Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Finding Joy in Unexpected Opportunities to Share God’s Love in Jesus!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Kathy and I are now home from 3 weeks of traveling in Germany and Europe.  Though we did visit various places we had not previously been, our main reason for travel was so that I could serve with Wittenberg English Ministry.  This pan-Lutheran ministry primarily offers worship services in the English language for those traveling to this historic Lutheran city.  I led 7 worship services in churches where Martin Luther himself preached.  And, I was available for pastoral care if needed.

 

However, what I did not expect as I served with WEM, were the opportunities for personal witness concerning Jesus, opportunities above and beyond the public proclamation in worship.  Time and again Kathy and I encountered people who willingly shared with us their struggle with the Christian faith.  Also surprising to us, almost all these people were willing to discuss matters of the Lordship of God and of salvation.  They were willing to engage in conversation without being defensive, or rude.  We tried to listen and to talk from our heart about the faith God has created in us.  But, unlike such opportunities in America, people who shared their doubts with us were also willing to listen to our thoughts.  We were continually surprised.

 

On Wednesday morning, November 6, at breakfast in Munich, a middle-aged woman saw me reading my devotional bible.  This lady walked over to my table and asked me about the Bible.  She shared that she was interested as a retired middle school history teacher. (Grades levels are different in Germany.) We talked about teaching.  Our daughter, Mary, a teacher herself, was traveling with us.  This woman talked history. She specialized in studies of the holocaust.  I shared my bottom line.  “God has created all of us.  But, we humans have rebelled and sinned in horrible ways.  We need a Savior.  I believe God sent Jesus!”  We parted as she went about her morning chores.

 

Two German men spoke with us on separate occasions about their personal doubts concerning God and Christian faith.  One man had a sincere conversation with Kathy.  Another spoke with me.  What these two men had in common is that they spent much of their lives in communist East Germany.  One told me, “I was a member of the Socialist Party.”  Both had learned to doubt the church and trust the state.  Both also saw the travesties human beings commit against one another, and the failings of Christ’s Church.  Responding to the man with whom I talked, I simply said, “Yes, this world is a mess.  That is why God sent Jesus.”

 

Another delightful encounter happened at an evening meal on October 30.  We had been told of one restaurant, “The food is good, but the people are weird!  Well we went, and the food was good.  There were also a lot of people, primarily men, drinking beer and talking loudly.  One of those men saw Kathy and Mary and me at our table finishing our meal.  He walked over to visit with us.  I know only a little German.  This man knew less English.  (There is a wonderful “Google Translate” app which I often used.)  However, as I tried to explain in my less than stellar German why we were in Wittenberg, we somehow mentioned fishing.  Well, I got out my phone and started showing pictures of salmon, and pictures of halibut, and pictures of trout, and pictures of bass.  You get the idea.  This man had a phone too, and he also had fish pictures.  Many of my pictures include Mary, who often fishes with me.  We talked for about a half hour sharing fish pictures, even though our language skills were wanting.  But, I was able to share that I was in Wittenberg to serve with Wittenberg English Ministry, to lead worship and provide pastoral care.  He was not offended, but seemed impressed that a fisherman would be serving the Lord.  I believe there was a witness in this exchange, and I really enjoyed our conversation, or lack of it.

 

A Scripture verse which often directs my witnessing to Jesus is 1 Peter 3:15. “ . . . but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”  In other words, witnessing is often a personal sharing of God’s love in our lives, love which gives hope.  My reason for hope is Jesus.  His death on the cross for my sins, and His resurrection defeating death and winning eternal life for his disciples, forgive me and save me.  Jesus is the one who strengthens me in life’s trials and delivers me to eternal life in heaven.  I believe I am prepared to share this hope, because I have experienced God’s love and forgiveness in my life.

 

However, this Sunday, the Second Last Sunday of the Church year, we will read in in worship from Mark 13, And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11).  This verse says to me that witnessing concerning Jesus is not just my preparation.  The Holy Spirit lives in me.  God’s Spirit prepares me.  The Spirit leads me into situations where people may ask, and I can hare Jesus.

 

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy sharing good news with others.  The best Good News I know is that Jesus, the Son of God, died and rose to save me.  Do you enjoy sharing Jesus with others?

 

A Child of God, Finding Joy in Unexpected Opportunities to Share God’s Love in Jesus!

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.     We flew back to the US on Thursday, November 7, and we arrived in Gainesville on Friday, November 8.  We are thankful for a wonderful trip.  Here is a shirt I bought.  J  https://photos.app.goo.gl/a4D4VudRS    HPKBVXR7

 

P.P.S.  I continue to serve as vacancy pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida, until First Lutheran receives a permanent full-time pastor.   

NEWS AND MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT First Lutheran Church – Gainesville!

 

·       On Sunday, November 24, after worship, We will have an OKTOBERFEST MEAL, and a Wills / Estate planning seminar.  Diana Raasch from LCEF will be working with local First Lutheran people to teach opportunities of faithful Christian Stewardship in our wills and estates.  There will be opportunities to talk with Diana privately, if a person wishes to do so.

PLAN NOW to attend this festive meal and informative seminar!

 

·       FIRST LUTHERAN IS BACK IN THE CALL PROCESS.  We have sought nominations and names of pastors who would serve the Lord and His people well at First Lutheran in Gainesville.  The Florida-Georgia District has sent information on the candidates.  We received 21 names.  The First Lutheran Call Committee conducted Zoom interviews of 5 of these pastors, and will soon have at least one of those pastors visit. PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP THE FIRST LUTHERAN CALL PROCESS IN YOUR PRAYERS.

 

·       SUNDAY SCHOOL IS IN FULL SWING until May. Children begin in worship at 10:00 a.m..  Early in the service, after the Children’s Message, children leave for a lesson, for a craft, and a snack.  Parents, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, Neighbors, PLEASE bring your children to Sunday School.

THANK YOU Sunday School Teachers and staff!

 

·       In Sunday Bible Class we are now studying the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah at 8:45 a.m. in the Besalski Fellowship Hall.   Come and Join Us!!!!!

 

·       COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS meet on Tuesday nights in the student house at 7:00 p.m.  Come and join us! They are studying “The Case for Christianity.”

 

·       WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025 using the Today’s Light Devotional Bible.  On Wednesday, November 13, we read through Psalms 60.

Feel free to contact Pastor Rockey at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these readings.  Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net  I have recently received questions and comments.  It is always good to consider our Lord’s love and guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only God knows!

 

·       FIRST LUTHERAN HAS BEGUN A “RAISE THE ROOF FUND,” for roof replacement and air-conditioning repairs. The roofs are still in relatively good shape.  But we have had leaks, and it has been about 20 years since the roof was last replaced.  First Lutheran leaders want to act before the roofs fail.  In addition, our Air Conditioners are old and need replacing.  So the Congregation has begun a “Raise the Roof” campaign.  Our goal to accomplish these combined repairs is $500,000!

Please consider how God may lead you toward these needs in the future. (While serving in Gainesville, I will be donating from each of my checks.)

 

P.P.S. I did go fishing once since I have been home.  On Sunday, afternoon, November 10, after worship, I tried things out.  With early darkness I only fished for about 2 hours, starting in the rain.  I only had one bite, but did catch a nice fish.  Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/9bSAjfWKCffhHZdH6

 

 

 

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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.  (However, I am currently 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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