Complain, Complain, Complain

Exodus 16:3 (NET) - The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this desert to kill this whole assembly with hunger!”

There is an old saying that says silence is golden. Sometimes, I am inclined to agree.

As the resident computer geek for my company, silence means everything is functioning as it should.

Whenever we lose internet access, email, printing or other capabilities, it seems everyone is more than willing to “remind” me of it.

In that regard, I can somewhat relate to Moses.

God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and instructed him to delver His people from bondage.

Moses gave God reasons why He should choose someone else, yet God remained resolute in His choice.

With Aaron by his side, Moses returned to Egypt and confronted Pharaoh.

Pharaoh made the people’s lives even more difficult.

The people complained to Moses and Aaron.

Exodus 5:21 (NET) - and they said to them, “May the LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the opinion of Pharaoh and his servants, so that you have given them an excuse to kill us!”

After the last plague on Egypt, a broken Pharaoh let God’s people go.

Moses led the people out of Egypt and eventually they made their way to the Red Sea where they saw Pharaoh’s forces closing in on them.

Once again, Moses withstood the people’s complaints.

Exodus 14:12 (NET) - “Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so we can serve the Egyptians. Because it is better to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!’”

With God’s help, Moses parted the Red Sea for the people to escape.

Later on, it was thirst which fueled the people’s complaints.

Exodus 17:3 (NET) - But the people were very thirsty there for water, and they murmured against Moses and said, “Why in the world did you bring us out of Egypt - to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?”

Moses listened to the people complain.

Then came that fateful day as Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain.

With Aaron’s help, they created a golden calf as an idol and worshiped it.

God was outraged and planned to destroy His people and start anew with Moses.

Exodus 32:10 (NET) - “So now leave me alone so that my anger can burn against them and I will make from you a great nation.”

Time and again, Moses listened to the people complain.

Yet at this critical juncture, Moses interceded for the people.

Exodus 32:13 (NET) - “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel your servants, to whom you swore by yourself and told them, ‘I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven and all this land that I have spoken about I will give to your descendants, and they will inherit it forever.’”

In spite of all the complaining Moses was subjected to, he interceded for the people and God relented.

When you think about it, people are still prone to complaining.

God, in His grace and mercy, provided for our salvation through Jesus Christ.

Christ interceded for us by means of the cross.

Yet, when things do not go our way our response is often to complain.

God, who has been more than generous to us, hears every one of our complaints.

Still, we have someone who intercedes for us.

Romans 8:34 (NET) - Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who is also interceding for us.

Through it all, Christ continues to intercede for us.

And He does so without complaint.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.byethost3.com on Friday, February 18, 2011.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I’ll be back here on Friday, February 25, 2011.

Where Does the Time Go

James 4:14 (KJV) - Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeared for a little time and then vanisheth away.

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Saturday afternoon, I did something that I rarely do. I went to the movies.

Normally, I see movies when they come to television or watch them on DVD.

There were several reasons why I actually went to see this movie.

First, it was a western and I really enjoy that genre. They just don't make enough anymore to suit me.

Second, portions of the movie were filmed in the town of Granger, Texas about ten minutes from where I call home. I have several friends who live there and I saw first hand how a portion of that town was made to look like "the Old West" during filming.

Third, it was a remake of a John Wayne classic and I wanted to see if a modern day actor could portray the character as well as "The Duke" did back in 1969.

I enjoyed the movie and as the credits rolled my thoughts returned to why I wanted to see it in the first place.

It was one of the better westerns I recalled seeing lately and I hoped its success might inspire others to create more.

As far as the location was concerned, I felt they had successfully transported the town of Granger back in time. I even managed to recognize a few of the buildings.

As for the actor in the lead role, I felt he successfully recreated the role played by John Wayne back in 1969.

1969. Wow! Had it really been forty two years since that movie was made?

Please don't get me wrong, I am quite comfortable with my age and am grateful to God for every year He sees fit to give me. But as I walked away from my seat, I found it difficult to believe that four decades of my life had passed that quickly and that put me in mind of my opening passage of scripture which bears repeating.

James 4:14 (KJV) - Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeared for a little time and then vanisheth away.

I realized just how true that is.

Those four decades were indeed like a mist that had all too quickly vanished away.

While this was sinking in, I made my way to the exit, opened the door and stepped outside.

Before releasing the door and letting it close, I looked over my shoulder to make sure there was no one behind me.

Upon glancing backward I saw two elderly ladies engaged in conversation making their way to the door.

They proceeded slowly because one relied upon a cane for support.

She reminded me a great deal of my mother who relied on a cane to get around later in life.

As I held the door open and waited patiently, I recalled how blessed I was as Mother and I had a wonderfully close relationship.

As they walked, I wondered at the number of years they had seen. I surmised that they would agree that the decades they had witnessed had likewise passed all too quickly.

It was only when they arrived at the door that they looked up from their conversation and realized I had been standing there waiting for them.

The first stepped through and apologized for making me wait and I assured her that no apology was necessary.

The second, the one who reminded me so much of my own mother, then stepped through and thanked me.

She added, "I can tell that your mother did an excellent job in raising a polite young man."

"Thank you," I replied, "You have no idea just how much you brightened my day!"

And that is what put me in mind of the Proverb that I opened with...

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Holding a door open for a lady is indeed a courtesy both my parents taught me at a young age and, as the scripture says, I have never departed from it.

Time goes by all too quickly, and there is nothing we can do about that.

Yet the way we treat others has a quality that can be truly timeless.


Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.byethost3.com on Friday, February 4, 2011.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I'll be back here on Friday, February 11, 2011.

Breathing Easier

The weather forecast for Sunday called for a combination of rain and cold. While many found this forecast undesirable I found myself praying that this time the forecasters had gotten it right.

I suffer from an allergy to cedar pollen and during the work week I had been feeling terrible.

According to an earlier newscast, we had just experienced the second highest cedar pollen count on record. I certainly did not have to hear that report to know that the cedar count was high.

The week for me largely consisted of watery and itchy eyes accompanied by coughing and sneezing.

To add insult to injury, even my closest friends felt it necessary to remind me that I both looked and sounded terrible.

Sunday, I was to be installed as an Elder in my church and I really wanted to be there. But, as the day approached, my condition worsened.

Throughout the day Saturday I prayed for the rain that was predicted by the weather forecast that night.

When evening came, I was exhausted but found it difficult to fall asleep due to my symptoms.

It was a faint noise that woke me up after only an hour or two of sleep. Not being fully awake, I wondered what it was. A few seconds later, I realized what it was.

Rain!

I turned on the television to view the radar and beheld a beautiful sight.

This was no passing shower. Almost the entire state was experiencing rain to one degree or another.

I thanked God for this blessing and went back to sleep.

When the alarm clock woke me up Sunday morning, I heard the rain still softly falling outside.

Throughout the night, as the rain fell, countless pollen grains were being washed from the air and my symptoms had dramatically improved.

By the time I left for church, the rain had decreased to a light drizzle and I got through the installation ceremony without so much as a sneeze.

Later that day, as I thanked God once again for this blessing, I also reflected on the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus.

Just as the rain washed the air clean of airborne irritants, so the blood of Jesus washes away all of our sins.

Romans 5:8-9 (KJV) - But God commandeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Ephesians 1:7 (KJV) - In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;"

Hebrews 9:12 (KJV) - Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered in once into the Holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us]."

It is through the blood of Jesus that we have eternal life.

And that really makes me breathe a whole lot easier.

Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.byethost3.com on Friday, January 21, 2011.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I'll be back here on Friday, January 28, 2011.

Me? Are You Sure?

Philippians 4:13 (KJV) - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Someone once said that the only constant in the world is change.

There is a grain of truth in that.

As the new year approaches, I find my life in a state of flux.

I now find myself in a position of leadership in my church.

Many of my Christian friends have also informed me that their walk of faith is in a state of transition as well. They are experiencing changes in the ways they serve God.

As for me, I was approached in October 2010 to make this transition and I really had to prayerfully consider it.

This was not a position I had ever planned on accepting. In fact, I had turned others down when asked in years past. It was nothing personal. This time, things were different. I felt that this time God was leading me to accept this position.

I have always relied on that passage of scripture from Philippians in the past. This time, God led me with it and with two additional passages as well.

Hebrews 11:8 (KJV) - By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

I certainly could relate to that. If I were to accept this position, I would certainly be entering unfamiliar territory. If I honestly believed God were leading me in this direction, I too should obey His leading.

Then, there was a second passage of scripture that spoke volumes to me.

Luke 12:48b (KJV) - For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

I acknowledge that any ability I have comes from God and that He expects me to use such ability in service to Him. That, coupled with the fact that my church has done so much for me in my spiritual growth, convinced me that it is now time for me to serve my church in ways I had not before considered.

Will this take me outside my comfort zone? Yes.

Is this going to be a learning experience for me? Undoubtedly.

Yet, that is how we as Christians both grow and mature.

I also realized that I was not going to be able to do all the things I had been doing and take on new responsibilities as well.

I was going to have to sit down and determine what roles I would continue to fill and what roles I would relinquish.

With His help I determined those functions which I originally felt Him calling me to do and decided to keep doing those things.

Although painful, I opted to step down from a committee on which I had served for four years.

As I stated before, many of my Christian friends tell me their spiritual walk is in a state of transition.

Yet, we must each trust that God is in charge and that He will put us exactly where He wants us to be doing exactly what He wants us to do. We can take comfort in the fact that He will walk with us each step of the way.

As we enter a new year, I encourage you to make yourself available to His leading.

Philippians 2:13 (KJV) - For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of (His) good pleasure.


Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.byethost3.com on Friday, January 7, 2011.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I'll be back here on Friday, January 14, 2011.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

An Unforgettable Christmas

Christmas is supposed to be a happy time.

For me, the two most difficult times in my life occurred around my birthday and around Christmas.

I was my parents' only surviving child.

Father died many years ago and was laid to rest on my nineteenth birthday.

Birthdays seemed less special after that.

Mother was forty years old when I was born and because of the differences in our ages, I became her primary caregiver making sure she had everything she needed before I went to work each day.

She suffered from severe arthritis, but was otherwise in good health and mentally sharp as Christmas drew near a few years ago. In fact, we talked about our plans for Christmas during the last conversation we were to have.

Then suddenly, mere days before Christmas, she became critically ill and, as her only surviving child, the decision to take her off life support fell squarely on me.

If you have never had to make such a decision, I hope that you never have to. It is without doubt one of the most gut wrenching decisions that has to be made and knowing that it is the right thing to do is of little comfort.

If you have had to make that decision, then you know exactly what I am talking about.

I knew I could not make this decision alone.

I leaned harder on God that day than I ever leaned on Him before.

Looking back, I honestly believe that He wanted me to lean on Him.

God used those circumstances to both tear me down and then rebuild me.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Though this was the most difficult decision I had ever faced, the difficulties continued.

I then began handling the arrangements for her services.

I had to call family and friends and break the news to them (most thought I was calling to wish them "Merry Christmas").

Some had already left town for the holidays and sadly a few did not find out until they returned.

When her funeral ended, I was absolutely exhausted.

That night, I slept the kind of sleep that my physical body had been craving for days.

When I awoke the next morning, the realization of what had transpired over the prior days was immediate.

There was also something else. There was also a deep sense of peace within me.

John 14:27 (KJV) - Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I also felt His message in my heart...

"I just got you through the most difficult days of your lifetime. I will get you through others. All you need do is trust Me."

I will never forget what that felt like.

I also have no trouble sharing that with others.

In the years that have followed, I can honestly and confidently say that He has transformed my life.

I serve Him now in ways that I could neither have foreseen nor imagined.

One more thing...

In spite of the loss, I still love Christmas and celebrating the birth of my Savior.

Certainly, there are moments that are still painful.

There's that one song I hear during the holidays that always gets to me.

There's also that one Christmas movie that I can't through without tears.

Last year, it was a particular aroma coming from my host's kitchen that did it.

These and other things remind me of the special relationship I had with Mother.

Yet, I know that it is okay for me to miss her.

As a believer, I know I can still love her.

In the end, love is what Christmas is all about.

It is not about how we try to reach up to God.

Rather, Christmas is about how God loved us so much that He reached down to us through Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 (KJV) - For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.


In loving memory of "Mom" Pokorny (as she was known by many) I wish you a Merry Christmas,













Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.byethost3.com on Friday, December 17, 2010.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I'll be back here on Friday, December 24, 2010.

God was with Him

We are familiar with the narrative.

God makes a covenant with Abram.

Genesis 15:5 (NET) - The LORD took him outside and said, ‘Gaze into the sky and count the stars - if you are able to count them!” Then He said to him, “So will your descendants be.”

Abram trusted God and was considered loyal according to verse 6.

Genesis 15:6 (NET) - Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD considered his response of faith as proof of genuine loyalty.

When Abram was 99 years old, God reaffirms this promise even though Abram’s wife Sarai had not conceived (Genesis 17).

God changes Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah.

Here is Abraham at almost 100 years of age and Sarah at 90 and still Sarah has not had a child.

Abraham suggests to God that He fulfill this covenant through Ishmael who was conceived through Hagar, Sarah’s servant.

God has his own plan.

Genesis 17:19 (NET) - God said, “No, Sarah your wife is going to bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm my covenant with him as a perpetual covenant for his descendants after him.”

God then tells Abraham that this will happen in approximately one year.

It did.

Genesis 21:5 (NET) - (Now Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.)

Yet, in Genesis 22, God tells Abraham to offer his only son, whom he loves. as a burnt offering.

Abraham obeys.

He, Isaac and two young servants set out for the destination God stipulated.

On the third day, they are within site of the destination.

Abraham and Isaac proceed alone leaving the two servants behind.

Genesis 22:6 (NET) - Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and put it on his son Isaac. Then he took the fire and the knife in his hand, and the two of them walked on together.”

They conversed along the way.

Based on the facts that Isaac carried the wood and that he had an intelligent conversation with his father Abraham it can be safely concluded that a number of years had passed since Isaac’s birth.

We know the rest of the narrative.

Abraham is ready to sacrifice his only son whom he loves but God stays his hand at the last moment.

God was indeed with Abraham through this trial.

What of Isaac?

Isaac was old enough to converse with his father, yet he neither tried to change his mind nor did he beg for his life.

Isaac was strong enough to carry the wood, yet he neither tried to overpower nor even simply run away from a man one hundred years older than he was.

Yes, God was with Abraham.

Let us keep in mind that God was with Isaac, too.


Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.byethost3.com on Friday, December 3, 2010.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 10, 2010.

The Meaning of Life

Why am I here? What is the meaning of life?

Philosophers have wrestled with these questions for centuries.

Their answers are varied and some even border on the ridiculous.

The Bible, on the other hand, gives us some very definite answers to these questions.

Genesis 1:27 (BBE) - And God made man in His image, in the image of God He made him: male and female He made them.

There are currently some six billion of us living in the world today.

There were billions who preceded us with an unknown number yet to come.

Of the billions upon billions who have lived, currently live or will live, no two of us will be exactly identical.

Even twins who share genetic make up have unique characteristics (personality for example).

We are each different and yet, we are made in the image of God. God's image must indeed be truly remarkable.

Even Moses, a man of God, wished to see God's face but could not.

Exodus 33:20 (BBE) - But it is not possible for you to see My face, for no man may see My face and still go on living.

So, God made us.

Genesis 2:7 (BBE) - And the Lord God made man from the dust of the earth, breathing into him the breath of life: and man became a living soul.

Several times in scripture, God is depicted as a potter and we, His creation, are depicted as clay.

Jeremiah 18:6 (BBE) - O Israel, am I not able to do with you as this potter does? Says the Lord. See, like the earth in the potter's hand are you in my hands, O Israel.

Surely God has created us to fulfill any purpose He has planned for us, yet the reminder of our humble origins remain.

So, that is how we came into being, but why?

The answer is twofold.

First, God created us for His glory.

Second, He wants us to have a personal relationship with Him.

Psalm 145:10 (BBE) - All the works of Your hands give praise to You, O Lord, and Your saints give You blessing.

Isaiah 43:7 (BBE) - Every one who is named by My name and whom I have made for My glory, who has been formed and designed by Me.

Our beginnings of earth are humble. We are made of the ordinary. Yet, we are made in the image of the extraordinary. We were made to give Him the glory he requires. We were also made for fellowship with Him.

That is why we are here.

That is the meaning of life.

Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.byethost3.com on Friday, November 19, 2010.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I'll be back here on Friday, November 26, 2010.