The Seduction of Pride

I was recently asked to be one of several speakers at an upcoming event.

I agreed for two reasons.

First, I am familiar with the topic that interests the group.

Second, I was recommended to them by a close friend.

As the event was still weeks away, I turned my attention back to more pressing matters.

A few days later, the group requested my “bio” for the event.

Frankly, I never like submitting these.

Although organizers need them, I dislike them for two reasons.

In the first place, I do not like talking about myself.

In the second, it is easy to allow pride to take over.

Once pride takes over, we can easily overstate our importance.

Before I began, I thought about the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

Jesus relates this parable in Luke 18.

He told it to some people who were convinced they were more righteous than others.

Luke 18:10-12 (NET) - “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’

I was very glad I recalled this parable before I wrote my “bio” as it reminded me how not go about it.

The second part of this parable also proved very helpful.

Luke 18:13 (NET) - The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’

Keeping these verses in mind, I wrote my “bio”, keeping it to just a few simple lines and submitted it to the organizers.

I am glad that I took this approach.

Luke 18:14 (NET) - I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Pride, especially in one’s self, is extremely seductive.

It is easy to see why the ancients considered it one of the deadly sins.

It is so seductive that it can easily lead us to sin in other ways.

Most importantly, pride shifts our focus.

We shift our focus onto ourselves and away from God who rightfully deserves it.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 2, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 9, 2019

Connections

“Do you know who I am?!?”

Chances are we have had this question screamed at us at least one time.

This is especially true if our profession puts us in contact with the general public.

It happened to me long ago when I worked in a store.

I am certain it still goes on in retail today.

People in law enforcement get their share of this as well.

Someone will take take out their frustrations on us and yell, “Do you know who I am?!?”

They will likely follow this question with a reminder of some connection they have to some person of importance.

Someone whom they believe can threaten our livelihood.

But every coin has two sides.

What about those of us on the receiving end of such tirades?

We have some powerful connections as well.

Take our Father, for example.

Romans 8:14-15 (NET) - For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. 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.”

What about our Brother?

He is important as well.

Romans 8:29-30 (NET) - And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, 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.

When it comes to connections, the world has none more powerful than these,

That said, we are reminded not to repay such treatment in kind.

Our connections are already aware of the situation we are in.

Psalm 33:13-15 (NET) - The Lord watches from heaven; he sees all people. From the place where he lives he looks carefully at all the earth’s inhabitants. He is the one who forms every human heart, and takes note of all their actions.

There is one thing that goes along with having such powerful connections.

They require us to forgive.

In the heat of the moment, this is not the easiest thing for us to do.

We must remember that we have already been forgiven.

Ephesians 4:31--32 (NET) - You must put away all bitterness, anger, wrath, quarreling, and slanderous talk—indeed all malice. Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

Forgiveness is not always easy for us.

It is likely the one thing that Christians struggle with most.

But we do not have to face the challenge alone.

There is an old hymn that reminds us to “take it to the Lord in prayer”.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 1, 2018.

I will be back here on Friday, June 8, 2018

Blinders

Philippians 4:13 (NET) - with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

I was looking at some old photographs of horses.

Some were farm horses that pulled plows.

Others were used to pull wagons or buggies in town.

Still others were bred for racing.

The one thing that they had in common was that many of them had blinders on.

I could not help but think about why.

No matter how fast or slow they travelled or how hard they worked, blinders were standard equipment.

Trainers put blinders on race horses encouraging them to stay focused on the race in front of them.

Blinders help keep work horses focused on the task at hand.

Blinders also keep horses from being distracted by their surroundings or frightened by things like traffic.

In Paul’s letter, he speaks of striving “toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

If that is the case, wouldn’t we find a set of blinders helpful ourselves?

Not necessarily.

Some blinders can be misleading.

Advertisers, for example, often try to tell us what we should want.

This can keep us from focusing on what we really need.

People we know can fit us with blinders.

They may try to get us to do or say things we know we should avoid.

Sometimes we even create blinders for ourselves.

These can keep us from seeing those in need around us.

Blinders may work well for horses, but we can certainly do without them.

Winning our race means focusing on “the upward call of God in Jesus Christ”.

It also means helping those in need around us and loving them.

We don’t need blinders to help us win our race.

2 Timothy 4:7 (NET) - I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 15, 2017.

I will be back here on Friday, September 22, 2017

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

No Matter Where You Are

This time of year always causes me to reflect on change.

In the Northern Hemisphere we are now into fall.

Leaves are turning various shades of brown, red and yellow.

Soon the ground will be covered with them,

The temperature is also growing milder and this serves to remind me that winter is not too far away,

The opposite is true in the Southern Hemisphere where spring is in the air.

Winter is releasing its hold on that part of the world.

Everything there is once again turning green with the promise of renewed life.

To our way of thinking, changes of this kind seems gradual.

It takes an entire year to complete the cycle of seasons.

Other changes take place both more quickly and more often.

This is true when we change directions from North and South to East and West.

Half the globe is experiencing day and the other half night in a cycle.

It takes only 24 hours to complete this cycle.

These are changes with which we are somewhat aware.

Yet there are some things of which we are not aware at all.

You may need to sit completely still for this next part.

The speed at which the Earth rotates about its axis is close to 1000 miles per hour (1600 km/hr) at the equator.

The speed at which the Earth travels around the Sun is an incredible 66,000 miles per hour (107,000 km/hr).

The Sun (along with the Earth) is travelling around the galaxy at a staggering 483,000 miles per hour (792,000 km/hr)!

Just how fast is the galaxy moving (along with the Earth)? This speed turns out to be an astounding 1.3 million miles per hour (2.1 million km/hr)!

You see, even when you are sitting completely still you are still travelling at an incredible rate of speed even though you are not even the slightest bit aware of it.

Day or night, spring or fall, or even where you in the universe at any given moment based on its various speeds, God knows exactly where you are and what is going on in your life.

He not only knows; He cares.

Joshua 1:9 (NET) - I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 16, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 23, 2015

The Grand Illusion

People, as a rule, are stubborn.

I should know, because I am a person and I tend to be stubborn.

When it comes to life, we like to believe that we are in control.

But this belief is merely a self-imposed illusion.

The proof lies in the outcome of the plans that we make.

Sometimes, things work out the way we plan.

Often times, they do not.

That is some pretty compelling evidence.

If we were in complete control of our lives, shouldn’t everything work out the way we plan?

If we are not in control, then that leaves us with two possibilities.

Either no one is in control or someone else is.

If no one is in control then the entire system should break down.

Granted, the world has its share of problems.

There are wars, poverty, disease, ignorance and a host of other problems.

Despite all of these things, life goes on.

That leaves us with one option.

Someone is in control.

That raises the question of exactly who is in control.

There is only one possible answer.

God is in control.

Even the community of science gives us some glimpses of that.

The speed of light is a constant.

The acceleration due to gravity is another.

The list goes on.

As I said at the outset, I am stubborn.

Even as a Christian, I liked to think I was in control of my life.

Eventually, I learned to let go of the wheel.

Once I did that two things happened.

First, I discovered that I was actually able to enjoy the ride even more.

Second, I asked myself why I had not let go sooner.

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

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 6, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, March 13, 2014

Life Imitating Art

Teaching Sunday school is something I am very passionate about.


Along with the current study, I also have to plan ahead for the next study and be able to move forward with it when the time comes.

One thing I have always been able to rely on is God’s guidance in the preparation of these one hour sessions which seem to go by so very quickly. I can also rely on His direction for us in future studies.

That is certainly the case with our current study which is very nearly complete.

Some months ago, I managed to get some time off around Christmas and decided to begin reading The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.

When my holiday arrived, I read the first chapter before going to bed and it had a very profound impact on me.

Over the course of the next two days, I devoured the rest of the book.

I remember telling friends and family afterward how "blown away" I was by the book.

I also knew that upon completion of our current study, I would ask my class would to join Christian (Bunyan’s main character) on his pilgrimage through this classic.

I procured enough copies of the book for the entire class and informed them of the pending study.

Along with continued work on our current study, I read Bunyan’s classic three more times taking detailed notes, anticipating questions I might be asked and drawing on scripture to reinforce the spiritual truths that Bunyan sought to teach in his allegory.

When the time arrived, we began our study.

One of the things that delighted me was seeing my students have the same reaction to the book that I had the first time I read it.

Also very personally rewarding were the number of times students told me, "Thank you for bringing this book to us."

Now, that journey nears its end.

Along with the joy, we also experienced some personal sadness along the way.

One of my students, Rudy, went to be with the Lord.

Rudy was much more than a student.

I counted him as both a blessing and a good friend.

I feel that way about every student.

We are a cohesive and closely knit group.

There is an old saying that says that life imitates art and, at times, there is more than a fair amount of truth in that.

In The Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian acquired a traveling companion from his home town. This character’s name was Faithful.

They journeyed together intending to arrive at the Celestial City, or heaven, at the same time.

One day, as they neared the town of Vanity, they encountered an old friend and mentor, a wonderful man by the name of Evangelist.

Along with the happy reunion, Evangelist gave them words of caution.

"But be faithful unto death, and Christ will give you a crown of life. If one of you shall die there, although his death will be cruel and his pain great, yet he will be more fortunate than the other, because he will arrive in the Celestial City much sooner, and he will escape the trials the other must endure in the rest of the way."

This came to pass.

When Christian and Faithful arrived in Vanity, they refused to buy any of the worldly goods that the townspeople had for sale. This coupled with their speech and demeanor soon created quite an uproar. They were arrested and put on trial.

At the trial, Faithful gave a remarkable testimony. Nevertheless, he was found guilty in the town’s eyes and executed.

Christian then saw a golden chariot with fiery steeds whisk Faithful away to the Celestial City. He also thought he heard a trumpet sound from the Celestial City when the chariot arrived.

Christian then continued on his pilgrimage. A pilgrimage in which he encountered and overcame numerous obstacles before reaching the Celestial City himself.

My friend and student faced a trial of a different sort.

The trial he faced was a fatal illness.

Yet even in this sort of trial, he gave his own powerful testimony to those who lovingly took such good care of him.

At his funeral service, our pastor said that Rudy’s physical therapist told him, "Thank you for sharing Rudy with us." He added that these words assured him that Rudy was exactly where God wanted him to be.

Just like Faithful, Rudy has now arrived at the Celestial City ahead of the rest of us.

Just like Christian, we who remain behind must faithfully continue in our pilgrimage knowing that we will face and overcome many tribulations along the way.

Yet, we remain confident that God will see us through each and every one of them.

He will use these to build us up and refine us until we too reach the Celestial City just like our now departed friend.

Sometimes life really does imitate art.

This is not surprising when you consider that God is in complete and total control.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 21, 2013.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, June 28, 2013.

In the Midst of Tragedy

Recently, two tragic events occurred within days of each other.

The first happened near the finish line of the Boston Marathon when two bombs detonated within moments of each other.

The second happened in the Texas community of West when a fertilizer plant exploded.

The first occurred in a major metropolitan area; the second in a small town.

In both, lives were lost.

In both, many were severely injured.

The first was a deliberate act by two individuals who subscribed to an ideology based on hate.

The second was a terrible accident.

In the days that followed I planned to use this devotional to address a specific question that was on the minds of many.

During that time, I also read some things that caused me a tremendous amount of personal anguish and distress.

After much reflection and prayer, I decided to address both beginning with the one that caused me pain.

Shortly after the bombings in Boston I read in the news of a church in America that believed this event was a direct punishment from God.

A short time later I learned that members of this church felt the same way about the tragedy in the town of West.

I refuse to name that church (or the issue that drives them) as I have concluded they seem to enjoy such publicity.

This church not only drew an erroneous conclusion, they compounded their error by planning to engage in protests at the funerals of the fallen.

It was my personal opinion that their position was flawed, their language was profane and their viewpoint could have been considered just as extreme as those of the bombers themselves.

Adding to my sadness were some of the comments news readers posted in response.

One reader stated that this was why he did not go to church.

Another said that this was why he did not believe in God.

As Christians, our mission is to be a beacon drawing others to Christ rather than a force that drives them away.

While there were numerous passages of scripture I could have cited in response, I opted instead to summarize my viewpoint in a comment of my own that I posted in several forums.

I share that comment with you now.

"The God I worship would have none to perish, in fact. He sent His only Son to save sinners. Even sinners like me. That same Son teaches me to love my neighbor, especially when my neighbor refuses to love me in return. Events like this are not a punishment from a vengeful God, rather, they are a symptom of a fallen world. Scripture must be accepted and understood as a whole. You cannot simply carve it apart and accept the parts you agree with and discard the rest."

This brings me to the initial question that I thought many struggled with in the aftermath of these unfortunate events.

Where exactly was God during these tragedies?

We are taught as children that God is everywhere.

He really is.

When the bombs went off in Boston. God was in the first responders who ran toward the explosions rather than away from them.

God was in the three policemen who stood in front of the fallen runner to shield him from another potential blast.

God was in strangers who assisted those they did not know as they applied makeshift tourniquets to torn limbs.

When the fertilizer plant exploded in the town of West, God was in the dispatcher who stayed calm and did her job even though her friends who were already fighting the fire had likely perished in the blast.

God was in the students who were taking a class in becoming emergency medical technicians as they ran in to assist the injured.

God was in the throngs of people from surrounding communities who came in to help. Many were turned away because too many wanted to help.

God was in the people who collected and delivered relief supplies. So many items were donated that this became a problem in and of itself.

These are but a few examples of God’s involvement.

God was also involved much earlier.

God was also with an eight year old boy when he wrote the words "Stop hurting people" well before he was killed in the blast in Boston.

We live in a fallen world.

As a result, bad things happen.

God does not punish us with these events, neither does he abandon us when they occur.

God Is in control even when the world seems chaotic to us.

God has a plan and He is in complete control.

His plan is not one of punishment.

His plan is one of hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NET) - ‘For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the LORD. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not harm you. I plan to give you a future filled with hope.’


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 3, 2013.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, May 10, 2013.
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.