Goose bump moment.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:13-14 (KJV)

Have you ever had goose bumps go up and down your spine when a thousand angelic voices joyfully sang a hymn that tugged at your heart?  I can only imagine that the shepherds must have been shaking in their sandals while a multitude of voices were praising God out in the fields that still, silent night two thousand years ago.

There were a number of occasions when I sat on a humble Haitian wooden pew and listened to the congregation at Bon Berger in Caredeux joyfully sing praises to God in a hymn that went on and on and they had no sheet music or printed program to follow…just their hearts, minds and voices singing praises to their Heavenly Father, our Heavenly Father.  What will heaven be like?  One day all of the believers from every tribe and race will be joining together singing praises to our Heavenly Father in one common tongue.  While we wait for that moment, let’s close by reading the words to the hymn ‘Hark the Herald Angels sing’ which was written by Charles Wesley in 1739.

“Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King; peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"  Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with the angelic host proclaim.  "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"  Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!"  Christ, by highest heaven adored.  Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold Him come, offspring of a virgin's womb.  Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail the incarnate Deity!  Pleased as Man with man to dwell; Jesus, our Immanuel!  Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!"

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you…Jay

The shepherds.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 (KJV)

Back in the day, at St. John’s Lutheran elementary school in Seward, NE…when the teachers were selecting children for the speaking parts in the Christmas program, there were many boys like me who just wanted to be one of the shepherds; no lines to memorize, no songs to sing, just stand there by a cardboard sheep, wear a hooded bathrobe, a cotton beard and hold a staff.  And, back in the day, girls were never considered for the role of shepherds; even if they might have tried to identify as a boy on that particular day.  We just begged to be a shepherd, stand in the background and be oblivious to most all of those in attendance, except their parents.

Why in the world did the Angel appear to this unique group of seemingly “nobody’s” while they were just minding their own business watching over their sheep and goats on just another quiet evening outside Bethlehem?  It seems like it would have been better for the Angel to announce the news to a larger group of prominent people in Bethlehem who might have spread the news of this awesome event throughout the region.  Our Heavenly Father chose the shepherds, perhaps because the babe born in Bethlehem would grow up and become our ‘Good Shepherd’ and one day give His life for us on the cross of Calvary.

God’s plans are always perfect; even though the brightest bulbs of this fallen world do not always think that is the case and for that we can rejoice.  By the way, just for the record, I never did get to be a shepherd; probably because I needed glasses to see where I was going and there were no shepherds wearing glasses in the account in Luke; God had a plan.  I close with the words to the hymn ‘While Shepherds watched their flocks by night’ which was written by Nahum Tate in 1700.

“While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, the angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around.  "Fear not," said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled minds; "Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind.  To you, in David's town, this day, is born of David's line a Savior, who is Christ the Lord; and this shall be the sign: the heavenly Babe you there shall find to human view displayed, all meanly wrapped in swaddling clothes and in a manger laid."  Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith appeared a shining throng of angels, praising God, and thus addressed their joyful song: “All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace; good will henceforth from Heaven to men begin and never cease."

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you…Jay

The nobody's.

“God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,” 1 Corinthians 1:28 (ESV)

God sent His ONLY Son to this world to be the ONLY Savior that we can turn to and find the forgiveness that we so badly need.  We have hope because Jesus came to seek and save the lost souls of this world.  There are some in our fallen world that believe it would be wonderful for our Heavenly Father to use only the ‘famous’ people of our time to use their worldly fame, fortune, reputation and deeds to spread the Holy Gospel.  Might be a good plan in the eyes of this world but instead God delights in using people like you, me and these small children who attend Bon Barger Lutheran School in Caredeux to accomplish His work.  

Our Heavenly Father uses the ‘nobody’s’ of this world to seek and save the lost and proclaim the Holy Gospel to their closed ears.  He has a way to transform ‘nobody’s’ like you, me and these little Haitian missionaries into ‘somebodies’ as we go about doing His business of bringing more souls into the Kingdom.  I close with the words to the hymn ‘Jesus came, the Heavens adoring’ which was written by Godfrey Thring in 1864.

“Jesus came, the heavens adoring, came with peace from realms on high; Jesus came for man's redemption, lowly came on earth to die; Alleluia! Alleluia!  Came in deep humility.  Jesus comes again in mercy when our hearts are bowed with care; Jesus comes again in answer to an earnest, heartfelt prayer; Alleluia! Alleluia!  Comes to save us from despair.  Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing, bringing news of sins forgiven; Jesus comes in sounds of gladness, leading souls redeemed to heaven.  Alleluia! Alleluia!  Now the gate of death is riven.  Jesus comes in joy and sorrow, shares alike our hopes and fears; Jesus comes, whate'er befalls us, glads our hearts, and dries our tears; Alleluia! Alleluia!  Cheering e'en our failing years.  Jesus comes on clouds triumphant when the heavens shall pass away; Jesus comes again in glory.  Let us, then, our homage pay, Alleluia! ever singing till the dawn of endless day.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you…Jay

He will save His people.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1: 21

 Dear Friends,

I greet you as a parent of two girls (well, young women now), but a parent indeed. The journey of parenthood is quite an adventure. It begins with great excitement and joy over the beautiful gift of each child – there are those sweet innocent smiles, uncontrolled laughter, messy meals, sweet smells, new accomplishments and hugs that make you melt.  Yet along the way, some of that excitement is lost in the midst of the diapers, tantrums, crying, defiance, illnesses and regular life lessons they go through.  Yet no matter what, we love them and would do anything to provide for them and protect them!

This month, we celebrate Christmas. It is a time of wonder, decorations, music, festivities, food and family. However, the very heart of this celebration is about our Father God and His love for each and every one of us as His children! 

As we look upon our children and smile at their adventures, sweetness, accomplishments, developing personalities and more, we can’t help but love them. And when they disobey us, get hurt or do something we’ve told them countless times not to…the truth…we still love them!

So, it is with our heavenly Father. He loves us unconditionally. Whether we are honoring and obeying Him or whether we live in ways that are contrary to what is best for us – He still loves us. And that is what Christmas is all about!  God our Father loves us so much that He did what is unthinkable to us as parents – He sent His own Son to save us. He gave His own Son to be judged & punished in our place. He then not only did that but rose victorious to give us life that we could be with Him forever.

As a parent, I believe I’d do anything to protect my girls. Well, God not only thought about such, but He did it. So, this Christmas, give thanks for your children and the privilege of providing for them and protecting them.  But most of all – celebrate that God loves you so much that He sent His Son to save you, like He did for me!

May the Lord bless your Christmas celebration and surround you with all of His gifts of grace!

Rejoicing in and sharing God’s amazing grace,

Pastor James Rockey

One week away.

“Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”  But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”  Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David!  Is it not enough to try the patience of humans?  Will you try the patience of my God also?  Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:10–14

Almighty God, Heavenly Father; I thank You for Your unspeakable gift to mankind in the birth of the Christ Child at Bethlehem, as announced by the angel this Holy night.  May the mystery of the word made flesh fill my soul with wonderment and yearning, that like the shepherds, I may hurry to worship at His manger bed.  Change my heart from a busy inn that has no room for Your Son; that it may be a quiet chamber kept for Him.

Help me in the true spirit of repentance to rejoice in my Savior’s birth that in genuine faith I may join in the song of the angels; share the delight of the shepherds and adore Him with the wise men.  Grant that Christ may be born to me this Holy night that the truth, love and redemption He brought may henceforth abide in my heart and life.  Like Mary, may I keep all these things and ponder them in my heart always.

And as You have made me a partaker of His glory here, grant that I may share His glory there.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.

HE will never turn away.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?  Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Isaiah 49:15

I came across a Bible study resource recently in my basement from the Lutheran Hour that was titled ‘Joseph, carpenter of steel’ and sat and read through the guide and gave thought to what Joseph and Mary were going through as they came to Bethlehem with the unborn Savior of this world.  How many doors would you have knocked on to find a place for your pregnant wife and unborn child to stay in so they would not have had to spend the night in a stable?  The important lesson to consider is that God was in control of that journey, is in control of your journey and has not forgot about you, me and the over 52,000 children who attend Christian schools with Trinity HOPE feeding programs throughout Haiti. 

On this day, sixty-four years ago, my father was killed when an Allied moving van driving in the wrong lane, slammed head on into his car.  I can tell you from past decades of painful memories that our Heavenly Father never forgot or turned away from my mom, sister and me.  The truly important thing to dwell upon during this Advent is that our Heavenly Father will never forget about you; you and I may momentarily turn away to the temptations of this sinful world, but He will never turn away from you.  HE is always there beside and inside you.  Today’s devotion will close with the words from the hymn ‘Christians, Awake, Salute the Happy Morn’ that was written by John Byrom in 1749.

“Christians, awake, salute the happy morn whereon the Savior of the world was born.  Rise to adore the mystery of love which hosts of angels chanted from above; with them the joyful tidings first begun of God Incarnate and the Virgin's Son.  Then to the watchful shepherds it was told, who heard the angelic herald's voice, "Behold, I bring good tidings of a Savior's birth to you and all the nations upon earth; this day hath God fulfilled His promised word; this day is born a Savior, Christ the Lord."  He spake; and straightway the celestial choir in hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire; the praises of redeeming love they sang, and heaven's whole orb with alleluias rang.  God's highest glory was their anthem still, peace upon earth, and unto men good will.  To Bethlehem straight th' enlightened shepherds ran to see the wonder God had wrought for man and found, with Joseph and the blessed maid, her Son, the Savior, in a manger laid; then to their flocks, still praising God, return.  And their glad hearts with holy rapture burn.  Oh, may we keep and ponder in our mind God's wondrous love in saving lost mankind!  Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss, from His poor manger to His bitter cross, tread in His steps, assisted by His grace, till man's first heavenly state again takes place.  Then may we hope, th' angelic hosts among, to sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song.  He that was born upon this joyful day around us all His glory shall display.  Saved by His love, incessant we shall sing eternal praise to heaven's almighty King.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you…Jay

I am weak.

“My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.” Psalm 139:15

When was the last time that you were blessed to have sat with either your child or grandchild in your lap?  Do you recall a time when you sat in your parents or grandparents lap?  I remember sitting in my grandmother Brinkmeyer’s lap in her rocking chair listening to her read to me from the Portals of Prayer in the afternoon, when I was in Kindergarten.  Thinking back, I assume that she had other things to do but it always seemed that she carved out some time for me.

Was there a person in your life that spent time sharing their faith with you?  Are there people in your life now that you share your faith with?  The child in the attached photo attends the Lutheran school in Ouanaminthe and she had just received a hug from me and I hope that it meant as much to her as it did to me.  We were both placed on this earth for a purpose.  I don’t have a clue what will become of her walk with Christ or how many opportunities she will have to share her faith with others as she grows.  How many more opportunities do you have to share your faith with another?

Our Triune God’s hand is guiding your life, taking you places where He needs your hand to be placed on another soul or perhaps feeding a child like this.  There is absolutely nothing accidental about your journey yesterday, today or tomorrow; He is there with you as you walk with Jesus each day.  You are not alone; your witness is seen, heard and needed.

“I am weak, but Thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong; I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to Thee.  Just a closer walk with Thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea.  Daily walking close to Thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.  Through this world of toil and snares, if I falter, Lord, who cares?  Who with me my burden shares?  None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.  When my feeble life is o’er, time for me will be no more; guide me gently, safely o’er to Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you…Jay

He came to serve.

“…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

I recently saw a photo of the Bethlehem manger standing under the shadow of the cross of Calvary; the journey for our Savior was not easy; He came to serve and be a ransom for our sins.  The painful journey of many believers brings a glimpse of people being tempted over and over to choose power over love, full control of things over the cross and needing to be a leader instead of being led.  Our society seems to be rapidly desiring to be served by the government in this fallen world and fewer and fewer people step humbly forward to serve.

The woman in the attached photo lives in Gonaives and she and her two daughters are going about their daily routine preparing to cook some rice and beans and sell their food amongst the vendors along the street.  Her children have never gone to school and do not go to Church; lives that are lost without direction, without hope.  Thank you for helping to prepare children in the Lutheran Schools in Gonaives whose lives will bring the message of the manger in Bethlehem and also the cross of Calvary to souls such as these.  I close today with words from the hymn ‘Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord!’ which was written by Martin Luther.

“Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord!  Be all Thy graces now out poured on each believer's mind and heart; Thy fervent love to them impart.  Lord, by the brightness of Thy light, Thou in the faith dost men unite of every land and every tongue; this to Thy praise, O Lord, our God, be sung.  Hallelujah! Hallelujah!  Thou holy Light, Guide Divine, oh, cause the Word of Life to shine!  Teach us to know our God aright and call Him Father with delight.  From every error keep us free; let none but Christ our Master be that we in living faith abide, in Him, our Lord, with all our might confide.  Hallelujah! Hallelujah!  Thou holy Fire, Comfort true, grant us the will Thy work to do and in Thy service to abide; let trials turn us not aside.  Lord, by Thy power prepare each heart and to our weakness strength impart that bravely here we may contend, through life and death to Thee, our Lord, ascend.  Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you…Jay

Why are we here?

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ,  in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”  Ephesians 1:5

I read an Advent devotion recently and it had the “P” word that always causes my throat to tighten up; “Predestination”.  There are two words that I find it easy to just sit and listen when discussion within a group of Christians begins; predestination and baptism.  Both of those words hold the reason why you, these Haitian kids and me are here today…and possibly tomorrow.  God wanted you to become part of his family.

In these verses from Ephesians, the Apostle Paul tells us that ‘God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ’.  You, these Haitian kids and me are a spiritual family, God’s family, and we are going to outlast our physical families.  Physical families don’t last.  They grow up, they move away, they pass away.  But the spiritual family of God will live on and on for eternity.

You have been given an opportunity to provide food for these Haitian kids and thousands more like them, through a Trinity Hope feeding program.  You have an opportunity to feed the family.  What is your purpose?  You can’t fulfill God’s purposes by yourself, it works better with a family.  God wired you to need and work with other people so that HE can bless more lives. 

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you…Jay

Walk with the wise.

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”  Proverbs 13:20

I recently gave a copy of the ‘Luther’s Small Cookbook for Men’ to Nancy K., who is a member of my church here in Illinois and after reading through some of it, she asked; “you guys call yourselves weasels”?  Why yes, we are redeemed weasels living in a fallen world.  If you want to be wise, stay in the Word and invite wise people into your life.

You don’t need a lot of friends.  You don’t need to be popular.  You just need a few good friends who build you up, not tear you down; who are wise, not fools.  If you hang around with fools, that’s what you become.  But if you spend time with wise people, you’ll grow wiser.  It’s like the old saying: “If you want to soar with the eagles, you can’t run with the turkeys.”  I hope that you have heard that saying and if not, please stick it on the fridge.

Strive to become wise.  Why?  Because wisdom is all about love.  Wisdom shows up primarily in relationships.  If I stand on the edge of a swimming pool, and I’m trying to pull you up and out of the water while you’re trying to pull me down, which is easier to do?  It’s always easier for somebody to pull you down than pull you up.  People who pull you down are not your true friends.  Real friends pull you up.  They encourage you in your pursuit of godly wisdom by offering their own.  They make good relationships.  Do you have anybody in your life who is sharing their wisdom on a regular basis?  During this Advent, living in this fallen world, you need that kind of encouragement in your life if you want to be a wise person.

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you…Jay