It is never easy, as a pastor, to look at the text you’re teaching on Sunday and know how challenging it will be for your people.  Last week, as I studied James 1:2-4, I became aware of a new cancer diagnosis, more relational conflicts, and a congregant battling lung issues.  Extra-locally, I became aware of another pastor friend falling to a moral failure and tried to assist brothers as they worked through the fallout.  Needless to say, teaching one of the familiar texts in the Bible on trials needed the caring touch of our Creator.  

I’m incredibly grateful that the Lord met us on Sunday. His presence seemed to care for His people uniquely, and His word was a balm to our souls. CLF, we have much to be thankful for, but at the top of our list should be the Lord’s great mercy and willingness to comfort us in our time of need.  

Installing an Elder

Sunday was a special day as we installed Luis Castellanos as an elder. Luis and I will do a podcast this coming week about becoming an elder and discuss his development and theological testing. Be sure to catch it when it comes out on February 28th. 

It was a sweet moment for most of our elder board, who have known Luis for over 10 years.  Stan is the relative newcomer to Luis, compared to the rest of us, but Stan was in a leadership development group with Luis and has been working on the SGC Ordination standards together with him.  The rest of us have been with Luis since he arrived at CLF, and we walked with him through his pastorate in Burien, Washington.  We’ve seen the Lord’s hand on his life and admired his love for Amanda and intentional leadership in his home.  We have watched him mature and grow.  He has led our Student Ministry (twice now) with care and vision.  To say that he’s a son of CLF is not a knock on Luis but an honor for us.  

Personally, this was a sweet moment.  Several years ago, I was coming off some tough relational conflicts.  Some friends left our church after becoming upset with me and our leadership.  These men were guys I had personally discipled and been vulnerable with.  Their leaving left me questioning my leadership, wisdom, and ability to mentor young men.  Shortly after, Luis and Amanda arrived at our church and asked Jill and me to dinner.  After telling us their ministry journey and dinner, Luis asked me if I would personally train him for the pastorate and mentor him.  I said to him, “No, you’ve got the wrong guy,” and walked away.  Jill grabbed my arm, looked at Luis, and said, “David will be glad to mentor you.”  I was a bit upset at my bride as we got in the car. She looked at me and said, “He’s the exact person God will use to help you get back to mentoring young men.”  She could not have been more correct.  I’m very proud of Luis.  He’s a true Timothy in the faith and a dear friend.  And the Lord has used my relationship with him to help me be a better leader.  Interestingly, I think all our elders feel this way about him.   

Anxiety and Fear in Trials    

James 1:2-4 commands us to count it all joy when we fall into trials of various kinds.  You can listen to that if you missed it.  But some of the questions I’ve been thinking about are: Why do we get anxious or afraid? Is it wrong to feel this way?  

Let’s start with the first question. I think we get anxious and afraid when we forget that God is for our good and that He’s intimately involved. If, as we saw Sunday, God uses trials to make broken people like us whole in Him, we can be at peace when trials come. There’s no darkness in the Lord’s dealings with us, even though there is uncertainty; even the unknowns are for our good.  

The second question is complex. Indeed, we’re told to be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6-8), and the most repeated command in the Bible is “fear not.”  So, on the one hand, it’s wrong to be anxious and afraid.  However, it’s not bad to be concerned and cautious.  Anxiety and fear are self-focused, and we are worried about the outcome for us.  Concern and caution are concerned about the outcome for others. 

Let’s say that you’ve lost your job.  It’s a trial you didn’t anticipate or plan for.  You faithfully served the Lord in your job and were decent at it, but the business needed to make cuts, and you were one.  It’s ok to be concerned and cautious about what comes next.  Pondering how this might affect your family or your future is ok.  But when it turns to a self-dominating worry that keeps you from engaging with others, losing sight of God’s goodness, you’ve crossed a line.

The way we resolve this in the Lord is by remembering the Lord is near (Philippians 4:6-8), recognizing His presence with you (Genesis 26:24), and casting our anxieties upon Him (1 Peter 5:7).         

Looking Ahead

This Sunday, we will study James 1:5-8 and the need for wisdom and the benevolence of God.  This is one of my favorite promises in the Bible.     

From the Cheap Seats

• A very nice start by the Aggies and Beavers.    
• From 2019-2023, Kennedy High School was a dominant force in Oregon 2A baseball.  We beat them in the 2019 State Championship, and then they crushed us in 2022 in the same game.  In 2023, they went undefeated and won their second consecutive championship.  A huge part of that was Ethan Kleinschmidt.  He was not on a very good left-handed pitcher but a great young man.  This past Sunday, he made his debut with the Beavers.  He went six innings and gave up two walks and no hits.  That’s a pretty good debut.  
• Watch this video, and you’ll know why I’m excited about this Rangers season (if he can stay healthy):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLifckb5Zak

Have a great week! Christ is King!

In Christ, 

Dave York