Wisdom for Decision Making!

I spent much of last week in Winona Lake, Indiana. I was there with about twenty other men and women who make up the board of trustees of Grace College and Seminary. For three very long days we met to discuss a number of important issues relative to the ongoing work of both schools. Most important among these, was the naming of a new president. After much discussion and prayer, our decision was made with enthusiastic support from each trustee.

I drove away from these board meetings with a great confidence that God had lead us. That is such a great feeling! How about YOU? Are you looking at some signficant decision that you must make? Not sure which way to go ... what step to take next?  Let me suggest that you get on your knees and ask God for HIS wisdom. Then trust that he will guide you (Proverbs 3:5-6). God is more willing to give us direction than we are to ask HIM for it! But when we do take Proverbs 3:5-6 and put it into practice, we can count on HIM coming through with the wisdom we need.

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Friday Coffee with PJ

Well ... hard to believe it's Friday already ... but here are some thoughts for you to enjoy with your coffee (or tea if you must!) . . .

1. Five years ago last week, a small team began working on a prototype that has evolved into what we know today as "Twitter." And just how much has Twitter grown since its inception? Well, during the past month, Twitter has seen 460,000 new accounts established PER DAY! Even the new Pope got into tweeting with his first tweet, "HABEMUS PAPAM FRANCISCUM"" which means, "We have Pope Francis."  I have an account and do tweet some (setfreebytruth is my Twitter name). I also use Twitter as a source of news information and faith inspiration. If you are not twittering ... I would encourage you to do so. It is one way to "stay in touch." 

2. On the other hand, social media is no substitute for personal, face-to-face contact. Yet, with all the facebooking, tweeting, texting, emailing going on in our digital age, I really believe we are losing out on how to develop and maintain rich personal relationships. Tim Challies wrote a book work reading titled, The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion that is worth a serious read! The trailer for the book does a great job pointing out the dangers of digital communication (in a humorous way). So ... the next time you are at home with your family and are tempted to check your email ... DON'T. Instead, enjoy some "face time" (the REAL "Face Time!") with those you love. You (and they) will be better for it! 

Thanks for stopping by . . . and thanks for your prayers this week as we wrap up our Grace Board meetings later today. 

pj 

Thursday A La Carte

Here are this week's offerings . . .

1. Not that we need a reminder ... but if you do here is a creative photo gallery of the onward march of time! Made me think of James 4:13-15.


2. Checking one's cell phone before getting out of bed? Almost half of young women do so ... but it might surprise you that pastor and author John Piper does so ... here's why! 


3. If you need some guidance on how to be praying for your children ... here is an interesting list of Seven Things to Pray for your Children. 


4. I just love Scotty Smith's prayers ... here is a Prayer for a Jesus-Centered, Dependent, Saturated Prayer Life. 


5. On a lighter note . . . (when I watched this my first response was, "Really?") 


Thanks for stopping by . . . 
pj

Off to Indiana!

I will be hitting the road to head to Winona Lake, Indiana today. The next three days will involve lengthy Grace College and Seminary board meetings. I count it a privilege to sit on the board, representing our church and helping our Fellowship of Church's schools. I must admit that I often feel  out of my element in some of our discussions. Please pray for me (and all the men and women on the board who come from as far away as Germany). Ask God to give us HIS insight and wisdom as we seek to help guide the schools toward the fulfilling of their mission, which is as follows:

Grace College is an evangelical Christian community of higher education which applies biblical values in strengthening character, sharpening competence, and preparing for service. Grace Theological Seminary is a learning community dedicated to teaching, training, and transforming the whole person for local church and global ministry.

At Grace, the students, administration, faculty, and staff aim together to make Christ preeminent in all things. Students learn this by living, studying, working, worshiping and achieving academic success with other young people who share similar Christian ideals in a setting where the community lifestyle fosters devotion to serious academic inquiry, wholesome recreation and relaxation, and mature spiritual growth.

Thanks for your prayers ... and thanks for stopping by . . . pj

Friday Coffee with PJ

Well ... it's Friday again. Thanks for joining me for your morning (or noon or evening) cup of Joe. Here are some random reflections for you to chew on as you sip your coffee ... enjoy!

1.  Yesterday was National Pi Day. That's NOT a typo ... it was National Pi (not pie) day. Pi, of course, is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, and is approximately equal to 3.14159. USA Today ran an article that offered up five ways to celebrate the day (click here to see if still available). So if you missed the celebration ... perhaps you could celebrate a belated Pi Day! I for one would just as soon leave my geometry back in my high school geometry class where I had the good fortune to first meet Pi. Next March 14th (3.14) ... I think I will celebrate National Pi Day by eating a slice of some good old fashioned apple PIE. That's the kind of pie I enjoy! 

2. I read an interesting news article on coffee ... did you know that over 400 million cups of coffee are consumed each day in the U.S.? And why is it so popular? It is because caffeine is one of its key ingredients. According to Dr. Roland Griffiths (professor, departments of psychiatry, behavioral science and neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine) caffeine is "the most widely used mood-altering drug" in the world. And according to research it only takes about 20 milligrams of caffeine to begin to experience its effects ... and you can get that much in just a few sips! SOOO ... all that to say ... go ahead and enjoy your coffee (I enjoy mine). But like anything in life ... moderation is always a good path to travel (and if you want to read a decent article on the pros and cons of coffee consumption, click here). All of us must seek to be good stewards of the body God has given us. After all, we only get one! 

3. Next week I head out to Winona Lake, Indiana, the home of our fellowship of church's college and seminary. It is always exciting to see some of the innovative initiatives that the schools are engaging in ... always trying to make a solid Christian education affordable and achievable for an increasing number of students. I always walk away encouraged but plumb worn out after three days of Board meetings. Sure would appreciate your prayers! 

Thanks for stopping by . . . 
pj

PS - Even though I will be away next week, I did prepare a few postings ... so be sure to stop back! 

Thursday A La Carte

Here are this week's offerings . . .

1. Here's a compelling read .... David Murry on the most disobeyed commandment in the church today.

2. Feel rushed? Harried? Overwhelmed by the rapid pace of life? Here's a read for you: Life's Too Short to Be in a Hurry! 

3. From Ligonier Ministries ... a brief but great read on Looking through the Mirror (at life) ...

4. Ed Welch talks about Hearing What Is Important (vs. just listening . . . )

5. On a lighter note . . . 

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

I've Got Smoke in My Eyes!

It seems like the eyes of the world are on a little smoke stack located on a rooftop in Vatican City. In fact, there are many web sites (like this one from NBC News) on which you can watch a live feed of a web cam focused solely on the chimney. Of course, this is not just any smoke stack. Indeed, for the Roman Catholic faithful, it is  one-of-a-kind. For sooner or later, white smoke will billow out of it indicating that a new Pope of the Roman Catholic Church has been selected.

This morning, my office manager mentioned to me the world's fascination with this watching for the smoke. She went on to say she wished we Christians were just as fascinated with our watching for the return of Christ. Hmm. I think she's got something there. Consider what the Apostle Paul had to say about the second coming of Jesus Christ:

"Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing"         (2 Timothy 4:8).

I wonder how many of us "have loved his appearing?"  Or do we get so "caught up" in this life that we give little thought to the next?  Oh that we all were fixed on Christ's return! What a life-changer that would be!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

PS - Thanks, Lisa ... for the idea for this post!