The World Series is going on right now.
I’ll be the first to admit that over the years my fascination with the sport has dwindled.
Since one of the two Texas teams is in it, my interest in the outcome has grown exponentially.
I am reminded of two uncles I had that have long since passed away.
They both loved the game of baseball.
One was my mother’s brother-in-law who would watch any baseball game that happened to be on television.
The other was my father’s brother.
He was a fan of the Houston Astros and would not only watch their games on television but would listen to them on the radio as well.
Periodically, he would drive down to Houston with his family and they would watch Astros play ball in the Astrodome.
A few times, he and the family invited me to join them.
My first time there was an absolutely unforgettable experience.
As we neared the Astrodome, the first domed stadium and marvel of its times, I was awestruck by its size.
As impressive as it was from the outside, it was even more impressive from the inside.
I will never forget walking to our seats, One moment we're walking down a corridor. The next moment, the entire field suddenly appeared far below me.
Being the small child I was, the experience left me both thrilled and intimidated.
I remember how I looked forward to that trip for weeks and how I tried to imagine what it would be like.
The reality far exceeded what I had imagined.
I have a feeling that my experience with Heaven will be somewhat similar.
Heaven will be wonderful based on what Jesus said about it.
Matthew 13:44 (NET) - "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure, hidden in a field, that a person found and hid. Then because of joy he went and sold all that he had and bought that field.
Jesus also had this to say about it.
John 14:2-3 (NET) - There are many dwelling places in My Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make a place for you. And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me. So that where I am you may be too.
The Book of Revelation also tells us something about our future home.
Revelation 21:18 (NET) - The city’s wall is made of jasper and the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.
Revelation 21:21 (NET) - And the twelve gates are twelve pearls - each one of the gates is made from just one pearl! The main street of the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.
Yes, Heaven will be a remarkable place.
No matter how hard I try to visualize what Heaven will be like it will far exceed anything I can possibly imagine now.
I know what I can count on seeing there...
Two baseball loving uncles I have not seen in a very long time.
Blessings,
Jim Poker
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 4, 2011.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, November 11, 2011.
Schedule subject to change.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
What Words Describe Jesus?
Recently, the Internet was abuzz about the passing of Steve Jobs.
Steve Jobs was a remarkable man, to be sure, and I could not help but notice how many people posted about him in an assortment of blogs and various social networks.
Before I continue, let me state very clearly that I appreciate the vision and technological advances made possible by Steve Jobs and others like him.
That said, I also noticed some of the terms used to describe him and I realized that some of these same terms could be applied to Jesus as well.
One of the first terms I came across was "revolutionary".
Jesus was a revolutionary.
While the world teaches us to look out for Number One and to stand up for ourselves, Jesus offered some really revolutionary ideas.
Luke 10:27 (KJV) - And He answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength. And with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Luke 6:29 (KJV) - And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other, and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take away thy coat.
In a world that teaches us from an early age to look out for our own interests, you have to admit that loving others as much as we love ourselves and not retaliating when wronged are revolutionary concepts.
Another term I read was "visionary".
No one was more visionary than was Jesus.
Jesus knew the fate that awaited Him on the cross long before it happened.
Luke 9:22 (KJV) - Saying, the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised on the third day.
Jesus knew exactly what was waiting for Him, yet He endured those things willingly for us.
Another description I read was "changed the world".
No one changed the world more than Jesus did.
It is because of Jesus that we have the greatest hope of all.
Our salvation would not be possible were it not for what Jesus did for us.
John 3:16-17 (KJV) - For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
One last description that I read was "inspiration".
No one individual was more inspirational than was Jesus.
He inspired us to tell the world about Him.
Mark 16:15 (KJV) - And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Jesus also inspires us to be more like Him.
The world will definitely miss the likes of Steve Jobs.
Individuals like Jobs do not come along very often.
There are a great many people who admire a man like Steve Jobs and even take the time to share their admiration with the world because of what he accomplished.
Yet I wonder how many of those same people reject Jesus who accomplished even more.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 21, 2011.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, October 28, 2011.
Schedule subject to change.
Steve Jobs was a remarkable man, to be sure, and I could not help but notice how many people posted about him in an assortment of blogs and various social networks.
Before I continue, let me state very clearly that I appreciate the vision and technological advances made possible by Steve Jobs and others like him.
That said, I also noticed some of the terms used to describe him and I realized that some of these same terms could be applied to Jesus as well.
One of the first terms I came across was "revolutionary".
Jesus was a revolutionary.
While the world teaches us to look out for Number One and to stand up for ourselves, Jesus offered some really revolutionary ideas.
Luke 10:27 (KJV) - And He answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength. And with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Luke 6:29 (KJV) - And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other, and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take away thy coat.
In a world that teaches us from an early age to look out for our own interests, you have to admit that loving others as much as we love ourselves and not retaliating when wronged are revolutionary concepts.
Another term I read was "visionary".
No one was more visionary than was Jesus.
Jesus knew the fate that awaited Him on the cross long before it happened.
Luke 9:22 (KJV) - Saying, the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised on the third day.
Jesus knew exactly what was waiting for Him, yet He endured those things willingly for us.
Another description I read was "changed the world".
No one changed the world more than Jesus did.
It is because of Jesus that we have the greatest hope of all.
Our salvation would not be possible were it not for what Jesus did for us.
John 3:16-17 (KJV) - For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
One last description that I read was "inspiration".
No one individual was more inspirational than was Jesus.
He inspired us to tell the world about Him.
Mark 16:15 (KJV) - And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Jesus also inspires us to be more like Him.
The world will definitely miss the likes of Steve Jobs.
Individuals like Jobs do not come along very often.
There are a great many people who admire a man like Steve Jobs and even take the time to share their admiration with the world because of what he accomplished.
Yet I wonder how many of those same people reject Jesus who accomplished even more.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 21, 2011.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, October 28, 2011.
Schedule subject to change.
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