Dear
Fellow Children of God,
A number of years ago one of the
best high school friends of our son, Andrew, David Bower, called Kathy on
Mother’s Day. David told Kathy, “It took a lot of moms to raise me, and you
were one of them. Thank you!” This
week brought to my mind and heart the blessings of those men who helped to give
me direction and who helped raise me.
Facebook reminded me last
Friday, September 22, that it was my dad’s birth date. He would have been 96 if he still lived. I admit, as a teenager my dad and I had what
you might call, “differences of opinion.”
But, as a Christian adult. I am so thankful that my dad was a hard
worker, that he loved and provided for his family. I am especially thankful my dad believed in
Jesus and lived his faith. He led by
bringing his family to church, and he led by serving. Jesus was part of our home. My dad, this man of integrity, was not a man
of many words, but his actions of faith and obedience shouted that Jesus was
his Lord and Savior. Thank you, Dad!
Then, two days later, on
September 24, First Lutheran Church in Gainesville honored their long time
pastor, Bob Besalski, and his family by dedicating and renaming the church
fellowship hall as The Besalski Fellowship Hall. There are many reasons why First Lutheran
made the right choice in honoring the man who was their shepherd for 34
years. But for me, Pastor Bob was
another dad. As a young man, and as a
pastor, he took me under his wings. He
encouraged me. Bob listened to me. As a young man he gave me opportunities to
serve at First Lutheran. He loved me
like another father. I know I was not
the only young pastor Bob encouraged. I
do know his love and mentorship made a difference in my life.
Have you ever considered the
importance of faithful adult examples and mentors? In the early 1990’s, when the Promise Keepers
movement began one of the seven promises of a Promise Keeper including encouraging
young men toward faithful lives of Christian living. We can go back further to find truth
concerning the importance of good parents and examples for the lives and the
faith of God’s children. The scripture
is full of such teaching whether in the Old Testament, (e.g. 1 Samuel 1 and 2, Psalm
103:13, Proverbs 22:6) on in the New Testament (e.g. Matthew 7:9-11, Mark 5:22
ff, Ephesians 6:4, Hebrews 11, Hebrews 12:7).
In many of these verses earthly parents and mentors are compared to the
greater love we receive from our Heavenly Father.
One
of the most poignant examples of such teaching of the faith for a young person is
found in Timothy. Paul shows the heart
of a spiritual father and he reminds Timothy of the faithful example of his
mother and grandmother in 2 Timothy 1:4-7.
“4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with
joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first
in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in
you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the
gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Do you hear how Timothy’s faith in
Jesus, his Savior, was nurtured and encouraged by a whole group of faithful
people?
As the Promise Keepers book
pointed out, having a Christian parent, mentor, or friend is helpful and
important. Unfortunately, as our world
grows further and further from their Creator and Savior, and Comforter, many do
not have such godly examples and encouragers. But, even if we did not have such
an example of faith, as we discover the unbelievable love of our Heavenly Father,
who gave His Son to die for us, to save us, how can we not want to share that love
with our children, and with the young people in our lives?
What if I did not have a
Christian example and encourager? We can
BE one! It’s never too late for us to
share Jesus with our children or those young people around us. As we grow in believing in God’s grace for
us, and as we put our faith into action, we too can teach and encourage. And remember, actions and example speak
louder than words. My dad shared his
faith by his life! That is also what Pastor
Besalski did for me.
About 25 years ago a Christian
friend, Dave Anderson, introduced me to a song I had not known. The song is “Find Us Faithful”, by Jon Mohr
and Steve Green. The chorus of this song
goes like this.
Oh, may all who
come behind us find us faithful,
May the fire of
our devotion light their way.
May the
footprints that we leave lead them to believe,
And the lives
we live inspire them to obey.
Oh, may all who
come behind us find us faithful.
I am thankful that my Lord put
godly examples and encouragers of faith into my life. I am truly blessed! I pray that, in spite of my weaknesses and
failings, the Lord will use me to encourage others to know the love God gives
us in Jesus, and to live in that love.
A Child of God, Thankful
For Loving Examples of Faith, Praying That God Uses Me!
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Sunday, September 24 was a
big day at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida.
·
First Lutheran dedicated the fellowship hall to
the glory of God, and in honor of Bob and Elaine Besalski. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/pPY1kX93tvAi6VUs5
·
Another highlight of the day was that I was
installed as vacancy pastor of First Lutheran Church in Gainesville by District
President James Rockey, who just happens to be my youngest brother. Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/MgUkHWxkqDu6GUsE8
P.P.S. Here is an album of pictures of my dad,
Robert E. Rockey, a man of faith. I put
this album online when he was gathered to his heavenly home in 2018. https://photos.app.goo.gl/J4LjF4SRk2csw1NY6
P.P.P.S. Here is a video of Steve Green singing “Find
Us Faithful.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKT5BCmvmq0
P.P.P.P.S. It was a busy week and, while I did golf
twice, I did not make it fishing. L
*******
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired
at the end of August 2019 from serving as full-time 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. (Currently I am serving as Vacancy
Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)
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
Vacancy Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL
Pastor
Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK
“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 3:1 a)
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