Backwards

Posted on September 23, 2016 by jesustrek

faucetI recently stayed in some accommodations where the faucet on one of the sinks worked the opposite of the way a faucet normally operates. Instead of turning it counterclockwise to turn on the water, you had to turn it clockwise.

This reminded me of another sink I once used. This one had the cold water on the left and the hot on the right—just the opposite of what is considered normal.

This starts me thinking about how often the world has things backwards. From questions of morality to economic issues to family matters, the world keeps getting things wrong—quite often with tragic results.

People who leave God out of their world view cannot see the folly of their ways. In fact, they often think that we Christians are the ones who have things backwards. 1 Peter 4:4 says, “They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.”

Let us choose to accept the world’s abuse in order to live the way God plainly tells us to live. Anything else would be getting it backwards.

 

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YOLO

Posted on September 22, 2016 by jesustrek

yolo-oxford-english-dictionaryThe Oxford English Dictionary recently added 197 new words that have become a part of our English vocabulary.

One of those words is “YOLO”, which stands for “you only live once”. This phrase expresses the view that one should make the most of the present moment without worrying about the future, and often is used as an excuse for engaging in reckless or impulsive behavior.

It is true that we only have one live to live here in this world. The Bible urges us to make the best of our lives, using our God-given talents and opportunities to make a difference for the cause of Christ. If some think that living our lives in an extreme fashion for Jesus is reckless, then so be it.

“To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”—Colossians 1:29.

YOLO.

 

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Brangelina No More

Posted on September 21, 2016 by jesustrek
Jolie and Pitt

Jolie and Pitt

The big news out of Hollywood today is that Angelina Jolie Pitt has filed for divorce from Brad Pitt, citing “irreconcilable differences”. She said that she made the decision “for the health of the family.”

There is a reported $400 million to be divided up between the two movie stars. That could get interesting. Sadder still is the fact that the couple has 6 children. Angelina is seeking custody of the children, with visitation rights for Brad.

Though the two, commonly called “Brangelina”, have been together for 12 years, they have only been married since August of 2014. Jolie and Pitt have fallen in line with statistics that have been available from recent studies which have found that couples who cohabitate before marriage are much more likely to get a divorce.

Here is yet another example of how God instituted marriage for our benefit. Those who attempt to redefine it, or ignore it altogether, often pay dearly for their mistake.

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”—Hebrews 13:4.

 

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Eventual Winner

Posted on September 20, 2016 by jesustrek
Darwin Day

Darwin Day

Darwin Day, 70, of Grand Prairie , Texas, was cleaning his house and found a complete collection of Topps baseball cards from 1957-58. Along with the cards was a contest. There was no deadline for the contest, so Day filled out an entry and sent it in. Topps Confectionery Brands honored the contest and sent Day a prize, which included T-shirts, a baseball glove, a pillow with a Bazooka Joe comic strip printed on it and lots of gum.

It is good to remember that we Christians will eventually be winners, and our prize is guaranteed!

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 3:14.

 

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Inconsistent

Posted on September 15, 2016 by jesustrek
Maryiah Coleman

Maryiah Coleman

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported the tragic death of a young mother who was gunned down outside her Lexington apartment. Maryiah Coleman, 22, died at University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital shortly after the shooting. Coleman was 8 months pregnant, and the baby boy she was carrying also died.

The headline of the story correctly said that two lives were snuffed out in the shooting. In the article, the child who was killed was referred to as a “grandchild”, “grandson” and “baby”.

It is interesting to note that the Herald-Leader is an unashamed champion of abortion. It is ironic that the same individual who would have been called a “fetus” if he had been killed in an abortion clinic was referred to as a person because the circumstances of his death were different.

How inconsistent!

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”—Psalm 139:13.

 

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Can’t Get Away

Posted on September 14, 2016 by jesustrek
Ray Larson

Ray Larson

Ray Larson has announced that he is retiring after nearly 32 years as Fayette County (Kentucky) Commonwealth’s Attorney. The chief prosecutor began working in the position on January 2, 1985. His last day will be September 30.

Larson joked that he always said that he would retire “when I catch them all.”

Then he said, “I guess I probably ought to officially announce that we have caught them all, every one of them. Some of them six or seven times.”

This is a humorous way of pointing out that some people seem to have a knack for beating the system and continually returning to a life of crime. However, it won’t be as easy to fool God. When all is said and done, he will successfully prosecute all who decide to live in open rebellion against him.

“Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”—Revelation 20:15.

 

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Give the Guy Another Chance

Posted on September 13, 2016 by jesustrek
Lochte, center

Lochte, center

When Ryan Lochte competed on “Dancing with the Stars” last night, 2 men rushed the stage to protest against Lochte. They were thwarted and taken away by the security team. Other people were gathered outside the studio to protest the Olympic swimmer’s appearance on the popular show.

Lochte’s behavior in Rio after he finished competing in the Olympic swimming events has been widely reported. While many of the details are still murky, it appears that Lochte and some buddies were involved in some obnoxious, alcohol-fueled behavior that resulted in vandalism. Rather than own up to what they did, they denied any wrong-doing and put up some resistance to authorities who tried to intervene. Lochte embellished what happened from this point, claiming to be robbed at gunpoint. He later admitted that he had made some major misstatements, and appeared to be contrite.

The fallout has been huge. He has been suspended from swimming competition for 10 months. Many rushed to support Lochte, while others ridiculed him for his behavior. It seems that some want to give him a second chance, while others wish to condemn him.

I don’t consider myself a huge Ryan Lochte fan, but let’s give the guy a break. Everybody deserves a second chance. That’s what God does for us all the time.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”—2 Chronicles 7:14.

 

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Reason to Be Optimistic

Posted on September 9, 2016 by jesustrek

glass-half-fullWhen someone asked New York Jets owner Woody Johnson whether he would be disappointed if the team failed to get into the postseason for the sixth straight season, here is how he responded: “I’m not disappointed for the whole season yet because we haven’t played it.”

It is so easy to be pessimistic about life. Many people see the glass as half-empty when they just as easily could see it as half-full.

It is especially disturbing to see Christians who are pessimists. Haven’t they read the end of the story? Don’t they realize that our side has already won? Sure, there are some battles yet to be fought. We have some legitimate concerns about what is going on in the world around us. However, we should paraphrase what Woody Johnson said. Let us optimistically say, “We are not disappointed in life because we haven’t lived it yet.”

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”—1 Corinthians 15:57.

 

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Life Saver

Posted on September 7, 2016 by jesustrek

Cross-FSSheriff’s deputies and other first responders have recently been provided with a drug that saves lives. The new drug, Narcan, immediately counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose. Narcan is the brand name of Narloxone, and it blocks opiates such as heroin, Lortab, methadone, Percocet and oxycontin from the brain’s opioid receptors. If administered in a timely fashion, the new drug can save the life of someone who might otherwise die from an accidental overdose. It has already been given credit for saving the lives of several individuals.

This reminds us that there is a cure for sin. If the blood of Jesus is administered to someone who is suffering from the spiritually fatal effect of sin, that person will be saved.

It works every time!

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”—1 John 1:7.

 

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Saddle Up! (Part 2)

Posted on September 2, 2016 by jesustrek

equestrian2I learned something about the rules of the equestrian event while watching the recent Summer Olympics. Sometimes a horse will refuse to make a jump. He will come up to the rail and stop. This does not disqualify the horse. He and the rider can regroup, make the jump and continue the run. However, a second refusal will result in disqualification.

Isn’t it great to know that God gives us more than one opportunity to get it right? We sometimes call him a God of second chances, but the truth is, we get multiple opportunities all the time to recover from our sins and shortcomings. If we fail to obey God at one point, he is not finished with us. We can regroup and do what he wants us to do.

However, continual refusal to obey God will result in being disqualified for the prize. We can’t go on and on in a lifestyle of sinful disobedience. The Bible clearly and consistently warns us of this.

“…But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”—Luke 13:5.

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