Dear Fellow Children of God,
Does the bad news in the world around us get you
down? I confess that world and national
affairs do concern me. What about the
Middle East? Or the Ukraine? Or recent rockets fired by North Korea? Does the environment concern you, or the
political wrangling surrounding that issue?
And how about division among people in the United States? Do immigration concerns trouble you? Or the
drug epidemic? Or racial tensions? How about those in need? What about the attack on the Christian faith
and it’s moral standards? What about
lack of faith in people who once followed Jesus? Or, the decline in Christian congregations in
Western culture?
Or, on a personal level, are you grieving the loss
of a loved one? Do you or a family
member have serious health problems? Do
you stay awake nights? Do you pray
fervently?
The Psalmists were full of questions concerning the
trials of life. In Psalm 42 and 43 we
hear similar laments.
“9 I say to God, my rock: ‘Why have you forgotten
me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?’ 10
As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to
me all the day long, ‘Where is your God?’ 11 Why are you cast down,
O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” (Psalm 42:9-11) (Consider also Psalms 14, 22, 37,
73, 88 and many others) You hear anguish
of the Psalmist in these words. But
there is also good news in the last half of Psalm 42:11. “Hope in God; for I shall again praise
him, my salvation and my God.” Life
may cause me inner turmoil, we do find hope in God!
Perhaps this is a strange introduction to the good news
which I want to share with you. But I am
asking you to consider the trials of life, so that I can then share with you, by
contrast, some good news. I want to
share with you, in the midst of life’s concerns and tears, a wonderfully bright
spot which I witnessed on Monday morning, January 22. I attended chapel for the First Lutheran Open
Arms Child Development Center. I
actually arrived a little late, after fighting school traffic. But, when I did arrive the 3 and 4 year olds
were gathered in the sanctuary for worship. Also 20-25 grandparents attended this
service as well. As I walked in the
doors everyone was singing “My God is so
big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do.” The grandparents seemed to be even more involved
in the hand motions than those energetic pre-schoolers. Imagine that – the grandparents! Next all joined to sing, “This Little Light
of Mine.” Again, all sang enthusiastically. I watched the families join in with
their voices and motions. In a world
where people seem to be rejecting God, what a wonderful blessing to witness the
joyful noise from all these children of God!
Our pre-school director followed the singing with a story
about how about how Jesus is the vine and we are the branches (John 15). Then a young 4 year old girl helped lead us
all in closing prayer. She prayed, and
we repeated after her. “Dear Jesus / Dear Jesus, Thank you for my grandparents
/ Thank you for my grandparents. Thank
you for my teachers / Thank you for my teachers. Thank you for my family / Thank you for my
family. Thank you that you always love
me / Thank you that you always love me.
Amen / Amen.”
Perhaps you know that Jesus came to our world because of our
sin which causes the trials and suffering we endure. But, do you also know the words of St. Paul
in 1 Timothy 1? “15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” Yet, in addition to this painful reality, Paul had good news. “16 But I received mercy for
this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his
perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal
life.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16) In a way
that’s like Psalm 42. In spite of the
painful realities of life in this sinful world, God’s love in Jesus is
sure. God’s love blesses lives full of
trial and suffering. God’s love is
worthy of our praise, like I saw at the pre-school chapel!
I confess that I too have serious concerns about our
world, our country, and those I love. Yet,
in the midst of those concerns I witnessed the faith and joy and love of Jesus
shown through these Christian families on Monday. They sang God’s praise. They waved their hands. They studied His Word. They thanked Him in prayer. I am thankful that they proved the Psalmist
true. “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”
A Child of God, Rejoicing in God’s Love And Joy in the
Midst of Life’s Trials and Tears!
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. NEWS CONCERNING FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH - Gainesville.
·
A POT LUCK MEAL AND MEETING ABOUT THE PROCESS
OF CALLING A NEW PASTOR WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER WORSHIP THIS
SUNDAY, January 28!
At this time
the congregation will look at the work on the self study done by congregational
leaders in order to prepare for the call process. Congregational members are asked to PLEASE
ATTEND THE POTLUCK and PLEASE GIVE INPUT into the documents. PLEASE LOOK AT YOUR E-MAILS THIS WEEK TO
READ AN EXPLANATORY LETTER AND THE SELF STUDY.
Members are then asked to attend the potluck to give input as we
discuss who we are, who are neighbors are, and how we are doing God’s
work. PLEASE PLAN NOW TO ATTEND!
·
WE ARE STILL GAINING PEOPLE TO READ THROUGH
THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025? –There is still time to join
Pastor Rockey in reading through the Bible during 2024 and 2025, using the
“Today’s Light Bible.” This Bible leads a person through Scripture in 2
years and includes daily devotions. This Bible 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
·
LUTHERAN BIBLE TRANSLATORS – First
Lutheran supports Tim and Michelle Miller and their work in Thailand for
Lutheran Bible Translators. The Millers will
be at First Lutheran on February 4 to report on their word and to thank First
Lutheran.
·
NEW MEMBER CLASSS –A new membership class
will begin in the new year, perhaps on February 4 (NOT THE 11TH).
If you are interested, 5-6 people are talking of attending this class.)
·
A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF ACTS continues on
Sunday at 8:45 a.m. in the Besalski Fellowship Hall.
·
SUNDAY SCHOOL IS HELD EACH SUNDAY DURING
WORSHIP. Bring your children and
grandchildren!
P. P.S. PICTURES
– AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
·
FRIENDS – In 1977-78, Pastor Rockey and
Kathy were in Detroit, MI, for Jonathan’s vicarage at Outer Drive Faith
Lutheran Church. Among the friends they
made was Harold Vetter, the young organist who was playing at their
congregation. The Rockeys arrived back
in Florida on Tuesday night, January 16, and Harold and Emily Vetter, and their
daughter, Rachel, and her friend, visited on Wednesday, January 17. Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/rNktGTVYFPrHNnBY7
·
P.P.S. FISHING - In
our first week back in Florida we have been busy catching up after being gone
for 2 weeks. But, I did find time to go fishing
once this past week. It was cool, or cold, for Florida. When I got off the water the thermometer on
my vehicle read 39 degrees. I think the
fish were in hibernation because in 2 ½ to 3 hours I only had one bite. Nevertheless it was good to get out onto the
water. Here are a couple of
pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/XkaDUKFecw7MtJKS8
*******
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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