Dear Fellow Children of God,
I had a wonderful surprise this past September when I hosted
family and friends of Pastor Paul Birner by taking them fishing on the Kenai
River. I have stocked up on poles, and
lures, and boots, and rain gear, so that when folks fish with me I have all the
equipment. All they have to do is bring
some food, and dress comfortably. So, as
I was preparing for these September fishing outings, I found a fishing pole I
forgot I had. I previously paired a really
nice St. Croix fishing rod with an Abu Garcia C3 baitcaster, my favorite
reel. It turns out that this is my nicest
salmon fishing set up. As I used this
combo, I found that it was the best casting reel I have, in Alaska or in Florida. You see, I had this wonderful fishing gear all
the time, but I had forgotten it, or even not realized it was there. Finding this rod and using it again was
indeed a wonderful surprise.
That is sort of like what I experienced on Monday,
October 6, as I read my daily devotions, from Colossians 1. I have read these words before, but I had forgotten
the wonderful, life-changing truth found in this chapter. Or perhaps, I had just never quite taken the
time to truly understand this deep truth about the person and work of our
Savior, Jesus, truth which God inspired Paul to share. Please consider with me the depth of who
Jesus is. “15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven
and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or
authorities-- all things were created through him and for him. 17
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18
And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in
him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him
to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace
by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:15-19)
These verses begin to reveal to us some of the mystery of
Jesus. Jesus existed before anything
else. Of course, he is the Son of God,
who is eternal. Jesus was active in
creation, creating everything ”in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible
. . . all things were created through him and for him!” Jesus not only brought everything into being,
but, according to these verses, “in Him all things hold together!” Our world may be a mess, but what works is
working because Jesus holds it together.
Jesus is the head of the church.
And, Jesus, the son of Mary, is also totally God, “For in him all the
fullness of God was pleased to dwell,”
It is through Jesus that God chooses to reconcile, or to save the world.
That is A LOT! I paused
over, thought about and considered, and meditated upon, what this scripture
shares about who Jesus is. Truthfully, the
person of Jesus . . . blows my mind!
But, God reveals even more at the end of
Colossians 1. Paul writes “25
. . . I became a minister according to
the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God
fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations
but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known
how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery,
which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:25-27)
Paul uses the word “mystery” twice in these 3 verses. The
even GREATER surprise is that this Jesus, who is the Creator, and Lord and
Savior of all, lives in me! In Me! (And
in you!) I am so blessed. This is BEYOND my imagination or
understanding.
To have the saving love and the creative power of Jesus
in me is a gift that obviously makes a difference in my life. Elizabeth Elliot, Christian writer and wife
of missionary martyr, Jim Elliott, writes, “The secret is Christ in me,
not me in a different set of circumstances.” When Jesus is in me I can face
anything. I can face disappointment, and
sorrow, because Jesus who loved me is in me!
I can face my failure and my sin, because my forgiving Savior, Jesus, is
in me! I can face illness and death,
because Jesus, who rose from the dead and offers eternal life through faith in
Him, this Jesus is IN ME!
Last month I found this great fishing rod and reel which
I had totally forgotten I had. What a
wonderful surprise! But, after reading
Colossians 1 again this past Monday morning, I’m still working to let this
mystery sink in. “. . . God
chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of
this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
What changes in your attitudes, what changes in your
behavior, what changes in your life, because Jesus, the Lord and Savior of all,
lives in you?
A Child of God, Blessed by Jesus in Ways I had Forgotten,
in Ways Beyond My Understanding!!
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 numerous times.
The first step
in the call process has been to complete a congregational self-study. The Northwest District has shared the study
and tools to help in this study. The
committee has asked for and received input from ORLC for this study. Jacob Lewis has compiled these survey to turn
in to District. Nomination forms for
names for a new pastor have also been distributed. We have about 8 names.
The self-study,
and nominations for pastor, were indeed sent 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 held their 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.
·
A Fall Blessings Festival will be
held on Friday, October 10 at 6:00 p.m.
·
There 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.” We are now studying about the
church. On October 5 we studied about
The Holy Spirit and prayer, On October
12 we will study about the Last Days and about “Lutheran Distinctives.” Come and join us!
· Sunday
School began on Sunday, September 7! This
is 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 SCRIPTURES WITH ME IN 2024 and 2025 using
the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible.” On Wednesday, October 8 we finished
reading Colossians. On October 9 we
begin to read 1 Thessalonians.
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! - As seasons change, so do
recreational opportunities in Alaska.
Also, I have begun regular exercise again.
· On
Monday, October 6, after exercise at the gym, I took my dog, Mat, and we
walked about 2-3 miles on the Gold Mint Trail in Hatcher Pass. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/pgSE5vTSdaXeMvtZ7
·
I do plan to golf on Friday, October 10, with
friend, Pastor Tony Schultz. 😊
*******
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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