A Grumpy Old Man, Finding Strength in the Assurance of God's Love and Blessings

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Does the world seem more complex to you, every day?

Last week I received an e-mail message from the Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles informing me that I needed to renew a registration.  So, I tried to be up to date and went online to renew on the state website.  However, to accomplish this registration, I was informed that I needed to go to the DMV office in person.  I printed out the e-mail and drove to the Palmer DMV the following day, where I was greeted by a sign informing me that transactions were now being taken care of through appointments, made online.  Sigh!  I used my phone and got back on the internet and made an appointment for the following Wednesday.  While on the DMV webpage I also noticed a lot of information about the “REAL ID.”  My driver’s license would expire next May.  So, when I made the appointment I indicated on the form I intended to renew a registration, AND I would also apply for the REAL ID.  I arrived at the DMV a few minutes early, and others were being called forward, but not me.  Then I noticed a sign against the wall which indicated that I needed to sign in.   It was now past my appointment time, but I signed in, and was later called forward to do business.  The DMV employee, a very nice and helpful lady, asked what my purpose was for my scheduled visit.  I replied that I had indicated when I registered for my appointment that I wanted to renew a registration and also apply for the new ID.  I showed her my e-mail and let her know I had researched and brought all the necessary documentation for the ID.  However, she told me that we were only supposed to take care of one transaction per appointment.  Nevertheless, she then had mercy on me, and we accomplished both items of business in a timely manner. 

I don’t remember these transactions being such a gauntlet.  I do believe that, with technology, life is becoming more complicated, and the coronavirus has only made matters worse. However, there have always been surprises in life.  We don’t always know what we face, until we actually approach each situation in life.  For example, often we can go to the store, find our items, and get in and out quickly.  However, at other times, we find the store is out of what we are looking for, with no idea when what we are looking to purchase will be available again.  Sometimes we visit a doctor and he gives us a clean bill of health.  But, on other occasions the news is more . . . complicated.  Being confronted with the unknown, especially if it causes discomfort or delay, is what frustrates me.  I am sure you face similar struggles.  But, live has always held surprises.

When serving as a pastor I made thousands of hospital calls over the years.  Sometimes people who are hospitalized know what illness or injury they face.  However, many times, and this can be very disconcerting, the medical staff does not know the cause of the problem.  Nor could the doctors, nurses, or other health professionals inform the patient how long they might struggle with their injury or illness.  When faced with such medical uncertainty, I found God’s words from Psalm 103, especially verses 1-5, to be comforting and helpful. 

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

 ² Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

 ³ who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

 ⁴ who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and

mercy,

 ⁵ who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

In this Psalm God draws attention, not to our struggle, but first to the blessings which He gives  The Lord inspired King David to write for us that God has and continues to forgive our sins and to heal our diseases.  God saves us from death and the grave, or the pit.  However, God also blesses us with the spiritual blessings of steadfast love and mercy, and takes care of us physically, “satisfying us with good so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”  So, in this Psalm, God reminds not to do what we unfortunately so often do.  “Bless the Lord . . . and forget NOT all His benefits!”  In other words, before we focus on the struggles and challenges of life in this sinful world, don’t forget, but REMEMBER all the blessings that are ours from God daily.  We have assurance that God forgives, heals and saves eternally, that our Lord provides spiritual and physical blessings in abundance.  This assurance can and should give us strength to face life’s changes and challenges.  After all, God is with us in His love and mercy.  He gives eternal life.  What is a little frustration in this life compared to the assurance of God’s overwhelming blessings and love?

A few months ago I quoted Hebrews 13:8 in one of my devotions.  In the midst of the uncertainty of life, there is something which is sure.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  When everything else is unsure, Jesus is my Lord and my Savior.  Jesus died to pay what I owe eternally because of my rebellion against my Creator and Lord.  Jesus rose, making sure this eternal life which God offers freely through faith in Jesus.  I may not know what tomorrow brings, but I know who will be there, the one who loves and saves me.  As Martin Luther would say, “This is most certainly true.”

One of my favorite movies is “Grumpy Old Men,” with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.  In fact, not too long ago one of my sons told me, “You’re a ‘grumpy old man!’”  He said it with a smile on his face, but he was also making a point.  I pray that when the uncertainty of life makes me grumpy, frustrated, or confused, that I remember all the blessings of God through Jesus, in this life and eternally.



A Child of God, AND a Grumpy Old Man, Finding Strength in the Assurance of God's Love and Blessings

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.  Here are garden pictures from this week.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pgjxuxr1tHw12cu47



P.P.S.  Here are some pictures of our yard and our flowers.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/jeSfmEdoTmSCY6Wy7



P,P.P.S.  I did some trout fishing, with grandchildren and by myself.  Here are some more pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pgjxuxr1tHw12cu47

*****

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  My weekly devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  I will include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

            A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS.  Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them.  BUT, if you read this on Facebook and like to receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.





Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

Chickweed! A Reminder that our World is NOT Perfect, That we NEED our Savior, Jesus

Dear Fellow Children of God,



So as I was standing over my vegetable garden on Tuesday evening, this question came from my lips.  “Lord, why did You make chickweed?!” 



It had been almost a month since I planted seeds, and about 2 weeks since I placed my plant starts in the ground.  When I planted the starts I weeded around the potatoes, carrots, radishes, spinach, and beets.  But, 2 weeks later, gazing at those plants, I could see I had a major job ahead: the chickweed had invaded the west side of my garden with a vengeance.  In some places it looked like a lawn of these small green leaves. The problem is that chickweed grows so much faster than many of my vegetables.  The real crop to suffer is my carrots.  Carrot seeds take longer to germinate than some other vegetables.  And when carrots pop through the soil they are small, thin, and fragile.  I dare not pull the chickweed till the carrots start arriving.  But, then it’s possible for this weed to choke the carrots.  Or, I may accidentally pull a carrot when trying to weed out one of these undesirable volunteers.



Even in the other crops, the chick weed can cause problems, and a LOT of work to get rid of it.  I use a hoe to remove as much of this ‘bane of Alaska gardeners’ as I safely can without harming the other plants.  Then I get down on my hands and knees and pull the rest by hand.  The carrot row takes the longest.  I spent about 3 or 4 hours on Tuesday weeding my garden, and then another hour on Wednesday morning.  And, while I also had dandelions, volunteer raspberries, and other weeds, the chickweed was the main issue.



So, back to my question, “Lord, why did You create chickweed?”  I read on the Wikipedia website that chickweed is used as ground cover, and can even be eaten as a vegetable.  But, I don’t know anyone who has eaten chickweed, do you?  Also, I guess this is how chickweed got its name, poultry often feed off the chickweed.  I’m not sure these positive uses outweigh the difficulties this weed causes, at least not in my vegetables, or in my flowers.

Of course, we know the words of the Lord to Adam, after he ate the forbidden fruit.  ¹⁷ And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; ¹⁸ thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. ¹⁹ By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:17-19)  The thorns and thistles, the weeds in this world which cause us to eat bread by the sweat of our brow, are part of the results of sin.  When Adam disobeyed God it was not a small matter.  All creation, and the earth itself, were cursed by God because of Adam’s disobedience.  Weeds are a result and a reminder of our sin.  The toil and sweat remind us that God had a better plan for us, and a reminder that we need a Savior.

Lutheran Christians have studied God’s word deeply to hear what God is saying.  We hear two great messages from God in the Bible - The Law and The Gospel.  A general summary of these two great doctrines, or teachings from our Lord, is that the Law “Shows Us our Sin,” and the Gospel “Shows us our Savior.”  As I said above, the Law shows us our need for a Savior.  I have pondered for years over the words which God inspired Paul to write in Galatians 3:24.  “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith.” (NASV)  When life does not go the way we think it should, especially since we live in a world created by an all-wise, all-powerful, loving Lord, the law not only points to our sin, but also shows us our need for help.

Obviously, there are many trials in life which are far greater than the scourge of chickweed.  In our country and in our world, we are now dealing with Covid-19, and with the fruits of racism and hatred.  This is not the world God created.  This is not what He planned for His people.  We know that truth deep inside.  But, our rebellion against our Creator, our selfish attitudes and actions, have consequences.  Like Adam, our sin creates deep problems for us, and for the world around us.  We need the grace, the mercy, and the help of God.

Yet, human beings are proud and stubborn.  We do not like to admit that we need help.  We don’t want to confess that maybe we don’t have all the answers.  Neither do we like to admit that we are sinful and broken.  But, I confess to you, I’ve tried a number of solutions to the chickweed which returns each year to my garden.  Unfortunately, the only solution I have found is the hoe, and getting down on my hands and knees for hours at a time to pull these weeds out one by one.  I also confess that I do suffer because of my own waywardness, and I need a Savior.  I need Jesus.

Our world is broken.  We need help more deeply than we realize.  “Thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus to pay for our sin and to win eternal life for us.”  And, maybe grudgingly I’ll also say, “Thank You, Lord, even for chickweed, which reminds me of my need for my Lord’s love and forgiveness in Jesus.”

A Child of God, Chickweed! A Reminder that our World is NOT Perfect, That we NEED our Savior, Jesus

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.  Here are some pictures of the chickweed in my garden,

·       Some before and after some weeding on June 9.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/EZdJGddGcdstFWGe6

·       Garden after weeding and planting new seeds of radishes, spinach, and beets, on June 10.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/wTvfksCGJCWU2oay8

P.P.S.  Here is a Wikipedia article on chickweed.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellaria_media



P.P.P.S.  I went fishing on Friday and Monday,

·    On Friday I went to the Deshka and caught this king salmon.  I asked 3 others, but they didn’t reply they could come.   https://photos.app.goo.gl/22YoeZoKFJ8NPxTMA

 

·    On Monday I took visitors from Florida to Long Lake on the Glenn Highway, and the 8 year old boy, Jacob, caught this rainbow trout.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/qs3dyMUZYCjfqpwX7

*****

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  My weekly devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  I will include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

            A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS.  Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them.  BUT, if you read this on Facebook and like to receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.





Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

907-841-4066 – cell

907-746-5131 – home

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

Saddened by the George Floyd Crisis, Finding Hope in Jesus

Dear Fellow Children of God,



After 3 months of radical change in our country because of the coronavirus, the eyes of America are now on another tragedy, the unjust killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, and the violent, destructive, riots and looting which have followed.  How does America deal with these horrible realities?  What is the proper response for followers of Jesus?



I can personally state two reactions to the injustice and unrest.  First, the killing of George Floyd was unjust, wrong, and criminal.  A former Alaska State Trooper told me that there is no way that this treatment of Floyd was justified, or even a mistake.  To make matters worse, when such criminal behavior comes from the authorities who are charged with enforcing the law, the victim of injustice is faced with an unwinnable dilemma. 



Second, where I believe such injustice can rightly lead to protests, the violence and destruction of the demonstrations is wrong, and also criminal.  In fact, I have heard people from the African American community express such sentiments, that the looting and destruction should stop.  Those expressing such sentiments even include a person from the family of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and also the family of George Floyd himself.



This whole situation can seem complicated and confusing.  In fact, I know that I do not have the answers for what steps might lead to dealing with both the injustice, nor with the violence and destruction.  I do know that when peoples have held long-term, historic grudges, that one wrong leads to another, and the situation escalates.  We can see such historic hostilities in relationships between Arab and Jewish people, or in Ireland between Roman Catholics and Protestants.  When one wrong is followed by a retaliatory reaction, emotions grow sharp, hearts are hardened, and relationships deteriorate in a downward spiral, often into violence. 



Jesus taught how His followers should react to hatred, to prejudice, and injustice.  He was once asked by a Jewish lawyer about inheriting eternal life.  Jesus answered the man’s question with a question.  “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?"  The lawyer responded "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."  So, Jesus told the man,  ²⁸ “ . . . do this, and you will live."  The lawyer was surprised that his question was turned back on him, and we are told, “^”desiring to justify himself, [he] said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  So Jesus told the parable we know as The Good Samaritan.



Jesus knew of the long-term hard feelings that existed between the Jewish people in southern Palestine and the Samaritan people in the north.  Jesus also knew the reason for those feelings of prejudice and hatred.  So, in Jesus’ parable, spoken to this Jewish lawyer, a man who was traveling the road from Jerusalem to Jericho is robbed, beaten, and left to die.  However, 3 men happen by the injured man.  Two of those who see him, and pass by without helping, are religious workers, a priest and a Levite.  But, when the despised Samaritan passes the dying man, the Samaritan stops, and cares for the man, and then even pays for further care.  Jesus asks the lawyers, ³⁶ “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?"  The lawyer replied, "’The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise’."  (The parable of the Good Samaritan, from Luke 10:25-37)



We can imagine that the lawyer left his encounter with Jesus feeling less self-assurance than he had when he first spoke to our Lord.  After all, who can treat everyone as neighbor, and love them as ourselves?  The truth is that no one shows this kind of love; or almost no one.  The ultimate Good Samaritan is Jesus.  Jesus put himself in danger, and even died, to care for and to save all in our world who are hopeless because of our sin.  Jesus loved all people with his life, His death, and His resurrection.



Is America’s dilemma really that simple?  In a way what we face is so much more complicated than just loving our neighbor.  But, I find that, when facing complicated situations, finding the simple truth of God helps me take the first step, and then take the next step , and then the next step, on the road to dealing with the challenges faced by children of God in a sinful world.  Life is messy because of sin and evil in the world.  Jesus dealt with that mess.  When we trust His love and salvation, and seek to follow Him, I do believe that helps us to move in the direction of love and righteousness, which lead to peace.  I also believe this is true even for our current crisis.



So, in today’s America, do you know any neighbors who need loving?



A Child of God, Saddened by the George Floyd Crisis, and Finding Hope in Jesus,

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.  Here are some more yard work pictures.  Perhaps you remember we moved one large lilac bush in early May.  A friend wanted another one of our lilacs and, with a lot of work and a strained shoulder, we delivered it on Monday, June 1.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/MHvDuoCbXT4r6Tsm7

P.P.S.  I did finally get to go fishing.  

·       On Friday, May 29, I caught a red salmon in Seward on a trip with Steve Arlow.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/z6sy1ggRJpTLAAk76

·       On Monday, June 1, I took grandchildren Henry and Annie fishing in my boat on Finger Lake.  This was more a “try out the boat trip” than it was a “fishing trip.”  But, they didn’t realize this.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/tyFXVXMvH5gb1Ns87

*****

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  My weekly devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  I will include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

            A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS.  Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them.  BUT, if you read this on Facebook and like to receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.





Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

907-841-4066 – cell

907-746-5131 – home

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

Surprised that I Have Exactly What I Need for a Difficult Task

Dear Fellow Children of God,



I am planting a garden again this year.  Because of our quarantine time, I had plenty of opportunity to till, to weed, and to plant seed in early May.  I actually planted potatoes, radish, carrot, beet, and spinach seeds on Monday, May 11.  However, I also have some plant starts I have been waiting to plant in our garden on the hill behind our house.  I have swiss chard, collards, early cabbage and red cabbage.  I am also planting broccoli, romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, and buttercrunch lettuce.  In past years all of these plants have done well in our 30’ x 30’ area of tilled and enhanced soil.



However, there is a reason I have been waiting to plant the starts.  Not only has the weather been cool, BUT, we have a new issue this year . . . rabbits! (Or more correctly stated for Alaska, snowshoe hare)  It seems that 2020 is the peak of the population curve for rabbits in our area, and I have seen many of these long eared pests hopping around in my yard.  We even have rabbit droppings in our garden plot.  I’m sure you understand that I don’t want to plant these vegetables which I purchased and then have them eaten up and disappear right away.  So, how do I keep the rabbits away? 

                               

My wife suggested a fence as a possible rabbit deterrent.  But, there are a number of reasons I don’t want to put up a fence.  My Extension agent suggested predator urine.  But, I wasn’t sure about that either.  Where do I get the urine? How much do I use?  How much does it cost?  The problem about when to plant and what to do with this year’s rabbits was puzzling.  What will I do?  Where do I get the help I need to deal with this problem?



Then I talked with Pastor Craig Schultz of St. John Lutheran.  He grew up on a farm in New York and said that he and his wife, Martha, have put dog hair around their vegetables. The dog hair has kept rabbits away for them.  Well!  As the owner of a yellow Labrador retriever, if there is anything which I have in abundance, it is dog hair!  Kathy reminded me I could harvest this already collected hair in our vacuum canister.  It turns out that, in facing this new and difficult task, I already have what I need to deal with the problem and to help me accomplish my goal of planting a garden.



In traditional Christian churches, which follow the assigned lectionary readings in worship, last Thursday, May 21, was Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter.  This coming Sunday, May 31, is 50 days after this year’s Easter, so it is the day we celebrate the festival of Pentecost, when God poured out His Spirit on all flesh.   You see, after Jesus’ resurrection, when He was preparing to physically leave this world, He gave the disciples a big job, an overwhelming mission.  In Matthew 28 Jesus directed His 11 disciples, ¹⁸ . . . "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matt. 28:18-20, See also Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:46-47, and John 20:21-23) Jesus also repeated this charge on the day He ascended into heaven, telling His followers, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)  How would these men, who had so often failed Jesus, accomplish this mission He gave?



This job of making “disciples of all nations”, this mission of being Jesus’ “witnesses . . . to the end of the earth” is not just the task Jesus gave His disciples. Jesus also calls us, the children of God today, to spread the good news of His saving love.  How do we accomplish this big, overwhelming mission given to us by our Lord?  Where will we get the ability, the strength to accomplish such a task?  The truth is, sort of like in my garden, we already have exactly what we need!  Jesus does not just send His church to make disciples, to be His witnesses to the end of the earth.  Jesus promises, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” 

There are many commands Jesus has given His Church which are difficult, commands such as loving God with all our heart soul and mind, or loving our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31).  And, how can we love our enemies?  (Matthew 5:43-44)  Jesus promises that for these difficult tasks, even though He has ascended and physically left this world, we are not alone.  “16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17 a)  God is with us through His Spirit to give us power and strength and ability as we face the challenges of the journey through life as a child of God. 

I already have the help I need for a difficult task in my garden – I am abundantly blessed with dog hair.  God has called us to continue the work of Jesus and to witness to His saving love to the ends of the earth.  But, He has given us exactly what we need so that we have the power and strength for the task.  God sends us His Holy Spirit.  We Christians have the joy of celebrating God’s gift of the Holy Spirit in worship this Sunday.



A Child of God, Surprised that I Have Exactly What I Need for a Difficult Task,

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.  Here are some garden pictures.

·       Here are pictures of the plant starts, and dog hair around the starts in our garden. https://photos.app.goo.gl/PiiKfnaiNVCGUbRQ9

·       Here are all the garden pictures so far for 2020. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cf2iWxyasVcwH2F1A

P.P.S.  I have few pictures this week, though the family and I

·       Golfed on Wednesday, May 20.

·       Did Anchorage chores on Thursday

·       Went to our cabin Friday and Saturday – put the boat in the water and did a little trout fishing, not catching.

·       Worshiped on Sunday

·       Had a family gathering Sunday

·       Put in a backing on a shelf and . . . 2 new toilet seats on Monday. J

·       Planted garden starts on Wednesday, May 27.

*****

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  My weekly devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  I will include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

            A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS.  Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them.  BUT, if you read this on Facebook and like to receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.





Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

907-841-4066 – cell

907-746-5131 – home

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

I'm Going Fishing - We'll go with You!"

Dear Fellow Children of God,



About 2 years ago one of our grandsons, 6 year old Henry, asked Kathy and me a question after the worship service.  “Can we come to your house today?”  What a wonderful privilege to have all our children and grandchildren living so close to us.  And, what a blessing that our grandchildren know our home and enjoy visiting.  We are truly very richly blessed.  However, Kathy had to tell Henry, “I’m sorry, Henry.  We have a Church Council meeting today.”  So Henry couldn’t visit after church.  Neither could any of our other 5 grandchildren visit that day.  Kathy and I love our Lord.  We cherish our church, and the opportunity to serve our Lord.  Yet, as retirement approached we promised ourselves and others we would have more time to spend with our grandchildren, with our children, and with each other.  However, after retirement we left town to get out of the way.  So, while part of the goal for retirement was to spend time with our family, then because of traveling, we were unable to spend that time with our Alaska family.



Nevertheless, during our time in Florida I had another opportunity to spend time with family.  All 4 of my siblings live in Florida, and we gathered together a number of times.  In addition, my brother David has 5 grandchildren about the same age as my own grandkids.  While in Florida I got to spend time with all of them, and with many other nieces.  In fact, while in Florida I had the opportunity to take all four of David’s grandsons fishing.  My brother, Stephen, and I took David’s grandson, Nathan, fishing on the Suwannee River.  We caught a mudfish that day.  I also took Jonathan and Matthew fishing separately on the Suwannee.  Jonathan had a lot of bites, but he didn’t catch any fish.  When I took Matthew fishing the river was very high, we only got two bites and neither of us caught any fish.  Finally, I took Jayden fishing on Grandin Lake.  Jayden caught a bass, his first fish ever!  Jayden asked me, “So, I’m the only one of the cousins who caught a fish?”  These fishing trips may have seemed just like another outdoor outing, but they were really much more.  By sharing this time together we built relationships with one another.  I got to know my nephews and they got to know me a little better.  We learned to trust and appreciate one another for who we are.  Also, these nephews of mine may also now listen a little more closely when I share important values of life, or faith.  People are more likely to listen when they know you care about them and when they respect you.



There are many verses in Scripture where God calls us to share our faith with others.  But, in Deuteronomy parents are specifically instructed to share the word of God with their children.  Listen to these words which God inspired Moses to write.  ¹⁸ "You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ¹⁹ You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ²⁰ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, ²¹ that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.   (Deuteronomy 11:18-22)  (Similar guidance from our Lord is also given in other verses of Scripture.  See, for example, Deuteronomy 6: 5-7, Proverbs 22:6, and Ephesians 6:1-4.)  God wants parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, to teach the young people in their families about our Lord and His love for them.  He wants us to teach them about Jesus.



So, Kathy and I are home in Alaska.  We fulfilled our 14 days in quarantine and we are now able to spend time with family and friends.  In fact, on Tuesday night our daughter, Mary, and our son, Andy, visited at our home.  Andy’s children, Jackson and Kendall, also spent time with us.  There are lots of ways to build relationships with others.  But on Tuesday night I told Jackson and Kendall, “I’ll be going fishing and camping this summer.  I’m hoping to have time to take you with me.  Maybe we can catch some trout like last summer.  Or, maybe you can even catch a salmon.” 



A parent, or grandparent, naturally wants to give good things to their children.  But, the best and most important gift we can give is the fullness of life God gives in this world, and the eternal life in heaven which we receive through our Savior, Jesus.  This blessing of life is best shared when others know that we love and care about them, and when they respect us.  But, that’s also the way it is for us with our Heavenly Father.  When we know the Creator and Lord of all loves us, that He even gave His Son for us, and that He rules over everything for the good of His children, then we are more likely to listen to Him.  We listen because Ruler of all truly does love us.



Of course, I like to remember the words of Peter beside the Sea of Galilee after Jesus’ resurrection.  Perhaps you also know Peter’s words and the response of the other disciples just before the risen Jesus appears to them..  ³ Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. (John 21:3)  It’s even acceptable not to catch fish.  You see, Peter and his fellow disciples were building relationships!



A Child of God, Hoping to Spend Time with my Grandchildren, Sharing my Love and Jesus’ Love,

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.  Here are some fishing pictures

·       With my nephews in Florida this Spring.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Krn2Nrjf3Yu5FEYG9

·       With my children and grandchildren last summer.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/zBUP7y89oecZZeH68

P.P.S.  Kathy and I arrived home on Monday night, May 4.  We spent 14 days in quarantine through Monday night, May 18.  During this time at home Kathy spent time quilting and sewing.   I found “a few chores” to do.  Here are pictures of some of those “chores” I did while in quarantine.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/SAmkzpKsCp9V9vGeA

*****

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  My weekly devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  I will include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

            A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS.  Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them.  BUT, if you read this on Facebook and like to receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.





Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church

907-841-4066 – cell

907-746-5131 – home

E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net

Praying for My Country and Considering God's Call

Dear Fellow Children of God,



Do you pray for our country?  For the nations of the world?  What do you pray?  Please consider that question as I ramble some.



I spend time daily reading Scriptures and, in my current devotions, I am finally coming to the end of the Old Testament.  This week’s lessons are in Zechariah.  Next week I finish Malachi and begin reading in the New Testament.  After about a year and a half of reading the Old Testament, this Christian longs to hear directly about God’s grace in Jesus.



The common themes which I have been reading about in the prophets are God’s words of Judgement of the Old Testament people for their sin, and the Lord’s Promise of Hope because of God’s grace in the coming Messiah.  Some may ask, “Is judgement even relevant in today’s world?”  Judgment is not just relevant, it is an assured reality which will reach ultimate fulfillment when Jesus comes again.  The sin of this world will be judged.  And, in the Lord’s supreme act of forgiveness, God’s children, those who repent of their sin and trust God’s mercy in Jesus, will receive eternal life in heaven.



But what about in our lives in this world?  Does God send judgment on us today because of our sinfulness?  That is a more complicated question, even a dangerous question.  Sin is the cause of the evil in our world, yet Jesus warned numerous time in Scripture not to think that the troubles which happens to us today are the direct result of some specific wrong we committed.  Read John 9:1-4 and see how Jesus teaches His disciples that the blind man was not born with his affliction because of his sin, nor the sin of his parents.,  Instead, God would use this affliction to glorify Himself, as Jesus healed the blind man.  Or, read Luke 13:1-9.  Jesus warns the people of his day not to think that the cruelty of Pilate, nor the disaster of the tower in Siloam, were the direct result of sin.  Jesus warns that everyone is sinful and He calls all to repent.  If God worked specifically punishing our every evil deed, then we are all in deep danger.  Scripture instead assures us, time and again, that God is “slow to anger, and abounding in love.” (Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2, Nahum 1:3 (all recent reading of mine), and especially Psalm 103:8) 



Yet, as I read through the pages of the minor prophets, they are full of God’s judgment on people who will not turn from their sin and turn to God.  So, the Lord judges and condemns Israel, Judah, Assyria, Babylon, and other nations.  He also promises that, even before the Great Day of the Lord’s Judgment, that they will reap the results of their idolatry, their pride, their self-indulgence, their sinfulness.



Now, back to my original questions.  “Do you pray for our country?  For the nations of the world?  What do you pray?”  I daily pray for our nation, and the nations of the world.  For years my constant prayer has been for repentance - turning from sin, and for faith - to trust and hold on to the mercy of our Lord in Jesus.  Our whole world has turned more and more away from the Creator, turned away from the Lord, turned away from the Savior, from the Comforter of this world.  Many reject the reality of God and the truth of His word for their lives.  Our mouths and our lives do not praise Him, but use His name in vain.  We treat the Sabbath and worship as a personal choice, rather than as the sweet opportunity that we regularly need to be with our Lord and His people.  The people of this world, and unfortunately, even those who trust Jesus, reject the authorities God has established.  We often hurt others to achieve our own desires.  People ignore that sex is a gift from God to be used in marriage, intended to strengthen the relationship of a husband and wife.  Theft is common.  Lying abounds. Gossip and the twisting of truth have been multiplied through the internet.  We are not satisfied with the way that the goodness and mercy of God overflow in our lives.  We long for more things, rather than finding satisfaction in our Lord Himself.  In other words, we have not kept, or sometimes even cared about, the 10 commandments.  Or, as the prophet Micah says, we have forgotten what God requires of us. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”  (Micah 6:8)



Yet, in Romans 8:28 God promises, ^“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”  As I pray for repentance and faith in the nations I ask myself, “Could God be using the trial before us now for good, to point our country and to call the whole world, to Himself?  Could God be calling us to repentance, both His Church and the world, and calling us to “humbly walk” trusting in Him?  There are many places where we are told that God waits and longs for such repentance.  (Luke 15:7, 2 Peter 3:9, Revelation 16:9,11) 



The greatest way in which our Lord reaches out to us and calls us is when He sent His Son, Jesus.  “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”  (John 3:17)  Does the sacrificial love of God in Jesus touch your heart?



I know that as a baptized child of God I need to daily drown my “old Adam”, my sinful nature and desires, and I need to let the new man that God makes me in Jesus come forth and serve Him.  It is easy to point the finger at others and then to forget my own sin.  Perhaps God is speaking to me in this current plague to turn again from my sinful desires, and to turn to his “abounding love.” 



How about you?  Is God calling?



A Child of God, Praying for my Country and Considering God’s Call,

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.  Kathy and I arrived home last Monday night, and are in 14 days of quarantine until next Monday night, May 18.  During this time at home Kathy has been quilting, while I have found “a few chores” to do.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/SAmkzpKsCp9V9vGeA

*****

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  My weekly devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  I will include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

            A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS.  Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them.  BUT, if you read this on Facebook and would like to receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.

Surprisingly Thankful for Two Weeks of Ceasing and Growing

Dear Fellow Children of God,



Kathy and I have finally arrived back home in Alaska.  We spent almost 4 months in Florida visiting family and friends and enjoying time to rest and recreate.  Part of this extended absence from Alaska was an intentional desire to give the church where I served as pastor for over 28 years an opportunity to figure out life apart from their long term shepherd.  But, mainly this trip was part of figuring out retirement.  I still wonder about what retirement means and what I will do now that I am not serving full-time as pastor.  Part of our plan for this life change was also more time together as husband and wife, and more time with family.  The coronavirus changed our plans about our time away.  So, our intended 3 month absence became 4 months. 



But, now we are home.  So we can visit with our children, and our grandchildren.  Kathy and I can spend time with our Alaska friends.  Maybe I’ll even spend some time walking the Alaskan trails, and fishing in Alaskan waters.  Right?  Wrong!  We returned on a plane from Orlando through Seattle on Monday, May 4.  Now we get to shelter in place, to quarantine for 14 days.  We have 2 weeks to stay home not spending time with family and friends.



During this time of quarantine we can accomplish some chores at home.  We can rest.  But, my wife says that I am a person who seems to always needs to be doing something.  She says I play as hard as I work.  I do admit that I have trouble taking it easy.  I feel a need to be active, to be productive, to be doing something.  Even as a little child I did not want to take naps, or go to sleep, afraid I would miss something.  So, 14 days at home, not visiting with family or friends, or going outside our house, seems foreign and strange.



Actually, Christians should not be unfamiliar with ceasing of activity and work.  We should be familiar with rest.  We should understand meditating on life and on our Lord.  God created our world with times and seasons.  Part of our Lord’s rhythms for life include a need for rest.  Consider what God says about rest in the third of His 10 commandments.  ⁸ "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. ¹¹ For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:8-11)



According to this decree of our Lord, God intends for us to rest.  We need the recuperative time of ceasing physical, mental, and emotional work.  We need time to spend with our Lord and His people and to worship Him.  Some fear that when we stop working, we won’t be able to make a living or provide for their families.  How can we accomplish anything if we cease our labors?  The truth is that such ceasing, such resting, allows us to see how God does provide.  When people stop the busy-ness of work they get to spend time on the things that are truly important, like family and friends, faith and love.  In fact, I have even recently read and heard of people who may have struggled with teaching children at home, but who have also discovered that time together builds relationships.  People may have forgotten how good family time can be.  Faith and family relationships are much more important than much on which we often spend our time.



Unfortunately, the people of Jesus’ day became legalistic about God’s Sabbath.  The religious leaders made laws about what was and was not work to the point that Jesus had to teach them this lesson.  ²⁷  . . . "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. ²⁸ So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath."  (Mark 2:27-28)  The Sabbath, and the rest and worship which come with it, are a gift of God to us.

In fact, ultimately Scripture reveals that Jesus is our rest.  ²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  (Matthew 11:28-30, See also Mark 6:31) Rest is found in Jesus because God does provide, even when we cease working.  Peace and rest are found in Jesus because, for those who hopelessly strain to fulfill our Lord’s righteous demands and earn God’s favor, Jesus forgives our sin and provides us with the righteousness He Himself has earned by His own holy life, through His death and resurrection.

So, Kathy and I get to spend a government enforced ceasing of many regular activities during two weeks of quarantine.  And we get to rest.  As followers of Jesus, Kathy and I should not be unfamiliar with this ceasing of activity and work.  I pray that our quarantine brings the joy of an extended Sabbath.  After all, we can have the opportunity to spend time and energy growing in love and in faith. 



A Child of God, Surprisingly Thankful for Two Weeks of Ceasing and Growing,

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.  Former St. John member, Karla Reda, sent me this video.  Interestingly, it has some similar thoughts to my devotion.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw5KQMXDiM4



P.P.S.  I had 2 more opportunities to fish in Florida with family before I left.  Here are some pictures of those trips.

·       On Thursday, April 30, I took my nephew, Jayden, fishing with me.  He caught his first fish.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/4S4M9tTfnneo8Ws69

·       I went fishing with my brother, Stephen, in the early morning of Saturday, May 2, at Rodman Reservoir, south of Gainesville.  We had quite a trip.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/EWuiZSUQAx4XLXNTA

P,P.P.S.  While fishing with Stephen we had an encounter with a manatee, a gentle giant sometimes called a “sea cow.”  Here are pictures of that experience.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/1FnMCGHo5qZpGXYJ9

*****

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  My weekly devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  I will include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

            A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS.  Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them.  BUT, if you read this on Facebook and would like to receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.