Wednesday, December 27, 2023

NOTHING BETTER - Celebrating God's Love, In His Presence, With Family!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

On Tuesday, December 26, I visited the local credit union.  While there I wished Merry Christmas to the teller, and to the manager who was also behind the counter.  The branch manager, a pleasant lady to whom I’ve spoken before, wished me Merry Christmas too, and asked if I had a good Christmas.  I told her I had spent Christmas in worship, and with lots of family.  She replied that she had also spent the Christmas holiday with family.  I then noted, “At the first Christmas there was a family: a father, a mother, and a baby.”  She replied, “AMEN!”

 

Kathy and I celebrated the Christmas holy-day in many worship services, and with a “feast of family.”  After worship on Christmas Day we spent time at home of my brother, Stephen, and his wife, Lori.  I am the oldest of 5, and all siblings were present, along with 4 spouses, cousins, nieces and nephews.  In the group picture I count 20 people, and we have at least another 15 Florida members of our family who could have been present.  My brother. David, posted, “So blessed to be part of this wonderful family.  Can’t imagine what I’d do without you!!  Love you all!!!”

 

Then, the day after Christmas, Kathy and I visited more family.  We went to the home of my sister’s daughter, and husband, and her children.  We created some excitement by bringing gifts and reading books.  I am glad that, as a man of 70, it is the younger folk who are raising the children with endless energy.  One of the books we brought for the children was the story of Christmas.  The kids started to sing, “Jesus loves me” to us.

 

Of course, all that Florida family does not even start to count the Alaska Rockeys.  There are 14 of us on a good day.  Kathy and I truly enjoyed time with our Florida relatives, but we dearly miss our children and grandchildren who are braving a real Alaskan winter.  We will be there to celebrate Jesus’ birth with them the first two weeks of January.  We are looking forward to that. 

 

However, there is still more family.  I have family in New England.  Kathy has family in Tennessee and West Virginia.  Our Christmas celebration included much worship.  But, we also FEASTED on family love. 

 

I hesitated to share our family joy, because I know that many families are facing trouble, or strife.  And, there are many who have no family.  At a time when everyone else gets together with loved ones, Christmas can make lonely people feel even more lonely.

 

However, God extends His arms of love to create even more family.  Think of the “family words” Jesus uses.  When our Lord taught the Lord’s prayer, He instructed His followers to address God as, “Our FATHER.” (Matthew 6:9)  Our Lord is our Father – That’s FAMILY! But, we don’t pray “MY” Father.  We pray, “OUR Father.”  All humans have the same Creator and heavenly Father, whether we know it or not.  That makes us all brothers and sisters through God’s “creation love!”  (See also Mark 3:31-35)

 

And contrary to earthly fathers who can fail at times in loving their children, God always loves His children.  13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:13)

 

Scripture is full of references to the family relationships we have with other children of God.  Consider Galatians 6:10.  10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”  In reality, our real home is not on this world, but in heaven.  Think of the implications of what Hebrews 11:9-10 says about Abraham.  9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” 

 

Christmas is wonderfully celebrated with those we love, and those who love us.  But The One who loves us best is God.  According to the Christmas angel, our Heavenly Father sent His only-begotten Son FOR US! (Luke 2:10)  Our Savior Died for us.  The Spirit makes His temple in our earthly bodies.  When we are with God, when God is with us, we are home!

 

On Christmas Eve morning, we celebrated Christmas in another wonderful way at our home away from home in Florida.  Almost 4 year old Eleanor Kate Denson was baptized.  On this day before Christmas, God called “Ella”, He came to her.  He forgave her, and made her part of His eternal family.  Ella now has a whole congregation, in fact the whole Christian Church, as her brothers and sisters.  What a “family celebration!”

 

Is there anything better than celebrating the love of God, in His presence, with all of our family?!

 

A Child of God, Celebrating God’s Love with All Our Family!

Pastor Jonathan

 

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures of our family in Florida at Christmas.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/vHn1u3MjDjB3kJeR6

 

P.P.S.  Here are pictures of two of the three new stoles Kathy has made for me as I serve as Vacancy Pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/hZPVZY8hnnH1deNDA

 

P.P.P.S.  FISHING J  - I went fishing twice this past week.  I am also going Wednesday and Thursday this week!  God is Good!

·       On Friday, December 22, I fished in Orange Lake.  There were not many bites, but I did catch the two fish which did bite.  They were . . . supper.  J  Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ymsuW3RGS2szmQj57

 

·       On Saturday, December 23, after writing 3 sermons, I tried to get away for some evening fishing.  Getting stuck in stop and go traffic did not help.  But I did catch fish.  Here are some pictures!  https://photos.app.goo.gl/cdvJpqT4nXyHQk4u5

 

P.P.P.P.S. .    ESPECIALLY FOR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH - Gainesville.

 

·       READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025?  – Pastor Rockey is inviting you to join him in reading through the Bible starting Monday, January 1, using the “Today’s Light Bible.”  This Bible leads a person through Scripture in 2 years and includes daily devotions.  It may be purchased online at CPH or at Amazon.  Here is a link to purchase this devotional Bible.  https://www.amazon.com/Todays-Light-Devotional-Bible-Fryar/dp/0758643519/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18IZZOYD5KP0Z&keywords=today%27s+light+devotional+bible&qid=1701895876&sprefix=Today%27s+light+devotional%2Caps%2C432&sr=8-1

 

·       BAPTISM - Here are some pictures of the Baptism of Eleanor Kate Denson on December 24, 2023, in the 10:00 a.m. service.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cf5Y7PpcfdVKUzdS8

 

·       THANK YOU!!!

o   Thank you, Office Staff who put in MANY extra hours to prepare for 5 services in 5 days!

o   Thank you, Larry Hartley, who practiced tirelessly, and played for 5 services with different liturgies, and with many different musicians!

o   Thank you to our special music, our First Lutheran Choir, director and soloist Jennifer Spillane, and the brass quartet, who graced Christmas worship.

o   THANK YOU FIRST LUTHERAN for the generous gifts you gave to staff for Christmas.  Personally, I was surprised!

 

·       Bible Classes

o   New member classes concluded on December 17.  We will receive two new members in worship on Sunday, December 31.

o   The Sunday morning Acts class finished through chapter 7.  We will just touch on Acts 8 this coming week.  However, because it was Christmas break, we also listened to some Garrison Keillor Christmas monologues.  We will hear Garrison Keillor again on Sunday, December 31.

o   A NEW ADULT MEMBER CLASS will begin in 2024.

 

·       TIME IN ALASKA – Kathy and I will spend some Christmas time with our children and grandchildren in Alaska.  We leave January 1 and return January 16.

 

 

*******

 

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.  (Currently I am serving as Vacancy 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, 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)

 

 

 

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