Closing Out the Week!

As we close out yet another week, I want to suggest you "chew on" two items. The first is an article by one of my favorite pastor-theologians, Kevin DeYoung. In the wake of our president's public endorsement of same-sex (homosexual) marriage, DeYoung offers us Five Reasons Christians Should Continue to Oppose Gay Marriage. It's a must read for all of us who follow Christ!

The second is a refreshing ESPN video featuring Josh Hamilton. Josh was interviewed by the hosts of Pardon the Interruption after he had slugged four homeruns in a single game (he also doubled ... setting the American League record for total bases in a single game). In the interview, Josh talks openly ... in a natural and relaxed manner ... about his faith in Christ. Hmm ... he's a free agent after this year. I think he would look good dressed in either Phillie pinstripes or Pirate black and gold!

Thanks for stopping by . . . pj

P.S. -- A big "HAPPY BIRTDHAY!" to my daughter Kate Aument!

Thursday A La Carte

Here are this week's offerings ... I hope you find something that can help you as you continue your faith walk with Jesus Christ!

1. Randy Alcorn, author of one of the best (if not THE best) books on heaven (title of book: Heaven), writes about the need to be heavenly minded. A good read for us who live in such a materialistic, consumer driven culture.

2. Talk about marriage commitment!  This video (8:55) is worth watching ... but beware, your eyes might sweat some ... mine sure did!

3. Perhaps you saw (or at least heard talk of) this past weekend's Super Moon. Here is a photo gallery that is well worth the look! Some stunning pics here!

4. With President Obama's public announcement of his support of "same sex" marriage (have you noticed how people avoid the use of the word, "homosexual?" ... it's either "same sex" or "gay" ... but rarely is it referred to has "homosexual") --- the conversation about the legitimacy (or illegitimacy) of such a union. Here are a couple of excellent blog postings on the topic: Collin Hansen of the Gospel Coalition and Al Mohler's thoughts on the president's announcement. 


5. On a lighter note . . .  (Star Wars according to a three year old - too cute!) -- and for all you Star Wars fans ... here's a second video for your viewing pleasure (and note the use of all the cell/smart phones from the onlookers! We are truly a digital society!).

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

When You Think You've Got It -You Don't!

When you think you've got it, you don't! What in the world am I talking about? Fame? Riches? Intelligence? Good looks?  None of these really. What I am referring to is humility. Humility is that virtue that when we think we have it ... we probably don't! 

Here is what D.L. Moody (great evangelist of the 1800's) had to say about humility. It's worth a read! 

"Some years ago I saw what is called a sensitive plant. I happened to breath on it, and suddenly it drooped its head; I touched it, and it withered away. Humility is as sensitive as that; it cannot safely be brought out on exhibition. A man who is flattering himself that he is humble and walking close to the Master, is self-deceived. Humility consists not in thinking meanly of ourselves, but in not thinking of ourselves at all. Moses did not know his face shone. If humility speaks of itself, it is gone." 

So how about you? Do you think you are humble? Do you find yourself often referring to how you "humbly" serve others? Perhaps you are not as humble as you think. 

Thanks for stopping by . . . 

pj

Gone Fishing!

Gone fishing? Well, not exactly. But I am out of the office for the first two days of the week as I enjoy a bit of "down-time" with my wife (next Sunday we mark our 34th wedding anniversary ... so we are taking a couple of days away together to celebrate). Good marriages don't just happen. You have to continue to work on them. We get that ... and so that's what we are going to do across the course of these next two days. 

Please pray for us that our marriage would be God-exalting, soul-enriching and heart-warming. I'll pray the same for you!

Thanks for stopping by . . . 

pj

Is Our God an Angry God?

Recently I read a paragraph in a devotional by Jerry Bridges that turned my head and grabbed my heart. Here's what he wrote:

"We can't begin to appreciate the good news of the gospel until we see our deep need. Most people, even believers, have never given much thought to how desperate our condition is outside of Christ. Few ever think about the dreadful implications of being under the wrath of God. And none of us even begins to realize how truly sinful we are" (Gerald Bridges;Jerry Bridges. Holiness Day by Day: Transformational Thoughts for Your Spiritual Journey Devotional (p. 15). Kindle Edition). 

Jerry is right on the mark. Most Christians in our culture like to think of God as a "God of love" (and he is - see 1 John 4:16). But few ever think of him in terms of him being a "God of wrath." However, even a quick read of the Bible's final book demonstrates without a doubt that our God is an ANGRY God. And there is coming a day when his wrath against sinful humanity is going to boil over and be poured out upon this planet. And when that happens, "woe, woe, woe" (Revelation 8:13) to those upon whom it falls!

My friend, Jesus Christ, when he died upon the cross faced God's wrath so that we would not have to! I hope that you understand that ... and have come to God on HIS terms. If  you want further explanation of what it means to come to God on HIS terms, please check out the Two Ways To Live web site. It may just save your life!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Thursday A La Carte

Here are this week's offerings:

1. The human race has seen a lot of great artists ... but none can compare with our Creator. Check this out! 

2. Here is an excellent article by my "cousin" Scotty Smith (OK ... perhaps not my first, second or third cousin ... but we must be related somehow!) on PRAY THE SCRIPTURES. It's worth your time to read!

3. I love this brief blog post as it shares the wonder of the gospel!

4. Here is Thabitit Anyabwile's thoughts on Charles Spurgeon's classic book, The Soul Winner. 

5. What does the Bible mean when it says that "love believes all things?" Here is Ed Welch's response. It's a good one!

6. On a lighter note ... enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Living Life to the Fullest!

When Jesus Christ was on this earth, he made the following statement: "I came that they (he is talking about his sheep) may have life and have it abundantly." So what does it mean to have life "abundantly?"  As I reflected on that .... I recalled one of the daily readings in the excellent devotional book, The J.I. Packer Classic Collection: Daily Readings for Your Spiritual Journey.   The title of this particular reading is "Willing One Thing." In the reading he makes reference to the greatest commandment .... "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). He goes on to state that loving God with everything we have got is what purity of heart is all about. And since those who are pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8), then learning what it means to love God to the utmost is the path we must travel to enjoy the abundant life! (what could make life more abundant than a living, growing, vibrant relationship with the God who made us and sustains us?)  SOOO ... what does this journey look like?  Here's Packer's take (and it's a good one!): 

"It is a matter of saying and meaning what the psalmist said: "There is nothing on earth that I desire besides you" (Psalm 73:25) - nothing, that is, that I would not consent to lose if adhering to God required it. Thus, it is a matter of wanting and valuing "fellowship . . . with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3) more than I want or value anything else in this world. And it is a matter of making knowing and loving and pleasing and praising God my life task, and of seeking to lead others into the same God-glorifying life pattern." (J.I. Classic Collection, p. 47). 

Hmm . . . boy do I have a looooonnnnggg way to go! But praise God, God himself in the person of his Holy Spirit will be helping me along the way! 


Thanks for stopping by . . . 
pj