Following Jesus to Live a Life of Acting Justly, Loving Kindness, and Walking Humbly my Lord!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

One the greatest gifts I have received in my life is my heritage of faith and freedom.  My extended family was regular in attendance and leadership in our Lutheran Christian congregations.  Our participation was not motivated by forced obligation or by guilt.  Our involvement flowed from our faith.  The Rockey (originally Raake) family believed that we are created by God.  We are saved by our Lord through Jesus’ life, and death, and resurrection.  Living in the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father, it is natural to want to respond to our Lord’s blessings with thankful lives of faith.

 

I also grew up in a country which reflected my faith.  Many of our laws can be traced to the “Judeo Christian ethic.”  Our founding documents, our culture, and what I learned in school taught a life of faith and freedom.  We were “one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”  Or, perhaps you remember the Boy Scout “God and Country” award?

 

Therefore, on the one hand, I am thankful for my heritage of family, faith, and for a nation which continues to bless me today.  However, I am also saddened to see the headlines in today’s news.  I am concerned about leadership on both sides of the aisle.  I am concerned about lawless mobs with seemingly no sense of personal responsibility.  I am concerned about news I hear concerning the decline in houses of faith, including the decline in participation for Christian churches.  A friend commented to me the other day, “What kind of world are we leaving for our children and grandchildren?”  The answer to that question is troubling.

 

What kind of behavior would I like to see in our leaders, in our citizens, in our churches?  On Sunday, February 1, the assigned Old Testament reading was Micah 6:1-8.  Verse 8 gives an answer to behavior which our Lord desires, and behavior which blesses God’s people.  “ ⁸ He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”  

 

How would our world change if our leaders followed this guidance from our Creator and Lord: “ . . . to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”? How would our country change if people interacted with one another using these principles “ . . . to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”? What if the leaders and people of God’s family, in the Christian church, took this lifestyle seriously “ . . . to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”?  Our world would be a better place!  If people lived in this manner, there would be a positive future for our children and our grandchildren.

 

Lutheran Christians believe that God’s law tells us what we should do.  Unfortunately, we ALL fall short of His law! (Romans 3:23)  We don’t have to look at the world around us to see behavior which steals the blessings God gives.  We only have to look at our own selfishness, our prejudice, our anger, and our weakness.  We know what we should do.  Unfortunately, it is our own lack of doing justice, of loving kindness, and of walking humbly with our God which brings trouble to our lives and the world around us. 

 

However, there is ONE who did live this way.  Scripture teaches that Jesus was just.  He lived a life without sin.  (Matthew 5:17, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:21-23, 1 John 2:1) He called out the sin of the self-righteous.  However, Jesus also showed mercy and kindness to Matthew (Mark 2:14-17), to Zaccaheus, (Luke 19:1-10), to the woman of the city (Luke 7:36-50), the tax collectors and sinners (Luke 15:1-3), the woman at the well (John 4), and many others.  In fact, Jesus tells us that his mission was one of mercy and salvation.  “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17)  In addition, Paul best describes Jesus’ humble attitude and actions in Philippians 2.  “ . . . Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”  (Philippians 2:5-8) Jesus lived a just, kind, and humble life.  I am thankful that, even if the world does not know it, Jesus is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” (Revelation 19:16)  He is my King and Lord!

 

Yet, Jesus is not just an example for our lives.  Jesus’ life blesses and saves us.  The obedient life, the sacrificial death, and the victorious resurrection of Jesus offers forgiveness, love, peace, joy, hope, and eternal life to all who believe in Him.  When we follow Jesus, in spite of our past failures, we want to live justly, kindly, and humbly ourselves.

 

If we want to make our world a better place, if we desire to make our churches sources of love and hope, then we watch Jesus, we believe in Jesus, and we follow Jesus.  He is the one who truly “did and does justice. Jesus is the one who acted mercifully and loves kindness.  Jesus walked humbly with God.”  What a blessing when we follow Him!

 

A Child of God, Following Jesus to Live a Life of Acting Justly, Loving Kindness, and Walking Humbly my Lord!

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.  I am now in Gainesville, FL, serving as assistant to Pastor Chris Kollmann at First Lutheran Church.

 

First Lutheran Activities

 

 

·       STEPHEN MINISTRY - We will be restarting Stephen Ministry soon at First Lutheran.  Stephen Ministers are trained Christian care-givers.  A Stephen Minister is not a pastor, and not a counselor.  But they Christians who are trained to bring Jesus and His love to another Christian person facing a difficult time. 

Open Arms Director, Angie Burr, is a trained leader.  We are looking for one or two more people to go through training to help Angie lead in this ministry. 

We do have a 7 people who have committed to train and serve as Stephen Ministers, as Christian care-givers.  We hope to offer training beginning on Thursday, February 12, at 6:00 p.m. for these folks so they can begin serving as Stephen Ministers at First Lutheran.

THEREFORE, if you are interested in serving as a Stephen Ministry Leader, or interested in serving as a Stephen Minister, please contact Angie Burr or contact me (Pastor Rockey).

 

·       Pastor Kollman and I are teaching separate Sunday Bible classes on Sundays. 

 

o   Pastor Kollmann is teaching a Lutheran Hour Ministry Class on “How we Got the Bible” in the Besalski Fellowship Hall. 

 

o   I am teaching a study of the book of Ephesians in the Schwiebert Library and Conference room.

 

·       Young People Activities at FLC

 

o   YOUTH ACTIVITIES - We held a short meeting in the sanctuary after worship on Sunday, February 1, with parents and youth.  Our first youth activity will be a bonfire at the Kollmann residence.  (In April we plan to attend the Orange and Blue Game.  😊  )  If your children are going into 3^rd grade, or older, please consider attending this meeting and participating in these fun activities of growth. 

 

o   ACOLYTE TRAINING - We will also be offering acolyte training again tentatively on Saturday, February 21, at 10:30.  Now that we have families and children we want to give these youth an opportunity to grow and serve our Lord.  After the training we will take a trip to the nearby McDonalds!  😊

 

Other Activities of Faith:

·       I have again started my two year journey with my Lord.  On Tuesday, February 3, I read Genesis 47-48, about Joseph.

Feel free to join me again if you wish.  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!   Since Tuesday, January 27 we have experienced morning temperatures at or below freezing. That is duration of cold is unusual for Florida. And, when the water temperature drops, the bite from fishing slows down. I did not go fishing this last week.

 

·       I did golf with Rick Armstrong on Thursday and Friday, January 29 and 30.  Here are some pictures of gators on the course.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/FxdFeVNjhiguCTsz6

 

·       Kathy and I visited with long-time friends, Pastor Rick and Kris Armstrong January 29-31.  (They introduced us about 50 years ago.)  One thing we did was visit the manatees at Blue Springs State Park.  The sign out front said there were 778 manatees in the Spring that day.  (Who counts???)  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZyCnRsFcpyRr7WDX6

 

 

*******

 

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.  (However, I am currently as Assistant to the Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)

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

Assistant to the Pastor , First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL

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)

 

Trusting God to Make a Difference in the World Even by Me – Through Jesus!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

What do we do, what do I do, when life is bigger than our ability to comprehend?  For example, I have a number of friends who are seriously ill at this time.  I am not a doctor.  Unfortunately, I am not sure that even the doctors have an answer for my friends.  I can hope. 

 

I am watching the national news and I am troubled. Issues surrounding immigration are more complicated than the media portrays.  Also, the rising national debt seems to me like a clicking time bomb.  In addition, the growing tension in race relations saddens me.  And, the pervasive destruction caused by substance abuse breaks my heart.  What do I do?

 

I watch international news and wonder.  Will Israel and the Arab world ever find peace, or exist side by side?  Will there always be tyrants seeking to crush the rights and dreams of other people and nations?  How does a child of God react?

 

On a personal level, I also have life concerns for people I love.  Yet, I know that I don’t have all the answers.  So, how can I help?

 

I expect that you know from your own experience, as I do, that these are all complicated issues.  Yet, in spite of the complications, Jesus still calls us, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) In the middle of the difficulties of life, we are still called to be God’s people who make a difference.  But, how do we make a difference when the problems seem so complicated?

 

Even amidst the complication of life I am NOT powerless, nor impotent.  In the middle of life’s impossible problems there IS something I can do.

 

First, I trust that when I do not have the answers, God is righteous, and loving, and gracious, and wise.  I trust my Lord has the answers to life’s questions. (See the book of Job!)  This coming Sunday the assigned Epistle lesson is from 1 Corinthians 1 where we are taught, “²² For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,” (1 Corinthians 1:22-23) Thankfully, when we lack wisdom or understanding, God is wise.  His greatest wisdom is, amazingly, the cross of Christ!

 

Because I trust God, Proverbs 3 gives me direction for life.  “⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6)  When I do not understand, I do trust my loving Lord!

 

There is something else I willingly do to deal with the issues of life.  I have learned that, whether life seems complicated or not, I go to my Lord in prayer.  Listen to Jesus in Matthew 7. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”  (Matthew 7:7-8)  God is righteous and wise and powerful.  When I pray, God ALWAYS hears.  When we pray, God ALWAYS answers . . . in HIS wisdom and love.

 

In fact, I believe that Jesus taught us to pray a prayer in which God gives the help we need, the wisdom we need, and the answers which we need.  Listen to THE prayer Jesus taught, which Christians today call The Lord’s Prayer.

“⁹ Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread,

¹² and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”  (Matthew 6:9-13)

 

In a world where I don’t have the answers, my Heavenly Father does.  When life is complicated, I CAN make a difference because God acts.  I seek to “love the Lord with all my heart and soul and strength and mind. (Mark 12:30) I seek to “love my neighbor as I love myself.”  (Mark 12:31).  And, very importantly, I go to the Lord in prayer.  I trust Him to change me and to work through me.  God has changed the world through Jesus.  God uses me to bring Jesus to the world.

 

When life is complicated, do you trust God enough to go to Him in prayer?

 

A Child of God, Trusting God to Make a Difference in the World Even by Me – Through Jesus!

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.  I am now in Gainesville, FL, serving as assistant to Pastor Chris Kollmann at First Lutheran Church.

 

First Lutheran Activities

 

·       CHILI COOKOFF – JANUARY 25 – On Sunday, January 25, First Lutheran had it’s annual “Chili Cook-off.  We think maybe 100 people attended.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Y1MjyxhmJngVhz42A

 

·       STEPHEN MINISTRY - We will be restarting Stephen Ministry soon at First Lutheran.  Stephen Ministers are trained Christian care-givers.  A Stephen Minister is not a pastor, and not a counselor.  But they Christians who are trained to bring Jesus and His love to another Christian person facing a difficult time. 

Open Arms Director, Angie Burr, is a trained leader.  We are looking for one or two more people to go through training to help Angie lead in this ministry. 

We do have a number of God’s children who previously volunteered to serve as Stephen Ministers, as Christian care-givers.  We hope to offer training soon for these folks so they can begin serving as Stephen Ministers at First Luthearn.

THEREFORE, if you are interested in serving as a Stephen Ministry Leader, or interested in serving as a Stephen Minister, please contact Angie Burr or contact me (Pastor Rockey).

 

·       Pastor Kollman and I will begin teaching separate Sunday Bible classes on Sunday, February 1. 

 

o   Pastor Kollmann will teach a Lutheran Hour Ministry Class on “How we Got the Bible” in the Besalski Fellowship Hall. 

 

o   I will teach a study of the book of Ephesians in the Schwiebert Library.

 

·       Young People Activities at FLC

 

o   YOUTH ACTIVITIES - I will be helping with some youth activity at First Lutheran.  We plan to have a short meeting in the sanctuary after worship on Sunday, February 1, with parents and youth.  If you have a child who is 8 years old or older, please consider attending this meeting and participating in these fun activities of growth. 

 

o   ACOLYTE TRAINING - We will also be offering acolyte training again tentatively on Saturday, February 21, at 10:30.  Now that we have families and children we want to give these youth an opportunity to grow and serve our Lord.  After the training we will take a trip to the nearby McDonalds!  😊

 

Other Activities of Faith:

·       I have again started my two year journey with my Lord.  On Wednesday, January 28, I read Genesis 40, and read about God gifting Joseph to interpret dreams..

         Feel free to join me again if you wish.  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!   Weekend fishing - My I-phone says that morning temperatures from Tuesday, January 27 to Tuesday, February 2, will be at or below freezing. That is unusual for Florida. And, when the water temperature drops, the bite from fishing slows down. Saturday and Sunday were warmer days, so I got to go fishing.

 

·       I did golf on Wednesday, Friday, and Monday.  (Office days are Tuesday, half days Wednesday, and last week Thursday.

 

·       On Saturday I went SOUTH to Tsala-Apopka Lake. It is a BIG chain of Lakes. Water temperature was 61. I got my first 3 bites in a lake this year and caught 2. Only one was worth keeping and I released both. Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/xSSgHcQbeEU1wBM49

 

·       On Sunday, after church I went to the Wacassassa River.  Water temperature was 67 degrees. Bite time was supposed to be 5-7 p.m. High tide was 6:00 p.m.  I caught 5 bass, and kept 4.   I also got all tangled up near sundown when I caught a mud fish. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/kB51UheqCSwxcMHU8

 

*******

 

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.  (However, I am currently as Assistant to the Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)

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

Assistant to the Pastor , First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL

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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seeking to Witness to God’s Love With My ACTIONS, as Well as With My Words!

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

Perhaps like me, many of you watched or listened to a lot of football this last weekend, Saturday, January 17 through Monday, January 19.  Even though I also did household chores and went fishing on Saturday, and even though I worshiped on Sunday, I paid attention to the games.   Most were very competitive and, therefore, exciting.  After the game, victorious players shared joyful reactions with the media when asked.  But, the hearts of those on the losing teams seemed broken, if only for the moment.

 

I was also impressed by witnesses of faith from many participants to the goodness of God.  A number of players and coaches, when asked about their games, first uttered words of praise and thanks to the Lord.  We live in a time when faith is questioned, and when many name Christians as the reason for the problems we have in our world.  Such antagonism to our Lord and His followers has grown in recent years.  That is one reason I was impressed by the willing, unsolicited witness of so many over recent weeks of football games.

 

However, there was one scene which really touched me.  On Sunday, January 18, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Chicago Bears.  The Bears are quite a story.  They have not been a good team for many years.  But they have a new quarterback and a new coach, and they worked their way to the second best record in the National Football Conference this year.  What was unique to the Bears is that in many of their wins they came from behind at the end of the game.  On Sunday, they seemed poised to do it again.  They were trailing again, but scored one unbelievable touchdown.  Then, they had the ball in the closing seconds of the game and were driving down the field toward a possible winning touchdown.  However, the quarterback who had authored so many amazing comebacks threw a pass which was intercepted by the Rams.  This time the Bears did not pull the game out.  The quarterback who had led the team to so many improbable wins, finally lost.  Watching his reaction, I could see he was heart-broken.

 

Yet, after the game, the cameras focused on a scene which really struck me.  The losing quarterback, in the midst of his distress over the loss, walked over to a group of players from both teams.  He knelt down in the circle of teammates and opponents, he put his arms on the players beside him, and he bowed his head to pray with them.  He was not talking for the TV.  The winners and the losers were together going to the Lord, and in so doing acknowledging His authority, His power, and His grace.  The game announcers did not say anything.  Yet, the cameramen did catch this group as they prayed.  The prayers of these players, and their acknowledgement in these prayer of God as Lord, was more moving for me than the game was.

 

God calls Christians to witness to the good news of His love for us in Jesus.  Our own family recently had some great news.  If you ask me, I will gladly share with you.  In fact, you might have trouble keeping me quiet.  That is the way God wants His children to be, gladly sharing the good news of His love and grace.  One verse in which Jesus calls us to witness is from Acts 1:8. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Christians are called to share with others about Jesus . . . to the ends of the earth.

 

However, the actions of the players praying together, both winning and losing players, touched me even more than the verbal witness of the players and coaches who simply spoke after the game.  Sometimes those words can seem scripted, even though they are sincere.  But the sincere actions of those who were praying spoke louder to me.  Perhaps you know what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.  “ . . . let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)  The old saying is that actions speak louder than words.  Jesus wants the actions of our lives to witness to His power and love.

 

St. Peter also encourages the church which he shepherded, “ . . . but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15) Since we have hope in the love of God, we are called to prepare ourselves to joyfully share that hope.

 

What good news do we have to share?  We are created by the Lord of all. But we have rebelled against him in our thoughts and actions.  We are sinners who deserve God’s judgment. Yet in love our Heavenly Father sent His Son.  Jesus came for those separated from Him, and Jesus lived a righteous life for them, He died for them, and He rose for them.  Jesus knows our failings and He still loves us.  Jesus knows our rebellion, but still calls us to His forgiveness through faith.  Jesus personally knows and experienced the death caused by our sin, but He has defeated our enemy in His own resurrection.  That is good news – GREAT NEWS!  Therefore, even losing a football game seems as nothing when the Almighty Lord of All comes to save us. 

 

No wonder there were so many witnesses of faith to the goodness of God in last week’s football games.  Whether a person wins or loses, God is Good, and He has shown His love and goodness by sending Jesus. 

 

How joyful are you about the amazing, undeserved love of God in Jesus?  How much hope do you have?  Do people marvel when you share the good news of God, not only in words, but also in your actions? “ . . . let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

 

A Child of God, Seeking to Witness to God’s Love With My ACTIONS, as Well as With My Words!

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.  I am now in Gainesville, FL, serving as assistant to Pastor Chris Kollmann at First Lutheran Church.

 

First Lutheran Activities

 

·       STEPHEN MINISTRY - We will be restarting Stephen Ministry soon at First Lutheran.  Stephen Ministers are trained Christian care-givers.  A Stephen Minister is not a pastor, and not a counselor.  But they Christians who are trained to bring Jesus and His love to another Christian person facing a difficult time. 

Open Arms Director, Angie Burr, is a trained leader.  We are looking for one or two more people to go through training to help Angie lead in this ministry. 

We do have a number of God’s children who previously volunteered to serve as Stephen Ministers, as Christian care-givers.  We hope to offer training soon for these folks so they can begin serving as Stephen Ministers at First Luthearn.

THEREFORE, if you are interested in serving as a Stephen Ministry Leader, or interested in serving as a Stephen Minister, please contact Angie Burr or contact me (Pastor Rockey).

 

·       Pastor Kollman and I will begin teaching separate Sunday Bible classes on Sunday, February 1. 

o   He will teach a Lutheran Hour Ministry Class on “How we Got the Bible” in the Besalski Fellowship Hall. 

o   I will teach a study of the book of Ephesians in the Schwiebert Library.

 

·       Young People Activities at FLC

 

o   YOUTH ACTIVITIES - I will be helping with some youth activity at First Lutheran.  We plan to have a short meeting after worship on Sunday February 1 with parents and youth.  If you have a child who is 9 years old or older, please consider attending this meeting and participating in these fun activities of growth. 

 

o   ACOLYTE TRAINING - We will also be offering acolyte training again at the end of February.  Now that we have families and children we want to give these youth an opportunity to grow and serve our Lord.

 

 

Other Activities of Faith:

·       I have again started my two year journey with my Lord.  On Wednesday, January 21, I read Genesis 27 and 28, and read again of the Lord’s promises to Jacob.

Feel free to join me again if you wish.  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!   The weather has been freezing in the morning, and the water temperature in the lakes has dipped, and the fishing has slowed down.

 

·       I did golf on Thursday, January 15, Monday, January 19, and Wednesday, January 21.  Here is a picture of hole number 5 from Monday’s golf game.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/E4fEFCEGrxFj22QeA

 

·       With the Florida temperature in the 20’s on Friday and Saturday, January 16 and 17, I worked on boat maintenance.  I lubed the bearings on my boat trailer.  I changed the gear lube on my lower unit.  I changed the oil in my out-board motor power-head.  I also cleaned the carpet on the deck of the boat some.  I had hoped to fish on Sunday afternoon, but we had rain and cool weather.

 

·       After completing my boat maintenance on Saturday, January 17, I did go to a favorite lake and try the boat out.  Everything worked well.  😊  However, the water temperature was 59 degrees, and the fish were not biting.  ☹  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/nv6oYiG23SeivfzWA

 

*******

 

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.  (However, I am currently as Assistant to the Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)

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

Assistant to the Pastor , First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL

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)

 

 

 

  

Thankful for the STEADFAST LOVE of My Lord in a Sinful and Painful World

 

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

I was talking to a friend, Scott Stephens, early Wednesday morning.  “How are you doing, Jonathan?” Scott asked.  “Trying to wake up,” I replied.  I was still a little stiff, a little drowsy, maybe grumpy.  But then, a little more thoughtfully I added, “All in all I’m doing well.”

 

I do have blessings in my life.  I am blessed through family and the love we share.  I am relatively healthy.  I am active doing tasks which have a purpose, and which I enjoy.  God’s church has provided me with a ‘second family.’ I could go on. But, I know that not everyone shares the blessings which I have.

 

Yet, there are reasons that a positive attitude in today’s world can actually be a surprise. As I look at the world around me, I am saddened by the division, the hatred, and the evil which seem so evident.  Whether the war in Ukraine, or the protests in Iran, or the persecution in Nigeria, or the on-going tensions around Israel, it is disheartening to see people hurting and killing one another.  In the United States we have division and protests around the issues of immigration and the Supreme Court decisions.  Those on the left and those on the right often seem to not just disagree, but to actually hate one another.  In our own lives we suffer broken dreams, personal failures, difficulties in our relationships with others, and illness, death and loss.  In spite of my personal blessings, bad news nevertheless abounds.

 

Yet, as I approached the new year, my readings in God’s Word called me to the counter-cultural, godly attitude of thankfulness. I need to, and I want to thank my Lord!

 

Nevertheless, how can a person be thankful in the midst of so much pain and suffering?  Unfortunately, we bring much of the pain, and many of the disappointments on ourselves.  God is the Creator and Ruler of all.  He has shown us in His law the best and healthiest way for us to live  Yet, we often have different ideas than our Lord. Or, we do not want someone else to tell us how to live.  Such rebellion against our Creator leads to the evil in our world, and to the troubles we face.

 

The writers of Scripture faced similar struggles.  However, again and again God’s people gave Him thanks.  Listen to Psalm 118:1, a verse repeated in many other places.  “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”  This word of God not only calls us to thankful hearts, but also gives us reasons to thank our Heavenly Father. 

 

First, in spite of our rebellion and failure, our Heavenly Father continues to be present for us.  In spite of our sin He mercifully still loves us.  The world may be full of suffering and pain, of evil and hatred, but . . . GOD is GOOD!  In a world where we all deserve judgment, our Savior is constant, or steadfast in His love. In fact, His love endures through our sin.  The steadfast of the Lord “endures FOREVER!”

 

In his small catechism, among other Christian teachings, Martin Luther explains the Apostles’ Creed.  Luther teaches that God has not only made the world.  Our Lord also provides for His creation.  He guards and protects His people.  Because of our Lord’s grace in creation Luther says it is our duty to give thanks.  “For all this it is my DUTY to THANK and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true”

 

However, New Testament believers, disciples of Jesus, Christians have another reason for giving thanks.  God inspired St. Paul to call us to hearts of thankfulness. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:18) We not only have the call of God’s law to be thankful.  We have God’s grace for His wayward and sinful people, “in Christ Jesus.”  On His cross Jesus won forgiveness from for our sins against our Creator and Lord.  In spite of the pain of this world, Jesus’ resurrection promises His disciples eternal life in heaven, where “ . . . death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4) In other words, even when I have failed my Lord, even when life hurts, God’s “. . . steadfast love endures forever!”

 

The past year brought some disappointments, some trials, some sin and failure on my part.  I expect 2026 will provide struggles as well.  Yet, I find my goal for 2026 in Psalm 118.  “Oh GIVE THANKS to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

 

“Yes, Scott, even when I am just waking up, I am well.  I am blessed, because my Lord is with me in His steadfast love.”

 

A Child of God, Thankful for the STEADFAST LOVE of My Lord in a Sinful and Painful World,

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.  I am now in Gainesville, FL, serving as assistant to Pastor Chris Kollmann at First Lutheran Church.

 

First Lutheran Activities

 

·       New Roof -  The excitement at First Lutheran right now is that we have a new roof on all our buildings.  It is a good thing.  The roofers had to replace some of the deck of the roof in numerous places, including some places in the sanctuary where we have had some leaks.  On Wednesday, January 14, the new roof is being completed.  Here are a couple of pictures.    https://photos.app.goo.gl/4jGGXhwGSXeoUhfq6

 

·       Pastor Kollman and I will begin teaching separate Sunday Bible classes on Sunday, February 1.  He will teach a Lutheran Hour Ministry Class on “How we Got the Bible.”  I am still looking at which book of the Bible to teach.

 

·       Young People Activities at FLC?  If you have children in 5^th grade or older, would you be interested in some activities at First Lutheran for them?  I will be contacting families, and we will meet in February to possibly make a plan.

 

·       Acolyte Class – I will teach a class for new acolytes at the end of February.  If a child is going into 3^rd grade, or is older, they are invited to attend and to begin serving.

 

Other Activities of Faith:

·       I FINISHED READING THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES  using the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible” on Wednesday, December 31 I have again started my two year journey with my Lord.  On Wednesday, January 14, I read Genesis 16-17, and read again of the Lord’s promises to Abram, and of the covenant of circumcision.

Feel free to join me again if you wish.  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!   In the first 9 days of our stay in Florida, in addition to working at First Lutheran, I have been fishing 3 times, and golfed 4 times!  😊 Here are some fishing pictures.

 

·       On Thursday, January 8, I tried out my boat for the first time this year at Orange Lake.  Since there has been little rain, the lake was low and the weeds are a problem.  There were not many others out fishing.  And, in about 4 or 5 hours of fishing, I did not get a bite.  I did see one gator and lots of eagles.  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/d9usTdTyxUfVs5Yj7

 

·       On Saturday, January 10, I went fishing on the Suwannee River with brother-in-law, Mark Reaves.  We had quite a few bites and caught fish -  maybe 15-20 small bass.  We saw 4 gators and enjoyed a somewhat warm and breezy day.  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/TSsjfZawCdnUmCY49

 

·       On Sunday afternoon, January 11, after worship, I tried out another lake, Little Orange Lake.  The water was low again, but the weeds were not as bad.  However, the temperature had dropped and the wind was blowing from the north.  So, 2 lakes, no bites.  ☹  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/6m4gv4y1NQ3x7SHBA

 

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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.  (However, I am currently as Assistant to the Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)

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, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Chugiak, 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)