Perhaps One Day

In Micah 2, the prophet denounces the evils in society.

Micah 2:1 (NRSVue) - Woe to those who devise wickedness and evil deeds on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in their power.

In Mark 20, Jesus addresses the descension among the disciples.

Matthew 20:25-26 (NRSVue) - But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you, but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant,

Micah lived about 700 years before Christ.

Christ walked with his disciples 2,000 years ago.

In our modern age, we like to think we are smarter than those who lived in the past.

We deride those in the past thinking them unsophisticated.

But if we are honest, are we any better?

Have we really advanced the cause of humanity?

When we disagree, hatred quickly takes hold.

Nations have fought numerous wars.

Persecution is alive and well.

As we look in our own streets and neighborhoods, we find despair.

But God remains steadfast.

God has provided the means of salvation for everyone through Jesus.

One day, the world will embrace peace instead of war.

One day, justice will reign.

Perhaps one day we will learn how to disagree without becoming disagreeable.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, November 28, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, December 5, 2025

Foolish Pride

Scripture warns us repeatedly about the dangers of pride.

It was pride that led to Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden,

Satan tempted Eve’s pride.

Genesis 3:5 (NRSVue) - for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

Proverbs 16 is a reminder that pride leads to a fall.

Proverbs 16:18 (NRSVue) - Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

In Mark 7, the Pharisees were critical of the disciples and their practices.

In their opinion, the disciples failed to follow their rules.

Christ told the Pharisees they preferred manmade custom to obedience to God.

Later, Christ explained this.

Mark 7:20 (NRSVue) - And he said, “It is what comes out of a person that defiles.

Pride is indeed a dangerous thing.

This even applies to pride in tradition.

When Christ walked with his disciples, he taught them what was crucial.

Thanks to Scripture, we can follow both His words and His example.

And thanks to scripture, we can use His words and His example for correction.

When pride attempts to lead us astray, we can resist its temptation.

We can stay on the right path.

We can choose obedience to God..

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, November 14, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, November 21, 2025

Strength and Compassion

Psalm 10 is a prayer for deliverance,

The psalmist recognizes two things.

God will hear the meek that call out to Him.

God will also strengthen them.

Psalm 10:17 (NRSVue) - O Lord, you will hear the desire of the meek; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

Luke 19 begins with the account of Jesus and Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus was a tax official, and people disliked him for that.

He also knew he was not tall enough to see Jesus when He passed.

So, Zacchaeus climbs up a sycamore tree to afford himself a better view.

He was in for the surprise of his life.

Luke 19:5-6 (NRSVue) - When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him.

Although disliked by many, Jesus had compassion for this tax collector.

Jesus not only spoke with him, but Jesus would also be a willing guest in his home.

The Lord has compassion for all.

He wants us to show that same compassion to all God’s children.

You may be saying to yourself that this is impossible.

In one of life’s great ironies, those who need love the most seem the hardest to love.

Compassion for everyone is impossible if we rely on our strength alone.

But if we humble ourselves like the psalmist, the Lord will allow us to rely on His strength.

With His strength, all things are possible.

This includes an all-embracing love.

Philippians 4:13 (NRSVue) - I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, October 10, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, October 17, 2025

Kindness, Compassion, Forgiveness

The Resurrection reminds us that we live in a new covenant.

But even the Old Testament reminds us of just how the Lord wants us to live.

It tells us how we were meant to live with one another.

For example, the prophet Zechariah delivered a message from God.

In that message, we are told what displeases the Lord.

Zechariah 8:17 (NET) - Do not plan evil in your hearts against one another. Do not favor a false oath—these are all things that I hate,’ says the Lord.

So, the Lord detests the planning of evil.

The Lord also detests lying.

In fact, we take offense when people do these things to us.

We also find it difficult to forgive such offenses.

But when we do these things to others, we often do not feel regret.

In fact, we find creative ways of justifying our actions.

And such practices become second nature in time.

In contrast, Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, tells us about what pleases the Lord.

Ephesians 4:32 (NET) - Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

Paul reminds us that kindness and compassion pleases the Lord.

If we are truly kind and compassionate, we must not do things that hurt others.

Additionally, Paul reminds us that we must forgive one another.

After all, God has already forgiven us through Christ.

When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we ask of God: “forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.”

As human beings, we often find forgiveness difficult.

But the most worthwhile endeavors are rarely successful when we try to do them alone.

The good news is that we do not have to rely on our own strength.

With God’s help, we can learn to forgive others just as we have been forgiven.

We can also learn to be kind and compassionate.

Ironically, the world that we live in believes these are signs of weakness.

But they are really qualities of strength.

And this strength is not of our own making.

Rather, it is an internal strength born of our relationship with the Lord.

A relationship made possible by Christ.

And that same Christ demonstrated both how we should live and how we should treat others.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 13, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, May 20, 2022

For Sale

I decided to take a drive Sunday afternoon,

It’s one of the few activities one can indulge in with the current COVID-19 restrictions in place.

With no specific destination in mind, I decided I would first drive by the church I attend.

With the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, worshipping together has been suspended once more.

Fortunately, our services will still occur and be streamed online.

Many churches have chosen this option at least until the pandemic has subsided.

I remembered twice finding a note on our church door from a youth group.

The note said that they stopped by and prayed for us,

Each young person had signed their name to it,

I recalled thinking what a remarkable gesture this was.

Being familiar with the many churches in the community, I decided to make this the focus of my journey.

I made a mental list of all these churches and proceeded to drive from one to the next.

I paused my journey at each one and said a prayer on behalf of those who call that church home.

Luke 18:1 (NET) - Then Jesus told them a parable to show them they should always pray and not lose heart.

I prayed for their worshippers and the day that they would be able to gather once again.

So I traveled from one to the next, pausing at each to pray.

Things proceeded as I expected until I was taken by surprise.

One church to which I traveled had a “For Sale” sign.

I suddenly became quite sad,

There could be any number of reasons as to why this church had permanently closed its doors.

Perhaps it was the pandemic.

Perhaps the number of worshippers had been in decline.

Perhaps there was a disagreement that led to division.

Whatever the reason, this church and its congregation was no more.

Its doors will remain closed until a buyer comes along.

What will occupy the building remains to be seen.

Now, I know the Church is not the building.

It is the entire body of believers with Christ as the head.

Ephesians 1:22-23 (NET) - And God put all things under Christ’s feet, and gave him to the church as head over all things. Now the church is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Still, I could not help but feel sad as I thought of all that happened within its walls over the decades.

All the sermons that were preached.

All the hymns of praise that were sung.

Al the prayers that were lifted.

All the weddings, baptisms and funerals that united generations of people.

Now, the lights are turned off and silence fills an empty space.

It will remain that way even after the pandemic is over.

I know that those who worshipped there did so differently than I do.

That does not matter.

I continue to pray for them.

My prayer is that they will find a new church that they can call home.

That prayer turns my sadness into hope.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (NET) - God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 10, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 17, 2020

Attitudes and Beatitudes

What a time we live in.

Just when things can’t seem to be more out of control, something else arises.

My thoughts turn to the words of Christ and the Sermon on the Mount.

Especially to His words from the Beatitudes.

It’s as if we’ve collectively forgotten them.

A quick Internet search indicates just how much confusion there is.

Some say there are eight Beatitudes while others claim there are nine or ten.

I will not go into all the Beatitudes but will focus on a few important for today.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Many are mourning right now.

Some mourn for the loss of loved ones to the pandemic.

Others mourn for victims of injustice.

But we can take comfort in the fact that Christ died for us - all of us - and set us free from sin.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Although we have all witnessed acts of violence, we should show mercy.

After all, hasn’t God been merciful to us?

Then, there is the Beatitude I find most helpful right now.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. 

In these days of contention and strife we desperately need peacemakers.

Those who strive to make peace between men, between communities and between nations.

In times like these, every Christian is called upon to be a peacemaker.

That is because God is a God of Peace.

Even the Son He sent to us is called the Prince of Peace.

It is by that act that we are children of God, children of peace.

Yes, these are troubling times.

There is no point in denying that.

Yes, we all fall short… all of us.

There is no point in denying that either.

Yet the words of Christ do far more than remind us of our imperfection.

His words remind us how we are meant to live.

So, what should “Be our Attitude” towards God?

What should “Be our Attitude” towards our fellow man?

Let us comfort those who mourn, show mercy to one another and strive to make peace with all.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 26, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 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

All That He Did

I do many things for many people.

This happens both professionally and personally.

I certainly do not mind.

The downside is that people tend to be aware only of what I am doing for them.

They easily overlook the fact that other people turn to me also.

Jesus understands that only too well.

Many came to him.

Most probably were unaware of all He did.

Many came to him to be fed.

Jesus once fed a crowd of over 5,000 with a small boy’s lunch.

Moreover, there was food left over.

This was the only miracle of His to be documented more than once.

In fact, all four Gospel writers documented this miracle.

These were not the only people who came to Jesus.

Some came to Him to be healed.

In Luke 17, we read of ten lepers who called out to Jesus to be healed.

Jesus healed these outcasts from society.

Only one returned to thank Him.

Some came to Him for the healing of another.

In Matthew 8 we read of the Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant.

This man understood that Jesus could perform this miracle without even going to the servant.

Jesus could do this from a distance and Jesus was amazed by the Centurion’s faith.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus healed many people.

He did many other things as well.

He cast out demons.

He even raised the dead.

Despite all the miracles, many were probably unaware of what He did for others.

Fortunately, we have scripture and hindsight to our advantage.

We know the things Jesus did and for whom He did them.

Thanks to the Book of John, we know something even more astounding.

John 21:24-25 (NET)- This is the disciple who testifies about these things and has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 22, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 6, 2019

Reflecting His Light

It’s that time of year when it gets dark earlier.

Sometimes the sun is just setting behind me as I drive home.

At these times the setting sun can cause buildings to have a soft glow.

At the same time the sky behind them can be quite dark.

The contrast between the two is often quite remarkable.

This never lasts more than a few minutes at best.

Just moments later, the sun dips completely behind the horizon and darkness begins to reign again.

My thoughts turn to the light of God we are supposed to reflect to a darkened world.

Turning on the news or scanning the headlines reminds us of how much darkness there is.

This darkness is not impacted by the time of day,

It is always there.

That is why it is imperative that we reflect the light the Lord shines on us.

Matthew 5:16 (NET) - In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Sharing God’s light with others may not be as difficult as we think.

We start by thinking of others rather than ourselves.

We may not always find this easy.

Each of us encounters difficult people.

Yet the people we find most difficult to love are the ones who need love the most.

Scripture reminds us that we are to love them.

Luke 6:31 (NET) - Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you.

Some refer to this as the Golden Rule.

Whether we call it that or not makes no difference,

Our actions speak louder than our words.

Paul said this…

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NET) - And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Now faith is a wonderful thing.

Who among us doesn’t like hope?

But love is the greatest of these.

Love is the key.

Through it, we reflect God’s light to others.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 11, 2019.

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

No Thanks Required

This has been an interesting week in that I had two people thank me at work.

The first was an intern who is trying to gain valuable experience.

He had been assigned a task and was having some difficultly seeing it through.

He turned to me for help, so I set aside the task I was working on to assist.

I walked over and he explained to me both the task he had been assigned and where he had become stuck.

My years of experience allowed me to see a better way of going about the task.

This experience also led me to another conclusion.

I did not merely tell him what I would do in this situation.

I decided the better path would be for me to show him and allow him to observe and ask questions.

In no time, the intern understood why I chose to perform the task as I had.

He gained some valuable experience.

That is why he is with us.

The second person to thank me was an administrative assistant.

When I asked why she gave me her thanks, her answer surprised me.

She thanked me for always turning in my paperwork on time.

Surprised, I stated that as far as I was concerned this was part of the job.

Christians do not do things the way we do them for gratitude or adulation.

We do things the way we do them because that is how God wants us to live.

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NET) - Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up.

It is my hope that the intern remembers this experience.

It is likely that he may become very successful one day.

I hope he remembers what it is like to be new and inexperienced.

I also hope he remembers the importance of kindness, patience and the value of being shown what to do.

James 4:17 (NET) - So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin.

This even applies to the mundane things in life.

Even making certain we turn our paperwork in on time.

Not only are such things required, being timely makes life easier on the next person.

These things are part of loving one’s neighbor.

We love our neighbor in various ways.

These include displaying kindness, exercising patience and making their burdens easier to bear.

We can easily lose sight of these especially when we feel taxed ourselves.

When this happens, scripture has a great reminder for us.

Philippians 4:13 (NET) - I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 12, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 19, 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

Kindness

Colossians 3:12-14 (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. And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond.

It seems like everything has a special day, week or month set aside for it.

I stumbled across one some time back that I admit took me by surprise.

It seems that February 17^th has been designated “National Random Acts of Kindness Day”.

Other nations observe this on different days.

The day is reportedly gaining in popularity.

According to one observer: "It's just a day to celebrate kindness and the whole pay it forward mentality."

Don’t get me wrong, I certainly am not opposed to kindness.

The concept “Random Acts of Kindness” even sounds good on the surface.

But does the notion really stand up?

A person chooses to be kind in some way to a random person on that day.

That person recognizes this kindness.

In turn, he or she now somehow feels compelled to pay it forward to another.

This individual, in turn, somehow feels compelled to do the same.

On it goes until the world has become a better place.

Let’s be honest.

At best, the chain breaks down perhaps sooner than we would like to believe.

Even the concept of randomness depends on our choice.

Then the question becomes: “What happens on the next day?”

Has the need for kindness suddenly evaporated?

Christ reminds us to love our neighbors.

He also reminds us to love our enemies.

In short, we must extend kindness to everyone, every day.

We must even be kind to those who may not recognize it much less pay it forward.

The best way to make the world a better place is to make kindness and love a regular part of our Christian walk.

I was thinking about how best to wrap up my thoughts on this topic.

Perhaps the words I read on a church sign say it better than I can: “Act in such a way that would make others want to know Jesus.”

Now that will truly make a difference.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 11, 2018.

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 18, 2018

It All Depends on Love

John 3:16 (NET) - For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

The season of Lent began on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.

Incidentally, February 14 also happened to be St. Valentine’s Day, a day set aside for the celebration of love.

Setting aside human notions of romance for the moment, it seems fitting that both fell on the same day.

The verse above is one of the most widely memorized passages in all of scripture.

Rightly so, for it reminds us of just how much God loves each of us.

So much so that He gave His Only Son to save the world.

Scripture also has a great deal more to say about love.

1 John 4:19 (NET) - We love because he loved us first.

This is quite profound but there is still more.

1 John 4:20 (NET) - If anyone says “I love God” and yet hates his fellow Christian, he is a liar, because the one who does not love his fellow Christian whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

This reminds us that only those who love their fellow man can truly say that they love God.

Granted, this is not always easy for us to do.

But the season of Lent reminds us of what God did to prove His love for us.

It also reminds us of the love Jesus has for us as well.

Jesus was mocked, beaten and crucified for us.

He also forgave those who inflicted these things upon Him.

If Jesus could forgive so much, should we be unwilling to forgive others of so little?

The essence of Christianity is two-fold.

God the Father creates, His Son redeems and the Holy Spirit makes holy.

Our response to God and to our fellow man must be rooted in faith, hope and love.

Faith is a wonderful thing to possess.

Who among us does not like to have hope.

But scripture reminds us that love is greater than faith and hope.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NET) - And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

As our journey through Lent continues, let us be reminded of the love extended to us.

Let us also be mindful that love is a gift that is best when it is shared.

With Blessings and LOVE,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 23, 2018.

I’ll be back here on Friday, March 2, 2018

Choosing Life in a Fallen World

To say that the world is in a mess right now is an understatement.

A review of recent headlines bears this out.

But is this necessarily a new development?

No.

For example, millions of people died in the last world war.

The best estimates put the number of dead somewhere between 50 million and 80 million.

During that same period genocide was attempted.

Members of one race tried to completely kill off another.

New and fearsome technology led to weapons capable of killing thousands in a single stroke.

Today, others are developing similar weapons and threaten us with them.

Turn the clock further back and we confront a time when disease threatened to wipe out a continent.

The Black Death is thought to have killed 30 to 60 percent of Europe’s population.

People did not understand what was happening to them.

Some misinterpreted the disease as a punishment from God.

Many lashed out at against their neighbors.

They searched for possible heretics and the like which resulted in many unnecessary deaths.

History reminds us time and again that bad things have happened and can do so again.

There are two major difference between past calamities and present ones.

First, technology has made it possible for us to learn about them almost the moment they happen.

Second, those using this technology may try to influence how we should think and feel about them.

All catastrophes, modern as well as ancient, do have something in common.

In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis put it this way: “All that we call human history--money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery--[is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”

Lewis also stated: “History isn't just the story of bad people doing bad things. It's quite as much a story of people trying to do good things but somehow something goes wrong.”

From the very beginning, God offered mankind a choice.

Choose Him and life, or, choose their own way and the consequences.

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve made the wrong choice.

Collectively speaking, we have been making the wrong choice ever since.

Deuteronomy 30:19 (NET) - Today I invoke heaven and earth as a witness against you that I have set life and death, blessing and curse, before you. Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live!

We still have a choice.

Let us choose life.

Let us choose life even when others choose otherwise.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 13, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, October 20, 2017

Kindness

The other day I found myself behind schedule.

When it came time for lunch I opted to go to the corner store for something quick.

I was in hurry but my plans changed when I arrived.

As I walked from my car to the store entrance I glanced over at the gas pumps.

Something caught my eye.

I saw an older lady standing at the one of the pumps.

She had the pump handle in one hand and her credit card in the other.

She also had a look of confusion on her face.

I walked over to her and asked if she needed help.

She said she needed to put gas in her car but was not at all sure how to go about it.

I offered my help and she accepted.

I explained everything I did along the way.

Once her car had been filled I showed her how to print her receipt.

She thanked me and told me something I could never have expected.

She told me that her husband had recently passed away.

She then stated that he always put gas in the car.

This was the first time she needed to put gas in the car since he passed.

She then thanked me for showing her how it was done.

I believe that this is just one of many firsts for her as she continues her journey without him.

Please understand that I am not posting this for my sake.

It occurred to me that in today’s hectic and fast paced world it is quite easy to overlook others.

Sometimes people need help and do not ask for it.

We must not become so preoccupied with ourselves that we fail to notice.

As I paid the store clerk for my purchase, he thanked me for helping her as well.

It turns out that he was keeping a watchful eye on me as I approached her.

I was grateful for that as well.

It reminded me that God is looking out for her in other ways.

I thought of Paul’s words when he found himself shipwrecked.

Acts 28:2 (NET) -The local inhabitants showed us extraordinary kindness, for they built a fire and welcomed us all because it had started to rain and was cold.

There is always time for an act of kindness

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 28, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 4, 2017

The Interests of Others

Not long ago, I took my vehicle in for some routine maintenance.

I gave the crew my information and my key and went to the waiting room where it was cool.

A gentleman was already seated there when I took my seat.

A quick glance told me several things about him.

It is summer where I live and the outside temperature was hovering around 100 F.

I could tell by his tan that he worked outdoors.

By his physique I could tell that his work was physically demanding.

I also noticed that this man looked like he might be feeling ill.

I asked him if he was okay,

He confirmed that he was not feeling well.

Before I could ask him anything else, he began speaking to me as if he knew me.

He informed me that he had just gotten some bad news from his doctor about his heart.

He told me more.

He told me that he worked outdoors and the thought of working in the heat concerned him.

He wondered how many hours he would be able to work with his condition.

He told me he worried about providing for his family.

As if things were not difficult enough for the man he was about to get more bad news.

At this point, the mechanic who checked his vehicle came into the waiting room.

He told the man that he could not work on his vehicle and gave him several reasons.

The man was now distraught.

He informed the mechanic that he needed his vehicle to provide for his family.

The mechanic apologized.

He recommended another garage in town that might be able to help him.

By the way the mechanic said “might” I doubted they would be able to fix his vehicle.

As he left, I could not help but feel sorry for the man.

I prayed for him.

I prayed for his health.

I prayed that he would be able to provide for his family without additional damage to his heart.

I prayed that he would be able to find someone to fix his vehicle.

I continue to pray for him today.

It is not necessary to know someone to pray for them.

I do not know the man… but God does.

I do not know what exactly is wrong with his heart… but God does.

I do not know how he will provide for his family… but God does.

I do not know what he will do for transportation… but God does.

I know so very little about this man.

I do not even know his name.

Yet God knows everything about him.

Philippians 2:4-5 (NET) - Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,

Praying for others is important whether we know them or not.

The more I pray for this man and his interests, the smaller my interests become.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 14, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 21, 2017

Spring Cleaning

In 2 Chronicles 34, we learn of the king of Judah and his response to a discovery in the Lord’s temple.

The repair of the Lord’s temple had already begun when this discovery was made.

2 Chronicles 34:14 (NET) - When they took out the silver that had been brought to the LORD’s temple, Hilkiah the priest found the law scroll the LORD had given to Moses.

The priest gave this scroll to the scribe who in turn brought it before the king.

The scribe then read the words to the king who had a remarkable reaction.

2 Chronicles 34:18-19 (NET) - Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll.” Shaphan read it out loud before the king. When the king heard the words of the law scroll, he tore his clothes.

The king understood that the people had departed from the law God gave Moses.

The king ordered that an oracle be consulted.

Huldah the prophetess was consulted.

2 Chronicles 34:23-25 (NET) - and she said to them: “This is what the LORD God of Israel says: ‘Say this to the man who sent you to me: “This is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to bring disaster on this place and its residents, the details of which are recorded in the scroll which they read before the king of Judah. This will happen because they have abandoned me and offered sacrifices to other gods, angering me with all the idols they have made. My anger will ignite against this place and will not be extinguished!’”

These words were not easy to hear.

The words for the king that followed were a bit more comforting.

2 Chronicles 34:27-28 (NET) - ‘You displayed a sensitive spirit and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words concerning this place and its residents. You humbled yourself before me, tore your clothes and wept before me, and I have heard you,’ says the LORD. ‘Therefore, I will allow you to die and be buried in peace. You will not have to witness all the disaster I will bring on this place and its residents.’ Then they reported back to the king.

When the king heard these words, he first summoned all the leaders.

He then went up to the Lord’s temple in the company of all the people.

He read to them the words on the scroll and renewed their covenant with God.

2 Chronicles 34:32-33 (NET) - He made all who were in Jerusalem and Benjamin agree to it. The residents of Jerusalem acted in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors. Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the areas belonging to the Israelites and encouraged all who were in Israel to worship the LORD their God. Throughout the rest of his reign they did not turn aside from following the LORD God of their ancestors

Scripture reminds us that all the detestable idols were removed.

When we think of idols today we likely think of carvings made of would and stone.

In truth, an idol is anything or anyone that keeps the Lord from being first in our lives.

Even things that on the surface seem benign or beneficial can become idols if we are not careful.

As we enter the season of Lent we contemplate Jesus, the suffering He endured and the sacrifice He made for us,

Let us first clear away the clutter and the distractions from our hearts and minds.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 10, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, March 17, 2017

Does Forgiving Mean Forgetting?

There is an old saying that goes, “Forgive and forget.”

Scripture tells us plainly that we are to forgive others.

Matthew 6:14-15 (NET) - For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.

It really does not get much plainer than that.

The question remains, “Does forgiving mean forgetting?”

On one hand the argument could be made that one should forget what one has forgiven.

God tells us in scripture that He does not remember our sins when we repent of them.

Isaiah 43:25 (NET) - I, I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for my sake; your sins I do not remember.

Of course, God is God and we are not.

Some things are really hard to forget.

Before I was born my mother experienced tragedy twice.

Her first child came into this world suffering a severe handicap.

Both she and my father did everything they could for this child.

Despite their best efforts, he died before reaching the age of two.

Mother’s second pregnancy ended in miscarriage.

Years went by and finally I came along when people my parents’ age were becoming grandparents.

So many times people told Mother, “So, you just decided to have the one child then.”

This hurt Mother.

Most simply did not realize the other heartaches Mother experienced.

She forgave, but she never forgot.

As I have grown older, forgiveness comes more easily.

Forgetting, however, is another matter.

Even Christians can hurt each other without really meaning to.

Years ago someone I know and love wanted to move forward on a plan.

I disagreed.

Without thought they responded with, “You just don’t have any faith!”

That may be one of the most hurtful things one Christian can say to another.

Did I forgive them?

Yes.

Have I forgotten?

Obviously, the answer is no.

Is it possible to forgive without forgetting?

I honestly believe that it is.

For example, a victim of crime should forgive.

If that victim forgets, he or she could be setting themselves up to be victimized all over again.

If a Christian is wounded by another’s words, he must forgive because that is what scripture tells him to do.

Remembering, however, just might prevent him from wounding another in the same way.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, October 28, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 4, 2016

Out of the Box

There are a number of television programs that feature old objects.

In some of them, people want to sell their old items.

In others, people just want to know their true value.

One thing is certain, an object’s condition certainly impacts its value.

As a rule, the better condition an object is in, the more the object is worth.

Some items are sold in boxes.

The box can add a lot to an item’s value.

In some cases, people not only have the box, they have never even opened it.

This adds even more to the object’s value.

Our faith is nothing at all like that.

When we each discover our personal faith, it is like receiving something brand new from God in an unopened box.

It is valuable, but unlike material objects, faith gains in value when it is put to use.

The more we use it, the more valuable it becomes.

By the time we reach the end of our earthly journey it will not be like it was when we first discovered it.

It is certain to pick up a few scratches and dings along the way.

For example, we are to love our neighbor even when that neighbor will not love us in return.

We are to spend time and resources on those in need rather than ourselves.

We are to do the right thing even when it would be far easier not to.

These things and others will leave their marks and might even change the shape of our faith.

It’s funny, but those who appraise objects will point out its scratches and dings.

They sometimes refer to these things as the object’s “character”.

It is no coincidence that a person’s faith and character go hand in hand.

Faith is a wonderful gift from God.

Go ahead.

Take it out of the box and put it to use.

Do not be afraid of the scratches and dings.

You will only increase its value.

James 2:17 (NET) - So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself. 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 9, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 16, 2016

Like One of Your Own

The corporation for which I work occasionally asks us to provide office space for people that technically do not work for our office.

This is due to our location.

That was an extremely unique concept for me when I first encountered it.

Providing these individuals with office space also means providing them with technical support as required.

That is where I come in.

Providing technical support is a service I provide for the people that work for our office.

It simply stands to reason that I need to provide technical support for these individuals well.

Times like these make me glad I am a Christian.

Being a Christian has helped me in many ways.

For example, it has taught me patience.

It has also taught me to set aside the task I am working on when others need my help.

In the case of employees that work for other offices it reminds me to be a friend.

Both the Old and New Testaments remind us to love our neighbor.

The book of Leviticus reminds us how we are to treat those who are not technically a part of our group.

Leviticus 19:33-34 (NET) - When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. The foreigner who resides with you must be to you like a native citizen among you; so you must love him as yourself, because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God

Being a Christian makes me realize that in providing support for these individuals I have more personal contact with them than anyone else.

It also makes me realize that it takes time for people to settle in and feel at home.

As I reflect on these words from Leviticus, I think of the days many years ago when I first began working at this office.

Being new, the people I now call friends, did not know me at all.

Over time relationships were established and strengthened but it had to start with one individual making the first move.

In this type of situation, I have a better opportunity than anyone else to make that first move.

I have responsibilities as a professional.

I have even bigger ones as a Christian.

John 15:12 (NET) - My commandment is this—to love one another just as I have loved you.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 12, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 19, 2016