Painting the Raccoon

Posted on August 18, 2012 by jesustrek

A state road crew in western Pennsylvania recently painted a double yellow line over a dead raccoon. The crew is usually able to remove road kill from the highway before painting, but circumstances prevented that from happening in this case. Photos of the painted raccoon were taken before it could be cleaned up, allowing many people to enjoy a good laugh.

Sometimes churches are guilty of painting over programs, policies and traditions that have died a long time ago. Instead of taking time to clean up the mess, they press on. It’s like they think that if they ignore reality, the problem will go away.

It won’t.

Has your church painted any dead raccoons lately?

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Trading Places

Posted on August 17, 2012 by jesustrek

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen

In Suzanne Collins’ novel The Hunger Games, teenager Katniss Everdeen bravely volunteers for a dangerous assignment. She nobly takes the place of her younger sister to compete in a government-mandated competition that will almost assuredly lead to her death.

Katniss’ heroic act is the basis for a story that has become quite popular. The movie based on the book brought in $683.8 million worldwide at the box office.

This tale of sacrificial love also reminds us of a true story—the greatest story ever told–that Jesus willingly volunteered to die in our place.

Romans 5:6-8 says, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

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Genuine

Posted on August 16, 2012 by jesustrek

There is a story told about a man who wanted to play in an orchestra, but he knew nothing about music. However, he was a rich man, so he paid the conductor a lot of money to let him sit on stage with an instrument in his hands. For two years, the man pretended to play, and received the applause and recognition that was lavished upon the real musicians.

Then the orchestra got a new leader. This conductor wanted to get to know all of the musicians, but every time he tried to set up a meeting with the imposter, he was given some type of excuse. Finally the pretender had to face the music. (Pun intended!). He was exposed as a fraud and forced out of the group.

Jesus warns against hypocrisy. He hates it when people pretend to be something that they are not. When he returns, will he find you making music in his kingdom? Or will he find you faking it?

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Up the Creek (Part 2)

Posted on August 15, 2012 by jesustrek

Yesterday I wrote about forgetting to bring a paddle along for a canoe trip. I had to go back to the house and get the paddle before I could go anywhere on the water.

Today I’ll tell you a little more about my forgetfulness on this trip. I had been out on the water for a couple of minutes when it struck me that something was not quite right. Then it dawned on me that I had neglected to put on my life jacket. I had brought it with me, but it wasn’t going to do me any good lying on the bottom of the canoe. Putting on my life jacket made me feel a whole lot safer.

When Peter faltered in his attempt to walk on the water, he had something much better than a life jacket. He had the hand of Jesus reaching down to save him. (Matthew 14:25-31).

Be safe out there!

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”—Acts 4:12.

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Up the Creek

Posted on August 14, 2012 by jesustrek

I recently took up canoeing. About a hundred yards from my house there is a good place to put my canoe in the Ohio River.

A couple of days ago, I was all set to go out on the water. I put the canoe on the caddy I use to wheel it to the river. I had my life jacket with me, along with a cooler filled with drinks and snacks. I was almost to the river before I noticed that I had forgotten something very important—my paddle!

Knowing that I wouldn’t get anywhere without this important piece of equipment, I left the canoe and went back to retrieve the paddle. Only then could I take my trip.

Some people seem to think they can get somewhere without Jesus. However, he says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

Don’t be caught up the creek without Jesus!

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All That’s Left

Posted on August 13, 2012 by jesustrek

Today is “Left-Handers Day”. Since I am part of the 10 percent of Americans who are left-handed, I can sympathize with others who share in the struggles of being a lefty. Only those who have fumbled with can openers, scissors and other gadgets made for right-handed people can fully appreciate how difficult life can be for this beleaguered minority.

I keep hoping that Ned Flanders will open up a “Leftorium” here in our town. I have thought about walking across the United States to raise awareness for the plight of left-handed people.

I suppose I’ll just accept the fact that life will always be difficult, not only for lefties, but for people of all handedness.

Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

The Bible never sugarcoats anything. Jesus plainly says that we will have trouble. But peace and, ultimately, victory, are available to those who trust Jesus.

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Rise and Shine!

Posted on August 9, 2012 by jesustrek

I had just spent an intense week with several teenagers on the campus of a Christian college. We had gathered, along with hundreds of other teens and adult sponsors, for inspiring worship, dynamic speakers and challenging workshops. It was truly a mountaintop experience, and many had enjoyed some type of renewal or revival.

I saw one of the teenage boys around town the day after we came back home. We talked about what a great experience we had just had together. It happened to be a Saturday, and when we prepared to go our separate ways, I said, “I’ll see you in church tomorrow”.

I’ll never forget his response—“If I wake up in time!”

There are too many people spiritually sleep-walking through life. They have every chance in the world to respond to God’s creation and His goodness and mercy revealed in the Scripture and in the life of His Son Jesus. However, they fail to wake up and make the proper response of a lifetime of service and devotion to the One who would rather send His Son to a cruel death than to live in heaven without us.

The Bible warns against spiritual sleep-walking—“…The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11).

I have kept track of the young man I mentioned above. He appears to be showing signs of awakening.

May we all be found awake, alert and living for Jesus!

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Godly Attitude Toward Diet

Posted on August 7, 2012 by jesustrek

Ryan Lochte

Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte did not trust the local food when he competed in Beijing four years ago. So he went to McDonald’s for most meals, and as a result says he gained about ten pounds.

Since then, Lochte has become somewhat of a fanatic about eating a healthy diet. He thinks that this has been a big part of the reason for his success in the 2012 Olympics.

The Bible says that a Christian’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and therefore we should honor God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This principle implies that we should give some thought to our daily diet.

Daniel and his friends were blessed because they chose a healthy diet over the royal food and drink prescribed by the king (Daniel 1). We can expect to be blessed also if we make healthy choices about what we eat and drink.

Trying to live a healthy lifestyle is one way that we can honor God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

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Off Target

Posted on August 6, 2012 by jesustrek

 

Matt Emmons is a world-class marksman who is perhaps best known for a critical mistake he made in an important competition. While participating in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, Emmons had a comfortable lead going into the final round of the 50-meter, three-position rifle competition. Winning the gold medal seemed like a sure thing.

 

Emmons fired at the last target and was surprised that the automatic scoring system did not give him any credit for his shots. When the judge examined the target more closely, it was determined that it had not been hit at all. However, there were three extra holes in the target in the next lane over!

 

Emmons had aimed at the wrong target, and this mistake cost him dearly. Instead of winning the gold, he finished in eighth place.

 

The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 16:25).

 

Make sure you are aiming at the right target! The stakes are much too high to make that kind of mistake!

 

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”—Matthew 6:33.

 

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Help for the Hurting

Posted on August 3, 2012 by jesustrek

Someone in Longview, Washington injured a duck with a blow dart. People noticed the wounded bird and tried to help it. But the duck was able to swim and fly, so it avoided capture for more than a month. Finally, parks workers netted the bird, and it was treated for a few days and then released.

Some people are hurting very badly, and Jesus would love to help them. But they continue to run away from the healing that they so desperately need.

Listen to the heart of Jesus—“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37).

Are you hurting in such a way that only Jesus can help? Don’t run away from the Healer! Run toward him!

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