Sharing What's Really Important

Saturday, July 21, 2012

God's Plan for Marriage

Dear Fellow Children of God,

The summer of 2012 has been a season of weddings at St. John. This Saturday, July 21, I am presiding at the marriage of a young couple from St. John. But this is only one of five weddings at St. John this summer. In addition, I have helped 3 couples prepare for weddings which are being conducted in other locations or by other people. With all the work and planning that goes into most weddings that is a lot of time spent thinking about marriage, and thinking about God’s part in marriage.

You can probably imagine that preparing for weddings is one of the more joyful tasks in which a pastor gets to engage. There is talk of the future, and discussion of faith and love. But, I’m sure most of you know the reality of marriage these days. Depending on whose statistics one uses, only about half of the marriages in the United States actually make it. And, many today do not even choose to get married.

In some ways we should not be surprised at these statistics. People may love one another at 25. But, when a couple marries they are promising to love that person at 35, and 45, and 75! The person we marry at 25 is not the same person when that person turns 45. So marriage takes commitment, and marriage takes work, and marriage takes help.

Next month Kathy and I will have been married for 35 years. This past Friday night we were talking about things we had just learned about each other. Just this summer I learned about my wife’s plan and preference for flower gardens (“The Clump Theory”), something which I had never known before. The point is that there an unknown future when a couple commits to marriage. That is why Christians need commitment and help to make their marriages work.

The Bible verse that speaks most plainly to me about God’s plans for Christian people in marriage is found in Ephesians 5:21-33. Verses 31-33 say, 31 "’For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ 32 This is a profound mystery-- but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

Some of the things God tells us in this verse are:

· Marriage between one man and one woman is God’s plan from the beginning of time. Verse 31 is actually a quote from Genesis 2. Marriage isn’t our idea. Marriage is God’s plan for how life works best for His children.

· Marriage teaches us of God’s relationship with the church. Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is His bride. There is a unique intimate relationship between God and His people and marriage teaches us about that relationship.

· God is there to help us in our marriages. In God’s plan for marriage 3 people are involved;. the husband, the wife, and Jesus. Jesus is there to help us love and forgive and endure with one another.

· Christians and God’s church are called to honor and support marriage because it is God’s plan.

It is a joy to help a young couple get started with God’s help on the adventure of life that is marriage. When marriage lasts it is one of the greatest earthly blessings God can give. But, we all need God’s help. Please pray for these new marriages. Please pray for all families. God’s love and direction do make a difference.

A Child of God, Praying for Christian Families,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here is a picture of Kathy and myself on our wedding day. Who is that guy standing with Kathy, and what is that look in his eye? https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/JonathanAndKathySWeddingDayAugust201977?authuser=0&feat=directlink

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ - I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have. (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.) However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

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Sunday, July 15, 2012

Seeking to Follow God's Guidance

Dear Fellow Children of God,

A number of weeks ago I was entering the Palmer Post Office and I saw a lady who was also approaching the door. I waited for her and held the door open so she could enter. She said, “Thank you,” and then went into the entry way and held the door for me saying, “Let me return the favor.” I also thanked her. But, as she walked away I muttered under my breath, “I guess I’m old-fashioned. I’m used to holding doors for the ladies rather than the other way around.” Another man who was there and heard me, commented, “But, that’s not the way it’s done these days.”

Are you old-fashioned? I know that is a loaded question. I am sure all of us are influenced by the way we were raised and the customs of our youth. Just blindly following the customs of the past is not necessarily a safe thing. Martin Luther saw the reliance on custom and tradition in the church of his time and worked for reform or change. This reform brought the church more in line with God’s Word. I am not a proponent of the racial prejudice I saw as a child in the south. I am glad that custom of racism has been reformed and is not the accepted practice in our society any longer. Maybe there are some customs that are good, and some that aren’t.

But, there is a way in which I am old-fashioned. I personally believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God Himself, and therefore is the basis for my faith and life as a Christian, as a husband, and as a pastor. You see, I believe God is smarter than I am. I believe that God is wiser than I am. I believe the words of Isaiah 55 where God speaks to us saying, 8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

So, when it comes to behaviors like speaking the truth, respecting authorities, being merciful, practicing godly chastity, refraining from greed, supporting God’s church, setting priorities, and other behaviors, I seek to follow what God says to me in His Word. I believe the words of Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

This attitude of looking to long-written words of Scripture is considered old fashioned in many arenas these days. And while I don’t want to blindly follow customs and traditions of the past that may not necessarily serve God or may not be appropriate in our modern times, there are some things that don’t change. Trusting God’s wisdom and trusting God’s love, I also trust His Word for guidance.

That may be why I continue to believe that a good mission statement for God’s church, and a good mission statement for St. John is the motto of the Reformation, “By Grace Alone, By Faith Alone, By Scripture Alone.” I believe this is God’s direction as revealed in Scripture.

There are some places where I have become part of the new culture. I’ve become part of the new computer and communication age. But, I still think I should hold the doors for the ladies. I guess in some ways I am old fashioned. My kids just call me a “putz.” I’m just trying to follow the guidance of God and to live in faith and love.

A Child of God, Seeking to Follow God’s Guidance in my Life,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. I love the Alaskan summer, even a cool and rainy one like 2012. I also listen to the words of Psalm 127 about rest and re-creation.

“1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

P.P.S. On Sunday our God-son from Jacksonville visited us and worshiped at St. John. Kathy and I were god-parents to Scott Plymill and his sisters almost 30 years ago. Here are 2 pictures of most of our family and Scott and his friends. https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/VisitByGodSonScottPlymillJuly82012?authuser=0&feat=directlink

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Friday, July 6, 2012

God's Network to Support Us

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Who do you go to when you need to talk when you need someone to listen to you? Personally, I can tell you that I am blessed that my best friend is my wife, Kathy. There is much I share with her. Also, the Promise Keepers men’s group at St. John has become a source of Christian encouragement and support for me. I pray that this group gives support for Christian faith and life to all who attend. There are also many other supporters and friends at St. John with whom I talk.

But, in addition to family and friends, when I need to talk with someone I often talk to other pastors. There are other long-time pastors who have spent time serving God and his people and they understand the difficulties and challenges of serving God as a pastor. Some of the issues I would like to talk about with others may be issues that include areas of confidentiality, so I don’t share that with friends or other church members, or even my wife. But, it is appropriate to talk about professional issues, pastoral issues, with other pastors. I have some really good friends who are pastors and I appreciate their friendship and willingness to listen.

So, who do you go to when you need the encouragement of a listening ear? Do you visit with a parent, a brother or sister, or do you have a close friend whose listening and advice you really cherish?

Have you ever thought that God has a web of support for his children? God has given us family. What a blessing when a home is a place of love and faith and security. What a blessing when we can go to a family member with concerns. Proverbs 17:17 says, “a brother is born for adversity.” Do you have such support at home?

There are times that before we go to family, we speak with a friend. In Proverbs 18:24 we are told, “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Do you have such a friend who is so close that you trust them as much or more than even family? What a blessing to have such a person of faith and love in our lives!

I am sure you know the words in Matthew about God himself listening and responding to our prayers. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) What a blessing to know that the Lord of heaven listens to our concerns and acts in love and power and mercy when we go to Him in faith.

The point is that God has not left us alone. In a world of trials God has sent Jesus, “Immanuel – God With us.” And, it is God’s plan to give us companionship, encouragement, and love today in our families, through church and friends, and from personal communication with God through prayer. God has a network of support for us as we face life and its struggles.

Do you need some encouragement? Why not reach out to a Christian friend? Do know someone who needs a shoulder to lean on? Reach out to them and listen. It’s part of God’s plan that we have friends. It is part of God’s plan that we serve others as friends.

A Child of God, supported by God’s web of love,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. In Sunday’s sermon, based on Mark 6:1-13, we will look at the reception Jesus got from family and compare that to the reception He got from His disciples. I hope to see you Sunday..

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Saturday, June 30, 2012

Sharing Jesus' Love

Dear Fellow Children of God,

So, what is the best way to share God’s love with someone else? God wants us to share Jesus with others so they may know His sacrificial love and His victorious resurrection so they may come to faith in Jesus and have eternal life. What is the best way of sharing God’s love? Is there a special method? Are there special words? God reminded me again this week that He can and does work anywhere, so we need to always be faithful and ready for the opportunity to share Jesus with someone else.

On Monday I was standing at the gun counter at Sportsman’s Warehouse and the mother of one of our child members walked up to the counter too. We struck up a conversation as we were looking at guns. (By the way, she was faster to purchase a gun than I was.) We also talked about worship schedules, and options for caring for a 1 year old and worshiping at the same time. She said she will be in church soon. I wasn’t planning on talking about God and church at the gun counter, but God can and does work anywhere.

On Wednesday I was standing in line at Subway, reading e-mail on my smart phone. A man that I knew through former members now living in Nevada saw me and asked, “Are you working on Sunday’s sermon?” So, we got to talk a little about God and church. I wasn’t planning on sharing God’s love in the line at Subway, but God can and does work anywhere.

But, my favorite experience that shows that God works in amazing ways was the baptism ceremony we had last Sunday. Baptisms are not uncommon at St. John, but this baptism came about in a way I have not previously experienced. On June 9 members of St. John walked in the Colony Days parade. Our float told about our Vacation Bible School that began the following Monday, June 11. As our members walked beside the float they handed out leaflets that invited people to the Community Picnic we held that day, and these leaflets also invited people to come to Vacation Bible School the following Monday. Willie and Lilly were along the parade route and got invitations. They attended Vacation Bible School and asked to be baptized. So, after meeting with Willie and Lilly and their dad and grandmother we arranged for the baptism which took place last Sunday.

Our hope is always that the parade and picnic and Vacation Bible School bring people to Jesus’ love and to our congregation. But, I did not expect this quick a result. God can and does work anywhere.

In 1 Peter 3:15 God tells us about sharing His love, “15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” This week I gained a new respect for God’s instruction to “always be prepared.” God can and does work anywhere.

A Child of God , Amazed at how God Works,

Pastor Jonathan

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Friday, June 22, 2012

Pray for God's Church

Dear Fellow Children of God,

We don’t live in a perfect world. That is why we need a Savior.

As I write this devotion, I am in Portland this week for the District Convention that happens once every three years for the churches in our denomination. At these conventions, which every one of our congregations is supposed to attend, churches gather together to renew their shared commitment to the mission and ministry of our Lord. Congregations at convention also act on resolutions, like a legislature that meets once every three years, in order to better focus the direction of ministry. But, while I don’t know of any better way for church bodies to make decisions, I am not always sure a convention is the best way either.

In my devotions this Thursday morning, one of my readings came from Ecclesiastes 3, where God moved Solomon to write, “Moreover I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.” (Ecclesiastes 3:16 RSV). Imagine! King Solomon himself is surprised to find wickedness even in places that make decisions, places like government. And Solomon was king! And selfishness and disagreement can ever rear their ugly heads in places of decision like church conventions.

But disagreement within the church and meetings to settle matters are not new. We don’t live in a perfect world. That is why we need a Savior. Such disagreement is the whole background of Acts 15, where the early church had a heated meeting in Jerusalem to decide if Gentiles had to become circumcised Jews before they could become Christian. I share this because, even respecting the faith and commitment of others attending the convention with me this week, from experience I expect this convention to display some obvious difference of opinions for the direction we take in doing the work of our Lord Jesus.

Thankfully, God sent Jesus to forgive everyone, even Christians when we act in ways that we may think are right but are actually selfish, or wrong. Even in the church, maybe especially in the church, God’s people need the forgiveness of God. The church of God is built, not on our righteousness, but on the righteousness of Jesus, on the merciful sacrificial death of our Lord, and on His resurrection victory. We don’t live in a perfect world. We are all sinful. That is why we need a Savior.

I really appreciated the prayer in my devotion for today. This prayer, written by Maria Hare, who helped me to pray, “Have mercy on me, poor and needy as I am, and subdue in me all that is perverse and wayward in my heart. So fill me with Thy pure and heavenly love, that all my narrowness and selfishness may be done away with in the wideness of Thy love. Amen.”

We don’t live in a perfect world. That is why we need a Savior. Lord Jesus, we pray that you would even bless Your Church, that we may accomplish Your will as we act to focus and work together as your people to share the wideness of your forgiving and saving love. Amen.

A Child of God , Thankful I have a Savior,

Pastor Jonathan

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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Our Heavenly FATHER

Dear Fellow Children of God,

About 15 years ago, while at a worship conference in the Chicago area, a group of St. John members and I worshiped at a nationally known church after the conference. The day we worshiped was Fathers’ Day and fatherhood was the focus of the sermon. I won’t forget the sermon because I was so disappointed. The preacher that day talked about King David and what kind of father he was. This famous pastor pointed to David’s shortcomings as a father, which David surely had. The pastor then encouraged church members to turn to modern day teaching and counselors for help and direction in their families.

As we celebrate a day set aside to honor fathers it should not be a surprise that there is no perfect earthly father. Being a good father is a challenging job. As a father myself I can think of times I was too harsh or strict, and other times I was too lenient. I can think of times as a father I lost my temper that I later regretted. While I have tried to set a life example for my children through a Christian life of faith and love, I know that my children have lived with me and they have seen my worst as well as my best. There are no perfect earthly fathers.

However, the thing that disappointed me the most about the sermon that day in Chicago is that the preacher did not mention our Heavenly Father. Scripture is full of teaching on God as our loving heavenly father. In the Old Testament we are told in “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;” (Psalm 103:13). In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11) No, there are no perfect earthly fathers, but we all have a heavenly father who loves us, who shows compassion, who provides for our needs. For our greatest need, the consequences of our rebellion and sin, our Father acted in love and compassion and sent His only begotten Son to save us. There is one perfect Father – God Himself!

While I have some regrets as father, I have always loved my four children. When I have struggled I have sought to make my first source of help and guidance the fatherly love of God. Just because I have failed at times does not mean that I am giving up on being a loving and faithful father. In fact, knowing that all fathers struggle gives me comfort for times I have failed. Knowing that God is not only father of all, but also father of my children, encourages me to know that our Heavenly Father is watching over my children. God’s forgiveness and help give me strength and direction to continue working to live a life of faith and love for my children and now my grandchildren.

No, there are no perfect fathers. But, many of us have had fathers who have loved us and taught us and raised us to know Jesus as our Savior. I know that my dad willingly took on a difficult job and faithfully worked at that job to love and bless me and my brothers and sister. And, while not perfect, my dad did a really good job of being father to a son who caused him some trouble. Such faithful effort in a difficult job is certainly worth honoring.

May God guide and bless our fathers and our families in all His love and compassion.

A Child of God , my Heavenly Father – What a Blessing!

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here is a picture of my dad and my brothers and sister taken this past January. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/RockeyFamilyGatheringMatthewLeonSBaptism#5700975016796150818

P. P.S. Last week my devotion talked about options for worship when we are away from home. Please remember our Wednesday worship. This is another opportunity for worship when gone on the weekend. Wednesday worship is held at 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday.

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Thursday, June 7, 2012

Keeping in Touch With God

Dear Fellow Children of God,

As I talked to St. John members this week I learned that a number of families were out of town this past weekend. I know of two St. John families that saw each other at Disneyland. (Imagine!) I know of two families that met each other in Homer. One of those family groups was my two younger children who were in Homer for a baseball tournament. How many other families do you think were traveling last weekend?

During summer, because school is out, schedules change. I used to think that life slowed down in the summer. Now I think that instead of schedules slowing down, we now plan different activities. Many of those activities, such as fishing and camping trips, or vacations, take us away from home. So, if summer schedules take us away from home how do we keep up our relationship with God and His people?

God has established a Sabbath and established His church for the good of His people. Children of God need time with God in praise and worship to maintain and strengthen our faith in Jesus as our Savior, so we have a day of worship. And children of God need time together with other Christians to worship and grow and serve. So I ask again, if summer schedules take us away from home how do we keep up our relationship with God and His people?

When my family and I travel we seek to find another congregation where we can worship. But, what do you do if your vacation takes you to a tent in the woods, or in Homer? There are many verses in Scripture that encourage us to regular use or meditation on God’s Word. For example, God spoke through Paul about the power and blessing of God’s Word, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

Have you considered personal or family devotions as a possibility for spending time with God while you are away from home? I can share with you that when my friends and I moose hunt we actually have devotions daily, but sometimes we have special devotional time in camp on a Sunday. That has actually been an opportunity for sharing God’s love with people who are seeking answers about God.

How about your time away? If you can’t attend worship, why not consider intentionally planning a time of personal or family devotions? While devotions do not give you time with God’s people for encouragement the same way that worship does, nevertheless God strengthens us and feeds our faith in His word. It is good for God’s people to use this gift of God daily. But, when we are away and cannot gather with the people of God I find it good to plan a time of devotion which can include Bible Reading, discussion, prayer, and maybe even singing.

God does tell us we need time to rest. Especially during the summer months it seems that time takes us away from home. But, we don’t want to take a vacation from God. He is always with us. Before you leave, why not consider materials you can bring so that you and the family get to keep strong your faith in God’s love for you. If you want some ideas contact me. I might even have some to share.

A Child of God Encouraging God’s children to stay strong in their faith

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Another opportunity for St. John Members to worship during the summer is our Wednesday Worship service, held each week at 6:30 p.m.

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