Dear Fellow Children of God,
Love, real love, is easy to talk about but very difficult to actually live at times. Or, maybe love is not so difficult, but it takes real sacrifice. Jesus said, in John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. We know how Jesus loved us – He died on the cross. Are we prepared or able to love others in such a way?
I was touched recently by an on-going story of love told me by St. John member and AMC missionary, David Grosz. We have been praying for David’s brother, Rod, for a couple of months now. Rod was diagnosed with lymphoma which has grown and moved and is now mainly affecting his liver. Rod lives in Oregon and has been diagnosed by the doctors to be terminal in his cancer.
However, Rod is being cared for in an amazing way. Rod used to run a funeral home in Portland and while there became friends with one of the men who did the lawn work. As they became friends Rod invited this Hispanic man and his family to move into his house. This allowed the family to live in a nicer neighborhood and for the children to go to better schools. This relationship grew for 10 years. The family even named their 3rd child after Rod.
But, after a while this family wanted to be closer to their blood relatives, so they left Oregon and moved to Texas telling Rod, “If you ever need anything let us know.” When Rod was diagnosed with cancer last May and had to stop working his friends found out. The husband and father flew to Oregon to check on Rod. When he saw how sick Rod was the family closed up their house in Texas and moved back to Oregon. They got jobs and put the kids in school so they could take care of Rod during the time of his terminal illness. Imagine leaving your home and moving to the other side of the country to help a friend in this way!
Rod, who is a believer in Jesus, had told his family he wasn’t sure why he was helping the family the way he did, but he just needed to do it. The family, who are devoted Christians, are doing this simply because they love Rod. They have let it be known they want no payment or any kind.
Sometimes the lives of Christians shine in such a way that they really do point to the sacrificial love of Jesus. I hope I can be as loving.
A Child of God, blessed to know God’s love, and blessed by the love of others
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. On this Veterans’ Day, it is good to remember those who have loved us in another way. John 15:13 says, 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
P.P.S. I’m not sure if I shared this picture with you of our whole family taken in July. As you see, our daughter in law Erin was expecting. Family is such a blessing!! https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/RockeyFamilyJulyAndAugust2011#5642095221645304306
Now, here are some pictures of the newest addition to our family. Henry Brooks Rockey was born to Josh and Erin on Monday, November 7, at 8:06 a.m., and weighed 7 lb. 15 oz. https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/HenryBrooksRockeyBorn1172011?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Thank you, Lord!
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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ - I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have. (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.) However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.
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