Stress

Nobody likes to feel stress.

Quite often. we find our jobs are a source of stress.

At times, even family and friends can cause us stress.

Even other pressures like the economy, politics or even the news can cause us to feel stress.

The dictionary defines stress as a noun in two ways.

The one we are familiar with is “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.”

Another is the “pressure or tension exerted on a material object.”

It’s easy to see how the second definition lent itself to the first.

Most of the time, the source of our stress is external.

But, there are times when we put undue stress upon ourselves.

At the end of the day, stress is what results when we feel that we are no longer in control of our lives.

Stress is what we feel when it appears that other people or circumstances are in control.

From a Christian perspective, control, as we often see it, is an illusion to begin with.

We tend to hold on to the steering wheel of our lives tightly with both hands.

When we do, we lose sight of the fact that it is God who is really in control.

Luke 12:29-31 (NET) - So do not be overly concerned about what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not worry about such things. For all the nations of the world pursue these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, pursue his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Once we acknowledge that God is in control, stress loses its hold upon us.

We may even wonder why did not let go sooner.

Perhaps my favorite reminder of God’s dominion comes from the 23^rd Psalm.

Psalm 23:4 (NET) - Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me

Our lives are transformed for the better once we acknowledge this.

It is even possible that others may see our calmness in the storm and desire it for themselves.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 8, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, February 15, 2019

More Than Enough Work

Monday is a holiday where I live.

On this day we observe the birthday of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

King was a man of God and was also very influential in the American Civil Rights Movement.

One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King is: “Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

I began to reflect on some other men of God whom I admire.

In June, for example, I plan to teach a class about John Amos Comenius.

Comenius was a theologian born in 1592 who brought about significant changes in education.

One of my favorite Comenius quotes is: “Whenever you encounter one of your neighbours, regard him as yourself in another form (which he is), or indeed as God in another form, for he is the image of God, and God will be watching to see how reverently you treat him.”

Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf is another man I admire.

Born in 1700, he eventually became bishop of the Moravian Church.

Zinzendorf once said: "Missions, after all, is simply this: Every heart with Christ is a missionary, every heart without Christ is a mission field."

Another man I admire is C. S. Lewis who was a lay theologian and author born in 1898.

Lewis once wrote: “One of the reasons why it needs no special education to be a Christian is that Christianity is an education itself.”

Few of us will become theologians or famous authors.

Few of us will have holidays honoring us.

That’s fine.

The important thing is that we serve.

Christ reminds us that He came to serve.

Mark 10:45 (NET) - For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

He also reminds us that more will expected of those who have been given more. 

Luke 12:48b (TLB) - Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater.

These are excellent reminders as there is plenty of work to do.

Luke 10:2 (NET) - He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.

The men whom I cited earlier remind us to take that first step… love our fellow man… reach out to him… and we will grow as a result.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 25, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, February 1, 2019

A Clean Start

A new year is once again upon us.

Many of us see this as an opportunity to make resolutions.

A chance to make some changes that will perhaps improve the quality of our lives.

We may promise ourselves to eat healthier foods or get more exercise or get enough sleep.

When you get down to it, resolutions are about making a new start with a clean slate.

What’s not to like about that?

Unfortunately, we are flawed human beings.

We may keep these promises for a few days or weeks, but then we easily lapse back into our old habits.

We might even go as far as to promise ourselves that next year we will do better.

Next year we will get it right.

A clean start is not impossible.

To make a significant and lasting change we need to change our perspective.

When it comes to resolutions, we tend to focus our gaze inwardly upon ourselves

                                                                                                                          

But what would happen if we were to refocus our gaze outwardly toward Jesus and our fellow man?

Something amazing.

That would bring about significant and lasting change.

That would really be starting with a clean slate.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NET) - So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!

What does this have to do with our fellow man?

Christ himself pointed the way.

A short time before His crucifixion, Christ washed the feet of his disciples.

He did this for a reason.

John 13:11 (NET) - For I have given you an example—you should do just as I have done for you.

Christ does not simply tell us how to live, He shows us!

New and lasting change is not impossible.

We just need to know where to look.

By looking first to Christ, we become a new creation.

We do this by listening to His words and following His example.

Resolutions are easily abandoned.

But the more we do as Christ bids us, the more we wish to continue.

John 13:34 (NET) - I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, January 11, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, January 18, 2019