Dear Fellow Children of God,
Do you ever get tired of the same bad news over and over
again? For example, if I exercise, and if
I watch what I eat, and then I step on the scale and it says the same as it has
the last few weeks, months even, that is frustrating bad news. If a person goes to the doctor, and time and
again they hear bad news about their health, that’s discouraging. If I work and work to improve a relationship
with someone I care about, yet I seem to be getting nowhere, there is drudgery and
sadness in that continuing bad news.
In my daily devotions we have been reading through the
prophets for quite a while! For the last
month and a half we have read Jeremiah, Lamentations, and now we are reading in
Ezekiel. The prophets seem to have the same message over and over again. This message points to the idolatry and sin
God’s people. The message of the
prophets then tells the gloom and bad news of God’s coming judgment for the
people’s rebellion.
For example, as I read the Bible verses for my devotions on
Tuesday, March 11, God spoke to the people through Ezekiel, “Thus says the
Lord GOD, ‘Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have
seen nothing!’” (Ezekiel 13:31) The people of Israel are ignoring God’s
Word, ignoring His law, and instead they are listening to their own minds and their
own feelings. Such rebellion has caused
them to miss God’s love. Such rebellion
has led to God’s discipline. But,
unfortunately this is the same message spoken by Moses, and by Samuel, and
Elijah, and Isaiah, and Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, and by all the prophets. Time and again we hear about the same bad
choices from God’s people, and we hear the same bad news of His coming judgment.
Do you ever feel like the season of Lent . . . drags on,
and on, and on? While ‘Lent’ means ‘Spring,’
this season of the church year focuses on the opposition faced by Jesus because
of the sins of the people. We read about
the pride and the doubt of Jesus’ disciples.
We look at the hostility of the religious leaders against Jesus. We see wayward and wandering people who resist
Jesus’ teachings about the Messiah and about His kingdom. Do you think Jesus ever felt discouraged by
facing the same sinful opposition over and over again? Do you think that Jesus, the Son of God, ever
felt drudgery over dealing with the same issues spoken of again and again by
the Old Testament prophets?
I do hear such feelings in Jesus’ words in the Gospel
lesson assigned for the coming Sunday, the Second Sunday in Lent. “34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the
prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your
children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were
not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will
not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the
Lord.’” (Luke 13:34-35)
Perhaps you know that the season of Lent has 40 days (not
including Sundays), and is intended to remind us of the wilderness wanderings
of the people of Israel. They traveled
in the desert for 40 years, often lost, dealing with the trials of life as they
approached the Promised Land. But, at
the end of their journey, they received the promises of God. The difficulties and drudgery of the
wilderness made the land of promise even more sweet.
Our observance of Lent, a time when we consider the opposition
and sin faced by our Lord, continues to the ultimate end of His death, but then
to His resurrection. Realizing our own
waywardness, and understanding that we deserve God’s judgment, makes the
forgiveness of His Cross and the victory of the empty tomb the sweetest news of
all. In a way, the ‘drudgery’ of Lent makes the love of Jesus’ sacrifice, the
forgiveness of His cross, and the eternal life of Easter even more sweet. When we know that we deserve God’s judgment,
His forgiveness and grace is AMAZING!
I cherish the time which I spend in the wilderness each
Spring, considering my need for a Savior.
I rejoice each year at the forgiveness and salvation we experience through
Jesus’ victory in Holy Week.
May this season of Lent, when we consider and repent of
our sin, lead you to understand the depth of the Good News of Jesus’ forgiveness,
and His gift of eternal life. May your
Lenten walk lead you to Jesus, and lead you to rejoice in the sweet experience
of His saving love.
A Child of God, Thankful that the DRUDGERY of Lent Makes Jesus’
Easter Victory Sweeter!
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.
·
ACOLYTES – Perhaps you have noticed First
Lutheran has recently had young people lighting the candles, or serving as
“acolytes.” (The Word ‘acolyte’
comes from the Greek word to follow. We teach acolytes they are followers of
Jesus.)
FLC
held an acolyte class on Saturday, March 1, and we will hold a second training
session on Sunday, March 16 after worship.
We have 5 young people who have been trained, with another 2 people
interested.
We
will be flexible as we re-instate this opportunity for young people to serve.
PLEASE
ENCOURAGE these young people as they serve our Lord and His people at
First Lutheran!
·
LENTEN SERVICES 2025 – “Conventional Wisdom
vs. God’s Wisdom. This year=s theme for Mid-Week Lenten Worship is AConventional Wisdom vs. God=s Wisdom.@
Lent 2025 will look at what the world believes, with its sinful belief that it
holds the key to wisdom. We will
contrast God=s wisdom,
the alternative better wisdom to the wisdom of the world.
Lent 1 - God=s
Wisdom Concerning Glory Palm Sunday,
Upper Room
Lent 2 - God=s
Wisdom Concerning Prayer Gethsemane (‘Not
my will but your
Will’ B
Does God answer prayer?)
Lent 3 - God=s
Wisdom About Forgiveness Judas B Forgiveness Can=t
be Real . .
. for me
Lent 4 - God=s
Wisdom Concerning Selfishness Peter=s Denial B
Take Care of
#
1
Lent 5 - God=s
Wisdom Concerning Power Pilate B The Government Has the
Power
Lent 6 - God=s
Wisdom Concerning Death Ladies at the
Tomb B Death is
Final
·
MID WEEK LENTEN MEALS - Each Wednesday
during Lent at 5:00 p.m. First Lutheran families will serve meals before our
mid-week Lenten worship. These meals
provide an opportunity for fellowship and make it easier for people to attend
Wednesday Lenten Worship, since we don=t
have to bring anything after work for a pot luck meal, and there is no cost. Come and enjoy the meals and the time with
God’s people!
·
PASSOVER –We will celebrate a PASSOVER
MEAL of lamb, green salad, charoseth (apple and raisin relish), unleavened
bread, and wine or grape juice at 6:00 p.m. on Manudy Thursday,
April 17. (This time gives people a
chance to arrive from work.) The Passover is was a Jewish celebration of God
saving His people from slavery in Egypt.
However, this ceremony also helps Christians understand Jesus’ Passion
and His Easter victory.
The
Recommended Donation is $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for children. PLEASE SIGN UP IN THE NARTHEX AT
CHURCH! This helps us to know how
much food to prepare. Last year 56
people attended the First Lutheran Passover Meal.
·
ON SUNDAY, MARCH 2 We began a New Member
Class at First Lutheran. IN THE LIBRARY AT 8:45 A.M. Seven people have attended, 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.
·
STEPHEN MINISTRY IS COMING BACK! – First
Lutheran is re-activating the Stephen Ministry program. Stephen Ministry is an organized and
supervised plan for Christian caring.
Stephen Ministers are trained to listen, to bring Jesus to people’s
troubles. They are trained to walk
alongside others as Christian friends, bringing the saving love of God.
Angie Burr,
Jean Halabrin, and Dana Lucas STARTED leadership training on February 10 and
will finish on March 17. 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.
We are still considering
when new Stephen Ministers will be trained and ready to serve at FLC. Stay tuned for more information as the
training process progresses. Please pray
for this caring ministry at First Lutheran.
·
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 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,
Narch 12, we read through Ezekiel 15.
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!
P.P.P.S. Fishing and Family Fun:
·
On Thursday, March 6, I tried to fish on
two favorite lakes. The wind was blowing. White caps filled the water. Waves lapped on the shore. I tried, but no luck. However, here are pictures of the two lakes I
tried. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6Fmq6AaKF8enWwJRA
· On
Sunday afternoon, March 9, Kathy and our daughter, Mary, and I drove to
Jeckyll Island to see some sites and celebrate Kathy’s birthday on Monday,
March 10. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/bMFh55AiWDD6epeA9
· On
Monday, March 10, on the way home from Jeckyll Island, we stopped to
visited long-time friends, Everett and Edie Conaway, in Callahan, FL. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/kEtRxFt8EF5hpkHG8
· On
Saturday, March 1, (I forgot to share this last week) friends we met in
Germany, Harold and Susan Boxberger, visited in Florida. The Boxbergers were our ‘deputy directors’
when we served with Wittenberg English Ministry in Germany last October. Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/UrqBmmvVNnA3mU4C9
*******
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)
No comments:
Post a Comment