Praise and Courage

Psalm 145:4 (NET) - One generation will praise your deeds to another, and tell about your mighty acts!

This Psalm of praise is a reminder.

First, it is a reminder that we should praise God.

Second, it is a reminder that each generation shares its praise with the next.

As we continue our journey through Advent we are also reminded of God’s greatest deed and mightiest act.

God was merciful to a fallen and disobedient world.

It is remarkable that His mightiest act came about through the innocence of one special child.

A child born to humble and obedient parents in an obscure village.

A child whose earthly journey began in a manger and ended on a cross.

While He lived among us He did remarkable things.

He also gave those closest to Him the power to do some remarkable things as well.

The book of Acts reminds us how a new generation was shown the way.

Acts 5:13-14 (NET) - None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high honor. More and more believers in the Lord were added to their number, crowds of both men and women.

Those who witnessed these acts became believers.

They also held the apostles in high esteem.

Even so, scripture reminds us that they did not dare join them.

Although many generations have passed, we are not that much different.

We believe.

We may even have a great deal of respect for the apostles and those who followed in their footsteps.

But do we have the courage to join them?

Perhaps the Psalmist did more than praise God.

Perhaps he gave us some insight on how we can find that courage.

Psalm 145:5-7 (NET) - I will focus on your honor and majestic splendor, and your amazing deeds! They will proclaim the power of your awesome acts! I will declare your great deeds! They will talk about the fame of your great kindness, and sing about your justice.

I wish you a blessed Christmas and, together, let us pray for peace in the coming year

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 6, 2017.

I will be back here on Friday, January 13, 2017

Say It Like You Mean It

I went to the post office to buy some stamps.

There were several people ahead of me in line each with packages to ship.

With each transaction, a receipt was printed.

Each time the clerk pointed to a spot on the receipt and said to the customer, “Here is your tracking number.”

When my turn came, I requested my stamps and paid for them.

A receipt was printed for me as well.

The clerk paused before handing it to me.

“Is there a problem?” I asked.

“I don’t see your tracking number,” she stated.

As my transaction was a purchase, there was no tracking number.

Knowing how busy she is this time of year I thought she could use a laugh.

“That’s okay,” I replied, “I’ll try to remember where I put them.”

We shared the laugh and I departed.

As humorous as this event was, it did force me to think about how much of the season becomes routine.

Routines are things we do automatically.

They require little thought.

They are comfortable.

Even wishing someone “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Christmas” can become automatic.

As we continue our journey through Advent, perhaps we should turn the autopilot off.

We should consider just why it is that Christmas makes us merry and happy.

Christmas celebrates the birth of a baby born to humble parents in an obscure village.

A baby who was born in a stable instead of a palace.

Even the first to hear the news were but simple shepherds, not the rich and powerful.

This is how He came into the world.

This was His first step in His journey among us.

It was a journey that began in a stable and ended at a cross.

How could this possibly make us merry or happy?

There is no simple, easy cookie cutter answer.

The fact that He took this journey willingly for our benefit is part of it.

The fact that this was the only way to make us right with God is another.

The fact that this is a reminder that He is coming again is the best reason of all.

We celebrate Christmas because it was the defining moment when God reached down to a fallen world.

And He did so in the most remarkable way.

Luke 2:10-11 (NET) - But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.

Go ahead and say “Merry Christmas!”

Just make certain that you mean it.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 16, 2016.

I will be back here on Friday, December 23, 2016

With Gratitude

Reflection is always a good thing.

There is perhaps no better time than Thanksgiving for it.

It would be easy for me from a writing standpoint to simply list all for which I am thankful.

There are two reasons I will not.

First, it would not make for very interesting reading.

Second, reflection is much more than a simple cataloging process.

What I am most grateful for is summed up by John 3:16.

John 3:16 (NET) - For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

In all my years, one thing still amazes me.

Some people still refuse to accept God’s precious gift.

Some think this is just too easy.

Experience has taught me that life as Christian is often anything but easy.

Being a Christian means putting the needs of others before your own desires.

In some parts of the world being a Christian even means risking life and limb.

Some think that we should have to do something to earn God’s gift.

Truthfully speaking, there is nothing we can either say or do that can make us worthy of this gift.

Perhaps saddest of all, some think God’s way is just too exclusive.

They simply refuse to believe that God would provide only one way to salvation.

Why not two, or ten, or one hundred?

Why would an omnipotent God provide only one means of salvation?

I have studied a great deal of history through the years.

I have considered the evils that man has committed throughout the centuries.

Heartless regimes, genocide, torture and greed merely begin to list what man is capable of.

Considering this, isn’t it remarkable that God chose to provide us with even one way let alone more?

Besides, how can a way available to everyone possibly be thought of as exclusive?

So, after careful reflection, it is God’s gift for which I am most grateful.

God provided for our salvation.

He did so in the one and only way possible.

I guess what really makes this hard for some to believe is that God considers this a gift.

It is a gift we did not earn.

It is a gift we certainly did not deserve.

It is a gift born of divine love and one that should be accepted with gratitude.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 2, 2016.

I will be back here on Friday, December 9, 2016

Who's the Boss?

Teaching an adult Sunday school class is a passion of mine.

We always end class with a prayer before I dismiss my students.

A handful of students usually linger for a while either to visit or continue the discussion.

God had surprise for me at the end of class Sunday.

One of my students has a young granddaughter who is a treasure.

The moment class ended she charged into the room and ran straight to her grandfather.

He took her in his arms and the little girl began chatting away.

I busied myself putting our books and materials away.

I was unaware the child was observing me until she spoke to me.

“Excuse me,” she politely said to get my attention.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Are you the boss?” she asked quite sincerely.

It was all I could do not to laugh.

Working with adults is one thing,

Working with children is quite another.

I thought about how best to answer such a question from a child.

Luke chapter 22 came to mind.

In this chapter, a dispute arose among the disciples as to which of them should be regarded as the greatest.

Jesus reminded them how the kings of the Gentiles and others in authority perceive themselves.

He then reminded them how they are to proceed.

Luke 22:26 (NET) - Not so with you; instead the one who is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the one who serves.

Bearing this in mind I responded.

“No. I’m not the boss,” I said, “but I love what I do.”

She thought about that.

“I think everybody loves what they do,” she stated.

I told her that one day I would like to work for her.

I find it more than interesting that the child’s question came just two days before a national election.

In a nation already experiencing division, the results of this election are proving even more polarizing.

One thing easily overlooked is the fact that it is God who is ultimately in charge.

Romans 13:1 (NET) - Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.

The results of every election will find some people elated and others disappointed.

Imagine if we could ask our elected officials, “Are you the boss?”

How nice it would be if they would recall Luke 22 and state, “No. I’m not the boss, but I love what I do.”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 18, 2016.

I will be back here on Friday, November 25, 2016

Behind the Lens

Photography is something I got into later in life.

It certainly seemed born out of necessity rather than desire.

One day, I found myself serving on a committee.

Before I knew it, I found myself acting as its historian.

I thought it might be a good idea to supplement the documentation with photographs.

I knew nothing about cameras and even less about photography.

Ten years and literally thousands of photographs later, photography has become an integral part of both my life and my ministry.

It has also taught me some truly valuable lessons along the way.

Perhaps the biggest lesson it has taught me is patience.

I learned that if I patiently waited for the moment to unfold I would have a much better photo.

It has also taught me that candid shots are preferable to posed ones.

My favorite photos are of people actively serving the Lord with smiles on their faces.

It has also taught me about the importance of timing.

This is especially true of God’s timing.

Earlier this month I captured a breathtaking sunset.

A minute sooner and my view would not have been as beautiful.

A minute later and the opportunity God offered would have been gone altogether.

It has also taught me to be grateful for the smallest of miracles.

The other day I was walking past a beautiful bush with tiny orange blossoms when a tiny flash of movement caught my eye.

A closer examination revealed that a butterfly with black and yellow wings was taking advantage of the blossoms.

I must have taken two dozen photographs of this tiny miracle.

It showed no fear of me.

Although it flew from blossom to blossom, it never flew away.

When I examined the photographs later, I felt that God had given me a very special gift that day.

I was reminded of the time when Moses desired to see God more than anything else.

God had a warning for Moses.

Exodus 33:20 (NET) - But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”

We may not currently be able to see God face to face.

Yet God does grant us precious glimpses of Himself from time to time.

So often, we just need to slow down pay more attention.

Photography has taught me that as well.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 4, 2016.

I will be back here on Friday, November 11, 2016

Only

I love the banners we display in church.

They are not only beautiful; they are also excellent reminders.

Recently, one in particular grabbed my attention.

It is the one that hangs directly behind the pulpit.

It simply states, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”

This is, of course, is the opening of Psalm 23.

The 23^rd Psalm is a chapter from scripture we memorize at a very young age.

We turn to it repeatedly throughout our lives.

We find it a tremendous source of both peace and comfort.

Such were my thoughts minutes before the start of a worship service.

As time went by, I started turning these words over in my mind.

The next thing I knew the word “only” came to mind.

Before I knew it, I found myself inserting that word into this statement in various places.

As I did so, each result had an impact on me.

Consider each one.

ONLY the Lord is my Shepherd.

The ONLY Lord is my Shepherd.

The Lord ONLY is my Shepherd.

The Lord is my ONLY Shepherd.

Now it is true that the Bible warns us of the dangers of altering scripture.

Proverbs 30:6 (KJV) - Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

There are others as well but I feel I am on safe ground here.

Although the Psalmist did not use the word “only”, the word is implied.

I merely inferred it.

The proof lies in the remainder of the verse.

Psalm 23:1 (KJV) - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

When we make the Lord our ONLY Shepherd, we have absolutely everything we need.

C. S. Lewis in The Weight of Glory put it this way: “He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only.”

Lord, we thank You for being our only shepherd.

We thank You for being all we need.

We thank You for making us lie down when we make ourselves too busy.

We thank You for restoring our souls.

We thank You for conquering every fear we have.

We thank You for the salvation you planned for us from the beginning.

Amen!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 21, 2016.

I will be back here on Friday, October 28, 2016

Custom Made

Psalm 139:14 (KJV) - I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Each of us began life in the womb as a single cell.

Biology teaches us that this single cell divided and became two.

Those two, in turn, divided and became four and so on.

The Psalmist understood that there was more at work than just mere biology.

He understood that God played a major role in our development as well.

Consider the various organs of the body.

Heart, brain, kidneys and eyes just begin a list of all the complex organs in the body.

Every organ in the body has a special purpose.

The cells that make up each organ must be specialized,

A heart cell is different from a brain cell.

A kidney cell is different from an eye cell.

Each of our organs develops in the womb.

Somewhere along the way each organ must begin with its first specialized cell.

Question: How does the first heart or brain or kidney or eye cell know it has to be the first cell of its kind?

The Psalmist understood that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

He understood that God was at work creating him in the womb.

Yet this is only a part of a bigger picture,

God knows each of us intimately.

God knit us together cell by cell.

He even knew what we would be capable of in the future.

In fact, He knew all these things before we were capable of knowing anything at all.

God explained this to the prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV) - Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

God not only created Jeremiah, He created Jeremiah for a very special purpose.

The best part is God has done this for each and every one of us.

God created us just as fearfully and wonderfully as He created the Psalmist.

He sanctified us for a purpose just as He sanctified Jeremiah for a purpose.

Question: Do you know the purpose for which you were created?

If not, could there possibly be anyone better to ask than the Creator Himself?

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 7, 2016.

I will be back here on Friday, October 14, 2016

Keeping the Lines Open

There’s an old saying that states: Silence is golden.

That is fairly true in my world.

Part of my profession is providing support.

Every time my phone rings there is more than a fair chance that something has gone wrong.

Sometimes the solution is simple and takes minutes.

Sometimes the solution is complex and takes hours or perhaps days.

Often times the solution is not the one the caller wanted to hear.

Once the solution has been implemented the phone stops ringing.

It is very rare that someone will call me and tell me that everything is fine.

A silent phone is my barometer indicating that all is well.

We can easily treat God the same way.

In this world we will encounter problems.

Some of them may seem overwhelming.

Some of them may be simply too big for us to solve on our own.

Financial difficulties, strained relationships and bad medical news are just a few examples.

Somehow we find it easier to turn to God in these times of crisis.

Then, after the problem has passed, we might remember to thank God.

Then we quickly settle back into our routines and God may not hear from us for some time.

Sadly, in some cases, He might not hear from us again until the next crisis comes along.

We are meant to have a relationship with God.

God certainly wants us to turn to him when life seems overwhelming.

He also wants to hear from us during the other times as well.

Prayer is an excellent means of building on our relationship with God.

This is true even when our prayer is simply one of gratitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NET) - 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, September 16, 2016.

I will be back here on Friday, September 23, 2016

What Does It Take?

Four good friends of mine have passed away in recent weeks.

I miss them but I also treasure the memories I have of them.

I also know they were Christians.

This brings to mind a question.

What does it take to make one a Christian?

Do I know my friends were Christians because they attended my church?

Three of them did so attendance at my church is not what made them Christians.

The fourth attended another church.

So does attendance at any church make one a Christian?

Not necessarily.

Simply occupying a seat in a certain type of building does not necessarily make one a Christian,

What about Bible study?

Does reading the Bible guarantee the reader is a Christian?

Again, the answer is not necessarily.

A scholar can read and even memorize vast portions of scripture without being a Christian.

What about participation in sacraments?

Again the answer is not necessarily.

People can go through the motions without their hearts being in it.

Don’t get me wrong.

Church attendance is a wonderful.

So is Bible study and participation in the sacraments.

But what truly makes a person a Christian is the relationship he or she has with God, the Father.

That relationship is made possible through Jesus, the Son, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Think of it this way.

Let’s say there is a pilot who is a Christian.

One day while flying out over the ocean his plane encounters mechanical problems.

He is forced to land in the ocean and then swims safely to an uninhabited island nearby.

He does not have his Bible.

There is no church on the island and consequently no access to sacraments.

Does the man pilot remain a Christian without access to these things?

Of course, because he still has what it takes - a relationship with God.

The thief on the cross gives us an even better example.

Even in his final moments, he turned to the only One who could truly make a difference.

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.”

One final thought.

I am certain each of my friends had this relationship because they demonstrated it in their lives.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 2, 2016.

I will be back here on Friday, September 9, 2016

Earth Shattering

We think of diamonds as valuable.

When an expert cuts and polishes the stone he increases both its beauty and its value.

A diamond is also the hardest substance on earth.

Because they are so hard, other diamonds are required for cutting and polishing.

Even with the proper tools and materials, an expert hand and a trained eye are still required.

One incorrect blow and the diamond could shatter.

As we look around, it does not require much effort to see signs of shattering in the nation and the world.

A review of recent political conventions reveals division within each political party.

A review of the national headlines reveals division within communities and races.

A review of international headlines reveals division between nations and cultures.

Each example of division we see is but a symptom of a far bigger problem.

Each example of division we see is like a crack or fissure in the world.

Left unchecked, the cracks and fissures only multiply rendering the world less and less stable.

Eventually, one misplaced blow could cause reality as we know it to simply shatter.

Patching individual cracks and fissures helps, but this does not solve the bigger problem.

We need to do more than treat the symptoms.

We need to treat the disease itself.

We are trying to do things our way rather than His way.

We put God on the back burner or on a shelf.

We might even tell ourselves we will get back to Him when time permits.

That is what the people in Haggai’s day did.

The picture God painted for them is remarkably like our own.

Haggai 1:5-6 (NET) - Here then is what the Lord who rules over all says: ‘Think carefully about what you are doing. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but are never filled. You drink, but are still thirsty. You put on clothes, but are not warm. Those who earn wages end up with holes in their money bags.

God not only deserves to be first in our lives; He demands it.

Haggai 2:15-17 (NET) - Now therefore reflect carefully on the recent past, before one stone was laid on another in the Lord’s temple. From that time when one came expecting a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty measures from it, there were only twenty. I struck all the products of your labor with blight, disease, and hail, and yet you brought nothing to me,’ says the Lord.

Time remains.

Let us do what is wise and put God first.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 19, 2016.

I will be back here on Friday, August 26, 2016

I Shall Not Want

Psalm 23 (KJV) - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Many people are familiar with Psalm 23.

We find it a tremendous source of comfort especially in times of loss.

It is perhaps the most memorized chapter in all of scripture.

I am particularly taken with the opening verse.

It sets the tone for the remainder of the Psalm.

It also helps put both our hearts and our minds in a proper state.

This helps us get the most from the verses which follows.

Beyond this, the words in that opening verse stand very well on their own.

They perfectly describe two key attributes of the life of the Christian.

“The Lord is my shepherd” reminds us that we are his sheep,

We rely on Him completely.

He provides for us, protects us, leads us and does many other things for us.

“I shall not want” reminds us if we have the Lord as our shepherd we are content.

Even history bears this out.

In Mere Christianity C. S. Lewis said, “All that we call human history--money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery--[is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”

Searching for something other than God to make us content is fruitless.

It is not only fruitless, but foolish.

The Psalmist reminds of this too.

Psalm 14:1 (KJV) - The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 5, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 12, 2016

You're My Neighbor

As I pulled my car into the driveway, I saw my neighbor and her young children outside their home.

Once I had my car off the road, I stopped and said hello.

My neighbor said hello in return and we made small talk for a time.

The eldest of her two children wanted to be included in the conversation and suddenly spoke up.

“Know what?”, she asked me in the way children do.

“What?”, I asked in return.

“You’re my neighbor!”, she exclaimed.

I then asked in return, “Know what?”

“What?”, she asked.

“You’re my neighbor, too!” I exclaimed.

She smiled at that.

What does it take to make one a neighbor?

From the viewpoint of this child, I am the man that lives next door.

That makes me her neighbor.

For adults, the answer may not be as simple as it should be.

In the tenth chapter of Luke’s Gospel, a religious leader tried to test Jesus.

This man asked Jesus what is it that he must do to inherit eternal life.

Jesus asked him a question in return.

Luke 10:26 (NET) - He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you understand it?”

The religious leader answered.

Luke 10:27 (NET) - The expert answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus replied that he answered correctly.

Luke 10:29 (NET) - But the expert, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus then proceeded to tell him the Parable of The Good Samaritan.

In this Parable, a man was set upon by robbers and left to die.

First, a priest happened upon the scene and passed the man by.

Next, a Levite arrived and did likewise.

Finally, a Samaritan arrived on the scene.

He treated the man’s wounds and took him to an inn to recuperate.

The Samaritan left money with the innkeeper to take care of the man.

He even promised to pay the innkeeper whatever else was spent on the man’s care when he returned.

Jesus then asked the expert a question.

Luke 10:36 (NET) - Which of these three do you think became a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?

I find it more than a bit interesting that the expert’s answer to this question shares the same verse as the command from Jesus.

Luke 10:37 (NET) - The expert in religious law said, “The one who showed mercy to him.” So Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

Jesus commands us to love our neighbor.

We are to love our neighbor without condition.

This includes those who refuse to love us in return.

Isn’t it ironic that so often those who are in need of love the most are the ones we find most difficult to love?

Perhaps we can take a lesson from my neighbor’s child.

Perhaps we can start with, “Know what? You’re my neighbor!”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 15, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 22, 2016

It's About God

I was channel surfing the other day.

I paused when I came across a program that was supposed to be about funny videos.

This segment featured a wedding video shot by a professional hired for the occasion.

The videographer along with a still photographer both decided to stand directly behind the minister.

The still photographer was using a flash and was clicking off shot after shot as the minister began to perform the ceremony.

Quite suddenly, the minister interrupted the ceremony.

He turned around to face both the videographer and photographer.

The minister informed the pair that he would not allow them to stand there.

The videographer protested stating that he just wanted to get a good shot.

The minister replied that these proceedings were not about the shot but rather about God.

The videographer continued his protest and the minister replied that he would stop the proceedings altogether if they refused to move.

A look of shock came over both the bride and groom.

This warning from the minister encouraged the pair to move.

What I find disturbing is that the producers of this program felt the minister’s reaction was funny.

The commentary from the program’s panel was equally disturbing.

They contended that the couple was more important than God.

They even discussed how much these professionals charged for their services.

Before I wrote this, I did a quick Internet search and discovered one of the major news networks featured an extended version of the video in a news report.

Their reporter inaccurately described the minister as having a meltdown.

The network also interviewed the couple by phone.

They were of the opinion that the minister overreacted.

All things considered, I have to side with the minister in this case.

I am not a professional photographer, but I have taken a number of photographs at weddings, baptisms and other services in a church setting.

I take them not only to benefit the participants, but also to document church history.

That said, there are a number of rules I imposed on myself from the beginning.

First, I would never use a flash in church.

Second, I would sit in front and take every photo from that position. I would not move around.

Third, I would try my utmost not to be a distraction.

Finally, under no circumstances would I ever consider approaching the altar for the sake of a photograph.

I have seen others do this, especially family members during baptisms, and I cringe when they do so.

The service, no matter the occasion, is about God.

God comes first and the participants second.

It is never about the photographer or the shot.

I find it sad that both the program and a major network decided to ridicule this minister.

I, for one, fully support his decision.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 1, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 8, 2016

Remember

Nehemiah 4:14b – Remember that the Lord is great and awesome!

Although Vacation Bible School is a ministry primarily for children, we also provide a class for adults.

I volunteered to teach the adult class this week and tried to offer them something both interesting and challenging.

Church history is one of my passions.

I have written about it and have even been privileged enough to speak about it.

Over the last several weeks I prepared a series of four lectures and planned to tie these together on the final night of class.

Once again, God amazed me in that each of the lectures I presented tied in with the focus lesson aimed at the children each night.

GOD CREATES…

My opening lecture was about a man named John Huss who was martyred for his faith in 1415.

Although he was not the founder of our church, his faith and dedication to the truth inspired those who did.

God was already at work creating our church through his life and example.

GOD HELPS…

My second lecture centered on the early generations of our church and the years of persecution they endured.

God was at work helping them through the darkest times and thus preserved that which He created.

GOD LOVES…

My third lecture was about John Amos Comenius who wrote 154 books.

Many of these books were written in exile.

Many improved the way children are educated.

Comenius was sustained by God’s love.

GOD CALMS…

My fourth lecture was about our ancestors who left their homeland and came to America.

Pioneers in a new land they first worshipped in homes.

In time, they built communities, churches and secured ministers to lead them.

God calmed them as they adjusted to life in a new land.

GOD SENDS IN JESUS’ NAME…

The beauty of God’s wisdom was revealed.

In keeping in touch with our history, we understand how we came into being.

With this knowledge comes the responsibility of knowing our purpose.

God sends us out in the name of Jesus to reach those who are lost.

It comes as no surprise that the verse we stressed for the children is an important reminder for us.

Nehemiah 4:14b – Remember that the Lord is great and awesome!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 17, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 24, 2016

Which Is It?

Which is the more important: faith or works?

Men have struggled with this question for centuries.

This question has even caused strife within the church.

Historically speaking, I know of at least one church that let this question result in a schism.

On one side, there were those that believed faith was the superior of the two.

They could point to verses like this to support their reasoning.

John 1:12 (NET) - But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children

The other side, not to be outdone, could point to verses like this in their defense.

James 2:17 (NET) - So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself.

People on each side insisted their view was the correct one.

Neither side was willing enough to see things from the other’s perspective.

Neither side wished to compromise.

A few attempted to reconcile the two.

They did this by stating that view of each was imperfect.

This, of course, did nothing to bring the two sides together.

Eventually, a schism occurred and the church fractured into two.

Each side went their own way.

Time went by and the distance between the two increased.

One of the churches eventually failed.

It made life rather difficult for the other before it did.

This concept of faith versus works still challenges some today.

For me, the concepts of faith and works are not in opposition.

Rather they complement each other.

They are like two sides of the same coin.

I believe that once a person has been genuinely justified by faith, then good works naturally follow.

The two go hand in hand.

Love is what makes this happen.

Scripture reminds us faith is important, but love is even greater.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NET) - And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Love helps us to make our faith complete.

Love for God.

Love for our fellow man.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 3, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 10, 2016

Worry and Strife

People tend to worry.

We even tend to worry about things over which we have little or no control

We worry about the economy.

We worry about the outcome of elections.

We worry about war and the threat of terrorism.

Worry in and of itself accomplishes nothing.

Just worrying about the economy will not bring about prosperity.

Just worrying about an election will not guarantee your candidate will win.

Just worrying about a war or threat of terrorism will not bring about peace.

When you get down to it, worrying does only one thing.

In fact, it does it pretty effectively.

Worrying does help us to forget that God is in control.

Many things are not in our control, but scripture reminds us that Someone is always in control.

In matters of the economy, it reminds us of the widow who willingly gave her last two coins.

Mark 21:44 (NET) - For they all gave out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in what she had to live on, everything she had.

In matters of elections, it reminds us that Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

1 Timothy 6:15 (NET) - whose appearing the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time.

What about the lack of peace?

Scripture even has a reminder for us there.

John 14:27 (NET) - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.

We would do well to remember these things when worry knocks on our door.

Whatever comes our way, scripture reminds us we do not face it alone.

Exodus 14:14 (NET) - The Lord will fight for you, and you can be still.

Worry, after all, is just a form of strife and scripture has a reminder for us there as well.

Psalm 46:10 (NET) - He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God!

I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 20, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 27, 2016

Leaving the Past Behind

Isaiah 43:25 (NET) - I, I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for my sake; your sins I do not remember.

I enjoy listening to music.

A singer who had been in declining health died in early April.

The news of his passing moved those of us who enjoyed his music over the years

As the news spread, many of his peers came forward.

They spoke not only of his accomplishments but also the influence he had on their careers.

I was a bit amazed by the amount of respect he was shown.

He not only accomplished a great deal musically in his lifetime. he also overcame a rather troubled past.

His father died when he was young.

He tried his hand at a number of jobs.

He also found himself frequently in trouble with the law.

That trouble grew and he eventually found himself sentenced to doing hard time in an infamous prison.

He likely had more than his share of critics as a young man.

Many likely doubted that he had much of a future.

A few probably gave up on him altogether.

How surprised his critics would have been to see the amount of respect his peers paid to him in the end.

Our spiritual journeys are somewhat similar.

We are born sinful creatures.

As we make our journey through this world we realize how desperate is our need for salvation.

We also realize we have no way to redeem ourselves.

Others might look at us and mistakenly conclude that we do not have much of a future.

We might even start to believe this ourselves.

God, however, knows better.

God planned for our future, including our salvation, from the beginning.

God loves us and wants to save us.

Our past, no matter how stained, is of no consequence.

What matters is the present and how we respond to Him.

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.

Speaking metaphorically, some of the people I see in heaven might surprise me.

If so, then a good many more will be surprised to see me there.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 6, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 13, 2016

Let's Make a Deal

There are some good things about social media.

Social media allows us to reconnect with people we may have lost touch with.

It also allows us to maintain connections with people we know.

It can also allow us to make brand new connections.

Social media can even allow us to share our faith.

Social media also presents us with a new set of problems.

Although we can renew connections or make new ones, social media can make these relationships superficial in nature.

That is because these types of connections require little effort on our part.

Even something seemingly good like sharing one’s faith can be problematic.

Scripture reminds us how important it is for us to share our faith.

Mark 16:15 (NET) - He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

This is far more than simply clicking on “like” or “share”.

Even some of the things that social media asks us to “share” are problematic.

Some, in fact, are not sound from a scriptural viewpoint.

Some promise that if you “share this today then God will bless you financially tomorrow.”

Some even try to blackmail us stating if you “scroll past this without sharing then you really do not love Jesus.”

At best these are attempts to apply human reasoning to God.

In John Chapter 9 the disciples tried to apply human reasoning to God.

Jesus saw a blind man.

His disciples assumed that it had to be either the man’s sin or his parents’ sin that caused his blindness.

Jesus corrected their thinking.

John 9:3 (NET) - Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but he was born blind so that the acts of God may be revealed through what happens to him.”

God chooses His blessings for us and those blessings are not dependent on what we choose to do.

This is especially true of “financial” blessings.

If you think about it, some of the most faithful people are not financially successful by the world’s standards.

Similarly, the amount of love we have for Jesus cannot determined by a picture on the web and whether we decide to share that picture or not.

In the end, social media is a tool.

It is a tool that can be used.

If we are not careful, it is a tool that can just as easily be misused.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 15, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 22, 2016

An Empty Container

There are currently at least two television programs that involve containers.

One is about storage lockers.

The other is about large shipping containers.

In both programs, the containers have been abandoned and their contents are auctioned off.

The highest bidder then claims the contents.

The participants in these auctions get some idea as to the contents.

The container is opened and the bidders are allowed a quick look inside,

They are not allowed to venture inside the container for a better look at all the contents.

From this cursory glance they then determine how much of their money they are willing to risk.

Often, labels on boxes or visible items provide clues as to the remaining contents which cannot be seen.

Imagine what were to happen if a container or locker were opened and there was absolutely nothing inside.

How much do you suppose bidders would consider paying for a container or locker that contained nothing?

A container in such a state would be worthless.

In contrast, we find ourselves on the verge of Easter.

This is the day Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.

After His crucifixion, Jesus was removed from the cross and was laid in a tomb.

Three days later, the tomb was found empty.

Luke 24:1-3 (NET) - Now on the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the aromatic spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Jesus had risen, just as He said He would.

This was proof that He in fact was just who He claimed to be.

Luke 24:6-7 (NET) - He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”

That tomb… that container… was for all practical purposes empty.

When Peter arrived, he only found the strips of linen in which Jesus was buried.

Luke 24:6-12 (NET) - But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. He bent down and saw only the strips of linen cloth; then he went home, wondering what had happened.

By contrast that tomb… that empty container… is quite valuable.

It is valuable because it is proof of Who it once contained.

His value is beyond measure.

He is not for sale; not even to the highest bidder.

He gave himself as a gift.

A gift which is available to everyone.

Come and see.

The tomb is empty!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 8, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 15, 2016

Epic Fail

Using today’s terminology, when someone makes a mistake it is sometimes referred to as a “fail”.

A mistake of grand proportion is sometimes referred to as an “epic fail”.

As our journey through the season of Lent continues, my thoughts once again turned to Jesus and the disciples who surrounded Him.

While Jesus never made a mistake, those around Him certainly did.

When it came to making mistakes, it seems that no one could make them like Peter.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells the disciples to travel ahead of Him by boat.

Later that evening the disciples see Jesus walking on the water toward them.

The disciples grow afraid even though Jesus tells them they have nothing to fear.

This is where Peter experiences a “fail”.

Matthew 14:28-31 (NET) - Peter said to him, “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.” So he said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

This is not the only time Peter failed.

In Chapter 17, Peter experiences another fail during the Transfiguration of Jesus.

Matthew 17:1-5 (NET) - Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them privately up a high mountain. And he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. Then Moses and Elijah also appeared before them, talking with him. So Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, I will make three shelters—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my one dear Son, in whom I take great delight. Listen to him!”

Peter would fail once again; but this time in a big way.

In Chapter 26, Jesus tells His disciples that when His time comes, all of them will fall away.

Peter claims that he will not fall away.

Matthew 26:33-34 (NET) - Peter said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

It happened just as Jesus said it would.

Peter denied knowing Jesus three times.

Matthew 26:73-75 (NET) - After a little while, those standing there came up to Peter and said, “You really are one of them too—even your accent gives you away!” At that he began to curse, and he swore with an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter realized that this truly was an “epic fail”.

Scripture tells us Peter failed time and again.

Yet scripture never once tells us that Jesus ever stopped loving Peter.

Peter was redeemed and his transformation was incredible.

Both his ministry and testimony were powerful.

As we journey through this world people will fail us.

We will also fail others.

Some of these failures might even be considered “epic fails”.

Despite our failures, even our “epic” ones, Jesus never for a moment stops loving us.

We must continue to love others even when they fail us.

If we are completely honest with ourselves, we know that we will certainly fail them.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 18, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, March 25, 2016