Friday Coffee with PJ

Thoughts from here and there for you to enjoy with your coffee . . .

1. I just read yesterday that tea consumption in the U.S. continues to climb while the intake of coffee is declining. Even with this drop, coffee is still by far the king among these two. In 2009, annual per-person coffee consumption came in at 23.3 gallons (Wow! I must drink that much in a month!), while tea came in at a per-person rate of 9 gallons. So although the gap between them is shrinking, it is still significant. What is driving the switch to tea? Apparently recent studies promoting the health benefits of drinking tea are fueling the increase. These studies suggest that drinking tea helps prevent cardiovascular disease, burn calories and ward off some types of cancer (That's good to know ... because I consume a lot of iced tea during the summer months!). But studies have also shown that there are benefits to drinking coffee (in moderation, of course) ... such as helping protect against diabetes, Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer. So ... it appears you can't go wrong with either choice. But if you are really tired ... you just might want to go with a hot cup of joe. It' got about twice (or more) the caffeine content. And frankly, there are some mornings I need that kind of a wake up call! 

2. I recently picked up a small paperback book at Berean Christian Bookstore. Its title caught my eye and I thought I would find it helpful. And it was priced so low that I bought a few copies to give away. The book's title is 199 Favorite Bible Verses for Leaders. These verses are grouped into 20 different categories. I have begun reading a different group each day, praying as I go. The book also contains some quotes from some well known people from here and there. Introducing the category on Integrity is a quote from Robert E. Lee, the well known general of the Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War. He writes, "You must be careful where you walk, and where you go, for there are those following you who will set their feet where yours are set."  Well said, General Lee! 

3. Several times in Scripture we are commanded to "humble ourselves" (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6). I can't speak for you, but I find Scriptures that command us to do this, tough to put into practice. For starters, how do you know if you are obedient? Humility is one of those virtues that when you think you have it, you probably don't. In addition, there is so much misunderstanding on how we attain humility (belittling ourselves for example) that we often don't know where to begin. SO ... let me give you one thought to chew on ... and I do believe this is the key toward genuine humility. When we have a HIGH view of God (i.e. - we see God as the majestic, glorious all awesome God that he is) ... then we will tend to have a RIGHT view of ourselves. We will understand that before God and apart from God we are nothing. And friends, that will move you toward humility (and will cause you to rejoice in HIS grace!). 

Thanks for stopping by . . . 
pj

Thursday A La Carte

1. Did you ever listen to a recording of your voice and think, "What? Do I really sound like that?" Here's the explanation for that kind of reaction. 

2. We spend so much of our time online ... so how can we best use that time to the glory of God? Tim Challies gives some insight in an interview he did for Ligonier's Tabletalk Magazine. 

3. Here is a compelling article from CCEF .... Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery. 

4. Many have been talking about the History Channel's mini-series, The Bible. So does it live up to the hype? Is is biblically accurate? Here is one man's take. 

5. On a lighter note . . .  (classic!)

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Who Do You Trust?

A recent Gallup poll asked Americans to rate the "honesty and ethical standards" of 22 different professions. Nurses came out on top with 85% of respondents giving them a "very high/high" rating. Pharmacists came in second with a 75% rating. I can't say that I would disagree with those high marks for those two professions. But what bothered me is that my "profession" (and I put that in quotation marks because I do not believe God calls pastors to be "professionals!") came in #8 on the list with 52% of Americans saying members of the clergy were "highly honest."

Now this bothered me because I happen to believe pastors should be marked by a clear demonstration of honesty and integrity. But alas, we do often fall short (I said "we" because I am not beyond failure in this arena). Pastors have feet of clay and therefore, make unfortunate and often sinful choices and decisions. I also believe that pastors have a huge target on their backs placed there by the Enemy himself, for as the Scripture says, "strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter" (Mark 14:27). How often has a pastor "fallen from grace" which, in turn, has negatively impacted his church? Far too often! Yet ... for every pastor that has fallen, many more do remain faithful. I believe a huge factor in the faithfulness of pastors is the prayers of those within their churches who are regularly praying for them.

I know for I have many who tell me, "Pastor John, I want you to know that I pray for you every day!" So let me go on record to say to all who pray for me (and other pastors, too) - THANK YOU for making that effort. And PLEASE don't stop! God is working in my life through your prayers!  And at the end of the day ... I want to be a pastor who can be trusted!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Friday Coffee with PJ

Here are some random thoughts for you to enjoy with your coffee (or, if you must, tea) ...

1. The unrest that has gripped so much of the world in recent months (think Lybia, Egypt, Syria, Mali and the Central African Republic - just to name a few) has made me thankful for the stability and peace that we enjoy here in the United States. This is something that we cannot or should not take for granted. The Apostle Paul expresses God's will "that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way" (1 Timothy 2:1-2). So let's be sure as we pray, to pray for our President, members of Congress, U.S. Supreme Court justices, Governor and other elected state officials, county and local officials as well. In doing so, we prove obedient to Scripture and will experience God's blessing. 

2. Recently I watched my name sake (2 1/2 year old grandson John), not want to share a toy he was enjoying with one of his cousins. His mom talked to him about this. What she said to him got me thinking. She said something along this line, "Jack, are you going to put things above people?" She then went on to explain to him in "twoyearoldeese" that people are more important than the things we want to hold onto (in this case a toy), and that we need to learn to share our things in order to show that the one we are sharing with is more important to us than whatever the "thing" might be that has our attention. There's wisdom in that for us adults. I wonder how many of  us sacrifice relationships in order to attain things. Listen, my friends, the things of this world will one day be gone, but the souls of people are eternal. So let's get our priorities straight - people before things; relationships before stuff. 

3. Today is GOOD FRIDAY. But did you ever wonder why the day that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Creator of the world, Lord of lords and King of kings was crucified is referred to as "good?" Although the happenings of that day were quite wicked, evil and dark . . . the outcome could not be brighter! For on that day, God's Son faced God's wrath so that we would not have to (Romans 5:8; 6:23; 1 Peter 3:18). In laying down his life for us (and there is no greater act of love than that - John 15:13), Jesus attained for us what we could have never attained on our own - a relationship with the one true and living God. So on this Good Friday, please take some time to reflect on the awesome sacrifice of Jesus for us! And worship the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29) and in so doing, opens for us the gates of heaven (John 14:1-3)!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj 

Thursday A La Carte

Here are this week's a la carte offerings. Enjoy!

1. Please pray for the continuing crisis in the Central African Republic. The last thing this impoverished and war weary land needs is another coup. Pray specifically for Dr. Augustine Hibaile and his family, our Hand-in-Hand Orphan School (staff and students) in Bangui, and both Wycliffe and Encompass World Partners missionaries who remain in the country.

2. Al Mohler weighs in (and does so effectively and with great insight) on the whole issue of same sex marriage and the implications legitimizing it may have for the institution that has always been seen as a union between a man and a woman. In addition, Kevin DeYoung describes why arguments for gay marriage are persuasive. 

3. Check out Scotty Smith's blog for some prayers for the various days of Holy Week.

4.  Given that tomorrow is Good Friday, here's an intersting post by Tim Challies on Isaac Watts and his hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. 

5. On a lighter note . . .  (the NCAA March Madness fans will especially enjoy this - and you gotta love those short shorts of yesteryear!).

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

UPDATE FROM DR. HIBAILE

I just received an update from Dr. Hibaile (see below). Please continue to pray for him, his family and his

country. Pray for peace and pray for the advance of the gospel.

Greetings from home,

Thanks to all of you for your support during this difficult time. My family was out of our home that is located between the South African troops and the rebels.

After 4 days out, we are back home. Our home was protected by the Lord. We continue to ask you to pray that things will totally calm down and the peace will come back.

The electricity is back but it is difficult to get food. Food is very expensive.

I don't know about my vehicle that remained at the garage downtown where there was lot of looting.

Rev. Dr. Augustin HIBAILE

Executive Directeur of CIDEL

+ 236 75 05 47

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

A Valuable Reminder from Playing Wiffle Ball!

Starting back on Monday, January 7th and continuing each Monday evening through March 18th, men of our church gathered to play wiffle ball. I made about four of those nights. Each and every time I played, I found myself limping for several days. Pain from playing wiffle ball? Yep! Pain! And at times it was intense pain! Why? Well ... when you get to playing a game that you played all the time as a kid ... you begin to play like a kid and forget that you are not a kid anymore (are you with me?). As a result, my body was in a recovery mode most of the past two months (I never played games on two consecutive weeks!).

All this reminds me of an important biblical truth.  Galatians 6:7 tells us that we will “reap what we sow.” My "post game" soreness was a result of my "in game" actions.  Friends, this is something we cannot afford to forget.  Every choice we make and every act we perform has consequences.  So let’s strive to sow godly choices and Christ-like acts so that we can reap consequences that will glorify our God and advance His kingdom!

Thanks for stopping by . . . 

pj