'Weather Guilt' and Compassion

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

On Tuesday, February 22, Kathy and I received a call from our daughter.  Mary is a Social Studies teacher at Wasilla High School.  Mary was not expecting another “remote learning day”, but you know the weather Alaska has experienced this winter.  Mary shared that, not expecting the remote learning day, she had to scramble to get her computer together so she could fulfill her duties as a teacher.  But, this devotion is not focusing on computers, which are their own source of frustration.  The focus of this devotion is on the weather, and the frustration it has brought this winter to those in Alaska. 

 

What a winter we have had in Alaska!  (I used the word “we” advisedly) From the snow and extended deep cold of November, with more snow in December, to the winds of January, the Alaskan weather this winter has caused more challenges than normal for work and travel.  However, then add to the November through January weather, the almost continuous snow of February, followed by rain, and then snow, and then rain.  You know that this weather has led to flooding in parking lots and the streets, and also led to avalanches along a number of well-traveled roads. Alaskan residents have experienced more than just frustration.  All a person has to do is to look at how many days the schools have been closed, whether from broken pipes or from unsafe roads.  That number of “snow days” and “remote learning days” tells the story of quite a winter.  It’s one thing to have snow and cold.  We expect that.  But the winds and the rains and the closed schools and closed roads, that is downright ugly!

 

However, I confess that I personally have what I might call, “Weather guilt.”  Mary called to talk to us because . . . we are in Florida.  Yup, she was struggling to get her computer situated in case another “remote learning day” was declared, and I had just returned from fishing in 82 degree weather.  She was facing the snow and rain and cold, and the havoc that weather is playing on Alaskan lives, and we were enjoying a warm day in the south. That’s “weather guilt.”  As we have spent time with family and friends in the south, a regular phrase coming out of our daughter’s mouth to our ears has been, “I don’t want to know how warm it is there!”  J 

 

I do understand.  Kathy and I experienced some of the snow, some of the cold, and we were in Palmer for the January windstorms.  In December I put my life in my hands, and in the hands of my Lord, driving across the Turnagain Pass on a trip to Sterling in what was an unexpected snowstorm.  But, while we were in AK for much of the weather, we have not been there the whole time.  Having experienced some of the struggles of this winter we can understand, we can sympathize with our family and with our friends and church members as the weather turns ugly.

 

I can share that God calls Christians to have compassion for one another.  He wants us to care about each other and to care for each other in those difficult times of life. One of the experiences that helps us to care for a person as they struggle, is when we ourselves have faced the same struggles.  In 2 Corinthians Paul shares with members of the Church of Corinth the blessing and call they have from their struggles.  “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”  God comforts us when we face trouble, so that we can use the comfort our Lord has given us to, in turn, help and comfort others facing the same struggles.  Kathy and I do understand this winter’s challenges, and we do sympathize!

 

The writer to the Hebrews teaches us that God doesn’t just care about us in our weaknesses and trials, but because of Jesus, God understands our suffering.  Because of Jesus, God can and does help us in powerful ways, “15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  (Hebrews 4:15-16)

 

Because of this sacrificial caring and sharing of our burdens by Jesus, Christians are uniquely suited to care for others. “32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  In Christ, God has been compassionate and forgiving to us.  One of the ways we show compassion is when we forgive others.

 

However, it seems more and more that, instead of caring about one another, people in our world care about themselves.  It seems more and more that, instead of helping others in trouble, people in today’s world look down on those going through struggles.  Unfortunately, even Christians are accused of being unsympathetic and lacking compassion, often with good reason.

 

When we were helpless, Jesus took on our suffering.  Understanding our lost condition, Jesus died and rose to forgive us and save us.  When we receive God’s understanding, His saving compassion, and His help in Jesus, the Lord is equipping us and calling us to have compassion on others.  And yes, I am sorry about your difficult winter weather this year.

 

A Child of God, Seeking to Use My Suffering and Struggles to Understand and Help Others,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Instead of fishing as much this week, Kathy and I visited friends, Rick and Kristi Armstrong, in Orlando from February 17 to February 19.  Rick was best man in our wedding.  Kristi made the wedding cake, and was a bridesmaid.  They visited us in Alaska this fall, and we spent time with them this month.  Here are some pictures from a trip to Cocoa Beach.  (I know – more “weather guilt.”)  https://photos.app.goo.gl/wMhXTWbjQMxMn3kE6

 

P.P.S.  I did have one fishing trip.  I took the advice of a friend from First Lutheran Church and fished in a big lake where I had fished only twice in my life, and where I had never fished by myself.  It was a beautiful day.  I saw and heard wildlife.  However, I maintained my record in that lake of never having caught a fish there, or even having a bite for that matter.  Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/DdDnsfffWc6hWaUk7

 

*****

 

            ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK.  I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  When I retired many asked me to continue writing these devotions.  So I have continued writing.  However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  Since I am no longer senior pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to receive it.  (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John as assistant to the pastor.) 

        So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you understand.  And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my distribution list.  My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

        My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our Lord, Jesus.

 

                                                                        *******

 

Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

 

Sad at the Racial Divisions of Today, Praying God’s Children Know and Share the Love of God for All People

 

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

This week I visited with a good friend from high school, along with his mom.  In many ways, during my high school years, his mom was like another mother to me.  As we sat reminiscing we remembered, among other things, a friend named LeRoy.  LeRoy was a big African American who played offensive line on the football team.  We were friends.  My friend’s mother remember LeRoy visiting her home.  I remembered LeRoy at my home.  My mom liked LeRoy, but my dog barked at him.  LeRoy was a good friend, though unfortunately I am not sure where he is today.

 

I share that memory because of the sorry state of race relations in our country today, and also because February is Black History Month.  Some might think that race relations are a political issue, and that this topic should not be part of a Christian devotion.  I am sure that some people believe I should not be writing about or discussing this issue, that I should leave it to the politicians.  But, the truth is that race relations are a faith issue, because as I have written previously, Christians are taught, “Love your neighbor as yourself."  (Luke 10:27)

 

When Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan, He was referencing the racial tension of His time between Jews and Samaritans.  When Peter visited the Roman centurion, Cornelius, bringing the good news of Jesus’ saving love, Peter shared the following truth of God.  “34 . . . I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”  (Acts 10:34-35) When John wrote of his revelation in the 7^th chapter of his book, he revealed, “9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”  Did you hear that?  Those before the throne of God are “from every nation, tribe, people and language.”  According to Jesus, according to Peter and John, God loves ALL people, and God loves all peoples!

 

In my devotions from December 8 I read a story from Dr. William Willimon, a Methodist pastor and world renown teacher of preaching at Duke University.  Willimon tells the story of a young man who found himself seated next to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on an airplane flight.  The young man was a civil rights activist who, because of his activism, was estranged from his dad.  He asked Dr. King, “What can I do to raise the consciousness of my father. . .?”  The account follows, “Dr. King put his hand on the angry young man’s hand and said, ‘Your father is doing the best he can.  He has not had many of your educational opportunities, opportunities which your father has provided for you.  As a Christian you must be patient with him and love him.”  (For All the Saints, Volume III, page 55)  Perhaps you are surprised, as I was surprised when I read this, at the patience, at the mercy, and at the trust in God to work, which Dr. King encourages.  Sadly, this does not sound like the attitudes which we hear about and read about in these times.

 

Racism is not new to America today.  This sin has existed since the beginning of time.  Jesus dealt with racism.  Peter taught about God’s love in Jesus in the face of racism in his time.  One of the beauties of John’s revelation is that we learn that, in heaven, all races praise God together.  Christians are to love all people, because all are children of our Heavenly Father.  To look down on another person because of their ethnicity, or their color, is a sin against God’s call to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

LeRoy is not my only black, or African American friend.  Over the years I served in one way or another in 3 primarily African American congregations and I have friends for whom I care in those churches.  St. John congregation worked in Russia during the 90’s, and we learned to care for those with whom we shared the Gospel.  St. John has also worked in the native Alaskan village of Eek the last 4 years.  Caring about people from all these settings, I find great comfort to know that, because of God’s saving love in Jesus, heaven is full of people “from every nation, tribe, people and language.” 

 

I pray that the people of our nation could live in love for one another with a view of the reality of God’s children in heaven.

 

A Child of God, Sad at the Racial Divisions of Today, Praying God’s Children Know and Share the Love of God for All People,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I went fishing twice this week.   

 

·       February 12 bass fishing with my brother-in-law, Mark Reaves, on the Suwannee River.  We caught quite a few fish, and kept 4 bass. https://photos.app.goo.gl/fnq2NuHb3bJj5WCh7

 

·       On February 15 I went fishing in a local lake.  However, as has been the case for the last couple of weeks, the temperature was cold (32 degrees earlier in the morning), and the wind was blowing.  Other fishermen with whom I talked had not had any bites.  I did take this picture.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/bK91oi66B9r7rHCx9

 

P.S.  July 4, 1976, was not only the Bi-Centennial birthday of our country, but also fell on a Sunday. I was serving as a summer vicar (intern) at St. Philips Lutheran Church in Chattanooga, TN.  As a ‘wet behind the ears student pastor’, I had preached in worship, and I had also chosen the hymns for that day.  But, during the offering, Ruth Millender, the wonderfully faithful organist, started playing a tune I did not recognize.  All but one family in this church was African American.  They all stood up and sang from memory, “Lift Every Voice and Sing, Let Earth and Heaven Ring . . .”  This hymn is now hymn 964 in the Lutheran Service Book and we sang the hymn at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL, this past Sunday.  Though I had never heard the tune or the words, this is also known as the black national anthem and was written by James Weldon Johnson, a civil rights activitist from the early 20^th century, and an accomplished writer and poet.   

Johnson also wrote a poem which I read in my devotions on Sunday, February 13.  This poem is a prayer for God to help a pastor do a good job of leading his church, and a prayer for a Christian death.  I was moved by the words and prayer from Johnson.  Perhaps you would like to read this poem below.

 

            “And now, O Lord, this man of God,

            Who breaks the bread of life this morning –

            Shadow him in the hollow of thy hand,

            And keep him out of the gunshot of the devil

            Take him Lord – this morning –

            Wash him with hyssop inside and out,

            Hang him up and drain him dry of sin.

            Pin his ear to the wisdom post,

            And make his words sledge hammers of truth –

            Beating on the iron heart of sin.

 

            Lord God, this morning –

            Put his eye to the telescope of eternity,

            And let him look upon the paper walls of time.

            Lord, turpentine his imagination,

            Put perpetual motion in his arms,

            Fill him full of the dynamite of thy power,

            Anoint him all over with the oil of thy salvation,

            And set his tongue on fire.

            And now, O Lord –

            When I’ve done drunk my last cup of sorrow –

            When I’m done traveling up the rough side of the mountain –

            O – Mary’s Baby –

            When I start down the steep and slippery steps of death –

            When this old world begins to rock beneath my feet –

            Lower me to my dusty grave in peace

            To wait for that great gittin’ up morning –

            Amen.

 

(“God’s Trombones by James Weldon Johnson, in For All the Saints, Volume 3, page 407)

 

*****

 

            ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK.  I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  When I retired many asked me to continue writing these devotions.  So I have continued writing.  However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  Since I am no longer senior pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to receive it.  (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John as assistant to the pastor.) 

        So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you understand.  And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my distribution list.  My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

        My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our Lord, Jesus.

 

                                                                        *******

 

Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

 

 

Too Busy for a Friend?

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

Last week I called a friend.  Actually, I used to call and visit with this friend’s husband on a regular basis.  I would especially call him while I was out fishing. Or, I would call him on my Bluetooth on the way to a fishing spot.  Since I fish a lot, I talked a lot with this friend’s husband, especially on Mondays.  Sadly, my friend’s husband passed away in December and he is with our Lord now.  But, his widow, my friend whom I called last Monday, now lives alone.  She does have loving family, and a caring church.  But, when I talked to her after the funeral I asked her, “I used to talk with George on Monday’s.  How about I check on you?”  She said, “OK.”  So I have now been calling her on Mondays to visit.

 

However, often when I have called this friend my call has gone unanswered.  The lack of an answer is actually a good thing, because my friend is keeping busy with family and church.  But, I have left messages for her to call me back, yet she had not called me back.  When we did talk last week, having a really good conversation, I asked if she had received my phone calls and messages.  She responded, “Yes.  But you are so busy I didn’t want to call back and interrupt you in the middle of a class or something.”  That answer caused me to pause, and even hurt, because I knew it was true.  I told her, “George called me back at any time.  If I couldn’t talk then, I would let him know.  Then I would call him back later. You can call me anytime.”

 

Imagine being too busy for a friend. Or, imagine having a friend think you are too busy for them.  And, I am even retired! (Sort of)  I know I have always tried to keep active, and to actually be found doing my Lord’s work.  I take to heart the words on Jesus in Matthew 24.  “44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. 45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.”  (Matthew 24:44-46)  As Jesus also taught, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."  I have taken seriously Jesus’ life call to be doing the work my master gave me.  There is work to be done.  After all, as Paul says, 57 . . . thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Because God gives victory through the resurrection of Jesus, I want to “always give myself fully to the work of the Lord,” even in retirement.  In my life, I have tried to make the world around me a better place than it was when I arrived, with varying degrees of success.  But, . . . too busy for a friend?

 

There is work to be done.  But when I stand before my Lord on Judgement Day, I am sure that one of the sins which I have committed is that of being “too busy.”  I confess that if I see a job which needs doing, I try to make sure that job is addressed.  I don’t necessarily try to do the whole job by myself, but I am part of an effort to do my Lord’s work.  I served as full-time pastor at St. John for 28 ½ years.  A lot of jobs build up and accumulate after 28+ years.  Even though I was of retirement age, perhaps it was the burden of all those tasks for the Lord which needed addressing that helped in my decision to retire. 

 

Now, back to my friend.  In Mark 12 Jesus was asked about which commandment is the greatest. We hear Jesus’ reply in verses 29-31. “29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."  In other words, an important part of loving the Lord our God is . . . loving others.  Love takes time.  Remember, “Love is . . . patient.” (I Corinthians 13:4)

 

The life of a child of God is a constant balancing act of trying to meet competing demands, or opportunities.  So I have previously prayed, and I am again renewing my prayers, that our Lord will guide me to give to those I love all that they need from me.  I pray that I especially, patiently, give them my time.  I have not always done that well.  Jesus gave His whole life for me.  I pray that my Lord leads me to love Him, by being loving others, by being patient with others, and by giving of the time my Lord has given me . . . for others.

 

A Child of God, Praying I am NOT too Busy for Family and Friends!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I went fishing twice this week.  The weather in Florida in recent days has been windy, and rainy, and cold.  But, I still got in two days on the water.

 

·       February 4 bass fishing with Alaskan friend, Fred Vasilie: https://photos.app.goo.gl/tTywcCmeH5j9PTP27

 

·       On February 5, my niece, KJ Fogarty, and her husband, Brian, took Fred and I fishing along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in their airboat.  Here are a few pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/MN2CkopnwVH7UAJn8

 

 

*****

 

            ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK.  I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  When I retired many asked me to continue writing these devotions.  So I have continued writing.  However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  Since I am no longer senior pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to receive it.  (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John as assistant to the pastor.) 

        So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you understand.  And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my distribution list.  My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

        My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our Lord, Jesus.

 

                                                                        *******

 

Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

 

 

  

Praying for Faith and Love in our Homes and Families, and in our Community

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

Years ago our youngest son, Tim, served on the State of Alaska Board of Education as the youth / high school member of the board under Commissioner Larry LeDoux.  Tim was very active at that time in student government at Palmer High School, and active in student government around the state, so he was chosen to serve for a year and a half.  Tim would come home from these meetings, held around the state, and share with us the various efforts which the state of Alaska was making to improve education for the students of our state.  I would listen to Tim tell about his experiences, and then I would do “the dad thing;” I shared my opinion.  “Tim, I know this is not very politically correct.  But, I believe the best thing the state of Alaska could do to improve education would be to work to strengthen homes and families.”    

 

Last week my wife read me a Facebook post, reported to be from a first grade teacher.  Who knows if this post really is from a teacher – it’s Facebook!  Yet, I did hear truth from this post, truth which reflects my Christian values, and truth that reminded me of my conversations with Tim.  The teacher wrote:

“When I look around my classroom I couldn’t tell you who crawled first, who walked before one or spoke in sentences by 15 months.  I can’t tell you if their parents breastfed or bottle fed.  No clue if they still wear pull-ups at night, because I’m sure many do!  I don’t know if they potty trained at 18 months or 4 years old.  I don’t know if their mom ever left them to cry it out for a few minutes or if they strapped them to their bodies 24/7.  You know what I can tell when I look at my kids?  I can tell which families value kindness and manners in their homes.  I can tell when a child feels loved and secure at home (and at school which sadly isn’t always everyone’s school experience!)  I know who has pizza and movie night Friday nights and which mom reads in different voices for bedtimes.  I see how kids handle scary situations like thunderstorms.  I can see who has a solid routine at home and who has chores and responsibilities.  I can hear how you speak to your children by how they speak to others.  When I look at my little friends I don’t see their milestones, I see who they are: their heart, their actions, their inner voice, their struggles and triumphs, and I see you, and all the love you pour into them.  We are always supposed to talk about testing and benchmarks and data during parent teacher conferences and I had a mom last time look at me and say, “I don’t worry about all the reading and math, she will get there.  I want to know . . . how she is, as a person?  Is she kind?  Does she include others?

That took my breath away and is something that will always stick with me!!  Go easy on yourselves mamas, just love your little ones . . . it’s all they need.”

 

God created families as cradles for faith and love.  Yet, so much pulls families apart today, whether busy-ness, or assaults on morality and faith, or even our own personal struggles.  I see those struggles in my own parenting, in my own children, in my grandchildren, and in the families of St. John.  No wonder my wife, Kathy, says, “Satan attacks Christian faith by attacking families.”  Kathy has also shares with her fellow nurses at work, “Anyone can be a nurse.  No one else can be your husband’s wife, or your kids’ mom!”

 

This devotion is not meant to scold people who feel inadequate as parents.  We could all have done a better job of parenting at various times.  But, I do want to share the assurance that God is with parents as they seek to do one of the most important tasks God gives them, raising their children in faith and love.  In Matthew 18 Jesus speaks about the importance of children in the eyes of our heavenly Father.  “10 See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.  11  12 What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”  (Matthew 18:10-14)  Our Lord in heaven has special care for children AND gives them special protection.  We have called that protection, “Guardian angels.” (verse 10)  God cares about every child, and He is with parents as they seek to raise their children.  When our Lord sent His only begotten Son into this world to save us, God placed Jesus into a family, a family who protected and loved and taught Him.  Our Heavenly Father helps us teach faith and love if we allow Him to help us.  Some of the best ways to teach values to our children are through home devotions and through regular attendance in worship and Sunday School.

 

I have served as a substitute teacher in the Mat-Su School District during the last two years, and I have been impressed with the quality of teachers in our schools, and impressed by what they are teaching.  However, I still hold to what I told Tim, “I believe the best thing the state of Alaska could do to improve education would be to work to strengthen homes and families.”  In fact, healthy Christian homes would not just make schools better, but would improve our whole community.  People would act in faith and love, not because they are afraid of punishment, but because they want to serve the Lord who loves them and saves them.

 

Parents, grandparents, please know that God loves your little ones, and He is beside you helping you through all the challenges you face.  I pray for my children and for my grandchildren daily.  I also pray God’s blessings and help for each of you as you seek to teach your children faith in our Lord and love for others, as you teach them that which is really important.

 

A Child of God, Praying for Faith and Love in our Homes and Families, and in our Community,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Great News!  St. John member, Grace Miller, made the 2022 US Paralympic Team for Bejing.  Congratulations, Grace!!  Here are a few pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/5UsdYJTGrbKF8fgW9

 

P.P.S.  On January 24 I went fishing in Alaska and found 4 feet of ice!  On January 31 I went fishing on the Suwannee River in Florida.  Local Floridians were saying it was cold because the high temperature that day was only 69.  J  But, I did catch fish.

·       January 24 ice fishing: https://photos.app.goo.gl/u24YH9LMQuZAw3kt9

 

·       January 31 bass fishing: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3x5XJcXbE2KUR6N76

 

·       On February 1 I went fishing with my brother-in-law, Mark Reaves.  We didn’t have any bites, but we did see an otter, a deer, and heard some owls.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/cjdxHCmqb8XipAip9

 

 

*****

 

            ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK.  I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  When I retired many asked me to continue writing these devotions.  So I have continued writing.  However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  Since I am no longer senior pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to receive it.  (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John as assistant to the pastor.) 

        So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you understand.  And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my distribution list.  My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

        My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our Lord, Jesus.

 

                                                                        *******

 

Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net