Make the Best Choice

I am a Christian therefore I believe Jesus exists.

People who are unbelievers do not believe that Jesus currently exists.

The most prominent theologian alive today also believes that Jesus exists.

Today’s most vocal atheist is of the opinion that Jesus does not currently exist.

The bottom line - Jesus exists!

His existence does not depend on who chooses to believe in Him and who does not.

Let’s look at this from a different angle.

For all intents and purposes, today’s world could be divided into two categories.

One group would be composed of those who believe in Jesus; the second, those who do not believe.

From a purely logical perspective only one of these groups can be correct in their belief.

What if the group that believes is incorrect?

What if they lived their lives as if Jesus existed?

The eternal consequences for them would be relatively unimportant.

They would simply live out their lives loving others.

What if, on the other hand, the group that refuses to believe is incorrect?

What if they continued to live their lives as if Jesus did not exist?

What if, in the end, they found out that they were incorrect?

The eternal consequences for them would be most dire.

Sadly, it would then be too late for them to do anything about it.

Yet, this is just how many choose to live their lives.

They focus on the here and the now as opposed to the eternal.

Fortunately, it is not too late.

For as long as we draw breath, there is hope.

I am reminded of a line from The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis.

This Christian work was part of The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis.

Lewis used a lion by the name of Aslan to represent Christ.

In the book one of the characters stated, “I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia.”

In the end, the choice is ours.

We need to make certain it is the best choice we can make.

John 20:27-29 (NET) - Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and examine my hands. Extend your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe.” Thomas replied to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are the people who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

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

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

An Open Letter to Fathers

Fathers:

Some of you know me quite well.

Some of you know me socially.

Many of you do not know me at all.

Regardless of the nature of our relationship, I know that as fathers you are concerned about your children.

I appreciate your concern especially in these times.

I have no direct experience with the responsibilities that accompany fatherhood.

That said I am well aware that all men, including me, have responsibilities where children are concerned.

Fathers teach their children with words and by example.

I might not teach your children with words, but I hope I can teach them by example.

If we attend the same church, there are things your children will see.

They will see me coming out of my Sunday school class.

They will see me at Vacation Bible School serving in some way.

They will see me participating in Christmas programs and attending rehearsals.

They will see me helping out during church in one capacity or another.

There are also some things neither you nor they ever see.

You will never see the hours I spend in committee meetings which help direct the course of their education.

You will never see me when I come in on the occasional Saturday to set up and test equipment for their use in Sunday school.

You will never see the hours of preparation and research that go into my ministries.

Some of you do not attend my church.

In fact, many of you do not know me at all.

My responsibility to your children is equally important.

Whenever I am out in public I know that there is always a chance a child might be observing me.

Your child might notice my behavior or interaction with others.

Having been a child myself, I am well aware that children are not fooled by hypocrisy.

If I should speak or behave inappropriately in a public setting, I could potentially damage valuable lessons you are trying to teach them.

I might not be a father but I am a man.

That is a role I take very seriously.

Although I have no children of my own, scripture reminds me how special all children are to the Lord.

Luke 18:16-17 (NET) - But Jesus called for the children, saying, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

Because all children are special to Him, they are special to me.

That includes your children.

No matter how well you know me, I want to be the kind of male role model for your children that other men were for me.

As fathers, you are concerned about your children.

That goes with the territory.

I appreciate that concern.

When Father’s Day comes on Sunday your children might give you a gift to express their love for you.

There is nothing I can give you that can equal that.

What I hope I have given you is one less thing to worry about.

I wish you a happy and blessed Father’s Day.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 24, 2016.

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

Looking Out for Children

I don’t make a practice of killing small animals.

Occasionally I come across one where I live.

When that happens I do my best to capture and release it.

When I came across a small snake in my garage not long ago I intended to do just that.

I found a box that was big enough for me to capture it.

When I got close enough to the snake, I changed my plans.

This was not an ordinary and harmless snake.

What I faced was a young yet quite venomous water moccasin.

I made the decision to kill it.

This decision was not made out of personal fear.

My concern was for the many children that live quite nearby.

Some of them are very young.

Many of them have probably never seen a harmless snake much less a venomous one.

This snake posed a risk to those children.

When a child sees a snake he or she will typically have one of two reactions.

If a child has witnessed an adult’s fear of a snake, the child will likely fear it as well.

If not, then the child’s curiosity will be aroused and he or she will not be afraid to pick it up.

Should that happen with a water moccasin, the snake will defend itself in the only way it can.

It will bite the child with possibly tragic consequences.

That is why I made the decision to kill it.

Fear of snakes is not the only thing children learn from adults.

Sin is also something that can be learned.

Children learn by observing behavior in all adults; not just their parents.

Some of the things they learn from us are good.

Some of the things they learn are not.

One thing children can spot from a mile away is hypocrisy.

All it takes is one bad example from an adult to undo months, perhaps years, of teaching.

As adults, we all have a tremendous responsibility to be good examples for all children, not just our own.

Jesus was very clear on this.

Matthew 18:6 (NET) - But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a huge millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the open sea.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 10, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 17, 2016