Do Cows Have a Built-in Compass?

A team of German and Czech researchers who have studied satellite photos of thousands of cows around the world, believe that cattle have some sort of built-in compass. The reason for their conclusion: approximately 2/3 of all the cattle examined had their bodies aligned in a north-south orientation. They point out that this would not be the expected norm if cattle were totally random in their body's directional orientation. I am still trying to figure the "so what!" about this research (perhaps it shows that researchers have too much time on their hands and they should mooooooooooove on to other more pressing research!).

As I thought about this ... I thought of those of us who claim to be following Jesus Christ. Now I don't know if cows are truly aligning their bodies due to some sort of built-in compass. But I do know that Christians must learn to align their lives according to a compass that should be "built-in." And to what built-in compass am I referring? Please read and reflect on the following words of Joseph Stowell, in his book Eternity, Reclaiming a Passion for What Endures:

"Eternity is primary. Heaven must become our first and ultimate point of reference. We are built for it, redeemed for it, and on our way to it. Success demands that we see and respond to NOW in the light of THEN." (p. 27)

Joe Stowell is right on! We must learn to align our lives with eternity not just on the back burner - but front and center. Sometime scan through the gospels and look to see if Jesus ever thought about eternity. If you do this, you will see that Jesus was focused on eternity. And why not? It is His home - and it is our true home, too. Now I know someone reading this might be thinking "If we are too heavenly minded we will be no earthly good." That could be true ... but as I look at my life and the lives of most of the Christians I know - the opposite danger is probably more of a threat. Most of us are too earthly minded to be of any heavenly good!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Render to "Caesar"

In yesterday's post, I promised to list some practical suggestions for you on how to obey Jesus' command to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's." I have gleaned and adapted these suggestions from a list in Jay Dennis' book, The Jesus Habits (the book is worth a read!). Here are four for you to "chew on!"

1. Pray for those in government. We are commanded to do so in 1 Timothy 2:1-2. The reason behind Paul's command to pray for governmental leaders is his desire that we might live "peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." The next time you catch yourself complaining about someone in office, stop and pray for them instead.

2. Vote your convictions. The American poet and author Walt Whitman once said, "Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote." Too many people simply vote for candidates simply because they are Democrat or Republican or because they look great on camera. Know the candidates and where they stand on the issues that matter to you. Then vote your convictions.

3. Write to government leaders not only when you disagree or want them to do something, but also to say "thank you" when you appreciate their efforts. Even though I do not serve in public office, I do serve in a public position. In the close to thirty years that I have been pastoring, I have received far more mail of a critical nature than that of a positive, encouraging nature. It is no different for political office holders ... and I would guess it is far worse for them. So make some elected official's day and send them a note of thanks!

4. Send an public official a nice Bible with his/her name imprinted on it. In Jay Dennis' words, "You will be amazed at the results of this...there is no greater gift than a Bible."

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Democrats Meeting in Denver!

Well, the first of the two political conventions has arrived. Democrats are meeting even as I write these words out in the mile high city. And just around the corner, the Republicans will be gathering for their big hour in prime time. I thought I would take this time in light of these two political extravaganzas to remind all of us who follow Jesus about our responsibility to the government. Jesus put it plainly when he said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Luke 20:25). We see from these words that Jesus was not anti-government. He saw human government as an institution that should be obeyed and respected.

Now I realize at times those who are elected to office do little to gain our respect. Far too many when given the power that comes with their elected positions, become drunk with that power and succumb to the temptations of greed and fame. However, that does not release us from submitting ourselves to the government and praying for all those in authority over us (see Romans 13:1-6 and 1 Timothy 2:1-2). Tomorrow, I will list some practical suggestions on how we as Christians can "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's."

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Hurry Up!

Our society seems to know one speed: FAST! My day often runs from one meeting to the next, one phone call to the next, one email to the next. As I write this, I am tired. And I know I am not alone! "HURRY UP!" is what our world screams at us day in and day out, 24/7/365. If I could only wear ear plugs!

In the foreward to Donald Whitney's excellent book, Simplify Your Life: Spiritual Disciplines for the Overwhelmed, Richard A. Swenson writes the following insightful and compelling assessment of our day:

"Do more and more with less and less - and do it faster and faster. This is the oft-heard management strategy in our profusely overloaded age. But what would Jesus think? Can you imagine Him flying past the blind beggar, sweat dripping off his brow, yelling at his lagging disciples because they were twenty minutes late for the Jericho prayer breakfast? How would He respond if cell phones when off within the assembled crowds as the Sermon on the Mount? Jesus had little tolerance for clutter or complexity. Simply put, he would not be distracted from His mission."

I believe all of us could profit by striving to simplify our spiritual lives. All too often, God's voice gets drowned out in all the noise of our revved up lives! If you want some help in this area, check out Whitney's book or go to his website where you can view and download sample chapters from his book (http://www.spiritualdisciplines.org/articles.html#sample).

Oh, God, save me from the speed around me and bring me to some quiet space in YOU!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Two Very Different Moves

When I had just turned 13, I went through what proved to be a very difficult time. My parents moved my family from the city of Harrisburg to a rural area of northern York County near the town of Lewisberry. Since I had grown up in Harrisburg, it was, to that point, all I had known. I loved my neighborhood, my school...but most of all I loved my friends. In fact, I had many, many friends. In my new home I had very few friends. Everything was different. And I had great difficulty adjusting. Going from hero to zero was not easy.

Fast forward the calendar just over three years. In late summer of 1972, I found myself at a weekend church retreat at Camp Penn, a United Methodist retreat center near Gettysburg, PA. There I found Jesus Christ (or better said, there Jesus Christ found me!). And just as what happened to me three years earlier - I experienced a major change in my life. God took me and "rescued us (me) from the dominion of darkness and brought us (me) into the kingdom of the Son he loves," (Colossians 1:13). God moved me from the dominion of darkness (which is under the authority of Satan, the Evil One) and transplanted me into the kingdom of Jesus Christ, His Beloved Son! Wow! So unlike my earlier move, as here I went from being blind and enslaved and heading for hell - to being a child of the glorious King of kings and Lord of lords and on my way to a glorious eternal home in heaven! I am still not over this - and I hope I never will!!!

All this to say - what a motivation to share the good news of Jesus Christ. The people we rub shoulders with day in and day out do not realize the reality of their condition. They may think they are living in light and power and freedom, but they are living in the kingdom of darkness, the domain of Satan. All too often we forget this when we see people basking in worldly success. But don't be misled. People are in either one of two kingdoms in the spiritual realm: the kingdom of Jesus Christ or the kingdom of Satan. There are no other kingdoms! And the only hope for any one is the forgiveness of sins found in Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ alone. Praise God that because of the costly sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf - anyone who comes to him can experience what I and many others have experienced - a wonderful transfer from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of the Son!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Present but not Competing!

In 1972, Eddie Hart was a man on a mission. His mission? To win Olympic gold in the 100 meter race to be held in Munich, Germany. At the 1972 Olympic Trials, he tied the world record of 9.9 seconds in the 100-meter dash. And that set the stage for a showdown with the the top-ranked sprinter in the world, the Bionic Man, Valeri Borzov of the Soviet Union. It was a showdown that never happened. After easily winning his qualifying heat in the morning (the 100-meter final was to be run that afternoon) - the U.S. sprint coach gave Hart and two other sprinters the wrong start time for the race. So when they arrived back at the stadium for their warm ups - they realized the race was already over and Borzov the gold medalist! I cannot imagine how gut-wrenching that must have been for Hart! To be present - but not competing!

The Bible often uses the analogy of a race to describe the Christian's journey of grace. For example, in 1 Corinthians 9:24 we read, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." In addition, Hebrews 12:1-2 admonishes us to "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Are you running the race to win? Or are you allowing the stuff of this world to hinder you and sin to easily entangle you? Take a moment and think on the race. Are you present - but not competing?

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

A Coat of Fresh Paint

Every Thursday morning at 6:15, I meet with a group of guys I have chosen to call "The Brothers of Aaron and Hur" (as to why that name, pull out your Bible and read Exodus 17:8-16). The primary reason for our meeting is to pray for our church - its people and its ministry - and our world, both locally and globally. After our prayer time, those who have the time, head out for a quick breakfast together. It is one of my favorite weekly activities. I love my brothers!

Over breakfast this morning, one of the men shared a story from his working days at Campbell's Soup. Every so often, the president of the company would tour this gentleman's plant. On one of these occasions, the plant manager asked this man if he would like to join him as he toured the plant with the company president. At one point during the tour, the plant manager turned to the company president and asked, "Don't you get tired of smelling fresh paint?"

Hmm. That got me thinking. How often do we do the same? We go to church and we quickly "slop a coat of fresh paint" on our exterior. We hope that people will see the fresh paint and won't see all the cracks in the plaster that it is covering. We want people to think we are more spiritual, more godly than we truly are (Ouch - I just stepped on my own toes with that statement!). Instead of fresh paint --let's get to fixing the cracks in the walls. Let's get serious about those things that will help us to grow in godliness (things like reading and studying the Bible, praying, sharing our faith, etc.). After all, a coat of fresh paint only lasts so long!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj