Thankful for the Holy Spirit – Just What I Need!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

Last Sunday, May 24, 2026, was the 7^th Sunday AFTER Easter, and celebrated by most liturgical Christian congregations as Pentecost Sunday, the day God poured out the Holy Spirit.  (See Acts 2)  Some call the Holy Spirit “The Forgotten Person of the Trinity.”  Christians speak of the Father, our Creator.  They praise God for Jesus, our Savior.  However, we seem to speak less about the Holy Spirit.  Yet, we need the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.  Let me share with you some thoughts I shared last Sunday at Anchorage Lutheran.

 

First, we need the Holy Spirit to help us in our faith, in our Christian lives.  The Lord created us in power and wisdom and love. However, our parents rebelled against the Creator and Ruler of all, through acts of pride and selfishness, and they ‘did their own thing.’ Unfortunately, we continue their sin. Just look at the world around us.  Our world, our country, in many ways our own lives are full of problems we struggle to overcome. Our world and our lives are full of hatred, and greed, and violence. And the result of all this rebellion is death.  President Geore W. Bush used to ask, “How’s that working for you?”  How is the selfishness, the rebellion, the sin working? We need help!

 

Surprisingly, in spite of our sin, in love beyond reason, God sent Jesus. In sacrificial love that continues to amaze, the Father sent His Son, His SON!  Jesus left the safety and glory of heaven to come to this world of sin, and rebellion, and death. Amazingly, the sinless, all powerful, Son of God took on what our sin deserved.  He faced opposition for speaking the truth. He endured a sham trial, was tortured and crucified like a criminal. Because Jesus was sinless, His suffering and death paid for our sin, for the sin of the whole world. And then, Jesus did what is impossible  . . . for us.  After dying Jesus rose, defeating the sin which causes all our problems, defeating our enemy the devil, and defeating death.  All who believe in Jesus are forgiven and saved for eternal life in heaven.  We need faith in Jesus for this life, and for eternity.  But, we often trust ourselves instead of the saving love of God.  Sinful people struggle to believe. 

 

Jesus disciples also struggled with faith, even after His resurrection.  But as they gathered in fear and anticipation, God sent his Spirit.  On Pentecost Day the disciples heard the sound of the rushing wind and saw tongues of fire rest above their heads, as God did what He had promised in Joel and poured out the Holy Spirit.  Now, these timid, failing, sinful men spoke boldly about Jesus.  Amazing! The Holy Spirit was God’s help and strength to them. 

 

The Holy Spirit creates and strengthens faith in us.  God promised through Joel, “17 I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,  ' and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; ¹⁸ even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.  (Acts 2:17-18) God has given us His Spirit when we were baptized, through His Word, in the Lord’s Supper, in worship.  We need the Spirit to create in us faith so that we receive God’s blessings through Jesus.

 

However, God not only desires to save us. He desires for disciples of Jesus to reach the whole world.  Peter quotes the prophet Joel, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21.) This is God’s Old Testament Plan, since Adam and Abraham, and expressed in Joel that everyone who believes in the promised Messiah will be saved. This is the plan Jesus shared with Nicodemus,  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  (John 3:16) Reaching the whole world is the plan God shares through the apostles.  Paul shares in 1 Timothy 2:3-4, “God our Savior, ⁴ . . . desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” We not only need the powerful, forgiving, saving love of God ourselves.  We are here for another reason, to share God’s saving love in Jesus with the whole world.

 

Thankfully, God also promised through Joel, I will pour out my Spirit on ALL FLESH,   The Holy Spirit has been poured out on all the hard hearts of this world.  In a broken world of hatred, violence, selfishness, the Holy Spirit is opening hearts of those who need Jesus, so that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' 

 

Is your faith strong?  Are you up to the task of sharing Jesus with others?  I know my weaknesses and sometimes wonder what I can do.   Nevertheless, God promises, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, He strengthens and empowers me, AND YOU, so that we may trust God’s love in Jesus.  The Spirit strengthen us so that we share that good news of Jesus with others.  The Spirit is poured out on all flesh so that people respond, so that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

 

A Child of God, Thankful for the Holy Spirit – Just What I Need!

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.  I am now serving as Vacancy pastor at Anchorage Lutheran Church in Anchorage.  

 

·       VOTERS’ MEETING – There is a Voters’ Meeting after worship on Sunday, May 31 in order to vote on the proposed budget for 2026-2027.

 

Other Activities of Faith:

·       I have again started my two-year journey with my Lord.  On Monday, May 25, I read Judges 3.  It is amazing that God is faithful, even when His people wander!

               You may also contact me at 907-841-4066 if you have any         questions about these readings.  Or send an e-mail question to             jonrock53@mtaonline.net  I have received questions and                     comments about the readings.  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.S. Family Fun and Fishing!   (no fishing this week)!

 

·       Graduation  –  Here are some pictures from Graduation night for our grandson Jacob. It was COLD!  https://photos.app.goo.gl/6mz1XFn8HhdwyePeA

 

·       Family Gatherings – We had a number of family gatherings last week centered around Jacob’s graduation and the fact that Josh and Erin and family had traveled from Washington for the graduation.  Below are some pictures.

 

o   Most of our family also gathered at our home on Wednesday, May 20.  All our grandchildren were there.  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/a6kajb9BcJkc3NZ6A

 

o   We held another family gathering on Saturday, May 23.  This time Tim and Megan were able to attend.  Here are some pictures of Jake opening his quilt from Kathy, of family board games, and of Emma and her boyfriend, Tim! https://photos.app.goo.gl/ukzJeeVpHiVEymsX7

 

·       Baseball – We watched Jake play baseball again on Thursday     and Friday, May 21 and 22.  Here is a picture of his cheering     section on Friday, May 22.  Do you see the cold weather             gear?  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ase1UcE4ZyEEq7cM9

 

·       Not Spring Yet!  On Sunday morning, May 24, as I prepared for church, I checked the temperature.  My phone said 32 degrees.  Our thermometer said 30 degrees.  There was FROST on the roof of our shed!  O Well!  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/NepSe3HXvzZbwvcJA

 

·       Yard and Garden –

 

o   I worked to get the front garden in shape for the summer.  I pinned back the landscape fabric which had blown around, did some weeding, and put down 15 bags of new mulch. There are daffodils blooming.  😊 Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/52DbR8ge1W2Vtzka8

 

o   We did have a 60’ spruce tree blow down in last winter’s wind.  It fell from our neighbor’s back yard across our pea patch and a row of raspberries.  I cut it up for firewood and gave it to my neighbor.  Here is a picture of the wood after cutting. https://photos.app.goo.gl/GsJhVB6iiSRJw7Bt9

 

·       Cabin – I traveled to our cabin on Memorial Day on the way to a Spring Pastors' / Workers' Conference in Homer.  I turned on the heat and electric, and put out the flag on Memorial Day.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/2Z4YJhTvV69swAEH9

 

 

*******

 

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.  (I finished for now serving as Assistant to the Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL. I am serving Anchorage Lutheran Church as Vacancy Pastor.)

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, Anchorage Lutheran Church, Anchorage, AK

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)

 

How Do We as Children of God Keep up With all the People we Know and Love and Care About in so MANY Different Places?

 

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

The past week has been a whirlwind of activity, for Kathy and me, and for our family and friends.  See if you can follow our activity, our saga for the week.

 

·       On Tuesday, May 12, my sister, Martha, and brother-in-law, Mark, drove us from Gainesville, FL, to the Tampa Airport where we boarded a flight to Anchorage. 

·       We arrived home on Wednesday morning at 3:00 a.m. but shared a meal with daughter, Mary, and son, Andrew, and grandchildren, Jackson and Kendall on Wednesday evening.  

·       Thursday, along with Mary, we drove 325 miles to Fairbanks, where we watched grandson, Jacob, play baseball for Palmer High School.  We were also joined by our daughter-in-law, Erin, and her brother, Matt, and sister in law, Kirsten, as we cheered for Jake.  (The team’s record for 3 games was 1-1-1. It’s a long story!)

·       Friday, during our time in Fairbanks, we visited with friends, Dan and Cheryl Treakle, and later with Pastor Scott Barkdull. 

·       Saturday, after the last baseball games we drove home to Palmer.  In addition, since Jake is graduating from Palmer High on Tuesday, May 20, his dad, Josh, his sisters, Emma and Annie, and his brother, Henry also arrived from Seattle while we were in Fairbanks. 

·       We all worshiped together in our home congregation, St. John Lutheran Church, on Sunday, May 17, along with Mary, and her fiancee’, Brandon.  Brandon currently teaches in Kenney Lake, but will be teaching in Wasilla beginning in July. 

·       Then on Monday, our son, Tim, came out from Anchorage and joined the whole family at Senior Night for the Jake’s game with the Palmer Baseball Team.  At this game, family also included Erins dad, Pastor Bruce Rowell, her mom, Polly, her sister, Katie, and brothers Matt and Chris and their wives.

 

So, have I CONFUSED or OVERWHELMED you with all the names of people, and all the places we have been in the last week?  I do believe all this activity is a current-day phenomenon.  People could not have moved around this much even a century ago.  Our interaction with all these people in all these places might also be called a “first-world” issue.

 

However, the question is, “How do we as children of God keep up with all the people we know and love and care about in so MANY different places?”  Yet, did you realize this is not just a modern-day issue? God’s word speaks to that question from past times.

 

Perhaps you remember Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, and his father-in-law, Laban.  Jacob was known as a “deceiver.”  Yet, Laban tried to deceive or trick Jacob time and again.  After 20 years some resentment arose.  So, Jacob took his wives, Laban’s daughters, Leah and Rachel, and traveled toward the land God promised Abraham.  Laban pursued Jacob and his group.  When he finally caught up with them, Laban and Jacob had a frank discussion.  But, in spite of differences, they were all family.  Perhaps you remember the monument which Laban and Jacob built. “48 Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me today." That is why it was called Galeed. 49 It was also called Mizpah, because he said, "May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.”  (Genesis 31:48-49)  They created a pile of stones and formed an agreement, or a covenant, and trusted the Lord to watch over their loved ones, even while separated by distance and time.

 

 

We are often separated from family and friends. This separation can cause an ache in our hearts.  But God’s children trust the Lord to “keep watch over” our loved ones “when we are away from each other.”

 

There are many other verses of Scripture which express these emotions of longing for loved ones and also give us promises concerning our Lord and those we care about.  Among my favorite such verses are Psalm 121:8. “The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Comforting – “from this time AND forevermore!”  Paul wrote to many churches about his concern for them.  Among those expressions are his words of Christian love in Philippians 1.  “³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”  (Philippians 1:3-6)  Paul continues to pray and to care about those in a far-away city.  Also, as He departs this world, Jesus promises His presence and blessings, “Surely, I am with you always to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b) And, because of the presence of the crucified and risen Savior, Paul assures the Corinthians of God’s love and blessings. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”  (2 Corinthians 13:14)

 

Modern day life does not have to be rushed, or hurried. Yet we nevertheless live those kind of lives.  I confess!  I am guilty!!  Nevertheless, such busy-ness does not lessen the love we have for our family and our friends.  What a blessing to know our Lord takes care of our people, even when we are separated.  Someday, because of the death and the rising of Jesus, all believers in God’s Savior will be joined together before the throne of our Savior, FOREVER! "May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.”

 

A Child of God, Taking Comfort And Strength from God’s Care for Loved One - FAR AWAY!

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.  I have finished my service this year as assistant to Pastor Chris Kollmann at First Lutheran Church, in Gainesville, FL. 

On Monday, May 18, while family watched Jake play baseball in Palmer, I attended my first Executive Leadership Team meeting at Anchorage Lutheran Church in Anchorage.  I will be serving as Vacancy Pastor at Anchorage Lutheran.

 

Other Activities of Faith:

I have again started my two-year journey with my Lord.  On Tuesday, May 12, I read Joshua 22.  What an interesting story of how mis-understanding could have caused great harm, but did not! 

You may also contact me at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these readings.  Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net  I have received questions and comments about the readings.  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.S. Family Fun and Fishing!  

 

·       Alaska House – On Wednesday I walked around our yard to see how things were at our Alaska home.  There was a tree which the wind blew down across some of our garden plot.  Our apple trees were nipped by moose, above the fencing we put up last year.  A moose left his sign in our yard by our neighbor’s fence.  I have work to do on our front flower garden because the wind blew away the mulch, and disturbed some of our landscape fabric. Actually, all in all, not a bad winter.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/9cHuGNnGr29Z1Qy26

 

·       Baseball – Here are some pictures from Jake’s baseball games

 

o   Thursday, May 14 – https://photos.app.goo.gl/WV4AFbAPhjpYmSHR8

o   Friday, May 15 - https://photos.app.goo.gl/yJTgLb1T8Epn6tXH7

o   Saturday, May 16 – https://photos.app.goo.gl/viG4jtdmjSoK9Wrp6

o   Monday, May 18 - https://photos.app.goo.gl/qrYMFmuP5hG2YFL18

 

·       Fishing – While in Fairbanks I did visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Office, and received a recommendation on local lakes to fish.  I didn’t have much time so I dropped Kathy and Mary off at the hotel, and threw a few lures, and a few flies onto Billaine Lake.  I had no bites.  Unlike Florida, I had to cast over and around the remaining ice.  Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/8e75DBjvyjdbPWAF6

 

 

*******

 

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.  (I finished for now serving as Assistant to the Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL. I am serving Anchorage Lutheran Church as Vacancy Pastor.)

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

Assistant to the 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)

 

Living in an EXPLOSION of Chaos Because of Sin - Trusting my Redeemer!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

Have you ever been surprised when, even after careful, detailed planning, you encounter a catastrophe . . .or at least an unexpected mishap?

 

On Tuesday morning, May 12,  I was cleaning a refrigerator.   I had previously spilled some water from frozen fish in the appliance, and I wanted to clean it up.  I took many precautions. I had a bucket of warm water and Pine Sol.  I also used a bottle of spray liquid cleaner and disinfectant.  I had a clean rag for wiping.  I began spraying and wiping down the freezer with the rag which I had dipped in the Pine Sol cleaner.  Then I worked lower, in the refrigerator – that’s where the juice had spilled.  I sprayed and wiped the door, and then in the body of the refrigerator itself.  On the bottom was a shelf with two sliding “crisper” drawers underneath.  That is where the fish juice had settled.  The door of the refrigerator did not open far enough for me to slide out the drawers. However, the shelf was removable. I lifted the shelf and removed first one, then the other drawer.  I put them in a safe place.  Then I took the glass shelf from the bracket.  I had cleaned out a place next to the refrigerator and picked up the glass and tried to very gently prop it on the floor.  I started with the corner of the glass to then easily settle it onto the floor.  However, in all those detailed, careful preparations, something I did was a mistake.

 

The safety glass from the shelf . . . EXPLODED!  Shards of glass flew all over the floor, into my shoes, under the refrigerator, and throughout the space beside this appliance. A shard of glass also flew into the tip of the index finger on my left hand, and blood started dripping, and dripping.  There was blood on the floor, in my sink, in the refrigerator.  Somehow there was blood in the laundry basket. Upon examination, there was still a small dagger of glass in my finger.  After removing the glass, I put the finger in my mouth and went into our house to get Kathy to help me with a band-aid.  Blood still dripped onto the floor, on the kitchen table, and down my hand.  She finally got my finger cleaned off and applied a bandage which stopped the bleeding for a while, until the bandage fell off and blood started dripping again.

 

Finally, I swept up glass, vacuumed glass, and wiped up blood.  I thought I had done everything carefully, correctly. I had my supplies out.  I was organized, and thorough, and gentle in handling the shelving.  Yet, in less than one second, in spite of my preparation and attention to detail, the glass EXPLODED, and it took me over an hour to clean up the mess, to clean up the chaos.

 

I know my accident is not a major disaster compared to a fatal auto accident, an unplanned illness, or a mistake in judgment for a relationship.  I had just created a big mess which caused time and effort to clean up.  However, there are times when unexpected chaos breaks it’s way into our lives with undesired consequences.

 

For example, do you remember Adam and Eve in Genesis 3?  Yes, God had commanded them not to eat from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:16-17) They knew it was wrong, but they were tempted and they gave in to that temptation.  Yet, it was only a piece of fruit.  Do you think they knew their disobedience would bring curses on the whole world? After this sin God cursed the serpent. The woman and the serpent now have an eternally tense relationship.  Child-bearing now includes pain.  The relationship between husbands and wives include power struggles.  The ground is cursed.  Work is now a labor that requires the sweat of our brow.  And, because of this one deed, God kept his word, and death has entered our world.  One piece of fruit, one act of prideful rebellion and selfishness, and chaos exists everywhere. (Genesis 3)

 

Because of the sin in our world, because of our rebellion against our Creator, our whole world is cursed.  We face mishaps, like my cleaning disaster.  Misfortune, suffering, and death are constantly attacking us, even if we plan ahead.  God did not wish these consequences. They are a natural result of our sin and the sin in our world.  We can deal with our troubles, but we cannot overcome the cause of our trouble.  I was again reminded that I need a helper, a Savior, someone to see me through the curse.  I need hope instead of despair.  I need a way toward forgiveness of my sin. 

 

God provides that Savior, that Redeemer, in Jesus.  Consider 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.  “¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ¹⁸ All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”  Jesus took on our sin so that we might be reconciled, so that we might be forgiven, so that we might have new lives here and eternally.  The surprising GOOD NEWS is that we are ambassadors.  We get to share this new life in Jesus with others, in the midst of the catastrophic chaos which they face!

 

I pray that, in the suffering and pain and problems of your life, you know the reconciliation and the new life we have in Jesus.  I also pray you share this love, this reconciliation with others, even in the midst of their struggles.

 

A Child of God, Living in an EXPLOSION of Chaos Because of Sin - Trusting my Redeemer!

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from my accident – AFTER I cleaned up. https://photos.app.goo.gl/MRfXpKXXTfREGMCz9

 

P.P.S.  I have finished my service this year as assistant to Pastor Chris Kollmann at First Lutheran Church, in Gainesville, FL.  However, there were a few events last week worth sharing.

 

First Lutheran Activities

 

·       ADULT SUNDAY BIBLE CLASSES – I concluded the  Lutheran Hour Ministries study of Christian citizenship, “We the People.” 

 

·       Funeral Service for Julie Schilling – The memorial service was held on Saturday, May 9, for long-time member, Julie Schilling.  Here are a few pictures from the reception.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/yJZjBTg957GunmWu9

 

·       STEPHEN MINISTRY – In worship on Sunday, May 10, Mother’s Day, we also commissioned 8 new Stephen Ministers. After much training these Christian Care – Givers will be able to provide a listening ear, a word of faith, a prayer, and the presence of love for those going through a difficult time.  If you know someone who could use a Stephen Minister, please contact Pastor Chris Kollmann. Here is a picture of the new class.  (Patty Holloway was missing as she was on an anniversary cruise. She is also a trained Stephen Minister.)   https://photos.app.goo.gl/MMrFaJfmNjRgarML6

 

·       Sunday School concludes on Mothers’ Day, May 10 for the summer.

 

Other Activities of Faith:

I have again started my two-year journey with my Lord.  On Tuesday, May 12, I read Joshua 10 and 11.  As Israel begins to conquer the Promised Land, in a battle, God causes the sun to stand still! 

You may also contact me at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these readings.  Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net  I have received questions and comments about the readings.  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.S. Family Fun and Fishing!  

 

·       Fishing – Brother-in-law, Mark Reaves, and I went fishing on the Suwannee River on May 8, one last time before Kathy and I return home to Alaska.  We caught about a dozen bass, but released them all.  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/H6hbHfSWSmLdMEZX8

 

·       Even though Kathy and I planned to celebrate Mother’s Day / BirthDAY on May 10 with a University of Florida baseball game, we could not go.  The time for the game was changed last minute to 10:00 a.m., and I was preaching!  I was invited to play golf with Roger and Karen Natzke, and I shot my best game this year – an 83!  Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Qh2Z8XSNJT4Mg1MUA

 

·       A Snake!  As we were cleaning and shutting up our Gainesville residence to return to Alaska, Kathy was closing the windows on the screen porch.  She reached for the window and looked and . . . right on the bush was a small black snake. (They are very helpful.)  We took this picture.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/npFZAFQW2PHmhk4m8  

 

*******

 

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 currently serve as Assistant to the 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

Assistant to the 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)

 

Praying for The Lord to Send Out Laborers Into His Harvest!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

I am currently finishing up my service as part-time assistant to the pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida.  This is not only the congregation where I grew up, where I was nurtured in faith in Junior High and High School and beyond.  This is not only the group of believers who encouraged me and sent me away to study for the pastoral ministry.  This is also the congregation where, in September of 2023, I began serving as Vacancy Pastor after Pastor John Glover had taken a call to a different position.  When Pastor Chris Kollmann was installed in February of 2025, First Lutheran asked me to continue serving ¼ time when Kathy and I are in town.  This service at First Lutheran has been a joy and a privilege for me.

 

However, as Kathy and I were preparing to return to Alaska in May of 2025, on April 15 I received text asking me to help out at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Chugiak, as their pastor was leaving.  Then again, on April 16, 2026, I received another phone call asking me to help out at Anchorage Lutheran Church, which is currently without a permanent full-time pastor.

 

While it is an honor to be asked to serve as part-time pastor in all these areas, even when retired, these requests reveal an underlying reality, a problem even.  THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF CHURCH WORKERS, a growing shortage.

 

I recently read an article about Roman Catholic congregations in America.  The churches are growing again after COVID, but there are fewer and fewer priests.  “When asked about the priest shortage, Dan Monastra, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, said, ‘One reason is the overall lack of desire in our culture to commit oneself to something permanent, especially among younger generations. We see this not only with the priesthood but with marriage as well. Another reason is that the priesthood is antithetical to what modern culture offers; namely, comfort.’This is the paradox of the present moment: a renewed interest in Catholicism colliding with a severe priest shortage and the business of staffing, financing, and sustaining parish life. The Catholic population is growing with fewer priests to guide it.”  (Fox News, April 4, 2026)

 

I believe discussion on this church worker shortage is healthy.  First, the Christian Church is not a human idea for organization, but part of the plan of Jesus to reach the world.  Jesus tells Peter, “. . . I will build MY church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)  Different congregations may function differently, but the Christian Church is JESUS’ plan!

 

Secondly, in the Old Testament and in the New Testament the Lord has provided for workers, workers who will faithfully lead the people of God in worshiping and serving Him.  God inspired St. Paul to write in Ephesians, “11 It was he [Jesus] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)  Church workers of various types are not only God’s plan, but His gift to His people.

 

Finally, Jesus cares enough about people that He came to this world.  He cares enough that He suffered and died, and rose again, in order to save His children through faith in Himself.  Wanting people to receive the results of His saving work, and knowing the need for workers, Jesus encouraged His disciples to “PRAY!”  “³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ³⁸ therefore PRAY earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’"  (Matthew 9:36-38) 

 

There are obviously other issues in today’s world affecting the shortage of church workers in all churches.  When asked about the shortage of priests, Dan Monastra cited a “lack of commitment” in people today, and a “desire for comfort.”  In addition, churches and church workers also fail.  The church is composed of sinners who need a savior.  Such failures can hurt the people who are the Lambs of God.  Nevertheless, the Lord will guide, and heal, and save. 

 

So are you doing what Jesus called for?  “ . . . PRAY earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."  In addition, I might add, we not only need to pray to our Lord for more workers and pastors. We also need prayers for those who are currently serving.  Being a shepherd, a spiritual leader, in a secular age with conflicting ideas about organizational structure is a difficult task.  Just look at Moses, or Elijah, or Peter, or Paul, or others in Scripture.

 

I ask the question again, are you doing what Jesus called for?  “ . . . pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."  Jesus desires for all to know and to receive His saving work.  His plan is for workers to share His Word and to disciple people in faith in Jesus!   Please pray for workers in the Christian Church!

 

A Child of God, Praying for The Lord to Send Out Laborers Into His Harvest!

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.  Here is a link to the article on Roman Catholic priests from Fox News. 

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/revival-pews-crisis-altar-why-churches-closing-amid-catholic-comeback

 

P.P.S.  I am now in Gainesville, FL, finishing my service this year as assistant to Pastor Chris Kollmann at First Lutheran Church, the congregation where I spent my teenage years.

 

First Lutheran Activities

 

·       On Sunday, May 3, Kathy and I were invited and attended the graduation of First Lutheran member and college student YuSheng He from the University of Florida.  Here are some pictures from the graduation. https://photos.app.goo.gl/rQsGr7Vf6P19KQN5A

 

·       ADULT SUNDAY BIBLE CLASSES - Pastor Kollman and I are teaching separate Sunday Bible classes on Sundays at 8:45 a.m.

 

o   On Sunday, March 22, Pastor Kollmann began teaching an Adult Member Class in the library.  This will finish soon.

 

o   On April 26, I began teaching a Lutheran Hour Ministries study of Christian citizenship, “We the People.”  COME AND JOIN US! We finish this Sunday.

 

·       Funeral Service for Julie Schilling – Long-time First Lutheran Member passed away from prolonged illness on Tuesday, March 31.  Julie is known for many things.  She blessed others with her beautiful voice.  Julie loved her family and helped her friends and neighbors.  She knew and loved her Lord, Jesus.  Julie also helped make the “Card Ministry” of First Lutheran a special blessing to many.  Julie’s service will be held at First Lutheran on Saturday, May 9, at 1:00 p.m.  This is the link to a web page sharing about Julie and her upcoming service.  BatBarn.com

 

·       STEPHEN MINISTRY - We started Stephen Ministry classes at First Lutheran on Thursday, February 12.  Stephen Ministers are trained Christian care-givers.  A Stephen Minister is not a pastor, and not a counselor.  But they are Christians who are trained to bring Jesus and His love to another Christian person facing a difficult time. 

Open Arms Director, Angie Burr, is a trained Stephen Leader.  Susan Lucas is also training to serve as a Stephen Leader for FLC. 

We have 7 people who have committed to train and serve as Stephen Ministers, as Christian care-givers.  Training was completed on Thursday, April 30.  We will commission new Stephen Minissters in worship on Sunday, May 10.  They include Julie Dicks, Tina Gorske, Patty Holloway, Susan Lucas, Linda Pierson, Kathy Rockey, and Jon Visscher.

Please pray for our Lord to use these Stephen Ministers to serve His people.  

 

·       Young People Activities at FLC –First Lutheran families and youth had 3 activities in February, March, and April.  Pastor Kollmann and Lena Rabe are discussing a possible Youth/family activity for First Lutheran this summer.

 

·       Sunday School concludes on Mothers’ Day, May 10 for the summer.

 

Other Activities of Faith:

·       I have again started my two-year journey with my Lord.  On Tuesday, May 5, I read Deuteronomy 34, concerning the death of Moses.  Feel free to join me in reading God’s Word again if you wish.  You may also contact me at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these readings.  Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net  I have received questions and comments about the readings.  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.S. Family Fun and Fishing!  

·       Last week I wrote about our “fish fry.”  Since that time Christine Dietrich also sent me some pictures from the event.  Here is our whole group of pictures from the fish fry on April 25, including those from Christine. https://photos.app.goo.gl/n8vkyxPFQkT9Uz3n7

 

·       On Saturday, May 2, some other men from First Lutheran Church joined me in a benefit golf tournament.  Here is a pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/oReoWhAEqhJ1gVXp6

 

·       Guess what I did Saturday afternoon, after the golf tournament?  I . . . went fishing at Rodman Reservoir.  Here are pictures of the fish I caught, and also pictures of some manatees which swam around me.   I released the fish. https://photos.app.goo.gl/bCTMTZHLNxMXxGoM9

 

*******

 

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 currently serve as Assistant to the 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

Assistant to the 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)