Left the Building

Posted on March 16, 2011 by jesustrek

When Elvis Presley was still performing, his fans often lingered long after the concert was over. They were hoping for another encore; perhaps another glimpse of the one they affectionately called “The King”. In order to clear the building, it became a custom to announce over the public address system after the concert was over, “Elvis has left the building!” Only then would the crowd disperse.

The church gathers weekly to worship the true King. After church, it would be wonderful for our motto to be: “The church has left the building!” The church has left the building—to help the poor, to minister to the sick and elderly, to care for the widows and orphans, to evangelize the lost…You get the picture! The church must gather to worship, and then scatter to serve!

Has your church left the building?

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He Dropped the Ball

Posted on March 15, 2011 by jesustrek



Fred Snodgrass

Fred Snodgrass was a successful major league baseball player for the Giants, but he was remembered for one of his failures. In the 1912 World Series, he dropped a pop fly. His error set up the wining run, because the next batter hit a single. Consequently, the Giants lost the game and the Series.

When he died in 1974, the New York Times printed this headline: FRED SNODGRASS, 86, DEAD; BALLPLAYER MUFFED FLY IN 1912.

62 years later, and yet they could not forgive him. Omitted was the fact that Fred later became the mayor of Oxnard, California, was a successful banker and rancher, and raised a fine family. He dropped a pop fly in 1912 and they could not forget his mistake.

Eph.5:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

The world is not a very forgiving place. But we Christians are called to be set apart from the world. We are to forgive others for their mistakes, always remembering the forgiveness that God has given us in Jesus Christ.

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Every Part is Important

Posted on March 14, 2011 by jesustrek

When I saw the headline, “Jockey Cuts Off Fingers”, my first thought was, “Wow! Some of those guys will do anything to keep their weight down!”

Then I read that he didn’t do it on purpose. Jean-Luc Samyn cut off two fingers in a snowblower accident at his home in New York. He will be sidelined for about a month. Samyn hopes to return to riding in late March. The 54-year-old native of France has won 2,611 races in his 36-year career.

Any jockey would rather have all ten fingers functioning properly as he or she tries to guide a horse in a competitive race. In the same way, any church would love to have all of its members functioning properly as it tries to minister in its community.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Cor.12:27).

This verse tells us that every functioning Christian is an important member of the church. Every single one.

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How Do You Define Success?

Posted on March 13, 2011 by jesustrek
Mother Teresa

It is reported that Mother Teresa once attended a gathering with kings and presidents and statesmen from all over the world. They were there with their fancy clothing and expensive jewelry. Mother Teresa looked out of place, with her clothing held together by a safety pin.

During the course of the evening, one gentleman talked with her about her work with the poor people in Calcutta. He asked her if she didn’t become discouraged because she saw so few successes in her ministry. Mother Teresa answered, “No, I do not become discouraged. You see, God has not called me to a ministry of success. He has called me to a ministry of mercy.”

God does not define success in the same way that the world does. Let us never forget that.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”—Matthew 5:7.

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Unless You Repent

Posted on March 12, 2011 by jesustrek
Charlie Sheen

In the television sitcom Two and a Half Men, Charlie Sheen plays the part of Charlie Harper, a boozing womanizer whose moral code is non-existent. He only thinks of himself, and rarely considers the consequences that might come as a result of his poor behavior.

Ironically, Sheen’s actions in real life are starting to make Charlie Harper look like a pretty good guy! The actor’s many missteps have been well-documented in the media lately. His behavior and subsequent comments have dominated the news.

Perhaps the saddest part of this disheartening story is the fact that Sheen seems to show no remorse whatsoever. In fact, he seems to revel in the negative attention that he is receiving and insists that he is still a winner in life. At least many of the Hollywood stars who have had similar problems admit that they were wrong and that they need to make some major lifestyle changes.

Christians aren’t perfect. Some Christian people find themselves involved in gossip, lying, greedy schemes, immoral relationships, bad language habits, divisive behavior and arrogant attitudes. There is room for repentance in the life of every Christian.

However, many Christians seem to have the same mindset as Charlie Sheen. They don’t see that they are doing anything wrong, nor do they have any intention to change. They glory in the negative attention that they receive and they see themselves as being on the winning side. They feel that they are in good standing with God.

Jesus says twice in Luke 13:1-5, “…But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Repentance is needed in the life of a Christian. One must repent at the time he or she is baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38). There is also an on-going need for repentance; it is required whenever we find sin in our life. Acceptance of sin is not an option.

Hopefully, Charlie Sheen will come to his senses and get his life in order. Let’s hope the same for any Christians who have a similar resistance to repentance.

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Time Well-Spent

Posted on March 11, 2011 by jesustrek

Jay Leno recently commented: “Facebook is looking into buying Twitter for around $10 billion. If all goes as planned, the company hopes to combine these two companies to create the biggest waste of time the world has ever seen.”

Modern technology can be a blessing by giving us instant access to news and other information, and by allowing us to communicate with others effectively. However, it is possible to waste time on these activities instead of developing relationships that will allow us to influence people for Christ. It is up to each of us to make good decisions about how we spend our precious time.

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:12.

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Quit Your Griping!

Posted on March 10, 2011 by jesustrek

In one of his recent Speed Bump cartoons, Dave Coverly has a grumpy looking elderly couple sitting in a booth at a restaurant, looking at the menu. The waitress asks them, “Would you like to start by complaining about an appetizer? Or are you ready to go ahead and complain about a meal?”

Not every senior citizen fits the stereotype of an old grouch who complains all the time. Some of them are the sweetest, most easy-going people you will ever meet. However, there are many who seem to thrive on finding things to grumble about. And some of them, sad to say, are Christians.

My wife and I used to go out to eat with some senior citizens after church on Sunday evening. It became embarrassing to listen to their complaining every single time we shared a meal together. It was a poor witness to the waitresses, who usually knew that we had just come from church.

As we grow older, let’s try to grow more thankful for what we have and more gracious toward others.

Philippians 2:14 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing.”

That’s what the Bible says. If you want to complain about it, don’t talk to me. Talk to the One who wrote it.

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The Forgiveness Tour

Posted on March 9, 2011 by jesustrek

After several years of laboring to produce a meager harvest from hard soil, it was time to move on to another ministry. I found myself experiencing some hard feelings toward a few people who had vehemently opposed me. I wondered if I had truly forgiven them. This was quite a concern, since Jesus teaches that the forgiveness we receive from God is based on our willingness to forgive others (Matt.6:14-15).

Jesus also says, “…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt.5:44). So a few days before we moved away from that town, I got in my car and took a drive. I drove past the home of every person who had caused me grief because of my ministry. Slowing down as I passed each home, I prayed a sincere prayer for the well-being of each of my enemies. I call it “The Forgiveness Tour”.

Maybe you need to take a mental tour and forgive some people who have wronged you. Or perhaps you need to do like I did and actually get in the car and do some “drive-by” praying. Take it from me; it will do your soul some good.

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The Right to Decide

Posted on March 8, 2011 by jesustrek
Coach Wooden and Bill Walton

Star basketball player Bill Walton once told his legendary coach, John Wooden, that he didn’t have the right to tell him that he needed to get a haircut. Wooden responded, “But I have the right to decide who plays and who doesn’t.”

God has appointed elders to oversee the church (Acts 20:28). While they are not to be micro-managers, it is their duty to make the most important decisions in the church. The elders collectively decide what the game plan is for their congregation.

Every church member has the duty to submit to the leadership of the elders. Heb.13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

Bill Walton got a haircut, and he and Coach Wooden helped form a UCLA team that was nearly unbeatable.

Once the leaders and followers in a church understand and accept their role, they can work together effectively. And when they do, there’s no telling how many victories can be won for Christ!

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Still in the Saddle

Posted on March 7, 2011 by jesustrek
Roy Brooks

When his horse fell on top of him last May 15, many thought that Roy Brooks’ career as a competitive jockey was over. After all, he was 69 years old! But even though he had a broken pelvis and a torn urethra, Brooks had other ideas. He planned to return to competitive racing. He said, “I don’t feel like I’m 69. I don’t think of being that old. If you get to thinking you’re too old, you’ve got to stop doing this.”

Roy’s goal was to ride on November 15 in the $350,000 Black Gold Futurity at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore. Not only did he ride in that race, Brooks guided 8-1 shot Freighttrain B to victory.

Brooks plans to ride in races when he turns 70 in August. After that, he said, “We’ll see what happens.”

Sadly, many Christians retire too early from serving the Lord. They feel like they’ve put their time in, or that they no longer have anything to offer. We need more Christians with the perseverance of Roy Brooks. Wouldn’t it be great if senior Christians had the same attitude as Caleb when he said, “…So here I am today, 85 years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.” (Joshua 14:10-11).

Stay in the saddle, my friend. We have more races to win.

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