. In the days, weeks, and months ahead, remind us of your love, fill us with your love, and may your love flow through us to others on this trail of life.  Amen.

My friends, keep observing good hand-washing and physical-distancing, but do your soul a favor, go outside today. Even if it’s on your front step or back yard. Step outside and experience God's presence in the miraculous creation around us and be reminded, even amidst this beauty God thinks you are ESPECIALLY beautiful, and God loves you deeply.

Daily Devotional 3-19-20

Jesus said, “Come away with me to a quiet place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.”  Mark 6:31-32

Many of us are squirreled away in our homes, figuring out internet connectivity for work and school, glued to the TV or our favorite web news sites, and trying to understand this unprecedented reality of social-distancing we are experiencing.

But if you are like me, it feels like anything BUT quiet, and so I'd like to encourage you to try something. Make some space for quiet today, and every day this week. Turn off the electronics. Turn off the media. For one whole hour, embrace some quiet, alone or together as a family. Take a break from the induced stress of the news media. Cook a meal together. Read a book (or the Bible!?) Try your hand at writing a poem or prayer.

Interestingly, in the Scripture above, it is only in instructing the disciples to first take a break and get some rest, that their eyes are clearly opened to the needs of others around them. If you take some time alone or as a family, in the quiet, to rest in God's grace, you may be surprised at what God reveals to you in that time of rest. I guarantee - your heart, your mind, and your soul will be better for it.

Lord God, in this time of uncertainty, help us to turn off the extraneous noise each day. Help us to set time apart to focus on rest, to focus on love of family, and to just be in your quietness. Reveal to us the ways you are calling to us to grow in love of You and neighbor, this we ask in Jesus name. Amen.

All grace and peace,

Pastor Andy