Think on This!

A desperate farmer once went to see his rabbi. “Rabbi,” the farmer began, “I need help!” “What is the problem?” the Rabbi asked. Quickly the farmer explained how he was going crazy in his small house with all the commotion and noise. After all, he had a talkative wife, three rowdy boys and a baby girl who cried non-stop! The Rabbi thought for a moment and then asked the harried farmer if he had a chicken. “Of course,” the farmer responded. “I have a whole flock of chickens.” “Well, then,” said the Rabbi, “Go bring one of the chickens in the house.” So the perplexed farmer went home and did as the Rabbi suggested.

Early the next morning, the farmer was pounding on the Rabbi’s door. “Rabbi, I did what you suggested. Now things are worse than before!” After stroking his beard, the Rabbi then told the farmer to go home and bring his goat in the house. Since the Rabbi was a man of great wisdom, the farmer went home and brought his goat in the house.

Just after sunup the next day, the farmer was once again pounding on the Rabbi’s door. Again he expressed to the Rabbi that things were far worse now that the goat was in the house (along with the chicken, talkative wife, three rowdy boys and one crying baby girl). After a thoughtful pause, the Rabbi told him to go home and bring in his donkey. More confused than ever, yet knowing the Rabbi was a man of great wisdom, the poor farmer went home and pulled and yanked and pulled and yanked and finally got the donkey into his house.

The next day BEFORE dawn, the farmer was once again pounding on the Rabbi’s door. “Rabbi, I did all you have told me to do. I brought in the chicken, the goat, the donkey – and things are worse than they have ever been!” The Rabbi sighed and looked toward heaven. Then he told the farmer to go home and take the donkey and the goat and the chicken and return them to their proper place. Wearily (and now wondering if this Rabbi was a man of great wisdom) the farmer went home and did as the Rabbi suggested.

Around mid-morning on the following day, the farmer returned once again to see the Rabbi. “Rabbi, I must thank you for what you have done for me. The peace and quiet of my home is truly an amazing gift! Thank you!” Leaving a basket of eggs, bread and cheese with the smiling Rabbi, the happy farmer returned home to his talkative wife, three rowdy boys and baby girl who cried non-stop.

The moral of this story? No matter how bad you might “have it” – it could always be worse!

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" (Philippians 4:11).

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Vuvuzela Madness!

I have watched enough world cup soccer games that I have become deaf to the steady drone of the vuvuzela horns in the background. This does not mean that I would relish the experience of a fan sitting behind me, tooting his vuvuzela all through a baseball game. So I am hoping vuvuzelas remain on the far side of the Atlantic!

Yesterday I ran across the following You Tube video involving vuvzelas. As I watched and listened to this video, I both laughed and cringed. This is what happens when one takes an object and attempts to do something with it ... something that the object was really never designed to do. Sometimes Christians are like this. We take on ministries for which God had not shaped us (and the truth that God does shape us for specific ministries and tasks can be seen in Ephesians 2:10). So ... after you view the video (and laugh or cry) ... ask yourself, how has God shaped me? And how should I be using my God-given shape to serve Christ, His Church and the world?



Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

A Tale that IS Stranger than Fiction!

Most people in the small rural community of Wyalusing in upstate Pennsylvania thought Jean Stevens, a 91 year old widow lived alone in her small, rundown house. True if you would only count the living bodies in the house. Recently someone tipped off state police that Jean had two dead family members still "living" with her. That's right. Jean by her own admission finds death "hard to take." So shortly after her husband was buried in the local cemetery in 1999, she had his embalmed body exhumed and placed on a couch in a detached garage. Then when her twin sister died last October, she had her body exhumed. She kept her twin sister's body in a spare room off the bedroom. Until police arrived and removed the body, Jean did her best to keep the remains of both her husband and twin sister, giving both bodies her best tender loving care. When questioned as to why she did it, she expressed her fear that after death ... there is nothing. In addition to her fear of death, Jean is extremely claustrophobic. Therefore, she could not bear the thought of her loved ones being cooped up in a coffin six feet under the ground!

As I read this article yesterday, the expression, "Truth is stranger than fiction" came to my mind. I was also saddened that this woman has no hope of heaven ... for either herself or her loved ones. If you are a follower of Jesus and therefore possess a hope of heaven and the promise of a glorious inheritance reserved for you in eternity, then take a moment and thank God that you do! For without HIS grace, you would be as this woman is - without God and without hope in this world! And then, after thanking God for your salvation, determine today with God's help, to intentionally point someone toward Jesus! For He and He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes to the Father except by Him! (see John 14:6).

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Eyeing a Toddler ... and God's Watch Care of Us!

This past Saturday (July 3rd), my siblings (half of them, that is) and our families got together for a family picnic at a park on the west side of York, PA. Since two of our children and their spouses were unable to make it, we offered to take their kids. So we packed up our car with our food contributions for lunch and then stopped by our son's and daughter's houses to pick up Ella and Nathan (Ella is 14 months old, Nathan is 10 years old).

Shortly after arriving at the park, Nathan took off to play with a bunch of my nephews, several who are about his same age. For the rest of our time there, Nathan was doing something or other with the guys. Not so with Ella. She required constant supervision. Of course, given just how cute she is (as are most 14 month old toddlers) - we had plenty of help. But I will admit, Grandma and Papa John were a bit tired when we arrived home late that afternoon.

As I thought back on our day this morning, it hit me that our watching of Ella is somewhat like God's watching of us. Just as we keep a constant eye on her (at least we do our best to do so!) - so God keeps a constant eye on us (Jesus reminds us that if God's eye is on the sparrow, then His eye is definitely on us as well! - see Matthew 10:29-31). We watch Ella so she does not fall into harm. And we do so gladly because of our love for her. So it is with God. His constant oversight of us is done with our best interests at heart, for He loves us deeply. But there is one way that our watching over of Ella and God's watching over of us is different. We grow tired. We get distracted. But not God! Please take a moment and read what the psalmist wrote about the wonderful watch care of God. Then worship Him who loves you so and keeps a constant eye on you!

I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? ² My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. ³ He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; ⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. ⁵ The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand; ⁶ the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. ⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; ⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121)

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Happy Fourth of July!

Today as we celebrate the Fourth of July, we celebrate the birth of our nation. Two-hundred and thirty four years ago today, our Founding Fathers adopted a document that declared the independence of the thirteen American colonies from England. It took another seven years before the colonies were actually free. As you celebrate our American freedom today, don't forget to celebrate the greater freedom you enjoy as a believer in Christ. As Jesus said, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). Jesus Christ sets us free from sin - it's penalty and its power over us. We are now free to become the people God always intended for us to be. Now that's freedom!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Tongue Tied?

All too often when Christians are talking with unbelievers (whether they are neighbors, co-workers, classmates or family members), they find themselves tongue tied when thinking about speaking up for Christ (been there, done that!). Often it is simply a case of not knowing how to get the conversation steered in a spiritual direction. Donald Whitney has put together a list of ten questions believers in Christ can use to open up spiritual chats. You can find his helpful article, "Ten Questions to Ask to Turn a Conversation toward the Gospel" at http://www.biblicalspirituality.org/gospelq.html. Certainly a list worth committing to memory so you have them at your disposal as you talk with those who need to hear the gospel!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

It is Nice to Be Wanted!

Earlier today my wife, Sharon called me. She wanted to tell me that when our 14 month old granddaughter, Ella, got up from her nap - the first thing she "said" was "Pa ... Pa ..." I must admit, that brought a warm feeling to my heart. It sure is nice to be wanted!

God wants us. He invites us into His presence to enjoy Him. But far too often we are too busy (or so we think) to carve out time from our busy and often downright hectic schedules in order to spend some quiet time in His presence. As a result, our relationship with God suffers. And when that relationship suffers - all others will as well. Friends, (and I am really talking to myself on this!!!) we need to get more intentional about spending some quiet time in the presence of our God. The first and greatest commandment from our God (and therefore our first and greatest priority in life) is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (see Mark 12:28-30). One way we deepen our love for God is to get away ... get alone ... and get into His Word (which is the written revelation of His nature, character, wisdom, will and plan). As we quietly reflect on Scripture in HIS presence - His Spirit will bind our heart and soul to Him!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj