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

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