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

A Universal Reminder

For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with astronomy.

It began when I was a young child.

At that time the United States and the Soviet Union were caught up in “the space race.”

Each nation wanted to be the first to send men to the moon and return them safely back to earth.

Although space exploration has changed my interest in astronomy has not diminished.

Whenever I think about astronomy, I also think about God.

God spoke the universe into being and the things he has created are magnificent.

Genesis 1:16 (NET) - God made two great lights – the greater light to rule over the day and the lesser light to rule over the night. He made the stars also.

The universe is so wonderful that we continue to discover new things about it all the time.

Take black holes for example.

There was a time when we could only theorize about them.

They were not even called black holes until 1963.

It was not until 1971 that technology had improved enough for a likely candidate to be found.

Black holes are remarkable in that they are formed when large stars die and collapse in on themselves,

The resulting mass is so dense and has such a gravitational pull that anything passing too close will be pulled inside.

Not even light which travels at 186,000 miles per second can escape its pull.

This is the reason why they look black.

Even more amazing is the concept of supermassive black holes in the centers of galaxies.

The reason they are called supermassive is that they can have the mass of billions of suns.

Certainly we have the technology to see them in other galaxies today.

In reality, we have to look no further than the heart of our own galaxy to find one.

As I pondered this, I was reminded of a passage from scripture.

This passage of scripture talks about sin.

We do not need to look for sin only within others.

We need only to look within ourselves.

Matthew 7:3-5 (NET) – Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

The universe God created is full of wonder and there is much out there that we have not yet seen.

The universe can also serve to remind us that we also need to look deep within ourselves.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 2, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 9, 2015

Taking a Different Road

I was driving to work a few days ago and approached a major highway intersection.

Traffic had backed up further than usual and as I stopped the car I could see why.

Although I could not see the intersection I could see the flashing lights of numerous emergency vehicles.

It was obvious that a serious accident had taken place and emergency crews were in the process of rendering assistance to those involved.

It was also obvious that the intersection was going to be closed for quite a while.

To my right was a large shopping center and one by one the cars ahead of me were entering the parking lot in an attempt to find a way around the accident.

I entered the parking lot as well.

As soon as I exited the highway I found a parking spot and offered up a prayer for those involved and for the emergency personnel working the scene.

I then rejoined the line of cars that turned off the highway as we attempted to find a way around the scene of the accident.

Slowly we maneuvered through a series of connected parking lots working our way to an exit on the far side.

Everyone in this line of cars wanted to make a left hand turn out of the parking lot onto a service road that led back to the highway.

Being familiar with the area I knew that this road would quickly back up as well as it was not designed to handle this volume of traffic.

So, I did the opposite.

I turned right instead knowing I would be able to get back onto the highway by taking a different path.

My path would be longer, but it would be safer.

The Christian walk is rather like that.

Sometimes the way we choose to go doesn’t make sense to those going another way.

In the end, the way we choose to go is the better way because God has provided us with scripture as a roadmap for our lives.

The way we choose to go may not be the shortest or easiest way, but with scripture to guide us we are certain to reach our final destination.

After all, that is where we most desire to be.

Matthew 7:13-14 (NET) – “Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 21, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 28, 2015

At the King's Table

(Author’s Note: I have personally learned a great deal from allegories through the years, and often use them when teaching my Sunday school class. As part of my journey through Lent, I felt moved to put one down in writing.)


As you walk into the great dining hall you are amazed.

The magnificent hall seems to go on forever.

For all you know it might, for you cannot see the end of it.

The table is equally spectacular.

It, too, seems to go on forever.

The end of it, like the hall, simply disappears from view.

"There is an empty seat over here," you hear someone say.

You look upon the speaker, one of a vast multitude seated at the table, as they point out an empty chair next to them.

You walk over, thank them, and take your seat.

You look up and down the table and spot some very familiar faces, but you seem to know everyone you can see somehow.

Before you can ask yourself how it is that you know everyone here, a plate is set before you.

You are amazed by the meal placed before you.

Others are already enjoying their meal.

The meal in front of you looks so inviting that you simply must taste it.

This is without doubt the best meal you have ever had.

In time, you and the others finish and you are overwhelmed by a new sensation.

Complete and total satisfaction.

Never before have you ever felt this satisfied.

As you are about to discuss this with the one who offered you your seat, you notice someone come into the hall.

As he nears, you realize two things.

First, this man is the head waiter.

Second, he carries with him the bill for the entire meal.

This is something you certainly had not counted on.

The waiter is getting uncomfortably close to you.

Discomfort turns to something akin to panic when he stops at your seat and places the bill alongside your now empty plate.

What to do?

You certainly could not afford such a meal for yourself. let alone everyone else in the great hall.

Soon, it appears that all eyes are on you.

As you try to think of a way to explain your inability to pay you realize that it is not you they are looking at.

They are looking behind you.

You turn in your seat and look up into the kindest face you have ever seen.

The individual with the kind face looks at you knowingly and smiles.

He reaches for the bill and that is when you see the nail scarred hand.

As He picks up the bill, you turn to face Him again.

You want to say something, but mere words are not enough.

He places His other hand reassuringly on your shoulder.

It, like the other, is nail scarred.

He smiles and says, "It’s okay. You see, My Father wanted Me to pay for everyone that you see here. That means He wanted me to pay for you too."

Words cannot express the gratitude you feel to this man with the kind face, the warm smile, and the nail scarred hands,

The seeds of this allegory were planted years ago when I read of David’s act of kindness to a crippled Mephibosheth.

2 Samuel 9:13 (NET) - Mephibosheth was living in Jerusalem, for he was a regular guest at the king’s table. But both his feet were crippled.

David performed this act of kindness for the sake of Mephibosheth’s father, Jonathan.

Mephibosheth was crippled by a fall as a child, yet David made sure he had a place at the king’s table.

We are crippled from a different kind of fall.

One that goes back to Eden.

As we continue on our journey through Lent, let us be mindful of the kindness Jesus showed us as He obeyed His Father’s will to the cross and beyond.

We cannot earn salvation.

Neither do we deserve it.

Someone had to pay the price we could never hope to pay.

As the hymn reminds us, "Jesus Paid It All!"


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

Vision for a Blind Man

The other day, I noticed that a friend had posted a quote from Helen Keller.

Coincidentally, my favorite quote was also spoken by Helen Keller.

"It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision. - Helen Keller


Helen was both blind and deaf and overcame challenges that most of us, thankfully, will never have to overcome.

I have always found that quote a constant source of inspiration. Helen Keller did not have perfect sight. In truth, she had no sight at all.

Helen Keller did have tremendous vision.

I was reminded of this when my personal Bible study found me in the tenth chapter of the book of Mark and I read the account of Jesus healing a blind beggar.

Mark 10:46 (NET) - They came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar was sitting by the road.


What a pitiful picture Scripture paints for us. Here sits Bartimaeus by the road heading out of the city begging because he cannot see.

Mark 10:47 (NET) - When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"


Bartimaeus may have been blind, but here he exhibits tremendous vision. He did not refer to Jesus as the Son of Mary or the carpenter’s Son as others who lacked vision had. He referred to Him as Son of David. Bartimaeus recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy.

Mark 10:48 (NET) - Many scolded him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"


In spite of the protests of others, Bartimaeus would not be denied. I cannot help but notice that in this verse he does not even use the name Jesus. Bartimaeus calls Him Son of David as if to say, "I know who you really are. Please help me!"

Mark 10:49-50 (NET) - Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man and said to him, "Have courage! Get up! He is calling you." He threw off his cloak, jumped up and came to Jesus.


These verses speak volumes to me.

Notice that the blind beggar had to call on Jesus more than once. Notice as well that it was not Jesus that went to the blind beggar, but the blind beggar that went to Jesus.

Sometimes, we have to call on Jesus more than once. Just as one can sense the urgency in the man’s second calling of Jesus, our call for salvation must have the same sense of urgency and convey our dependence on Him.

We must be prepared to call on Him more than once just as Bartimaeus did, if necessary. We must also be prepared to leave our places of comfort and go to Him.

Mark 10:51 (NET) - Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied, "Rabbi, let me see again."


Jesus did not ask this question for His own benefit. Jesus already knew both the man’s plight and what the man wanted from Him.

Mark 10:52 (NET) - Jesus said to him, "Go, your faith has healed you." Immediately he regained his sight and followed Him on the road.


So, Bartimaeus had his sight restored.

Think about that for a minute. One minute you are blind and the next you can see. Under any circumstances, that would be an extraordinary event filled with sensory overload.

In this case, it was even more remarkable because the very first thing he ever saw was Jesus.

What a sight that must have been to a man who was previously blind.

I also cannot help but notice that his restored sight did not eclipse his vision.

Jesus said, "Go" yet Bartimaeus chose to follow Him.

Calling upon Jesus is just the first step.

Going to Jesus is the second.

Then comes the hard part. We must be willing to follow Jesus.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 29, 2011.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, August 5, 2011.
Schedule subject to change.