Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Fresno, California
Sierra Pacific Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

2008 issue...

Pastor Ted

“Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side of the lake.” -- Matthew 8:18

Dear Friends,

                Summer is now officially here!  Not that I need to tell you that, the temperatures we have had lately make that abundantly clear.  This is the season for barbeques, swimming and taking it a little easier during these hot months.

               The above passage comes from Matthew’s gospel right after Jesus had a busy day of healing at Peter’s house.  It comes on the heels of other healing, teaching and preaching stories.  It was a busy time for Jesus!

                One of the things that I love about our faith is that we have a God who knows what it is like to be human, to be tired, to be at the end of our rope.  Jesus was a wonderful model for self-care through the stories we have of him getting away from time to time to re-energize, renew, and recharge.  We hear of times in the gospels where he intentionally took time to get away to pray.  Often these stories come in the midst or after some very busy times for Jesus.

                How are you doing at your self-care?  Judging by worship attendance during this first month of summer it looks like many of you are doing a great job of getting away for vacations!  Good for you!  I hope you take some time in these summer months to get away, spend time with God and your family, and just do whatever you need to do to get back to your full energy level.

As I write this it is the Sunday afternoon before Vacation Bible School starts.  I am writing this before heading back to church for this evenings festivities.  As I reflect on what this year has had in store for us at church I am amazed at all we have accomplished!  Not only did it feel like Christmas ran right into the Lenten season into Easter at a hurried pace but we finished the building project, dedicated the Community Center, celebrated our 50th Anniversary, among other things.  Now we have VBS and are working on the Columbarium project.  Whew! 

                God knows that sometimes we can get in such a frenzied pace of productivity that we need to be told to get rest.  That is why it made #3 on God’s top ten list of rules to remember!  I hope if you need rest during these months you will remember Jesus’ example.  If Jesus needed time off who are we to think we can get by without it?

                Thanks for all that so many of you have done for the ministry here.  We have accomplished great things!  But take some time to slow down and smell the barbeque.  (I like ribs more than flowers so that speaks to me more!)  Marvel in the creation God gave us.  Renew your relationships with those closest to you.  When we do those things we will be ready to come back this autumn raring to go!  Have a great summer!

God’s Peace,

Pastor Ted

April 2008 Praxis (Sierra Pacific Synod Newsletter)