Sharing What's Really Important

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Sad at the Racial Divisions of Today, Praying God’s Children Know and Share the Love of God for All People

This week I visited with a good friend from high school, along with his mom. In many ways, during my high school years, his mom was like another mother to me. As we sat reminiscing we remembered, among other things, a friend named LeRoy. LeRoy was a big African American who played offensive line on the football team. We were friends. My friend’s mother remember LeRoy visiting her home. I remembered LeRoy at my home. My mom liked LeRoy, but my dog barked at him. LeRoy was a good friend, though unfortunately I am not sure where he is today.

I share that memory because of the sorry state of race relations in our country today, and also because February is Black History Month. Some might think that race relations are a political issue, and that this topic should not be part of a Christian devotion. I am sure that some people believe I should not be writing about or discussing this issue, that I should leave it to the politicians. But, the truth is that race relations are a faith issue, because as I have written previously, Christians are taught, “Love your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27)

When Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan, He was referencing the racial tension of His time between Jews and Samaritans. When Peter visited the Roman centurion, Cornelius, bringing the good news of Jesus’ saving love, Peter shared the following truth of God. “34 . . . I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” (Acts 10:34-35) When John wrote of his revelation in the 7^th chapter of his book, he revealed, “9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” Did you hear that? Those before the throne of God are “from every nation, tribe, people and language.” According to Jesus, according to Peter and John, God loves ALL people, and God loves all peoples!

In my devotions from December 8 I read a story from Dr. William Willimon, a Methodist pastor and world renown teacher of preaching at Duke University. Willimon tells the story of a young man who found himself seated next to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on an airplane flight. The young man was a civil rights activist who, because of his activism, was estranged from his dad. He asked Dr. King, “What can I do to raise the consciousness of my father. . .?” The account follows, “Dr. King put his hand on the angry young man’s hand and said, ‘Your father is doing the best he can. He has not had many of your educational opportunities, opportunities which your father has provided for you. As a Christian you must be patient with him and love him.” (For All the Saints, Volume III, page 55) Perhaps you are surprised, as I was surprised when I read this, at the patience, at the mercy, and at the trust in God to work, which Dr. King encourages. Sadly, this does not sound like the attitudes which we hear about and read about in these times.

Racism is not new to America today. This sin has existed since the beginning of time. Jesus dealt with racism. Peter taught about God’s love in Jesus in the face of racism in his time. One of the beauties of John’s revelation is that we learn that, in heaven, all races praise God together. Christians are to love all people, because all are children of our Heavenly Father. To look down on another person because of their ethnicity, or their color, is a sin against God’s call to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

LeRoy is not my only black, or African American friend. Over the years I served in one way or another in 3 primarily African American congregations and I have friends for whom I care in those churches. St. John congregation worked in Russia during the 90’s, and we learned to care for those with whom we shared the Gospel. St. John has also worked in the native Alaskan village of Eek the last 4 years. Caring about people from all these settings, I find great comfort to know that, because of God’s saving love in Jesus, heaven is full of people “from every nation, tribe, people and language.”

I pray that the people of our nation could live in love for one another with a view of the reality of God’s children in heaven.

A Child of God, Sad at the Racial Divisions of Today, Praying God’s Children Know and Share the Love of God for All People,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. I went fishing twice this week.

· February 12 bass fishing with my brother-in-law, Mark Reaves, on the Suwannee River. We caught quite a few fish, and kept 4 bass. https://photos.app.goo.gl/fnq2NuHb3bJj5WCh7

· On February 15 I went fishing in a local lake. However, as has been the case for the last couple of weeks, the temperature was cold (32 degrees earlier in the morning), and the wind was blowing. Other fishermen with whom I talked had not had any bites. I did take this picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/bK91oi66B9r7rHCx9

P.S. July 4, 1976, was not only the Bi-Centennial birthday of our country, but also fell on a Sunday. I was serving as a summer vicar (intern) at St. Philips Lutheran Church in Chattanooga, TN. As a ‘wet behind the ears student pastor’, I had preached in worship, and I had also chosen the hymns for that day. But, during the offering, Ruth Millender, the wonderfully faithful organist, started playing a tune I did not recognize. All but one family in this church was African American. They all stood up and sang from memory, “Lift Every Voice and Sing, Let Earth and Heaven Ring . . .” This hymn is now hymn 964 in the Lutheran Service Book and we sang the hymn at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL, this past Sunday. Though I had never heard the tune or the words, this is also known as the black national anthem and was written by James Weldon Johnson, a civil rights activitist from the early 20^th century, and an accomplished writer and poet.

Johnson also wrote a poem which I read in my devotions on Sunday, February 13. This poem is a prayer for God to help a pastor do a good job of leading his church, and a prayer for a Christian death. I was moved by the words and prayer from Johnson. Perhaps you would like to read this poem below.

“And now, O Lord, this man of God,

Who breaks the bread of life this morning –

Shadow him in the hollow of thy hand,

And keep him out of the gunshot of the devil

Take him Lord – this morning –

Wash him with hyssop inside and out,

Hang him up and drain him dry of sin.

Pin his ear to the wisdom post,

And make his words sledge hammers of truth –

Beating on the iron heart of sin.

Lord God, this morning –

Put his eye to the telescope of eternity,

And let him look upon the paper walls of time.

Lord, turpentine his imagination,

Put perpetual motion in his arms,

Fill him full of the dynamite of thy power,

Anoint him all over with the oil of thy salvation,

And set his tongue on fire.

And now, O Lord –

When I’ve done drunk my last cup of sorrow –

When I’m done traveling up the rough side of the mountain –

O – Mary’s Baby –

When I start down the steep and slippery steps of death –

When this old world begins to rock beneath my feet –

Lower me to my dusty grave in peace

To wait for that great gittin’ up morning –

Amen.

(“God’s Trombones by James Weldon Johnson, in For All the Saints, Volume 3, page 407)

*****

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as 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. (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John as assistant to the 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

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Too Busy for a Friend?

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Last week I called a friend. Actually, I used to call and visit with this friend’s husband on a regular basis. I would especially call him while I was out fishing. Or, I would call him on my Bluetooth on the way to a fishing spot. Since I fish a lot, I talked a lot with this friend’s husband, especially on Mondays. Sadly, my friend’s husband passed away in December and he is with our Lord now. But, his widow, my friend whom I called last Monday, now lives alone. She does have loving family, and a caring church. But, when I talked to her after the funeral I asked her, “I used to talk with George on Monday’s. How about I check on you?” She said, “OK.” So I have now been calling her on Mondays to visit.

However, often when I have called this friend my call has gone unanswered. The lack of an answer is actually a good thing, because my friend is keeping busy with family and church. But, I have left messages for her to call me back, yet she had not called me back. When we did talk last week, having a really good conversation, I asked if she had received my phone calls and messages. She responded, “Yes. But you are so busy I didn’t want to call back and interrupt you in the middle of a class or something.” That answer caused me to pause, and even hurt, because I knew it was true. I told her, “George called me back at any time. If I couldn’t talk then, I would let him know. Then I would call him back later. You can call me anytime.”

Imagine being too busy for a friend. Or, imagine having a friend think you are too busy for them. And, I am even retired! (Sort of) I know I have always tried to keep active, and to actually be found doing my Lord’s work. I take to heart the words on Jesus in Matthew 24. “44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. 45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.” (Matthew 24:44-46) As Jesus also taught, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." I have taken seriously Jesus’ life call to be doing the work my master gave me. There is work to be done. After all, as Paul says, 57 . . . thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Because God gives victory through the resurrection of Jesus, I want to “always give myself fully to the work of the Lord,” even in retirement. In my life, I have tried to make the world around me a better place than it was when I arrived, with varying degrees of success. But, . . . too busy for a friend?

There is work to be done. But when I stand before my Lord on Judgement Day, I am sure that one of the sins which I have committed is that of being “too busy.” I confess that if I see a job which needs doing, I try to make sure that job is addressed. I don’t necessarily try to do the whole job by myself, but I am part of an effort to do my Lord’s work. I served as full-time pastor at St. John for 28 ½ years. A lot of jobs build up and accumulate after 28+ years. Even though I was of retirement age, perhaps it was the burden of all those tasks for the Lord which needed addressing that helped in my decision to retire.

Now, back to my friend. In Mark 12 Jesus was asked about which commandment is the greatest. We hear Jesus’ reply in verses 29-31. “29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." In other words, an important part of loving the Lord our God is . . . loving others. Love takes time. Remember, “Love is . . . patient.” (I Corinthians 13:4)

The life of a child of God is a constant balancing act of trying to meet competing demands, or opportunities. So I have previously prayed, and I am again renewing my prayers, that our Lord will guide me to give to those I love all that they need from me. I pray that I especially, patiently, give them my time. I have not always done that well. Jesus gave His whole life for me. I pray that my Lord leads me to love Him, by being loving others, by being patient with others, and by giving of the time my Lord has given me . . . for others.

A Child of God, Praying I am NOT too Busy for Family and Friends!

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. I went fishing twice this week. The weather in Florida in recent days has been windy, and rainy, and cold. But, I still got in two days on the water.

· February 4 bass fishing with Alaskan friend, Fred Vasilie: https://photos.app.goo.gl/tTywcCmeH5j9PTP27

· On February 5, my niece, KJ Fogarty, and her husband, Brian, took Fred and I fishing along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in their airboat. Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/MN2CkopnwVH7UAJn8

*****

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

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Praying for Faith and Love in our Homes and Families, and in our Community

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Years ago our youngest son, Tim, served on the State of Alaska Board of Education as the youth / high school member of the board under Commissioner Larry LeDoux. Tim was very active at that time in student government at Palmer High School, and active in student government around the state, so he was chosen to serve for a year and a half. Tim would come home from these meetings, held around the state, and share with us the various efforts which the state of Alaska was making to improve education for the students of our state. I would listen to Tim tell about his experiences, and then I would do “the dad thing;” I shared my opinion. “Tim, I know this is not very politically correct. But, I believe the best thing the state of Alaska could do to improve education would be to work to strengthen homes and families.”

Last week my wife read me a Facebook post, reported to be from a first grade teacher. Who knows if this post really is from a teacher – it’s Facebook! Yet, I did hear truth from this post, truth which reflects my Christian values, and truth that reminded me of my conversations with Tim. The teacher wrote:

“When I look around my classroom I couldn’t tell you who crawled first, who walked before one or spoke in sentences by 15 months. I can’t tell you if their parents breastfed or bottle fed. No clue if they still wear pull-ups at night, because I’m sure many do! I don’t know if they potty trained at 18 months or 4 years old. I don’t know if their mom ever left them to cry it out for a few minutes or if they strapped them to their bodies 24/7. You know what I can tell when I look at my kids? I can tell which families value kindness and manners in their homes. I can tell when a child feels loved and secure at home (and at school which sadly isn’t always everyone’s school experience!) I know who has pizza and movie night Friday nights and which mom reads in different voices for bedtimes. I see how kids handle scary situations like thunderstorms. I can see who has a solid routine at home and who has chores and responsibilities. I can hear how you speak to your children by how they speak to others. When I look at my little friends I don’t see their milestones, I see who they are: their heart, their actions, their inner voice, their struggles and triumphs, and I see you, and all the love you pour into them. We are always supposed to talk about testing and benchmarks and data during parent teacher conferences and I had a mom last time look at me and say, “I don’t worry about all the reading and math, she will get there. I want to know . . . how she is, as a person? Is she kind? Does she include others?

That took my breath away and is something that will always stick with me!! Go easy on yourselves mamas, just love your little ones . . . it’s all they need.”

God created families as cradles for faith and love. Yet, so much pulls families apart today, whether busy-ness, or assaults on morality and faith, or even our own personal struggles. I see those struggles in my own parenting, in my own children, in my grandchildren, and in the families of St. John. No wonder my wife, Kathy, says, “Satan attacks Christian faith by attacking families.” Kathy has also shares with her fellow nurses at work, “Anyone can be a nurse. No one else can be your husband’s wife, or your kids’ mom!”

This devotion is not meant to scold people who feel inadequate as parents. We could all have done a better job of parenting at various times. But, I do want to share the assurance that God is with parents as they seek to do one of the most important tasks God gives them, raising their children in faith and love. In Matthew 18 Jesus speaks about the importance of children in the eyes of our heavenly Father. “10 See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 11 12 What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” (Matthew 18:10-14) Our Lord in heaven has special care for children AND gives them special protection. We have called that protection, “Guardian angels.” (verse 10) God cares about every child, and He is with parents as they seek to raise their children. When our Lord sent His only begotten Son into this world to save us, God placed Jesus into a family, a family who protected and loved and taught Him. Our Heavenly Father helps us teach faith and love if we allow Him to help us. Some of the best ways to teach values to our children are through home devotions and through regular attendance in worship and Sunday School.

I have served as a substitute teacher in the Mat-Su School District during the last two years, and I have been impressed with the quality of teachers in our schools, and impressed by what they are teaching. However, I still hold to what I told Tim, “I believe the best thing the state of Alaska could do to improve education would be to work to strengthen homes and families.” In fact, healthy Christian homes would not just make schools better, but would improve our whole community. People would act in faith and love, not because they are afraid of punishment, but because they want to serve the Lord who loves them and saves them.

Parents, grandparents, please know that God loves your little ones, and He is beside you helping you through all the challenges you face. I pray for my children and for my grandchildren daily. I also pray God’s blessings and help for each of you as you seek to teach your children faith in our Lord and love for others, as you teach them that which is really important.

A Child of God, Praying for Faith and Love in our Homes and Families, and in our Community,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Great News! St. John member, Grace Miller, made the 2022 US Paralympic Team for Bejing. Congratulations, Grace!! Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/5UsdYJTGrbKF8fgW9

P.P.S. On January 24 I went fishing in Alaska and found 4 feet of ice! On January 31 I went fishing on the Suwannee River in Florida. Local Floridians were saying it was cold because the high temperature that day was only 69. J But, I did catch fish.

· January 24 ice fishing: https://photos.app.goo.gl/u24YH9LMQuZAw3kt9

· January 31 bass fishing: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3x5XJcXbE2KUR6N76

· On February 1 I went fishing with my brother-in-law, Mark Reaves. We didn’t have any bites, but we did see an otter, a deer, and heard some owls. https://photos.app.goo.gl/cjdxHCmqb8XipAip9

*****

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

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Thankful that Our Lord Walks With Us Through the Trials of Life

Dear Fellow Children of God,

On December 8, my personal devotions included readings from Amos 8, Revelation 2, and Matthew 23, verses which talked about struggles which God’s people face. Some of life’s trials occur because we live in a sinful world. But, these Scripture lessons also pointed out that some of the struggles God’s people face we bring on ourselves through selfish, rebellious, or sinful behavior. Also included in the devotion was a reading from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “Letters from Prison” which struck me. I, therefore, saved this thought to share with you. I had no idea how these thoughts might also apply to me and my family in quick order. In his writing Bonhoeffer wrote, “We have to learn that personal suffering is a more effective key, a more rewarding principle for exploring the world in thought and action than personal good fortune.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison; For All the Saints, Volume III, pages 41-42) Please remember, Bonhoeffer wrote these words while in the Dachau concentration camp where he died under Adolf Hitler.

Pastors have the call and the opportunity to stand beside the children of God as they go through the trials of life. We seek to be present with the Lord’s love when people are hurting and suffering, and as they are asking “Why?” Often pastors do not have answers about “Why?”. All we know is that our heavenly Father has loved us in Jesus and that He is with us. Pastors try to share comfort and strengthen the people of God through these painful times, especially remembering the forgiveness and salvation God won for us in the dying and rising of Jesus. Sometimes our efforts seem feeble, but we trust God’s eternal wisdom and love. I know I seek to trust Him.

The truth is that pastors and church workers also experience the trials of life. We also ask, “Why?” We seek faith to trust God’s wisdom and power and love when life seems crazy. Pastors are not above the fray of life, but are fellow sinners, also needing God’s saving love in Jesus, along with other children of God,

The following Scripture verses which St. Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome remind me of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s words. 3 . . . we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:3-5) So, suffering teaches us lessons. Life’s tribulations help us to grow. Primarily we are taught that our real treasure and our real goal is God’s love, which we find perfected in heaven. But, do you, do I, really rejoice when we face trial and pain? I want to grow, but I’m not sure I want the tribulation it takes to grow, no matter what Bonhoeffer wrote.

I’m convinced that nobody enjoys the difficult times in life when we are in the midst of those trials. But often we do look back on what took place and realize that, in those tribulations, we had to lean on our Lord’s love and deliverance. And, even though we might have been in distress in the midst of these difficulties, looking back we can see the hand of God, and we have grown.

St. Paul also wrote to the Christians in Corinth, “8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.” (2 Corinthians 1:8-10) Paul and his companions were under great distress, even fearing death. The lesson they learned was not to rely on themselves, or their strength or wisdom, but to “rely . . . on God.” And the Lord did deliver them!

Many of the members of St. John helped our family through a recent difficulty. THANK YOU to all who helped us. But, now that we have made it through this trial, with many questions and much prayer, I can personally share that I have seen the hand of the Lord. He has produced perseverance and hope in my life, and I pray I have also grown in Christian character. I have seen God’ answer to prayer, again.

To a certain extent I already knew the lesson of which Bonhoeffer wrote, “We have to learn that personal suffering is a more effective key, a more rewarding principle for exploring the world in thought and action than personal good fortune.” I really did not want to re-learn the lesson. But, along with St. Paul I have found out that my Lord who has saved me for eternal life love through His Son, is also with me through the trials of life in this world. And, to a certain extent I feel I can shout praise with King David, “The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

A Child of God, Thankful that Our Lord Walks With Us Through the Trials of Life,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. I did go ice fishing twice this past week.

· On Thursday, January 20 I went fishing with Pastor Schultz. We caught 2 limits of fish. J Here are pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/vhbw9uZb3Fsh3w4o7

· On Monday, January 24, I went fishing by myself. I got away from the clouds in Palmer to a lake with no wind and LOTS of fish! https://photos.app.goo.gl/EE3mMBRDnhvhwr9S6

P.P.S. Last week I mentioned I would send pictures of home repairs from the wind storm. Then, I neglected to include the link and then send the pictures. I’m Sorry for this oversight! Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/NY8nkRQhsUJd5cJt7

P.P.P.S. Having put the call process for a new permanent full-time pastor on hold because of COVID in March of 2020, St. John re-started the call process with a meeting of The Call Committee last Saturday, January 22. Dave Nufer is Call Committee Chairman. Feel free to share your thoughts with Dave or ask him any questions you have.

*****

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

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

I LOVE Teaching Confirmation Classes!

Dear Fellow Children of God,

I LOVE teaching Confirmation Class! That might be a surprising statement to some. The idea of spending prolonged time with middle school students is not what others might consider their idea of fun. But, when you see an important truth introduced to someone who hasn’t previously considered this idea, that is a special moment. When you can see the “aha moment” of recognition in the eyes of a teenager, and hear in the answers of that young person that they are beginning to grasp the importance of a previously unknown concept with eternal blessings, it is special to be part of such a moment.

When I retired in August of 2019 I did not expect to be teaching young people on a regular basis any longer. But, after COVID turned the world upside down, I was asked to return part time and help St. John Intentional Interim Pastor, Craig Schultz, as he extended his ministry at the congregation. One of the ways I have helped the last two years is teaching Saturday Confirmation.

Last Saturday, January 15, using a text book entitled “Martin Luther and the Catechism”, we studied about Martin Luther at the Diet of Wurms, and learned about Luther’s legacy. One of our two memory verses was, “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.” Among other topics we discussed the grace of God, His undeserved love, and we learned the gift of our Lord’s truth that we are saved from sin, from death, and from hell by God’s GRACE through FAITH in Jesus, not by our good works. The class discussed what to trust in this world of competing ideas, and we learned to trust God and His Word as found in Scripture ahead of trusting human teaching. We discussed how all believers in Jesus are “saints”, people who are forgiven and made holy through the blood of Jesus. As we considered why Martin Luther wrote The Small Catechism, we learned how it is our Lord’s plan that parents are responsible for teaching Christian faith to their children. In addition, our lessons looked at the results of the Reformation in worship and in society. And, we learned that Martin Luther was a human, and sinful too – needing a savior, and how Luther’s teachings have been twisted by some.

Such truth from our Creator and Savior is life changing, giving eternal life in heaven, and giving grace, hope, and truth for life in this world. I shared with the parents of these students that it is a blessing to be able teach these important, eternity giving truths to children who are open and willing to learn! What a privilege to be part of such important moments in the lives of these children of God.

Our world is seriously troubled in ways which we can see more and more every day. What are YOU doing as a child of God to bring God’s love into this sinful mess and make our world a better place to live? As for me, among other things, I LOVE teaching Confirmation Class!

A Child of God, Finding Joy in Sharing God’s Saving Truth and Love With Young People,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Having put the call process for a new permanent full-time pastor on hold because of COVID in March of 2020, St. John re-starts the call process with a meeting of The Call Committee this Saturday, January 22. Dave Nufer is Call Committee Chairman. Feel free to share your thoughts with Dave or ask him any questions you have.

P.P.S. A week after the big wind storm of January 2022, we assessed damage at our home and tried to deal with the issues we found.

· We replaced the hardy board, concrete siding, which had blown off the house.

· We looked at the few pieces of shingles which had blown off the roof and discussed dealing with this issue in the spring.

· I discussed the downed 60 + foot spruce tree which was on our property and blew down onto the property of our neighbor and talked about this with my neighbors.

· I also took Christmas lights off the tree in our yard after they had been blown to pieces.

Here are a few pictures.

P.P.P.S. I did have a few moments of recreation.

· On Friday, January 14, I took my dog, Mat, for a short fishing trip to a lake which has previously produced good catches of trout. On this snowy, blowing day, there were no bites. https://photos.app.goo.gl/LcCvQj4WEPLQa9fz9

· On the Martin Luther King holiday, January 17, I enjoyed spending time with some of my children and grandchildren.

o In the morning until mid-afternoon, I went skiing with my son, Josh, and his family at the Skeetawk ski area in Hatcher Pass. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/FqGyabJCfSceS6wQ7

o Late in the afternoon, as the moon was rising, I took my daughter, Mary, fishing at a lake about a mile from our house. While, I caught fish in that lake multiple times last year, I believe we started too late, with the moon rising. Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/CKDmg2h9k8nqfHfQ9

*****

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

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

How Are You Facing the Challenges and Problems of the New Year? Standing on the Grace of God!

Dear Fellow Children of God,

How will you face the challenges and troubles of this new year? Think of the troubles the last 2 years brought into our lives. We have been confronted with COVID and all the problems and changes it presents. We have faced unparalleled social and political unrest. We have made it through the first couple of weeks of 2022 so far, and have already seen some challenges. But we still have the rest of this year in front of us. How will you face the troubles of this calendar year?

Let me share that I have personally been amazed the last two Sundays at the surprise of God’s grace found in the assigned Gospel readings. I have read these sections of Scripture hundreds of times before. But, this year I saw some new grace, some new love of God which I had not previously seen. Perhaps that happens to you as well when you read God’s word.

The Gospel lesson on January 2 was the Epiphany reading about the magi found in Matthew 2:1-12. These men from the east arrived in Jerusalem asking, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." This question troubled Herod. (v. 3). He ultimately ended up taking the lives of all the infant boys in Bethlehem. Obviously Herod feared a competing king. But, when Herod heard the answer to the magi’s question of where Jesus would be born, he had also heard what kind of king Jesus would be. The religious leaders answered the question with the prophecy from Micah 5. "’In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”'” (Matthew 2:5-6) Herod may have been a tyrant who acted in violence, but Jesus came to “shepherd” God’s people. Jesus did not come in terror. He came to guide, and feed, to protect and to save. Herod did not have to fear Jesus. We can welcome Jesus as our king who shepherds us, and then receive His unexpected, undeserved love.

By the way, while I have personally focused on other parts of this story in the past, I have not primarily considered the prophecy that Jesus would be such a “shepherd” king. What wonderful grace and love to have Jesus, our good shepherd, as king and ruler of our lives!

Then, on January 9 the assigned Gospel lesson for worship shared the account of the Jesus’ baptism from Luke 3. Jesus was at the very beginning of his ministry. Before him lay the task of living a perfect and sinless life, while being tempted by Satan, rejected by the religious leaders, and misunderstood by his disciples. Jesus would teach and perform miracles, and in turn receive arrest, torture, and death for his shepherding love of God’s people. But, as Jesus faced the overwhelming responsibilities before Him, as He was coming up from His baptism, the Father spoke to Him and assured Him, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:22) As Jesus faced this seemingly impossible task, His heavenly Father assured Jesus he was indeed the Son of God himself. The Father assured Jesus of His love, that He found delight in Jesus.

As we face the trials of life, the trials of a new year, our Heavenly Father says to us, "You are my Son [my child], whom I love; with you I am well pleased." As children of God, our Father loves us and delights in us. What assurance for facing the trials of our lives in the new year.

St. Paul prays for the Christians of Ephesus, for all Christians, in Ephesians 3. “16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

As you face 2022, whatever storms have already happened, and whatever may come, I pray the same prayer for God’s people, for my friends and family, and for myself. I pray that we know the width and length and height and depth of God’s love, that He lives in us.

Knowing the love and grace of God gives me assurance and faith to face whatever this year, or the rest of my life, may bring.

A Child of God, Facing the Challenges of a New Year Standing on the Grace of God!

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. I have had a busy week. But, I did not go fishing in the wind which only ended on Tuesday. Perhaps I’ll have some pictures next week.

*****

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

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

cell phone - 907-841-4066

Home phone - 907-746-5131

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Battered by the Storms of Life-Standing Firm in the PRESENCE of My Lord!

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Perhaps, like many others, you are still recovering from our recent windstorm which even led to a “Declaration of Disaster Emergency” by Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy. Many suffered power outages from the winds and the cold which began on Saturday morning and blew hard through Monday evening. The storm caused much damage and destruction. Perhaps you saw the pictures of the overturned semi-trailers and airplanes. Maybe you glimpsed pictures of the Palmer Carrs-Safeway Grocery store covered in ice from broken pipes. You may have driven by trees that were blown down, many falling on electric lines. You might have seen in person, or through pictures, damaged fences and buildings. Imagine the power it took to blow apart the Wasilla Kentucky Fried Chicken! According to the weather.com website on Sunday morning winds were 40-50 miles an hour, with gusts to 80 mph. But, I heard many reports of winds of a higher speed. And, how can we know how strong the winds blew? The winds destroyed the weather station in Palmer!

Our family has experienced such windstorms in the past, though this one may have been more destructive than any I remember. In fact, Borough Manager, John Moosey, was quoted as saying in a press conference on Monday morning, “I’ve never seen a winter storm this bad.” (The Frontiersman, January 3). My wife, Kathy says, “When the wind blows with this force in the south, weathermen give the storms names and call them hurricanes. Here, they just say, ‘The wind is blowing in Palmer.’”

We did not lose power at our home, though others in our family and church friends lost power. We suffered other damage. But, on Monday morning as I was eating breakfast and reading my devotions in the middle of the storm, the readings were interestingly appropriate. The Old Testament reading for that day was from 1 Kings 19 where Elijah has run from Queen Jezebel. After strengthening by an angel, he arrives at Mt. Horeb. Elijah is staying and hiding in a cave when the Lord speaks to him. Among the words of our Lord to Elijah which I read on Monday were those from 1 Kings 19:11-12 “11 The LORD said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. Imagine that! “ . . . a great and powerful wind which tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord.” I felt like I knew what Elijah experienced, at least a little bit.

The Gospel Lesson for devotions on Monday was from John 6, beginning with verse 15. After Jesus has fed the 5000, he sent His disciples across the sea of Galilee while He remained and prays. We are told of the disciples, “16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, ‘It is I; don't be afraid.’" (John 6:16-20) In a second reading on Monday I read about “a strong wind blowing.” I sensed the voice of my Lord speaking to me.

First, in 1 Kings I read, “the Lord was not in the wind.” Yet, the Lord was with Elijah through those destructive winds, speaking to him ultimately through a gentle whisper. Secondly, in spite of the danger of the storm and the fear of the wind from the disciples, Jesus was with them and He brought them to safety.

Our lives are full of storms. Some are storms of weather, and some are storms of life. As we look at a new year and the storms which we may face, God strengthens us with the assurance the He is with us. That is who Jesus is after all, “Immanuel - which means God with us.” (Matthew 1:23) The Christmas miracle is that Jesus “17 . . . had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:17-18) Jesus became a man who suffered and was tempted, who has faced our storms. Jesus overcame our temptations, our suffering, our storms, on the cross and in the empty tomb. This Jesus who has experienced and understands our trials, and who has overcome them, who atones and pays for our sins, is with us when the winds of life blow.

On Tuesday as I talked and met with people, many of them told me how they were somewhat dazed, numb from the winds. We listened, we prayed for each other, and we cared for each other. We could do this because Jesus is “Immanuel - which means God with us.” He is with us in His love and His power through the storms of life.

A Child of God, Battered by the Storms of Life-Standing Firm in the Presence of My Lord!

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. St. John has some cancellations and rescheduling. As of Tuesday our community leaders were still calling for “sheltering in place.” Public schools are still cancelled for Wednesday. St. John is also dealing successfully with some issues from the weather, including plumbing problems. Therefore . . .

· Promise Keepers is cancelled for Tuesday evening, January 4.

· LWML Quilting is cancelled for Wednesday morning, January 5.

· Lifelight Classes are cancelled for Wednesday noon.

· Confirmation classes are cancelled for Wednesday afternoon (because school is not in session.)

We hope to be back to a regular schedule soon!

P.P.S. Here are some pictures of the windstorm. I took some of the pictures, and I have gleaned some from friends and from Facebook. https://photos.app.goo.gl/2D4PAMFeboHDycHZA

P.P.P.S. Here are some pictures from last week’s fishing trip with Kevin Stinn, husband of Kristin Kopperud Stinn. https://photos.app.goo.gl/gZJu7fuMsFH66KSi8

P.P.P.P.S. At supper on Tuesday evening my wife made a joke. Referring to Psalm 135:7 (“He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.”) she said, “Have you read how God keeps the winds in his storehouses. I think he left the door open. Was He born in a barn? . . . O yeah! He was!!

*****

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

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

cell phone - 907-841-4066

Home phone - 907-746-5131