Have you seen the sharp grandeur of the Colorado mountains? Just as magnificent are the tree-covered Appalachians, smooth and stooping over like aged gentlemen.

Have you seen the crystal diamonds flashing in a rushing Canadian stream? Just as awesome are the roaring falls of Niagara as they plummet down like schoolboys doing cannonball dives into a pool.

Have you seen a sunrise that the poet describes as colorful squirrels of light scampering to the treetops? Just as breathtaking are the slower kaleidoscoped hues of a sunset.

The Psalmist saw the same kind of natural beauty around him and wrote Psalm 121. And he had a revelation. People are transitory but the creation is eternal. The sources of help and pleasure . . . the definitions of need and luxury . . . the mood of society and the people in it may all change from generation to generation, but the Creator of these wonders never changes.

God is the same: yesterday, tomorrow, and forever. God has been the cave of protection, the shade of comfort, and the constant caretaker of people since the beginning of time. The Singer looks at the glory of God’s creation and he realizes where his true help comes from. A God who could make such timeless wonders can surely be trusted to provide steadfast help in every time of need . . . forever!

– Jon

Any pastor truly appreciates feedback from the flock! Someone sent me these letters that children sent to their pastor. I thought I would share them to let you see how delightful it is to grow in the Lord!

Dear Pastor, I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister. Yours sincerely, Arnold, age 8

Dear Pastor, Please say in your sermon that Peter Peterson has been a good boy all week. I am Peter Peterson. Sincerely, Pete, age 9

Dear Pastor, I’m sorry I can’t leave more money in the plate, but my father didn’t give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance? Love, Patty, age 10

Dear Pastor, I would like to go to heaven someday because I know my brother won’t be there. Stephen, age 8

Dear Pastor, I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland. Loreen, age 9

Dear Pastor, Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God’s help or a new pitcher. Thank you. Alexander, age 10

Dear Pastor, My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don’t think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house. Joshua, age 10

Dear Pastor, How does God know the good people from the bad people? Do you tell Him or does He read about it in the newspapers? Sincerely, Marie, age 9

Dear Pastor, I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished. Ralph, age 11

– Jon

At the turn of the 20th century, one of the greatest piano masters was Jan Paderewski. When he had a concert, the elegant symphony halls were “sold out” weeks in advance. At one of his performances, a child from the audience got away from his mother, mounted the stage, and sat down at the Steinway. To everyone’s shock, he began to play “Chopsticks.” The audience became indignant. “Get rid of that boy! Stop this sacrilege!”

Backstage, the master pianist was even more indignant . . . at the audience! He slipped onto the stage behind the boy and reached around him and began to improvise on “Chopsticks,” making it come alive. As he did so, he kept whispering: “Don’t ever stop. Keep going. Don’t listen to them.”

I remember my favorite seminary professor giving me a word of advice about ministry. “Jon, the main thing is to make sure the ‘main thing’ is the main thing.” Too often we get so focused on details that we forget what’s really important. The piano master knew what was really important, but the audience didn’t. He made the main thing the main thing. And there was a boy and a mother who learned the joy of care and wonder and pride that could have easily become embarrassment and rejection and shame without the sure vision of the master.

Often the storms of life seem to make as little sense as “Chopsticks” played by a child on a grand piano in a great concert hall. Yet, above the tumult the Master of all calls us back to the main thing. “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Believe in God. Believe also in me.”

May you have a happy and blessed New Years . . . and keep going as you grow in the music of your faith!

– Jon

One of the houses on our block decided to do a “remodel.” I was surprised when I watched them tear down everything but one inside wall of the garage. That’s a re-model???

That’s what they call it in California. As long as one thing stands from the old house, there are great tax and construction benefits to avoiding “new construction.” Evidently, changing everything but one little wall of a garage does not equal new house . . . but merely a remodeled house. Day by day (and construction racket by construction racket) I watch the progress on that neighbor’s lot. What is being created out of the rubble of the old is something quite new and unique.

Of course, making old things into new things isn’t really an unusual thing, is it. People with vision have upgraded eyesores into parks . . . junk into antique treasures . . . rags into linen paper . . . saints out of sinners.

Change is sometimes a difficult thing for us . . . especially when it feels like everything but the “inside garage wall” is being taken away from us. But that’s the main work of our Lord when He takes our “old” and makes it “new.” He doesn’t like waste . . . especially wasted lives and souls. So there’s some recycling and remodeling going on all the time by our Creator after we invite Him on “our property.”

But new creation is not only the job of God alone. Sometimes we are used by God to start the process in another by recommending the One who began the remodel in us. Jesus taught us that this was one of our chief jobs as Disciples of Christ. Jesus repeatedly reclaimed wasted lives: an adulterous woman, Legion, Zaccheus, Paul . . . the list goes on and on and includes each of our names as well, for we were called from an old life to a new one when we accepted Christ into our hearts.

Are we being the Christians we should be? Does our life manifest a “newness” in our attitudes? Are we faithful enough as redeemed people to reach out to others who need a little redeeming themselves? all, as remodeled people . . . recycled and reclaimed by a loving Creator through His blessed Son . . . we are the best ones to recommend the good work of the Master Builder!

As we prepare to see the signs of God in our world this Advent, let’s observe His continuing work all around us. Perhaps the greatest sign of the power of the incarnation is the great new construction we see in relationships, attitudes, and hope in our own lives.

– Jon

This past week, I was doubly blessed. First, I was able as a pastor to view with pride the beautiful, spontaneous Christian response of the church to a family in need. And secondly, I was able to feel that love first hand, for we were that family in need that was receiving the overwhelming love!

The word had gotten around that medical bills were becoming an increasing burden on us. Our faith that God would show us the way to meet these obligations didn’t waver, but as time unfolded we were more and more aware that there was no sudden light revealing paths to resolution. Then the choir sent the music minister, Doug Hornbeck, to visit with me. He brought beautiful mes-sages of encouragement and with them an idea of how the choir wanted to meet more than half of our need! To say we were overjoyed is an understatement. Once more, our abundant God has used the generosity of those who follow Him to enfold and bless us all.

This is the season of Thanksgiving. Wanda and I are truly thankful . . . and are filled with such over-powering feelings that we don’t even know how to respond adequately. Indeed, I struggled with just the right combination of words and clever phrases to let you be able to understand our feelings – but the feelings are just too important for words. So, I’ll let Wanda’s words speak for us both: “Thank you, choir, for being God’s answer to our prayers.”

Perhaps you have experienced this kaleidoscoping of emotions. Perhaps you can recall a time when someone reached out to you when you were lonely or lost and gave you a new perspective on yourself. Perhaps you know how you felt when that good neighbor brought in a simple casserole steaming with love after that draining funeral service. Perhaps you remember that unexpected call from a friend that picked your spirits up or set you on the right course again. Perhaps you possess that secret treasured memory of opening up that special gift that had seemed so outrageously impossible. Perhaps you can relive the excited awe of an answered prayer. These are miracles. These are some of the ways God touches us through others.

This is a portion of our swelling, inexpressible emotion Wanda and I are feeling this Thanksgiving. And all I am left with is a most unoriginal “Thank you.” Perhaps that is all Christians need to say to the out-pouring of love.

– Jon

Remember to be lifting up the daily prayers that were inserted into your bulletin last week.  For those who were not in worship, the last half of the week is listed below. We will collect our UNICEF boxes Sunday, November 7th. If you want to make a donation, contact Tim or Sofia.

Thursday

Children often feel the sting of prejudice and mockery because they look or act differently than others in their group. Sometimes it leads to withdrawal or severe self esteem issues that follow them into adulthood. Sometimes it leads to suicide.  Everyone is special. God loves us all the same. Pray today for those children who need to feel the acceptance and love that God calls us all to have to others.

Friday

In natural tragedies like hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and the like the children are particularly vulnerable.  They may be harmed because they don’t know the way to survive. They may lose the adults who take care of them. They may not be able to make good decisions in the midst of the recovery process. Pray today for those children who are victims of natural disasters all over the world.

Saturday

Some tragedies that affect children are not natural but acts of humanity. These would include war, terrorism, and hate crimes that touch a child’s life. The children who watch their friends or family get murdered in front of them don’t care if it was a robber or a soldier or a suicide terrorist who caused the death, they only know their world has changed in an instant, and their innocence is gone forever.  Pray today for those children who are affected by tragedies because of the hatred of human beings.

– Jon

Thanks to Cindy and her task force for the great stewardship campaign going on this month! I love the theme: “Service over Self.”

There are many scriptures that lift up this theme, but I think one of the best comes from Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God.” Truly, if we could make this scripture our goal, we would all be thankful as we put service to the Lord over ourselves!

Henri Nouwen, a well-known Catholic theologian, left a prestigious position in the world of academia to go live and minister in a community for the mentally retarded. If he had been thinking only about himself, he surely would have remained in his cushy job at the university with the equally cushy salary. But Nouwen felt the call of God to serve Him among the “least of these.” I guess he could have chosen to be bitter about the loss of fame and wealth, but he chose to be thankful for the ability to make a difference for the Lord.

In that spirit, Henri Nouwen kept a little card in his office that reminded him of the choice he faced each day. It read:

If I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will . . .

Count my blessings instead of my crosses . . .

Count my gains instead of my losses . . .

Count my friends instead of my foes . . .

Count my highs instead of my lows . . .

Count my courage instead of my fears . . .

Count my smiles instead of my tears . . .

Count my full years instead of my lean ones . . .

Count my kind deeds instead of my mean ones . . .

Count my health instead of my wealth . . .

Count my God instead of myself!

That’s great advice for us all! It’s the essence of the Good News of scripture . . . and the fullness of our theme: “Service over Self!”

– Jon

Recently, I was counseling a young man who had made some significant poor choices. As we talked, I suspected there were some deep seated self-esteem issues that might well have led to those choices. So, I asked him about his growing up years.

He looked at me and said: “Oh, I know where this is going. You want to know what my relationship with my parents was. Well, that’s easy. My mother didn’t think I was good enough and my father didn’t think I was important enough.”

How sad. Whether they meant it or not, this man believed his parents questioned his worth. No wonder he had such a poor image of himself!

Of course, if I had been talking with this man’s parents, they might well have had a different view of the matter. But the sad fact is that the perceptions of what we hear and experience become as important – and sometimes even more important – as what actually transpired. So, if we feel un-important to or detached from those around us . . . if we feel awkward or undeserving . . . if we feel like a fool or a laughing stock it becomes the truth to our psyche.

I wonder if people realized how much damage their words could inflict on others?

As a family of God, I hope no one feels not good enough or not important enough because of the way you are treating them as a fellow church member. Make the time to get to know the ones you haven’t had the time to get to know better before. You will discover a whole treasure of blessings, for God has told us that He has brought each of us here to this Body of Christ to be a family with everyone else. All our strengths can serve others. And all our weaknesses can be helped by others.

– Jon

As the story goes, a woman came to Thomas Edison after he had told of the 1500 times he had failed in his experiments to invent the electric light bulb. She said: “Wasn’t it awful that you had to fail all those times.”

His reply is important. “Madam, I never failed. I simply learned 1500 ways that it would not work!”

If it is anything at all, life is surely a learning process. The person who is afraid of failing is already beaten.

This is certainly true of the church. The task God gives us is straight forward: build My Kingdom here on earth. But the ways we go about that are constantly changing. If we just keep doing things the way we’ve always done them even though they aren’t growing the Kingdom, then we are beaten before we even begin.

Of course, not every idea and program will be an instant success, but as Edison taught us, learning is as much finding out what is NOT right as it is about finding something that is right. Life is discovery, and the only way to prevent the wonders of discovery is not to believe it is possible for you.

We at First Christian are embarking on an exciting and breathtaking adventure in Kingdom Building! We are starting new weekday children’s and kids groups with Sinapi Fellowship. We are starting a monthly Taizé service. We are re-thinking our Sunday children’s programs. We have just witnessed a successful all day Vacation Bible Camp. We have had leadership training for our groups and the elders are planning a retreat in September. We are enjoying monthly lunches each first Sunday after services. We are trimming our order of worship and will be starting a contemporary service on Friday nights beginning September 24. We are planning an Advent season focused on “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” complete with a children’s pageant.

Wow!!! Maybe all of these ideas will shine as brightly as Edison’s Light Bulb! Maybe only some of them will. But with your prayers and your support, we will learn more about how to do God’s work in this corner of His Kingdom in this day no matter what. The Blessing is in being together working toward the goal!

– Jon

On Tuesday nights, Wanda and I join our friends Wilma and Dale at a Quiet Communion worship service in San Jose. It’s a refreshing time for us as we enjoy an evening out and a reflective time for our spirits.

A couple of Tuesdays ago, Wanda was not feeling well enough to go but she encouraged me to go alone.

Wilma made a delicious dinner and afterwards Dale left to pick up someone for the service. Wilma and I picked up the dishes and then we left in my car to meet Dale at the church.

When I tell a story, I sometimes get distracted and don’t always pay attention to what I am doing. I think it’s a case of not being able to walk and chew gum at the same time or something. But the simple fact is that as we left the house, Wilma reminded me to lock the front door with the spare key I have on my ring. I definitely held the key up when we were on the porch. But the story was just at the “juicy part” and I don’t remember anything else before I was backing out of the driveway.

I left Wilma at the chapel entrance and then parked the car. As I walked from the lot to the chapel, I thought about the story I had told. I grinned. It was a good story! I thought about how I was able to use the holding up of the front door key as a “point-maker.” I chuckled. And as I walked up the aisle during the gathering music was, I suddenly froze. Did I ever actually use the key to lock the door???

I would feel horrible if anyone got into Wilma’s house while we were at the service, so I slipped in behind Wilma and whispered in her ear. “I’ll be back. I can’t remember if I locked the door.”

She looked back at me and after a brief hesitation, nodded.

So, I hurried back to my car, drove it to their home, checked the door (it was locked), and drove back to the church just in time for communion.

Wilma had obviously been frightened. Later I found out why. She thought I meant I forgot to lock my car door. So, when I didn’t return right away, she worried that I had fallen in the parking lot. She had sent Dale out to look for me. When he came back and reported that my car was gone, Wilma decided that Wanda had called me on my cell phone and I had to rush back to meet her in the emergency room and I hadn’t had the time to call them yet. Sometimes communication is a tricky thing! The fault was clearly mine for not specifying it was the house door I needed to check. One little word caused Wilma untold angst. And yet I was sure I had communicated everything clearly. I was sure no one would misunderstand.

I’m glad I have a friend who is forgiving of my shortcomings . . . and who loves me enough to worry about me! And I’m delighted to learn again that communication is a participation sport that needs to be carefully played!

– Jon