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.

 

*****

 

            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

 

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

 

 

*****

 

            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

 

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.

 

 

 

*****

 

            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

cell phone - 907-841-4066

Home phone - 907-746-5131

 

 

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!!

 

 

 

*****

 

            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

cell phone - 907-841-4066

Home phone - 907-746-5131