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.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
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.
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.
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