A message of Hope

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Grace to you and peace from God our Creator , and from our Lord and Savior Jesus who is the Christ;

I hope this finds you well and in good cheer. We are certainly living in unprecedented times. Often times when we are unsure about things, it can cause anxiety. But I want you to know that you are a part of a church family who loves you. I’m reminded of the passage from Jeremiah:

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.” -Jeremiah 29:11-12

Have you heard this passage before? The prophet Jeremiah is writing to the people of Judah. They have been taken away from Jerusalem and are living in exile in Babylon. These people have lost hope because they aren’t allowed back in their homes! Today, as I scroll through Facebook and read email, I am encountering people who are struggling for exactly the opposite reason: they aren’t allowed out of their homes!

Perhaps these two feelings are opposite sides of the same coin. The feelings are remarkably similar in that our daily lives and freedom have been disrupted. The advice that Jeremiah gives just prior to the passage above is: life doesn’t stop just because you’re in exile. He tells them to do their best to live their life to the fullest in spite of the restrictions. This is good advice for us today.

A common refrain that I hear, and have said myself, is: “I can hardly wait till this is over!” Perhaps it is folly to see these days as disposable, to say the future is more important than today. Through Jeremiah, God is telling each person: live your life today, and enjoy the day that you have been given. I might ask myself: Is this exactly how I want to be living today? But maybe that is not the right question to be asking. Perhaps I should say, “What am I going to make of the day that I’ve been to be given?” Yes, I think it’s okay to be sad that life isn’t everything you want it to be right now; but is it also possible, in the midst of sadness, for us to be grateful for this blessed day?

If you are struggling and need a prayer you can rely on your church, Holy Cross. Please call and leave a message or email me directly.

Please know that you are not alone, and that you are in our prayers even before you ask. Please know also that we are all loved by our heavenly Father who encourages us and gives us strength.

Your brother in Christ,

Ytsur Rotsap

Answers to the "Scripture as a Source for Hope" quiz!

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Okay! Finally!! The answers to “Scripture Is a Source of Hope”!!!

Sorry, I got a little busy.

The answer key is: 1-E; 2-A; 3-J; 4-D; 5-B; 6-H; 7-G; 8-C; 9-I; 10-F

1-E. God is our refuge and strength…

The clue was “this would make a really good song”.

If you look at the list of possible Scripture passages, Psalm 46 is the only Psalm listed. Psalms (Psalter) was an ancient book of poetry and or music. It features Hebrew poetry that dealt with everything from trusting God to outrage and injustice; from liturgical and dedication music to inspirational and historical poems; and from idyllic dreams of the future to remembrances of God’s steadfast love. The reformer Martin Luther wrote extensively about the Psalms and how important they are as a microcosm of our understanding of the human-divine relationship.

2-A. And after you suffer a little while…

The clue was “Rock Solid Advice”.

“Peter” is the nickname Jesus gave to one of his first disciples. His real name was Simon. In Matthew 4:18 we read, “as [Jesus] walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother…” When we get to Matthew 16:17-18, we read this, “and Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah (son of Jonah)! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” In Greek, the word rock is Petros (as in petroglyphs or rock writings) and the English word for Petros is Peter. So Jesus is using a play on words to connect the faith statement of Simon son of Jonah with the foundational rock of the church. So the hint: Rock Solid Advice should point you to “Peter”.

3-J. But those who wait for the Lord…

The clue was “Prophetic Words”.

In the list I gave you, there are three passages from a prophet; one from Jeremiah and two from Isaiah. So how do you use the hint to pick the right one? When you read the clue for #4, you should be able to eliminate Jeremiah. When you read the clue for #6, you should be able to eliminate the Isaiah 43 passage since it comes after Isaiah 40. Get it?

4-D. For surely I know the plans I have for you…

The clue was “Even Plans for a Bullfrog?”

And who is a bullfrog? Well, Three Dog Night tells us that “Jeremiah was a bullfrog – he was a good friend of mine”…enough said.

5-B. For and what we have been saved…

The clue was “Legions Have Heard This Advice”.

The word “Legion” is a Roman military term for a group consisting about 5000 men. It involved infantry men, cavalry, and artillery. These men were divided into cohorts of about 500 men each; these were divided into units of about 100 men each led by a centurion. So the word Legion in the clue should connect you with Romans. Ah, but which one, since there are two passages from Romans? Well, I guess you just had to guess!

6-H. But now thus says the LORD…

The clue was “Prophetic Follow-Up”.

Well, there is only one prophet passage left. So you do the math!

7-G. And [he] said to them, “do not be afraid or dismayed…”

The clue was “I’m Not Kidding”.

That is to say, I was not “joshing you” – hence: Joshua. Sure, it was a lame reference/joke, but there it is.

8-C. …we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God…

The clue was “I Don’t Think I Need Any More Character Thank You Very Much. But I Could Use A Toga Party After All That.”

The keyword was, “toga”. The toga was a semicircular piece of cloth around 15 feet long. It was worn by ancient Roman citizens and was wrapped around the body and over the left shoulder (oftentimes leaving the right arm and shoulder exposed). Since most people were right-handed, the weapon hand was unconcealed for a couple of reasons. First of all, it freed your arm to wield a weapon AND it prevented someone you are greeting from hiding a weapon of their sleeve. Anyway, toga points to Romans and from there you had to guess.

9-I. For God did not give us the spirit of cowardice…

The clue was “Don’t Have To Tell Me Twice”.

The keyword is “Twice”, the only passage that might fit this category is: 2 Timothy.

10-F. Do not let your hearts be troubled…

The clue was “This Is GOOD NEWS”.

The meaning of the term gospel is “good news”, and the only passage from the Gospel is John 14.

“GOOD NEWS” or “GOOD STORY” is the modern translation of the Greek word (euaggelion) evangelion. The first Bibles translated into English were written in Elizabethan English (at the same time that Shakespeare wrote). The word evangelion was translated into the old English compound term GOSPEL, a contraction of: “God (good)” and “Spel (news)”. Perhaps some of you remember the musical from the 70s called Godspell.

The word evangelion is the root word of two modern English words: evangelist and angel; both of whom proclaim “THE GOOD NEWS”. Evangelists are people who witness the good news of Jesus Christ to other people. Angels are part of God’s heavenly host who share God’s message with people.

So there you have it, not only the answer key to the previous post but also way more information than you bargained for when you began reading this. If you have made it to this point, I commend you. Sadly, none of this is going to be on the test.

If you enjoy this, go ahead and give me a “thumbs-up” below and leave me a comment if you wish.

Peace out,

Ytsur

Scripture is a Source of Hope in Troubled Times

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Often times, we look around at the world and wonder what is going on. Are we overly cautious? Are we under prepared? How do we make sense of things? How do we figure out what to do?

Well, first off; it is good to know that we are not alone. We can cry together, laugh together, and rely on each other. We can pray for each other when we are alone. And we can pray together over the phone; in email or text; or after we have some on-line reflection or sermon. Furthermore, we have a loving God who cares for us. Prayer is a powerful thing that connects us, not only with each other, but also with the God who sustains us. Scripture offers us words from real people. People who are struggling and coping with real issues; both joyful and stressful.

I picked out a few of my favorite Bible passages that give me hope and printed them below. AND since we have plenty of time on our hands, I made it challenging to find out which verses are from where. Can you match the passages with the Bible verses? You can guess OR you can look up the verses listed below and match them up! Or you can just read them and find some comfort in the Holy Words inspired by God.

-May the peace of God, which passes all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. (prayer based on Philippians 4:7)

-Ytsur Rotsap

a. 1 Peter 5:10 b. Romans 8:24-25 c. Romans 5:2-5 d. Jeremiah 29:11 e. Psalm 46: 1-2, 9 f. John 14:1 g. Joshua 10:25 h. Isaiah 43:1-2 i. 2 Timothy 1:7 j. Isaiah 40:31                                                                                     

(look for the hints in the parenthesis)

1.    God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea. Be still, and know that I am God! (This would make a really good song)

2.    And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. (Rock solid advice)

3.    But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.  (Prophetic words)

4.   For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. (Even plans for a bullfrog?)

5.    For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Legions have heard this advice) 

6.   But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do  not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. (Prophetic follow-up)

7.   And [he] said to them, "Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous; for thus the LORD will do to all the enemies against whom you fight." (I’m not kidding)

8.   …We boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (I don’t think I need any more character thank you very much. But I could use a toga party after all that.)

9.   For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. (Don’t have to tell me twice)

10.  "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” (This is Good News)

*******Check with me tomorrow for the answers and explanations of the clues!

Hello!

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And Now For Something Completely Different – Pastor Rusty

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Good day to you all. It felt very strange last Sunday to have to miss worship together. It was with a heavy heart that the executive committee and I decided to suspend worship activities in our church building. It was difficult, but in hindsight it was the right choice.

We are aware that it may be difficult for many of us because we are physically disconnected from our friends and from our church community. The staff of Holy Cross Lutheran Church has been brainstorming how we can continue to stay spiritually connected with our whole congregation. It is in that vein that I’m writing to you today. This is the first in a series of blogs, intended to help keep me connected with you.

I would encourage you to check back here regularly for new blogs (written messages), vlogs (video messages), and inspirational messages. I’m excited to roll out this new way for us to connect; despite the reasons behind its necessity. Have faith and know that God is still active in the world. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I’m making away in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19) Often times, God causes something amazing to come forth following something unexpected.

You can rest assured that we will continue to keep you in our prayers; we will continue to minister to your needs to the best of our ability; and we will come together again as a community of faith stronger for what we endure together. And I look forward to the time when we can share the words of West Coast philosopher Jerome Garcia: “What a long strange trip it’s been!”

Peace out, Your brother in Christ,

Ytsur Rotsap

Let us pray, “Good and Gracious God, you are our rock and our salvation. Although we experience times of discomfort or anxiety; we pray that you send your spirit to calm our troubled hearts. Give us the assurance we need so that we may come to the day when normalcy returns to our lives. Through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”