Listening to the Message of the Mountains . . . Mountains Which God Created

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Has the beauty, the grandeur, the power of the mountains around us in Alaska ever struck you?  I do know that the mountains used to catch the attention of my mother in law, Alice Tobin.  After a stroke in 1996, Kathy’s mom lived with us in one way or another, beginning in March of 1997.  This elderly daughter of God, who was born in Shreveport, LA, and who lived most of her life in Memphis, TN, spent the last 12 years of her life in Palmer, Alaska, of all places.  As her years progressed, her mind became fuzzy at times.  So, as we drove her from our home to the Pioneer Home, we often heard her exclaim, “Look at those mountains!  Have they always been there?”  Perhaps her mind was still in Memphis, and she was surprised by the mountains of Palmer.  The thing is, the mountains of Alaska really caught her attention, again and again. 

 

On Tuesday, July 26, Kathy, and Mary, and I were driving from Sterling to Palmer.  As we were traveling through Turnagain Pass the splendor of the mountains surrounding me caught my attention again, and almost overwhelmed me with their presence, their beauty and grandeur.  They towered high above the road on which we drove, filling the windshield and windows.  The rock cliffs stood out.  Green meadows gave contrast to the black fields of shale.  The streams of runoff from the rain and the snow melt cascaded down from the heights.  It is hard not to catch your breath when confronted with the creation of God!

 

We in Alaska are truly blessed, because the creation around us stands out so obviously that the hand of God is difficult to miss.  I have recently also been fishing on the Kenai River, and fished with a dip net at the mouth of the Kasilof River.  I have traveled into Cook Inlet and fished for halibut.  The sound of the rushing rivers, the beating of waves on shore, the bouncing of the boat on the incoming and outgoing tides, and the swells caused by the wind, all speak of power greater than anything I know or possess.  But, perhaps the imposing height and beauty of the mountains catches my breath most often.

 

As we drove through Turnagain Pass and the mountains caught my attention, and my awe, I thought of Psalm 121.  Actually, in my early days in Palmer, as I visited the home of Herb and Claire Kopperud, I read this Psalm.  Claire calmly declared, “O, The Palmer Psalm.”  Please consider God’s truth with me in this short prayer of ascent.

“1 I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?

            2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

            3 He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber;

            4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

            5 The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

            6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

            7 The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life;

8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and

forevermore.”

 

The trouble in the world around me often causes me concern.  I have friends who are ill, some with cancer, some with back troubles, some with breathing issues, and many more with other illnesses and injuries.  I know family and friends who are struggling because of difficult or even toxic relationships.  I pray for folks I care about who have made some bad choices in life, and are struggling to regain a healthy place in life.  Add to those concerns for people I love, other concerns about our world, our country, and the health of our Lord’s Church as we seek to proclaim the Gospel of forgiveness and salvation found in Jesus.

 

Yet, in the midst of all those concerns, the hills, no THE MOUNTAINS, stand out.  They proclaim power, and permanence, and beauty, which only come from God Himself.  And yes, the truth of Psalm 121 comes obviously to my mind and my heart.  “I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121 vv. 1-2)  The Creator and Lord of all helps us with the troubles, the concerns, the suffering and trials of life.  He after all made our world.  The Lord is greater than any trouble we face.  He cares for us night and day, physically and spiritually, now and eternally.    In fact, God teaches us in the final verse of Psalm 121, “the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” The One who made these mountains is also the one who has overcome the sin and suffering and death which plague our world.  The Creator of All is also the Savior of All in the incarnation, in the perfect life, in the suffering and death and resurrection of Jesus.  In a world full of concerns, the One who created the mountains offers eternity through faith in His Son!

 

So, in answer to my mother in law’s question, “Look at those mountains!  Have they always been there?” I have an answer.  “Yes, the mountains have always been there.  At least they have existed in this world as long as our Creator has been active in forming and sustaining our world.”  And, just as long as the mountains have existed, God has loved us.  He promises His powerful help in this world.  Our Father promises to redeem us in our Savior, Jesus.  When I am struck by the impressive presence of these mountains, that is what they speak to me.

 

A Child of God, Listening to the Message from the Mountains Which God Created!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Just a note.  While Alice, my mother in law, had a fuzzy mind at times in her final years, I also remember times of total clarity.  I especially remember a day in 2006 when I was visiting with her in the hospital.  She had fallen and broken her leg.  Part of her treatment was a blood transfusion.  When receiving new blood she knew all the details of our life and hers.  She knew her grandchildren, and what they were doing, and where she lived, and she understood about the mountains. J

 

P.P.S.  This was a GREAT WEEK for fishing.

·       I went Dip Netting on Wednesday, July 20, with friend, Wayne Mize.  We were blessed to hit a GREAT DAY!  We dipped 33 salmon in an hour and 45 minutes.   https://photos.app.goo.gl/XxX86D7X7hPwg9FK9  

 

·       I had the priviledge of halibut fishing with friend, Fred Vasilie, and Pastor CRAIG Schultz, on Thursday, July 21. We caught a limit of really nice fish. https://photos.app.goo.gl/fdDvMPm6zs6Sxd9SA

  

·       I took my oldest son, Josh Rockey, dip netting, on Friday, July 22, along with his oldest children, Jake, and Emma.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Rk7N4taumd1EuTwV9

 

·       I went on a planned halibut fishing with daughter Mary, friend, Pastor TONY Schultz (and family friends), on Monday morning, July 25. https://photos.app.goo.gl/pikgvKwMmod1gPKf7

 

·       After halibut fishing on Monday morning, we went salmon fishing with a pole on Monday afternoon.  Our group included daughter, Mary, friend, Pastor TONY Schultz, and his family friends.    https://photos.app.goo.gl/kFxNghsu7DJMdV1FA

 

WHEW!  I WAS TIRED.

 

P.P.P.S.  I read a prayer in Monday’s devotions which also spoke to my heart.  Perhaps you will appreciate this prayer:

            FATHER, let the light of your truth guide us to your kingdom through a world filled with lights contrary to your own.  “Christian” is the name and the gospel we glory in.  May your love make us what you have called us to be.  We ask this through Christ, our Lord.  Amen. (For All the Saints, Volume IV, page 230.)

 

 

*****

 

 

 

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

Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

 

“1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a)

 

Is Life MAINLY About Being Happy?

 Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

When my children were young, when we rode together somewhere in our vehicles, I had a number of regular messages or sayings I would speak.  Some of those regular conversations were just sort of nonsense, a kind of playing which showed that I was thinking of them and giving them attention.  For example, one of those conversations went like this.  “Are you ‘a mess?’ No, you’re an ‘A #1 mess-a-rino dino.’”  Yup, nonsense. 

 

But, one of my regular questions to my children was more intentional, where I intended to teach a faith lesson. That conversation sounded this way.  “Is life about being happy?”  I listened for the answer and then responded, “No, life is really about serving God.”  I would also then try to teach that serving God is what truly gives peace and joy.

 

There are many Scripture verses which tell us that our lives are not to revolve around ourselves, but that God, our Creator and Lord, is the real center of our lives.  Perhaps my favorite such verse and lesson from Scripture comes from Matthew 20.  We are told that Jesus was with His disciples and they had an argument about who is the greatest.  Here is how Jesus responded to them.  25  . . . “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."  (Matthew 20:25-28)  Jesus’ plan is that His disciples, His followers, His children, live lives of service to others.  We are not ordered by God to a life of serving.  Instead, God Himself serves us as Jesus gave His life for us.  Service to God and service of others then should flow naturally from people who know that Jesus died and rose for them. (See also, Mark 12:30, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Colossians 3:17, 23, etc.) 

 

I began thinking these thoughts as I had a conversation on Tuesday with fellow pastor, Pastor Craig Schultz.  We were discussing how God’s church does ministry.  Obviously, Christians and Christian congregations serve the Lord by loving and serving others.  But, how do Christians learn to serve?  One of the roles of the pastor, or shepherd, or teacher, is to equip God’s people for service.  “¹¹ And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (Ephesians 4:11-12)  But, God doesn’t call pastors or shepherds to lead square pegs into round holes.  Our Lord gifts each of us with talents and with abilities so that we can serve, for the good His Church, and for the good of others.  “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”  (1 Corinthians 12:7) 

 

Getting back to the question I asked my children, if life is about living for God and serving the one who gave His life for us, then What are your gifts?  How can you or how do serve?  Where do you perhaps need to grow?  Have you served a long time a do you need a break, or a Sabbath rest?  How will you then return to service, so that your rest is not simply quitting on the one who served us and died for us?

 

July is the month when Americans celebrate Independence Day.  We remember the words of the Declaration of Independence.  “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Unfortunately, such pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness, can and often does turn into selfishness rather than service.

 

So, let’s say you and I are riding together in our vehicle and just talking, and I ask you, “Is life mainly about being happy?”  How would you answer?  And, if you know that life is really about serving the One who gave us life in Creation, and about serving the One who saved our life through the Sacrifice of His Son, how are YOU doing in serving Him, and serving others?”  That is a question worth pondering.

 

A Child of God, Seeking to Live in Joy by SERVING the One Who Served and Sacrificed Himself for Me!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I am on call for jury duty from July 10 - 22.  So I stuck close to home.  I especially worked on my yard and garden.  Here are some pictures.

·       July 14 garden pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/zN7yfgewhJ8rP8wY9

·       July 16 raspberries and strawberries: https://photos.app.goo.gl/fLDEnPawABGsmo5SA

·       July 18 garden.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/zN7yfgewhJ8rP8wY9

 

 

P.P.S.  I did some fishing.  I went fishing twice in canoes with St. John member, Chris Guimond.  Here is a picture of Chris as we fished on July 14.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/vfq3qfaHk2MuHzVs7

 

 

 

 *****

 

 

 

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

Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

 

“1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a)

Seeking to Live a Healthy Life, in Body and Spirit, in an Unhealthy World!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

On July 13 I visited my doctor for my yearly check-up.  I have taken a yearly physical for over 40 years.  Often my physicians have found no troubles.  My family doctor, Dr. Wade Erickson, used to tell me, “You’re boring.”  But, about 6 years ago I had some blood sugar issues which we have addressed.  However, Dr. Erickson taught me that I could do much to combat my symptoms myself, if I ate right and exercised regularly.  So, I followed a low-carb diet.  I went to the gym about 3 times a week.  I tried my best to do what I was told.  And it seemed to work. 

 

But, as I grow older, next May I turn 70, some of my efforts do not seem to work as well.  In addition, I have not perhaps been as faithful in my visits to the gym.  I was doing great, even during travels, until COVID came along.  The gyms I visited shut down.  I was no longer allowed to visit.  I had to find other ways to exercise.  I took up walking during my golf games, and made sure I got out fishing.  The walking during golfing helped, until I hurt my left knee in July of 2021. But, even though the gyms are open again, I got out of the habit of going to the gymnasium, of using the elliptical for 30 minutes, of lifting weights, and stretching, and walking.  I still go to the gymnasium from time to time.  But, I’m am not there every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday the way I used to be.  Hmmmm.

 

So, as I visited Doctor Erickson this week, he me asked if I’m still exercising.  I confessed, “Some, but not the way I was exercising before COVID.  I got out of the habit and I have had trouble getting back into it.”  I know that planned regular exercise is good for me.  But, I am just not back to the regular exercise I did previously.

 

I heard someone confess the same thing to me this past week concerning her worship attendance.  “I got out of the habit during COVID and I haven’t been back the way I should.”  Christian churches are struggling in our changing culture anyway.  People are busier.  Many in our culture don’t even want to hear about God.  Failures in churches cause people to think twice about belonging to a Christian congregation.  But, in the midst of those struggles, when COVID hit our world in March 2020, it had a big negative effect on churches.  Governments, trying to deal with the spread of this virus as they thought best, shut down businesses, and schools, and churches.  There are so many views on this illness, who really knows what is going on, other than the Lord of all?  But, in some ways, COVID was like a kick in the gut to worship attendance in American churches.

 

There are MANY verses in Scripture about how important worship is for people of God.  The third (depending on how you number them) commandment states, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”  (Exodus 20:8)  In Colossians Paul encourages the fellowship of worship to the believers in Colossae, “16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17.  See also Ephesians 5:19-20).  Worship is a way that God’s people teach, and correct, and encourage one another in the grace God gives in Jesus.  Worship in person with other believers is important.  And the writer to the Hebrews has taught that worship is vital to keeping one’s faith healthy, “23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)  Worship is not only important for us and for our faith, worship is our Lord’s plan for children of God to encourage one another, and to “spur one another on toward love and good works.”  We don’t want to just “get out of the habit” of worshiping, regularly, with other fellow believers.

 

COVID seems to be changing, with all the different variants.  In addition, our society seems to be getting back to a “new normal.”  When Kathy and I traveled recently, we were not required to wear masks in airports or on domestic flights, though masks were still required for international flights.  Churches are meeting in person again, and have been doing so for 2 years.  And, we do need the encouragement of God’s Word and the Sacrament.  We do need the fellowship of other Christian believers.

 

I may be somewhat out of the habit of going to the gym . . . regularly.  Though do still go.  But, I found out when visiting Dr. Erickson that exercise does still help my health.  My blood pressure was down some.  And, Kathy and I both lost 4 pounds during our recent travels.  On our cruise we often walked up and down some of the 17 flights of stairs on the ship instead of taking the elevator.  We took excursions each day to learn about each new place.  We visited the sights on shore, walking many miles.  My fit bit said I usually walked between 10,000 and 15,000 steps a day, and did about 30 flights of stairs a day. Dr. Erickson said.  “You really lost 15 pounds, because most people gain 10 pounds on a cruise.  If you came back 5 pounds light, you lost 15.”

 

Regular weekly worship, in person with other believers, is a way that God cares for our faith, and a way we share God’s unconditional love in Jesus with others.  We don’t want to get out of the good habit of this spiritual discipline.  In this time when the world seems to be going crazy, regular worship of our all-powerful and loving Lord, is more important than ever.

 

A Child of God, Seeking to Live a Healthy Life, in Body and Spirit, in an Unhealthy World!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I did get out this week.

·       I had not tried out my boat yet this year, because king salmon numbers are down and because, except for the Eklutna Tailrace, there is no retaining of kings in the valley this year.  HOWEVER, I did put the boat in the water on Friday evening, July 8.  Family was visiting and my oldest son, Josh, and I took 3 of his kids, my grandkids, for a boat ride.  We did also wet some lines, but on that windy night did not get any bites.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/bcWfVi2Kf3iguaiH9

 

·       On Monday, July 11, I did some dip-netting on the Kasilof River with friend, Wayne Mize.  Fishing was slow, but we got 3 red salmon.  Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/amdLTtwy69jHK7PCA

 

P.P.S.  I took a picture on Tuesday night, July 12.  My grandson, Jackson, is now taller than I am.  (Though, I still weigh more than he does.)  Here is a picture.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/jnM9VMPDDJSJphxHA

 

P.P.P.S.   If you just want to look at ALL our travel pictures which are online (we have others), here is a link to the whole Google Photos album.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/vMtFgxj7H15dwWK59

 

 *****

 

 

 

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

Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

 

“1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a)

 

Now is the Time

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

This past weekend our country celebrated the Fourth of July holiday.  We commemorated the declaration of freedom from what was deemed, at the time, oppression by Great Britain.  Our founding document, the Declaration of Independence says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.”  To see in historic documents the acknowledgment of a Divine Creator, to hear in documents of freedom that “all are created equal,” has been an encouragement for me as a Christian.  God’s law calls us to “Love the Lord your God . . . and Love your Neighbor as yourself.”  (Mark 12:30-31) In a way, the beliefs put forward by the founding documents of our country reflect the law of God.  While our country has never perfected these stated goals, they have nevertheless remained goals, and as a country we have continued working to achieve them.

 

However, as people were celebrating freedom and liberty during the holiday, shootings broke those celebrations, across our country and across the world.  In Copenhagen, Denmark, on July 3, a man opened fire at the Field's shopping mall, killing three people and critically wounding four others.  In Highland Park, Illinois, just north of Chicago, there was a shooting at the Fourth of July Parade which left seven dead and at least 30 injured. What is even worse is that the horror of Highland Park has distracted us from the tragedy of other shootings on July 4 and 5 which took lives in Sacramento, CA, Denver, CO, Kenosha, WI, and Gary, IN.  (Various Internet News articles)  No wonder the internet headline from The Marshall Project screams, “US Mass Shootings on the Rise No Matter How You Define Them.”  In his Meyer Minute devotion on July 5, Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer wrote, “Our society is breaking down.”

 

This reminds me of some verses from the Biblical book of Revelation.  Revelation can be a confusing, controversial book.  The symbolic, apocryphal language of this book has been interpreted in many ways, by many people.  Yet, there are truths in this part of Scripture which God revealed, which our Lord wants us to know.  God wants us to know that, in spite of the intensifying evil in our world, Jesus is victorious over Satan and over the evil in this life.  The kingdom of God will be fully revealed at God’s appointed time.  God wants us to know that we should take care of our own faith so that our relationship with our Lord and Savior is healthy.

 

Revelation 16 describes in part God’s temporal judgement on the sinful attitudes and behaviors of people in the world.  The verses also show the response of people to God’s judgment.  “8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. 10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.”  The sin in our world has consequences, including environmental distress, including plagues.  Perhaps that should get our attention. Yet people “refuse to repent.”  People refuse to turn to God in sorrow for their sin, seeking His grace and His direction for their lives.

 

If people won’t listen to God’s Word, they won’t listen.  Personally, I confess that the turmoil in the world around us points even more to how much we need a savior, how much we need Jesus.  The evil in our world tells me that God’s love is our only hope.  Second Corinthians 5 and 6 teach us, “21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.’ (2 Corinthians 5:21-6:2)

 

If ever there was a time that we need the righteousness of God for our sinful world, the time is now!  It is time to turn from attitudes of pride and selfishness.  It is time to acknowledge God is Lord, even of our lives.  It is time to confess that we have sinned.  It is time to turn to God in faith and to trust His love and forgiveness in Jesus. It is time to follow Jesus with our lives. 

 

The truth is, the “self-evident truth” is, that God’s saving love in Jesus gives an eternal freedom and blessing from the sin and turmoil of our world.  Now is the time!

 

 

A Child of God, Trusting God’s Help in Times of Societal Decay,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I have spent the last few days, now home from our travels, catching up on chores around the house.  We had a youth from St. John water and weed our yard and our garden while we traveled.  It is amazing how our gardenS grew while we were gone.  Here are some pictures.

·       Here are pictures of our vegetable garden.  After a little more weeding and watering we have picked strawberries, radishes, spinach, green leaf lettuce, and red leaf lettuce. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6fJN5HyNZckDuZvs7

 

·       Here are pictures of the flowers around our house.  We did pick some peonies which had grown taller than the cages we had around them.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/i1UjrVznKx3jvt2w6

 

P.P.S. I have also done other chores which had been put off since winter.

·       I painted the doors on our shed, and painted the railing on our front porch. 

·       I secured, and caulked, and painted siding which had been blown off in the wind storm this past January.

·       I cut up the trees which fell in the January windstorm with the help of Mike Nystrom from St. John.  He took them away to burn in his wood stove.

 

P. P.P.S.  I tried to go fishing on Tuesday evening at two different lakes.  I brought my river boat to test it for when we are allowed to catch the salmon in the rivers.  However, both lakes were packed, and the boat ramps were full, and I went home.  L

 

P.P.P.P.S  If you just want to look at ALL our travel pictures which are online (we have others), here is a link to the whole Google Photos album.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/vMtFgxj7H15dwWK59

 

 *****

 

 

 

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

Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

“1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a)