Extreme Avoidance

Posted on October 19, 2016 by jesustrek

beer-canI used to work with a fellow who absolutely hated alcoholic beverages. I don’t know much about his background, but something in his life had caused him to detest drinking. He didn’t want to be around alcohol or anyone who consumed it.

This friend told me that one time someone had tossed an empty beer can into the back of his pickup truck. When he saw the offensive can, he had to get rid of it immediately. However, he didn’t even want to touch an empty beer can. So he found a stick to use to pick up the can and dispose of it.

Perhaps my friend went to a bit of an extreme to avoid something to which he had a deep aversion. However, I think that we far too often err on the other end of the spectrum. Perhaps we become too complacent, too comfortable with things that are harmful to us and to others. Are we as offended as we should be at foul language, suggestive clothing, illicit sexual behavior, pornography, drunkenness, etc.?

Maybe extreme avoidance is not such a bad idea after all!

“Reject every kind of evil.”—1 Thessalonians 5:22.

 

Posted in Christian Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Precious Stone

Posted on October 18, 2016 by jesustrek
Huge jade stone found in Myanmar

Huge jade stone found in Myanmar

Myanmar is known for their production of jade. Miners in that country recently unearthed one of the largest jade stones ever found. The stone is 18 feet wide and 9 feet high. It’s estimated worth is $170 million. That is some precious stone!

However, there is a stone that is much more valuable. The Bible describes it in 1 Peter 2:6-7—“For in Scripture it says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’ Now to you who believe, this stone is precious…”

This stone, of course, is Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world and the cornerstone of our faith. He is indeed a precious stone! Let us give him all the praise and honor and recognition that he deserves.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Communion Meditations, Current Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Promises

Posted on October 14, 2016 by jesustrek

gods-faithfulnessSomeone once said that the favorite hymn of politicians is “Standing on the Promises”. It is true that those running for office do like to make promises, many of which they do not mean, or are unable to keep. Here are some examples:

“Read my lips—No new taxes.”

“You can keep your insurance if you like it.”

“I will build a wall and make Mexico pay for it.”

“I will keep classified emails safe.”

We could go on and on about the empty promises of politicians, but let us remember that God always keeps his promises. Always.

“…Not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”—Joshua 23:14.

Posted in Christian Living, Communion Meditations, Humor, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Staying Sharp

Posted on October 13, 2016 by jesustrek

sharpen-the-saw“Sharping the saw” is a phrase that has been heard frequently the past several years. It refers to any activity that might serve to improve a person’s ability to function. Attending a seminar, taking a class, reading a good book, or taking time to rest or exercise are all ways of “sharpening the saw”.

Being with the right kind of people has a sharpening effect on us. The Bible speaks of this when it says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17). We are influenced by other people, and that can serve to make us better.

Of course, it could work the other way! Some people tend to make us worse! 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” We certainly don’t want to be influenced by people who lead us astray. We want to be influenced by the best—the best music, the best books and the best people.

We also have to realize that we have the responsibility to impact others in a positive way. It’s all a part of being the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

Let us always strive to be the kind of person that can sharpen others. And let’s look for opportunities to do so.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Take a Stand!

Posted on October 12, 2016 by jesustrek
Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Even liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spoken out against the protests of Colin Kaepernick and other football players who kneel during the national anthem. She says that their refusal to stand is “dumb and disrespectful.”

Ginsburg does recognize their right to conduct such a protest, and she is not trying to stop them. She says, “If they want to be stupid, there’s no law that should be preventive. If they want to be arrogant, there’s no law that prevents them from that.”

What is really stupid and arrogant is refusing to take a stand for Jesus.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”—Ephesians 6:13.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Current Events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Accepting the Facts

Posted on October 10, 2016 by jesustrek
Nicholson as Col. Jessep

Nicholson as Col. Jessep

In the movie “A Few Good Men”, Tom Cruise played the part of a prosecutor who was trying to pry the truth out of Col. Nathan Jessup, played by Jack Nicholson. Finally, Nicholson uttered what would become one of the most famous lines in movie history—“YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!”

Many people in the world can’t handle the truth. They refuse to believe in God. They doubt that the Bible is God’s Word. They won’t accept the fact that Jesus is the only way to salvation. They don’t think that they will ever have to give an account to their Creator for how they lived their life.

Jessamyn West said, “We want the facts to fit the preconceptions. When they don’t it is easier to ignore the facts than to change the preconceptions.”

Refusing to accept reality leads to a life of misery, and, ultimately, to eternal destruction. How much better it is to put aside any preconceptions we may have and accept the truth of God’s Word!

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”—John 8:32.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Communion Meditations | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Valuables

Posted on October 7, 2016 by jesustrek
Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian was recently tied up and robbed at gunpoint in her hotel room in Paris. The thieves took jewelry that was originally reported to be worth $10 million. A more recent report places the value of the stolen items at a mere $5.6 million.

Thankfully, Kardashian was not harmed in the robbery.

I would never have lost that much to thieves while traveling abroad. I make it a practice to never take more than $100,000 worth of jewelry with me when I travel.

Seriously, you wonder if some people ever have enough. Why would you need to have that much jewelry? Even if you could afford it, why?

Let us always remember that there are more important things than earthly possessions.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”—Matthew 6:19-21.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Current Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bad Place to Park

Posted on October 7, 2016 by jesustrek

submerged-carEarlier this year I noticed a car that appeared to be stuck in the mud. Apparently, the driver had tried to get close to a pond, perhaps to do some fishing. The pond was located in a field close to a river. The spring rains had made the ground so soft that the driver was forced to leave his car and head home on foot. I remember hoping that he would be able to get his car moved soon.

A few weeks later I drove by that scene again. This time the rains had increased, and the water from the river had backed up, completely covering the field where the car had been stranded. I remembered the car, and thought how bad it would be for the owner if he had not removed his vehicle.

Some time after that, I once again drove by that place. By now the water had receded, and I saw that the car had never been moved! It had been completely submerged by the spring flooding. I don’t know if the car was worth much to begin with, but its value had certainly diminished now, all because the owner parked it in a dangerous place.

The Bible warns us that there are some places that are dangerous for us. One of those places is in the company of those who would lead us astray. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Someone once said, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.”

You aren’t parked in a dangerous place, are you?

 

Posted in Christian Living, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Purified

Posted on October 5, 2016 by jesustrek

heat%20registerLast Sunday I ate and drank the elements of communion and returned to my seat. Looking down at the floor in front of my feet I noticed the register where the air circulates through the heating and air conditioning system of the church. The register has a filter to keep impurities out of the system. The filter had done its job. I could see bits and pieces of dirt and particles that had been stopped in their tracks.

I know, I know. That doesn’t sound very spiritual. I should have been more focused on Jesus at that point. However, I did use this moment to consider how the blood of Jesus takes the impurities of sin out of our lives. Therefore, a mundane distraction was transformed into a thoughtful act of worship.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:9.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Communion Meditations, Prayer | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Choose Carefully

Posted on October 4, 2016 by jesustrek
Danny Clark

Danny Clark

Danny Clark is a highly regarded quarterback from Akron, Ohio. Clark, a 6-foot-4, 230 pound high school senior, grew up rooting for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was elated when the Buckeyes recruited him, and he committed to Ohio State after his freshman season of high school.

Everything changed last summer when Ohio State accepted a commitment from a top-rated quarterback who is considered to be a better fit for the offense that the Buckeyes run. Seeing the writing on the wall, Clark announced that he was no longer committed to Ohio State.

Even though he has a large Ohio State tattoo on his throwing arm!

If there is a lesson to be learned here, perhaps it is this—think very carefully before you choose which side you want to be on.

“…Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”—Joshua 24:15.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Communion Meditations, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment