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