If It 'Aint Fun, Forget It!

As I was driving back to the office yesterday, I passed a car that had an advertisement for the Lancaster Sunday News displayed on its roof. Above the title of the newspaper were the words, "Relevant. Informative. Fun to Read." These words, of course, were meant to describe the Sunday paper. "Relevant" - yep, I want any newspaper to be relevant. I sure don't want to be reading about what's happening on Mars. "Informative" - again, right on the mark for any paper worthy of my time. I want it to tell me exactly all about the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of everything going on in my world! "Fun to Read" - well, I sure don't want it to bore me to death as it informs me of all that is relevant around me!

Now what got me thinking was that last descriptive phrase, "Fun to Read." Whether or not you think the Sunday News is "fun to read", I think it is a real statement about our culture that a newspaper includes that quality as one of its main attractions. We are all about having fun. If you doubt me, listen to what people (especially the younger generations) often say to each other when parting (if you listen attentively you will often here, "Have fun!"). NOW please do NOT misunderstand me. I LOVE to have fun! However, life is not always fun. In fact, sometimes it is hard. Downright tough! And when hardness comes (and it will) what should be our response? The Apostle Paul gives us the answer in 2 Timothy 2:3: "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." As followers of Christ we are called upon to endure hardness ... not try to skirt around it or escape it by having "fun!"

So all this to say ... yes, make sure you have fun. Life is indeed too hard not to laugh. But beware of living by the credo that "If it 'aint fun, forget it!"

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Growing Up!

I never knew being a grandfather would be so very, very cool! I love it! I thank God for the two grandkids He has brought into our lives. Recently I have been enjoying watching our grandbaby Ella growing up. Just this past week she picked up the concept of waving "bye-bye" and giving a kiss. In addition, she now motors around the house on all fours - something she was not doing even just a week ago. Hmm. What will next week bring, Ella behind the wheel of a car?

As much as we are enjoying watching Ella develop into toddler hood, we are not surprised at what we are seeing (and hearing). We expect it. This is what babies do. They grow up! They mature! And what is true for babies in the physical realm ... should also be true of babies in the spiritual realm. Notice I said SHOULD. When we make a faith commitment to Christ we are "born again" (this is the terminology Jesus used in John 3). We are spiritual infants. But we are NOT to remain infants. God expects us to grow. Yet far too many Christians remain mired in spiritual babyhood! A major reason for this, I believe, is the average Christian's level of biblical literacy. Too many Christians are biblically illiterate. And if one does not KNOW the Bible, he or she cannot OBEY the Bible. And why is that important? Allow me to answer this question with a question. What is the bottom line of the "making disciples" mandate of the Great Commission?  Let me show you . . .

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20a).

So .... how are YOU doing? Are you GROWING in your faith walk with Jesus Christ? If not - it just may be because you aren't getting enough of the meat of the Word!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Let's Take Responsibility!

The other night, Mariah Carey (most known for her singing talent) accepted an award for her acting. The International Film Festival Awards gave her the award for Breakthrough Actress for her performance in the film, "Precious." According to news reports, Carey gave a loony, rambling, speech slurred acceptance speech that went on far too long. After being hammered on the Internet for her actions, Carey when asked about her speech told reporter that her loopy speech was the fault of the presenter, director Lee Daniels. This is what she said, "The thing is me and Lee hadn't seen each other in a long time, and then he was presenting my award, so he starts off immediately with inside jokes."  OK ... so he started off with some insider jokes ... that explains her actions?  Oh...she then admitted to enjoying some "splashes of champagne" before hand. Hmmm...quite a few splashes if you ask me.

But before we are too harsh on Carey ... let's admit it. All of us from time to time don't want to take responsibility for our words or our actions. When we find ourselves in trouble - we look for someone else to blame. This has been a tendency for us humans ever since our first parents did this in the Garden of Eden when confronted by God about their sin (see Genesis 3). Friends, as long as we fail to take responsibility for our sin, our failures, our mistakes - we will NEVER move beyond them to a better place. So let's agree --- if the shoe fits - let's wear it!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Redemption and Forgiveness in Christ and Christ Alone!

Jesus Christ was quite clear that if people want to connect with the God who made them, the only option to do so is through Himself, specifically through his work on the cross. All of us have earned the wage of death (see Romans 6:23a and Romans 3:23). When Jesus died, He paid the wage for sin. But since He had no sin (He was perfect, never once rebelling against His Father) we must ask - for whose wage was He paying? The answer? Anyone who would ever place their faith in Him to save them from God's penalty for sin. That is the message of the gospel. And it is a good news message. In fact, only Christianity offers this hope of redemption and forgiveness for sin. Please take a few minutes to watch the intriguing video below concerning comments made recently by Brit Hume, a senior political analyst for Fox News as he spoke about Tiger Wood's need for redemption and forgiveness.



Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

A Tall Celebration!

Yesterday, the world's tallest building was officially opened. It is the Burj Khalifa building located in the Persian Gulf United Arab Emirate of Dubai. The new skyscraper reaches to a height of 2,717 feet, which makes it more than 1,000 feet taller than the world's previous tallest building located in Taiwan (the tallest skyscaper in the U.S. is Chicago's Willis Tower which stands at 1,451 feet). So as you can see, this new Dubai tower is indeed a SKYscraper!

As I read the newspaper account of the tower's grand opening, I was struck by the following lines: "Its (the tower's) backers wanted the skyscraper to be a monument to the boundless, can-do spirit of Dubai."  Those words struck me because they sounded eerily familiar. So I opened my Bible to Genesis 11:4 and read the following about the inhabitants of the world following the flood of Noah's day: "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves."  Hmm ... the date on the calendar might have changed - but it seems that the heart of man has not. Humanity continues to seek to live life independent of God .... seeking to rule versus submitting to His rule. Seeking self glory vs. God's glory.

Even those of us who follow Jesus must battle this tendency of our sinful nature. We are NOT independent and self sufficient beings. We are totally dependent upon our God. The Apostle Paul stated this clearly when he told the Athenians on Mars Hill, "He (the God who made everything) himself gives all men life and breath and everything else . . . For in him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:25, 28).

During these recent days of heart ache, God has reminded me once again of my great need for Him. May it be a long lasting lesson for me!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

When Sadness Threatens to Overwhelm Our Joy

The past five days have been days of deep sadness for our family. Sadness is something all of us are acquainted with as sadness is a part of this broken world in which we live. But as followers of Christ, we do have a "life-line" to cling to in the midst of our difficulties. God is our rock, our refuge, our hope. Yes, we can have hope even in the darkest of days. Yes, there is coming a day when God will wipe every tear from our eyes. Then "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4). But until that time comes, there will be days when sadness will threaten to overwhelm our joy. When that happens, we must cling to God. He alone knows exactly what we are going through, the pain we are enduring. And He will give us strength, comfort, hope and a peace that only He can give!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

A Blessed New Year . . .

For all of you who stop by my blog throughout the year, I pray that you will experience the reality of the Apostle Paul's expressed desire for the church in Rome:

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj