Dear
Fellow Children of God,
It has been a “whirlwind” week for my wife, Kathy, and for
me. Basically, we prepared to leave
Alaska for a month or so in order to travel to Florida. You know the tasks and chores of getting
ready to leave. I helped Kathy (and
Mary) clean out the refrigerator, and put away summer supplies for winter
months. Then, I left Palmer while they
continued their work. I drove to the
Kenai Peninsula and put the boat away on Friday. Of course, that required a trip on the river
with poles in my hands. On Saturday I
cleaned out and packed away the cabin for winter. I was also able, on Saturday, to bring the
gift of baptism to a man from Funny River Community Lutheran Church, and to bring
communion to an elderly saint and her family.
Then Sunday I spent time at Sterling Lutheran, Funny River Lutheran, and
Cooper Landing Lutheran Churches, preaching and leading worship at two of them. I rushed back to Palmer for a birthday party
for my youngest son, Tim, who turned 30 (!), and for Mary. Then Kathy and I packed and caught a ride
with Tim and Megan to the airport on Sunday night, flying to visit family and
friends in FL. Guess what! The busy-ness continues in this southern
state.
One of the DANGERS of a busy life is that you could miss
what is really important: time with God, and time with others. But, part of the rushing was not just the
accomplishment of chores. I spent time,
if short periods, with Christian friends on the Kenai. I was with Mary Mize, Pat and Sissy Dobson,
Katie McLeod and family. I spent time talking to or worshiping with people who
have become Christian brothers and sisters, whom I care about, at those 3 churches. In Palmer, as we loudly
celebrated birthdays, our home was full of 14 Rockeys and friends, as we prayed
and we ate and we sang and we laughed!
This may sound confusing to you, and I understand
why. But, all this activity teaches me 3
lessons. First, and I think I may have
shared this before, while we know all gatherings in this world have an end, and
while I miss loved ones when we are not together, as a child of God I am
thankful to know that our time together in God’s eternal kingdom has NO
END. Even if we go from one beloved person
to another, we have eternity, in God’s presence, with those we love. Such truth gives me hope!
Second, I have learned not so much to mourn the time that
we have to leave and say good-bye, as much as to cherish the time we do have
together. What a blessing to be with
children and grandchildren, watching them grow, praying with them, eating and
laughing with them! What a blessing to
spend time with other Christians around God’s word and sacraments. Thankfully, while formal worship is involved,
so is a time to visit, and listen, and care for one another. That is why, rather than just be sad when we
part, I am thankful for the time we do have.
Kathy and I know that we are truly blessed.
Finally, I am convinced that the presence and the
promises of our Lord and Savior make the time we spend together sweeter. For example, there are “dad moments” when I
say the wrong thing. But because we care
about each other, because we share Jesus, we know there is forgiveness. Yes, we go from chore to chore, but we know
that when we live as children of God there is purpose of love and faith in all
we do. And, yes, we do part, and we will
be apart, but, because of Jesus we share the hope of eternity. How sweet God’s eternal love makes our
relationships and our chores and activities.
After traveling 5000 miles I know
the truth of jet lag. After a week of
preparing to leave, and of traveling, I know the confusion of busy-ness. My head is spinning! But, God inspires
Paul to tell us of busy-ness. We find
meaning and purpose in the Easter life we have in Jesus. “55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your
sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand
firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because
you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:55-58)
A Child of God, Thankful for Faith and Love of the Easter
Life – Even if My Head is Spinning!
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Here is a
picture from the baptism of Patrick Dobson on Saturday, October 8. https://photos.app.goo.gl/kGvUFjEwAKwm8TWi6
P.P.S. I made one last Alaska “summer” fishing trip on
Friday, October 7 on the Kenai River.
Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/USiidjqbcvoHKh7y9
P.P.P.S. Mt. Redoubt was covered in fog and clouds as worship
began at Funny River Community Lutheran on October 9. Then the clouds parted and the majesty of
God’s creation was revealed. Here is one
picture I took as I stopped on the road. https://photos.app.goo.gl/bhNPRERd8pwsZay29
P.P.P.P.S. St.
John Lutheran will have a special voters’ meeting on Sunday, October 16, to ask
God’s guidance and vote to call a new pastor.
Please keep this meeting in prayer, and attend if you are able, in
person or on-line.
P.P.P.P.P.S. Anchorage Lutheran Church is hosting a
special Organ Concert on October 23.
Here is the announcement.
*****
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
“1 John 3:1 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)
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