No Vacancy

Christmas is over and New Year’s Day is almost upon us.

The stores have now cleared the shelves of all the decorations, lights, cards, wreaths and anything else Christmas related.

Now these items have been relegated to bargain bins where their prices will drop in stages until they are all sold.

They have been displaced by candy, cards, flowers, gifts and other items associated with Valentine’s Day.

It is as if the merchants are telling us in a not so subtle way that there simply is no room for Christmas anymore.

This brought to my mind a particular verse from Luke.

Luke 2:7 (NET) - And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

I once heard a minister on television say something that I will always remember.

He referred to Easter and Christmas as ‘the annual pilgrimages’ which brought a laugh from his congregation.

I’ve always held that in every bit of humor there is at least a grain of truth.

Speaking in very broad terms, some do seem to make a big fuss about Jesus once or twice a year but not nearly as much the remainder of the year.

Now that Christmas is over, we go back to our routines.

Our time away from work and school is over and the demands on our time and resources begin to pile up.

Little by little things begin to creep in and place demands on our attention.

We may start by thinking about things like bills that need to be paid and taxes that never go away.

The well being of family and friends are an ever present concern.

Our profession, or our education, then make huge demands of us.

This is just the tip of the iceberg.

You see, some have made room for Jesus in the inn that is their heart over Christmas.

That is a good thing.

But now that Christmas is over, some will become preoccupied by these other things.

Little by little, they will allow these things to occupy more and more space in their hearts.

The room they have created for Him will grow smaller with each passing day.

Eventually, like the inn in Luke, there will no longer be any room left for Him.

Just like the Christmas merchandise that now resides in bargain bins, they will set Him aside until next Christmas, or perhaps Easter.

What a pity that is.

Especially when you consider all that He has done for us.

Each of us probably knows at least one person who has made room in their heart for Jesus this Christmas.

Why not help them keep room in their heart for Him.

Here is a great place to start.

Romans 10:9 (NET) - because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 4, 2013.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, January 11, 2013.
Schedule subject to change.

Signs by the Road

Most of the driving I do is on the highway.

Recently, two more highway alert signs have been put up along my commute.

These signs provide several important services.

On days when there are no traffic problems to speak of, they provide information as a public service.

As the holidays approach one such message warns drivers about the dangers of drinking and driving.

A warning those attending parties should take to heart.

When work on the highway is scheduled, these signs inform drivers of the dates and times such work is to take place and that delays can be expected.

This allows drivers the opportunity to leave earlier than normal or perhaps plan an alternate route.

When accidents occur, these signs warn of lane closures and instruct drivers to merge either left or right depending on the situation.

This not only assists in traffic flow, it also helps keep emergency workers safe.

It is evident that these signs are an excellent means of getting information to drivers in order to make their commutes safer.

Sometimes, these signs broadcast messages seeking the public’s involvement when individuals are missing.

When a child is missing an "Amber Alert" is issued and these signs provide drivers with descriptions of the child and other useful information such as the color, make and model of the vehicle in which they still may be traveling.

When a senior citizen goes missing, a "Silver Alert" message is broadcast via these signs with similar information posted.

In such cases, these signs are an excellent means of getting the public involved in the search.

This can greatly assist law enforcement by providing them with extra eyes on major roadways.

These signs are an excellent use of technology.

Wouldn’t it be great if we had something at our disposal like these alert signs to help us out in other parts of our busy lives.

As a matter of fact, we do have something at hand that provides us with information, assistance and much more.

Scripture.

When things appear to be going well for us, scripture is useful for reflection.

When life gets hectic and seems to get out of hand, scripture can help us focus.

When we find ourselves straying from the one true path, scripture helps us return to the straight and narrow way.

When those we know and love are spiritually lost, scripture can help us reach out to them and lead them to Jesus.

Hebrews 4:12 (NET) - The word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NET) - Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.

Scripture is always there for us.

It is available in a book we probably have on our shelves right now..

It can be found in hotel room night stands.

It is available on line.

It is even available for the mobile devices we carry with us everywhere anyway.

Its availability is practically unlimited.

This is a marvelous provision from God!

Make the most of it.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 21, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, December 28, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

The Usual

Nobody likes unpleasant surprises.

I had one the other day.

I decided that I was in need of a haircut and beard trim so I did what I always do.

I drove down to the establishment that has been doing this for me for years.

I was surprised to discover that they had gone out of business.

I was disappointed because I knew every stylist there and each one knew exactly how I liked my hair cut.

I would walk in and place my name on the waiting list.

I would then receive a greeting from each stylist.

"Hi, Jim!"

"How are you, Jim?"

"It’s good to see you, Jim!"

I would then return each greeting, pick up a magazine and patiently await my turn.

When my turn would come, a stylist would cheerfully escort me to his or her chair.

I would then sit down and be asked the one question that I could always count on.

"The usual, Jim?"

I would say yes and a short time later I would receive my customary haircut.

On those rare occasions when a new stylist was about to cut my hair, one of the others that knew me would tell them just how to give me "the usual".

Now, things were different.

I had to find a new place with a new group of people.

I had to introduce myself and explain how I wanted my hair cut.

In time, I will develop a relationship with these people.

In time, they will learn what "the usual" is.

They, too, may close up shop one day and I will have to start the process all over again.

That made me think about my relationship with God.

While it is true that my relationship with Him grows closer each day, the fact remains that He always knew me.

In fact, He knows me better than I know myself.

He explained this to the prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 (NET) - The LORD said to me, "Before I formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew you. Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations."

Best of all, I know I will always be able to count on Him.

He will always be there for me.

Isaiah 33:6 (NET) - He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all to those who fear Him.

I don’t need to make an appointment with Him first.

I don’t even need to put my name on a waiting list.

Thanks to Jesus, I can go to Him with anything at any time.

Even "the usual".

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NET) - Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 7, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, December 14, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

The Better Way

The other day, I was speaking with a friend who attended a high school in a different area.


We found ourselves reminiscing about those days.

He told me a story about someone with whom he went to school.

It seems that his English class was assigned a book report.

When the assignment was due, one of his classmates simply copied down the summary from the inside flap of the book’s jacket and turned that in.

I broke out into laughter.

I laughed because I remembered a time when one of my classmates had done the exact same thing.

We both laughed at that and we concluded that this is probably a common occurrence in many high schools.

What is really amusing is that there is probably not one single teacher who would fall for such an attempt.

There are a number of possible reasons as to why a student would try something like this.

I suspect that one of the most common reasons involves taking what seems like the easier path.

Rather than read the book and write their own report, some would opt not to read the book and simply rely on the work someone else had already done.

In the Sunday School class that I teach, we are currently studying Pilgrim’s Progress.

In it, there is a part of that book that cautions us about trying to take an easier path.

At one point in this narrative the main character named Christian had just spoken to Evangelist who put him on the straight, narrow and only path that leads to heaven.

Shortly afterward, Christian encountered another character aptly named Worldly Wiseman.

This man told Christian that the way in which he traveled was filled with difficulty.

He then falsely convinced Christian that he knew of a much easier way.

Christian decided to ignore the truthful instruction of Evangelist and followed the path that Worldly Wiseman recommended.

In almost no time, Christian realized that this "easier path" does not lead to heaven.

This path led ultimately to death.

Fortunately for Christian, Evangelist found him, corrected him and guided him back to the one true path that led to heaven.

Christian followed that path to heaven even though he encountered difficulties along the way.

That is the way it is in reality, as well.

Christians will encounter difficulties in this world.

When we do, it is certainly not because He does not love us.

It is in times of difficulty that we learn to rely less on ourselves and more on Him.

It is through enduring and overcoming difficulty that we are refined.

There are some that teach that when you become a Christian, all your problems will be solved and that nothing but prosperity will come your way.

I could not disagree more.

I have known many faithful Christians that were anything but financially prosperous.

And, speaking for myself, I can assure that my life became far more complicated when I dedicated my life to Him.

That said, Jesus was clear about this.

Mark 8:34 (NET) - Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them. "If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me."

Life may not be free from difficulty when you decide to follow Jesus, but there is one thing of which I can assure you.

Life is far better with Him than without Him.

This is especially true when you encounter difficulty.

It is then that you realize that you do not bear it alone.

You realize that He is right there with you every step of the way.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 23, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, November 30, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

Small Talk with a Special Friend

Leviticus 19:32 (NIV) - Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.


1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NIV) - Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

When I was young I worked part time for a pharmacy.

One of my duties was running the daily delivery route.

Along with making deliveries to private residences, I also had to make deliveries to all the local nursing homes on a daily basis.

One of the memories that I carry from those days I will always cherish.

It involved a particular resident at one of the nursing homes and the conversation I had with her.

Perhaps conversations would be the better word.

I met her when she became a new resident at one of the nursing homes I visited daily.

I dropped off the day’s delivery at the Nurses’ Station and found her seated nearby.

I realized she was a new resident because I had not seen her there before.

She said hello and I responded in kind.

She then asked me to guess her age which under normal circumstances is a very dangerous game for a man to play.

In this particular case, I intentionally underestimated by a few decades.

She broke out in a big smile and then told me her actual age.

She then spoke about what things were like when she was a little girl those many decades ago.

I listened to her for as many minutes as I could spare without getting into trouble with my employer.

I excused myself and told her I that I enjoyed our visit.

I then told her I looked forward to our next visit.

We exchanged smiles and I left to continue my deliveries.

I returned the next day and found her seated in the same chair.

After I made the delivery, I approached her.

We had the exact same conversation as the day before.

I realized that she neither remembered me nor the conversation we had a mere 24 hours before.

That is the way it continued each and every day that I came by.

I am glad I was able to spend a few minutes with her each day in this way even if she would not be able to remember it, or me.

I am glad I was able to provide her with a few brief moments of happiness every day.

Scripture, such as the verses I opened with, reminds us how we are to treat the elderly.

We are to treat them with respect.

We are to be a source of encouragement to them.

We are to treat them as if they were our own parents.

When we do, two things happen.

First, we please God.

Second, we make some really special memories.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 9, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, November 16, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

Happy Trails

One of the unexpected consequences I have encountered in writing on a weekly basis is that sometimes I learn something new about myself.

This is one of those times.

I am a big fan of the Western genre.

I am particularly fond of old Westerns.

Now don’t get me wrong, I know very well that these are works of fiction.

I also know that not everyone appreciates them to the same degree as I do.

Westerns, especially the old ones, tend to subscribe to the same predictable formula.

In the old Westerns, the villain was usually a man of wealth who wanted more than he already had.

He often employed hired guns to help him acquire even more often at the expense of the innocent.

The hero, on the other hand, was quite different.

He wore a white hat so that he was easily recognizable.

He was a man of pristine character who never did anything wrong.

And just when all seemed lost, the hero would ride in and set everything right.

Once this was accomplished, the hero would ride off into the sunset and the story would end just the way I knew it would from the outset.

There is a phrase about "art imitating life" and after thinking about it, I have discovered more than a few parallels to my faith that helps me understand just why I enjoy the old Westerns so much.

The real "villain" we face in this world is Satan who has much at his disposal.

So much, that he even tempted Jesus with it.

Matthew 4:9 (NET) - Again, the devil took him to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur. And he said to Him, "I will give you all these things if you throw yourself to the ground and worship me."

Greed is a motivating factor for evil in the old Westerns.

Greed continues to play a major role in the ills of the world.

Scripture warns us of its dangers.

1 Timothy 6:10 (NET) - For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.

Scripture also warns us of the "hired guns" we will face.

Ephesians 6:12 (NET) - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

What about "the hero" who wears the "white hat"?

Scripture tells us that Jesus, our deliverer, also wore white clothing.

He did so at the Transfiguration.

Matthew 17:2 (NET) - And He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light.

Jesus, unlike even the best of human beings, truly was of pristine character.

Hebrews 4:15 (NET) - For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.

And just when all seemed lost for a fallen world, Jesus came and set things right as only He could.

1 John 4:10 (NET) - In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

And after He put things right, He "rode off into the sunset" figuratively speaking, of course.

Mark 16:19 (NET) - After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

So that there is absolutely no misunderstanding, I want to make things absolutely clear.

I know that what God reveals in scripture is factual and my faith rests solidly on these great truths.

I would do nothing to demean or belittle it.

I also know that the old Westerns are fictional stories and nothing more.

But after thinking about this, I now have a better understanding into why I enjoy the old Westerns as much as I do.

I now have a much better insight into my own character.

So, in the words of Roy Rogers, "Happy trails to you, ‘til we meet again."


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 19, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, October 26, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

The Hardest Person to Forgive

I have written on the topic of forgiveness before and how it is something with which people, including Christians, struggle.

This is true when it comes to forgiving others.

This time I would like to address our need to forgive the one who is often times our harshest critic, namely, us.

We have a tendency to be harder on ourselves than anyone else.

We recall our past mistakes, our past shortcomings and our past failures.

We then tend to replay them in our minds over and over again.

We may even find it difficult to sleep sometimes when our thoughts become occupied with the past.

The sad part is that this is completely unnecessary.

While we cannot undo the things we have done wrong, we can be forgiven them.

How?

We can start by confessing our sins to Him.

He knows them already, but this is for our benefit.

1 John 1:8-9 (NET) - If we say that we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

Next, we forgive others.

Matthew 6:12-13 (NET) - For if you forgive others their sins, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you.

Many people find this part difficult.

Most worthwhile things in life tend to be difficult in the beginning.

Just remember that it is never too late and we don’t have to do this alone.

As long as we draw breath, there is hope.

Even the thief, while hanging on a cross, found hope when he turned to Jesus.

Luke 23:42-43 (NET) = Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise."

With forgiveness comes the removal of guilt.

Psalm 103:12 (NET) - As far as the eastern horizon is from the west, so He removes the guilt of our rebellious actions from us.

The last time I checked, that was pretty far.

Remember, the past is just that.

Once you place your faith in Jesus, you are no longer the person you were.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NET) - So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: what is old has passed away - look, what is new has come!

With His help, we can let go of the past and the feelings of guilt to which we cling.

We can let go of that which robs us of the present and acts as a barrier to what is a brighter future.

We can then live the kind of life that He intends us to live.

John 10:10 (NET) - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they may have life and may have it abundantly.

Guilt is like an anchor that holds the ship of our lives in place.

He can do more than help us pull up the anchor.

He can cut the line and set us completely free.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 5, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, October 12, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

Ready... Set...

The second week in September always finds me in a contemplative mind set.

This is the week during which Mother and I used to celebrate her birthday.

It is also the week that marks the anniversary of the September 11th attacks on America.

This year my contemplation turns to readiness.

In particular, one’s spiritual readiness.

The readiness to close one’s eyes in this world and open them in the next.

Mother and I had a wonderful relationship and I am indebted to her for a great many things.

Of course, I am indebted to her for bringing me into this world, for raising me and for loving me.

Beyond this, I am indebted to her for establishing a foundation of faith within me.

A foundation on which I continue to build upon today with confidence.

When I was a child, she taught me with kind and loving words.

In her later years, her arthritis became ever more debilitating and our roles reversed themselves.

She began to depend on me more and more.

It was then that she taught me by example.

As time went by, she was able to do less and less because the physical pain she endured grew more and more.

In spite of that, her love of the Lord and her trust in Him grew deeper with each passing day.

Even though she left world quite suddenly, I know that she was prepared spiritually.

As I thought on these things, my thoughts turned to those who lost their lives in the September 11th attacks eleven years ago,

All were simply pursuing their daily routines.

Suddenly, in a heartbeat, everything changed.

Some died instantly.

Some moments later.

Others, while attempting rescue.

I cannot help but wonder...

Of the many that lost their lives on what began as just an otherwise bright, sunny, routine day in September, how many were not spiritually ready?

How many had not yet come to know Jesus as their savior?

After you ponder that, take a moment to ask yourself a very important question.

"If my time on earth ran out today, would I be ready to close my eyes in this world and open them in the next?"

If your answer to that question is anything but "Yes", there is still hope.

That hope is in Jesus Christ.

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.

Neither Mother nor I expected her last day on earth to be just that.

But, as believers, we both knew her last day on earth would not be her last day.

We knew this because of Jesus Christ and the faith we have in Him.



Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 21, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, September 28, 2012.

Schedule subject to change.

Can You Relate?

How long have you known God?


Now, let’s turn the question around.

How long has God known you?

Here is what He said to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 (NET) - The LORD said to me. "Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations."

You are not an accident.

You are alive because God planned your existence.

What about the time between your conception and your birth?

Here is what the Psalmist reveals.

Psalm 139:13 (NET) - Certainly you made my mind and heart; you wove me together in my mother’s womb.

Even in the earliest stage of your earthly existence, God was there with you.

He expertly wove you together cell by cell and organ by organ.

Just how intimately does God know you?

Here is what Jesus said.

Luke 12:6-7 (NET) - Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. In fact, even the hairs on your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

Do you know how many hairs there are on your head?

God does.

That is how intimately He knows you.

He even knows your needs?

Here is what Jesus had to say about that.

Matthew 6:8 (NET) - Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

God planned for your existence.

God was at work on you in the womb.

God knows you intimately.

God knows your every need.

Face it, God knows you.

In fact, He knows you even better than you know yourself.

You were created to have a relationship with God.

A relationship, however, requires two working toward the same goal.

God is half of that relationship,

God has done and continues to do everything He can to make His relationship with you possible.

You are the other half of that relationship.

What are you contributing to it?


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 7, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, September 14, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

The Root of All Evil

It seems as though many of the TV channels I have relied on for documentaries have turned to reality programs as a means of garnering bigger ratings.


Not surprisingly, many of these programs incorporate greed as a driving force.

Thinking about this reminded me of an experience I had many years ago.

I was invited to a party at a private home.

The husband and wife hosting the party were both extremely nice.

It was obvious from their home and its furnishings that this couple had done quite well for themselves.

As I genuinely liked this couple I could not help but feel happy for them.

As the celebration went on, I happened to overhear a conversation that two of their guests were having as they paused behind me.

One said, "If I owned all of this, I could finally be happy."

The guest he said this to agreed with him.

I could not disagree more.

Wealth and possessions do not bring happiness.

The pursuit of wealth and possessions often makes true happiness difficult, perhaps even impossible. to obtain.

We have heard it said that money is the root of all evil.

We have even heard that this can be found in the Bible.

That is not exactly true.

Here is what the Bible really says...

1 Timothy 6:10 (NET) - For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.

It is not money that is the problem, rather, it is the love of money.

Scripture provides us with many examples of this.

In the twelfth chapter of John, Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with an expensive aromatic ointment made of pure nard.

Judas chastised her by stating that the oil could have been sold and the money given to the poor.

John tells us what really motivated Judas.

John 12:6 (NET) - Now Judas said this not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money box, he used to steal what was put into it.

What did Jesus say about Mary’s action.

John 12:7 (NET) - So Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She has kept it for the day of my burial."

Mary showed that she cared more about Jesus than she cared about money.

In the fifth chapter of Acts, we read of a man named Ananias and his wife Sapphira.

Ananias sold a piece of property and withheld some of the money with his wife’s knowledge.

Peter reminded Ananias that this was a lie to the Holy Spirit.

Acts 5:3 (NET) - But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself part of the proceeds from the sale of the land?

Ananias paid for this lie with his life as he collapsed and died.

Three hours later, Sapphira continued her husband’s lie.

She then paid with her life in a similar way.

The love of money or possessions is a barrier that separates us from real happiness.

Even worse, it separates us from God.

God both demands and deserves to be first in our lives.

When we place more value on money or possessions than we do on God, we practice idolatry.

God makes His feelings very clear regarding this.

Exodus 20:3 (NET) - You shall have no other gods before me.

When we place God first, He helps us prioritize everything else.

That includes money and the possessions it will buy.

Placing God first in our lives is the real key to happiness.



Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 24, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, August 31, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

Remembering Kindness

The other afternoon, I stopped at a local restaurant to enjoy a cup of coffee with friends.


There was a man waiting in line who looked me over and then called me by my name and then asked if he was correct.

I told him he was, but I on the other hand had absolutely no recollection of this man.

He removed his sunglasses and introduced himself.

It was only then that I realized I indeed knew this man because we had once worked together over twenty five years ago.

He had yet another surprise for me.

He told me he remembered a kindness I had shown him those many years ago.

Not remembering it myself I had to ask what exactly that kindness was.

After all, a great deal of time had passed and those days were long ago.

At this point in my life I can barely remember what I had for breakfast Tuesday morning.

He related the incident and as he related it the memory of it returned.

This man had made a mistake on the job and knowing our employers the way I did, I feared they would make an example of this man.

I knew this man needed the job and firing him would bring tremendous financial hardship on him.

I spoke to his supervisor and a member of management and told them of his circumstances hoping they would perhaps show him some leniency.

My words fell on deaf ears.

They told me that the decision to fire him had already been made and I received a rather stern speech for trying to intercede for him.

A coworker ran into him a few days later and told him about my efforts.

I had forgotten completely about the incident and my efforts.

This man did not.

Even though more than a quarter of a century had elapsed and the final outcome did not change, this man remembered how I tried to intervene on his behalf.

It reminded me how fortunate I was to have someone intercede on my behalf.

Paul reminds me that I am a sinner.

Romans 3:23 (NET) - For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.

Even in my fallen state, I have someone who intercedes on my behalf. And where I failed in my attempt, the one who intercedes for me will never fail.

Romans 8:34 (NET) - Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.

Why would Christ intercede for me?

I can do nothing to earn salvation.

I certainly can do nothing to deserve it.

If I were to get what I truly deserve my situation would be most dire.

It is because of God’s love and mercy that Christ paid the price I could never hope to pay.

John 3:16-17 (NET) - For this is the way God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that the everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.

It is through Christ’s willingness to follow His Father’s will to the cross that I have hope.

That is a kindness I will never forget.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 10, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, August 3, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

Believe God

I am posting later than usual today because I had routine medical procedure earlier today that made me think about the parable of the sower and the seed.


Matthew 13:3-8 (NIV) - Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Jesus then explains the meaning of the parable.

Matthew 3:18-23 (NIV) - "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

I am happy to say that the preliminary results of my procedure have the medical staff and myself confident in the final outcome.

Having faith beforehand is a tremendous advantage.

Many times over the years I have encountered people who received bad news from their doctor requiring follow up testing.

In their newfound distress they recognize that their relationship with God is not what it should be.

Often times, a beneficial change begins to take place.

This happens when they begin to have a relationship with God.

Some receive good news that their physical health is not in the jeopardy they originally believed it was.

Sadly, this good news for their physical health proves detrimental for their spiritual health.

Once the fear and dread that drove them to God has been removed, many quickly revert to their original spiritual condition and no longer feeling a need for a relationship with God.

This is extremely unfortunate because sooner or later we all face the reality that our days on earth are limited.

For those that have not established a relationship with God the time to do so is now.

Those of us who have entered into a relationship with Him seek to do His will.

In spite of difficulties, in spite of setbacks we seek to do His will as He has revealed it to us.

Obeying that will means believing He will continue to be with us even when the road becomes difficult.

Those that believe God, stay the course and trust the outcome to Him.

Even if the outcome is not exactly the one we would have hoped for ourselves.

No matter what, those that have such a relationship simply believe God.

Believing in God is one thing,

Believing God is another.

Believing in God is a beginning of a journey.

Believing God is the journey.


Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 10, 2012.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 3, 2012.

Schedule subject to change.

Prayer and the Election

In a few months, Americans will go to the polls to vote for President of the United States.


Until then, discussions regarding who will lead the nation during the next four years will likely be very polarizing.

Such discussions tend to take on a "we versus they" overtone.

I am convinced that as the election draws nearer the nature of these discussions will become even more heated and the election itself could prove to be more divisive rather than decisive.

I will neither use this platform to tell you whom I will vote for, nor will I use it to tell you whom you should vote for.

I will use it to tell you that you that prayer should be incorporated before and after the election.

First. prayerfully consider how you will cast your vote.

God has blessed America and its citizens with rights that citizens of some nations only dream of having.

Exercising the right to vote is a form of stewardship.

That means the preparation and reasoning that goes into whom you choose to vote for is very important.

In the time between today and election day, prayerfully ask God for wisdom in making your choice and thank Him for having the right to vote.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) - Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Whether your candidate wins or loses, remember that God is ultimately still in charge.

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) - In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Finally, no matter which of the candidates wins the election, all Christians have a moral obligation to respect the office and the person who holds it.

Romans 13:1 (NIV) - Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Christians also have a moral obligation to pray for their leaders whether they voted for them or not,

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) - I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Pray that the President is given sound advice on which he will make difficult decisions.

Pray that the President has the courage to make those difficult decisions.

Pray for his health and well being.

Remember that the job of President is difficult, stressful and often times thankless.

After the election, there are bound to hard feelings between the supporters of each candidate.

Remember that, as a nation, we are stronger when united than we are when we are divided.

There is real hope for healing the scars of division.

It is no surprise that this hope also lies in prayer.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) - if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.


Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 20, 2012.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 27, 2012.

Schedule subject to change.

Change

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NET) - For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth;


Someone wiser than me once said that the only constant in the world Is change.

There definitely is a great deal of truth in that statement.

Over the course of the last few months, I have seen a building in various stages of demolition.

My father once ran his business from this building,

He passed away several decades ago at a rather young age.

He learned television and radio repair through a combination of a correspondence school and on the job training working for a gentleman who was experienced in this line of work in a city about forty miles away.

Eventually, my father knew enough to go into business for himself but needed a location within our town.

Money was a problem for him early on, but he had a friend.

This friend rented a part of the building he used for his own business to my father at a price that was more than reasonable.

Mother also helped Father by keeping the books and keeping track of his appointments.

My father began experiencing health problems and this friend of the family always kept the rent at a price my father could afford.

Eventually, my father’s health deteriorated to the point where he was no longer able to do this sort of work.

He no longer needed to rent this workspace from this family friend.

Shortly after that my father passed away.

Ecclesiastes 3:2 (NET) - A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted;

Mother and I continued to be friends with this kind man for decades.

Eventually, his health began to deteriorate as well.

He passed away a just few years before my mother did.

Over the course of the last several years, the building fell into disrepair.

Then, several months ago, demolition of the structure began.

Ecclesiastes 3:3 (NET) - A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

I would drive by from time to time to just to check on the progress of this project.

Each time I would think back on old times and enjoy good memories I made with my parents in that building and the good memories I had of this friend of the family.

You see, our relationship changed as well as I grew up.

Each of us shared a fondness for crossword puzzles and coffee.

We spent more than a few hours sharing both when my schedule would allow,

Although it was hard to say goodbye, I am very happy to have counted this special man among my friends.

I am also very happy to know that he has a place in heaven,

Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NET) - A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

So, time has moved on.

There is now an empty lot where the building once stood.

My parents have gone to be with the Lord.

So has this very special friend.

Even my fondness for crossword puzzles diminished with his passing.

Time can change a great many things, but some things remain unchanged.

My memories of my family, this man’s kindness and the friendship we developed will stay with me always.



Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 6, 2012.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 13, 2012.

Schedule subject to change.

The Lord Provides

Last week, we hosted Vacation Bible School.

While this week is mainly about teaching children, I had the opportunity and the privilege to teach two of the four adult classes provided.

Trusting God was the theme for the week.

Each night, a different episode from the Bible was presented as a means of reinforcing the Biblical truth that God can always be trusted.

On the fourth night, my task was to teach the adult class focusing on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

While it was easy to see that Jesus trusted God completely throughout His ordeal, the class itself was not easy to teach.

After all, what Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection are major pillars upon which Christianity rely.

In preparation for this class, I also learned something very valuable that I was able to incorporate into the lesson.

The scripture assigned for this class began with Simon of Cyrene being compelled to carry the cross for Jesus.

Matthew 27:32 (NET) - As they were going out, they found a man from Cyrene named Simon, whom they forced to carry His cross.

I was struck by that and was forced to think about what occurred preceding this.

Just prior to Simon carrying the cross, Jesus carried the cross Himself.

Think about this...

Jesus is God’s one and only Son.

God loves Jesus very much.

For the first part of the journey at least, Jesus carried the wooden cross to the place of His sacrifice.

In the Old Testament, another sacrifice was ordained by God.

God asked Abraham to sacrifice his one and only son, Isaac,

Abraham loved Isaac very much.

Genesis 22:6 (NET) - Abraham took the wood for the sacrifice and put it on his son Isaac. Then he took the fire and the knife in his hand, and the two of them walked on together,

Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice.

What a remarkable example of something in the Old Testament pointing to an event in the New Testament.

The prophecy, if you will, continued.

In the Old Testament account, God spared Isaac and provided a ram, the male of the species, for the sacrifice.

Genesis 22:13 (NET) - Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram caught in the bushes by its horns. So he went over and got the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.

And there is one more remarkable prophetic event that took place.

Abraham gave a special name to the place where this took place.

Genesis 22:14 (NET) - And Abraham called the name of that place "The LORD provides." It is said to this day, "In the mountain of the LORD provision will be made."

"The Lord provides."

On a dark day in the New Testament, the Lord provided for our salvation in the only way possible.

He sacrificed His one and only Son as provision for us.

The Lord provided.


Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 22, 2012.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 29, 2012.

Schedule subject to change.

Choose The Simple Life

I love the wisdom that is found in the Old Testament.

In 2 Kings chapter 5 we read the account of Naaman who commanded the Syrian army and was held in high regard by his master.

Naaman developed a skin disease.

A servant told her mistress that if Naaman were in the presence of the prophet in Samaria he could be cured.

Naaman, upon hearing this tells the Syrian king who tells him to go and he will send a letter to the king of Israel.

Naaman departs taking with him a reward for the prophet whom he expects to cure him.

The king of Israel receives the letter and becomes upset.

After all, he knows that he cannot cure diseases.

He concludes that the letter is the prelude to a conflict between the two nations.

The prophet Elisha learns that the king is upset and requests that Naaman be sent to him.

Naaman arrives at Elisha’s home and stands in the doorway.

2 Kings 5:10 (NET) - Elisha sent out a messenger who told him, "Go wash seven times in the Jordan; your skin will be restored and you will be healed."

This time, Naaman becomes upset.

After all, Elisha never even came out to even meet him or called upon God or anything else, for that matter.

All he did was to send word to him by way of a messenger to wash in the Jordan seven times.

Naaman began to go away angry.

Now here is where great wisdom comes into play.

2 Kings 5:13 (NET) - His servants approached and said to him, "O master, if the prophet had told you to do some difficult task, you would have been willing to do it. It seems you should be happy that he simply said, ‘Wash and be healed.’"

Naaman then did as Elisha instructed him through the messenger.

He simply washed seven times in the Jordan… and was healed.

When it comes to salvation many often have incorrect preconceived notions.

Some assume that salvation for them is completely out of reach.

Some assume that salvation is too difficult to obtain because they have not done enough to earn it.

The reality is quite different.

Salvation is neither out of reach nor difficult to obtain.

Salvation does not have to be earned because it cannot be earned.

You see, someone has already paid in full for salvation at a tremendous price.

It is now a gift that only needs to be accepted.

John 14:6 (NET) - Jesus replied, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to he Father except through me."

Romans 10:9 (NET) - ... because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

When you Look at the price He paid, you will see that what He requires is simple by comparison.


Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 8, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, June 15, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

Letting Go of the Wheel

Proverbs 19:21 (NET) - There are many plans in a person’s mind, but it is the counsel of the LORD which will stand.

I am a guy.

As such, I enjoy watching sports on television,

I especially enjoy watching motor sports.

(Author’s Note: You are going to have to trust me. There is a purpose here,)

One of the great features in auto racing at the top levels is that sometimes a select group of drivers have cameras in their cars.

Danica Patrick often has a camera in her car.

Once, during a race, Danica got caught up in an accident that sent her car out of control.

Her car was heading toward the inside wall and try as she might, she could do nothing to prevent the collision that was to follow.

Moments before impact, Danica removed both hands from the steering wheel and raised them up to helmet level.

Due to the customized racing seat built just for her coupled with the restraining devices employed, she was only able to move slightly forward upon impact, but I’m sure it was not a pleasant experience hitting that wall.

Danica received some undue criticism from some fans who did not realize that releasing the steering wheel before impact was a planned maneuver and not a reaction to fear.

In fact, the very next week I witnessed Jimmie Johnson, a five time Cup Series champion execute a similar move under very similar circumstances.

There are times when even a seasoned professional driver knows he is going to hit the wall.

By taking his hands off the steering wheel, he avoids sending massive shock wave up his arms and thereby avoids injuring his arms unnecessarily.

Life can present us with unpleasant and even painful circumstances we cannot avoid.

We have a choice.

We can try to go it alone and try to maintain sole control of our lives by hanging on tightly to the wheel.

Or, we can take the other option.

We can let go of the steering wheel of our lives and turn control over to God.

We may not be able to avoid the circumstances, but we can get through them with far less pain and far less anxiety if we recognize that God is not only in control of the circumstances but our lives as well.

When we do, a remarkable thing happens.

We wonder why we fought so hard for control all along.


Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 18, 2012.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 25, 2012.

Schedule subject to change.

What's in a Title?

Titles.


Many of us have them.

They say something about who we are and what we do.

Many years ago I encountered a professional title I had never seen before and have not seen since.

That title was Secondary Assistant to the Deputy Administrator.

I still have to wonder just what it is this person does.

A few years ago, the company I work for decided to give me a title,

My responsibilities did not change,

I could not increase the amount of effort I was able to apply to my job.

The only thing this title was able to do was to summarize in a few words what my responsibilities were to people with whom we did business.

Centuries before Jesus was born, Isaiah provided a few titles for Jesus that would give people a glimpse into the nature and character of the Messiah who was to come.

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV) - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah then elaborates.

Isaiah 9:7 (KJV) - Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Unlike Isaiah’s contemporaries, we have the luxury of history on our side.

Scripture tells us that Jesus had many other titles as well.

Titles like Son of Man, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

It is fitting that Jesus be known by many titles,

Jesus accomplished much.

Jesus is so much.

Mere human words cannot adequately summarize all that He continues to be.

There is one more title Jesus had that I find particularly pleasing.

That title... is Friend.

John 15:13-14 (KJV) - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 4, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, May 11, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

A Church for Roman Soldiers?

Last Sunday was Easter.

To my surprise, there was a great deal of television programming of a religious nature.

Even the channels I count on for documentaries seemed to follow suit.

Many I had seen before.

Some I had not.

Among those I had not seen before was one that I found one particularly interesting.

This one centered around an underground Christian church.

This church was underground both figuratively and physically.

This place of worship was in the back of a cave and was used by Christians perhaps in the first century not long after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The inscriptions carved into the walls and rocks made it quite apparent that Christians used this cave as a place of worship during a time period when the persecution of Christians was rampant.

Yet there was something else remarkable about this place of worship.

You see, the inscriptions also lead archeologists to believe that a particular group of people worshipped Christ in this cave.

Roman soldiers.

History makes it plain that Christians were indeed persecuted by Roman soldiers in the first century of the church.

Yet here was a place where some Roman soldiers actually gathered together in order to worship Jesus.

Even the maker of this documentary seemed to find this difficult to believe, but I do not.

It is not just because an educated archeologist proposed this.

It is not just because of the inscriptions found in the cave.

It is not just because a cave would serve to hide they themselves from persecution.

I also believe this because of Scripture.

In Luke 7, Jesus is requested to heal the slave of a centurion.

This same centurion was highly regarded by the elders.

As Jesus neared the home, the centurion sent friends to meet Jesus and deliver a message.

Luke 7:7-8 (NET) - "That is why I did not presume to come to you. Instead, say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it."

Verse 9 tells us that Jesus was amazed by his faith.

At the crucifixion of Jesus, there was another centurion present who witnessed the events that transpired on that day.

He also saw Jesus die.

Notice the centurion’s reaction to what he witnessed.

Mark 15:39 (NET) - Now when the centurion, who stood in front of Him, saw how He died, he said, "Truly this man was God’s Son!"

Even though persecution of Christians in the first century by Roman soldiers is a historical fact, both Scripture and archeological evidence indicate that some of them had their lives turned around in a remarkable way and became believers in Christ.

Persecution is not confined to the past.

Many Christians around the world are persecuted for their faith today.

We are to pray for them,

We should also pray for those that persecute them.

After all, those that don’t know Christ are those with the deepest need.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 20, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, April 27, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

A Small Detour

Where can we read about the power of Jesus?

Where can we learn of His humble beginning on Earth?

Where can we read of how He was despised and rejected by people?

Where can we learn about His suffering and how we, as people, misunderstood that this was necessary?

Where can we learn that He was taking the punishment for us; because of our sinful nature?

Where can we learn that He was forced to endure so much because we strayed?

Where can we read that He bore all this in silence?

Where can we be informed that He went through a sham of a trial?

Where can we be told that He was buried in a rich man’s tomb?

Where can we be informed that He enjoys everlasting life since restitution is paid?

Where can read that many will be acquitted of their sins because of His sacrifice?

Where can we be told that victory is His because He willingly submitted to death for our sake?

If you answered the Gospels, you would be correct.

Yet there is another place where you can find the answer to every single one of my questions.

That place is Isaiah Chapter 53.

What makes this truly remarkable is that these words were recorded centuries before the events actually took place.

What is more they took place exactly the way they were recorded.

That is what makes this prophecy.

Jesus fulfilled that prophecy down to the smallest detail.

As we approach Easter, I invite you to read Isaiah 53.

Reflect on how Jesus fulfilled this prophecy.

Once you have done so, take time to thank Him.

After all, He did this for us.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 6, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, April 13, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

Reflection on Forgiveness

As the season of Lent continues my thoughts inevitably turn to the Passion.

Christ endured great humiliation, tremendous pain and even physical death at the hands of people.

Years ago, a fellow student, with whom I attended Sunday School, asked me whom I thought was responsible for the death of Jesus.

I asked him to expand on his question.

He did so by asking me if I thought it was Judas, the teachers of the law, the soldiers, or someone else.

I asked him if he wanted to know what I really thought.

He said that he did.

I said that I thought I was, and that I thought that he was too.

Indeed every human being, alive or dead, was responsible for all that Jesus had to endure.

I say this because every human being is a sinner.

Romans 3:23 (NET) - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Jesus lived a perfect life and became the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

John 1:29 (NET) - On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

Yet, in doing so, He endured much.

He was abandoned by His followers.

False witnesses told lies about him.

He was mocked.

He was beaten.

He was spit upon.

He was forced to wear a crown of thorns.

He was forced to carry His cross.

He was nailed to it.

Yes, Jesus endured much.

Yet when He looked upon his tormentors, He responded in a way that only He could.

He forgave them.

Moreover, He asked the Father to forgive them.

Luke 23:34 (ASV) - And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what that they do. And parting His garments among them, they cast lots.

Jesus forgave them.

He forgave me.

He forgave my fellow student.

He forgave everyone.

As I continue my journey through Lent, I am reminded that as a Christian, I am called upon to forgive as well.

If Jesus could forgive so very much, shouldn't I be able to forgive so very little by comparison?



Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 6, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, March 30, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

Look Again

Exodus 3:4-5 (NET) - When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from within the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am." God said, "Do not approach any closer! Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."

What an incredible way God revealed His presence to Moses.

Imagine God speaking audibly to you from a burning bush and then warning you not to come any closer.

Such a display would certainly make a lasting impression.

God also chose an impressive display to make himself known to his chosen people.

Exodus 19:17-18 (NET) - Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their place at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was completely covered with smoke because the LORD descended on it in fire, and its smoke rose up like the smoke of a great furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently.

Imagine that powerful display as your introduction to God.

That would also leave quite a memorable impression.

Does God always make His presence known in displays that overwhelm the senses?

Not always.

Elijah, who was hiding in a cave, experienced God’s presence in a completely different way.

1 Kings 19:11 (NET) - The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Look the LORD is ready to pass by," A very powerful wind went before the LORD, digging into the mountain and causing landslides, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the windstorm there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

Imagine yourself in Elijah’s place.

You experience not just wind but a wind powerful enough to dig into the very mountain itself.

Then come the landslides where perhaps tons of material mere feet away suddenly break loose and accelerate down the mountain and disappear from view.

After that there is an earthquake that completely shakes what remains of the mountain.

Almost surprisingly, God was not present in any of these.

1 Kings 19:12 (NET) - After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a soft whisper.

Elijah then experienced fire on top of all the other events he witnessed.

Yet, God was not in the fire either.

There was one more experience in store for Elijah after the fire.

It was nothing at all like anything he had experienced thus far.

By comparison, it may have seemed like almost nothing.

It was a barely audible soft whisper.

But, there was something remarkable about it.

God was in that whisper.

1 Kings 19:13 (NET) - When Elijah heard it. He covered his face with his robe and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. All of a sudden a voice asked him, "Why are you here, Elijah?"

God can make His presence known to us in ways that to us are powerful.

God can also make His presence known to us in ways that are quite subtle by comparison.

Even in something as subtle as a whisper.

Do you sense God at work in your life?

If not, consider changing your perspective.

Think about the subtle ways God may be at work in your life.

You might be surprised by what you see.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 16, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, March 23, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

Thanking God, Again

We are to be thankful.

Scripture provides us with excellent examples.

Before Jesus fed the five thousand He gave thanks.

Matthew 14:19 (NET) - Then He instructed the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. He gave them to His disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.

At the Last Supper, Jesus gives thanks twice.

Matthew 26:26-28 (NET) - While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks, He broke it, gave it to His disciples, and said, "Take, eat, this is my body." And after, taking the cup and giving thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

In the book of John, Jesus gives thanks to the Father before raising Lazarus from the dead.

John 11:41-42 (NET) - So they took away the stone. Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank You that You have listened to Me. I knew that You always listen to Me, but I said this for the sake of the crowd standing around here, that they may believe that You sent Me."

Paul’s letters also provide many examples of why we should be grateful.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NET) - But thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

His letters are also replete with gratitude for those to whom he wrote.

Ephesians 1:6 (NET) - I do not cease to give thanks for you when I remember you in my prayers.

So, Biblically speaking, we are to be thankful.

To be thankful for some things come very naturally.

Giving thanks to God before a meal is one thing that comes very naturally.

Sometimes we require a reminder to give thanks.

When the weather turns harsh, we find it easier to remember to give thanks for shelter.

Our safety is another thing for which we often forget to express gratitude.

How much easier it becomes to remember when we narrowly escape that accident on the road.

We are also to be thankful for difficult circumstances and difficult people in our lives.

God places them there in order to help us grow spiritually.

I would venture we almost never give thanks for these.

Finally, there are those things for which we almost never give thanks.

Those blessings from God of which we are completely oblivious.

Matthew 6:8 (NET) - Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

God knows what we need even before we recognize the need ourselves.

That means many of our needs are filled without our knowledge.

Why not take time to thank God for all that He has done for you,

Give Him thanks for His blessings, even those you did not see,

Give Him thanks for circumstances and people that challenge you.

Give Him thanks for keeping you safe and sound.

Above all, give Him thanks for His most precious blessing of all.

Give Him thanks for His one and only Son.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 24, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, March 2, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

The Master Designer

Genesis 1:1 (NET) - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Since I was a small child, I have always had a fascination with clocks, watches, calendars, sundials and anything else that has the capacity to track the passage of time.

Of these, I have a particular fondness for watches.

I appreciate the mechanics involved, the interplay of the various gears, the gear ratios, the springs, the tiny screws that hold the assembly together and so on.

In fact, had I been born with better eyesight, my fascination could possibly have turned into a different career.

As it stands, I have a career I enjoy and timepieces have turned into a hobby.

What has this all this to do with faith? For me, the answer is a great many things.

In the early nineteenth century, William Paley made a theological argument for the existence of God in what has come to be known as the watchmaker analogy.

In this analogy, Paley stated that if you found a watch, you would have to conclude that it had been designed because it is "complex". In other words, for the watch to exist, there has to be a watch maker.

It then follows that because the universe is s complex, it too must have a designer, namely God.

When I look at the complexity of the universe, I agree with Paley’s analogy.

Isaiah 45:12 (NET) - I made the earth, I created the people who live on it. It was me - my hands stretched out the sky, I give orders to all the heavenly lights.

There are some additional lessons in faith I have picked up from watches along the way.

For example, the first thing people usually notice about a watch is its face.

These faces range from black to white and include every color in between.

Each color is beautiful.

The same is true of human faces as well, as all are made in the image of God.

Genesis 1:26 (NET) - Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move on the earth."

Another feature easily noticed has also been given a human identity.

The hands.

Like their human counterparts, the simplest watches have two hands. One to track the hours and one to track the minutes.

Those that track other things require more hands to do so.

Some have a third hand to track the seconds.

Others require even more hands to track the month, the day, the date and so on.

Others have built in stop watches and require yet more hands.

Interestingly, each of these extra features have come to be known as complications.

I find this to be a remarkable coincidence because often our lives become "complicated" and when they do, a helping "hand" from a friend is always welcome.

Proverbs 3:27 (NET) - Do no withhold good from those who need it, when you have the ability to help.

The outward appearance of the watch is not the only thing that is important to those who appreciate them.

We also care about the what is inside as well, in particular, the movement.

What is inside says a tremendous amount about the watch.

Likewise, what is inside a person says a lot about the person.

1 Samuel 16:7 (NET) - But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don’t be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way men do, People look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Finally, sometimes watches stop running or stop running well.

When that happens, they do not operate at the level at which they were designed to operate.

Sometimes this happens as the result of a fall.

At that point, a watchmaker or a highly skilled watch repairman must be consulted in order to get the watch operating in the way in which it was designed to operate.

It is very similar with people.

We do not operate at the level at which we were designed to operate.

This happened as the result of another and more serious kind of Fall.



God, the master designer, can always be counted on to fix even the most broken of us.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 17, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, February 24, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

No Greater Love

John 15:13-14 (NET) - No one has greater love than this - that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.



I have often heard people quote verse thirteen.

Yet many people do not fully comprehend it.

That is why I chose to include verse fourteen as well.

To put things in proper context we must look at the surrounding text and determine to whom Jesus was speaking.

In this particular case, Jesus was speaking to His disciples.

Next, we next must determine at what point in time this conversation took place.

Jesus made these and additional statements before His death on the cross. This was but a part of His way of preparing them for what was to come.

Those whom He chose to follow Him had other professions first.

They began as His acquaintances.

Once they followed Him, they became His students.

As time went by, the relationship between teacher and student transformed into something deeper.

Those that followed His commands, became His friends.

And He was about to prove His love for them by laying down His life for them...

and for us.

In today’s world, there are some who willingly risk their lives in order to save others.

There is the soldier who risks his life to save a civilian on foreign soil.

There is the fire fighter who risks his life by entering a burning building in order to save someone from the inferno.

There is the police officer who risks his life by putting himself in harm’s way in order to protect a victim of crime.

Though noble, such sacrifices are made by a sense of duty and responsibility.

These professionals also willingly risk their lives when one of their own, often times a friend, is in distress.

When a soldier witnesses his brother in arms go down in an exposed area, he will willingly risk his life in order to move his friend to safety.

Fire fighters are equipped with an alarm that alerts their fellow fire fighters when they have gone down inside of a burning structure. A fellow fire fighter will enter into an even riskier situation in order to save his friend.

In law enforcement, the words a police officer never wants to hear are "Officer Down." When this occurs, all officer nearby will converge on the scene in order to render assistance to their friend on the force despite the additional personal risk.

In these situations, there is a heightened level of urgency that these professionals feel because a friend is at risk.

I believe Jesus felt a sense of urgency and devotion that far exceeded even mankind’s most noble intentions.

Jesus was not merely trying to preserve the physical lives of His friends, but their eternal lives as well.

That preservation came with a tremendous price... it required His death on the cross.

He willingly paid that price for His friends back then.

He willingly paid that same price for His friends of today.


Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 3, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, February 10, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

Fair Warning

There are two places along my daily commute that are more risky than the remainder of my drive,

The first is on my way to work just a few miles from my destination.

At this particular point, the two lane highway on which I travel is built upon an overpass.

At the end of the overpass, a third lane opens up that allows drivers to make a left hand turn.

Problems arise when too many cars wish to make this left hand turn and vehicles are forced to stop on the overpass while the traffic light is still green.

The other major trouble spot I encounter is about a third of my way home in the evening.

The highway on which I travel terminates at the bottom of a very steep hill and both lanes in my direction are forced to turn left and merge onto another highway.

The problem that arises at this juncture results from drivers exceeding the speed limit. They are naturally picking up more speed because they are traveling downhill.

If the traffic light turns red when traffic is heavy, drivers that are gong too fast have to hard brake and this often results in rear end collisions.

Being all too familiar with the risks at these two locations, I do what I can to minimize my risks.

That means making sure I am in the appropriate lane and driving at a slightly reduced speed anticipating the moment that might call for an evasive maneuver.

Often, this means I will be passed by drivers who are not aware of the dangers that lie just ahead.

How I wish there were a way to caution them.

Many times, they learn the lessons I have already learned the hard way.

That is sometimes the way it is in matters of faith.

While I am not able to communicate the lessons I have learned on the road with other drivers in other vehicles, I can share the lessons I have learned by faith with my friends and acquaintances whether face to face or online.

Of course, there are inherent risks that go with sharing my faith openly.

I risk losing friends.

Yet, I must be willing to share with others the consequences that go with rejecting Jesus.

Mark 16:15-16 (NET) - He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned.

If I were willing to let a friend die spiritually, then I would not be much of a friend to begin with.

I must also be very open and honest with them about my faith.

Luke 9:26 (NET) - For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Some will walk away thinking I am deluded.

A few will just walk away.

Still, I must be willing to take that chance.

Matthew 10:38 (NET) - And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

I must remember those that choose to walk away in my prayers and I must be willing to try again.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 10, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, February 3, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.

Christian Diplomacy

Technology is a marvelous thing.

It has allowed me to connect with an ever widening array of people from different parts of the world.

One of its benefits that I have enjoyed the most is connecting with people who have the same interests that I have.

In fact, I have made many friends who enjoy the same hobby that I enjoy.

Most of them I will never have the pleasure of meeting face to face in this world.

One of the things I never hide in my interactions is the fact that I am a Christian.

My faith is an important part of who I am and I certainly do not mind sharing that fact with anyone.

In fact, I share both this blog and another to which I contribute on various social media.

I invite my connections to read them.

I do not know how many or how few actually take the time to do so.

I am aware that, among those who do not profess to be Christians, relatively few will take the time to read them.

The next logical question is: Why do it in the first place?

My answer would have to be twofold.

First - I felt His leading me to do it and that in and of itself is sufficient.

Second - If the total effort makes a difference in just one person’s life, it will have all been completely worth it.

That said, a new friend recently posted something online about two new "Christian" acquaintances he made.

I was one and the other was kept anonymous.

The comments about me were very complimentary and I will not share them here so as not to appear conceited.

The comments about the other were far from complimentary.

It made me wonder, "How can two Christians who worship the same Christ be seen by the same individual in such a different light?"

Based on the comment I suspect it is in our approach.

As for my approach, I remind myself of what the Bible has to say about me.

Romans 3:23 (NET) - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

The last time I checked, I am still very much a part of all.

I also recognize that I am a work in progress and will continue to be one as long as I draw breath.

Luke 6:41 (NET) - Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own?

I must recognize that I am not perfect but am in the process of being perfected.

Jesus reminds us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and warns us not to pass judgment on others.

We are citizens of Heaven.

Philippians 3:20 (NET) - But our citizenship is in Heaven - and we also await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

If Christians are citizens of Heaven, it then follows that we are to be His ambassadors here in this world.

We are not to claim diplomatic immunity in our day to day affairs.

Rather, we are to use the gifts God has so generously given us in order to make a difference.

By and large that means making a difference one person at a time.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 20,, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, January 27, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.