Dear Fellow Children of God,
As a parent, I have at times been frustrated when I would
tell my children something, something which I intended for their good, or for the
good of our family, and somehow they forgot it. Or they ignored it. Or they had
not paid attention in the beginning when I was talking with them. In other words, THEY DID NOT LISTEN!
However, you know the old saying, “The apple doesn’t fall
far from the tree.” I was also accused
of such behavior many times when I was a child, for good reason. In fact, I remember a specific time I was
staying with my uncle and aunt because my parents were out of town. I knew I was supposed to be home at
6:00 p.m. But I was at the home of a
good friend with horses. I knew I was
ignoring the time, so I returned home late.
They were furious, with good reason.
I DID NOT LISTEN! In
fact, my wife has sometimes suggested the same behavior. Imagine!
The point is, that when I spoke to my children, it was
ultimately for their good. When my uncle
and aunt set a time for me to be home, it was for my own good, so that they
knew I was safe. When my wife wants me
to listen, the idea is that good communication strengthens our relationship. And yet, people, myself included, still have
trouble listening! Frustrating!!
In addition to this problem we have with listening, I
have been taught in numerous classes, that good communication depends more on
listening than on speaking. And yet,
people still struggle to listen. It sounds like a pattern, doesn’t it?
I share musings on these challenges from life because of Scripture
verses which I have recently read. In my
devotional readings on Tuesday, February 25, the readings were from Jeremiah
43-45. In these verses, after the
destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon, Jeremiah brings God’s word to Jewish exiles
who have fled to Egypt. Jeremiah shares
God’s instructions for the good of these Jews.
Yet, consider their answer. “15 . . . all the people who
lived in Pathros in the land of Egypt, answered Jeremiah: 16 ‘As for
the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, WE WILL NOT LISTEN
TO YOU!’” (Jeremiah 44:15-16) Refusal to listen is not just behavior of
people in our time. The people of Israel are famous for ignoring the word of
God.
Then, in our staff meeting at First Lutheran later on
February 25, we read and studied the account about Jesus’ transfiguration in
Luke. After Jesus’ clothing and face
shone dazzling white, revealing His glory as the Son of God, the Heavenly
Father explains this awesome experience to the disciples. “34 . . . a cloud came and
overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen One; LISTEN
to him!’" (Luke 9:34-35) Even Jesus’ disciples are reminded to “Listen.” Even though Peter, James, and John were
followers of Jesus, they still struggled at time to understand His words. The struggled to believe who He was. Therefore, they struggled to listen to Him and
to follow His instructions.
If we consider the disciples, and if we consider the
people of Jeremiah’s time, we can learn lessons that will help us when we struggle
to listen to our Lord. First, consider
the one who is speaking. The disciples
heard the voice of the Heavenly Father Himself. The One speaking to them
is Creator; He is Ruler; He is Lord! If
there is anyone worth listening to, it is our Heavenly Father.
God’s words are not just words from the One who is all-powerful,
but they are also words of love! Fathers
really do want what is best for their children.
Even more, our Heavenly Father loves His children. Because the words of God are intended for our
good in this life, and for our good eternally, it is worth listening!
Finally, the disciples were to listen to Jesus! Jesus is Lord. But, even more, Jesus is our Savior. Jesus came to earth, for us. Jesus suffered and died for us. Jesus rose for us. In my heart I really do want to listen
to the one who has done all that for me!
The Heavenly Father spoke to the disciples on the Mount
of Transfiguration, After Jesus had risen and ascended, they better understood
this experience. Peter wrote, “17
For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was
borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am
well pleased,’ 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from
heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have
the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay
attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the
morning star rises in your hearts,”
(2 Peter 1:17-20) Peter’s point was, “We needed to listen to the
Heavenly Father when Jesus was transfigured.
You need to pay attention to God’s Word as well.”
Don’t you want to listen to the All-Powerful Lord who loves
you, who forgives you, who lovingly has your life in His hands? Remember the words of our Father in heaven. “This is my Son, my Chosen One; LISTEN to
him!’"
A Child of God, Wanting and Needing to LISTEN to and
Follow The Lord of Love!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I continue
to serve as part-time assistant pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville,
Florida, with Pastor Kollmann until Kathy and I return home to Alaska in early
May.
·
SPECIAL OFFERING – SPAGHETTI FEED
o -
WE TOOK A SPECIAL OFFERING DURING THE INSTALLATION SERVICE for 3 young men,
Jonathan Albertin, Patrick Bier, and Will Starr, who are planning to go to
seminary and study to be pastors in the Lutheran Church. They will be traveling to St. Louis in April
to attend a ‘Vocatio Retreat’ to learn about studying to be a pastor. That offering totaled $2917.00!
o THIS
SUNDAY, MARCH 2 these young men will be putting on a spaghetti feed to help
raise funds. The food is purchased
through a Thrivent Action Grant. Kathy
Rockey is helping them prepare the meal.
They are cooking for 100 people!
SO EVERYONE ATTEND!
·
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.
Also, as our
Sunday School grows, we need 4 more teachers, so students can be separated by
ages in classes. We have 3 new helpers,
but could use a few more. IF YOU ARE
WILLING TO HELP ONCE A MONTH PLEASE SPEAK TO SHERYL SHIVER OR Katherine gross..
THANK YOU
Sunday School Teachers and staff!
·
COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS meet on
Tuesday nights in the student house at 7:00 p.m. We are studying “The
Case for Christ” and discussing defending our Christian faith. Come and join us!
ALSO,
there will be College Lunch for students in the Fellowship Hall after worship.
·
WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN
2024 and 2025 using the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible.” On Wednesday,
February 26, we read through Jeremiah 49.
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!
·
THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 2 We will begin A New
Member Class at First Lutheran. IN THE LIBRARY AT 8:45 A.M. Five people have indicated a desire to
attend, but others can join us, if you wish.
Our Class is entitled “Basic Christian Teachings.” If someone wants to learn more, or to refresh
their knowledge, come and join us. There
is no commitment to join FLC just because a person attends the class.
Pastor Chris
will teach the Adult Sunday School class on The Pastoral Epistles, and Pastor
Rockey will teach the new member class.
·
AN ACOLYTE CLASS will be held on Saturday,
March 1 for children in second grade and older who would like to light the
candles and help in worship in other ways.
After class we will take a trip to McDonalds! 😊We
have 7 young people who have indicated an interest, but others may attend as
well.
·
STEPHEN MINISTRY – First Lutheran is
re-activating the Stephen Ministry program at First Lutheran. Angie Burr, Jean Halabrin, and Dana Lucas STARTED
leadership training on February 10. In
addition, those who are committed to training as supervised Christian Care
Givers include: Julie Dicks, Tina Gorske, Patti Holloway, Debbie Jones, Marge
Polkowski, Kathy Rockey, Stephanie Smith, and Jon Visscher. Stay tuned for more information as the
training process progresses. Please pray
for this caring ministry at First Lutheran.
P.P.S. Family Fun:
·
After driving to Key West to see a Garrison
Keillor show, and to see the city, Kathy and I visited friends in Bradenton.
o We
say Paul Forsyth and her sister Doris. Paula
was our next door neighbor in Gainesville before her health changed. She now lives with her sister Doris. We neglected to take pictures. ☹
o Then
we stopped to visit Alaska friends. We saw Fred and Kelly Vasilie, and their
cousins Karen and Chris. You sometime
see pictures of Fred and me fishing, in Alaska, AND in Florida. Here are pictures of our visit in Bradenton. https://photos.app.goo.gl/BJLrmU9hmUB1cSPt6
Fishing: -
· Boat
Maintenance – Like a car, a boat needs maintaining. On Saturday, February 22, and Monday,
February 24, I did the following: changed the fluid in the lower unit, changed
the oil in the power head, greased the hubs on the trailer wheels, tightened
the rail on the trailer, installed a new deck cup holder, and prepared a new
runner for the trailer. Whew! Here are two pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZXdXqfjEoHrNG36X6
· Fishing,
February 23 – I took fishing one of the University students, Patrick Bier, who
is attending First Lutheran. There was
more fishing than catching involved. I do
have a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zw2VxpiXNKQjSD1Y9
*******
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)
