Snow Is on the Way - but So Is Jesus!

This morning I saw the dreaded "S" word in today weather's forecast (at least for many of us!). Yep. That's right. You probably heard it too (if you live in the Lancaster area). Snow may be falling before the day is over. Now, it won't lay on the ground - but the fact that we might see snow flakes floating down from above is just a foretaste of what most likely lies ahead of us. And if meteorologist Joe Bastardi of Accu Weather is right, we are facing a winter with below normal temps and above normal precipitation. To me, that sounds like the formula for a lot of the white stuff! Hmm. I'll have to make sure my snow blower is in working condition soon!

Now we all know with weather forecasts, there are many variables that go into the making of a forecast. Therefore, forecasts can be way off the mark. And usually the longer range the forecast the higher probability that the forecast will be inaccurate. I'm hoping that is the case with the forecast for the upcoming winter!

However, when God makes a forecast, it does not matter how "long range" it might be! His forecasts for the future are ALWAYS 100% on the mark! How so? Because as the book of Daniel (and other books of the Bible) demonstrates, our God is sovereign over the affairs of men and the ebb and flow of human history! So when he forecasts, for example, the return of His Son to this earth - you can count on it occurring. He just hasn't revealed to us the date. So if we are going to get our snow blowers set for action based on an uncertain long range weather forecast, then how much more do we need to be sure we are ready for the return of Jesus Christ? If you have any questions about your readiness to meet him - please don't hesitate to email me at jsmith@gracewv.org. I would be glad to "chat" with you!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Recession Proof?

This morning when the stock market opened, I happened to notice on my MSN home page that within minutes of the opening bell, stocks fell over 400 points. Now 6 months ago, that might have shocked me. Today it's becoming routine. Up a couple hundred one day, down several hundred the next. Consumer confidence is at an all time low and home foreclosures at an all time high. Unemployment is climbing .... and the only good economic news is the fact that oil prices are falling.

In light of all this economic turmoil, Forbes Magazine recently published an article which gave the results of a study Forbes conducted. The results of the study reveals the best places (and the worst places) in the U.S. to "ride out the recession." At the top of list of best places - Austin, Texas. Not all that surprising given the fact that Austin is the state capital AND the home of the University of Texas. That combination makes for a lot of job security. However, what I did find surprising was the city that came in tenth on that list. Here are the top ten:

1 Austin, TX.
2 Oklahoma City.
3 Honolulu.
4 Portland, Ore.
5 Tulsa.
6 Virginia Beach.
7 Seattle.
8 Baltimore.
9 Boston.
10 LANCASTER.

And the LANCASTER on this list is none other than Lancaster, PA. Wow! I found that to be quite encouraging! However, I do think Forbes missed the mark with this article. Now don't get me wrong. I am glad their study reveals my home town as one of the top ten places to ride out this current economic down turn. BUT - the VERY BEST PLACE to ride out any recession is "in the hands of God!" That's right. It doesn't matter what your mailing address is ... if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, He is your GOOD SHEPHERD. And if He is your shepherd, you "shall not want!" (see Psalm 23). Jesus Christ put it this way:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:25-33)

So rest easy - no matter where you live. GO hard after God and then leave your NEEDS in His capable hands.

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Is Your Faith Contagious?

Recently a teacher friend of mine came down with conjunctivitis, better known as "pink eye." Pink eye (an inflammation of the membranes (conjunctiva) covering the whites of the eyes and the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids) is rarely life threatening but at times can lead to quite a bit of discomfort. But the real problem with pink eye is that it is HIGHLY contagious. I guess we shouldn't be surprised then, when we hear of a school teacher who comes down with pink eye!

As I thought about pink eye, I thought of our faith in Christ and how I wish my faith (and the faith of others) was more contagious. We are surrounded by people on their way to a meeting with God. At that meeting they will be judged. And if their names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life, they will be cast forever into the lake of fire (check out Revelation chapter 20). That's why I wish my faith were more contagious. Well perhaps it's time to stop wishing it were more contagious ... and start making it more contagious. How can we do so? For starters, consider the following passage:

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:5-6)

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Wasting Time with God?

Shopping is not something I enjoy doing. In fact, it fits in the category of "have-to" tasks vs. "want-to" tasks (other "have-to" tasks would include going to the dentist, completing my tax returns, and grading exams - just to name a few). Therefore, if I must shop, I am usually in and out of stores as quickly as I can. But there is one type of store I could browse in for hours and that is a bookstore. Whether we're talking a Berean Christian Bookstore or a Barnes & Nobles or a Borders (or even Amazon.com!), I just love checking out potential books to read. And I must admit, I usually end up buying more than I can read! (Right now I am working my way through at least 7 or 8 books - hopefully I will finish at least half of them!)

One of my recent purchases is the book Wasting Time with God: A Christian Spirituality of Friendship with God (by Klaus Issler). In a conversation, a friend happened to mention this book, so I checked it out and bought it. Currently I am working my way through chapter 2 - and so far I have enjoyed the book immensely. Just what is the book about? The following is a quote from the back cover:

"When it comes to developing a deep, trusting relationship with God, efficiency and productivity are not the answer. Rather we need to 'waste' time with him, to just enjoy being with him. After all, that's how any friendship grows. Exploring how to make room for God in our fast-paced lives, Issler considers seven character traits and companion disciplines: friendship, humility, faith, commitment, communication, apprenticeship and partnership. These combine to offer a model for a full-orbed Christian spirituality that will be of lasting value."

One of the most compelling quotes from the book that I have encountered in my reading to date actually comes out of the author's acknowledgements section. In fact, it is his last acknowledgement. Here is what he writes, "But most of all, I thank God for being God - mysterious, majestic, personal." Wow! That is our God. As the infinite (read "unlimitable") God he is indeed mysterious. We are finite (read "limited") and so there is much about God that we just can't get our arms around. He is also majestic (the most majestic being by far in the universe and beyond!). And to think that this mysterious and majestic God is personal! Wow! And because He his personal, we can enter into a personal friendship with Him! But to grow that friendship we must be willing to "waste time" with Him! Are you willing???

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Tackling Life's Challenges!

For several years a small pub in upstate Pennsylvania has put a challenge on the table: $400 to anyone who could down the Beer Barrel Belly Buster in under five hours. For several years, many a burly man has stepped up to take the challenge - but never finished. That is, until last week. That's when a Uniontown, PA chef named Brad Sciullo walked into the pub. He ordered the Belly Buster (which, by the way is a 15 pound hamburger covered with an additional five pounds of toppings - which is the equivalent of approximately 60 Burger King Whoppers)! Four hours and 39 minutes later, Sciullo had accomplished what many before him had failed to do. For his efforts he was awarded $400, several T-shirts, a certificate and what the pub owner called "a burger hangover."

What motivated Sciullo to tackle the seemingly impossible? In his words, "I wanted to see if I could." Despite his rather average stature (5'11", 180 lbs) - he was up to the challenge and walked out of the pub (or perhaps he was carried out of the pub) $400 richer.

Hmmm. "I wanted to see if I could." As believers in Jesus Christ, I wonder how often when faced with a challenge, we simply give up ... we throw in the proverbial towel. Life is full of obstacles and difficulties (see my posting of yesterday). And when we encounter them - especially the bigger ones that come our way - I think far too often we allow anxiety and fear to grip us ("Oh, woe is me ... how we I ever get through this?"). At these times we must fix our minds on the promises of God (such as "Nothing is impossible with God." [Luke 1:37] AND "I can do everything through him (Jesus Christ) who gives me strength" [Philippians 4:13]).

So as you face today's challenges - remember that you do not face them alone. Jesus Christ the King of the Universe is there with you ... and he will make you able!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

I'm Back!

Sharon and I rolled back into town last Friday around 4 PM. We had a wonderful 3 days in Cape May, NJ (which even included wading in the surf, it was that warm - both the air temp and the water temp). I must admit I found the town to be surprisingly delightful. Sharon and I have placed it on our list of places worth a repeat visit. After being in the "wedding mode" for so long, it sure was great to get away and RELAX!

Well little did I realize how short lived that time to relax would be. Soon after arriving back home, we received a phone call from the assisted living facility where my mother-in-law lives that she had fallen and was being transported to the hospital. The exam in the ER showed a fractured shoulder. She was admitted, with the plan to run additional tests today (to help determine the reason for her dizziness which led to the fall). Yesterday, Sharon and I helped her celebrate her 84th birthday.

All this to say life sure is unpredictable. Walking hand-in-hand with your best friend, enjoying the ocean surf one day- then spending an evening in the ER helping to comfort a hurting family member the next. But that is the way life happens ... much like a roller coaster, up one day and down the next. Isn't it great to know that in midst all this turbulence, Jesus Christ has us in HIS hands! And concerning Jesus we are told that He is "the same, yesterday and today and forever!" (Hebrews 13:8). So the next time your life gets rocked - remember that if you are a follower of Jesus Christ - your soul is anchored to the solid rock - the One who NEVER changes! Now that's stability!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

I'll Be Back Next Week!

My wife, Sharon and I are leaving town this morning for some needed rest and relaxation. We are heading for Cape May, NJ - a place Sharon has always wanted to visit. So we thought this would be a great time to go.

As I close out this short week of blog postings ... a quick question for you: Whose approval are you seeking? Are you seeking the approval of others? Or the approval of God? Consider carefully the following verses:

Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. (Jeremiah 45:5)

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj