A Thot for Your Day from C.S. Lewis and King Solomon

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)

"I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. He has . . . set eternity in their heart." (Ecclesiastes 3:10-11)

The World Turned Upside Down!

Does the name David W. Coterel sound familiar? If you have read a newspaper this week or watched a television newscast, you probably recognize the name. Coterel, a retired auto worker from Indiana along with his two adult children, claimed one of the largest lottery jackpots in history. Their winning Powerball jackpot totaled a measly $314 million! His comment to reporters after coming forward to claim the prize? "I know the world is going to turn upside down." And for him and his son and daughter, he's probably right. And if he is thinking all that money will bring him lasting happiness, he is ripe for a rude awakening (but that is a topic for another posting!).

There is coming a day, though, when "the world is going to turn upside down." And not just for a few people - but for everyone! 2 Peter 3:10 tells us that "the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." You talk about the world being turned upside down!

Now we don't know just when the day of the Lord will come. But when it does come, it will come suddenly and at a time that we do not expect (just as a thief comes suddenly and unexpectedly). So are YOU ready? If you are not a follower of Jesus, then to get ready you need to come to God on HIS terms: admitting your sin - your rebellion against the God who made you; believing that Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sin; and committing your life to follow Jesus - turning from your sin (the Bible calls this repentance) and choosing to love Jesus. If you have already made this faith commitment, then to be ready you must heed what Peter goes on to say in 1 Peter 3:11, "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives." Well? How about it? Have you made a faith commitment to Jesus as your savior? And if you have, are you living a holy and godly life???

Thanks for listening,

pj

9/11/2001

Yes, it is hard to believe that the horrific terrorist attacks against the United States occurred six years ago! September 11, 2001 is one of those moments that most of us can remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news of the Twin Towers being hit (and then the Pentagon ... and then the events involving United Flight 93). I can remember that as those dark events unfolded, suddenly Americans from all walks of life began to get serious about what I would consider life's priorities. But did this change last? Author Ellen Vaughn in her recent book, Time Peace, says this about 9/11 and its aftermath:

"September 11 was a Black Plague moment. In its smoking ruins, life's brevity and priorities suddenly became clear. Americans realized anew the gift of time - wonderful, glorious time. It was a nationwide wake-up call. Many people did wake up. Many stopped their time-crunched rat race for "more" and instead pursued relationships with family, friends, and God. Many prayed hard, Many reassessed their lives and made significant changes for good. Many realized that life is not about excessive acquisition and consumption, but love and service. But like the Black Plague, September 11 itself did not fundamentally change human nature. There was no great cultural shift in American life. Church attendance spiked right after the attacks, but soon dropped back to pre 9/11 levels. Our national conversation today just does not seem to center on life's brevity, its blessings, the priority of family and friends (and she goes on to point out our cultural land marks that show this to be the case - and there are many!)."

I see Vaughn's assessment as being a "bull's eye!" And we who follow Jesus must be careful not to get swept up in our society's drive for "MORE!" This morning I prayed the words of Psalm 37:4 - "When I delight myself in You, you will give me the desires of my heart." Let me encourage you to make Psalm 37:4 a cry of your heart - today and EVERYDAY!

Thanks for listening,

pj

Why Church?

As I write these words, it's Sunday morning and I am sitting at my computer in my office in our church's facility. I almost wrote, "in my office at church," but that would not really be accurate. This building in which I am comfortably sitting is not my church, although the building is "owned" by my church (of course, in reality it like EVERYTHING else is owned by God - but that is a topic for another post!). This building, built in three phases (1980, 1991, 2003) was constructed to facilitate the mission and ministry of our church. That is why I referred to it in my opening sentence as "our church's FACILITY." So this building exists merely as a tool to assist our church in fulfilling our mission .... and just what is our mission?

I have been doing a lot of thinking on that lately ... and as I see it, our church is here to first and foremost GLORIFY GOD! He is what life is all about. We were made for HIM (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 1:16, 18) and we were saved for HIM (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). And just how are we to best glorify the God who made us and then went on to rescue us from our sin and rebellion against Him? For starters by obeying the GREAT COMMANDMENTS which tell us we must LOVE GOD with all we are and have and LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). In addition, we must also strive to fulfill the GREAT COMMISSION which Jesus mandated for us His Church. This commission tells us that we must be seeking to make disciples of all nations! And Jesus, who has all authority, promises to be with us as we seek to reach this world for Him!

So there you have it ... as I sit in this wonderful office -- I am reminded on this particular Sunday that this office is here to help me and my church glorify God by loving Him, loving others and reaching our world for Jesus!

Thanks for listening,

pj

This Do to Remember Me!

One of my favorite movies is Dances with Wolves, starring Kevin Costner. It is a story of how a Civil War hero (Lt. John Dunbar), struggling in dealing with his new found fame, opts for assignment to the American frontier. Upon arriving at his post, he finds it deserted and in disrepair. He sets about to fix things up. Soon, he is visited by Indians from the local tribe. That begins a long process toward a lasting friendship between him and the Indians. In the film's powerful closing scene, Dunbar and his new wife (a white woman raised by the Indians) are forced to separate from the tribe. From high above the valley through which Costner and his wife (Stands with a Fist) are traveling, comes the cry of his best Indian friend (Wind in His Hair), "Know that I will always be your friend! Know that I will always be your friend!"

Wind in His Hair wanted John Dunbar to know that he would never be forgotten! Wind in His Hair understood that sometimes this can happen. In the busyness of life and the ongoing press of demands - it can be easy to forget people - even those who are most important to us. Jesus Christ also understood this, so he left for us a ritual to practice. We call it communion or the Lord's Supper. When Jesus instituted this practice (a.k.a. "ordinance") with his disciples, he said to them, "Do this in remembrance of me!" So every time we practice communion, it is to help us remember Jesus Christ. Let me encourage you to join in this practice the next time you have the opportunity to do so - whether here at Grace or with your own local body of believers. It is indeed a great way to remember Jesus!

Thanks for listening,

pj

Seeking the Oval Office

In case you have missed it, there is an election coming up in November. Candidates from both parties are hot on the campaign trail, all desiring to convince their party's faithful that they are the best candidate for the job (and this campaigning has been going on for quite some time). The election I am referring to is the upcoming election for President. However, this election does not take place this coming November, but November of 2008. So all this hubbub over an election that is still 14 months or 61 weeks or 432 days or 10,368 hours away! What will the campaigning be like next year at this time? Downright unbearable if you ask me! But then again, who's asking?

I have always wondered why anyone would want to become President of the United States. For starters, there will always be approximately half the population that the President will never please. In addition, any privacy one enjoyed prior to becoming President is gone forever! The pressure to perform is relentless, and the daily stress must be unimaginable. Yet, intelligent (for the most part!) people work tirelessly in their effort to gain the right to sit in the Oval Office. Each one has their motivations, and I will not speculate as to what they might be.

But when it comes to leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ, the New Testament makes it clear as to what one's motivation to serve must be. The Apostle Peter puts it this way, "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away" (1 Peter 5:1-4).


Thanks for listening,

pj

Happy Labor Day!

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. Sponsored by the Central Labor Union, it was intended to recognize the contributions of American workers. Soon the celebration of the holiday spread, and in 1894 Congress passed a bill making the first Monday of September a legal holiday.

As you celebrate your Labor Day holiday, keep these words from God's Word in mind: "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need" (Ephesians 4:28). This is a good reminder to us who live in such a consumer minded culture - we should labor NOT so we can buy more things that we may want - but rather we should work so that we may have something to share with those in need around us! Now that's a radical thought!

Thanks for listening,

pj