Sharing What's Really Important: June 2020

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Seeking the Love of Submission in My Marriage, In Thanks and Reverence for Jesus' Love

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Saturday, June 20, I had the privilege of officiating at the wedding ceremony of Hans and Lauren (Saffer) Colberg. The wedding was held at the home of the groom’s parents, Sig and Mary Colberg. Family and friends gathered and celebrated the love and the marriage of these two Christian young people. The wedding was beautiful. The ceremony took place outside, with a breath-taking view of Pioneer Peak and the mountains. Family and friends had worked for hours to set up a place where all could gather. Arrangements had even been made for a washing station and masks, because of COVID-19. The forecast had predicted rain. Nevertheless, the Lord smiled on us and by the time of the ceremony the rain had long stopped, and the sun shone through the clouds. In fact, I should have worn a hat to protect my head from sunburn! The bride and groom beamed, and the attendants were all dressed in their finest, as we sought God’s blessings on the couple and all sent them into married life with love and prayers.

However, this is not my only wedding ceremony planned for this summer. I have been asked to perform other weddings in June, in July, and in August. In addition, two other people have talked with me about possibly performing a Christian wedding for them. June is known as a month for weddings. And, I feel a need to share some personal feelings with you about weddings and marriage based on God’s Word. Basically, I wish couples would exert as much effort on their marriage as they do on the ceremony. The fruit of the labor to grow and strengthen a marriage is worth what it takes.

Scripture tells us that during Jesus’ ministry some Pharisees tried to test Jesus with a question about marriage. “3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?’" They were asking about all the ways a husband could end a marriage. Jesus’ answer was not what these men expected. 4 "’Haven't you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.’" (Matthew 19:3-6) Perhaps you see the direction of this conversation. The Jewish religious leaders were asking about how to get out of a marriage. Jesus tells them that God’s plan is for people to work instead on strengthening their relationship and to remain in their marriage.

This is a very complicated subject about which I have taught long Bible classes. But the basic premise is simple. Grow your marriage in faith and love rather than spending time trying to end it. I know from personal experience this is not always as easy as it sounds. God did allow divorce for good reason. But, when I see so much planning, so much effort, so much love, so much money spent on weddings, I wonder how often people spend the same time, effort, and finances on growing their marriage.

There is a hidden treasure in Jesus’ words above. Many think that in verse 6 Jesus is just commanding the Pharisees what they, and we, are supposed to do. But, Jesus is also speaking of real help. “6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Couple are “joined”, not just by their love, or their effort, or their commitment. GOD is joining them together in His plan since the beginning of creation for men and women. To know that God is active, working to join a couple together is a real gift!

My wife told me a story recently which I shared with the couple at Saturday’s wedding. A lady asked Kathy at work about our marriage, and Kathy responded that we have been married for 42 years, going on 43 this summer. The woman then asked, “How did you do this?” To which Kathy responded, “Well, our marriage began with our faith life. And, we laugh a lot.”

I’m convinced that one of the most important, and forgotten verses of Scripture, when it comes to marriage is Ephesians 5:21. “21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” In a section of Scripture which describes God’s Church, and also describes marriage, this verse tells how God’s perfect plan for sinful people can and should work. Marriage is not me getting what I want. Nor is marriage you getting what you think or want in our relationship. Marriage is knowing the love of Jesus and seeking together to follow Him. We submit ourselves, together, to know and follow Jesus. Then the undeserved love of Jesus will help us to love one another even when love is tough. The merciful forgiveness of Jesus will help us to forgive each other, and confession and forgiveness always include some difficulty. As we put our faith into action in our marriage, our relationship to God grows. And as our relationship grows with our Lord, who loves and forgives even sinners like us, then our marriage grows and is strengthened.

As I watched last Saturday while this couple began the adventure of their married life together in a beautifully planned ceremony, I pray for the same effort, and submission to one another out of reverence for Christ, for their whole marriage. I was also thinking, that the same reminder, to “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” would be good for us older married folk too.

A Child of God, Seeking The Love of Submission in My Marriage in Thanks Reverence for Jesus’ Love,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here are garden pictures from this week. I told my wife and daughter, “If you want to see something that really gets you excited, go look at my garden!” Mary looked at me with one raised eyebrow. J We have eaten two pickings of radishes, spinach, and red leaf lettuce so far. https://photos.app.goo.gl/v9CibLezUgRoXqMU9

P.P.S. Here are some pictures of our flowers. The columbine are doing wonderfully! https://photos.app.goo.gl/riVJCXTvEBauL3Kh6

P,P.P.S. I did some fishing. On one trip grandson, Jake, reeled in his first king. https://photos.app.goo.gl/rBMth1JSaJURU5eZ6

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK. My weekly devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor." However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God." I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it. If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net. I will include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS. Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them. BUT, if you read this on Facebook and like to receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.

Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

A Grumpy Old Man, Finding Strength in the Assurance of God's Love and Blessings

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Does the world seem more complex to you, every day?

Last week I received an e-mail message from the Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles informing me that I needed to renew a registration. So, I tried to be up to date and went online to renew on the state website. However, to accomplish this registration, I was informed that I needed to go to the DMV office in person. I printed out the e-mail and drove to the Palmer DMV the following day, where I was greeted by a sign informing me that transactions were now being taken care of through appointments, made online. Sigh! I used my phone and got back on the internet and made an appointment for the following Wednesday. While on the DMV webpage I also noticed a lot of information about the “REAL ID.” My driver’s license would expire next May. So, when I made the appointment I indicated on the form I intended to renew a registration, AND I would also apply for the REAL ID. I arrived at the DMV a few minutes early, and others were being called forward, but not me. Then I noticed a sign against the wall which indicated that I needed to sign in. It was now past my appointment time, but I signed in, and was later called forward to do business. The DMV employee, a very nice and helpful lady, asked what my purpose was for my scheduled visit. I replied that I had indicated when I registered for my appointment that I wanted to renew a registration and also apply for the new ID. I showed her my e-mail and let her know I had researched and brought all the necessary documentation for the ID. However, she told me that we were only supposed to take care of one transaction per appointment. Nevertheless, she then had mercy on me, and we accomplished both items of business in a timely manner.

I don’t remember these transactions being such a gauntlet. I do believe that, with technology, life is becoming more complicated, and the coronavirus has only made matters worse. However, there have always been surprises in life. We don’t always know what we face, until we actually approach each situation in life. For example, often we can go to the store, find our items, and get in and out quickly. However, at other times, we find the store is out of what we are looking for, with no idea when what we are looking to purchase will be available again. Sometimes we visit a doctor and he gives us a clean bill of health. But, on other occasions the news is more . . . complicated. Being confronted with the unknown, especially if it causes discomfort or delay, is what frustrates me. I am sure you face similar struggles. But, live has always held surprises.

When serving as a pastor I made thousands of hospital calls over the years. Sometimes people who are hospitalized know what illness or injury they face. However, many times, and this can be very disconcerting, the medical staff does not know the cause of the problem. Nor could the doctors, nurses, or other health professionals inform the patient how long they might struggle with their injury or illness. When faced with such medical uncertainty, I found God’s words from Psalm 103, especially verses 1-5, to be comforting and helpful.

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

² Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

³ who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and

mercy,

⁵ who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

In this Psalm God draws attention, not to our struggle, but first to the blessings which He gives The Lord inspired King David to write for us that God has and continues to forgive our sins and to heal our diseases. God saves us from death and the grave, or the pit. However, God also blesses us with the spiritual blessings of steadfast love and mercy, and takes care of us physically, “satisfying us with good so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” So, in this Psalm, God reminds not to do what we unfortunately so often do. “Bless the Lord . . . and forget NOT all His benefits!” In other words, before we focus on the struggles and challenges of life in this sinful world, don’t forget, but REMEMBER all the blessings that are ours from God daily. We have assurance that God forgives, heals and saves eternally, that our Lord provides spiritual and physical blessings in abundance. This assurance can and should give us strength to face life’s changes and challenges. After all, God is with us in His love and mercy. He gives eternal life. What is a little frustration in this life compared to the assurance of God’s overwhelming blessings and love?

A few months ago I quoted Hebrews 13:8 in one of my devotions. In the midst of the uncertainty of life, there is something which is sure. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” When everything else is unsure, Jesus is my Lord and my Savior. Jesus died to pay what I owe eternally because of my rebellion against my Creator and Lord. Jesus rose, making sure this eternal life which God offers freely through faith in Jesus. I may not know what tomorrow brings, but I know who will be there, the one who loves and saves me. As Martin Luther would say, “This is most certainly true.”

One of my favorite movies is “Grumpy Old Men,” with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. In fact, not too long ago one of my sons told me, “You’re a ‘grumpy old man!’” He said it with a smile on his face, but he was also making a point. I pray that when the uncertainty of life makes me grumpy, frustrated, or confused, that I remember all the blessings of God through Jesus, in this life and eternally.

A Child of God, AND a Grumpy Old Man, Finding Strength in the Assurance of God's Love and Blessings

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here are garden pictures from this week. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pgjxuxr1tHw12cu47

P.P.S. Here are some pictures of our yard and our flowers. https://photos.app.goo.gl/jeSfmEdoTmSCY6Wy7

P,P.P.S. I did some trout fishing, with grandchildren and by myself. Here are some more pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pgjxuxr1tHw12cu47

*****

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Chickweed! A Reminder that our World is NOT Perfect, That we NEED our Savior, Jesus

Dear Fellow Children of God,

So as I was standing over my vegetable garden on Tuesday evening, this question came from my lips. “Lord, why did You make chickweed?!”

It had been almost a month since I planted seeds, and about 2 weeks since I placed my plant starts in the ground. When I planted the starts I weeded around the potatoes, carrots, radishes, spinach, and beets. But, 2 weeks later, gazing at those plants, I could see I had a major job ahead: the chickweed had invaded the west side of my garden with a vengeance. In some places it looked like a lawn of these small green leaves. The problem is that chickweed grows so much faster than many of my vegetables. The real crop to suffer is my carrots. Carrot seeds take longer to germinate than some other vegetables. And when carrots pop through the soil they are small, thin, and fragile. I dare not pull the chickweed till the carrots start arriving. But, then it’s possible for this weed to choke the carrots. Or, I may accidentally pull a carrot when trying to weed out one of these undesirable volunteers.

Even in the other crops, the chick weed can cause problems, and a LOT of work to get rid of it. I use a hoe to remove as much of this ‘bane of Alaska gardeners’ as I safely can without harming the other plants. Then I get down on my hands and knees and pull the rest by hand. The carrot row takes the longest. I spent about 3 or 4 hours on Tuesday weeding my garden, and then another hour on Wednesday morning. And, while I also had dandelions, volunteer raspberries, and other weeds, the chickweed was the main issue.

So, back to my question, “Lord, why did You create chickweed?” I read on the Wikipedia website that chickweed is used as ground cover, and can even be eaten as a vegetable. But, I don’t know anyone who has eaten chickweed, do you? Also, I guess this is how chickweed got its name, poultry often feed off the chickweed. I’m not sure these positive uses outweigh the difficulties this weed causes, at least not in my vegetables, or in my flowers.

Of course, we know the words of the Lord to Adam, after he ate the forbidden fruit. ¹⁷ And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; ¹⁸ thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. ¹⁹ By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:17-19) The thorns and thistles, the weeds in this world which cause us to eat bread by the sweat of our brow, are part of the results of sin. When Adam disobeyed God it was not a small matter. All creation, and the earth itself, were cursed by God because of Adam’s disobedience. Weeds are a result and a reminder of our sin. The toil and sweat remind us that God had a better plan for us, and a reminder that we need a Savior.

Lutheran Christians have studied God’s word deeply to hear what God is saying. We hear two great messages from God in the Bible - The Law and The Gospel. A general summary of these two great doctrines, or teachings from our Lord, is that the Law “Shows Us our Sin,” and the Gospel “Shows us our Savior.” As I said above, the Law shows us our need for a Savior. I have pondered for years over the words which God inspired Paul to write in Galatians 3:24. “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith.” (NASV) When life does not go the way we think it should, especially since we live in a world created by an all-wise, all-powerful, loving Lord, the law not only points to our sin, but also shows us our need for help.

Obviously, there are many trials in life which are far greater than the scourge of chickweed. In our country and in our world, we are now dealing with Covid-19, and with the fruits of racism and hatred. This is not the world God created. This is not what He planned for His people. We know that truth deep inside. But, our rebellion against our Creator, our selfish attitudes and actions, have consequences. Like Adam, our sin creates deep problems for us, and for the world around us. We need the grace, the mercy, and the help of God.

Yet, human beings are proud and stubborn. We do not like to admit that we need help. We don’t want to confess that maybe we don’t have all the answers. Neither do we like to admit that we are sinful and broken. But, I confess to you, I’ve tried a number of solutions to the chickweed which returns each year to my garden. Unfortunately, the only solution I have found is the hoe, and getting down on my hands and knees for hours at a time to pull these weeds out one by one. I also confess that I do suffer because of my own waywardness, and I need a Savior. I need Jesus.

Our world is broken. We need help more deeply than we realize. “Thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus to pay for our sin and to win eternal life for us.” And, maybe grudgingly I’ll also say, “Thank You, Lord, even for chickweed, which reminds me of my need for my Lord’s love and forgiveness in Jesus.”

A Child of God, Chickweed! A Reminder that our World is NOT Perfect, That we NEED our Savior, Jesus

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here are some pictures of the chickweed in my garden,

· Some before and after some weeding on June 9. https://photos.app.goo.gl/EZdJGddGcdstFWGe6

· Garden after weeding and planting new seeds of radishes, spinach, and beets, on June 10. https://photos.app.goo.gl/wTvfksCGJCWU2oay8

P.P.S. Here is a Wikipedia article on chickweed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellaria_media

P.P.P.S. I went fishing on Friday and Monday,

· On Friday I went to the Deshka and caught this king salmon. I asked 3 others, but they didn’t reply they could come. https://photos.app.goo.gl/22YoeZoKFJ8NPxTMA

· On Monday I took visitors from Florida to Long Lake on the Glenn Highway, and the 8 year old boy, Jacob, caught this rainbow trout. https://photos.app.goo.gl/qs3dyMUZYCjfqpwX7

*****

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Saddened by the George Floyd Crisis, Finding Hope in Jesus

Dear Fellow Children of God,

After 3 months of radical change in our country because of the coronavirus, the eyes of America are now on another tragedy, the unjust killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, and the violent, destructive, riots and looting which have followed. How does America deal with these horrible realities? What is the proper response for followers of Jesus?

I can personally state two reactions to the injustice and unrest. First, the killing of George Floyd was unjust, wrong, and criminal. A former Alaska State Trooper told me that there is no way that this treatment of Floyd was justified, or even a mistake. To make matters worse, when such criminal behavior comes from the authorities who are charged with enforcing the law, the victim of injustice is faced with an unwinnable dilemma.

Second, where I believe such injustice can rightly lead to protests, the violence and destruction of the demonstrations is wrong, and also criminal. In fact, I have heard people from the African American community express such sentiments, that the looting and destruction should stop. Those expressing such sentiments even include a person from the family of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and also the family of George Floyd himself.

This whole situation can seem complicated and confusing. In fact, I know that I do not have the answers for what steps might lead to dealing with both the injustice, nor with the violence and destruction. I do know that when peoples have held long-term, historic grudges, that one wrong leads to another, and the situation escalates. We can see such historic hostilities in relationships between Arab and Jewish people, or in Ireland between Roman Catholics and Protestants. When one wrong is followed by a retaliatory reaction, emotions grow sharp, hearts are hardened, and relationships deteriorate in a downward spiral, often into violence.

Jesus taught how His followers should react to hatred, to prejudice, and injustice. He was once asked by a Jewish lawyer about inheriting eternal life. Jesus answered the man’s question with a question. “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" The lawyer responded "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." So, Jesus told the man, ²⁸ “ . . . do this, and you will live." The lawyer was surprised that his question was turned back on him, and we are told, “^”desiring to justify himself, [he] said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" So Jesus told the parable we know as The Good Samaritan.

Jesus knew of the long-term hard feelings that existed between the Jewish people in southern Palestine and the Samaritan people in the north. Jesus also knew the reason for those feelings of prejudice and hatred. So, in Jesus’ parable, spoken to this Jewish lawyer, a man who was traveling the road from Jerusalem to Jericho is robbed, beaten, and left to die. However, 3 men happen by the injured man. Two of those who see him, and pass by without helping, are religious workers, a priest and a Levite. But, when the despised Samaritan passes the dying man, the Samaritan stops, and cares for the man, and then even pays for further care. Jesus asks the lawyers, ³⁶ “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" The lawyer replied, "’The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise’." (The parable of the Good Samaritan, from Luke 10:25-37)

We can imagine that the lawyer left his encounter with Jesus feeling less self-assurance than he had when he first spoke to our Lord. After all, who can treat everyone as neighbor, and love them as ourselves? The truth is that no one shows this kind of love; or almost no one. The ultimate Good Samaritan is Jesus. Jesus put himself in danger, and even died, to care for and to save all in our world who are hopeless because of our sin. Jesus loved all people with his life, His death, and His resurrection.

Is America’s dilemma really that simple? In a way what we face is so much more complicated than just loving our neighbor. But, I find that, when facing complicated situations, finding the simple truth of God helps me take the first step, and then take the next step , and then the next step, on the road to dealing with the challenges faced by children of God in a sinful world. Life is messy because of sin and evil in the world. Jesus dealt with that mess. When we trust His love and salvation, and seek to follow Him, I do believe that helps us to move in the direction of love and righteousness, which lead to peace. I also believe this is true even for our current crisis.

So, in today’s America, do you know any neighbors who need loving?

A Child of God, Saddened by the George Floyd Crisis, and Finding Hope in Jesus,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here are some more yard work pictures. Perhaps you remember we moved one large lilac bush in early May. A friend wanted another one of our lilacs and, with a lot of work and a strained shoulder, we delivered it on Monday, June 1. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/MHvDuoCbXT4r6Tsm7

P.P.S. I did finally get to go fishing.

· On Friday, May 29, I caught a red salmon in Seward on a trip with Steve Arlow. https://photos.app.goo.gl/z6sy1ggRJpTLAAk76

· On Monday, June 1, I took grandchildren Henry and Annie fishing in my boat on Finger Lake. This was more a “try out the boat trip” than it was a “fishing trip.” But, they didn’t realize this. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/tyFXVXMvH5gb1Ns87

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