Fools

April 1 is known as April Fool’s Day or All Fools Day.

Some historians claim the day has origins that go back as far as 1582.

When the Julian Calendar was replaced by the Gregorian Calendar in 1563, the start of the New Year changed as well.

It went from the last week in March to January 1.

People who did not get the news continued to celebrate according to the old calendar.

Those that made the change ridiculed those that did not.

They also played pranks and hoaxes on them.

This annual occurrence was popularized in 1700 as All Fools Day.

We who call ourselves Christians are often considered fools for believing as we do.

Scripture reminds us that believers have a track record for doing things that seem foolish.

Abraham left his home and moved to a land he knew absolutely nothing about.

Noah spent years making a large boat nowhere near a body of water.

David armed himself with a sling and went into battle against a giant wearing full armor.

Moses led his people into a wilderness.

On the surface, doing things like this could be considered foolish.

These men of the Old Testament were doing God’s will and that is the wisest thing anyone can do,

The New Testament reminds us of another who did something that could seem foolish.

It tells us of one who died after He was abandoned, ridiculed, severely beaten and nailed to a cross between two thieves.

Although innocent of any wrongdoing, He willingly subjected Himself to these things.

He did this because He was doing God’s will.

He did this for the benefit of others.

Even those that sought to do Him harm.

He did this for us.

Luke 22:42 (NET) - “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done.”

When it comes to being considered fools, we are indeed in excellent company.

The question remains, why are Christians considered fools?

I am certain that most simply do not understand why we believe as we do.

I am also certain that there are a few that are afraid.

They are not afraid of us.

What frightens them most is the possibility we might actually be right.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 8, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 15, 2016

Having Enough Light

I once heard a funny story that stuck with me.

A woman comes home and finds her husband in the living room on his hands and knees.

She asks him what he is dong.

He tells her that he is looking for a coin that he lost in the basement.

A bit confused, she asks why he is looking in the living room.

He replies, “Because the light is better.”

In Chapter 8 of the book of John. Jesus refers to Himself as “the light of the world”.

John 8:12 (NET) - Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, the importance of that verse struck me.

If we wish to find what we truly need in this world we require a good source of light.

The darker the environment, the more difficult it is to see that which we are looking for.

Throughout our lives we pursue different things.

A career, a place to live, a spouse and children are just a few of the things we search for in life.

Jesus is the “light of the world” and He indeed helps us to find these things.

As the light of the world, He also helps us see one other very important thing – our motivation.

We strive to achieve much in this world, but we should always be aware of what is motivating us in the pursuit.

We need to examine our motivation in every decision we make.

God expects to be first in our lives.

Everything we do should be with Him in mind.

When we put God first, He helps us prioritize everything else.

The light of Jesus us helps us clearly see where our motivation lies.

If our motivation is pure, He helps us see that.

If not, He helps us see that as well,

When we rely on Jesus, He provides the light by which we see the truth.

Unlike the man in the story, He also helps us look in the right place.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 25, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 1, 2016

When a Believer Says No

Even believers feel overwhelmed from time to time.

Speaking from personal experience, I can assure you this believer does.

Although something I never enjoy, I sometimes have to give people an answer they will not like.

No.

At church I serve on a committee on which I feel led to serve.

Every now and then someone who means well will ask me to serve on a board or another committee.

When I explain to them that the committee I am in is where I belong, they typically suggest I serve on both.

No.

By trying to do both I feel I would be stretching myself too thin.

I would not be able to serve either body to the best of my ability.

There are also times I have to say no to family.

Recently a family member planned a very special occasion for a particular day.

While the timing may have been great for some, it could not have been worse for me.

Along with career, I had just gotten through a series of medical examinations.

One of the ministries to which I am committed also required my attention that very same day.

I would have loved to spend time with family and joined in their celebration.

After taking all things into consideration, I had to say no.

Things like this brought back memories of days when I took care of my mother.

Although she was mentally sharp, she suffered from debilitating arthritis.

I loved her with all my heart.

Every time she wanted to go somewhere or do something I had to assess the situation first.

Because I loved her there were times that I had to say no.

As we continue our journey through Lent, my thoughts turned to Jesus.

I recalled the times when the human side of Him felt overwhelmed and even He had to withdraw to a quiet place.

Luke 5:15-16 (NET) - But the news about him spread even more, and large crowds were gathering together to hear him and to be healed of their illnesses. Yet Jesus himself frequently withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.

Does this mean that Jesus stopped loving people?

Hardly.

If Jesus, who also had a divine nature, found it necessary to withdraw to a quiet place from time to time, what does that say for us?

Although we do not enjoy doing so, sometimes a believer has to say no.

There are times when we must withdraw to a quiet place.

The answer “No” does not mean that we have stopped loving others.

It simply means no.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 11, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, March 18, 2016