A Prodigy

A prodigy is defined as being "a person, especially a child or young person, having extraordinary talent or ability: a musical prodigy" (source: dictionary.com). Take a moment and view this video and you may just find yourself listening to a prodigy!




Wow! This girl can sure tickle those keys! I could practice the piano for 8 hours a day for the rest of my life and not be able to play as well as this six year old can! But that is OK by me. I know that playing the piano is not one of my gifts. So I content myself to sitting back and listening to those who have the gift and ability to play piano (or any other musical instrument for that matter).

But what about the gifts and abilities that I do possess? All of us have been given different gifts/abilities by God. And sitting back and not utilizing them is not an option. God shapes us so that we in turn might serve him and serve others (for His sake!). Ephesians 2:10 is a great reminder of this truth. The Apostle Paul writes, "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

So let me ask you -- just what are your gifts and abilities and how are you currently using them to serve God and others? One day we will all be called upon to give an account to God of our "stewardship" of our God-given SHAPE. Will you be ready?

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Concerning Tuxedos

From my recent wedding experiences in marrying off our daughters (not to mention my son's wedding in July of 2006), I learned a number of things about tuxes. First, they are expensive to rent (even with the discount I received as “father of the bride!”). In addition, they are quite warm. No matter the season (in my case it was summer and early fall) – tuxes have a way of maintaining body heat. Also I learned that they have a way of making a person look rather sharp (at least that’s what a lot of people told me – so either they were just trying to be nice, or they felt sorry for me – knowing I probably spent a lot on its rental – or they were being honest. I’ll opt for the latter!). All in all I’d have to say that my experiences with tuxedos (the first in some 28 years) – were far better than I had expected.

In our “dress-down” increasingly “casual” society, weddings are still one of those few times where people, for the most part, still “dress up.” I like that. I think it’s a good thing. When I scan the guests at weddings, I enjoy seeing people in their fine attire. There is coming a wedding banquet for followers of Jesus Christ. It will take place at some undisclosed date in the future. The Bible refers to it as the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” It is discussed in Revelation chapter 19. In verses 7 and 8 we read, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)"

Did you catch what was said about what we will be wearing to this tremendous celebration? We will be wearing fine linen – and this fine linen stands for our “righteous acts!” So I rented the tux I wore for my son’s wedding, but for THE SON’S wedding, I will be wearing attire that I make by myself for myself. And I am making it right NOW – in this life. Gulp! And this is true for every follower of Christ. So the question for me – and for YOU is this: How will we be dressed at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Rags? Scruffy tee shirt and ratty jeans? Or will we be in attire more fitting for a wedding celebration? It’s all up to YOU (and me!). Living for Jesus will weave for us attire appropriate for that occasion. So by God’s grace – let’s go live for HIM and get ready for the wedding to come!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

The Tyranny of the Urgent

A number of years ago, Charles Hummel wrote a little book titled, The Tyranny of the Urgent. In this short but powerful booklet, he reminds us of just how easily we can get distracted from what is truly the important things of life. How so? Hummel points out that all of us every day face what he calls life's urgent demands (things like paying the household bills, raking the leaves, running the kids to soccer practice, buying the groceries or doing the laundry). These things have to be done ... and most of them have to be done RIGHT NOW! But the more important priorities in life (such as time spent with God in prayer and the Word, calling to talk with a distant friend, playing in the back yard with your kids, or talking about your dreams with your spouse) - these things can be left undone. And as the urgent demands continue to scream at us - we can tend to lose sight of the truly important.

I am feeling a bit harried by life's urgent demands. I must admit that I have not spent much time with God the last couple of days. So as soon as I post this - I am going to walk away from the urgent tasks on my desk and go spend time with God. These things will still be here tomorrow. I will tackle the pile then!

Thanks for stopping by ...

pj

Down Time on the Weekend

Weekends are a great time to enjoy some "down time" as most people take a break from their work-week routine (although, my weekends tend to be the busiest time of my week!). Be sure this weekend to give some quality time to your family and other close relationships ... and also to God! Take a moment and think about the following quote:

"I cannot understand how there's always the present, and how quickly the present becomes the past." (Dean Meyers)

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

I Love My Church!

In recent years, "The Church" has taken a bad rap. Books such as Quitting Church: Why the Faithful are Fleeing and What to Do about It and So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore? remind us that many people don't think too highly of "The Church."

I want to go on record of saying that I LOVE my church (which is one of a multitude of local expressions of "The Church"). And I am not alone. Jesus Christ also loves my church. One of several New Testament metaphors for "The Church" is that of "the Bride of Christ." Jesus loves "The Church" (and therefore each local expression of "The Church") because "The Church" is HIS bride! He died for her and He is at work in her "to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:26-27). Did you catch that? "The Church" (and again, read here - my church as one of its local expressions) is not perfect! Jesus Himself is working on her so that one day yet future she WILL be perfect. But until that day "The Church" will not be perfect - but rather a "work in progress!"

So bottom line, my church is not perfect. I know this to be true (for starters, I am part of my church and I know far too well that I am FAR from perfect!). But I still love my church -- warts and all. I hope you love yours, too because Jesus surely does!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Buddah? God? Or Something Else?

Ram Bahadur Bamjan sits quietly in the jungles of southern Nepal. But he doesn't sit alone. In spite of being only 18 years old, Bamjan has attracted thousands of followers. And just what is it about this teen with the flowing locks and white robe that has garnered the adoration of so many? The crowds come because they believe him to be the reincarnation of Buddha. But for many - he's even more! Here is what a few of his followers have said about Bamjan:

"I got a chance to see God today. They say he is Buddha, but for me he is just God."
(Bishnu Maya Khadka, a housewife)

"I have no doubt in my mind he is a God." (Meg Bahadur Lama, a local farmer)

So what are these people basing their judgment about Bamjan's identity upon? Just what is the evidence they cite for making such a claim? They believe Bamjan has been meditating without food and water since he was first spotted in the jungles of southern Nepal in 2005. Wow! That's about three years (or 1095 days). If true that would be quite the feat, especially considering that Jesus only went 40 days without eating! I wonder if he is under observation 24/7/365. My guess is he is sneaking in food and water when no one's watching!

So really - who is this guy who many believe to be a reincarnation of Buddha or even God? I don't know. But I do know who he is NOT. And he is neither Buddha reincarnate nor God. Concerning reincarnation - the Bible clearly states that "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). So according to God's Word, it's once and done when it comes to the life we live on this earth. And concerning the deity of this teen, only one individual who ever walked this earth could make a legitimate claim to deity - and his name is Jesus (for an excellent article on the evidence for Christ's deity, see: http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/deityofx.html; also for a briefer read see: http://www.equip.org/site/c.muI1LaMNJrE/b.2548425/k.82B9/Deity_of_Christ.htm).

I am saddened by this spiritual darkness that manifests itself in the belief that an 18 year old man is a reincarnated "holy man" or even God! But we can be encouraged that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World -- and light always conquers darkness!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

The Fragrance of Gratitude

Years ago an incident occurred on the Metro in Washington, DC in which a crowded subway train stalled on the tracks. Before stalling, the riders were dozing, reading or just "zoning out." But once the train stalled (and stayed stalled) - the harried commuters, all anxious to get to their homes, exploded. They noisily vented their anger and frustration. They blamed the driver, the Metro authorities, the federal government and anyone else that came to mind for this irritating disruption of their day. Somewhere in the midst of this growing bedlam, a woman holding a number of bulky bags from her day of shopping, dropped one of them containing a bottle of perfume she had purchased. The bottle shattered, releasing into the air the perfume's pure, luxurious fragrance. As this sweet smell made its way through the crowded car, the people sniffed, smiled and then relaxed. They began to laugh about their situation. What was once seen as horrible was now "no big deal!"

As followers of Jesus walking through the crowded moments of life, we can do the same as this woman who dropped her perfume. People all around us are frustrated and angry with the irritating circumstances and details of life. By being positive (and not in a Pollyanna sort of way!) we can release a sweet fragrance of hope that people need to smell. And one of the greatest ways to release such a fragrance is to work on being thankful. Far too many Jesus followers (and I count myself among them) tend to complain about life -- when we of all people should be thankful about life! After all, the author of life is our Lord, our Saviour and our Friend. So -- spread the fragrance of hope by cultivating an attitude of gratitude in your life today!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj