Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy

Good Morning!!!

One of the jobs I had as a teen was working at the Emory Theatre in Emory village. Emory village is / was just a series of stores at a crossroads just before you get to Emory University. The surrounding neighborhood contained homes that had been built in the early teens, twenties and thirties – that 1910 through 1939. For example, 1001 Oakdale, where Grandma Ward lived, was built around 1918 or 1919. Grandma and Grandaddy relocated there in 1923 just before Mom was born. So the majority of the people in the neighborhood were older.

The Emory Theatre was a loss leader for Storey Theatres – in other words, it was used as a tax write off since it didn’t make a lot of money. However, one enterprising manager cooked up an idea to encourage the older people to come to the theatre. He decided to run a series of shows each Wednesday that were produced in the thirties, forties and early fifties. These shows were all operettas – musicals that were popular when the folks in the neighborhood were young. So each Wednesday, we all had to put on our Sunday best – white shirts, black slacks and shoes, and, worst of all, a black bowtie – to welcome the geriatric group – I can say that now, since I are one.

To tell the truth, some of those movies were quite good. I saw the Student Prince with Edmund Purdom and the singing voice of Mario Lanza. And Brigadoon with Gene Kelly and Van Johnson. And several flicks with Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Last night, when I got home from work, one of the best of the Jeanette MacDonald / Nelson Eddy flicks, “Maytime” was on TCM. I watched the whole thing – mind racing back to my youth, thinking of the theatre and the older people who came in. These were people who had lived through the Great Depression – who had known hardship and had survived.

You know, when we think of our recent financial woes – all the stuff that’s gone on since late 2008 – it would be easy to moan and groan. But as I consider the faces of those wonderful elders from so many years ago, I take heart because I know the same God they served and trusted is still King of Kings and Lord of Lords today.

And that makes for a good day.

Prayer Alert from Kenya:

Hey, Pop!

Glad you are keeping me updated about golf... I didn't even know there was a tournament. :)

I wanted to let you know that I have talked to Jim a couple of times, and he seems good. I know he is missing home, but as he put it, "He's keeping his head in the game." :)

I wanted to ask you to pray for Hannah, one of the teenagers of the group. She has malaria and in the process of giving her the meds for that, they discovered that she has an amoeba in her digestive system... causing her to vomit all of the medications. She is actually in a hospital now. This is her first trip to Kenya. I cannot imagine what her parents are going through. Please pray for her healing, her parents' peace about the situation, and a renewed sense of strength for the team. Only 13 more days til they come home!

We love you both!
Angie

Angie Gant, Ed.D.
Education Faculty
Truett-McConnell College

Ephesians 4:1 "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."

Pray for Hannah and the team in Kenya…

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Good Morning!!!

2 Peter 3:1-9 (English Standard Version)
The Day of the Lord Will Come
1This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." 5For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
8But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,[a] not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Footnotes:
a. 2 Peter 3:9 Some manuscripts on your account

Four times, Bubba Watson finished second. Four times, Bubba Watson had the opportunity to win his first PGA tour event only to see it go by the wayside. Frustrating!!! Maddening!!! No – not with Bubba. After he won Sunday, he was interviewed. Here is an excerpt copied from the PGA Tour website:

Q. When you finished second at the events you have, did you ever have any doubts that you would one day be sitting in the trophy room or did you really believe it would happen?
BUBBA WATSON: Truthfully, I never doubt myself. I think I have the ability, maybe just not a strong enough mind, to keep me going, because I'm emotional.
But you know, like I say all the time, I'm not worried about winning. I'm a Christian first, you know, and golf just happens to be how I can support my family. The game's given me a lot, lets me support my mom and dad, lets me support the junior tournaments that I put on that I have next week I gotta go down to and do another speech.
But you know, it's something I get to do for a living, but I don't ever question why I don't win. I don't ever question -- I don't ever envy anybody else.
You know, I did a couple years ago, and it was wrong for me to do that, and you know, I just lucked up and won today. You know, I was just blessed that I won today. So no, I don't ever think I deserve a win. You never deserve anything. If it's in the will, it's in the will.

As Strother Martin said to Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke “You gotta get your mind right”. Bubba’s got his mind right – because he doesn’t see golf as his life’s calling – he sees living for Christ as his calling and golf as the activity God has given him to do to support his living for Christ. And that’s the way we all should live… understanding that even the very job we have is provided by God so we can do His will. What a blessing to read this from Bubba.

On the other side of the coin, on Bill O’Reilly, Janeane Garofalo was asked if she had to choose between a children’s book, a biography of Bill O’Reilly, and the Bible, which would she choose. Her answer was that all were fiction read by people with small minds. Check out verse 3 – and pray for her.

I have highlighted verse 9 because sometimes it seems as if the promise will never be fulfilled… but we know that God is faithful and He is true. You can count on it – today and every day.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

To Be Continued...

Good Morning!!!

Back when I was young (eons ago), B movies were the fare for Saturday mornings. There were the old Tarzan movies (I could never understand why Tarzan looked different from Saturday to Saturday – until I realized that Tarzan was played by both Buster Crabbe and by Johnny Weismueller). And there was Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Add to that some of the old forties space movies. We immersed ourselves in the action packed thrillers of yester year. Many of these were serials – you know, the movies that were “to be continued” – ad nauseum. But we loved it.

Well, our Bible study yesterday was a “to be continued” study. We are late into Acts (Chapter 21 to be exact) and Paul has returned to Jerusalem. On his trip in to Jerusalem, all of his companions and brothers in Christ were warning him not to go – but Paul insisted that he needed to go to Jerusalem. When Paul arrives, James (the brother of Jesus and the leader of the church in Jerusalem) explains to him that his preaching has been distorted and that he is in grave danger. James and the brethren cook up a plan to try to make Paul acceptable to the Jews – but it is foiled when some of the Jewish travelers from Asia recognize him and make a big stink. Suddenly the crowd surrounds Paul and wants to do him in – but a Roman tribune rescues him from the crowd. So Paul asks to speak to the crowd … and Chapter 21 ends. To be continued.

Some points to think about:
(1) Paul was in danger – and he knew it. But Paul also knew the Holy Spirit was leading him to Jerusalem. Sometimes we feel like we are in danger but also feel compelled to stay the course because we know that God is leading us in that direction.
(2) James and the brethren were trying to be helpful BUT pretending to be something you aren’t isn’t the right way to go. James wanted Paul to pretend to conform to the religious practices of sacrifice. Paul knew that there was no longer need to offer sacrifice since Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our sin. Conforming to the world only makes one hypocritical. And we know that the world uses our conformity to “prove” that Christ makes no difference.
(3) God intervenes. I don’t think it happenstance that the Jews from Asia recognized Paul. The message that Paul carried that day was too important. It was best that Paul not carry through the “good intentions” of James and the brethren even if it meant Paul was in mortal danger.

So what’s the lesson for me – and you? The message we carry is very precious. We should guard it with our lives. By that I mean that we should live out the life God has prepared for us and not be conformed to the world. What was it that John wrote?

1 John 2:15-17 (English Standard Version)
Do Not Love the World
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

God bless you this Monday – yes, it is Monday. May He give you the best of days today – and may your life be filled with the sweet joy of His salvation.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Camp Joyful Baileywick

Good Morning!!!

I love Vacation Bible School. I really do. It has been said that a child will get one quarter of a year’s Bible lessons in five days of VBS. And he or she will have fun doing it. So I love VBS. I also love church Bible camp.

When I was twelve – too old for church Bible camp, too young to be a counselor – I was a Junior Counselor at Camp Joyful Baileywick. The Bailey’s owned some property just north of Atlanta – sort of a summer “home” / farm where they welcomed all the children in the Primary department of the church for the summer. Peg Callahan – a wonderful creative lady – served as camp director. My job as a Junior Counselor was to do what the teacher needed me to do. Camp Joyful Baileywick lasted for one week in June – this was 1962. At the end of the week, the teachers, counselors and junior counselors wrapped the week up with an overnight at the camp. It was the job of the junior counselors to come up with a skit to top off the campfire. And we did…

Our theme for the week was Elijah. You might remember the story of how Elijah confronted King Ahab about his sin. And, just like today, King Ahab reacted by determining that Elijah was a “troubler of Israel” – in other words, a troublemaker that needed to be done away with. Anyway, there was a contest between the prophets of Baal and Elijah – if you don’t remember the story, here it is:

1 Kings 18:17-46 (English Standard Version)
17When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, "Is it you, you troubler of Israel?" 18And he answered, "I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals. 19Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table."
The Prophets of Baal Defeated
20So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word. 22Then Elijah said to the people, "I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. 23Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. 24And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, he is God." And all the people answered, "It is well spoken." 25Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it." 26And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. 27And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, "Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened." 28And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 29And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.
30Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been thrown down. 31Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, "Israel shall be your name," 32and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs[a] of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, "Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood." 34And he said, "Do it a second time." And they did it a second time. And he said, "Do it a third time." And they did it a third time. 35And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water.
36And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back." 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God." 40And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape." And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there.
The LORD Sends Rain
41And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain." 42So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43And he said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." And he went up and looked and said, "There is nothing." And he said, "Go again," seven times. 44And at the seventh time he said, "Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea." And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.'" 45And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. 46 And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Footnotes:
a. 1 Kings 18:32 A seah was about 7 quarts or 7.3 liters


Well, the junior counselors decided to reenact the challenge – so we rigged up a fishing line from a pine tree to the fire pit – and did all the things that Elijah did – all the while telling the story. And lo and behold, fire came from “heaven” and lit up that fire pit. I should mention, though, the roll of toilet tissue soaked in kerosene – and the kerosene we used for water in our reenactment. It turned out GREAT!!! Well – actually, the flaming toilet tissue burned through the fishing line so that the toilet paper fell short of the fire – but it bounced just perfectly into the fire pit and WHOOSH – there was fire.

God is good – we didn’t burn down the woods. And the effect was wonderful.

But there is the rest of the story for Elijah. If you read on into Chapter 19 of 1st Kings, you will see where King Ahab went whining to Queen Jezebel – who ordered that Elijah be killed. So what did Elijah – this great man of God who had defeated 850 prophets do? He ran and hid. And he began to whine himself. Here’s what he said:

1 Kings 19:1-18 (English Standard Version)
Elijah Flees Jezebel
1Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow." 3Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
4But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers." 5And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, "Arise and eat." 6And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, "Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you." 8And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.
The LORD Speaks to Elijah
9There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 10He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." 11And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.[a] 13And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." 15And the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."
Footnotes:
a. 1 Kings 19:12 Or a sound, a thin silence

There is a whole lot I could say about this passage – but what hits me square between the eyes is Elijah (and me) began to have a pity party – thinking that he was alone in the fight against the evil of Jezebel. God said – Go stand outside. And God PASSED BY – and there was a strong wind and an earthquake and a fire – but God wasn’t in any of these three. There was a sound of a low whisper – and it was God speaking to Elijah, telling him that he was not alone in Israel.

The thought passed through my mind that God doesn’t come to with great fanfare – though He very easily could do so. Instead, He chooses to come to us in a whisper – a sound that doesn’t frighten us but encourages us to listen intently to what He has to say.

The fact is that Elijah had gone from the penthouse to the out house of faith – and needed a little encouragement. I understand that! I have been there. And I have heard my God whisper in my ear – and give me the encouragement I needed just then. Listen carefully – He may be talking to you.

Have a blessed weekend!

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Do You Believe God?

06/24/2010

Good Morning!!!

Hebrews 11:1-3 (English Standard Version)
By Faith
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Do you believe God? I am not asking if you believe IN God – I am asking if you BELIEVE God. There is a difference. God has given us over 8,000 promises in His Word – and I am asking you if you believe God. That’s EIGHT THOUSAND promises God has given you. Do you believe God?

Whether you or I believe in God really doesn’t make a difference. God is – period. Our acknowledgement of His existence or our failure to acknowledge His existence doesn’t change the basic fact that God is and will be forever. BUT – and there is always one – our believing God DOES make a difference. Our eternal life depends upon our believing God. Our hope is dependent upon us believing God.

The writer of Hebrews begins this passage with a bold statement on faith. He continues by pointing to the patriarchs – Abel (who, though he died at the hands of Cain, still speaks today), Enoch (the one who did not die but just walked with God), and Noah.

Hebrews 11:4-7 (English Standard Version)
4By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

So do you believe God? When God says He will never leave us or forsake us – do you believe Him? Do you believe Him in your darkest hours – when everything that can go wrong has – and there is no end of the tunnel and thus no light at the end? Do you believe God will reward those who seek Him?

I think the answer to all these questions is “yes, Lord, I believe”. God loves you so much that we cannot gather enough words to express His love for you. A good thought for today.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Too Much???

Good Morning!!!

I played eight holes of golf Monday afternoon. I quit at eight because it was soooo hot – and I felt like I was about to keel over. Fortunately, the eighth green is closer to the parking lot than the ninth tee – so the walk wasn’t too far. But I started thinking about the heat yesterday – we complain about how hot and dry it is. And the thought came to me about these two words … “I thirst.”

If the words sound familiar, they are those uttered by our Lord, Jesus on the cross.

John 19:28-29 (English Standard Version)
The Death of Jesus
28After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), "I thirst." 29A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.

So what Scripture did it fulfill? Let’s try Psalm 22:

Psalm 22:14-15 (English Standard Version)
14I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.

We should never forget the agony that Jesus suffered on the cross. His agony was not only physical. He faced complete rejection by all – including His Father, God – because while He was on the cross, He took on the burden of mankind’s sin – and God turned away from Him.

Yes, it was hot on the Links Monday – and I struggled along pulling my cart, asking for a breeze. But my discomfort could never compare to the agony that my Lord suffered for me on that day on Golgotha. Is it too much for Him to ask that I share with you and with those who do not know Him the beautiful story of a man who gave up all for each one of us? Is it too inconvenient? Is it too scary? Am I up to the task?

Someone you will meet today will need to know about Jesus Christ. What a good day to share Him.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

God Is Our Refuge

06/22/2010

Good Morning!!!

Living by fear or living by faith?

Psalm 91 (New Living Translation)
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”

Sometimes the cares of this world will overwhelm even the most faithful. That’s when we yank out this Psalm to remember WHO really has us in His palm. I love all the verses, but grab hold of verses 2 through 4: 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. In this crazy world we live in, God provides a place for us to flee to when we are threatened. It is not a physical place but a psychological realm where our minds can be restored and survive.

Does any portion of this Psalm seem familiar? When Jesus was in the Wilderness (which is a place – not just away from the crowd), Satan approached Him on three different occasions. On one occasion, Satan twisted the wording of this Psalm to try to induce Jesus to commit suicide – and thus blunt God’s ultimate plan for Christ’s sacrifice. Check out Matthew 4 and compare it to verses 11 and 12 of this Psalm.

How could we lead defeated lives when we have these promises staring us in the face? God is our refuge; our place of safety. Wow!!! Those things that seem to be so daunting are made small in the presence of God Almighty. So rejoice in this new day – YOUR God will rescue you and will protect you and be with you in trouble. Hallelujah! And Amen.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Pay Careful Attention

Good Morning!!!

Our Bible study group studied Acts 20 yesterday. It was a good study, one in which Paul admonishes the overseers of the church in Ephesus thusly:

Acts 20:28-32 (English Standard Version)
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. 32And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

The phrase that struck me as important is for these leaders in the church to pay attention to themselves. Paul understood that being a leader in the church had some pitfalls. He knew there was a possibility that these men or people under their watch care could be impacted by power, fame, riches, and other negative influences. We, ourselves, have seen instances where good people with good intentions are drawn away by the influence of our culture today. So the caution that Paul gave these leaders is appropriate for us today. We need to pay attention to ourselves – understand how our words and deeds impact those around us, either leading them to follow Christ or leading them astray. Good stuff.

I hope each of you who are fathers had a good weekend. I certainly did, hearing from or seeing most of my children and most of my grandchildren. I even got treated to lunch at the Varsity!!!

Have a blessed Monday!

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Dads

Good Morning!!!

Psalm 127 (English Standard Version)
Unless the LORD Builds the House
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
1Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
5Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

The above is an apt Psalm for Father’s Day. I need not tell all of my male readers that Sunday is Father’s day – we already know it. I am thinking a Taylormade Driver would be a nice addition… wait a minute, it isn’t about the gifts – because I already have some gifts that cannot be measured.

God blessed Miss N and me with five children – four young gentlemen and one young lady. And I do use those terms deliberately. As a father, I am truly blessed. The children of my youth are precious to me – each one. Now that does not mean that each has done precisely what I would have wanted … I don’t know of many fathers who can say their children have. But each of my children are good, solid citizens who bring much honor to our family name. And I absolutely must give God the glory and praise for that fact – for you see, I didn’t have a template to follow. My dad made a life choice that removed him from our family in our very early lives. So when our first was born, I didn’t really know how to be a good dad. In stepped God…enough said. And little by little, He revealed to me the need for discipline and patience, freedom and restriction that comes with the territory.

So, when the Psalmist says “unless the Lord builds the house…” I have a pretty good understanding of the need to have God involved in the fathering process. As a matter of fact, I think He ought to take the lead – for when He does, we can REST assured that He will provide all that we need to raise our children. Then we can say in unison:

3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
5Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

My hope is that each of you fathers will have a very joyful weekend … and, oh yeah, I would like a 9.5 degree pitch on that driver….just kidding. Seriously, though, I would like each of you Dads to send me an email about your children. I’ll bet I am not the only Dad with a quiver full.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

But If Not...

Good Morning!!!

Daniel 3:1-18 (English Standard Version)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Image
1King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace." 7Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
The Fiery Furnace
8Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. 9They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! 10You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. 11And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. 12There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
13Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. 14Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 15Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?"
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

My oldest son leaves for Kenya today. He will be gone until July 11th. This is the sixth or seventh time he has gone to Kenya during the summer months. He will be leading a mission group that will go to four or five orphanages as well as to several churches in Kenya. It’s a long trip – and one that may have some difficulty involved. We tend to think that when a person in a foreign culture is converted to Christianity, their old culture is replaced by the new life in Christ. But just like here, there is a growth process that the new convert must go through – God whittling away the old dead wood of sin. Such is the case in some of the Kenyan churches that are still holding to the old culture concerning women. So there is a task at hand for the mission team. Please pray for Jim and the team as they make their journey. And for the ones they leave at home.

I used the Scripture above because it was the preaching Scripture Jim used when he addressed our fledgling church after his first trip to Kenya in 2002. Sarabeth had just been born a few weeks earlier and Jim, being a father for the first time, was concerned about the trip and what would happen to his wife and child if something happened. He focused in on verses 16 through 18 where the three young Israelites responded to the king stating their confidence in their God. And Jim honed his sermon down to the three words that start verse 18 – But if not…

The three men told Nebuchadnezzar that their God was able to deliver them from the fiery furnace – they believed it with all their heart. But even if He chose not to do so, the three men were going to continue to worship God. How often do we summon such courage? How often do we make such a commitment?

In our modern world of skeptics and nonbelievers, people who stand for God run the risk of being tossed into the “fiery furnace” of ridicule. We have to make a choice – do we truly believe that God is able to deliver us from every danger or do we bow to the world’s golden statues. And are we willing to hang in there even if God chooses to not deliver us from the scorn? I hope we will all be like the three Israelites and be willing to be tossed into the fiery furnace. You may remember the rest of the story – Nebby looked into the furnace and saw FOUR men dancing around – and none of the three Israelites was harmed.

Thank you for praying for Jim and for Angie and the girls for the next few weeks.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

A Man After God's Own Heart

Good Morning!!!

Psalm 51 (English Standard Version)
Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;
19then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

It isn’t a pleasant thing to admit that I am a sinner – but it is truth. The Bible tells me that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. That “all” includes me. And I know it – because the Holy Spirit reveals it to me.

One of the enigmas of the Bible is King David. A year or so ago, our Bible study group did the Beth Moore study on David. It was a worthwhile Bible study – but one that revealed some character traits in King David that made us begin to wonder how God could call him a man after God’s own heart. He wasn’t a good husband. He wasn’t a good father. His governing abilities were suspect – shoot, even his own son led a revolt and almost overthrew him. Still God – not man – called David a man after His own heart.

As the banner states in the above Psalm, David wrote this Psalm after having been confronted with his sin of adultery and murder. That’s right, David committed murder. He intentionally set it up so that Uriah would be killed. Why? Because Uriah, being a faithful soldier, would not spend the night with Bathsheba and thus cover David adulterous sin. And this is the man who God said was a man after His own heart!

So what is David saying in this Psalm? He is asking for God’s forgiveness and cleansing. That’s it in a nutshell. David had seen himself as he was and he didn’t like the sight he saw. So David turned to God and asked that God forgive him and cleanse him from the unrighteousness that was in him. I think it important to note that David did not attempt to bargain with God – if You will cleanse me I will do thus and such. No – David recognized his character was needed changing in order for him to be of service. There are several key verses in this passage but I think the most telling for David was verse 17 - 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Like a wild stallion, until David’s spirit was in accord with God – until David’s heart was right with God, he could not hope to have the forgiveness and cleansing he needed so desperately.

Yes, I am a sinner – I know this to be true. And I know the remedy is to have a broken spirit and a heart that is broken and contrite. Then I can be used of God in a manner most glorious for Him. And maybe God will make the same comment of me … that I am a man after His own heart. Blessings on you this day.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Jimmy Dean

Good Morning!!!

What do 33 1/3, 45 and 78 have in common?

Most of my readers who were born before the eight track was invented know that these are the common rpm (revolutions per minute) on a record player’s turntable. These are also the designed speed at which certain records can be played and understood. (We used to pay 33 1/3rds at 45 speed to get the Alvin and the Chipmunk feel – but then we were a little weird.)

What got me thinking about record players was the report of the death of Jimmy Dean. Long before Jimmy Dean was a sausage label, Jimmy Dean was a Country and Western singer. His biggest commercial hit was “Big John”. But my memories are of the Country and Western singer that sang old time Gospel on 33 1/3 records. I think we might still have one or two albums in our closet full of LPs.

Jimmy Dean was a witness to the glory of God. Oh, you didn’t hear him jump up and down about his beliefs – but you knew it from the way he conducted himself. His life was one of consistency – lived simply without fanfare. And in doing so, he showed the world Jesus Christ. You will remember that I had a little legend that I used to put right after the “Mr. Jim”. It said: “Preach the Gospel every day – and if you have to, use words.” This is a quote from St Francis of Assisi. And it means that we preach the Gospel by who we are – not by what we say.

So today as you remember Jimmy Dean – and LPs – and other stuff, remember that YOU are possibly the only Bible anyone will ever read. Walk circumspectly. God bless you.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Faith

06/14/2010

Good Morning!!!

Yesterday Miss N and I attended a traditional church since our Bible study group was on vacation for a week. She had been wanting to visit a church where several of her coworkers go … so we headed out in that direction. We didn’t seen any of her coworkers – and perhaps we weren’t at their church – but we were where we were supposed to be to hear the sermon we were supposed to hear. The preaching passage is below:

Mark 11:12-14; 20-24 (English Standard Version)
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14And he said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it.

The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree
20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21And Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered." 22And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

The key theme of the sermon was HAVE FAITH IN GOD. We do a lot of praying. But do we do a lot of believing? Do we have faith that God will grant the desires of our heart? The preacher used three examples of people who are mentioned in the Gospel of Mark that had faith. The first is a group of men who believed that Jesus would heal their friend. They carried their friend who was afflicted with palsy but were not able to get in the door because there were too many people in the house. You remember the story … or do you? I thought I did until the preacher pointed out that it was not the afflicted man’s faith that Jesus praised. No – it was the faith that his friends had that Jesus recognized – and acknowledged as He healed the man. You can read all about it in Mark 2.

The second person that had faith was a woman with an issue of blood. She had spent her entire fortune on doctors but her problem only got worse. She too couldn’t get to Jesus – but she believed that if she could just touch the hem of His garment, she would be healed. Again, it was not her cry for help that led to her healing. No – it was her simple trust that God could and God would. And God did. Read about it in Mark 4.

The last person mentioned was Bartimeus. He was the person who was blind from birth. He heard that Jesus was coming so he began crying out for Jesus the son of David. People told him to hush up – to not make a spectacle of himself. Bartimeus just cried out even louder. And Jesus saw his faith – and healed him. Take a look at Mark 10 for the rest of the story.

The preacher made a point that I think is significant. When we pray for a need, we should begin our prayer thanking God for supplying the need. For example, if the need is a job, the prayer should be “Thank you, Father, for providing me a job.” Take a look at verse 24 of Mark 11. Now, this is not “name it – claim it” but rather just having faith that God will bless.

A good sermon I thought I would pass along to my friends this good morning. God bless you.

Agape’

Mr. Jim


Special Prayer Request:
Ellen sent me the following. Note the prayer requests that Abbey wrote herself. She is in Belarus – so pray hard for her.

These are some emails that Nancy wrote to regarding Abby:

Hi Ellen, what a great devotional! I am about to forward it to Abbey... she was really homesick this morning when I spoke with her. please lift her up. she has 3 1/2 more weeks to go. she needs a friend and needs to know how to talk with people there. please keep her in your prayers.
she is in Belarus - living in a flat with 5 other 18 year old girls that 'graduated' from the orphanage.... they are supposedly learning homemaking skills.. the first part of her trip she was with a group from Lee and they were in Ukraine.... this part she is by herself and in retrospect probably wasn't a good idea.... but the Lord swung open doors of study for her at the university of linguistics in minsk to study russian and a professor at lee wrote a self study course for her to study the belarusian language's death soooo she could get scholarship money and credit through lee. many things about the trip are amazing but keep her in your prayers.

from Abby herself:
Hey mom and dad. Thanks for sending both of these messages. class went well today. I am understanding more I think. My internet modem was all used up yesterday...it was supposed to last all month. That is the usual case with stuff here though. There are all sorts of laws about trying to get more internet...it is either extremely expensive or extremely difficult so I will probably not be updating as often. I am on a school computer which doesn't allow me to get on facebook. So.
Tonight I am going to visit with a foster family. The 53 year old single woman takes care of 8 children. One of the girls (who spent the last few years in this home) and I are going to just spend sometime and try to encourage this lady as well as bring her a package of food. So I am looking forward to that. I am going to try to do some research before I have to go give Thomas a lesson...but I just realized what time it was, so I think I will have to go straight home. Haha. Someone is irritated at me for typing too hard and fast on the keys.oops.
Yes this place is extremely dark, and I feel powerless as a Light here, which i know is not the case but I desperately need a place to fellowship. I found a place here in town on Pipers website. however, the law has not been very friendly to the leader of said group, and therefore it is impossible to find any contact info on the internet. Tanya may know.
Speaking of gov, yesterday they cut off all hot water for one week. Let me tell you I am now officially a fan of Dem.
Also on that topic, several fellowships are coming together here to hold a conference against a Certain prominent poli phil here. We are hosting some of the attendees. Pray for the conference...that the Gospel will be clearly seen by all who attend.
Pray for the girls...they have exams and are all pretty stressed.
Pray for Olya...she is trying to prepare documents for camps at the end of this month and is extremely stressed and very pregnant!
Pray for me...for strength and JOYand all the things you already know about (including internet connection)
Pray for the research...that He will give me discernment and open doors for the Gospel through such research.
Pray for the last remaining days of the camp where Yana is, that He will open many hearts and for strength for the workers there.

ellen brewer

New Activities

Good Morning!!!

Colossians 3 (English Standard Version)
Put On the New Self

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[b] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.[c] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[e] free; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Rules for Christian Households
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22Slaves,[f] obey in everything those who are your earthly masters,[g] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Footnotes:
a. Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our
b. Colossians 3:5 Greek therefore your members that are on the earth
c. Colossians 3:6 Some manuscripts add upon the sons of disobedience
d. Colossians 3:9 Greek man; also as supplied in verse 10
e. Colossians 3:11 Greek bondservant
f. Colossians 3:22 Or Servants; Greek Bondservants
g. Colossians 3:22 Or your masters according to the flesh

I could highlight every word in the above passage and not over do - but let’s consider some of the things that Paul is telling the church at Colosse (and right here, right now):

(1) You have been raised with Christ – so put your mind on the things Christ thinks about … and it is not whether or not some one else is right or wrong – but whether or not I (you) please God.
(2) Develop a loving spirit ... and watch out, you might become holy, beloved, kind, meek and patient and so on.
(3) Let the peace of Christ rule your heart – that quiet confidence in our Father, God.
(4) Be thankful. God has blessed each one of us abundantly.
(5) Let the Word of Christ DWELL in you. Let the word of God take up residence in your everyday being.
(6) Do everything in the name of Jesus – for it is He that deserves all the credit.

Well, I just skimmed the surface on this passage … but some good things to remember throughout the weekend.


Agape’

Mr. Jim

Things of Value

Good Morning!

Matthew 6:19-34 (English Standard Version)
Lay Up Treasures in Heaven
19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.[b]
Do Not Be Anxious
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[c] 28And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Footnotes:
a. Matthew 6:19 Or worm; also verse 20
b. Matthew 6:24 Greek mammon, a Semitic word for money or possessions
c. Matthew 6:27 Or a single cubit to his stature; a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

Grandma Ward’s house (1001 Oakdale Road NE in Atlanta GA) had two basements. Well, actually it had one basement that was divided into two rooms. Access to the basement was either from the stairs in the Little Apartment’s bathroom or from the outside. The stairs from the bathroom led down into the main basement where the furnace was located. The outside entrance led into a room that appeared to have been a place where hired help had stayed in an earlier period. Each room, though, had a massive steamer trunk where Grandma kept things. I don’t think there was anything of value in the steamer trunks – probably just some clothes from the by gone era of long dresses at the beginning of the Twentieth century. My Grandma was sixteen when 1900 came – so I am sure she wore high buttoned shoes and dresses with lots of petticoats, long sleeves and high collars. Mother gave us a picture of Grandma when she was young – and I think she was beautiful as young woman. Of course, I only knew Grandma as an older Southern lady – she was 65 when I was born.

What brings up the subject of the trunk is that I am sure to Grandma those items had value so she stuffed them away expecting to use them again. She never did, to my knowledge. I don’t know what happened to those old trunks when she passed away. All I know is that those valued things had very little value in 1975 when she passed.

Sometimes we put value on things that really don’t have too much value. I have a whole attic full of stuff that someday Miss N or I will have to go through. Probably 75% of the stuff isn’t worth keeping – but we still have it tucked away – kinda hanging over our heads (pun intended).

We can fill our lives up with stuff that really doesn’t have much value either. And in the process, we lose our perspective on what is really important. Jesus tells us to not focus on the things of this earth but to look to that which is eternal. He tells us to lay up treasure in heaven… which then begs the question “what is treasure in heaven”? Well, I know that all the gold and silver and precious stones are just building material in heaven. What God values is His creation – YOU, me, and all other humans. We are His treasure. So how do we sore up treasure in heaven? We do so when we share Christ Jesus with those we come in contact. I am not talking about Bible thumping – I am talking about the Christian walk we present.

When I get to my mansion in heaven, I want to open up the steamer trunk in my basement and see the memories of those for whom I have made a difference. I think that will be the greatest legacy that any one of us can have in that golden city. God bless you this day.


Agape’

Mr. Jim

Always There

Good Morning!

Psalm 20 (English Standard Version)
Trust in the Name of the LORD Our God
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2May he send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion!
3May he remember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!
Selah
4May he grant you your heart’s desire
and fulfill all your plans!
5May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!
6Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving might of his right hand.
7Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.
9O LORD, save the king!
May he answer us when we call.

Have you been talking to the ceiling lately? I know sometimes when we pray, it seems like our prayers bounce off the ceiling. I assure you that God hears every word you utter – and knows every thought you think. I also know that there are times that each of us are frustrated with our circumstances and have that “hopeless” feeling.

Look at the Psalm above. Why don’t we pray this Psalm this morning? Pray this Psalm for your spouse or significant other. Pray this Psalm for your children and grandchildren. Pray this Psalm for your friends - - and for your acquaintances. Pray this Psalm for your coworkers. And know this, some one is praying this Psalm for YOU!

Verse 7: Some trust in chariots and some in horses – some trust in governments and some trust in finances – but we trust in the name of the Lord our God – who created and authorizes all that others trust in. How wonderful to think that we can rely on our God to provide our every need. On this good day.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Wondering

Good Morning…

Before I do anything else today, I want to praise God for my oldest son, Jim. Today is his birthday – I won’t tell you how old he is – I will just tell each of you how much joy he brings to his Mother and to me, his Dad. So happy birthday, Jim.

Jim will be leaving in just a few days headed once again to Kenya. I know you will join me in praying that God will put His loving protection around him as he travels and his wife and children while they wait for his return. May Godspeed and bless his ministry in Kenya.

I don’t know why old Job came to mind today – he just did. I guess there are times when I wonder what God is up to and question His motives. You will remember the story of Job – or perhaps you don’t. So whether you know it or not, here is the Classic Illustrated version:

Job was a man who was upright and honored God. As a result, Job had prospered greatly. Satan contended that if Job lost it all, he would turn against God. So God allowed Satan to take everything away from Job. To Satan’s surprise, Job didn’t curse God. So Satan asked if he could strike Job with disease – certain that Job would turn against God. Job didn’t.

Enter three “friends” of Job – who assume because Job is suffering all these setbacks, he must be the world’s worst sinner. It wasn’t uncommon to believe that sin brought on bad fortune in those times – these times too. Anyhow, Job defended his honor – but he did begin to wonder why God was punishing him. Eventually God speaks to Job to remind him who is who. Here’s just a little bit of what God said:

Job 38 (Contemporary English Version)
The LORD Speaks From Out of a Storm
1From out of a storm, the LORD said to Job:
2Why do you talk so much when you know so little? 3Now get ready to face me! Can you answer the questions I ask? 4How did I lay the foundation for the earth? Were you there? 5Doubtless you know who decided its length and width. 6What supports the foundation? Who placed the cornerstone, 7while morning stars sang, and angels rejoiced? 8When the ocean was born, I set its boundaries 9and wrapped it in blankets of thickest fog. 10Then I built a wall around it, locked the gates, 11and said, "Your powerful waves stop here! They can go no farther."
Did You Ever Tell the Sun To Rise?
12Did you ever tell the sun to rise? And did it obey?
13Did it take hold of the earth and shake out the wicked like dust from a rug?
14Early dawn outlines the hills like stitches on clothing or sketches on clay. 15But its light is too much for those who are evil,
and their power is broken.
16Job, have you ever walked on the ocean floor?
17Have you seen the gate to the world of the dead?
18And how large is the earth? Tell me, if you know!
19Where is the home of light, and where does darkness live? 20Can you lead them home? 21I'm certain you must be able to, since you were already born when I created everything.
22Have you been to the places where I keep snow and hail, 23until I use them to punish and conquer nations?
24From where does lightning leap, or the east wind blow?
25Who carves out a path for thunderstorms? Who sends torrents of rain 26on empty deserts where no one lives? 27Rain that changes barren land to meadows green with grass.
28Who is the father of the dew and of the rain?
29Who gives birth to the sleet and the frost 30that fall in winter, when streams and lakes freeze solid as a rock?

And God goes on for a while explaining to Job who He is and who Job is. Sometimes I forget that God is sovereign and I am subject. I get that mixed up – and I pay the price for my mix up. I certainly don’t understand all the things that God created or how He created it. I just have to have the basic faith that believes that God is God and I am His child – and He loves me. So when the bad stuff happens, I need to just turn to Him and trust that there will be good stuff on the way and I will learn from the bad stuff. I hope that makes sense this morning.

God loves you… and He wants the best for you. So rejoice in our Lord for He is good!

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Moss

06/07/2010

Good Morning!

Back on line and with MS Word loaded once again.

I was talking with a coworker when the subject of Christianity came up…I wonder why??? In the process I mentioned the lesson I teach about moss. Now this is going to bore some of you since I know I have written about moss before – but I think it important to remind ourselves periodically about the challenges we face.

Grass doesn’t grow easily in my front yard. We have two big old oak trees that suck up all the water and nutrients from the ground and shade the yard completely – so grass has a hard time growing. What does grow is moss. I don’t really mind, though, because moss is green and looks like grass – plus you don’t have to cut it. But it is not grass – it just gives the appearance of grass. To grow grass, I would have to really do some work in the yard – cut back the trees to let more light in, fertilize and water – what a pain. So I just settle for moss.

When I think of my attitude towards my lawn, I realize how easy it is for us to fall into the trap of just going through the motions in our Christian walk. It is easy to think of being a good Christian by fulfilling our “obligations” of Sunday School and Church meetings and perhaps a Wednesday prayer meeting or two. Reading the Bible and prayer can take a back seat to our other worldly obligations. And suddenly the grass that should be flourishing in our life becomes a little mossy – looks like grass but isn’t really.

Now, I am not trying to be critical of anyone when I write this – or to judge anyone – or attempt to set up a procedure one should follow or else. In fact, I actually believe the mistake is to look at our Christian walk as an obligation rather than being our lifestyle. You see, my favorite (or one of my most favorite) is Galatians 2:20 which states: 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

If Christ lives in me, His desire should be my desire – His way should be my way. So is oak limbs in my life are blocking out the Son, I need to do some pruning. If the oak tree is soaking up the nutrients of God’s Word, I need to get some more fertilizing from His Word – and a whole lot more of that Holy Spirit water. When that happens, I just have to believe that my life will be a grassy showplace that my Father in Heaven enjoy.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Daily Bible Reading:
07
1 Kings 2:1-3:2
Acts 5:1-42
Psalm 125:1-5
Proverbs 16:25

Komputer Kaput - New Beginnings

Good Morning....

When I came home Tuesday evening, Miss N informed me that the computer was not operating properly. The day we had knew was coming had come. We could no longer reboot and get back on to our websites. Fortunately I had backed up the files on 05/31 and haven't lost all. But the computer is sitting behind me as I type and a new computer is now operating. However - I don't have Microsoft Office loaded yet so the blogspot is the spot to read the Good Mornings at least until Monday.

A kaput komputer really throws a kramp in the kaboose. I really have missed writing to you these last two days. And I know that some of you have missed reading the messages because you wrote me and told me so. I hope this computer will last a little longer and we don't have any more lapses in service.

We have become dependent upon the electronic media in the last twenty years. I remember getting our first personal computer in 1993. It cost three times as much as I paid for our current computer - and did only a fraction of what this computer can do. I don't think the internet existed at the time - or if it did, access to it was not common. Boy have things changed. And with the change has come more opportunity to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. I am thankful to God that He has made it possible for me to be able to share with you each week day - and ask His continued blessings upon you each day.

Agape'

Mr. Jim
Preach the Gospel everyday - and if you have to, use words. St. Francis of Asissi

Confidence

Good Morning!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (English Standard Version)
The Coming of the Lord
13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,[a] that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Footnotes:
a. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Or by the word of the Lord

We are several days into the third year of Good Mornings. It was Memorial Day 2008 when I received a call from a good friend with some heartbreaking news. Time has passed but I know the hurt still remains – so we continue to give a word of encouragement or of joy or of instruction as the Lord leads day by day. And I must admit, there are days that I sit at the keyboard without a thought in my mind – but something seems always to come at just the right time.

I want to thank you for your faithfulness in reading the Good Mornings – and occasionally responding to what you have read. I also thank you for letting me know about loved ones who are facing life’s trials and tribulations – and for following up when God intervenes. I personally think the prayer lists and praise list are the most important part of the ministry – and YOU are the ones who make it go. Thank you for your prayers and praises.

Sometimes we wonder about death. Recently my son’s old cat, Princess, died. Losing a pet is one of the first traumatic events a child can go through – and one wondered how Sarabeth and Jamie would take the demise of Princess. The answer is “rather well”. Princess wasn’t a very friendly cat – and the girls made sure to warn everyone not to get near her. Still, the loss of a pet is still a loss.

Believers in Christ Jesus have the assurance of eternal life. If that weren’t true, then the Bible we read and depend upon would be just another book. It is not just another book. It is God’s word – and it is about God’s Word, Jesus Christ. And Jesus tells us plainly that those who have believed upon Him have passed from death to life. So when Paul broached the subject of death and resurrection with the church at Thessalonica, he used the term “asleep” to describe believers who have died. Here, Paul talks about when Jesus returns to this world – often referred to as the “rapture of the Church”. Now I am not here attempting to discuss eschatology – premillenial, post millennial, amillenial or any other millennial theory. None of this is in my control – I am just waiting to see what God’s going to do and am going to rejoice when He does it.

But the key message for today’s Good Morning is that we do not have to fear the loss of a loved one who knows Christ Jesus as Lord. And we don’t have to fear that eventuality ourselves – because we are promised eternal life by our Savior, Jesus Christ. And that makes this day a special day for each of us.


Agape’

Mr. Jim
Fatdad5@comcast.net
"Preach the Gospel everyday - and if you have to, use words" ... St. Francis of Assisi