Meal Time

Posted on October 28, 2013 by jesustrek

dinner-bellMy grandmother spent several years of her adult life living with her bachelor uncle. She was a teacher, and he owned a country grocery store that was about a quarter mile away from the house where they lived.

In the summer, Mama would cook lunch for Uncle Forrest. When she rang the large bell that was mounted in the back yard, Uncle Forrest knew that his meal was ready, and he would come to eat.

God doesn’t exactly ring a bell for us, but he calls us to a special meal—the Lord’s Supper–every week. This meal reminds us that Jesus gave his broken body and shed blood to save us.  We should eagerly look forward to enjoying this special meal with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

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

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Willing Donor

Posted on October 25, 2013 by jesustrek
Leigh Searcy

Leigh Searcy

Leigh Searcy, a reporter for WLEX-TV in Lexington, Kentucky, decided earlier this year to donate a kidney to someone who needed it, even if she didn’t know the person. After considering the risks, she went through the testing process to find a recipient who would be a match. The surgery took place on August 29, 2013. Everything went well, and both Searcy and the recipient are doing fine.

Searcy has never met the person who received her kidney, and perhaps she never will. She’s fine with that. She says, “…I just hope my kidney is doing its job for her…I just really hope it continues to work for her.”

This selfless sacrifice reminds us of how Jesus willingly gave his life in exchange for ours. His sacrifice will continue to work for us as long as we remain faithful to him.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”—Hebrews 12:2-3.

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Better Way

Posted on October 24, 2013 by jesustrek

The United Way of the Bluegrass (central Kentucky area) has just suspended $96,000 in annual funding to the Boy Scouts of America’s Blue Grass Council. The decision was made because of the Boy Scouts’ national policy of not allowing homosexuals to serve as adult leaders.

Boy ScoutsThis is not the first time the United Way has been on the wrong side of a moral issue. Back in the late 1980s or early 1990s, the United Way gave money to at least one group that provides abortions. When I got word of this, I called United Way to protest against money given to charity being used to end the life of tiny humans. The response I got was, “It’s legal.”

Be careful where your charitable contributions go. Do some research. Don’t be involved with groups that don’t share your moral convictions. You do have other options. Find a better way.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”—Romans 12:9.

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Changed Forever

Posted on October 23, 2013 by jesustrek
Abraham Zapruder

Abraham Zapruder

Abraham Zapruder would never forget what happened on November 22, 1963. Zapruder was excited about President Kennedy’s visit to Dallas that day, and he took his movie camera with him to record the president’s motorcade as it went past. Little did he know that the events of that day would stay with him for the rest of his life.

Zapruder’s camera caught the assassination of the president. When he realized what had happened, he shouted, “They killed him, they killed him!”

The killing of President Kennedy affected Zapruder profoundly. He continued to have nightmares. He once said, “The thing comes back every night.” He could not get over the gruesome death of such an important man.

Though we were not at the cross where Jesus died, in a sense we are taken back there every time we take communion and are reminded that Jesus died to pay for our sins. His sacrificial death should not give us nightmares. However, it should have a profound effect on us for the rest of our lives.

“Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain…”—Revelation 5:6.

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Outrageous Behavior

Posted on October 22, 2013 by jesustrek

pushing over rockTwo Boy Scout leaders are in trouble for toppling an ancient rock formation in Goblin Valley State Park in Utah. The men filmed themselves doing this, then posted the video online, where it promptly went viral. The men later claimed that they were concerned that the formation was dangerous, and they were just trying to keep someone from being hurt. Most people view their action as an irresponsible disregard for nature.

The Boy Scouts of America have removed these two men from their positions, and they now face possible criminal charges for their actions. Many people are outraged over their behavior. The two men were mocked on the Today show, and the video has even brought death threats from all around the world.

There would have been much less outrage if they had instead destroyed a human fetus. Some people apparently think that rocks are more important than babies.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…”—Jeremiah 1:5.

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Correction

Posted on October 22, 2013 by jesustrek

grammarLast week I noticed that a comic strip I read daily had two common grammatical errors. Later that day, I read a different newspaper that carries the same comic strip. Glancing at the caption, I noticed that there were no grammatical errors. A proofreader had caught the mistakes and corrected them.

Sometimes I think leaders in churches and families are like editors or proofreaders. We correct mistakes that we see. This is not to say that you should be anxious to point out every trivial mistake that someone makes. However, the big mistakes that people make can lead to a lot of pain and suffering in their lives. In those cases, someone needs to step in and correct mistaken ideas.

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”–2 Timothy 4:2.

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Helping Strays

Posted on October 21, 2013 by jesustrek

dogA few days ago I was walking in my neighborhood when a small dog started to follow me. Concerned that the little fellow would stray too far from his home and not be able to find his way back, I turned and, in a harsh tone, said, “Go home!” I doubt that he understood my words, but he got the point—I didn’t want him to go in the wrong direction.

Sometimes we might have to speak harshly to people who are headed in the wrong direction. Otherwise, they might not understand the gravity of the situation, and they might not heed our warning.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…”—Colossians 3:16.

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Standing Alone

Posted on October 18, 2013 by jesustrek
Jim Bunning

Jim Bunning

Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Jim Bunning was known as a hard-nosed competitor in his playing days. He brought that same hardball attitude to Washington, D.C. when he was elected to represent Kentucky in the Senate. On many occasions, Bunning stood alone, ignoring opponents and critics. He said, “I have been booed by 60,000 fans in Yankee Stadium, standing alone on the mound, so I have never cared if I stood alone in the Congress, as long as I stood by my beliefs and my values.”

We are constantly challenged to ignore our Christian values and go along with the crowd. The Bible says, “They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.” (1 Peter 4:4).

However, God’s Word continually urges us to be true to him, even if it means you must stand alone.

“…We must obey God rather than men!”—Acts 5:29.

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Kind Deed

Posted on October 17, 2013 by jesustrek

noteA customer in a Boston restaurant overheard a mother and daughter at a nearby table receive a sad phone call. The daughter had just been given a bad diagnosis, and they were visibly upset by the terrible news. Wanting to do something for them, the man called over his waiter and gave him a note informing him that the table nearby had just received bad news, and to bring their check to him. The man paid their bill and left. The waiter then informed them about what the man had done. They were so appreciative of this random act of kindness that the mother cried even harder.

There are a lot of heartbreaking situations that affect a great number of people. We can’t alleviate all the suffering, but, sometimes we can do something to help just one person.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”—Galatians 6:2.

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‘Til Death

Posted on October 17, 2013 by jesustrek
Margaret & Floyd Nordhagen

Margaret & Floyd Nordhagen

Floyd and Margaret Nordhagen had been married for nearly 70 years when they were involved in a serious automobile accident. Floyd, 92, died at scene of the wreck. Margaret, 88, was seriously injured and later died.

When Washington State Troopers arrived at the crash site, they found the couple holding hands. They actually had to ask Margaret to let go of Floyd’s hand so that they could remove his body from the vehicle.

The Nordhagens were Spokane farmers who are survived by 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. It was fitting that their marriage ended just as it had been lived—side by side.

Not every marriage can have such a romantic ending. However, any married couple should strive to remain faithful, loving and supportive of one another as long as they both shall live.

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”—Genesis 2:24.

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