Dear
Fellow Children of God,
I’m
having some mixed feelings these days. We have been in Alaska with family
for about two and a half weeks. We spent quite a bit of time with our 4
children, and with our six grandchildren. We worshiped at St. John
Lutheran Church in Palmer, spent time with friends, and with my Kiwanis
Club. I have even enjoyed a number of ice-fishing trips. But, while
in Alaska, we have been away from my family in Florida, from my 3 brothers and
my sister, away from a cousin, and their children. We have been absent
from First Lutheran Church in Gainesville where I am finishing my time as
vacancy pastor, and away from our good friends there. While enjoying
ice-fishing in Alaska, I did miss bass fishing in the warmer Florida
climes. I also missed golf with good friends Gainesville. I am
happy to be with family and friends, with church family, in each
location. So, where is my home?
To
add to the confusion, we still vote in Alaska, and also register our vehicles
in the state My driver’s license and passport are list Palmer
as my residence. However, we have been absent from Alaska long enough for
my temporary employment that we missed the requirement for this year’s
Permanent Fund Dividend, and for some other resident issues. Where is
my home, my citizenship?
Yet,
while I have now resided most of my life in Alaska, and secondly Florida, I
should not forget that I have also lived, and worked, and gone to school in
Massachusetts, in Texas, in Indiana, and Missouri, and Michigan. I have enjoyed
my Lord’s blessings in all those places. Where IS my home?
In
his letter to the church in Philippi Paul address these questions in a number
of ways. From a Roman prison in Philippians 1 Paul questions his future,
where he is to live. “ 21 For to me to
live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh,
that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ,
for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more
necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will
remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,” (Philippians
1:21-25) Paul wonders from his incarceration whether his immediate future
is serving Jesus and His church in this world, or whether his home will soon be
with Christ in eternity. Paul’s heart is in both places. Yet, he
understands the need of others to know and believe the saving grace of
Jesus. So, torn between two places of residence, Paul states that he will
continue to serve God’s people for now.
Nevertheless,
Paul also knows that there is one place which is his ultimate home. “20
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus
Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious
body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
(Philippians 3:20-21) Heaven is Paul’s real home.
Individual
people prefer different places to live. Most of my friends in Alaska love
the mountains, the streams, and the climate of our home state. Yet, in
Florida, a lot of my family and friends wonder why anyone endures the cold of
Alaska. Conversely, I recently heard an Alaskan speak of the heat in
Florida as if it were a curse. Different people have different preferences.
There are blessings, but also problems in all places.
Truthfully,
life in this world is cursed, cursed because of sin. The rebellion
of God’s children has caused separation from our Lord (Isaiah 59:2), broken
relationships between people, put the creation in subjection. (Romans
8:20) Thankfully, by Jesus’ death for our sin and his rising from the
grave God delivers us from the suffering and pain, from loss and death, from
the curse of sin in this world. He delivers us so that we may “be with
Christ, which is far better.”
While
I have lived in various states with different climates, I have discovered that
I am most at home with people I love and care about. Home is also with
those who love and care about me. And, the one who loves me most is
. . . the Son of God Himself, Jesus our Savior.
I
will miss family and friends in Alaska. I anticipate my reunions with
family and friends in Florida, for a few months. (We will return to
Alaska in May.) But, my real home, my real citizenship is in heaven where I
will “be with Christ, which is far better.”
A
Child of God, Enjoying the Blessings of God With My Loved Ones, Wherever
I Reside!
Pastor
Rockey
P.S.
I continue to serve as vacancy pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville,
Florida, until First Lutheran receives a permanent full-time pastor.
NEWS
AND MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT First Lutheran Church – Gainesville!
- Pastor
Chris Kollman has accepted the call to serve First Lutheran as full-time
pastor.
- Pastor
Kollmann will be installed as Pastor of First Lutheran on Sunday
afternoon, February 16, at 4:00 p.m. with a meal to follow.
- Pastor
Kollmann’s first Sunday to lead worship is February 23.
- Kathy
and I are in Alaska January 13-30. Thank you to Pastor Stephen Lane who filled in while we
were gone.
- In
Sunday Bible Class we began a
study of “The Pastoral Epistles,” 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon,
on Sunday, January 5. Pastor Lane is teaching while I am in
Alaska. Come and Join Us in the Besalski Fellowship Hall at 8:45
a.m.!!!!!
- SUNDAY SCHOOL IS IN FULL SWING until
May. Children begin in worship at 10:00 a.m.. Early in the service,
after the Children’s Message, children leave for a lesson, for a craft,
and a snack.
Parents,
Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, Neighbors, PLEASE bring your children to
Sunday School. THANK YOU Sunday School Teachers and staff!
- COLLEGE
STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS meet
on Tuesday nights in the student house at 7:00 p.m. Come and join
us! They are studying “The Case for Christianity.” There was a break
as school was out for the Christmas holiday. Tuesday night group
classes start again this Tuesday, January 14.
- STEPHEN
MINISTRY – First Lutheran is re-activating
the Stephen Ministry program at First Lutheran. Angie Burr, Jean
Halabrin, and Dana Lucas will start leadership training, hopefully on
February 10. In addition, those who are committed to training as
supervised Christian Care Givers include: Julie Dicks, Tina Gorske, Patti
Holloway, Debbie Jones, Marge Polkowski, Kathy Rockey, Stephanie Smith,
and Jon Visscher. Stay tuned for more information as the training
process progresses.
- WE
CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025 using the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible.” On
Wednesday, January 29, we read Isaiah 58 and 59.
Feel
free to contact Pastor Rockey at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions
about these readings. Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net I have
recently received questions and comments. It is always good to consider
our Lord’s love and guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only God
knows!
- We
are discussing beginning A New Member Class at First Lutheran in late
February or early March. At
least 3 people have indicated a desire to attend. Details will
follow.
P.P.S.
Family Fun:
- Since
we have returned to Alaska we have spent time almost every day with our
children and grand children. We
celebrated our family Christmas on Saturday, January 25, also the birthday
of our son Joshua. Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jf4TGbwdRus9tZ127
- I
have been fishing 3 times since my last devotion.
- On
Wednesday, January 22, I went fishing in a local lake near the home of a
friend. https://photos.app.goo.gl/bYAgKFSttJZqodNQA
- On
Sunday, Thursday, January 23, I went fishing at Ravine Lake, and did
well. Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/bHdrY3sSksR193yr9
- On
Monday, January 27, I took St. John member, Gaelen Swigart fishing at
Seventeen Mile Lake. Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/oLyWAx7FVqxY8Sjv5
*******
ABOUT
THIS DEVOTION
- I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as full-time senior pastor
of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK. I was writing a weekly
devotion previously entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor." When
I retired many asked me to continue writing these devotions. So I have
continued writing. However, with life's changes I now call this weekly
devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God." Since I am
no longer senior pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message
to those who asked to receive it. (However, I am currently as Vacancy
Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)
So,
if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you
understand. And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish
to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my
distribution list. My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.
My
prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our
Lord, Jesus.
*******
Jonathan
Rockey
Child
of God
Husband,
Father, Son, Grandfather
Vacancy
Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL
Pastor
Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK
How
great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called
children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 a)
