Dear Friends in Christ,

On June 27, Barb and I celebrated our 27^thwedding anniversary. For some that is not very long; for others it might seem like a long time. Throughout the years we have had good times and bad times. Our families and the families at the churches I have served also have had good and bad times in their lives.

I remember a very wise man named Ken at the first church I served who was the boss of many people. One day Ken said, “Everyone has problems!”. This is just part of being a sinful person living in a sinful world.

Martin Luther spoke about family and problems. In Genesis 37 we have the account of Jacob’s second youngest son, Joseph. Joseph’s older brothers were jealous of him and threw him in a cistern contemplating killing him. They sold him as a slave and told dad that wild animals gobbled him up! One can only imagine the strife this action caused Jacob and Joseph. Had not God promised to take care of them and bless them? Yet God did not send an angel to intervene in any way.

In Isaiah 49:15-16 we read, “Can a woman forget her nursing child? Will she have no compassion on the child from her womb? Although mothers may forget, I will not forget you. I have engraved you on the palm of my hands.”Martin Luther goes on to ask why do our own flesh and blood–our children and family members–cause us so many terrible problems? This is a part of God’s plan. It’s the way God works in the lives of His people in this world.

So we desperately need wisdom that is above our natural reason. On the basis of that wisdom we can say, “God won’t lie to me or deceive me, though at times nothing in life will seem to make sense.” This is the world we live in! There are many situations that don’t make sense.

May we cling at such times to God’s promise that in all things “God works for the good of those who love Him called according to His plan”Romans 8:28.

I pray you have a good summer and enjoy God’s creation, family and friends.

God Bless!

Rev. Scott A. Kozisek