Jack’s Winning Words 10/18/21

“Jesus loves me; this I know.”  (Karl Barth)  Perhaps some of you remember “Jesus loves me” as a song that you learned as a child.  Famous theologian Karl Barth was asked to summarize his faith in a single sentence and, surprisingly, he quoted the “Jesus loves me” song.  There’s a second verse: “Little ones to Him belong.”  I thought of that as I baptized my great-grandchild yesterday.  The faith that was given to me as a child has been passed on to little Kya..  FAITH…what a wonderful gift!  Who (or what) has caused you to have the spiritual belief that you have today?  ;-)  Jack

FROM THE MOM:"  Such a special day!===JACK:  Isn't there a song...O, what a day?

FROM ST PAUL IN ST PAUL:  a very good one today, Jack!   thanks.   i have baptized 7 or 8 of our 11 grandkids  (i rely on Margaret for accurately counting such events).===JACK:  Yesterday, it was noted that I had baptized both the mother and the grandmother of the child.  This is first time I have baptized a GREAT-grandchild.  Very special.===SP:  very special indeed!   a friend of mine (retired pastor and member of sotv)  officiated at a wedding a few months ago.  he is 93 years old.   and i heard he did a great job too!===JACK:  How about being married at 91? 

FROM WILLMAR REV:  that Jesus loves me so . . .” 0;-)===JACK:  That's a different so, isn't it?  But, the same idea.

FROM EDUCATOR PAUL:  The baptism of your granddaughter was such a special event.  I can’t even imagine what this meant to you as you conducted the ceremony.  So special!===JACK:  Probably like a rabbi participating the bar/bat mitzva of a great-grandchild.

FROM DANDI SANDI:  Mazel tov on the birth of your great-granddaughter! An awesome blessing!!❤===JACK:  ...and what shall be her future?  At least, she and her future have been put into the hands of G-d.  What can be better than that?

F️ROM HONEST JOHN:  Just out of curiosity….what is the origin of the name Kya?===JACK:  Just out of curiosity, I'm going to ask the mother...and get back to you.===MOTHER JANEL:  We both just liked the name when we read the book Where the Crawdads Sing. Thought it was short but sweet and went well with a long last name like Culbertson. 

 

FROM CF IN KH:  Congratulations on having the honor to baptize your own great-grandchild===JACK:  Have you ever written a ticket for a friend or family member?  I don't know if that would be an honor, or not.….

FROM BB IN CHGO:  Nature or nurture?  Both…and?  All of the above.  Being raised in faith is meaningful to most people (it seems) but stultifying to some.   Like baseball, or the opera, I think it’s helpful to start young and to learn the basics of the experience; it allows you to build and develop more over time. ==\=JACK:  I have learned, through the passage of time, that "faith" is not forced upon us because of "infant baptism."  The change of choosing beliefs is an ongoing process, depending on the people we meet and the experiences we have.  Howver I do know of some who chosse to "worship the Packers and the Cubs because they had no other choice.  I have evolved from the Cubs and the Bears to "I don't care!"

FROM SALON SUZY:  Oh, how I love these words. Heard this at VBS  and a funeral. Hits the heart every time.===JACK:  Karl Barth was renowned as a theologian.  He knew all of the BIG words to explain God philosophically...yet he used the simple "child" words explain the God who was in his heart.  Sometimes we make religion too complicated.

FROM QUILTING CAROL:  My Scandinavian ancestors have shared their beliefs with me for generations.  They set good examples of what we should be doing as Christians.  I am more concerned for those who follow me.  Even though we raised our children in church not all of them are choosing to continue worshipping and likewise for their children.  Some have been turned away by the politics in our church at large and this saddens me.  They are all leading good lives sharing of their time and talents to help others in various ways and leading good lives…but church is not apart of their lives.===JACK:  Don't expect the Church to be static.  It changes with the times.  It's just the old, old story tol in a new, new way.  The story of your children and grandchildren is similar to mine...but I'm not overly concerned.  One said to me that he's not religious, but that he is spiritual.  The church is in trouble if it expects the new generation to fill the pews left empty by the old generation.  Covid has simply hastened the process.  If I were a "working pastor" today I'd be challenged to find new ways to "do" church.  As one hymn puts it, "God is not dead, nor does He sleep."

FROM MAGGIE:  Jack, I rejoice with you on the baptism of your great grandchild. God bless!===JACK:  I like the hymn, Borning Cry, and how it relates to baptism....in fact, how it relates to all of the passages of life.===M:  My favorite line is “just one more surprise”===JACK:  I believe that God has a sense of humor and loves to pull off some surprises.…

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  Oh what a special privilege; to baptize a "great"!  I'm sure my Congregational childhood pastor, and the Honeywells at  the Methodist church downtown were instrumental in instilling my faith; And my mother always attended church, and saw that we did, growing up, although we did not have family devotionals. My maternal grandpa, a devout Methodist never missed church either, tho he did not live nearby, we always attended services with him when we visited.  My twin Jan married  a Lutheran Seminary student and became a pastor's wife, and Bill entered seminary when our boys were 4 & 2, and I became a minister's wife as well ! My faith has been my  anchor all these years!! ===JACK:  When it comes to "Greats." I'll never be able to catch up to you.  In fact, you probably have some Great, Greats....You faith journey has been an interesting one, to say the least.  Who woulda known...?

FROM SANDY B:  Congratulations on the baptism of your great-granddaughter, Kya, Pastor Freed. What an awesome, spiritual experience that must have been for both of you and her parents.===JACK:  For everyone...both sets of grandparents, siblings, friends.  A convent of Benedictine nuns also offered prayers for her on the day of her baptism.

FROM GDJ:  Congrats Jack. Baptizing your great granddaughter! I baptized 2 granddaughters this summer. Special.  Love starting my day with your winning words and your sparkling optimism. ===JACK:  ...and the beat goes on.  The mother of Kya (the baptized) is Janel, Ben and Beth's second.  It was especially meaningful to have the baptism at Holy Spirit, where I baptized Janel.

FROM EMT SINGS IN TC:  Probably my Mother in the very small town of Echo, MN.  The pastor there was very old and had very arthritic hands, as I recall.  During Lent we had services every Thursday evening.  No amount of homework was an excuse to skip church as she would say " it will be there when we get home".  She never preached but I guess by example lived her faith. And ,of course, as you know she lived the last 5 and a half years  with us downstate and was a quiet living example of her faith.  Rick heard her swear once and thought it was a riot!  She apologized but he had teased her into it.  We all thought it was funny and he repeated the story for everyone!  They certainly had a mutual love for each other!===JACK:  There is no on that is perfect, no, not one...and that includes your sainted mother.  It was a pleasure to have known her.