President’s Monthly Message

November 2024 • A Season of Pruning

Over the past several weeks, we have seen the devastation and resulting damage of hurricanes Helene and Milton. As we consider the scope of damage, we have much to be thankful for—the damage is significantly less than it could have been!

As I have driven up and down the Gulf Coast, visiting congregations and families impacted, my eyes have continually been drawn to the impact that the winds have had on the trees. If you have been in an area affected by a hurricane or watched the news reporting the aftermath, you know what I am talking about. I’ve seen a lot of damage from hurricanes over the years both while growing up in Florida and then working for Allstate Insurance. Yet, for some reason, I have been seeing this damage in a seemingly different way than in the past. Those fallen branches remind me of pruning.

Consider these words of Jesus in John 15. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

When we moved into our new home in 2020, I planted more than a dozen trees and shrubs. One of the reasons I did so was for privacy. As they have grown, I have celebrated their growth, beauty, and increased privacy. Yet I know that pruning is necessary for healthy growth in the long run—even if it delays my desired privacy.

Dear friends, pruning is a necessary part of spiritual growth and can have several benefits, including:

• It removes hindrances: God prunes us to remove things that hinder our spiritual growth and relationship with the Lord.
• It can help reveal idols: The pain of such pruning can reveal idols in our hearts.
• It helps produce good fruit: We are here for that very purpose, to “bear fruit that will last.” So pruning results in healthier plants that help us to bear more fruit for the Kingdom.
• Pruning shapes us: Pruning can help shape our character and mold us into the likeness of Christ.
• And, it provides comfort: Our nature is that we don’t want to let go of or lose anything. Pruning causes us to do just that. However, God is present in the pruning and in the resulting healing and growth that results.

I’m pretty sure that you can easily remember the times in your life, even over the past year, where there has been pruning. It might be in the loss of someone or something you loved; it might be in a time of pain or difficulty in a relationship, job, or in the lives of friends and family. We’ve all felt the pain of pruning – the cutting away of the good and seemingly fruitful things – and the exhaustion of enduring a season that seemed to go on without end.

As painful as it feels to be pruned, I can’t help but see how God is always good. Consider again John 15:1, where Jesus told His disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” For those who remain in Jesus, pruning serves a productive and powerful purpose. All farmers and gardeners know to prune if they want their farms and gardens to flourish. Likewise, we must be pruned by our Father, who knows exactly what hindrances to remove from our lives if we want to flourish with the fruit of the Lord.

Now, here we are—colder weather, and yet I cannot get over the truth that in every season, God is good, and His hands will not harm us. For God our Father, the good Gardener, doesn’t prune us to punish us. He prunes us that we might produce good fruit.

A final note: Although I indicated that the damage from these hurricanes was far less than it could have been. The reality is that there was still incredible loss and thousands who have suffered greatly. Please continue to keep those individuals and communities in your prayers. I also encourage you to listen and respond to how the Lord is calling you to “love your neighbors as yourselves.” That is, love and come alongside of those in need. There is still a great need for volunteers within the FLGA District and in the Carolinas. You can learn more about volunteering through this link: https://www.lcms-lert.org/agency/detail/?agency_id=119487. You can also learn more or donate to our disaster response effort as we provide assistance to congregations, schools, workers, and more here: https://flgadistrict.org/lert/.

President Rockey

October 2024 • Lessons from Football

In the movie “Any Given Sunday”, Al Pacino plays an aging NFL coach. Toward the end of the movie, he gives a halftime speech about how football, like life, is a game of inches: “…The inches we need are everywhere around us. On this team we fight for that inch. On this team we tear ourselves and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch. Because we know when we add up all those inches, that’s gonna make the difference between winning and losing!”

Sure, a long pass or a return kickoff to the end zone are exciting. But in between the big plays are a lot of short ones, and those short plays are often decided by a matter of inches.

Following Jesus often can be similar. Baptism, confirmation, or finally understanding how much God loves you — are like big plays that make it to the highlight reel on SportsCenter. But other steps feel more like first downs—not as exciting but still moving us closer to the goal of becoming more like Jesus.

As our congregations begin a new “Season”, may we consider two lessons we can learn from football. 1. Small Choices now can lead to “highlight” moments later. In coaching, ESPN and other networks often televise the introduction of a new head coach. Yet such a moment is not possible without the roles that prepared the coach to be a head coach, like the long hours as a low-paid graduate assistant or living behind the scenes as a special teams coordinator.

We sometimes see or hear stories of how someone invited a friend to church, and his or her life was changed. These stories should be celebrated! In truth, all of us would like to impact someone’s life in a similar way. But it takes small steps to be prepared. It can be as simple as memorizing a Bible verse and being prepared to share it in the moment. It can come from being faithful in one’s own daily Bible reading or devotions and letting that Word speak to us so that we might share it with another. Many small acts can lead to highlight moments.

My prayer for each of us and for all those within our congregations, schools, and various ministries is that they be encouraged to prepare. Note the following verses that call for such preparation:

1 Timothy 4:8 For while bodily training is of some value, (training in) godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere 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.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

2. Fundamentals build the foundation. As a coach, you must build your team up. In the game of football, defenses must defend against multiple types of offense, but before you can teach them to defend, they must learn how to tackle. It’s a skill that is a simple expectation of fans, but every coach knows how important at every level it is to practice tackling. Tackling is a fundamental element of football that leads to success. Consider these three fundamentals that are important to practice as followers of Christ:

• Prayer—Learning how to listen and communicate with God and asking Him to work in and through you. Ask Him to reveal to you where & who He has prepared for you to come alongside.
• Reading God’s Word—Here, we also learn to listen to what God is saying. Here, we get fed and strengthened for the next round of plays. Here, we keep our eyes on the goal – to not only know and love our Lord but to make Him known and share His love with all.
• Serving—This reminds us that it’s not a set of have-tos; it’s about us loving and serving our God by helping other people connect with Jesus and experience His love!

Looking for opportunities to apply these fundamentals in your life cannot only make a difference for you, but it will make an eternal difference in the lives of others. It is through being faithful to the fundamentals that we are prepared, and God can turn those “inches” into “highlight” moments!

The inches—every small choice we make—can be the difference between winning and losing. As Christians, we know that in Christ we win, but we must also continue to fight for those inches so that others may receive the salvation that can only be found with Jesus.

Fighting for those inches, that others too may win!

President Rockey

September 2024 • Are You Ready for some…

How did you complete the above title? As we are now at the beginning of September, I have a feeling that most of you read it, Are you ready for some Football?! Although I enjoy the college football season, well, Gator Football season, that’s not what I have in mind.

What is on my mind is the fact that before those players or any of us when we were playing sports went out onto the field, it was essential that we prepared both individually and as a team. Right now, across college campuses, players are in the weight rooms, running and doing every sort of conditioning available to get ready. In addition, they are honing and learning skills, playing, and even trying to learn about their opponents. In short, before the coach or referee says, “Let’s Play Ball,” there’s work to be done for us to be ready.

We are on the verge of a new fall season of mission and ministry. The question before us and every member of the Body of Christ should be, are you ready? I believe Luther understood such a need for preparation. Consider this from the Preface to the Large Catechism: But for myself, I say this: I am also a doctor and preacher, yea, as learned and experienced as all those may be who have such presumption and security; yet I do as a child who is being taught the Catechism, and every morning, and whenever I have time, I read and say, word for word, the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Psalms, etc. And I must still read and study daily…

My prayer for each of us and for all those within our congregations, schools, and various ministries is that they be encouraged to prepare. Note the following verses that call for such preparation:

1 Timothy 4:8 For while bodily training is of some value, (training in) godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere 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.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

In truth, the season of mission and ministry never ends. Our District has always been about the “mission of God”, committed to connecting people to Jesus as we live as along-siders. The season is before us, and its prospects are promising and exciting! I look forward to continuing to personally prepare and to prepare alongside you so that we might see many more experience the joy of the Lord’s salvation through Christ!

President Rockey

August 2024 • Don’t be Surprised…We’re Meant to be Counter-Cultural

14“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24

It doesn’t take much to see how we, as Christ-followers, are not like the world around us. That became even more apparent last week at the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. In the ceremonies, there was a parody of the Lord’s Supper with drag queens, a golden calf, a horseman from the apocalypse spoken of in Revelations, and more. Yet as my title says, “Don’t be Surprised…” 

The world, along you and I all continue to deal with our own sinful flesh. We daily deal with the reality that the world and Satan continue to attack. Add to that Jesus saying: “And you will be hated because of me” (Matt. 10:22). Or in John 15: 20, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”

As Isaiah 53 clearly states, “We have gone astray and turned, everyone to his or her own way”. Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised that cultural norms veer far from the path given us in God’s Word. The visual arts, music, literature, politics and civil law and online “communities” all reflect mankind’s very lost condition. The believer may recoil from the darkness, the ugliness, and the evil that often marks cultural expression today, but here, it would be wise for us to consider the cross and our response.

The reaction to this attack on our faith and Christians has been criticized by many. Indeed, we should stand up for what is right and of God. Yet this is a time where it is more than us calling out those who attack our God and faith. It is more than us revealing what it is that we stand against. Therefore, I am drawn back to the words of Joshua as he addressed the people who had wandered and pursued their own pleasures and gods. “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

As Lutheran Christians, many of us remember that our faith is more than what we “do” when we go to church or are with other believers. I believe, to some extent, that is why we teach and practice living out our ‘Christian vocation.’ No matter what setting, position, relationship, or activity we are in, we are called to understand that “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of the Lord” 1 Cor. 10:31

The darkness we find in our culture is not countered by simply banning the objectionable or by staying away. The key to redeeming culture is the light of Christ! “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them” Is. 9:2. My dear friends in Christ, you have seen the Light and even experienced the Light. It has transformed you and me. “For you once were darkness,” wrote Paul in Ephesians 5:8, “but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.”

Yes, there are certainly times when we need to protest and stand against what is wrong. There are times when we must cry out against ungodliness and call for such things to end. But may that not be all we do. I hope we remember the best form of protest is to stand for something better. That all are created by, loved by, and valued by the Lord. That our God and Savior came to love and redeem us from the darkness and, by grace, give us the gift of forgiveness and life!

So, will you join me in engaging this world and culture so that they can experience and receive the peace that passes all understanding in the dark world and the hope that we have in suffering, persecution, and, yes, even death?! Now note that doing so means you have to be engaged with them.

We can’t just remove ourselves from the world or culture that is not like us. Consider this: is there any unbeliever in your life who’s close enough to smell the “pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing”? 2 Cor. 2:15.

Yes, we may need to stand against wrong. But may we more so stand for Christ in whatever culture we live in. May we live lives that acknowledge the need for God’s judgment and lives that are filled with overwhelming gratitude for His grace. As culture increasingly celebrates the darkness, may we live out the Light. That’s counter-cultural.

President Rockey

July 2024 • Spend Your Inheritance!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 1 Peter 1: 3-4

At times while serving in my last parish, I would hear, “We’re spending our kid’s inheritance!” In addition, this attitude shows up on bumper stickers as well. Unlike some past generations, not all parents today are concerned about leaving something to their children. Yet even when they do, it’s often not what they’d hoped to leave due to the realities of our economy and life.

In sharp contrast, Peter writes of the inheritance God has for His children; It can never perish, spoil, or fade. By using these negative words, Peter highlights the greatness of our inheritance in Christ. Who can rob us of God’s full forgiveness for our sins? The Devil tries, our consciouses accuse, but God points to the cross of His Son. What can spoil the peace we have with God? Storms may rock our lives; tears may dim faith’s view. But God points to the cross of His Son – His peace is still there as sure as the nail prints in the hand that holds our hand. What can devalue the glory of heaven? The world may laugh, calling it “pie in the sky,” “a dream, an illusion,” or “a crutch for the weak.” But God points us to the cross and gives us the assurance that what is waiting for us is far better.

Unlike some earthly parents, our heavenly Father is concerned about an inheritance for each and every one of us. That’s why He sent Jesus to the cross and raised Him from the grave. That’s why He promises to keep us in faith in Jesus. He wants us to have an inheritance that is truly out of this world!

But there is another side to this…each of us has that inheritance right now! As such, we should ask ourselves, what are we doing with it? Are we hoarding it, keeping it to ourselves, or are we spending it…or better said, are we sharing it? You see, it can never perish, spoil, or fade – it can’t run out!

Yes, our gracious and loving God has given it to us so that we might have His riches in Christ. But we also get to share it with others. That is our privilege as believers and as the Body of Christ here in the Florida-Georgia District! 

This summer would you please pray daily that the Lord would open your eyes and heart to seeing who He is sending you to share your inheritance with? Will you pray that He would continue to guide each congregation in looking toward plans to share the inheritance with the growing community around us through existing and new ministries? Yes, indeed, we have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade – and we get to share it without it ever losing its value!

President Rockey

June 2024 • Change!?

The titles of sermons and devotions can set the tone and give a clue as to what the writer hopes the hearer receives. This title arises from having just celebrated Pentecost.

So, as we celebrate Pentecost and journey through the longest season in the Church Year, what are you expecting… as a follower of Christ and, therefore, as a recipient of the Holy Spirit? My sense, sadly, we don’t expect much or give it much thought. Sure, we profess belief in the Triune God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but we don’t really go much past that we receive the Holy Spirit through the Word & waters of Baptism, and, that as Paul says, “no one can confess Jesus Christ as Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”

Yes, we celebrate the Festival of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the birthday of the Christian Church. But when all that was happening, things were changing. Jesus was crucified, dead, and buried, but He rose from the grave. He was then with His disciples for another 40 days until His ascension. Things were changing. He was no longer with them. What were they to do? How were they to go forward? What was God’s plan? Then He does what He promises and sends them the Holy Spirit. Oh yes, things were changing, but in truth, the disciples don’t get it all either. Yet one thing they knew, there would be “change.”

Before I go on, let me clarify that God’s purpose has not changed. As we read in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one & only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Now listen carefully to this. V. 17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him…” Did you get it? God’s plan, God’s love for His people, for us does not change! 

But as we remember the sending of the Spirit and the change that followed…I encourage you to see that by the power of the Spirit, the change begins with us. You see, through the Holy Spirit and faith, we become New Creations, changed! 2 Cor 5: 17 says: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away; behold, all have become new.

In the gift of the Spirit and faith in Christ, we have forgiveness! We’re changed! So, in

1 Cor 2: 12 Paul says: You have received the Spirit who is from God that we may understand what God has freely given us. Changed? Yes, in that we have forgiveness freely in Christ. As recipients of the Spirit and people of faith, we are not meant to be the same. We may not grasp it or live it fully…yet. But God is still at work in us so that we will reflect that change.

Paul writes to the church of Galatia 2: 20, I have been crucified with Christ & I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me & gave himself for me. And He’s not through changing us.

Consider these verses:

• Rom 12: 1 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed (changed) by the renewing of your mind.
• 2 Cor. 3:18 And we are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

I’ve said many times, “But it’s not all about us!” As those who are filled with the Spirit, we are God’s agents to change the world! 

• Acts 1: 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth.
• 2 Cor 3:2-3 You yourselves are our letter… known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Dear friends, we have changed and are no longer the same. We are forgiven. We’ve received His Spirit, and we have been called to be His witnesses—His change agents. Therefore, we are to be like living testimonies, letters, and messages to those around us!

But in our flesh, we are distracted, doubtful, hesitant. We think we are incapable or not really called to change the world or even one life. That’s our sin, and that, too, the Lord forgives and sends us out again. Remember what Paul says in Rom 8: 26, The Spirit helps us in our weakness. You’re right – you can’t change someone or transform a life…but God can and does through His Word, Spirit, and through changed, transformed people like you and me! 

President Rockey

May 2024 • Let’s Go Fishing!

Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets but threw the bad away. Matthew 13:47-48

Over the past few days, I’ve been on a mini-staycation while a dear friend and accountability partner in my life has been visiting from Tennessee. We spent a couple of days together fishing on the Gulf off Crystal River. Truly, this is one of my favorite activities and ways of spending Sabbath time with my Lord in His creation.

Yet while leaving the house shortly after 5:30 a.m. each morning, catching some nice trout, a few sea bass, and Spanish mackerel, I was thinking about the life that we are called to…that is, being “fishers of men” and Christ’s witnesses.

Some of you may know, but fishing is my hobby and if I could, I’d probably fish every day. Now I am no great fisherman, but I do well and often bring home a meal or two. I love the feel of a tug on the line and then the battle to reel in the fish and get it in the boat. However, I haven’t always been the most effective fisherman. Growing up, I’d go out with my dad, but often, we wouldn’t catch anything or anything worth keeping. Yet I kept going. The older I got, I sought to learn from others and would regularly read “Florida Sportsman” and watch fishing shows to learn more. In short, it took practice to develop knowledge and skills that could effectively be used.

Now, you may already be thinking to yourself, “Well, I’m no fisherman, and I certainly have no skill to bring others to faith.” But before you disregard the rest of this devotion, please remember that as Christ-followers, we are all called to be fishers of men. Our mission is not fulfilled unless the Great Commission is at the center of it. Reaching men, women, young, old, families, friends, neighbors, coworkers and even those who are hard to love is our calling and privilege. Jesus loves them and He desires each and every one to experience His love. He died for them just like us!

As we move into the summer season, many congregations see ministry activities slowing or even shutting down. Yet in truth, we’re in a prime time for casting our nets through spending time with those living without Christ. This leads me to ask myself and you, how effective is our ministry or witness? Are we actively participating in God’s Kingdom work? Are the nets of our lives full of people being drawn in from the depths of darkness to the Light of His grace and love? Broken nets will not catch a fish. Nets folded neatly on the shore do nothing to fill the boat.

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So, he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. Luke 5:1-7

Some say fishing is an art. To learn the sport takes practice. Determining what bait to use or casting a line is not often achieved on the first try. You must continue to learn to set the reel and throw the line remembering not to let go of the rod at the same time. There’s a lot of hand-eye coordination going on at the same time. Just like a cast net, it is not subject to beginners’ luck but those who truly want to catch some fish will keep trying.

Discipleship is to teach. Jesus came and taught from Simon Peter’s boat that day. Peter did what the Lord asked because fishing was not going well. When Jesus finished speaking, He instructed Peter to push out deeper into the water. Once there, he was told to let down his nets. Peter explained to Jesus that they had worked hard all night and caught nothing. BUT… He would try again. This is an essential truth hidden in this conversation that has the potential to change our life and every single outcome! Peter did what Jesus told him to do. Too often, we are picky about where we let down our nets, when we cast them out, and how we fish. Doubt keeps our nets on the boat rather than continuously casting into the water. Peter believed Jesus enough to overcome his experience and his pride to do it one more time…and God delivered.

My dear friends, one last thing. Have you ever asked yourselves why in the reading above in Matthew 13, it seems that that catch of fish is indiscriminate, “fish of all kinds”? I’ve had some say to me that it seems God is forcing people to come to faith. But I believe it is just the opposite. Instead, I believe this is a wonderful reminder that “God so loved the world”, the whole world. God loves and desires “all mankind to be saved.” So, I believe this is a powerful reminder that Jesus has come to redeem, save, and love all people.

Therefore, my prayer is that each of us will cast our lines or our nets boldly, faithfully, and continually, that all may come into a saving relationship with the God who loves us for this life and eternity!

President Rockey

Easter | April 2024 • We Want to See Jesus

Historically, Easter Sunday has been one, if not the day with the highest attendance in churches. Many have bemoaned this reality, even referring to such attendees as “C & E people” (Christmas & Easter). 

Yet I’ve been thinking about this. Over my years of ministry, I have known or been told about people worshipping with us who have come with little or no faith. Yet they sat with a loved one or friend and listened. Many never returned, but at times, there have been others that through the Spirit’s work, a seed of faith was planted or rekindled! Yes, I rejoice in those that the Lord has led through His holy Word and its proclamation to come to believe that God is real, God is love, and God changes everything through His Son, Jesus Christ!

We live in a day filled with challenges and change. This is true socially, politically, morally, and more, and this has pushed many to the brink. Whether caused by loneliness, fear, racial division, political tension, the economy, inflation, increased violence, hate, broken families, or attacks on our values and beliefs. All of this has left many fearful, wondering about the future, and uncertain about where to turn.

It is with that in mind that I am praying, boldly, that the Lord will fill every Church with these very people! If you agree that many are wrestling with these realities, then what better place for them to be than to come to Church on Easter and every Sunday? Sure, they may not know what they are looking for, but God does. They may not know how the Lord can help, but they don’t have to. 

My prayer is that through people like you and me…those who are struggling and hurting will hear from us the hope, the joy, and even the peace that we have through the Lord! As we live in such lives, the Lord can lead them to say (even if just on the inside), “We want to see Jesus!”

Those words echoed in my mind and spoke to me as I drove back from South Florida this week. “We want to see Jesus!” I want to see Jesus – with all that is going on, all the suffering, all the uncertainty, all the challenges – I, personally, want to see Jesus! For it is in and through Him that I find comfort, hope, and life. 

I believe that was somewhat the case with those in John chapter 12. “Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival (Passover). They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus.’ Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip, in turn, told Jesus.” In downtown Los Angeles, there was a historic church called “Church of the Open Door.” For nearly a century, it had a tremendous impact on reaching the lost. This Church sat 4,000 people – I can only imagine preaching to so many. I read that if you stood behind the pulpit, you could easily have it go to your head. But just as your ego might begin to inflate, you quickly come down to earth when you look down at a little plaque attached to the pulpit with the words of John 12:21, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus!”

That, my friends, is my prayer…, and I ask you to please join me in that prayer. Pray that the Lord would send many who “Wish to see Jesus!” May they see Jesus through our personal invitations, genuine welcome, and, most of all, through His Word and the message of the Gospel!

The Church, you, and me, we are here for this very reason, to come alongside others, that they may see and believe in Jesus who suffered, died, and rose so that they too may live!

President Rockey

March 2024 • Let’s Stay!

Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Mark 9:5

I well remember hearing my dad and mom saying, “It’s time to leave!” Whether it was while at a friend’s house, enjoying some event at Boy Scouts or Youth Group, or just someplace where the fun was just beginning, those words still echo in my mind. When those words were spoken, it seemed like I would put my heels down and dig in for a fight. And yes, as adults, we often feel the same way when we must say goodbye to family or friends and leave an exciting event or move on from an enjoyable location.

The disciples had just experienced an incredible event as they were on the mountain with Jesus. They had seen their Savior transfigured before their eyes. His clothes became “dazzling white, and there before them appeared Elijah and Moses,” the patriarchs. Amazing! How could anything compare with that?! The experience had impacted them profoundly and sent their spirits soaring.

Then Peter said just what many of us have said. “Let’s just stay!” It makes sense, doesn’t it? To be in the presence of the Lord, to see Him manifested as God’s own Son, and to be there with the patriarchs. Why not just stay? Why leave the mountaintop, this place where they had experienced this once-in-a-lifetime event, filled with such exhilaration and excitement? Why did they need to go back down to life as it was? Peter wanted that experience and joy to last.

I’m sure we’ve all felt that way. Maybe it was when your faith truly became your own, not just that of your parents. Maybe it came with the joy of a worship service or concert where God really spoke to you and filled your spirit with incredible joy. Maybe it was when your child professed their faith in Confirmation or when a wayward loved one came home confessing their faith. Maybe it was a time when your family or your church saw God work in a miraculous way. So why? Why do we have to go? Why must we leave the mountaintop?

Today’s reading from the Gospel of Mark not only records the disciple’s mountaintop experience, but them coming down from the mountain. They had work to do. They had something to share! You see, there were more mountains to climb, more experiences to encounter, and more joys to share. Others needed to know and receive what they had!

God gives us the blessing of mountaintop experiences to inspire us for service and witness in the daily paths of life. He gives us joy to encourage, empower, and lead us to new people and areas we can serve in His Kingdom!

My prayer for you this month is that you rejoice in your mountaintop experiences. Cling to and be filled with the presence of the Lord. Remember the experiences of God working in your Baptism, the study of His Word, the sacrament of the table, or in some other way, you’ve been reminded of His love and provision, and be inspired! Then…step down and follow the sometimes-difficult path of sharing the gift of God’s love. Step down and share those mountaintop experiences with the message that Jesus came down…into the world to save all!

James

February 2024 • What’s Love Have to Do With it?

I love what I do as the District President, but it’s at times like this that I miss serving in the parish even more! Maybe it has to do with my sense of humor, or maybe it’s because I see how such occurrences give great opportunities to proclaim the truths of the faith.

What am I talking about? This month, we begin our Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday, February 14, Valentine’s Day! So, this year, with the intersection of these two widely observed events, there is, in a sense, a contradiction. Ash Wednesday is a time of solemn reflection and repentance over our sins and needs. We even come face to face with the reality of death as we receive ashes on our forehead and hear the words, “from dust you came and to dust you shall return” (Gen. 3:19). And with Valentine’s Day, there is this hyper-focus on love and how we share that love with someone near and dear. Sure, it’s been taken over as a retailer’s opportunity, sentimentality, and superficial love, but either way, it certainly doesn’t align with our focus on Ash Wednesday. Or does it?

Sure, Valentine’s Day is supposedly all about love. But I believe that in an even more genuine and powerful way, Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent are all about love! You may be asking, “What’s Love Have to Do with It?” Great question. Sure, we have “all fallen short of the glory of God.” We understand that we are “sinful from the time our mothers conceived us” (Psalm 51:5), and we know that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). But Ash Wednesday and our Lenten journey are all about pointing us to the One who “so loved the world”, who so loved you and me, that He could not bear being separated from us. He is the God and Savior who offered Himself as the payment for our sins that death may not have the last word. 

So, when you receive the ashes in the form of a cross on your forehead, know that this is not only a reminder of our sin but of God’s incredible, undeserved, and unceasing love! My prayer for each of us, as we begin our Lenten journey this month, is that we will take these six weeks to spend with the Lord in reflection and prayer so that we may fully experience the depth of His love anew. May we then live in response to His radical love by honoring and serving Him in all we do and say.

What’s love have to do with it? Everything!

James

PS Daily LENTEN DEVOTIONS AVAILABLE. The FLGA is once again providing daily devotions that you can sign up to have delivered to your email. This year’s Lenten theme continues to explore the “Living as an Along-Sider” theme from our 2023 President’s Equip Conference. Yet this series of Devotions will focus solely upon the most powerful aspect of this way of life…How Jesus is our Along-sider! Even before we can ever begin to live as Along-siders ourselves, Jesus is our Along-sider through all the realities, challenges, sorrows, and trials of life. Join us each day as we discover from the Scriptures how our God is with us, walks along-side of us and provides for our every need! Sign up through our website beginning Monday, Feb. 5th.

January 2024 • New Beginnings Make New…

A few years ago, I read this quote, “No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending” (Unknown). Those words struck me in such a way that I began to reflect on that statement and its meaning. The conclusion was that we can’t start over; but we can begin again right where we are, making things new in our lives!

As a believer in Christ, it’s not about saying I will do this, and I won’t do that and then failing at what we committed to do. It’s more about asking the Lord to help us each day grow in our faith and fall deeper in love with Him. That way, our focus will be on what He has done for us and on our relationship with Him…on all the things of heaven and not on the things of this world.

Maybe a New Year’s resolution each of us could make could be to have a deeper commitment, a deeper love, and a deeper relationship with the Lord!

As I look to the beginning of this new year, this phrase and truth I hear from God’s Word keep arising in my heart, saying: “I Am more than enough. I Am more than enough in every area of your life.” As individuals and as a Church Family, these are words we all need to hear. When life is hard – He is more than enough! When we are challenged in some way to do something we don’t think we can – He is more than enough! When we’ve started well with good intentions and then stumble and fall hard – He is still more than enough!

Here is what I love about the Lord (well, one of many things). He is the God of New Beginnings! “His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness” (Lamentations 3).  How awesome to know that when we fail, we can have a new beginning, whether on January 1, February, August, a Monday or a Thursday, or whenever! Our God loves. Our God forgives, and our God freely offers New Beginnings!

Yet there is more to this. It’s not just about the New Beginning. Because with each New Beginning we can change what lies ahead. We can “Make…New Endings!  You see, each time – every time – God provides us with a New Beginning, the result is a New Ending!

The Florida-Georgia District is about sharing New Beginnings & New Endings with all people. We do this in our churches and schools through Worship, providing an excellent education in Christ-centered safe environments, Bible Study Groups, Support Groups, Serving others, being a place of Community, and by loving each and every neighbor as ourselves! Picture this – a person Baptized not only has a new beginning but now a new ending as a child of God. A parent of a child in one of our early learning centers hears the message of Christ’s love and discovers a New Beginning out of their painful reality – and has a new ending as a parent and forgiven person of faith!

Yes, my dear friends and partners in the Gospel, with Christ, we have New Beginnings that make new endings! May the Lord continue to help us daily experience, celebrate and share New Beginnings and rejoice in the New Endings He gives!

President Rockey