Dear Fellow Children of God,
I went to my doctor for my yearly checkup on Wednesday,
June 3. As I reported to my nurse / wife
about the visit, I shared, “I hope that this visit, and my procedure in July
are the last time I need to see a doctor until October and December.” You see, last year I had many appointments
with doctors of one kind or another, especially with my dermatologists! I have
seen my dermatologist more than once a month for the last 12 months! Yet, Kathy had a wise reply to my complaint. “Those doctor’s appointments are ‘the
blessing of getting old.’ It’s like an
old car that needs lots of tuneups. We
know a lot of people who would have been our age, but who are not now here to
complain about doctors’ appointments any more.”
Kathy is right . . . again!
The results of my June 3 checkup were actually pretty
good. Yet, what a gift we have in the
science and practice of modern medicine.
I AM thankful for the good health the Lord has blessed me with in this
world. I am especially thankful for the health, for the shalom and blessings,
of my Lord each day. I am thankful for the eternal welfare I have from God.
Perhaps you remember that Jesus often greeted His disciples
with the common Hebrew greeting of that time, “Peace” or “Shalom.” For example, on Easter evening, as Jesus
appeared in the upper room with his frightened followers, He said 3 times, “Peace
[shalom] be with you!” (John 20) St.
Paul often began his letters with an address to his readers which included Paul’s
desire that these readers had the peace of the Lord. “7 To all
those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and PEACE
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans. 1:7) (Also see the
beginning of the other New Testament letters.)
In Romans 15:13 Paul also writes, “May the God of hope fill you with
all joy and PEACE as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Actually, the word used in Scripture for peace does not just
imply the absence of conflict, or of a troubled heart, or even the absence of anxiety. When someone wishes another the peace or
shalom of Scripture, this is wish that the person or people greeted, receive
all the peace, all the blessings, all the health which the Lord gives in body
and spirit. Such ‘shalom’ is a gift which comes from our Lord Himself. In Romans 5:1 we are taught. “Therefore, since we have been justified
by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words, Jesus’ death and resurrection
have healed the trouble in our relationship with our Heavenly Father, through
His forgiveness, and through the promise of everlasting life which we receive
through faith. What a wonderful wish for another, “Peace! Shalom!”
Do you also remember Jesus’ stated desire for his
disciples in John 14? “27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I
give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
On the night before His crucifixion Jesus gives a wonderful gift: PEACE! What a blessing to have hearts full of peace,
because in Jesus we have all of our Lord’s love and blessings.
I have gone to my medical doctor for yearly checkups since
1979, and also to my dentist for twice yearly visits. I wish these were all the visits I needed to
make. Yet, as I get older I seem to spend
much more time at the doctor, time I would rather be spending with family, or fishing,
or golfing, or anything but making such a visit. Sometimes I guess I just complain. Thankfully, God has blessed me with relatively
good physical health. Even more importantly,
I have the shalom, the peace, the blessings and presence of my Lord, because of
Jesus. This well-being is not only physical
but also emotional and spiritual. This
peace or shalom from God is not just for this life, but eternal! Thank you, Jesus!
A Child of God, Thankful for Well-Being and Peace Which
Come from God – IN JESUS!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now serving as Vacancy pastor at Anchorage
Lutheran Church in Anchorage.
·
Bible class –
o I
taught a Bible class on Sunday, June 7.
We looked at the assigned readings for that Sunday before
attending worship.
o There
was no class last Sunday, June 14. I was not in worship but celebrating the
wedding of Mary and Brandon. ALC Lay
Worship Leader, Clayton Gellerman preached.
Pastor Tony Schultz helped with worship and serving the Sacrament.
o On
Sunday, June 21, at the request of those in class on June 7, I will
teach a short class on “angels.”
o Beginning
on Sunday, June 28, we will begin studying the book of Ephesians with a
“Lifelight” Bible Study.
·
Lay Ministry Classes? – I am discussing
with our Lay Worship Leaders about teaching Lay Ministry Classes on the
Sacraments, Worship, and Preaching – AFTER worship on Sundays. Tentatively, these classes would begin on July
12. However, others, in addition to
our Lay Worship Leaders, may attend if they wish.
·
250th Anniversary Worship –
Worship on Sunday, July 5, will give us an opportunity to thank the Lord for
His blessings for our country, and to pray for our leaders.
Other Activities of Faith:
I am again taking a two-year
journey with my Lord, by reading through the Scriptures using the “Today’s
Light Devotional Bible.” On Wednesday, June 17, I read 1 Samuel 12,
Samuel’s farewell to the people of Israel.
Samuel calls the people, and their new king, Saul, to abiding by the
teaching of the Lord.
You are welcome to may also
contact me at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these
readings. Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net I have
received questions and comments about the readings. It is always good to
consider our Lord’s love and guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only
God knows!
P.P.S. Family Fun and Fishing! (no fishing
this week)!
·
Family – Mary and Brandon’s wedding was a
wonderful celebration. We have many
pictures, with even more to come. However,
here are some of the pictures we have now.
o Bachelorette
Party – https://photos.app.goo.gl/gqPuweDQcTupv5u99
o Wedding
rehearsal and Decorating party - https://photos.app.goo.gl/ChUtvyz3rTRpfNxNA
o Wedding
- https://photos.app.goo.gl/w1pvGEBmJEPPZ7437
o Wedding
reception - https://photos.app.goo.gl/7wnCEPapSZhr486T8
·
Yard and Garden – My garden is starting
to look good. The lawn is fertilized and
mowed a week later. But no pictures this
week.
·
Fishing
– NO FISHING, but I did put my boat in the
water. Here is brother-in-law, Mark Reaves,
in the boat with me on Finger Lake on Monday, June 15. https://photos.app.goo.gl/5o9XRDiXMMuafLSJ9
·
Golf - I did golf with Pastor Tony
Schultz and Pastor Erik Christensen on the way home from work on Wednesday,
June 17. Here are a couple of
pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/nnyPfu5oTmQTU3Nj8
*******
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. (I finished for now serving as Assistant to the Pastor for
First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL. I am serving Anchorage Lutheran
Church as Vacancy 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
Vacancy Pastor, Anchorage Lutheran Church, Anchorage, AK
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK
“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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