Time Flies

Posted on August 27, 2015 by jesustrek

flying clockJeanne Calment lived to be 126 years old. She is perhaps the longest-living human being of modern times. Sometime after her 120th birthday, she was asked to describe her vision for the future. She replied, “Very brief.”

Whether we live a long time, or just a few years, the human existence in this life seems quite brief. Let us always remember to make the best of the time we have here on earth. We have so precious little time to worship and serve God and tell others about Jesus!

“The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away…Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:10, 12).

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

No Translation Problem

Posted on August 26, 2015 by jesustrek

Trafficsigns-bigThe Los Angeles Times once printed a sampling of signs from around the world that attempted to convey a message in English.

In a hotel elevator in Paris: “Please leave your values at the front desk.”

In a hotel in Zurich: “Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose.”

On the door of a Moscow inn: “If this is your first visit to Russia, you are welcome to it.”

Announcement in a Russian newspaper: “There will be a Moscow exhibition of arts by 15,000 Soviet Republic painters and sculptors. These were executed over the past two years.”

In a Bucharest hotel lobby: “The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.”

One thing that translates well in any language is the love that God has shown all people through his Son Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”—John 3:16.

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

No Penalty Flags

Posted on August 25, 2015 by jesustrek

As we approach the start of the college and NFL football seasons, perhaps it is a good time to remember what George Will once said about the game: “Football combines the two worst things about American life. It is violence punctuated by committee meetings.” 
Perhaps committee meetings are a necessary evil. But everyone seems to agree that there is far too much violence in our society. “Peaceful” protesters block traffic and loot from local businesses. Women and children are abused. Many babies suffer violent deaths in their own mothers’ wombs. Punches are thrown and guns are fired with little or no provocation. 

Where does it all end? 

Well, we won’t have perfect peace until the perfect Prince of Peace returns. But in the meantime, let’s all do our part to make the world a kinder, gentler place.  

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”—Matthew 5:9. 

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

Man’s Best Friend

Posted on August 24, 2015 by jesustrek

dogsA lady once heard that if a dog owner pretends to be hurt, a dog with a bad temper may try to bite the owner. But a good dog will show concern and may lick the fallen owner’s face.

She decided to put her own two dogs to the test. While eating pizza in her living room, she stood up, clutched her heart, screamed and fell to the floor. Her two dogs looked at her, looked at each other, then raced to the coffee table for her pizza!

Our sinful nature makes us tend to be selfish. We have to allow the Spirit of God in us to take control of any situation where we have an opportunity to ignore our own desires in order to take care of someone else’s needs.

“…Love your neighbor as yourself…”—Leviticus 19:18.

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

Let Him Eat Cake

Posted on August 21, 2015 by jesustrek

At a children’s birthday party, it came time to serve the cake. One little boy blurted out, “I want the biggest piece!”

His mother was there, and she was embarrassed at her son’s greedy remark. “It’s not polite to ask for the biggest piece of cake!” she scolded.

The little fellow looker at her in confusion, and asked, “Well then, how do you get it?”

Hopefully we grow less selfish as we get older.

Hopefully.

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”—Philippians 2:4.

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

I Remember What They Did

Posted on August 20, 2015 by jesustrek

computer-technician-clipartThe accounting department of a large insurance company was working on year-end reports when their computers went down. An emergency call was put in to the systems analyst. Busy with other troubleshooting, the man didn’t appear until three hours later. When he arrived, several workers started cheering, “He’s here!” One even shouted, “Here is our savior!”

Without a word, the systems analyst turned to leave. Starting to panic, the accounting manager cried out in alarm, “Where are you going?”

“I’m leaving,” the analyst said with a smile. “I remember what they did to the last Savior!”

Every time we take communion, we remember that Jesus died for our sins. He was rejected by those who should have recognized him as our Savior. He was put to death so that we might gain eternal life.

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”—John 1:10-12.

 

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

Friendly Reminder

Posted on August 19, 2015 by jesustrek

rotary-phoneYesterday a lady from our dentist’s office called to remind my wife and me that we have appointments today. And this morning, an automated call from my doctor’s office reminded me that I am scheduled to see my family physician on Monday morning.

These friendly reminders are necessary for many people because we have busy schedules and we tend to be forgetful.

The Lord’s Supper is a friendly reminder that we have an appointment with Jesus, and with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is an appointment to meet together for the purpose of honoring Jesus, remembering the love that he has for us—love that took him to the cross where he paid the price for our sins.

“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread…”—Acts 20:7.

 

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

Available

Posted on August 17, 2015 by jesustrek

basket of fruitA man and his wife were checking out of a hotel. They noticed that they had been charged for a basket of fresh fruit that had been brought to their room every day. The husband asked, “How can you charge us for fresh fruit when we never ate any fruit from any basket on any day?”

The manager replied, “It’s not my fault you didn’t eat it. It was there.”

So the man took the bill and subtracted $150 from it. The manager asked, “What in the world are you doing?”

The man answered, “I am charging you $50 a day for kissing my wife.”

“I never kissed your wife!” the manager exclaimed.

“That’s not my fault,” answered the husband. “She was there!”

God offers his presence to us at all times. It is up to us to take advantage of his availability.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…”—Psalm 23:4.

 

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

Bad Teammate

Posted on August 14, 2015 by jesustrek
Geno Smith

Geno Smith

New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith will miss at least 6 to 10 weeks after being punched by teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali in the locker room. Smith suffered a broken jaw that required surgery to repair the injuries. Coach Todd Bowles said that altercation was over a trivial matter, and that the blow from Enemkpali was a sucker punch. Enemkpali was immediately released by the team. It seems like a fitting punishment for a teammate who put his team’s on-the-field leader out of commission for so long.

Many controversies that erupt in churches are over trivial matters. And sometimes a leader will be “sucker punched” by a verbal assault. Many times, however, the offending “teammate” will never be disciplined in any way. It’s a shame that secular organizations sometimes have a better grasp of biblical leadership principles than local congregations.

“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”—Titus 3:10-11.

 

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

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Posted on August 13, 2015 by jesustrek
Jon Belmar

Jon Belmar

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”—Matthew 5:9.

Ferguson, Missouri is once again in the news, with confrontations and violence erupting in the streets. Out of this scene of conflict, someone stepped forward to take on the role of peacemaker.

When a recent protest threatened to get ugly, St. Louis County police chief Jon Belmar intervened. Without a helmet or a shield, Belmar walked over to the demonstrators and told them to get off the street. He told a reporter, “They’re not going to take the street tonight. That’s not going to happen.”

Belmar’s efforts were successful. He and the rest of the police force were able to keep the protesters on the sidewalk and out of the street. Peace prevailed.

It takes courage and resolve to be a peacemaker, and we need more people who possess these qualities. Communities, families and churches need calm, mature leaders to make sure that peace prevails.

Jesus promises a special blessing for those who make peace.

Let’s do the best we can to keep the peace in our own sphere of influence.

 

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