Confidence

In the past weeks it's been my privilege to preach and teach, and I've been grateful for every opportunity. But in retrospect I also see where I've failed to communicate some vital truths.

Two weeks ago in our own living room I taught from Acts 5:12-16. I thought I had adequately handled the text, but something went missing. I had not taught gospel. I had not focused our community gathering on how Jesus is the hero and the solution. I think I ended up confusing everyone. Someone had to ask me, "What was your main point?" Humbling.

Last week I preached at Radiant Church in Fairbanks. My five-page sermon ended up being a four-page sermon. I completely bypassed an entire page. No harm done. Maybe. (They're a grace-filled, forgiving lot, they are.)

Last night, with our gospel community gathered once again and soup consumed I led us through the remainder of Acts 5, the "Apostles Arrested and Freed" my Bible's text heading says. We talked about the confidence these apostles had, even on the heels of being imprisoned and whipped. They left the city council meeting "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name."

These guys were so confident in Jesus, the hero and solution that they could be joyful in spite of their circumstances. They knew who God is and what He's done informed who they were and how they were to live. Confident in their identity. The story is inspiring, for sure. But I dropped the proverbial ball.

Confidence in the promises of Jesus comes from the resurrection, the historical Easter event we celebrate each spring. If God can raise a man from the dead, to never die again, He can and will certainly do the same for us. Confidence in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit is "God with us," and serves as a "down payment" on the fact that God's full gospel promises can be trusted, as good as already done.

But that same confidence is given for a purpose. More than just to make us feel secure, even joyful, we are given gospel confidence for mission. If anyone on the planet can be confident it should be the Jesus-followers. And this confidence should then translate us into our living as gospel evidence, united in community, and as heralds of the God Who reached down to us when we were unable and refused to reach up to Him.

Those apostle guys were confident because they were eye-witnesses to a risen Lord. And while I can put no confidence in myself (scroll back up, for just a few examples) I can and have full confidence in the God who has freed me to talk it up and live it out, bearing witness to what He's done and will do.

Fairbanks

We tried to get there on Friday. Snow and fog prevented planes from landing in Juneau, hence we stayed landed in Juneau. On Saturday we tried again to make our way to Fairbanks, successfully this time.

We were greeted by dear friends who exude warm hearts and an open home. We feasted on moose burgers, were introduced to the family's hedge hog, and talked late into the night, while keeping one eye toward the living room window, hopeful of a moose sighting. (Didn't happen. Next time maybe.)

Late in the evening some of us jumped into a warm car and made our way to a frozen field somewhere north of Fairbanks, past the pipeline, past the brewery and witnessed an incredible show. The Northern Lights were out in a big way, and we stood with our necks craned as we looked overhead. To see the Aurora Borealis had been a life-long dream for my bride, and I think I was happier for her than even for myself to finally see the heavens dance near the top of the world. I was almost teary eyed listening to her delight; the fact that I was severely under-dressed for the occasion (and the -1 temp) did little to distract me.

Sunday morning greeted us with spectacular blue skies. But admittedly the few hours of sleep also greeted me with a foggy head. It was my privilege to preach to Radiant Church, and though I was not blessed with mental clarity we were absolutely blessed by our Radiant friends. What a humble joy it is for us to be aligned with that church. More than simple association it feels like family. They have modeled the gospel to us by adopting us into their family. We came to be a blessing, and walked out the ones blessed. Funny how that happens. And we saw dog sledding races on our way home. How crazy is that ?!

With a couple of hours to spare before our departure we decided to go to the World Ice Sculpture park. It was incredible. One one hand it seems these artists have too much free time (and extra ice available), while on the other hand the art was spell-binding. But I will admit, the cold distracted me more than it had the night previous. There are times I am reminded I'm still adapting to Alaska.

Deb and I flew out late afternoon, and arrived safely home with our luggage and a large box filled with moose and caribou meat products. Our freezer is full. Our hearts are full. It was a 39-hour whirlwind of a weekend, and our hearts are full.

We love Fairbanks because we love the people in Fairbanks. And our Lord again expressed His love for us, this time through those same people.

Things You Learn

Alaska has been our home now for a year and 42 days. In some ways we feel entrenched and comfortable here; in other ways Alaska remains an unsolvable mystery.

We've learned some things in our 408 days as Alaska residents. (And by the way, one is not a resident until one has been a resident for a calendar year. We now qualify.) We've learned that Alaska is not entirely unlike other places we've lived, but Alaska is also its own thing; strangely unique.

We've learned that almost all conversations begin with the weather. "How are you doing?" is usually answered with a weather critique. We've also learned through personal experience that summer weather is not a foregone conclusion. Juneau by some accounts is the "cloudiest city in America." I looked this up, on the internet, where everything is true, and we seem to maintain our position in the top 5 irrespective of who's keeping score. Juneau can be counted on for 280 cloudy days per year. That's 76%.

I realized recently I have not washed my car in a year. I also realize, what's the point?

Some online retailers think Alaska and Afghanistan are the same place. They refuse to ship to either. Overnight delivery does not happen. "Over week delivery" maybe. Sometimes. Not that often. "Rush Delivery" is relative, if not an oxymoron.

Here in Alaska we may have cell phone coverage, 4G even. That is, until we take a step in any direction. Dropped calls are a way of life. No one is offended.

Pea gravel is the road traction product of choice. We live with pea gravel - wedged in the souls of our shoes, in our cars, our homes and in our bedrooms. Everyone's car windshields have cracks. It's like one of the Biblical plagues. On a related note, it is considered especially bad form to leave your shoes on when entering someone else's home.

Whatever I choose to wear each day is wrong. (See paragraph 2.)

We learned that 98% of our food comes from outside Alaska. We hope they don't mean Afghanistan.

Right now, this week at least, Juneau is gaining 5 minutes and some seconds of sunlight per day. However, surrounded by mountains as we are, I'm not too sure of this stat. On June 21 we will hit our zenith of 18 hours and 18 minutes of sunlight. Compare this with December 21 when we will have only 6 hours and 21 minutes of sunlight. But it will be cloudy, so how can anyone tell? I hope those 21 minutes mean something.

Now we adjust to the time change. (Alaska used to have four different time zones back in the day. I bet that wasn't complicated.) And we look forward to spring. Maybe the awakening bears will want to help me wash my car.

Volunteerism

The weather is changing. We think. For the better. Our last few days have featured cold morning temps, clear skies and spectacular views of snow-covered mountains in all directions. It is not hard to like Juneau, whatever the weather...though some weather options are preferable to others.

The morning temps and clear skies and spectacular views of snow-covered mountains in all directions (see above) also caused me to acknowledge the approaching closing of this school year. My substitute teacher skills will not be required over the summer months. I'm fine with that.

But the question hit me, "What to do with the time?"

I have a church to gather. This is my motivation to get out of bed each morning. There is plenty to do and lots of people to meet. And I am encouraged in the growth taking place in our midst. Truth be told, I myself am growing through this journey and process.

But I will have other hours to devote myself to meaningful pursuits, apart from church stuff, but connected all the same this summer.

Deb came home from UAS (the University of Alaska Southeast, where she is gainfully employed), with an idea - that we give some volunteer hours serving the Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau. These seasonal volunteers greet visitors (arriving to the airport, ferry terminal or on the many cruise ships) and dispense information related to the many (and I mean many) tourist activities (meaning ways to spend money) available in our fair city. I applied online, and was accepted. With some training and some "familiarization tours" (doing  the fun stuff for free) I should be good to go. And as it is, it appears I meet the requirements:

1. Friendly, outgoing personality - ENTJ on the Myers -Briggs (unintentionally causing fear in all introverts.) Check!
2. Must be 18 years or older - Check! Decades beyond Check!
3. Ability to communicate comfortably and articulately - I assume in English. Check!
4. Ability to work well with a team or individually - I assume that means with Deb. Check!
5. Reliable - Check! (Where's the Boy Scout motto when I need it?)
6. Punctual - I don't sleep through the night anymore anyway, so Check!
7. Enthusiastic - for this city? Who wouldn't be? Check!

This will be fun! And it will be entertaining to greet people wearing their University of Wherever in the Midwest sweatshirts while sporting fishing hats from Ketchikan and bags from the T Shirt Factory as they ask where they can see bears.

I'll just send them over to my neighborhood. For free.