The Eternal ‘I AM’

 

Exodus 3:14 (NRSVue) - “God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

In Exodus 3, God reveals Himself to Moses through a burning bush.

He then commands Moses to go to Pharoah and deliver His people from bondage.

Moses first questions why God should choose to send him.

He then asks how he should respond when the people ask who sent him.

The name God gives is ‘I AM’.

Not I WAS, or I WILL BE, but ‘I AM’.

This speaks volumes as God is eternal.

The name ‘I AM’ confirms this.

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, speaks of another of God’s eternal aspects.

He speaks of God’s eternal love through Christ.

Romans 8:31 (NRSVue) - What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

God, the eternal ‘I AM’ delivered His people.

God, the eternal ‘I AM’ enabled those in Rome to set aside their fears.

God, the eternal ‘I AM’ delivers us and gives us confidence.

We no longer have a reason to fear.

Even physical death has lost its power to intimidate us,

God, the eternal ‘I AM’ gives us His peace, His love, and His hope.

There may be times we fail to recognize His presence, but He is there, nonetheless.

He has plans for our future.

And, when our work is done, He has already prepared a place for us.

All these things, and more, are gifts of the eternal ‘I AM’.

They are God’s gifts of love to us through Christ.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 2, 2023.

I will be back here on Friday, June 9, 2023

The Blessing of Friendship

 Thanksgiving Day had me reflecting on all the ways God has blessed me in my lifetime.

 Every blessing from Him I thought of, without exception, had something else in common.

 God used people in His blessing.

 As a child, God used my parents to bless me.

 When I attended school, God used teachers to bless me.

 At church, He used pastors and Sunday School teachers to bless me.

 In my professional life, He used my colleagues to bless me.

 To develop my character, He blessed me with wonderful role models.

 To uplift me, He blessed me with a wonderful church family

 To love me, He blessed me with many loving uncles, aunts and cousins,

 Then there is perhaps my favorite blessing of all.

 God has blessed me with friends.

 I say this is among my favorite blessings for several reasons.

 Many of my friends I can trace back to the groups I mentioned before.

 For example, I consider my colleagues my friends.

 I also count members of my church family as friends.

 Even some of my role models became my friends and that is a very special feeling indeed,

 Now, through technology and social media, the number of friends God blesses me with continues to grow.

 I consider these friends special too.

 Some I see on a regular basis.

 Some I see only occasionally.

 Some I will never meet face to face in this world.

 Whatever the frequency, each friendship is one to treasure.

 Then, there is the most special blessing of all friendships.

 John 15:13-15 (NIV) – No one has greater love than this – that one lays down His life for His friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I have heard from My Father.

 I would not trade this special blessing for anything.

 This blessing has no bounds.

 Best of all, Jesus offers this blessing to everyone.

 Before Thanksgiving Day fades into memory, take a moment to reflect.

 Reflect on the blessings of friendship.

 Then, reflect on the very best friendship of all.

 Reflect on the friend who laid down His life for you… for us…. for everyone!

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 4, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 11, 2020

 

No Favoritism

 

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NET) - Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of men.

America experienced division prior to the 2020 election.

Now, one side claims victory while the other side cries foul.

Even the election results (such as they are) are posted as “red” states and “blue” states.

Unfortunately, the outcome, whatever it is, will likely encourage more division.

One thing I have observed throughout the campaign disturbs me.

Christian supporters for each candidate claimed in effect that God was on their side.

This is nothing new.

Even generals in various armed conflicts assured their troops of victory for the same reason.

But speaking for God and claiming to know which side He is on is a dangerous game to play at best.

Speaking for myself, I am glad America is a nation that has a say in its choice for leadership.

But I know the pendulum swings both ways.

Sometimes the candidate I support will win.

Sometimes the candidate I support will lose.

That is politics.

Rather than speaking for God, Christians would be far better off seeking to heal division.

Christ told us to love God and to love our neighbor.

That means loving those who supported a different candidate than we did.

It also means praying for our leaders and respecting the offices they hold.

Even those who did not get our vote.

Peter understood that God does not show favoritism.

Neither should we.

Acts 10:34 (NET) - Then Peter started speaking: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people,

Perhaps understanding that would help Christians be a force for healing rather than a force for division.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 20, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 27, 2020

 

What's Good About It?

What can possibly be “good” about Good Friday?

Not only did Jesus die on this day, He endured so very much along the way.

He was abandoned by those closest to Him.

He was beaten and made to wear a crown of thorns.

He was mocked.

He was made to carry His own cross.

He was then crucified – the most painful and cruel form of execution ever devised.

So what can possibly be “good” about Good Friday.

To begin with, He did this willingly for the entire world.

This was foretold centuries before.

Isaiah 53:3-5 (NET) - He was despised and rejected by people, one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him; he was despised, and we considered him insignificant. But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done. He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed.

Jesus endured all of this for us.

Yet upon His death He knew He had fully accomplished the Father’s will

John 19:30 (NET) - When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Then, at the exact moment Jesus died… God did something incredible.

Matthew 27:51a (NET) - Just then the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom.

The physical barrier that separated sinful man from a perfectly Holy God was no more.

What a beautiful gesture on God’s part!

Of course, all this was but a prelude of what was to come.

On the third day, His tomb was found empty.

Luke 24:2-3 (NET) - 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.

These things are what make this week the most important week in the calendar to Christians.

This year we will not be able to gather due to the pandemic.

But that in no shape, way or form diminishes the significance of what Jesus did!

Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be!

Jesus did exactly what He came to do!

Yet still we might wonder “what’s good about Good Friday?”

We might even wonder why God would allow a pandemic that would keep us from gathering at such an important time.

In the following days, may we find comfort in the book of Romans.

Romans 8:28-29 (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.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 17, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 24, 2020

Just Two Words

Loss.

We have all experienced the loss of a loved one.

Often the pain we experience is compounded.

Perhaps this is due to the circumstances surrounding the loss.

Perhaps this is due to the age of the person.

Perhaps this is due to the number of recent losses we have experienced.

Perhaps this is due to the sheer number of tragedies a family has already experienced.

It is no secret that scripture is a tremendous source of comfort in times of loss.

There are verses about Jesus having conquered death.

There are verses about His going to prepare a place for us.

There are verses about the wiping away of every tear.

There are verses about the resurrection.

There are verses about eternal life.

Verses upon verses in scripture are there ready to provide comfort.

That said, is it okay for us to cry when a loved one has died?

Jesus demonstrated that it is okay to shed tears.

In fact, Jesus shed tears after his friend Lazarus died.

He traveled to Bethany and met with his sisters, Mary and Martha.

When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been in the tomb several days.

Mourners were present.

Some of the words spoken to Jesus could be considered harsh.

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead with a spoken word.

But before all this, Jesus did something quite profound.

The moment is captured for us in the shortest verse in scripture.

That verse contains just two words.

But these words speak volumes.

John 11:35 (KJV) - Jesus wept.

Christ shed tears for his friend.

His tears were genuine.

If Christ shed genuine tears, we may also do likewise when we lose someone special.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 21, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 28, 2019

Thoughts on Resurrection

I am currently teaching a class on Heaven.

This also makes some discussion concerning resurrection a necessity.

People tend to struggle with the concept of resurrection and understandably so.

Some simply cannot understand how a lifeless and decayed body could possibly be resurrected.

A look at scripture can help us better understand this.

First, let’s examine what Jesus did for Lazarus.

The book of John tells us that Jesus loved Lazarus.

When Lazarus fell ill, his sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus.

Before Jesus arrived, Lazarus died and was buried.

In fact, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days when Jesus arrived.

Jesus ordered the stone covering the tomb to be removed and Martha objected.

John 11:39 (NET) - Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, replied, “Lord, by this time the body will have a bad smell, because he has been buried four days.”

The tomb was unsealed, and Jesus called for Lazarus to come out of it.

Lazarus emerged from the tomb and Jesus commanded that his wrappings be removed.

Lazarus was once again among the living.

The Old Testament also provides some insight into the concept of resurrection.

The Lord brought Ezekiel into a valley full of dry bones.

The Lord asked Ezekiel if the dry bones could live?

The Lord then commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to them.

Ezekiel 37:7--8 (NET) - So I prophesied as I was commanded. There was a sound when I prophesied—I heard a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to bone. As I watched, I saw tendons on them, then muscles appeared, and skin covered over them from above, but there was no breath in them.

The Lord then commanded Ezekiel to prophesy once more.

Ezekiel 37:10 (NET) - So I prophesied as I was commanded, and the breath came into them; they lived and stood on their feet, an extremely great army.

Lazarus had been entombed for four days.

The bones in Ezekiel’s valley had been dead far, far longer.

Scripture refers to these bones as “dry”.

This implies a state that goes even beyond death.

Is resurrection possible?

Absolutely!

God spoke the universe into being.

Even the tomb in which Jesus was laid was found empty.

God’s power is limitless.

1 Corinthians 15:42 (NET) - It is the same with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable.

Death is no longer something to be feared.

If God can resurrect the dead, just imagine what He can do with the living.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 18, 2018.

I will be back here on Friday, May 25, 2018

Father's - Earthly and Heavenly

Proverbs 20:7 (NET) - The righteous person behaves in integrity; blessed are his children after him.

My father’s birthday was just the other day.

I thought about him a great deal that day and the days since.

I was not yet a man when he died.

It is hard for me to believe that almost 40 years have gone by since the day he died.

I thought about the road I have traveled without him.

I thought of the questions I never got to ask him.

I pondered the fatherly wisdom he never got to give.

I thought of the many Father’s Days, birthdays and Christmases we could not celebrate together.

I reflected on the career I chose which he did not witness.

I thought of my personal successes he could not delight in.

I thought about many other things.

In the grand scheme of things, we did not have as much time together as we would have liked.

One thing is certain, neither of us knew that his last day on earth would be just that.

My father never saw the man I became.

Although I am by no means perfect, I am happy with the man I have become so far.

I give my father a good deal of the credit for that.

In the time we had together, he taught me many things.

He taught me the importance of work.

He taught me the importance of ethics.

He also taught me about the importance of relationships.

He taught me how to establish and nurture relationships with others.

He also taught me the importance of having a relationship with God.

Most importantly, he taught me these things by example.

As a result, I know that my Heavenly Father has shared with me in all the things my father could not.

I also know that I can turn to Him in any situation.

I know that He is an active participant in my life and not merely an observer.

He continues the work He started so many years ago.

Philippian 1:6 (NET) - For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 4, 2017.

I will be back here on Friday, August 11, 2017

A Good Question

As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, one question bears considering,

“Who is Jesus?”

It is one thing to examine how this question was addressed by those who followed Jesus.

Examining how this question was addressed by others is another.

This is particularly true of individuals who were involved in one way or another with His crucifixion.

Pilate is but one example.

Chapter 19 of the book of John reminds us that Pilate initially tried to free Jesus.

Failing in this attempt, he had a sign affixed to the cross.

John 19:19 (NET) - Pilate also had a notice written and fastened to the cross, which read: “Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews.”

The was written in several languages.

As soon as the chief priests read these words they appealed to Pilate to change them.

Pilate refused.

John 19:22 (NET) - Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

In Luke’s account of the crucifixion we are told of the mocking of Jesus.

One of those crucified with Jesus also mocked him.

The other crucified with him had a much better understanding.

Luke 23:40-41 (NET) - But the other rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we rightly so, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then there was the centurion who witnessed the crucifixion in Mark’s gospel.

The death of Jesus brought a deep and profound understanding to the centurion.

Mark 15:39 (NET) - Now when the centurion, who stood in front of him, saw how he died, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

Neither Pilate, nor the criminal nor the centurion were followers of Jesus.

Yet through His crucifixion they understood who Jesus was.

What about us?

How do we answer the question: “Who is Jesus?”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 7, 2017.

I will be back here on Friday, April 14, 2017

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

A True Revolutionary

Dictionaries typically have more than one definition for the word “revolutionary”.

The definition most people think of is someone “supporting a political revolution”.

The one I prefer is someone “causing a great or complete change”.

If you want me to be completely honest, I consider Jesus to be a revolutionary.    

Not in the sense of a political revolution.

I consider Jesus to be a revolutionary because he brought about a great and complete change.

The change Jesus brought about was so great and so complete that the time of his birth is used to delineate time.

Time before His birth is designated as B. C. and the time after his birth is designated A. D.

Jesus brought about complete change but He was not at all what the world anticipated.

He did not arrive on the scene as a general or a military strategist.

He was not a powerful political leader.

He was not born to wealth and privilege.

He did not even grow up in a large and powerful city.

God sent His Son into the world in a completely unexpected way.

Jesus entered this world as a baby.

He was born to humble parents in a relatively obscure town.

It was not the powerful and influential that first learned of His arrival but simple shepherds.

Even as an adult, His life and teachings were not at all what the world expected.

He instructed us to love rather than hate.

He taught us that when wronged, we should forgive.

He never once sinned even when He experienced temptation, hunger, rejection, abandonment, ridicule, torture and more.

Jesus did not come into the world to conquer it.

Instead, He came into the world to die for it.

That is truly revolutionary!

2 Timothy 1:9-10 (NET) - He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 18, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 25, 2015

Still Waters

I learned something new the other day.

I learned that sheep will not drink from running water.

This immediately brought to mind Psalm 23.

Especially the second verse.

Psalm 23:2 (KJV) - He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Most people consider Psalm 23 to be simply a passage that provides comfort and a sense of peace.

It also provides a tremendous amount of truth.

Verse one sets the tone.

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

The Lord is the shepherd and as such He knows exactly what His sheep need.

Notice that He makes us lie down.

Left to our own devices we constantly find ways of staying busy.

The Lord knows we need rest as well so He makes us do just that.

A good shepherd also knows that his sheep will not drink from running water.

The Lord, being our shepherd, leads us beside still waters.

If we partake of this water, we will never thirst again.

John 4:14 (KJV) - But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

There is more.

Psalm 23:3 (KJV) - He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

The Lord restores our souls and leads us into righteousness not only for our sake, but also because this is who Hs is.

This is what He does.

There is still more.

Psalm 23:4 (KJV) - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Even the thought of death cannot frighten us, for we do not travel the path alone.

Psalm 23:6 (KJV) - Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The shepherd assures us that death is not the end, but merely a transition.

Psalm 23 provides us with comfort.

It also provides us with a tremendous amount of truth.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 20, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 27, 2015

Truth and Freedom

John 8:32 (NET) – “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

This passage of scripture has been on my mind a great deal lately.

Anyone can see that it is composed of two parts.

The first part says that we will know the truth.

What is the truth?

When Pilate questioned Jesus, Jesus tried to explain truth to him.

John 18:37 (NET) – Then Pilate said, “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world – to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Pilate did not understand.

Pilate responded with the question, “What is truth?”

Two thousand years have passed and the world still echoes that same question.

“What is truth?”

Jesus could not have been clearer.

Jesus said, “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Jesus is the source of truth.

Think about the number of times Jesus spoke the words, “I tell you the truth...”

If Jesus is the source of truth and we know it, we will be made free.

The question then remains, “Free from what?”

Death? Even the faithful die an earthly death.

Persecution? Some of the most faithful are persecuted for their faith.

There is freedom in His truth.

We are freed from fear.

Even the fear of death is forced to release its hold on us.

1 Corinthians 15:55 (NET) – “Where. O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

We are freed from this fear and all others.

We are even freed from the fear of persecution.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NET) – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 1, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 8, 2015

Rings a Bell

Church bells have been in use for centuries.

There are primarily used to signal worshipers that the service is about to begin.

Some churches, including my own, also ring the church bell at the conclusion of the service.

Some churches ring their bell three times a day as a reminder to their members to recite prayer.

Church bells are even rung in celebration at Thanksgiving or at weddings.

In fact, many wedding and anniversary cards have pictures of church bells on them.

When rung in celebration, the sound of the church bell adds to the joy of the occasion.

Psalm 98:4 (KJV) - Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

I have been called upon to ring my church’s bell both before and after worship.

When rung in a certain way, the bell produces a loud and joyful sound just as described by the Psalmist.

I believe this helps prepare the believer’s heart for worship.

In the same way, that joyful sound it creates at the end of the service also serves a purpose.

I believe it helps prepare the believer to take what was shared during the worship service out into the world.

The sound the bell makes is not always a joyful one though.

In Great Britain during World War II the church bells were silenced.

They were only to be rung as a warning of a pending enemy attack.

There is another time when the sound of the church bell is not a joyous one.

I know this from experience as I have also been called upon to ring the church’s bell at funeral services.

In fact, I was called upon to do just that on Saturday.

Whenever I am called upon to do this, I take the responsibility very seriously.

I see the church bell is a musical instrument that is capable of producing only one note.

Whenever I ring the bell at a funeral service, I try to ring it slowly, regularly and somberly.

I do this out of respect.

I also do it for one more reason.

It is possible that someone attending the funeral service has not yet made himself right with the Lord.

If such is the case, they need to do so while they still have time.

Psalm 144:4 (KJV) – Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.

Just as the bells were rung as a warning in times of war, perhaps the slow, regular and somber tone of the church bell will serve as a reminder.

A reminder that our time on earth is limited.

Although limited, it is never too late to get right with God through Jesus Christ.

For as long as we draw breath there is hope.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 3, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 10, 2015

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.

My Funeral for Sam

My friend Sam passed away last week.

Sam was not given a funeral, so the following is my feeble attempt at providing him with one...

We are gathered here today to give glory to God and to pay our final respects to Sam.

No obituary was printed for Sam, so I had to draw on things I have learned from our friendship of over twenty years.

Sam held several jobs in his lifetime but he was an artist at heart.

To the best of my knowledge, he never made any serious money with his paintings, but perhaps that is just as well.

If Sam had managed to make money this way, he would have likely concluded that his art had become too commercial and probably would have abandoned it for another art form.

I showed someone a portrait Sam had painted of Jesus and they remarked that it was a "little scruffy looking."

Artistically speaking, that made some sense to me.

You see, every culture tends to depict Jesus in art in terms of their own culture.

In African art, Jesus is often depicted as African.

In Asian art, He is often depicted as Asian.

I have a portrait of Jesus that was painted by a European artist that depicts Him with flowing blonde hair and blue eyes.

In this portrait Jesus looks quite European.

I think Sam was simply transferring some of his own "scruffiness" into the painting.

Honestly, I don’t think Jesus took any offense.

Sam enjoyed history.

His favorite TV program was The Antiques Roadshow and he was also extremely interested in Nikola Tesla.

Sam read everything about Tesla that he could get his hands on.

Sam was always researching different things and would talk to me about everything from canyons in Mexico to the Antikythera mechanism found in an Aegean shipwreck.

Sam kept a notepad in his pocket.

If something came up in conversation that interested him, he would jot it down and research it later.

Sam attended several churches in his lifetime including the one I attend.

I think his curiosity fueled his desire to experience firsthand how different denominations choose to worship God.

Sam and I had many, many conversations over coffee and we disagreed about a great many things.

It is said that there are two things you should never discuss, namely, religion and politics.

Yet we discussed both.

And, since we were on opposite ends of the political spectrum, we found a great many things to disagree about.

I can honestly say that we never once allowed a disagreement of any magnitude to get in the way of a perfectly good friendship.

Sam understood my fondness for music.

It was Sam that introduced me to the music of an Australian country singer by the name of Slim Dusty.

To this day, I never tire of listening to Slim singing ‘Waltzing Matilda‘.

I will always be grateful to Sam for that.

Similarly, I will always be grateful to God for the friendship He gave me with Sam.

Sadly, at the end, I honestly do not believe that Sam had many friends and even fewer good friends.

More than a few severed ties with him altogether for one reason or another along the way.

Sam was not perfect.

Then again, neither are we.

If you seriously think about it, a lifetime of rejections must have caused Sam to feel a great deal of personal pain.

I can only imagine what that amount of rejection must have felt like.

Jesus did not have to imagine anything of the sort.

He knew firsthand what it was like to have people turn on Him.

One day, Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the victorious cry of an ecstatic crowd.

Matthew 21:9 (NET) - The crowds that went ahead of Him and those following kept shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna In the Highest!"

A short time later, an angry mob turned on Jesus.

Matthew 27:22-23 (NET) - Pilate said to them, "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?" They all said, "Crucify Him!" He asked . "Why? What wrong has He done?" But they shouted more insistently, "Crucify Him!"

I have often wondered how many people were part of both the jubilant crowd one day and the angry mob the next.

Jesus knew exactly how it felt to have one of His own turn against Him.

Matthew 26:48 (NET) - Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I kiss is the man. Arrest Him!"

And it happened just that way!

Jesus also knew personally what it felt like to have friends abandon Him.

Jesus told Peter there would come a time when he would deny Him.

Matthew 26:34 (NET) - Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."

Again, it happened just that way!

Yes Sam, in that regard, you were indeed in excellent company.

You see, your Savior knew just how you felt.

Now, that same Savior welcomes you home.

Lord, my prayer today is that You help us recognize that there are many Sam’s in the world.

Encourage us to accept them just as they are.

After all, that is just the way that You accept us.

For those of you that attended this "service" and stayed until the end, I offer my sincerest gratitude.

Sam was created in God’s image.

Sam mattered to God.

Sam mattered to me.

Funerals are for the living, bur everyone has a story.

In the end, doesn’t everyone deserve to have at least some of that story told?

It should not matter how many or how few decide to attend.

If it were possible for us to combine our voices in a closing hymn right now, I would ask that we sing "Just as I Am" before we part company.

One final and very personal note,,,

One of the last things Sam ever said to me was, "I can’t wait until you become a preacher."

Well Sam, this is about as close as I can get.

You deserved better.

This was the best I could provide.

Rest in peace, my friend.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 1, 2013.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, February 8, 2013.
Schedule subject to change.