How We Are Known

On Sunday morning it was my privilege to lead our Senior Assembly.

This gathering takes place prior to Sunday School.

After leading this assembly, I began gathering my materials.

A small child entered the Sanctuary.

I asked her what she was doing there.

She told me that her class needed my help.

It turned out that there was a technical issue with their DVD player.

I told her I would be there just as soon as possible.

She then said something that took me by surprise.

She reminded me that I was their “tech guy”.

Although I found this quite amusing at the time, I suppressed the urge to laugh.

Even at her young age, this child understood one of my roles.

She also understood I could be relied upon in technical matters.

I corrected the problem and went on to teach my class.

That’s the way life is,

People tend to know us based on what we do.

My class thinks of me as a teacher.

My employers think of me as an employee.

My coworkers, like this child, think of me as their tech guy, and so on.

But God sees us differently.

Because of Jesus, He sees us all as His children,

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

Moreover, He sees us as wanted, adopted children,

Romans 8:15 (NET) - For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.”

This relationship is underscored later.

Romans 8:29 (NET) - because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

People may identify us by what we do.

But God does not view us that way.

Thanks to Jesus, we have a special relationship with God.

In the meantime, we still need to use our gifts to help one another out.

John Amos Comenius once said that the mind was a great gift from God and to use it properly was an act of worship.

Luke 12:48b (NET) - From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 7, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, February 14, 2020

Memories and Relationships

I discovered that one of my father’s favorite TV shows was available on DVD.

My father left this world almost forty years ago.

Watching these old episodes again brought back some great memories of long ago.

I remember some things very clearly.

I recall being a very small boy at the time.

I remember my father sitting in his favorite chair just before the program started.

I also remember that I always stopped playing.

Then, I would sit on the floor right next to my father.

I did this because I wanted to feel close to him.

I recall how we exchanged glances.

I also remember how my father would smile at me.

Then the program would start.

I recall sitting very quietly for the next hour so as not to disturb him.

I’ll admit I found the program’s opening theme and graphics a bit frightening.

One look toward my father’s confident face and that would quickly dispel any fears.

I did not get much out of the program back then.

Its premise was far beyond my grasp.

It did however allow me the opportunity to spend some time with my father.

These memories make me think of my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

Often, it is enough for me just to sit quietly in His presence.

To feel a special closeness and to feel loved in return.

And when the world seems chaotic a look toward Him makes all my fears vanish.

No matter how old I grow; He always considers me His child.

Hebrews 11:6 (NET) - Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 15, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 22, 2019

Finishing the Race

Revelation 21:4 (NET) - He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist anymore—or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.

I have been a fan of auto racing for a very long time.

As with every sport, sometimes a story emerges that transcends the sport itself.

Weeks ago, one emerged that resonated within me and with fans all across America.

It was a story about an 11-year old boy diagnosed with leukemia.

This young man’s name was Caleb Hammond and he was a bigger fan than I could ever hope to be.

With treatments proving ineffective, it was decided that he would leave the hospital and live out his remaining days at home.

But Caleb did far more than that.

In August, Caleb was invited to Southern Iowa Speedway.

There, he learned that he would get to live his dream.

He would be able to race his own car on the track.

Later, he was able to take a ride in a Ferrari on a racetrack.

Shortly thereafter, the news broke that Caleb wanted racing stickers to adorn his coffin.

The racing community responded.

Drivers and teams sent boxes full of stickers to help fulfill Caleb’s final wish.

Caleb left this earthly life days ago.

With racing this week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, several drivers honored Caleb with “Team Caleb” stickers on their cars.

When weather postponed the race until after Caleb’s death, the Speedway honored his memory with a moment of silence.

There are those who will say that Caleb lost his battle.

I prefer to think that he won it.

Death is an eventuality that all must face in the end.

I pray that when my time comes, I can face it with the courage of this 11-year old.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NET) - I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day—and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 21, 2018.

I will be back here on Friday, September 28, 2018

By Example

I do not have children of my own, but I know they are special to Jesus.

Mark 10:13-16 (NET) - Now people were bringing little children to him for him to touch, but the disciples scolded those who brought them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” After he took the children in his arms, he placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Because children are special to Him, they are special to me.

One thing that always makes me feel good is when children from my church recognize me in public.

The other day I stopped at a restaurant.

From where I was seated I could see a family at another table that attend my church.

The youngest child in that family is about two years of age.

At one point he started looking around and saw me.

He immediately got the attention of his parents and pointed me out.

I waved to them and they waved back.

What struck me was the response of the two-year old.

He knows so very little about me.

In his mind I am just the big, bearded man he sees every Sunday in church.

That scene kept replaying itself in my mind.

A few days later I stopped at a different restaurant to pick up a sandwich.

A teenager from my church recently started working there.

She smiled when I walked in and even took my order.

When my order was ready she handed it to me.

As I prepared to leave, she did not say goodbye.

She said, “See you in church!”

This also made me feel blessed.

The teenager knows a great deal more about me than does the two-year old.

She is far more aware of the duties I perform for the church than the child.

The one thing about me that each has learned from experience is that come Sunday they will see me in church.

All things considered, I cannot think of a better reputation to have among our young people.

Matthew 18:10 (NET) - See that you do not disdain one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

There are two primary means of education.

We can teach with words.

We can also teach by example.

We often teach adults with our words.

But it is the example we set for the young that teaches far more effectively.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 2, 2018.

I will be back here on Friday, March 9, 2018

I Didn't Know

I never have to look far to see God’s blessings in my life.

Every year when Vacation Bible School comes around I can always count on God blessing me through a child.

This year was no exception.

This year I taught the adult class and we studied the life and faith of Jan Hus.

Hus was burned at the stake in 1415, but his example influenced those that founded my church in 1457.

The books that Hus wrote were gathered and publicly burned prior to his execution.

I certainly would not put my writing on the same level as that of Hus, but there is one thing our writings have in common.

Writing is a form of worship and I cannot begin to imagine how it would feel to have that destroyed by men,

I explained that to my class.

I also added that any service performed for the Lord is a form of worship.

As I personally knew the students in that class I looked at each in turn and called out one of the services each performed.

I reminded them that each of these services was a form of worship.

As things came to a close that evening I stayed around to help lock up for the night.

A little boy saw me using my keys as I locked a set of doors.

He ran up to me and said, “Hey! I didn’t know you worked here!”

He knew nothing of my teaching or my writing or anything else about me.

All he saw was me using a set of keys and concluded that I was on the staff.

At that point I remembered what I shared with my class about every service being a form of worship,

I felt extremely loved by God at that moment.

I looked at the little boy, smiled and said, “Yes. I work here. In fact, I have worked here for a very long time.”

He smiled and returned to his family who were waiting nearby.

I removed the key from the lock and thanked God for this very special blessing.

Colossians 3:23-24 (NET) – Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as your reward. Serve the Lord Christ.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 19, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 26, 2015

Keeping It Simple

Mark 10:15 (NET) - I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.


When we were children we were taught a song in Sunday School.

Having only said that much you may be thinking of it already.

The song I am reminiscing about is Jesus Loves Me.

It was written by Anna B. Warner in 1860 as a poem.

It was set to music in 1861 by William Bradbury.

It is a simple song, to be sure.


Jesus loves me!

This I know,

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong;

They are weak but he is strong.


Something happens to us as we mature.

We drift away from this wonderful song.

Perhaps we feel it is too simple.

Perhaps we feel we have outgrown it.

What a pity.

Matthew 18:4 (NET) - Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Meaning no disrespect to Anna Warner, I thought that it might be worthwhile to attempt some lyrics applicable to other stages in our lives.

Perhaps something like this when we consider ourselves "in our prime".


Jesus loves me!

Anyway.

Even when I sin or stray.

He’s been waiting all along;

For my confession that I’m wrong.


Or, something like this when we enter the twilight of our lives.


Jesus loves me!

Though I’m gray,

He’s been with me every day.

One day I’ll say my goodbyes,

Then I’ll see Him with my eyes.


Simple?

Perhaps.

As we grow older our lives become more complicated.

We continually exchange one set of challenges for another.

Faith, on the other hand, remains divinely uncomplicated.

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, August 2, 2013.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, August 9, 2013.