Seeing Others Through God's Eyes

Psalm 100 is a psalm of thanksgiving.

In verse 3, the psalmist acknowledges that the Lord made us.

Psalm 100:3 (NRSVue) - Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

In Acts 11, Peter reports to the church in Jerusalem.

There, the people criticize Peter for associating with the gentiles.

Peter gives them a full account beginning with his vision.

He then tells them of how he responded to the Spirit’s leading,

He also tells them how he was to make no distinction between Jew and gentile.

Their response is remarkable.

Acts 11:18 (NRSVue) - When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”

God created all of us.

He gave life to each one of us,

God knows each of us as individuals and God offers His grace to all,

If we could but learn to see others as God sees them.

God can help us do that,

Once we do, we can overcome our petty disagreements and personal prejudices,

Then, we can truly love our brothers and sisters in Christ as God desires for us.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, August 14, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, August 21, 2026

We Are Not Fit to Judge

In Psalm 98, the psalmist praises the judge of the world.

Psalm 98:9 (NRSVue) - for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.

In John 5, Jesus explains his authority as judge.

John 5:30 (NRSVue) - As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

The right to judge is within the authority of the Lord.

It is not within our authority.

Yet daily we judge our neighbors by our own standards.

We judge based on our own set of prejudices, limited experiences and even our moods.

We even judge based on superficial things such as appearance.

We judge, not knowing what is going on in their lives.

We are warned not to judge.

Matthew 7:1 (NRSVue) - Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.

Surely, this is reason enough.

But beyond this, we are not fit to judge.

Only the Lord is fit to judge.

The Lord does not see others as we see them.

The Lord sees with justice.

He also sees with dignity and mercy.

Fortunately, that is also the way the Lord sees us.

Romans 8:1-2 (NRSVue) - Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, July 24, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, August 7, 2026

Not Just for Children

People come to me with questions.

Frankly, I enjoy questions because they force me to dig deeper.

Someone who knew English is not my first language asked me about a hymn.

They asked me if I knew the lyrics to that hymn in my first language.

I said I did and they asked me to recite it back to them in that language.

The hymn in question was Jesus Loves Me.

This is a song many children learn.

Strangely enough, we tend not to sing it when we become adults.

Anna Bartlett Warner wrote the words.

William B. Bradbury composed the tune.

Jesus loves me, this I know,

for the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to him belong;

they are weak, but he is strong.

The version I was taught as a child goes like this:

Má Pán Ježíš, má mě rád,

Čisto Písmo nastokrát!

Všecky děti, jak jen jsou,

srdci jeho zálibou.

This is an adequate translation, albeit inexact.

So, I translated the second version back into English literally.

The result was both pleasantly surprising and reassuring.

My Lord Jesus, He has love for me,

Pure Scripture (tells me) a hundred times over!

All children, whatever they are,

(they are) a passion close to His heart.

Although not quite, the original, I love the retranslation.

Our Lord Jesus has love for us.

Pure Scripture reminds us of this repeatedly.

All children, even those my age, are a passion close to His heart.

This is why I love questions and enjoy digging deeper.

In doing so, a simple melody intended for children is transformed.

It becomes a poetic message about Christ’s active love for us all.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, July 10, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, July 17, 2026

Both Creation and Child

After the Lord appointed Cyrus as king, the prophet Isaiah delivers the Lord’s word.

In addition, Isaiah affirms the Lord’s role in creation and history,

His words apply to the new king, but they also apply to us.

Isaiah compares the Creator to a potter and the created as a pot made of clay.

Isaiah 45:9-10 (GNT) - Does a clay pot dare argue with its maker, a pot that is like all the others? Does the clay ask the potter what he is doing? Does the pot complain that its maker has no skill?

Some seven centuries later, Christ taught His disciples how they should pray.

After warning them not to pray the way hypocrites pray, Christ instructed them further.

Matthew 6:9-10 (GNT) - This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven: May your holy name be honored; may your Kingdom come; may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Just as the pot must not question the potter, a Christian must recognize God’s sovereign will.

The will of God certainly reigns in heaven.

That same will must also reign here on Earth.

Those who fully appreciate this have a special relationship with their creator.

They recognize that they, like Adam, are created from dust.

Yet they are still able to approach their creator and call Him Father.

Galatians 4:6 (GNT) - To show that you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, “Father, my Father.”

Yet there are those who want their will to prevail.

They are the pot that questions the potter.

This is not a good place to be.

I am reminded of the words of C.S. Lewis who wrote: “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.”

It is Christ who helps us keep our relationship with the Father in its proper perspective.

Yes, God is the potter, and we are the pot.

But God is much more.

Thanks to the Spirit of His Son, even the created can lovingly call Him Father.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 14, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, October 21, 2022

Children of God

Malachi 2:10a (NKJV) - Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?

The prophets spoke on God’s behalf to the people,

It is therefore appropriate that Malachi means “my messenger.”

He emerged when the commitment of the people to God was in decline.

Malachi instructed the people to demonstrate greater faithfulness to God.

He also reminded them that God was the God of all.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, reminded them of this.

He also reminded them how they were to treat others.

Philippians 2:3 (NET) - Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself.

Paul stressed the importance of Christian unity,

When Christ came into this world, He also reminded us how to treat others.

More importantly, He demonstrated this for us.

In the book of Matthew (which immediately follows Malachi), Christ was asked a question.

An expert in the law tried to trap Jesus with a trick question.

Matthew 22:36 (NET) - “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

The two-fold response from Jesus must have surprised the expert.

Matthew 22:37-40 (NET) - Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Malachi, Paul, and other contributors to the Bible remind us how we are meant to treat others.

More importantly, Christ Himself commands us to love them.

To do so, we must first allow God, the creator of all, to open our minds and our hearts.

Then we can truly see that everyone we encounter is a child of God.

We can then truly follow the words of Jesus.

We can unconditionally love those we encounter in our journeys.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 12, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, August 19, 2022

Changes and Constants

Those of you who follow my regular offerings will notice this one is in a different format. This is intentional because of all that is going on around us. It is my hope that you will read it anyway.

Our routines have been turned upside down and it is very probable that even more changes are in store. The question then arises: What should we be doing during this period of change?

1.      Do Not Fear. It is important that we do not fear. There are dozens upon dozens of verses reminding us not to fear.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NET) - Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

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2.      Love Your Children. This should be obvious, and it seems simple. It should be easier with schools closed and parents working from home. Just remember that children learn from our actions and not just our words. If we show fear, they will naturally pick up on this and it will become their response to the situation as well. Remind your children that you love them! Remind them that God loves them!

Proverbs 22:6 (NET) - Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

3.      Do Not Hoard. We’ve all seen the news items where people have run to the stores and purchased so much more than they needed. People have been injured and even fights have broken out over the simplest of items. Remember those whose lives are already difficult like the elderly and handicapped who may have difficulty just getting to the store. Imagine being in their place and not being able to get what you need most because others chose to panic buy.

Proverbs 3:27 (NET) - Do not withhold good from those who need it, when you have the ability to help.

4.      Be Patient and Kind. Until our lives return to normal, we will still have to do things like wait in line or have the store clerk tell us they are momentarily out of an item. When these and other events like them occur we must continue to love our neighbor as Christ commands us. Yes, this even applies to those who may decide to treat us unkindly.

Colossians 3:12-13 (NET) - Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.

5.      More Changes. As much as our routines have changed, we could be in store for additional changes and the sooner we get accustomed to that idea the better. But there are some constants we will always be able to rely upon.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NET) - Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He will not fail you or abandon you!

6.      Rely Upon God. Things will get better, but we must rely upon God rather than ourselves until they do!

Isaiah 41:10 (NET) -  Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you— yes, I help you— yes, I uphold you with my victorious right hand

7.      Jesus Christ Never Changes. No matter how much things change, there is one glorious constant we can always count on. Jesus Christ never changes!

Hebrews 13:8 (NET) - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!

Yes, our lives have changed in some radical ways. Perhaps there are more changes to come. But through it all we can rely upon Christ who never changes. We can rely upon His word. We can rely upon His promise. Things will get better, but until they do, let us remember how He told us to live!

Blessings Always,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 27, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, April 3, 2020

Why Do It?

Gifts come in all shapes and sizes.

But the best gifts of all are those that do not come in boxes.

Days ago, I received just such a gift.

It came on the day of our annual Christmas Program.

For the last several years, I have participated in our Sunday School Christmas Program.

Although the program is comprised mostly of children, several adults are involved.

Having neither children nor grandchildren, there is one question I am asked every year.

“Why do it?”

A few, it seems, just cannot wrap their minds around why I would invest my time and energy in this.

There are many reasons why I do so.

Most of the year I work with adults.

Once a year, twice if I am fortunate, projects like this allow me to work alongside the young.

Their spiritual needs are different than our own.

In fact, their needs are a bit different than were mine at the same age.

Today’s youth live in a different world than the one I grew up in.

Technology is inescapable.

There are more organized activities.

There is a virtual bombardment of information.

In short, for good or bad, there are far more distractions and demands on their time.

I also understand that there are two primary ways to teach.

We can teach with our words or we can teach by example.

When it comes to teaching the young, teaching by example is the most effective way.

Having once been young, I remember that the young look for cracks in our armor.

One bad example can undo years of teaching.

That is why I invest my time and energy in the Christmas program.

This year, on the day of the program, I received a special blessing.

A mother with two children told me that they thought a lot of me.

That is the best gift I will receive this Christmas.

Next year, when someone asks me “Why do it?” I will recall that moment.

Matthew 19:14 (NET) - But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Philippians 4:9 (NET) - And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 27, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, January 3, 2020

Giving

Giving is one of the things people associate with Christmas.

This is inspired by the wise men who brought gifts to Jesus in the forms of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Others have written much about the significance of these gifts, so I will pass on that aspect.

Scripture does not specify how many wise men there were.

Since it specifies these three gifts, people easily assume that there were three wise men.

We really cannot say how many wise men made the trek to worship Jesus.

This got me thinking about giving at Christmas.

For instance, my colleagues and I purchased and wrapped gifts for some children in need.

Members of my church marked the days in Advent by purchasing food items for the local food bank.

Volunteers ring bells for the Salvation Army encouraging people to give.

Sometimes, people give in unexpected ways like paying for someone else’s order at the drive thru.

People even donate their time and talents for Christmas programs and the like.

For some reason, giving just seems to come more easily to us at Christmas.

Do not get me wrong.

I encourage giving in these ways and others.

I gladly do so myself.

But, in a matter of days, Christmas 2019 will be but a memory.

Giving, broadly speaking, can all too easily become just a memory as well.

This is unfortunate as the need for giving will still be there when Christmas is gone.

Just as we should not limit the number of wise men to three, we should not limit our giving to Christmas.

There is scriptural basis for this.

Proverbs 3:9 reminds us to give from our first fruits and not from what is left over.

1 Chronicles 29:14 reminds us that everything (even what we give) belongs to God.

2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us to give from the heart and God loves those who give cheerfully.

Luke 6:38 reminds us that the spirit in which we give is the spirit in which we will receive.

In the days remaining until Christmas we will each find many ways in which to give.

Perhaps enough ways to inspire us to continue into the year to come.

When it comes to gifts, God gave us the best gift of all.

Christmas is not about how a fallen mankind reached up to God.

It is about how God reached down to a fallen mankind through Jesus.

That gift is so very special that it has continued to give daily for 2,000 years!

That should be the best inspiration of all.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 13, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 20, 2019

Unexpected Blessings and Love

This is not what I originally intended to post today.

I learned long ago that in such endeavors you must follow your heart.

I went to the post office today to pick up a package.

I was in for a surprise.

Along with my package, I received a thick envelope containing a card from a cousin.

The envelope also contained some old black and white photographs and a letter.

I felt a bit emotional as I looked at the photographs and read my cousin’s letter.

These photos were taken immediately after my brother’s funeral more than 60 years ago.

My brother died in infancy almost a decade before I was born.

I never met my brother in this world, but I have other photographs of him.

These photographs depicted the officiating pastor.

He once preached at the church I still attend.

It also depicted four of my cousins who served as bearers.

They were all quite young at the time.

There were also photographs of the coffin, the flowers and so forth.

I very much appreciated receiving this package and I will make certain my cousin knows this.

Many people often get uncomfortable when it comes to discussing death.

I said earlier that I felt a bit emotional.

But my emotions were not based on fear, but rather, they were based on love.

Love for my cousin who thought I should have the photographs.

Love for a brother I never got to meet in this world.

Love for my parents who did all they could for a very sick and tiny infant.

But most of all, love for the Lord.

As a Christian, I know with conviction that death is not the end.

It is merely a transition.

I also know how much the Lord loved my tiny brother.

He proved this in His ministry.

Matthew 19:14-15 (NET) - But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

As stated, I never met my brother in this world.

I am completely confident that we will meet in the next.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 12, 2018.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 19, 2018

Man Up

Father’s Day is this Sunday, and this has been very much on my mind.

Many of my friends are fathers.

Some are grandfathers.

God has given me my own circumstances.

I have neither children nor grandchildren.

I am quite certain of one thing.

Children are special to Jesus.

Matthew 19:14-15 (NET) - But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” And he placed his hands on them and went on his way.

As a result, I have come to one inescapable conclusion.

If children are special to Jesus, they should be special to me.

Therefore, as a man, I must be careful.

Children learn not only from our words but from our behavior as well.

A careless word or action on our part as adults can do considerable damage.

It can undo valuable lessons taught to them by their parents.

Jesus cautioned us about 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.

As a child I was blessed.

There were several men I looked up to as role models.

The way they lived influenced the way I live now.

Now, it is my turn to “man up”.

With God’s help I hope I am doing so.

Proverbs 22:6 (NET) - Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 22, 2018.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 6, 2018

Listen Up

Teaching is a passion of mine.

Someone wiser than me once said, “If you want to learn about the Bible, volunteer to teach a Sunday School class.”

There is a tremendous amount of truth in that.

Some of it comes through preparation.

Some of it comes through the simple act of listening.

For example, one of the adults in my class recently said something quite profound.

She said, “We might be the closest thing to a Bible some people have seen.”

She makes a good point.

Take Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

Philippians 3:17 (NET) - Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example.

Of course, learning is not confined to the classroom.

Recently I saw one of my students walking up to the church with his young granddaughter.

I held the door open for them.

They were discussing the different ways in which God speaks to us.

He reminded her that God can speak to us through others.

He added that we might even be surprised if we listen.

Proverbs 27:17 (NET) - As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens his friend.

God can even teach us through the love of a child.

Some years ago, before my class began I assisted in the serving line.

Two little girls were in line and they surprised me.

When they reached my point in the line, one of them asked the other, “Will you be my sister tonight?”

The other readily agreed.

This reminded me of the beginning of Ephesians 5.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NET) - Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

I have another class to teach next week.

I have been preparing for it for weeks.

I wonder what surprising lessons God has in store for me?

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 8, 2018.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 15, 2018

Christmas, Tradition and Love

One of the things I enjoy about Christmas is tradition.

The church I attend has several traditions.

Some of these traditions go back many years.

For example, a traditional gift among people who share my heritage is “The Christmas Sack”.

This is a simple brown paper bag containing an apple, an orange and a few pieces of candy.

My parents always gave me this gift every Christmas when I was a boy.

I am not certain how many generations back this tradition goes.

My church continues this tradition as well.

Every year my church puts on a Christmas Program.

A few nights before the program, a few of us will meet at the church and prepare many sacks.

When the Christmas Program ends, everyone in attendance gets one and so the tradition continues.

Another tradition I enjoy takes place at our worship service every Christmas Eve.

Prior to the start of the service we place a rocking chair in our sanctuary.

At some point during the worship service our pastor will sit in that chair.

The children in attendance will then come forward and sit on the floor around the pastor.

He will then read to them about the very first Christmas from the gospel of Luke.

Another tradition we have is quite new.

Empty boxes are provided to all members at the start of Advent.

Members place a non-perishable food item in their box each day during the season of Advent.

By the time Christmas arrives, all the boxes have been filled with food.

The filled boxes are gathered, and the food is donated to the local food bank to help the less fortunate.

These are but some of our traditions.

No doubt, you have traditions of your own.

Traditions play an important role in helping us observe Christmas.

It is important that our hearts are in the right place as we take part in them.

Simply going through the motions is not enough.

Everything we do should be rooted in faith, hope and love.

After all, it is God’s love for us that is at the very heart of Christmas.

Christmas is not a celebration of how we reach up to God.

Christmas is a celebration of how God reached down to us.

It is a celebration of how God reached down to a disobedient and fallen world that could not save itself.

It is a celebration of how God reaches down in the most remarkable and unexpected of ways.

Luke 2:11 (NET) - Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.

I wish you all a happy and blessed Christmas!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 22, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, January 5, 2018

Giving Them My Best

I think everyone gets busier the closer we get to Christmas.

I certainly do.

One of the things that makes me busier is our annual Christmas Program.

The last few of these have seen me become an active participant.

There are lines to learn.

There are rehearsals.

As always, there are also the general preparations.

To be honest, I really don’t mind the extra work this creates for me.

This is certainly an opportunity for me to thank God for sending His Son into the world.

Christmas marks the beginning of Christ’s journey among us.

A journey that began in a stable,

A journey that ended at the cross.

Taking part in the Christmas Program helps drive that home for me.

I pray it does for others as well.

One of the additional benefits I receive from this is having the opportunity to work directly with our youth.

Most of the time I work with people my own age – the “not so young” people.

Of course, I do things indirectly that benefit our youth serving on various committees.

One of the things I hear quite frequently is: “These young people are our future.”

Granted, there is a fair amount of truth in that.

God has blessed me with a somewhat unique set of circumstances.

Circumstances that allow me to be perhaps a bit more objective.

These young people have a future of their own.

Some will go to college.

Some will get jobs and move to another city.

Some will become part of a new church family when they get married.

My responsibility, from a purely objective standpoint, is clear.

I need to give our young people the best I have within me spiritually.

That applies to whatever committee on which I serve.

It also applies to working directly with them in a Christmas Program.

No matter how busy I get, serving them means serving God.

Proverbs 22:6 (NET) - Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

No matter where their future takes them, I want them to have the best preparation we can provide.

That means giving them the best I can provide.

God will take care of the rest.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 8, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 15, 2017

Country Road

There is an old country road I traveled many times in the past.

I hardly ever use it anymore.

It passes alongside farms, fields, horses and other livestock.

It also passes alongside an old country church that is still in use.

Just beyond that, the road comes to a T shaped intersection leaving you with two options.

You can turn left, or you can turn right.

Sometimes we would turn to the left and go to the home of my uncle and aunt.

Sometimes we would turn to the right and visit the home of some dear family friends.

Whichever way we went, we would always take that same country road home.

I recall a time when I was very, very young when we traveled on that road at night.

As we passed that old country church it was bathed in light.

“What is that?” I asked my parents.

“That is God’s house,” my mother answered.

I already had some idea of who God was thanks to my parents.

I took Mother’s statement quite literally.

As a small child, I honestly believed this was the one place on Earth God chose to call home.

I also thought my family, my uncle and aunt and our friends were very fortunate to live so very near God’s home.

As I grew older, I learned that this was just Mother’s way of defining a church to an inquisitive child.

My parents and my uncle and aunt are gone now.

The friends we had no longer live in that area.

So, there is no need for me to travel down that road much anymore.

In my mind I still do.

At times when I feel God’s hand upon me, I recall that church, that old country road and that night when I was so young.

I recall how special it felt to believe God was so very near.

Now, as a man, I understand that God is everywhere.

Because He is everywhere, He is always very near.

Jeremiah 2:22-23 (NET) - Do you people think that I am some local deity and not the transcendent God?” the Lord asks. “Do you really think anyone can hide himself where I cannot see him?” the Lord asks. “Do you not know that I am everywhere?” the Lord asks.

I do now.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 24, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 1, 2017

A Real Gem

Each of my parents came from large families.

As a result, I grew up surrounded by many uncles and aunts.

I learned so much from each of them.

Each of them helped reinforce the lessons of faith and love my parents taught me.

Each did this through his or her actions and words.

I know the many cousins I have feel the same way.

Time moved on and one by one my parents and each of my aunts and uncles completed their earthly journeys.

This continued until only one of them remained.

I find it quite remarkable that her name was Pearl as we considered her a real gem from God.

Recently, she completed her earthly journey as well.

All those many uncles and aunts I grew up with are now gone.

But the lessons in faith and love they taught endure.

In one sense, an era has ended.

In that same sense another has already begun.

Now the young look to us to reinforce lessons in faith and love.

These are lessons that we must teach with our actions as well as with our words.

We must teach them in whatever time God in his infinite wisdom sees fit to give us.

Deuteronomy 32:2 (NET) - My teaching will drop like the rain, my sayings will drip like the dew, as rain drops upon the grass, and showers upon new growth.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 14, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 21, 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

Mama's Boy

Sunday is Mother’s Day.

When I was young the term “Mama’s boy” was considered an insult.

If a boy was really intent on getting into a scrap with another boy on the playground then this phrase was almost sure to do it.

Frankly, it did not get much better when we grew older.

Now there is even a definition for it.

Today, “Mama’s boy” is a term for a man who is extremely attached to his mother at an age when men are expected to be independent.

In my case, being a “Mama’s boy” was born more out of necessity rather than choice.

My father died when he was a young man.

Shortly afterward, my mother’s health began to deteriorate.

Having no surviving siblings, it fell to me to make certain her needs were met.

Unlike my father, my mother lived into her advanced years.

As each year passed, she was physically able to less and less so she counted on me more and more.

Mother passed away about a decade ago, but I treasure all those years I was able to spend with her.

The faith she instilled in me as a boy she built on as I became a man.

While I am by no means perfect, I have come quite far.

The ministries I am involved in today would likely have surprised her.

They certainly have surprised me.

Looking back, I realize just how much my relationship with her prepared me for today.

I have no idea what God has in store for me tomorrow.

Whatever His plans are for me, it is likely that the relationship I had with her will play a pivotal role as well.

When I was a boy, she taught me with words.

As I became a man and she needed help just to get through the day, well, that is when she taught me by example.

Those are the lessons I have learned best of all.

When I was young the term “Mama’s boy” was considered an insult.

Today I consider them praise.

One more thing…

As I said, Mother passed away about ten years ago.

Not a day goes by that I do not think about her or miss her.

The love I have for her, however, has not died.

Such is the beauty of faith.

Scripture reminds us how vital it is to honor our parents.

Exodus 20:12 (NET) - Honor your father and your mother, that you may live a long time in the land the Lord your God is giving to you.

I believe that means honoring their memory as well.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 13, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 20, 2016

Call Me Wilson

The Lord has surprised me many times and in many ways this year.

The season of Advent was to be no exception.

A few weeks ago I was asked to participate in our Christmas program.

I normally work with adults so when I was offered this chance to work with our young people, I jumped at the opportunity.

The days leading up to Christmas tend to get busy enough.

Participating in the Christmas program meant I was going to get even busier.

There would be lines to learn and rehearsals to attend.

Working alongside our young people would be worth the extra effort.

I was asked to portray a wise man in the neighborhood named Wilson to whom the children would come to for wisdom and advice concerning Christmas.

At our rehearsal, I was delighted to see how many adults gave of their time to work with our youth.

Parents, grandparents and Sunday school teachers patiently helped out.

There were even some young adults who volunteered their time and talents as well.

I recalled that it was not very long ago when they were the ones on stage.

Now, they felt the Lord moving them to lend a hand in this effort.

I appeared in scenes with three groups of young people.

As we went over our lines, I recalled watching them grow up.

I also thought about how they will become outstanding adults in the years to come.

The program took place on the Sunday in Advent on which we reflect on hope.

How fitting this was.

As we gave our performance, I realized that one of the ways God provides us with hope is through young people.

Their energy and optimism is contagious.

They not only learn from us, but God can teach us through them if we remain open to the possibility.

This makes perfect sense as we are all God’s children.

When the program ended I felt a bit sad, but God knew just how to cheer me up.

As I prepared to leave, many of your young people went out of their way to tell me, “Goodbye, Wilson!”

Matthew 18:10 (NET) - See that you do not disdain one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

I wish you a blessed Christmas!

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, December 25, 2015.

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

Unplanted Seeds

Proverbs 22:6 (NET) – Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

When it comes to children and smart phones, I have mixed feelings.

To be honest, it bothers me when I see children spending time with their phones instead of interacting with each other.

I will admit that part of that is due to my age, but deep down I feel that interaction between people should not take a backseat to interaction with a device.

At the risk of sounding judgmental, I have discovered something that bothers me even more: parents who interact with their phones rather than their children.

In one day alone, I witnessed three separate events that caused me concern.

The first incident occurred as I sat in waiting area.

A young mother came in with her child in a carrier.

The moment she sat down to wait, she immediately got out her phone.

She became engrossed with it and never interacted with her infant child while I was there.

The child never took her eyes off her mother.

I pitied this child.

These formative years are critical and the stimulation of the mind is crucial.

Later that day, I stopped at a restaurant for lunch.

As I enjoyed my coffee, a man and his young daughter sat down at the next table.

The moment the father placed their order, he got out his phone and became engrossed with it.

The young girl just looked at her father as he stared into his phone.

Eventually boredom set in and she began to sing a little song.

She began singing quietly at first but sang louder with every word.

Suddenly she realized how loudly she was singing,

She became self-conscious and abruptly stopped.

She looked around to see if anyone had noticed.

We made eye contact and I offered her a smile.

She gave me hers in return.

Eventually I finished my coffee and returned to my car.

As I prepared to leave, the door of the restaurant opened and out came a man with his very young son.

The man held bags of food in one hand and was pressing his phone to his ear with the other.

As soon as they walked out the door, the boy bolted and ran across the parking lot.

I cringed as a car entered the lot.

Fortunately, the driver was able to stop in time.

I am now more concerned for today’s children than ever before.

I pray for them.

Scripture reminds us that it is important to train children.

It also reminds us that the seeds we plant today will bear fruit tomorrow.

If that is the case, what does it have to say about the seeds we fail to plant?

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com