Dear Fellow Children of God,
The week of September 27 was a struggle. I felt well during
worship that Sunday morning, but after arriving home that afternoon I began to
experience symptoms of a raspy voice, which turned into a sore throat, a cough,
and congestion. Add that to a headache
and digestive issues. I fought that cold
/ flu most of the week. In fact, after a
Wednesday chartered fishing trip, (scheduled in August) I considered visiting
the Instant Care facility. However, as
the week went on my health slowly improved.
However, perhaps as frustrating as my cold, was the
experience of limping along that same week with a new computer. My previous
laptop died on September 21, for the fourth and final time. Following advice, I
bought a new tablet, but, my software and documents were not all immediately available. I did my best to accomplish my tasks, in
spite of less than optimal tools. Yet,
in the midst of this frustration, as new software was installed, I had a
pleasant surprise.
That surprise had to do with my distribution lists for my
weekly devotion. Every week I write
these devotions and send them out, almost exclusively to people who have asked
to receive them. So this list is a list
of acquaintances, people with whom I have history. It is a list of family and friends!
Some are people to whom I have ministered.
As I copied the old list to new lists on new software, I saw a
number. Six names were listed and then a
box which read “+497 more.” I guess
these devotions are emailed to over 500 people, including posting them on
Facebook and Blogspot.
The tedious task of adding names one by one to new distribution
lists was actually a pleasant reminder. I thought about each person as their
name came forward. I know much of their
stories. I have been through joys and
sorrows with many of these people. I have
prayed for many of the folks receiving these emails. I became thankful for the many friends, the
many brothers and sisters in the faith with which God has blessed me.
The Bible has a lot to teach us about friends. Proverbs 17:17 shares God’s wisdom, “A
friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” True friends stay with you in the tough
times. God also teaches that true
friends are better than many friends. “A man of many companions
may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
(Proverbs 18:24) However, I consider that having many good friends is a true
blessing. Unfortunately, sometimes
friends can also disappoint us. Psalm
41:9 is a prophecy which Jesus applies to Judas. “Even my close friend in
whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.”
But, when Jesus is present in a relationship, that can
make all the difference. In John 15, the
night he was betrayed, Jesus taught, “13 Greater love has no one
than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You
are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call
you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I
have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made
known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and
appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should
abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17
These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” (John
15:13-17) Jesus loved us enough to “lay
down His life for His friends.”
Thankfully, Jesus laid down His life for us. Jesus’ love helps friends to love each other
in a Christ-like way.
As I read through my distribution lists I thought of
baptisms, weddings, and funerals. I
thought of fishing trips, hunting trips, and worship services. I thought of tears and laughter and Christian
love.
The old hymn is true, “What a Friend we have in Jesus.” I am also thankful for the friends I have because
of Jesus!
A Child of God, Thankful for Friendship Through Jesus
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now serving as Vacancy pastor at Anchorage
Lutheran Church in Anchorage.
·
Call Committee – The Executive Leadership
Team (ELT) of Anchorage Lutheran has re-started the call process. This
committee consists of Lynn Boots, Danielle Bowman, Caleb Fluege, Tim and Genae
Meerstein, Alexa Mix, Joel Mix, Joe Pollock, and Karen Quintieri. Also attending meetings will be ELT
President, Steve Fibranz, DCE Matthew Murphy, Vacancy Pastor Jonathan Rockey,
and Circuit Visitor Tony Schultz. The
committee met on September 10 for a beginning meeting, and again on Sunday,
September 27 after worship to evaluate our self-study.
BEGINNING
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, ANCHORAGE LUTHERAN MEMBERS ARE AGAIN BEING ASKED TO GIVE
INPUT TO THE COMMITTEE ABOUT OUR CONGREGATION, AND ABOUT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF
A PASTOR WE BELIEVE WOULD BE SERVE GOD’S WORK IN THIS PLACE. For 3 Sundays, October 4-18, people will have
an opportunity to fill out a questionnaire.
PLEASE PRAY
FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS ON THE CALL PROCESS AT ALC!
·
Consecration (Stewardship) Sunday – The
ELT also voted to conduct a Stewardship Emphasis which will provide education
on God’s plans for Christian Stewardship, and will give ALC members an
opportunity to consider and plan ways to respond to God’s grace in their lives. In November worship we will consider a) God’s
many blessings in our lives, and b) God’s plan for Stewardship. In worship on November 15, ALC members will
have an opportunity in worship to respond to God’s love, and we will celebrate
with a special meal after worship. Please plan now to be part of this growth
opportunity.
Bible classes –
·
On Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. we have been
studying the book of Ephesians downstairs in the fellowship hall, using
the CPH “Lifelight” Bible Study. Class begins at 9:00 a.m. downstairs in the
Fellowship Hall. On October 4 we continued
studying Ephesians 5, especially talking about marriage. We hope to begin Ephesians 6 this coming
week, to talk about parenthood and possibly ‘the armor of God.’
PLEASE
FEEL FREE TO JOIN US!.
·
New Member Class? –Beginning October 4, I
am teaching an Adult Membership Class after late worship. The class is being held in my office. This would not only be a way for non-members
to join Anchorage Lutheran, but also a good refresher for current members.
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, October 7, I read
Nehemiah 2 and 3, about rebuilding the city of Jerusalem after the exile to
Babylon.
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. Family Fun, Friends, and Fishing!
·
FAMILY BAKING DAY – Kathy and Mary and Megan
spent Saturday, October 3, baking “pasties” meat pies. Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/HWkBUyiRZCzCBUKJ8
·
FISHING - I did go fishing on Wednesday,
September 30, on the Kenai River. Gerry
Zellar and Harvey Kolberg joined me. We
chartered a trip with long-time guide, Murray Fenton, who also happens to be
Harvey Kolberg’s brother-in-law. The
rain stayed away and it was a good day of fishing. Here are some fishing pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/GGwYnansBJB8K3Uf9
·
I PUT MY BOAT AWAY AND CLOSED UP MY CABIN ON
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6LtHnWjAV14LCDUb8
·
FALL AND WINTER – The golden leaves were
beautiful at the end of September this year.
But, snow is sneaking down the mountains foretelling the coming of
winter. Here are some pictures from
October 1. https://photos.app.goo.gl/5nENNeEJGvmgp2Wc6
P.P.P.S. Travel
to Lutherland? – I mentioned in a previous devotion that I have been asked
again to serve with Wittenberg English Ministry, leading English worship
services in Wittenberg where Martin Luther did much of his ministry. This time Kathy and I will serve from June
15-29, 2027.
When I mentioned that, a number
of people asked if we would be leading a tour.
Actually, we had NOT planned to do that.
But we consulted with our friends at Luther Tours, and Donna Taylor
worked up 2 tours beginning at the end of our service and going for about
another week. IF we have 15 or more
people, Kathy and I would consider leading a tour. Here is a brochure in case you are interested
in going. Germany
2027 Proposal.pdf
*******
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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