Dear Fellow Children of God,
Do you ever have a day when you slow down and contemplate
your life? Do you contemplate how God
acts? His blessings? His wisdom? His
love?
For some reason I was racing this past week through
Wednesday, July 8. (Maybe you noticed that my devotion this week is a day
late.) On Thursday, however, I had some
forced “slow down time” and I took the opportunity to update and re-write my
prayer list. I have shared with you
before that I have a list of people and concerns for which I pray, hopefully
daily. I pray for those who are ill,
those specifically ill with cancer, those with chronic health issues,
and for those with troubles in their lives-whether self-inflicted or because
of trouble from the world around us. In
addition, I pray for those struggling with faith, for those who grieve,
for our country, and those I know who serve in our military. I THANK the Lord when prayers are
answered so that I can take that concern from my list. I pray for faith and God’s hand on my
own life. I lift prayers for Jesus’ church
– in many ways. I pray for individual
congregations and pastors. I pray
for families. I pray active faith
and God’s blessings daily for each member of my family. There are A LOT OF ENTRIES in my list. The
last time I counted over 150! My list is
always changing, and after about 6 months it needs to be re-written so that I
can read it.
Let me share with you, in a random way, some of the
messages I discern while considering God’s answers to my prayers.
First, the pain of this life affects everyone! It surprises me time and again when people
who live lives of faith, and lives that are healthy, face a gut-wrenching
challenge. It happens, whether illness,
tragedy, or death. We need help! We need God and His love for us in Jesus!
We need our Lord most of all, but . . . we also need one
another. Second, therefore, I love being
able to tell someone when I see them, “I’ve been praying God’s blessings for
you.” Trusting the Lord for His mercy can bind His people together in love.
In addition, for years I have noticed that many of those on
my list for faith, are also on my list of those who are grieving, often tragic
losses. Life can be cruel. Sometimes trials turn people away from God. But sometimes the tribulations of life turn
people to Jesus. So, I pray God will “open
the eyes of their heart (Ephesians 1:18),” to see His love in the middle of
tragedy.
Perhaps the most exciting thing about my prayers is when
I perceive God’s answers which are obviously blessings. Sometimes our Lord answers in ways different
than I expected. For example, I have
been praying for our country, for a remnant of faithful believers to be Jesus’
salt and light in our world. In the past
year I have watched as there are new movements of Christian faith around our
country. I have seen a large active
group of committed college students in Gainesville at First Lutheran
Church. I also met on June 29 with 8
young men at Anchorage Lutheran Church who want to serve the Lord and serve in
His church. And, they are part of
a much bigger group! Then, Kathy and I
received a phone call recently from the son of one of her workmates. This young
man is on fire for Jesus. When I have prayed
for our country I am not sure this is what I expected. But, the Holy Spirit is working! All I can say is “Thank you, Lord for your
grace and wisdom!”
Sometimes our Heavenly Father takes longer than I would
like to answer. I could share many
examples. But other times the quickness of His answers shocks me. I can think of numerous people whose trials
were considered terminal, but today they are active members of God’s family.
When I see blessings in the lives of people I love, the
grace of God can bring tears to my eyes.
I am thankful for recent goodness from my Lord in the lives of my
children, my grandchildren, and for those in my extended family. In the middle of life’s crises, our Loving
Lord is still present with grace and mercy and wisdom!
Thursday morning, in my meditative mood, I remembered a
sign which I saw years ago on a church in St. Louis, MO: “Don’t cross your
fingers – fold your hands.” However,
God has a better way of saying this in Philippians 4. “6 do not
be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace
of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians
4:6-7) I pray that God’s answers to your
longings and your prayers bring peace to your heart – in Jesus!
A Child of God, Contemplating the Wisdom and Love of God’s
Answers to my Prayers!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now
serving as Vacancy pastor at Anchorage Lutheran Church in Anchorage.
·
Bible class –
o On
July 5, we began studying the book of Ephesians with a “Lifelight” Bible
Study. There are still some lesson books available. Class begins at 9:00 a.m. downstairs in the
Fellowship Hall.
o Lay
Ministry Classes – On Sunday, July 12, we will teach a class on the
Sacraments AFTER worship. However, in addition to our Lay Worship
Leaders, others may attend if they wish.
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 Thursday, July 9, I read 2 Samuel 6,
about David bringing the ark of the covenant to the city of Jerusalem.
You are welcome to join in
this journey of reading God’s Word. You
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!
·
Yard and Garden –
o My
Garden is doing great. Here are some
pictures taken recently. https://photos.app.goo.gl/TjC9BHsKP8bu2ty9A
o On
July 4 and 5 I worked hard to weed my raspberries. They may be in the best shape since
2020! 😊 Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/mU7afnUeUjxf8Hyd9
·
Fishing – I went fishing twice this past week.
o On
Monday I took my canoe to a favorite lake.
I caught many trout. Here are a
few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/BxAuxUBh1kTWxnZ17
o On
Wednesday, I took Pastor Tony Schultz and family fishing on Long Lake on the
Glenn Highway. I was busy helping kids
catch fish so I didn’t have my camera out.
😊 https://photos.app.goo.gl/SmZBsde1UgPyGXeN7
*******
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 now 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.
*******
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 now 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)
No comments:
Post a Comment