Dear Fellow Children of God,
Do you ever feel like you are living the words of Scripture? This past week has been wonderful in some
ways. However, many other events of the
last week remind me of Romans 8:19-23. “19 For the creation waits
with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the
creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who
subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free
from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the
children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been
groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not
only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit,
groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our
bodies.” I feel like I have been
experiencing the “futility of creation,” the results of its “bondage to
corruption” because of sin.
Perhaps most obviously, in my past week I was present for
3 funerals (July 28, 31, and August 1).
One of those services was on the Kenai River for a friend. The other two services I officiated as pastor. I knew two of these people and their families
pretty well. Now, I do know that “The
wages of sin is death . . .” (Romans 6:23a). Nevertheless, it seems to me that each of
these 3 people had life left to live, and to gifts to share with others. Therefore, I have to trust the Lord in all 3 deaths.
On Sunday night, August 2, Kathy and I gathered with the
Berberich family. John Switzer, the
father of Deidre, was one of those whose funerals I officated. We were also joined by Herman and Linda
Griese. Our 3 families have been good
friends for over 35 years. But, as
Herman and Linda arrived to bring comfort for the Berberich family, they shared
tragic news of their own. Herman and
Linda’s daughter, Lauren, and her family lost their home in Spokane on Saturday
night to a fire which destroyed their whole neighborhood. Thankfully, Lauren and Dylan, and their
daughters Abby and Anna, escaped safely.
Yet Herman showed me a picture of the smoldering foundation of Dylan and
Lauren’s home. The governor of WA
suggested that global warming was at work.
The police, on the other hand, arrested a man for setting the fire. This man had a previous criminal record,
having been arrested for first degree murder of his father, but pleading to a
lesser charge. What is going on in our
world?
On Monday, August 3, after taking care of a number of
errands, I . . . went fishing. Of
course! The silver salmon are starting to enter the Little Susitna River. Since I have had a boat, the years 2002,
2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 have been exceptional years for catching
silvers. (Maybe you see the pattern.)
Often the limit has been raised because of the number of fish. The last 3 years, fishing for silvers was
closed down early because of a lack of fish returning, similar to the king
salmon. I had hope for 2026. However, after catching my limit on Monday, I
received 2 emails from Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Because of low
return so far in 2026, the limit for silver salmon in the whole Susitna River
system has been decreased to one fish a day.
This is bad news I was hoping not to hear. It seems that creation IS groaning. Sigh!
On Tuesday, August 4, I received a text from our next
door neighbor. A moose had visited their
garden sometime Monday night, Tuesday morning.
Since their garden is close to mine, I walked out to the back yard and
checked. My 6 swiss chard plants are
gone. Most of my 18 cabbage plants are
eaten. There are also chunks taken out
of my broccoli and collards. Kathy is
calling it the “moose smorgasboard.” But
I put a lot of work into those plants and have seldom had this problem in the
past. Sigh, again!
Now, none of these events by themselves are a surprise. But for all of these things to happen in less
than one week can be somewhat disconcerting.
I understand the words of the Psalmist.
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within
me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”
(Psalm 42:11 and 43:5)
First, however, I know that I should not be surprised at
the trials of this world. As Paul writes
in Romans 8, ALL CREATION exists in subjection. because of sin, until
our Lord returns again.
Second, the words of the Psalmist point me to hope in
this ‘down cast time.” “Hope in God;
for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” In fact, God assures us through St. Paul also in
Romans 8, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not
worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) In the middle of life’s losses and struggles,
it is the Lord and His deliverance in which we hope.
Specifically, we learn this coming Sunday, that we are to
hope and to keep our eyes on God’s love for us in Jesus. Our Gospel Lesson for this coming Sunday, August
9, the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, is Matthew 14:22-33, the account
of Jesus, and then Peter, walking on water.
After Peter left the boat, when he looked at the waves, and considered
the wind, he took his eyes off Jesus and he began to sink. On our own we do sink in this world of
sin. Because God loves us and sent His
Son, as Jesus died for my sin and rose again defeating my sin and it’s results
in this life, I can have hope. I have
hope for big things, even in the death of loved ones and friends. I have hope during personal tragedies. I can have hope even when nature seems to
work against us. “For I consider that
the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that
is to be revealed to us.”
What are you going through right now? Do you know the love of God for you, in Jesus,
even during the midst of your trials?
May the Lord indeed give you hope because, through faith in Jesus, God
gives eternal life out of this broken world.
He is with us as we groan, waiting for His return.
A Child of God, Hoping in Jesus Through the Groans of
This Life!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now
serving as Vacancy pastor at Anchorage Lutheran Church in Anchorage.
·
Bible class –
o On
Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. we are studying the book of Ephesians downstairs
in the fellowship hall, using the CPH “Lifelight” Bible Study. There are still
some lesson books available. Class
begins at 9:00 a.m. downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. On August 9 we will continue studying Ephesians
2, and hope to begin chapter 3.
o Lay
Ministry Classes – I am teaching a class on the Sacraments AFTER worship
on Sundays. However, in addition to our Lay Worship
Leaders, others may attend if they wish.
This week we will conclude our study about Baptism.
Other Activities of Faith:
I am again taking a two-year
journey with my Lord, by reading through the Scriptures using the “Today’s
Light Devotional Bible.” On Wednesday, August 5, I read 1 Kings 21 and
22, about Ahab, his sin, and his death.
You are welcome to join in
this journey of reading God’s Word. 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. Friends, Family Fun, and Fishing!
·
A tragedy –
o
(From Lauren Griese Heck) Hello All. My sis
and her family are safe, but lost their house and everything in it to a
wildfire Saturday night. Here is their GoFundMe if you wanted and are able to
help. She is also working to put together an Amazon wishlist for some of their
more immediate needs. Thank you all. https://gofund.me/f172c490f
o
(From Kathy) These are dear family friends
who lost their home in the fire in Spokane. Our daughter Mary and Lauren have
been friends since they were in preschool. We are grateful they are safe and
have a temporary place to stay. Prayers as they work to rebuild their life are
appreciated.
·
Funerals –
o
I attended a memorial for friend, Greg Jochner,
on the Kenai River on Tuesday, July 28.
Greg died from an auto-immune disease, Miller Fisher Syndrome.
o
On Friday, July 31, I officiated at the grave-side
service for John Switzer, father of Deidre Berberich.
o
On Saturday, August 1, I conducted a service at
Anchorage Lutheran for Melissa VanNoy.
·
Yard and Garden –MOOSE AGAIN – A moose
attacked our garden again. I think it is
now a pattern. ☹ https://photos.app.goo.gl/6Piue9T8UMULurB86
·
Friends– Here
is a picture from our Sunday night gathering with the Berberich and Griese
families. https://photos.app.goo.gl/DrgBATT65GXYV8BW7
·
Fishing - I got to go fishing a number of
times since the last devotion.
o
I fished on the Kenai River out of my cabin in
Sterling Monday-Wednesdsay, July 27-29.
Here are some pictures of fishing with a pole. https://photos.app.goo.gl/JYSs5YEXxcWTm7d9A
o
I took Tim and Megan and Megan’s parents fishing
on Finger Lake on Thursday, July 30.Megan’s parents, Jamie and Tina Pacer, were
visiting from the Upper Peninsula in MI.
Everyone fishing caught fish.
Here are some pictures (and an interesting video). https://photos.app.goo.gl/5Bsh97DcBYXzeKeJ7
o
On Monday, August 3, after some chores at home,
I went fishing on the Little Susitna. I
had quite a few fish on the line, and brought home a limit of 2 silvers. (Unfortunately, the next day the limit was
dropped to one fish a day a person. Here
are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/KH1B92tSuwWq7iJBA
*******
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 now 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)
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