Dear Fellow Children of God,
I have had about a week and a half to take it easy. I took time to moose hunt with my son-in-law
and daughter. Therefore, I was not in
worship on September 6. Yet, that hunting
trip did not last as long as I expected.
I had also been asked to preach at my former congregation, St. John
Lutheran Church in Palmer, for Stephen Ministry Sunday. That kept me busy on September 13. There was also a pastors’ conference which was
scheduled for September 15 and 16, but didn’t work out. So, I have spent much of the last two weeks
at home, working on chores. I spent time
harvesting in the garden, and I transplanted some currant bushes. I pressure-washed the back deck, and cooked a
few meals. I had a couple of other
opportunities which materialized, and then disappeared. While I have not been idle, I did get some down
time. Kathy says, “It’s nice to have you at home doing things here.” Rest is a gift of God. (Psalm 127:1)
While working around the house I noticed a seemingly small
thing which nevertheless provided me with a message of hope. I have planted apple trees along the east side
of our yard. I have pictures from past
years of the trees hanging low because of the heavy load of apples. However, in the winter of 2023, when we had
large amounts of snow, the moose were hungry, and they ate the bark all around
my apple trees. The trees died above the
bark damage. I planted 2 more trees. But, responding to advice by Extension Agent,
Steve Brown, I also tried grafting some branches on the damaged trees below what
the moose ate. Nothing happened in 2024,
nor in 2025. Nevertheless, this year one
of those grafts bore apples.
In truth, the new trees have not yet produced fruit. Only one of the grafts lived. The graft which did survive only bore 4
apples. Only 4. But those four apples give me hope.
In the parable of The Lost Son, the father tells his older
son to celebrate as the younger son has returned home. “It was fitting to celebrate and be glad,
for this your brother was dead, and is alive '" (Luke 15:32) What a
blessing to see what seemed to be dead, or was dead, alive again. I choose to
see my Lord’s work in the new life of my trees.
In addition, the parable of the mustard seed came to
mind. "The kingdom of heaven is
like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32
It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all
the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and
make nests in its branches." (Matthew. 13:31-32) There may only be 4 apples this year, but
there were none in 2025. Who knows for
2027, or beyond?
As I look at the world around, me I see trouble and
decline. There are wars on an international
scale, and turmoil in our home country.
Churches suffer from conflict and decline. Families struggle and fall apart. People turn away from faith in God and
following His guidance, and turn to the lies of this world. But, in the midst of worldly decline, God is
still here.
When the city Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jews were captives
in Babylon, the prophet Jeremiah wrote what we read in Lamentations 3. “21
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast
love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23)
That is what God does for us in Jesus. When Lazarus died
from illness, Martha and Mary were devastated.
They had lost hope. “21
Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have
died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God
will give you.’ 23 Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’
24 Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the
resurrection on the last day.’ 25 Jesus said to her, ‘I am the
resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he
live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.
Do you believe this?’ 27 She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that
you are the Christ, the Son of God’” (John 11:21-27) Jesus raised Lazarus
from death. As a believer Lazarus now lives in heaven. God gives life in the
midst of death, through Jesus.
It is easy to become discouraged when sin creates chaos
and division in our world and in our lives. But, in the midst of such seemingly hopeless
situations, our Lord is present. In
Jesus, God grows faith in a world of doubt and disbelief. In Jesus God brings life from death. In Jesus we have hope. As I look at 4 measly apples, it reminds me
of the power of God, of His blessings and life in a world of sin and death. In Jesus we have hope, for this world and
eternally!
A Child of God, Finding Hope in a Hopeless World, Because
of Jesus!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. Here are some
apple pictures which go with my devotion today.
·
These are pictures of my apple trees from 2017
to 2022. https://photos.app.goo.gl/yYdQKS9vCxqnCzeJ9
·
These are pictures of my trees in May 2023,
after the moose attacked. https://photos.app.goo.gl/CipLUGCCEyHo24PB8
·
Here are pictures of the 4 apples I picked this
year. https://photos.app.goo.gl/fXotFN8SXWfD1JTm8
P.P.S. I am now
serving as Vacancy pastor at Anchorage Lutheran Church in Anchorage.
·
On September 6 and 13 I will be gone, and Pastor
Dave Keddington, SMP Pastor at ALC, will be leading worship AND Bible Study.
·
Call Committee – On Wednesday, August 19,
the Executive Leadership Team of Anchorage Lutheran voted to restart the call
process. ELT President Steve Fibranz has
recruited a call committee. This
committee consists of Lynn Boots, Danielle Bowman, Caleb Fluege, Tim and Genae
Meerstein, Alexa Mix, Joel Mix, Joe Pollock, and Karen Quintieri. Also attending meetings will be ELT
President, Steve Fibranz, DCE Matthew Murphy, Vacancy Pastor Jonathan Rockey,
and Circuit Visitor Tony Schultz. The
committee met on September 10 for a beginning meeting, and will meet again on
Sunday, September 20 after worship to evaluate our self-study.
PLEASE PRAY
FOR THE CALL PROCESS AT ALC!
·
Stewardship Sunday – The ELT also voted
to conduct a Stewardship Emphasis which will provide education on God’s plans
for Christian Stewardship, and will give ALC members an opportunity to consider
and plan ways to respond to God’s grace in their lives. Watch for updates concerning dates and
events. We will have a special Sunday in
November.
·
Bible classes –
o On
Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. we have been studying the book of Ephesians
downstairs in the fellowship hall, using the CPH “Lifelight” Bible Study. We
have some new lesson books available.
Class begins at 9:00 a.m. downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. On August 30 we started Chapter 4. FEEL FREE TO JOIN US!.
o Pastor
Dave taught classes on other topics, Sundays September 6 and 13.
o Ephesians
will start again on September 20, continuing in chapter 4.
o New
Member Class? – On August 30 I finished teaching a class on the Sacraments AFTER
worship on Sundays. Beginning
in October, IF there is anyone interested, I will teach an Adult Membership
Class after late worship.
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, September 16, I read 2
Chronicles 17 and 18, about King Jehosophat and the death of King
Ahab.
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.P.S. Family Fun, Friends, and Fishing!
·
Golf – On Friday, September 11, Pastor
Tony Schultz and I golfed at Palmer Golf Course. It was one of the few nice days we have had
recently. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/h92JrfdEdaN2dQJN8
·
Harvest – On Thursday September 10 I
harvested in my garden. Here are some pictures.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9NKpCMjvTruwVsdS7
·
Raspberries – I picked some leftover
raspberries for breakfast on Saturday, September 11 and on Wednesday, September
16. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/hEhfui5BKeY1142XA
·
No Fishing this week. My Palmer boat is in the shop!
*******
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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