Dear Fellow Children of God,
I could rant. I
have been ill, and had hip troubles.
Kathy has also been ill, and has knee issues. In addition, my
computers (or their user) seem to have on-going issues. However, to top it all off, our finances were
hacked! The two sources of information
leaks could be simple attempts of trying to serve faithfully as pastor in
Anchorage. But as I talked to the nice
lady at Zander, our identity theft insurance company, she said, “Really, we
can’t be sure how this happened!” Nevertheless,
when I consider that people or groups are working to take our hard-earned
resources, and to take the resources of other perhaps even more vulnerable than
we are, it is enough to send me on a crusade! On top of all that, the wifi network is down
at Anchorage Lutheran Church, where I am serving. Until this is fixed, we can
neither receive e-mail, nor print, unless we take other measures, which we have
done. As I said, I could rant!
However, in the midst of these life frustrations there is
so much for which to be thankful. Both
Kathy and I are improving from our illness.
We both have good doctors, people we respect and like, who are working
hard to care for us. And, in spite of multiple
attempts at financial fraud, the thieves were unsuccessful. We did receive help from our bank, our
insurance company, and others. I expect that
a really smart thief could still succeed.
Yet, so far we have been protected, and our information is now more
secure than it was before.
Thankfully, at the same time as our struggles, I have had
the pleasure of enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. Saturday, as my hip improved, my dog and I
took another walk in the Mountains. We
walked the gentle Gold Mint Trail in Hatcher Pass. We crunched in the snow and saw beautiful
scenery. Mat and I looked out over a beaver
pond that is freezing. We saw tracks of
what I believe are a cow and calf moose on the same path we were hiking. There were rabbit / hare tracks as well. The air is fresh. The snow is clean. The scenery is breath-taking. What a blessing!
So, should I focus on the bad, on the frustrations, or should
I consider God’s goodness? Should I rant
about the bad, or be thankful for the blessings of our Lord and Savior.
Last week I shared Ephesians 6 which not only reminds us
that we are regularly under attack, but also points out who our real enemy
is. “12 For we do not
wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) My enemy is not the computer acting up. Ultimately what is important is how I react
as a child of God to these frustrations.
My enemy is not even the illness or injuries we face, but the sin which
has caused suffering and illness and death in our world. And, the one who tempted our first parents to
sin is our enemy, the devil. My enemy is
not primarily the person trying to defraud so many. Though I am wary. My enemy is Satan, the one who leads this
person, or these people, into temptation and evil.
And, while the forces of evil seek to gain my attention
with the tribulations of life, God still accomplishes His grace and goodness in
our lives. Last week we read Psalm 46 in
worship. “God is our refuge and
strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will
not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the
heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2) Even if the world falls apart, the Lord
Himself is my help in trouble!
Consider Jesus’ life purpose from His words to Zacheaus. “. . . the
Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10) Jesus even
came to seek and to save me.
Or, have you meditated upon God’s promise in Romans 8? “31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against
us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all,
how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans
8:31-32) Our heavenly Father even sent
His Son for us. God is present for us I
all the trials of life. Jesus died and
rose to forgive sin and offer eternal life.
The frustrations we face are minimal in comparison to the love of God which even caused the Father to send His Son!
I did focus on the goodness of God this week in another
way (even if Kathy says I was grumpy while dealing with the details of our
fraud attempt). Last year we paid to
have professionals hang Christmas lights on the spruce tree in our front
yard. We fought the wind, yet the lights
are up and working right now. Kathy told
me, “It’s still only October!”
But my phone says that sunrise now is 9:20 a.m., and sunset at 6:08
p.m. That is already less than 9 hours
of sunlight and over 15 hours of darkness! And the length of the darkness
is growing! So, at night I have been turning on the
lights which speak of the birth of Jesus during this time of long
darkness. The colored lights are
beautiful and joyful in the long dark night.
These lights also tell about the love of God in the midst of the
darkness of evil and sin of this world.
What will you focus on, the frustrations and suffering
caused by sin in our world, or the love of God in Jesus? Remember Psalm 46, “God is our refuge and
strength, a very present help in trouble.”
A Child of God, Focusing on the Goodness of God, In Spite
of the Assaults of the Evil One!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now serving as vacancy pastor at Anchorage
Lutheran Church in Anchorage.
·
Call Committee – The Executive Leadership
Team (ELT) of Anchorage Lutheran has re-started the call process. 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 again on Sunday, September 27
after worship to evaluate our self-study. For the last 3 Sundays members of
Anchorage Lutheran have filled out surveys to give feedback a) on the qualities
which Anchorage Lutheran desires in a pastor, and b) what kind of ministry
happens at Anchorage Lutheran.
The Call
committee will meet again November 9 to look at the results of these
surveys, and to plan the next steps in calling a full-time pastor for Anchorage
Lutheran
PLEASE PRAY
FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS ON THE CALL PROCESS AT ALC!
·
Consecration (Stewardship) Sunday – Consecration
Sunday is 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. In November worship we will consider a) God’s
many blessings in our lives on November 1, and b) consider God’s plan for
Stewardship on November 8. In worship on
November 15, ALC members will have an opportunity in worship to respond
to God’s love, and we will celebrate with a special meal after worship: apple
pork loin, au gratin potatoes, garlic parmesan green beans, salad, rolls, and
apple crisp ala mode!
Please plan
now to be part of this growth opportunity.
Bible classes –
·
In our Sunday morning Bible Study we have finished
studying the book of Ephesians. On Sunday, October 25 we begin a study
on “The Lord’s Prayer.” As part of this
study we will also discuss ways to encourage prayer opportunities and ministry
at Anchorage Lutheran.
PLEASE FEEL
FREE TO JOIN US IN BIBLE STUDY ON SUNDAY MORNINGS in the fellowship hall at
8:45 a.m.!
·
New Member Class? –On October 4, I began teaching
an Adult Membership Class after late worship.
The class is being held in my office.
So far we have studied creation, and the origin of sin, and the person
of Jesus, salvation, and heaven and hell.
On October 25 we studied about the Word of God. On November 1 Kathy and
I will be attending the confirmation of our grandson, Henry, in Lacy, WA. There will be no class until November 8.
This class is not
only a way for non-members to join Anchorage Lutheran, but also a good
refresher for current members.
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, October 28, I read
Job 20-21. The book of Job considers the
question of the source of sin and evil in our world.
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, Friends, and Fishing!
·
Hiking – My dog, Mat, and I went hiking
again in Hatcher Pass on Saturday, October 24.
This time there was snow on the ground.
Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/vkVFrgykvWbNRJq69
·
FISHING - I did NOT go fishing this past
week. This is the time when there is ice
IN the water, but the ice is too thin to walk on. Ice fishing will start in November.
·
Here is a picture of our Christmas tree, lit up
. . . before the end of October! https://photos.app.goo.gl/wUpFu6TrViPpwPsq9
P.P.P.S. Travel
to Lutherland? – I mentioned in a previous devotion that I have been asked
again to serve with Wittenberg English Ministry, leading English worship
services in Wittenberg, Germany, where Martin Luther did much of his
ministry. This time Kathy and I will
serve from June 15-29, 2027.
When I mentioned our plans, a
number of people asked if we would be leading a tour. Actually, we had NOT planned to do that. But we consulted with our friends at Luther
Tours, and Donna Taylor worked up 2 tours beginning at the end of our service
and going for about another week. IF we
have 15 or more people, Kathy and I would consider leading a tour. Here is a brochure in case you are interested
in going. (I can
send an attachment. However, I hope this
link works.) 11-Day
Germany Tour June 2027.pdf
However, we need to make a
decision soon. If you are interested, please let us know.
*******
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)
