Friday Coffee with PJ

Well, what I thought was a cold last week, was/is a sinus infection. I finally gave in and went to see my doctor. I am now on antibiotics and trying to rest up some. So in place of my regular posting, I offer up the following prayer of Benedict who lived between 480-847 AD. Make his words your words and you will be blessed! 

Gracious and holy father, 

please give me: 

an intellect to understand you; 

reason to discern you; 

diligence to seek you; 

wisdom to find you; 

A spirit to know you; 

A heart to meditate upon you; 

ears to hear you; 

eyes to see you; 

a tongue to proclaim you; 

a way of life pleasing to you; 

patience to wait for you; 

and perseverance to look for you. 

Amen.

Thanks for stopping by, 
Pj

Friday Coffee with PJ

As I write these words, I just finished a cup of tea. "What?" you might be thinking, "Tea over coffee? Are you sick?" Well, sort of. I feel a cold coming on and when I feel a bit under the weather, I prefer tea over coffee. Not sure why ... but I do. So today feel free to pour yourself a cup of tea and join me for a couple of random thoughts which I hope will help you in your spiritual journey with Christ. 

One concern (among others) that I have when I consider the walk of many Christians is just how ungracious some are. I see Christ followers who easily get bent out of shape when someone offends them or if something is not done in the way they think it should be done. They carry grudges, allow a critical spirit to grow within them, and are down right negative about the circumstances they endure and the people they encounter. 

If you are reading this and you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, I urge you to examine your own heart. Are you harboring resentment, jealousy, bitterness toward someone (Ephesians 4:31)? Have you been critical of a brother or sister in Christ (James 4:11)? Do you gripe and complain about this, that, and the other thing (Philippians 2:14-16)? 

My friends, God has graced us. He has withheld from us what we truly deserve to receive from his hand (i.e. judgement) and instead opened his hand and showered us with a multitude of blessings - NONE of which we deserve in any sense of the word! 

So if God has graced us in this way ... who are we NOT to grace others around us? If we as Christians have truly experienced God's grace in our lives, we should be the most gracious people in the world (Matthew 18:21-35)! 

So, take a look in the mirror. Do some soul searching. Then come to Christ and repent and confess and find the joy and peace that only he can give ... and then give that joy and peace to others! 

Thanks for stopping by . . . 
pj

Friday Coffee with PJ

Here we are ... the first Friday of a new year! And as I write this post - and I admit to a late start as I usually write this on Thursday but due to the short week did not get to it until this morning - I am already on my 3rd cup of coffee. So pour yourself a cup and join me for a couple of random thoughts which I hope will help you in your journey of faith. 

Last night as I led our Life Group, I asked each one to share something from 2018 which showed God at work in their lives. Since I had already been thinking about this, I offered up first. 

When I had spent time thinking about what I would say earlier in the day, it hit me pretty quickly as to what I would be sharing. For some of you who read my blogs on a regular or semi-regular basis, you will know that I have been battling a kidney related issue for the past couple of years. After several surgical procedures and a number of tests in the first months of 2018, I received a phone call from my urologist in early June. He informed me that the one kidney which had been the object of the surgeries and tests was no longer functioning. He could not explain why that was the case. In his words, "numbers don't lie and the numbers from your recent renal scan shows that the kidney is no longer functioning." 

As I allowed his words to rattle around in my head, I recall feeling an incredible sense of peace. Yes, I was disappointed in his report. But I was not freaking out. As I reflect on my response, I give the credit to God's Spirit giving me a peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). As a result of walking through the difficult situations my wife and I have been health-wise across the past few years, God has taught me again and again that I can trust him. And so, at the moment I received my urologist's call, I chose to continue to trust him. 

I can tell you that I have moved on and not looked back. I have not tried to second guess the path the urologist took in treating me. Nor have I questioned God as to why he allowed this to happen. Instead, each day I choose to trust him. After all, he is God and I am not! 

Due to my kidney issue, I have faced some life style changes. But I am OK with that (although I sure do miss a good old Reuben sandwich covered with sauerkraut!). God is sovereign. He has a plan for our world, for you, for me. And as he works his plan, I continue to ask him for the grace to trust him! I pray the same for you! 

Thanks for stopping by . . . 
pj