Dear Fellow Children of God,
On Monday and Tuesday, September 8 and 9, I had the
privilege of taking family and friends of Pastor Paul Birner fishing. Paul and I have known each other since
1991. He and I both served as pastors in
Alaska in the 1990’s. We were fishing for
silver salmon, and hooked a few, but did not catch any. We talked to some other fishermen, including
a number of guides. No one seemed to be
catching much, if anything.
So, on Tuesday afternoon, after a lot of fishing and no
catching, I decided to call a guide I know.
The Fenton brothers are well-known, experienced guides on the Kenai
River. I know Murray Fenton through the
Kolberg family from St. John Lutheran in Palmer. Because of Murray I have also met and talked
with his older brother, Mike Fenton. In
fact, I talked with Mike on the river earlier this summer. So, on Tuesday I called Mike on the phone to
ask if he might have any suggestions. I
explained where we were fishing and what we were using for bait. “Do you have any suggestions that might help
us catch fish?” Mike shared some helpful
information, but then jokingly told me.
“Jonathan, do you want to know what to do to catch a fish? Hire a guide.”
Paul Birner’s cousin from Alabama, Tim Bokenkamp, was in
the boat fishing with me. Tim heard me
laughing and asked what was going on. I
told Tim what Mike had said, and Tim responded, “That’s pretty obvious, isn’t
it? That’s sort of like, ‘Believe in the
Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.’”
Well, it may be obvious, but Mike was correct, especially
when catching is the goal even more than fishing. I have actually hired a guide
numerous times to help me with my fishing.
But Paul has a LOT of family and friends. I can afford a guide some of the time for
myself. However, it would be really expensive to hire a guide for
everybody. Mike did have a point,
though. Because of being on the river
regularly, and because of much experience, fishing guides usually know more and
have better success than the private fisherman. In addition, Tim’s quotation of
St. Paul may also be obvious, But, Tim’s
quotation of a Bible verse is also the truth of God.
Do you know the account of when St. Paul spoke those
words which Tim quoted to me? Paul and
Silas were in Corinth proclaiming the good news of Jesus in a new city. They had cast a demon out of a slave girl,
and their miracle angered the girl’s owners. As a result, Paul and Silas were thrown into
prison. While in prison they were
praying and singing hymns, and the jailer heard them. An earthquake struck during the night opening
the gates of the prison. All in prison were
thus able to stand outside. So, when the
jailer realized the prisoners could also escape, and that he would be held
accountable, he was about to kill himself.
Acts 16 continues the account, “28But Paul cried with a
loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’ 29 And the
jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down
before Paul and Silas. 30
Then he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ 31
And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your
household.’" (Acts 16:28-31) The jailer asked a simple question, and
received a straight answer.
The words of Paul and Silas are one of the best summaries
in Scripture of God’s plan of salvation in Jesus. Jesus, the Son of God and the son of Mary,
lived a righteous life. Yet, even though
He was without sin, Jesus suffered and died to pay for sin. He did not die because
of His sin, but in love Jesus died to pay for the sins of the world. Yet, after dying, Jesus rose again defeating
sin and death. God’s plan to save our
world, a world which is lost in it’s sin, is to for people to trust our
Heavenly Father’s saving love in His Son, Jesus. This statement in Acts 16 is
the most obvious answer to the question of the jailer,” what must I do to be
saved?”. But, the answer of Paul and
Silas is also true, and the jailer needed to hear these simple, obvious, words
of truth. “‘Believe in the Lord
Jesus, and you will be saved.”
While fishing on Wednesday I saw Mike Fenton fishing near
a place I knew. I called out to him. He replied, “Jonathan, I thought you were
still in jail.” (laugh) Mike may have
joked on Wednesday, but his words to me on Tuesday, though obvious, were
true. Sometimes it helps to hear the
obvious truth.
Maybe you have heard the words of Paul in Acts 16
before. You may have even memorized
them. These words are the simple truth
of God’s saving love. BUT, do you personally
know the truth of these words for your life? ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will
be saved." Sometimes we need to
hear the obvious, again! God’s truth in Jesus brings eternal life.
A Child of God, Believing in Jesus for My Salvation and
Deliverance!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now
serving Our Redeemer Lutheran in Chugiak, AK, as part-time Vacancy Pastor.
·
The Our Redeemer Call Committee includes
Elder and chairman, Jerry Simpson, also Heidi Enlow, Ruth Keller, Theo Lee,
Jacob Lewis, Scott Roelfs, and Martha Wilkins.
They have met on June 4, July 1, July 22, and just recently on August
19.
The first step
in the call process is to complete a congregational self-study. The Northwest District has the study and
tools to help in this study.
In order to
complete this study, the committee has asked for input from ORLC leaders. The Call Committee also passed out this
survey for members in worship on Sunday, August 24. These are due on September 7.
Nomination
forms for names for a new pastor were also distributed. Both documents are available on the
Connection Corner table in the back of the church.
The goal is to
turn in the self-study, and nominations for pastor, to the Northwest District
by October 1, 2025.
OTHER EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AT OUR REDEEMER:
·
There are two opportunities a week for exercise
and wellness.
o Matt
Keith leads Chayon Ryu Martial Arts Beginner Class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at
9:00 a.m. in the Our Redeemer Fellowship Hall
o Matt
then teaches a Fall Prevention Class, attended mostly by seniors, at 10:00 a.m.
in the fellowship hall.
·
The Our Redeemer Voters will hold the
annual budget and election meeting of the Voters on Sunday, October 5, after
worship.
·
A “Mom’s Group” meets on Mondays, October
6 and October 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer.
·
An Adult Fellowship Potluck is held the
first Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m.
In October this takes place on the 7th in the
library.lllllllllll
·
A Fall Blessings Festival will be
held on Friday, October 10 at 6:00 p.m.
·
The is a “Mind, Body, and Soul Event” for
ladies at Our Redeemer on Saturday, October 18, from 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
·
There are other events planned as well. Watch the Our Redeemer calendar and
newsletter for information.
Regular Bible Studies and Sunday School
·
Adult Bible Study continues on Sunday
mornings at 9:00 a.m. The class is
studying “Basic Christian Teachings.” On August 24 we began to study the 10
commandments. We will continue to study
this topic in the coming weeks. Come and
join us!
· Sunday
School began on Sunday, September 7! This
will be a blessing for ALL children and adults.
·
“Deeply Rooted Small Group” Is held at
Our Redeemer on Sunday evenings, October 5 and 19 at 5:45 p.m.
·
Confirmation classes will begin on
Sunday, October 12, after worship services.
Watch for more information.
Other Activities of Faith:
· MANY
CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE WITH ME IN 2024 and 2025 using the
“Today’s Light Devotional Bible.” On Tuesday, September 9, we read 1
Corinthians 13 & 14.
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!
P.P.P.S. Family
and Fishing! -
Wildlife
· While
fishing on the Kenai River we saw seals, eagles, a large bull moose, and a
brown bear that had a special spot to eat salmon. Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/oxuBj9jgBnWL1d5G8
Garden
·
This was our meal last Wednesday, September 3 –
salmon we caught and veggies from our garden. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6brcWKf2PeHYEADd9
Fishing
·
We did a lot of FISHING, but not much catching
on Monday through Wednesday, September 8-10.
Golfing – I did get in some golfing on September 1
and 5. Here are a couple of
pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/n7nkMyAK5Yp9cUAW8
*******
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 Our Redeemer
Lutheran Church in Chugiak, AK.)
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, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Chugiak, AK
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)
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