Dear Fellow Children of God,
Did you ever try to make plans, have you sought to
accomplish something for yourself or for the Lord, and felt like you were just
‘spinning your wheels?’ Have you ever tried to do something worthwhile and felt
thwarted at every turn? Have you been frustrated
in living your life, your faith? In truth, we have all known frustration!
Sunday morning, leaving for church, was a frustrating experience
for me! On Saturday night I
thought I was totally prepared. My Bible
classes and sermon were written. I had
already showered. I had breakfast set
aside. I thought I could easily leave
early on Sunday morning for classes and worship at Anchorage Lutheran.
However, that morning turned out differently than
expected. In pouring a cup of coffee,
our coffee pot spewed forth some “coffee tar,” spilling thick, dark liquid onto
the counter and the floor. (Thankfully the “tar” missed my Sunday
clothing.) As usual on Sunday mornings,
I took a final look at my sermon, and sought to print final copies, but my
printer jammed in a way I have never seen before. I was unable to print the
final version of my sermon. I did have a
crinkled dirty copy to use that Sunday morning.
By now with these delays, instead of leaving early, I left right on time
for Anchorage. At least that is what I
thought.
Then, on the way to Anchorage the rain fell, unusually
hard for Alaska, all the way to town. I
fought hydro-planing in my truck, with other vehicles beside me struggling with
the water in the ruts of the Glenn Highway.
When I finally arrived a block away from Anchorage Lutheran I was just
on time. However, a policeman turned me
away. The Mayor’s Marathon was going right by the church, on the east and
on the south! I was told, “You’re not going this way!” I tried another approach, and that was also
blocked. I attempted to park across the
street and walk to church, but there were new, special “no parking” signs. Finally, I talked with another policeman. He
squeezed me through the line of runners into the back of the church parking
lot. Imagine the pastor trying to arrive
at church, yet not being allowed to get onto the property! I do confess to frustration! I finally
arrived about 5 minutes late for Bible Class.
When I arrived home that afternoon I shared my
frustration with my wife. I told her I
thought I had been ready on Saturday night, but the weather and everything else
worked against me. I felt somewhat
powerless. Kathy instructed me, “It
wasn’t just the weather. The devil
did not want you to get to church.”
Now please consider our Heavenly Father. He created our
world by the power of His word, with creative wisdom, and in love. In Genesis Scripture reveals to us about His
creation. 31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold,
it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)
Nevertheless, our original ancestors gave in to the temptations of selfishness
and pride from our enemy. So, the Lord
worked through Noah, through Abraham, through Jacob and Joseph. God acted for
His people through Moses and David, through Isaiah and Jeremiah, through other
leaders and prophets, to call His people to faithfulness. Yet, to our discredit, every appeal of our
Lord’s wisdom and love has been met with hard hearts and the rebellion of those
He calls. God sent leaders and prophets to call us to faithful, righteous
lives. Time and again God’s created children, even those who claim to follow
Him, have turned away toward sinful attitudes and behaviors. Our sin destines us to the consequences of
our transgressions. We face
tribulations, death, and judgement. What
happened to the good plans of God for His creation and His people?
Yet, God was not, and He is not powerless. Our Lord met the opposition of the enemy, He
met the sin of His people, with the power and grace of His love. We live in a world of chaos because of the
rebellion of sin. In spite of our
wayward lives, God cares for His people.
Our Heavenly Father sent His Son to the sinful world to take on our sin,
and to deal with the chaos and trouble we cause with our fallen lives. In love, Jesus sacrificed His life. In power
and righteousness, He rose from the dead.
God takes the chaos of sin, and offers the peace and joy of eternal
life.
In 1 Peter God teaches us, “6 Humble
yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time
he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he
cares for you.” 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the
devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9
Resist him, firm in your faith . . . “ (1
Peter 5:6-9a) We face chaos and trouble.
God cares for us through the trials of this world through His Son. In life’s frustrations we can cast ourselves
on the loving care of God.
On Sunday morning, after a frustrating beginning, Bible
Class went well, worship went well, and I had a great class after our church
service with folks interested in helping with worship!
We may be our own worst enemies, but in Jesus God has
called us to the blessings of His love and grace through faith in Jesus, and He
continues to call. We are not in charge,
but our Lord is, and He acts in love through Jesus. When life gives struggles, in spite of our
best efforts, thankfully, the Lord who created the world in power has acted in
love. When life brings frustrations, we
can “6 Humble ourselves . . . under the mighty hand of God so
that at the proper time he may exalt us, 7 casting all your
anxieties on him, because he cares for us.”
A Child of God, Thankful that in the Frustrations of Life
– God Overcomes by the Power of His Love!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now
serving as Vacancy pastor at Anchorage Lutheran Church in Anchorage.
·
Bible class –
o On
Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. we are studying the book of Ephesians downstairs
in the fellowship hall, using the CPH “Lifelight” Bible Study. There are still
some lesson books available. Class
begins at 9:00 a.m. downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. On July 26 we will get into Ephesians 2.
o Lay
Ministry Classes – I am teaching a class on the Sacraments AFTER worship
on Sundays. However, in addition to our Lay Worship
Leaders, others may attend if they wish.
On July 26 we will look at Bible verses on Baptism.
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, July 22, I read 1 Kings 1 and 2,
about the end of David’s life and the crowning of Solomon. In spite of the loving and righteous hand
of God, it is amazing how the sin in the lives of God’s people still shows
itself. ☹
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. Friends, Family Fun and Fishing!
·
Yard and Garden – My Garden is doing ok. Everything is soggy with all our rain. However, I weeded on July 16. We have lots of greens, and should have good
potatoes and raspberries. Here are some
pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Rn1SYti9rmF3ioDZ7
·
Friends and Fishing – We have a summer full of visitors. For much of the last week we have had a
delightful visit from Pastor Chris Kollmann, wife Steph, and their sons, Micah,
Jacob, and Zachery. We experienced lots
of activities together, including two fishing trips. Here are some pictures.
o On
Friday night, July 17, I took the family fishing on Finger Lake. All 3 boys caught stocked land-locked
salmon. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/tk5YzE3AGD5Kirzh6
o On
Saturday, July 18, we went up into the mountains to Hatcher Pass State Park.
§ We
hiked Gold Mint Trail. https://photos.app.goo.gl/1GXEnKduL72LDRx9A
§ We
stopped at the 16 Mile Lookout. (It was cloudy – no pictures.)
§ We
spent time at the Independence Mine Historic Site. https://photos.app.goo.gl/fdFxjV1tNLWYT19e7
§ We
drove up to Summit Lake at the top of the Talkeetna Mountains. https://photos.app.goo.gl/svqDfu9VSHVgMTx39
o On
Sunday, July 19, we went fishing at a local lake. EVERYBODY caught fish. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/YHkj13k14yo2A2KeA
o On
Monday, July 20, we drove up to the Matanuska Glacier and took a guided
tour. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6TQa3vv5fRknV9uu9
o On
Tuesday, July 21, Kathy and I went about our activities and the Kollmanns went
to Seward and took a Glacier Tour / Wildlife trip.
·
On Tuesday, July 21, I was met at Anchorage Lutheran
by seminary classmate Tom VanDuzer and his wife Mary who were visiting Alaska. Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zmos5uDT1eSah1hQ6
*******
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)
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