Destination Unknown

Posted on October 25, 2010 by jesustrek

A story is told about Albert Einstein riding on a train. The conductor was collecting tickets, and Einstein couldn’t find his. The conductor told him, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be back in a few minutes. You can give me your ticket then.

A few minutes later, the brilliant scientist had turned all of his pockets inside out, but still had not found his missing ticket. The conductor said to him, “Don’t worry about it, Mr. Einstein. I know who you are, and I’m sure you bought a ticket. Just forget about it.”

Still later, the conductor made his way through the train and found Albert Einstein frantically searching for the still missing ticket. He had his brief case open and papers strewn everywhere. He was even on his hands and knees looking under the seat. The conductor reminded him, “Mr. Einstein, please don’t worry about the missing ticket. I know who you are.” Einstein replied, “I know who I am too! But I don’t know where I’m going!”

There are a lot of people in life who don’t know where they are going.  They think they have life figured out. They even have given some thought to eternity, and they think they will end up in heaven. But they’re wrong. They have left Jesus out of the equation. They are headed for hell, and they don’t know where they are going.

Jesus says that he is the only way to God (John 14:6). Let’s spend the rest of our lives trying to get people on the right train.

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Violent Offenders

Posted on October 22, 2010 by jesustrek

The National Football League is cracking down on players who deliver excessively violent blows on the football field. Some players lower their heads as they plow into an opponent, disregarding even their own safety. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo on Wednesday to the teams in the league, emphasizing that more significant discipline will be imposed on players who deliver such hits in violation of the rules. Discipline will consist of huge fines and possible suspensions.

The Bible warns that there are those who perpetrate acts of violence with their mouths. Prov.10:6 says, “Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.” These people live for violent encounters. Prov.13:2 teaches, “From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.” These offenders actually plan incidents where they can do damage to innocent people. Prov.24:1-2 warns, “Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.”

I have seen these people lower their heads and throw themselves recklessly into Sunday school classes, small group gatherings and church board meetings. They have delivered crippling blows to reputations, ministries, and churches. Their attacks were well-planned and viciously delivered.

Fortunately, the Bible not only warns that this will happen; it also gives a remedy for the situation. Prov.21:7 says, “The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.” Quite simply, violent offenders should be held accountable for their evil deeds and punished because they chose to hurt people.

I hope that your church has some leaders in the mold of Roger Goodell, ready and willing to punish violent offenders in an attempt to protect innocent people from unnecessary harm.

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Making Progress

Posted on October 22, 2010 by jesustrek

My 3-year-old friend Grant was showing me his golf swing the other day. He told me that he had been practicing a lot with his plastic club and ball. I asked him if he was getting any better, and he never missed a beat as he took a mighty swing and nonchalantly answered, “Not really.”

We have to wonder sometimes if we are getting any better at following Jesus Christ. We keep going through the motions, “swinging away” at prayer, Bible study, going to church, etc., but are we really making any progress toward Christian maturity?

God expects to see some improvements in our lives. 1 Tim.4:15 says, “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.”

In what specific way might someone notice that you are making progress in your life with Jesus Christ?

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Persevering Under Trial

Posted on October 21, 2010 by jesustrek

Basketball fans everywhere—not just from Purdue—were saddened to learn that Robbie Hummel tore his right anterior cruciate ligament for the second time in eight months. He was considered to be one of the best college players in the country and a top NBA prospect. Hummel was hoping to come back and have a good season after rehabilitating his knee from the previous injury. Purdue was picked by many to contend for the national title this year, but now, with Hummel out for the year, Boilermaker fans are lowering their expectations.

While obviously disappointed, Hummel plans to come back and play again for Purdue after sitting out this season as a redshirt. You have to admire Robbie for his perseverance. He knows full well the pain and hard work that is ahead of him as he comes back from a second injury to the same knee. But he’s not giving up; he’s moving forward with his basketball career, and we wish him the best.

The Bible says—“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything…Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:2-4,12).

Whatever trial you are facing, hang in there, my friend! The blessing is for those who persevere.

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Politics of the Heart

Posted on October 20, 2010 by jesustrek

Elections are less than two weeks away. We are reminded of this fact every time we turn on the television and are bombarded by advertisements for (but mostly against) various candidates for office.

I am reminded of the Bible verse that best sums up my political leanings, Ecclesiastes 10:2—“The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.”

OK, I realize that when this verse was written it wasn’t referring to the political spectrum in the United States of America. However, even taken out of context for humorous purposes, this verse speaks truth.

Wise people understand that pre-born babies are humans too, and that they deserve the right to live and become all that God has planned for them to become. Fools not only allow these tiny people to be destroyed, they boast that it is the right thing to do.

Wise people know that God has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman that is designed to last a lifetime, and that a couple’s greatest happiness comes from finding fulfillment in God’s plan. Fools think that they can redefine marriage to suit their own warped views and that neither individuals nor society will suffer from this departure from God’s ways.

Wise people realize that it is their duty to be generous in sharing their blessings with those who are less fortunate. Fools are greedy with their own money, but are quite willing to forcefully take money from working people and re-distribute it to non-productive individuals and corporations through government giveaways.

The list goes on and on, but the point is quite clear—you can go to the right, or you can go to the left. Choose wisely, my friend!

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Dead Wood

Posted on October 19, 2010 by jesustrek

A couple of years ago, our family was removing a dead tree that had fallen in my in-laws’ yard. My brother-in-law cut off a slice of wood that was about 2 inches thick and a foot in diameter. The piece had an interesting pattern in the wood, and my wife wanted to keep it, hoping to turn it into something crafty or artsy.

So we took the wood home with us and kept it in our garage, where it stayed until we moved about a year ago. In the moving process, we found that the slice of wood fit well under the car seat, so that’s where we put it. And that’s where it still is, out of sight and out of mind.

The wood goes with us everywhere we go, so it has travelled a lot of miles in the past year. It never bothers us, but it never contributes anything to our lives either. It’s just there–dead wood.

I hope you aren’t the dead wood in your church. Don’t be satisfied to merely go along for the ride. Make a meaningful contribution to your church. Allow God to make something beautiful of your life.

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Laughing in Church

Posted on October 18, 2010 by jesustrek

I laughed out loud in church yesterday. It wasn’t because the preacher told a joke, nor was it because something funny happened. I laughed out of sheer joy when someone was baptized into Christ.

My wife and I were worshipping at Indian Creek Christian Church in Indianapolis, one of our favorite churches to visit. “The Creek” does an excellent job of planning worship services that enable the worshipers to celebrate being in the presence of God.

 Baptisms are often done while the congregation is singing, and there is something about the music that makes the moment powerful. Furthermore, family and friends gather around the baptistery, and hugs and kisses often come before or after the believer is immersed into Christ. Baptisms are not hurried, and the suspense builds as we anticipate the wonderful moment. The congregation bursts into applause when the brand new Christian emerges from the water. And you just might see someone wipe away a tear, or even laugh out loud.

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”—Luke 15:10

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An Exercise for the Memory

Posted on October 17, 2010 by jesustrek

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh began tracking the physical activity and cognitive patterns of nearly 300 adults in 1989. Their research now indicates that walking about six miles a week appears to protect against brain shrinkage in old age, which in turn helps stem the onset of memory problems and cognitive decline.

Maybe a daily walk will help us remember where we left our keys. A regular exercise habit could keep us from forgetting names and appointments. Many of us could use a little help in this area!

Jesus knew that we would need help in remembering him. We even tend to forget the greatest thing that happened in the history of the human race—the fact that Jesus died to save us. So Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. He gave us an exercise to do on a regular basis to improve our memory. “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19) is inscribed on many communion tables. It is a prescription to help prevent memory loss. Communion is an exercise to help us remember.

Don’t miss your exercise this week.

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Holding Leaders Accountable

Posted on October 16, 2010 by jesustrek
Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger had a spectacular start to his career as quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Big Ben won his first 16 starts as a rookie. In his second year in the NFL, he led the Steelers to a win in the Super Bowl. Roethlisberger established himself as a premier player in the league and as a leader of his team.

This season, however, Roethlisberger was not named as one of the captains of his team. His behavior off the field had led to accusations of sexual misconduct, and the league suspended Roethlisberger for the first four games of the season. It seems that Big Ben’s teammates were holding him accountable for his actions. They have higher expectations for their leaders.

Many churches could learn from the sports world. I know of cases where churches have put the “captain” label on men who have proven themselves to be anything but capable Christian leaders. Poor behavior is ignored–and sometimes even rewarded–as divisive, quarrelsome, overbearing men are named elders and deacons in their churches.

These churches get what they deserve. They should understand that the church will never rise above the level of its leaders. That’s why Paul says that we shouldn’t be hasty in setting apart men as leaders (1 Tim.5:22) and that leaders who sin should be rebuked publicly (1 Tim.5:20).

When will we learn this important lesson that much of the world already knows? Leaders must meet a high set of standards, and they must be held accountable for their actions.

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Making Something Out of Nothing

Posted on October 15, 2010 by jesustrek

It should never cease to amaze us when we consider how God created the universe out of nothing. He simply said, “Let there be…”, and there it was. Light, sky, land and sea, plants, sun, moon and stars, animals and finally mankind—God just had to say the word and they appeared.

I don’t have that kind of power. Sometimes I’ll be leaning back in my recliner in front of the television in the evening and I’ll say, “Let there be ice cream.” Occasionally, after a couple of minutes, a bowl of ice cream will appear in my hands. Other times, in reply to my command, I hear a voice saying, “Get it yourself!”

We don’t have anywhere near the power that God has. Heb.11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

Let’s take some time today to look at God’s creation and marvel at his awesome power.

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