Don’t Forget!

Posted on February 26, 2011 by jesustrek
Wynonna Judd

It happens every now and then. Some superstar singer who makes a fortune singing songs that he or she has memorized gets a chance to sing the National Anthem before an important sporting event—and forgets the words!

As many times as we all have heard and sung that song, you would think that we could remember the words every time we sing it. It’s not that easy, however.

Wynonna Judd had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem before the Napa 300 at Daytona in February of 2006. To make sure that she didn’t forget the words, she wrote them on her hand before she stepped up to the microphone!

Jesus knows how forgetful we tend to be. He knew that we needed something to remind us of even the most important thing that happened for us—his sacrificial death on the cross. So he gave us the command to take communion. “…Do this in remembrance of me”, he said (Luke 22:19).

Regular participation in communion helps us to remember that Jesus loves us so much that he died so that we could live forever with him.

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

A Brilliant Idea

Posted on February 25, 2011 by jesustrek

There’s an old fable about a frog and two ducks that lived on the same pond. They were discussing what they should do since the pond was nearly dry because of a prolonged drought. They knew if they didn’t do something soon they wouldn’t survive.

The ducks were considering flying to a larger pond, but the frog couldn’t possibly hop that far. So the frog came up with a brilliant idea. When the ducks flew out, they could each hold one end of a stick in their beaks and the frog could cling onto the middle with his powerful jaws as they flew.

The plan worked perfectly. The ducks took off, and the frog held on for the dramatic flight. But just after they took off, a farmer looked up and saw the unusual sight and mused, “What an ingenious idea! I wonder who thought of that?”

The frog couldn’t resist the opportunity to take the credit, so he opened his mouth and yelled “I did!” as he plummeted back to earth.

Prov.27:2 says, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.”

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

What’s Your Story?

Posted on February 24, 2011 by jesustrek
Fred Craddock

Fred Craddock says that his mother took him to church when he was growing up; his father wouldn’t go. When asked about going to church, his father would always say, “Church doesn’t care about me. Church wants another name, another pledge.” That’s what he always said.

Sometimes the preacher would come over, and Mr. Craddock always told him the same thing: “Church doesn’t care about me. Church wants another name, another pledge.”

Occasionally they would have a revival, and when the guest preacher came to call, you know what the response was—“Church doesn’t care about me. Church wants another name, another pledge.” That’s what he always said.

There was one time he didn’t say it. He was in the veteran’s hospital, and he was down to 73 pounds. They had taken out his throat, and said, “It’s too late.”

Fred flew in to see his Dad. Looking around the room, he saw flowers lining every windowsill and a huge stack of cards beside the bed. Every flower and every card was from someone at the church.

His father noticed Fred reading a card. He could not speak, so he took a Kleenex box and wrote on the side of it a line from Shakespeare—“In this harsh world, draw your breath in pain to tell my story.”

Fred asked, “What is your story, Daddy?”

And he wrote, “I was wrong.”

In spite of all of our faults, Christian people are the most loving and caring people on the face of the earth. Don’t wait until your deathbed to be right about Jesus Christ and his church!

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

Indispensable

Posted on February 23, 2011 by jesustrek
Nick Zambos

Merle Kidwell, head coach of the Russell High School boys basketball team, had promised that he would try to get Nick Zambos into the game on Senior Night. Nick, who has Down syndrome, had been the team manager for years. His love for the game and his desire to win makes him a favorite among the players. Therefore, they worked hard to get a big enough lead so that Nick could get some playing time.

With four minutes left in the game, Kidwell called on Zambos to check in for the first time ever. His teammates made sure that he got the ball, and when Nick made a difficult shot from the baseline, the crowd roared. Kidwell had never heard Russell’s home gym louder than when Nick scored. “It sounded like a million people were here,” said player Zach Bailey.

When the game ended, Nick was carried off on the shoulders of his teammates. The whole team signed the game ball and gave it to Nick.

“We couldn’t have scripted it any better,” said Kidwell. “I really believe that God puts people in your life that can teach you things,” he said, fighting tears. “Nick has taught our team about unselfishness and humility. Everybody on our team considers Nick a part of the team.”

The Bible says that every member of the church is important. “…Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.” (1 Cor.12:22).

Remember that the next time you have the chance to put somebody up on your shoulders.

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

Just Like Him

Posted on February 22, 2011 by jesustrek

One of my favorite television commercials lately is the one that shows a man who is obsessed with the actor Kevin Bacon. This ultimate fan—cleverly portrayed by Kevin Bacon himself—is consumed with thoughts of his hero. He has all of his movies. His favorite Kevin Bacon movie? It’s a tie…between all of them! The fan shares with the camera his wife’s comment that if he keeps on watching so much of Kevin Bacon’s movies, he will turn into Kevin Bacon. Then he crosses his fingers, as if to say that would be his dream come true.

We Christians are more than fans of Jesus. He is our example and we try to live as he would live. We study his life and his teachings so that we will know what to do and say in every situation. As we follow him, we start to look more like Jesus.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”—2 Cor.3:18.

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

Borrowed Time

Posted on February 21, 2011 by jesustrek

 

Don Waddell, an associate minister at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, had a recent brush with death. Just home from the hospital following neck surgery, Waddell developed complications that cut off his air supply. He was seconds from death when EMS workers opened up his airway.

Don was not out of danger even after arriving at the hospital. He was in ICU for 13 days, and he remembers nothing of the first 3 days there. He does remember trying to focus on the big clock on the wall and hearing doctors discuss his case. He heard them say that there was a 50-50 chance he wouldn’t come out of it.

The Waddell family did experience some blessings from their time spent in ICU. Don, a normally stoic former Air Force Colonel, poured out his heart to his grown children. He wondered aloud if he had led them to Christ, or simply led them to church. They assured him that he had led them to Christ.

When Waddell returned to work at the church, he put a clock in his office that looked like the one he had focused on in ICU. He says that it is a reminder that he’s living on borrowed time.

“God has given us 86,000 seconds in a day”, Waddell said. “I got a restart…The question is what I’m going to do with the remaining time He’s given me.”

When you consider the fact that we all are living on borrowed time, that’s a good question for us too.

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

Do something important today.

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

Another Appointment

Posted on February 19, 2011 by jesustrek
President James A. Garfield

It is said that on President Garfield’s first Saturday in Washington as president, one of his advisors insisted that a meeting must be held the next morning in order to avert a national crisis. Garfield refused to schedule the meeting, saying that he had another obligation. The advisor then suggested that the potential crisis was of such grave importance that the president should cancel his appointment. Garfield refused. Then the advisor asked what appointment was so important that it could not be broken. Garfield replied, “I will be as frank as you are. My engagement is with my Lord to meet him at his house and at his table at 10:30 tomorrow, and I shall be there.”

The president was there. He kept his appointment with God. The national crisis passed and the country survived. President Garfield was found faithful to his higher obligation.

It is a matter of keeping our priorities in order. When we put God first, everything else will work out. Keep your appointment with him each Sunday.

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

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

Humble Enough to Shine

Posted on February 18, 2011 by jesustrek

During the days of the Civil War, a foreign diplomat who was visiting the White House was shocked to find President Lincoln shining his own shoes. The man informed the president that it was not the custom in his country for gentlemen to polish their own shoes. Lincoln continued with his chore as he responded wryly, “Then whose shoes do they polish?”

Perhaps President Lincoln was thinking of another humble leader, a man who washed the feet of his friends and exhorted his followers to perform such lowly tasks in service to others.

Anyone who aspires to leadership would do well to humbly serve others.

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

Costly Gain

Posted on February 17, 2011 by jesustrek
Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus blames the Disney Channel TV show Hannah Montana for destroying his family. He believes that the show that launched his daughter, Miley, to pop stardom caused his divorce and sent his daughter spinning out of control. He wishes that the show had never happened. He says, “…I’d erase it all in a second if I could.”

Billy Ray had his own success as a country singer in the 1990s after his huge hit Achy Breaky Heart, so he knew about the temptations that go along with fame and fortune. He says that his entire family was baptized before leaving Tennessee for Los Angeles, in order to protect themselves from evil. Yet his family still fell apart.

It seems that even baptized believers can be seduced by what the world has to offer. That’s why the Bible warns: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17).

Let us all be aware that we are not immune to the misfortune that Miley Cyrus and her family have experienced. People who are not rich and famous have sold out their values chasing money, popularity and anything else the world has to offer. Many have exchanged their professed beliefs for a bigger house, a more expensive car, nicer clothing and the approval of people rather than the approval of God.

“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?…” (Matt.16:26).

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

The Next Move

Posted on February 16, 2011 by jesustrek

A story is told about a preacher who was asked to go visit an old Chinese gentleman who was in the hospital. The preacher walked into the man’s room and introduced himself. The gentleman responded in his native language. The preacher just stood there with a puzzled look on his face. The man repeated the same phrase. Then he said it again and again. The preacher continued to stand there in confusion. Once more, the old gentleman said the same words, then, suddenly, he died.

The preacher was quite shaken. He wondered what the man’s last words were, so he memorized what the old man had said. A couple of days later, he went to the funeral home for the visitation. While he was there he pulled aside some members of the family, repeated the phrase he had heard the old man say, and asked what it meant. They said, “It means—Would you please move! You’re standing on my oxygen tube!”

There are too many Christians who are stifling the flow of the Holy Spirit. Most churches are desperate for the Holy Spirit to bring a breath of fresh air and bring much-needed revival. But sometimes God’s people must move in order for him to move.

You aren’t standing on the oxygen tube, are you?

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