Going for the Gold!

Every time the Olympics rolls around ... either the Summer or Winter Games ... I thoroughly enjoy watching them. This year has been no exception (which is the reason I've been feeling tired this week .... too much "Late Night with Michael Phelps!). I have been amazed as I have watched Phelps and others. There speed, endurance, and skills have been so very cool to watch (like how you do a flip and land on your feet on the balance beam - that takes an awful lot of practice!!!). And that it indeed the key to these athletes. They have taken their God-given talents and with hours and hours and hours over years -- have sharpened and honed that talent to the level where they can "go for the gold."

All this reminds me of the following words of the Apostle Paul:

"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize" (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

Look at these words again ... "They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." A few years from now ... few of us will remember who won this swimming event or that diving event. But that does not stop these athletes from all the training that they have to put in. Yet we as Christians are striving for a crown that will last FOREVER! So how are you doing? Willing to "discipline yourself godliness" - even if it hurts? (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

A Lesson from The Family Circus

Even though I subscribe to the local evening paper and the local Sunday paper, I don't often read the comics. However, that does not mean I don't enjoy reading them on occasion. One of my favorites is the comic strip by Bill Keane, The Family Circus. One reason I enjoy it so much is because it is so true to family life and raising kids. Often through the years I could find myself smiling in agreement with Keane's take on family life. In addition, I have enjoyed it because the creator manifested such a "keane" sense of humor! I could almost always count on a good chuckle as I read the latest exploits of this comic strip family.

In one of The Family Circus cartoons, little Billy and his younger brother are watching squirrels scampering about gathering acorns from the ground. Billy says to his brother, "Look at those squirrels. They’re real busy and they have nuttin’ to do!” (pretty punny statement, eh?!!?)

How many of us are real busy doing “nuttin?” We scurry from one activity to the next while accomplishing little if anything for God and His Kingdom. I encourage you to take some time out and evaluate your life. Time is too valuable a resource to waste. Let’s seize the moment and live it for Jesus! Before your time of evaluation pray these words: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Carpe Diem (Seize the Day!) . . .

pj

Now Was That a Big Dog or a Little Horse?

Yesterday, I had to stop by someone's house. After knocking at the door, the lady of the house opened the door. After a quick exchange of "hellos," this huge animal head appeared from behind the door. At first I was unsure as to just exactly what I was looking at. I mean the head had the look of a dog's head -- but the size of a horse's head. I took a fast step back. The woman, noticing the look of fear (no, better said, HORROR!) on my face, quickly assured me that the dog was a very friendly dog. Now - I have NEVER seen a dog as big as this dog. It was a Great Dane. Great Dane's average about 130 lbs ... and from what I understand larger males can easily top 175 pounds. This dog tipped the scales at over 210 pounds. It was a giant of a dog ... and fortunately a very gentle giant! So as it turns out ... I had nothing to fear!

Often times as life unfolds, trials appear out of nowhere. As we first encounter them, they can threaten to overwhelm us. We see them as huge threats to our life and well-being. This is why when a trial hits, we must look to God. Psalm 121:2 reminds us that when we are in need of help, our "help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." When we stop to realize that our help comes from the Almighty Creator of the universe -- that should go a long way toward helping us to not be overwhelmed or not to "throw in the towel and quit" when trials come our way. Our God is bigger than ANYTHING this life can throw our way!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Is Your Torch Sitll Burning for Christ?

Today is the day that the Olympic games officially open in Beijing, China. With that in mind, consider the following quote by Joe Stowell, former president of Moody Bible Institute. The quote is rooted in the history of the Olympics.

"The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. I want to run all the way with the flame of my torch still lit for Him."

Few of us have a problem starting the race God calls us to run (see Hebrews 12:1-2). But how many of us lack the perseverance and endurance to stay in the race ... and to stay in the race so that the flame of our torches are still burning hot and bright for Jesus Christ - even after many years of running?

Oh God, give us hot hearts. Hearts that burn with an undying passion for you and your Kingdom!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

It's Always "Your Serve!"

Again I am pulling a blog posting from the past (summer of 2007). I am posting this again because all of us need to be reminded that being a servant is something God calls us all to be - everyone of us without exception! But far too often, we are looking for others to serve us vs. looking for opportunities to serve others. Remember Jesus said, if we want to be great in His kingdom, then the path of servanthood is the path we must travel.

It's Always "Your Serve!"

August 2, 2007

I used to play a fair amount of ping pong, tennis and volleyball. In all of these activities, participants get the chance to serve. I especially loved to serve when playing ping pong. A former pastor of mine (way back when I was in high school) taught me how to put all kinds of "english" (a.k.a. "spin") on the ball which causes it to fly off the opponents paddle in a lot of weird directions. So serving while playing ping pong is FUN!

As we live out our lives, God calls us to serve. Not just when it is convenient or comfortable - but often when it is not. We need to pay attention to the Word of God when in Galatians 5:13 we are told, "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." We need this reminder because all too often we want to use our freedom to serve ourselves. Don't go down this path. Rather, each day when you wake up remind yourself that you are called by God to be a servant. Indeed, "It's YOUR serve!"


Thanks for listening,

pj

Is Being Broken Ever a Good Thing?

Recently, a few people I know have suffered broken bones. In the fifty plus years of my life I am glad I can say I have never broken a bone. Broken bones are rarely a good thing. And if we talk about other things that can break, like washer machines or computers or lawn mowers or cars - broken things are rarely if ever a good thing. So while most brokenness cannot be said to be good - there is one kind of brokenness that I see as being good and profitable. It is spiritual brokenness.

I don't know if you have ever had the opportunity to ride a horse. When I was in high school, a friend of mine had several horses and I was able to go riding quite a bit. Most times the horse I rode was very gentle and responsive to instruction. Once, though, he was startled by the wind blowing something across the path and he took off at a full gallop. "Whoa Nellie!" I cried, as I clung to the horse's mane for all I was worth! Now the reason that this particular horse was so gentle and responsive (99% of the time!) - was due to the fact that at some point in his past he had been "broken." Today there are a number of different methods used to break a horse - but whatever the method, it must be done. Horses must be trained (some prefer this word "train" to the word "break") to a point that they are willing to submit to a rider.

In a similar way, we human beings must be "broken." We must get to the point where we are willing to submit ourselves to another and the "another" in this case is God. We all are born into this world as "independent spirits." As Isaiah the prophet reminds us, "All we like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his OWN way" (Isaiah 53:6). We must admit to our independent streak rooted in pride and arrogance and turn from it and turn to God, willing to say to Him, "Here I am Lord, use me!"

How about YOU? Have you been broken yet? Or is your life still a life marked by pride and an arrogant independent attitude? (If you want to use a great tool to help you in assessing whether you are a proud or broken person, check out the following helpful download from Nancy DeMoss: http://www.reviveourhearts.com/pdf/uploads/TheHeartGodRevives.pdf.)

"O God, break us of our pride and arrogance. Help us to humble ourselves before you!"



Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Growing It (my faith) Alone!

This year has brought a lot of satisfaction to me as a parent. My oldest daughter will be married in October and is now in her third year working as an R.N. at Lancaster General Hospital. My son started his masters program and was just hired by the university to work as a Graduate Assistant. He and his wife just celebrated their second wedding anniversary. My youngest daughter finished up her first year of teaching 9th grade history at Milton Hershey school and just celebrated her first month wedding anniversary yesterday. So it is quite gratifying to see my children grown and establishing their own vocations and homes. Now all these changes did not come as a surprise. My wife and I raised them to one day be off "on their own." It is part of the goal of parenting. We want to see our children "grow up!"

In the same way our heavenly Father desires for his children to grow up. Each and every follower of Christ is to "grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). But we cannot and will not grow if we try to do it alone. For starters, we need the enablement of the Holy Spirit. Without his divine assistance, filling us and growing his fruit in us, we will not grow. In addition to the Spirit, we also need the help of others. The words "one another" occur some fifty times in the NIV translation of the New Testament. We are told that we must "love one another" (1 John 4:7), "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24), "encourage one another" (Hebrews 3:13), "serve one another" (Galatians 5:13, and "accept one another" (Romans 15:7) - and these are just a few of the many types of "one anothering" that we are called upon to do.

So if you want to grow in your journey of grace -- you can't "grow it alone!" You need to be involved in biblical community. A community of growing Christians who are striving to practice the various "one another" commands spelled out for us in the New Testament epistles. Practicing accountable relationships is one of the "means of grace" that we must employ if we want to "grow up!"

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj