The Christmas Cookie Plague

I'm getting really sick of Christmas cookies. They're everywhere. Choclate, double-choclate, double-choclate with white choclate chunks, sugar, oatmill, oatmill with sugar sprinkles and on and on it goes, in and in they go. Into my mouth!
I can't seem to stop putting them into my mouth even though my mouth and stomach and wife cry, "MODERATION!" It is like a sickness, a plague, an addiction. I know I should stop but I caaaaaannntttt....no, actually I WON'T.
You see, it is not sickness or plague. It is a willful act.... Shall I say it? It is like sin....the three letter 'S' word that we want to blame on everyone else. The problem really is us. The Apostle Paul used it for a word-skit in Romans 7. He said something similar to what I just wrote about cookies. I know I shouldn't but I do it anyway. Sound familiar.
Do you know how to beat it? Sin, I mean. You beat it by admitting you can't beat it. Anyone who says they can or have beaten it is a liar. Sorry for the hard word but it isn't mine. It's from another Apostle named John in the first chapter of his letter, 1 John. When we come to the end of our ability to beat our sin addiction, in steps Jesus to show us it has already been whipped. It happened on a cross and an empty grave about 2000 years ago. That is why we have to fully rely on his strength and holiness instead of our own. Yup, I'm a cookie adict. And I'm a sin addict. I don't like it, don't want it, but there it is. The cool thing is, Jesus is a forgiveness addict. He can't help it. Tell him about your addiction, your sin, your 'cookie' and he'll tell you about his. His is better for us! Pastor Jim

This One is For Men

My favorite class of football is about to 'kick in' again. Since the Chiefs are basically a way to fall asleep in my recliner, I'm talking about College football. You know, MU, KU, OU, NU, every other U. The Bowl Season is upon us. No Cornhuskers, but still football.
So, you ask, what does football have to do with God? Why would God be interested in nearly grown men rolling around in the dirt? Well, I have some thoughts on that, thoughts that may ease your guilt for loving the game so much. Now you're reading with enthusiasm aren't you. (Might even catch one of you women smiling:-)
Let's see....the last time I read anything about God and dirt was, five minutes ago. There was this blind guy, no sight since birth, just hanging out waiting for a kind soul to give him a bit of monetary help so he could buy his daily bread. Jesus walked by, shot a glob of spit into the dirt, and rolled it into a mudball. He then smeared it on the man's eyes and told him to head to the local water hole and wash off the guk. When it was done, the man was no longer blind. You can read it John 9.
Then there was the time God made a really big mudball and breathed into it. The mudball became a man who sat up, rubbed his eyes, and praised his maker. (That's in Genesis)
Football? I made that part up. God doesn't care that much about football. He does care about YOU. He had a thought and the thought became you. You were 'made up' in His mind, not some bowl of primordial soup. So, play some football if your'e able, watch some if your not. Most of all, PRAISE the one who still likes you --even during football season!!!
Pastor Jim

Ridin' With The King

I was listening to a cool song earlier today. It is called "Ridin' With the King." It made me visualize what it is going to be like someday, for all who believe in Jesus, to ride into the atmosphere on horses with the King.
Revelation 19:14 says, "And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses."
Rather than get that old feeling of 'Christian Arrogance,' a sense of humility climbs up out of my soul. For some indescribable reason, Jesus has picked out a horse for me so that I can ride with him. He's done the same for you too. There is absolutely no reason for him to do that other than the fact that he really does love us. I certainly do not deserve the honor!
There is a yearly ritual in a city called Cali, Colombia. We lived there for four exciting years. It is called the Cabalgata. Literally thousands of beautiful Arabian horses, trained as walkers and arrayed in garnished leather, beads, ribbons, and more make a twenty-three mile ride from the north end of the city to the south. It is incredible to see the regal way both horse and rider hold themselves, all of the pomp and ceremony. You never forget it.
Maybe that can be a example the followers of Christ on how to live a bit above the mediocrity of our culture and start to think more regally. No, not with that pompous 'holier than thou' attitude that pushes so many away from us in terror and disgust, but with a humility that makes us look to someone bigger than ourselves who already has a great plan all worked out for us.
So, lift up your head. Lace up your boots. Walk into your world like a person who has been chosen and blessed. Take a punch or two but don't let life get you down. We are children of the King and, by the way, he is coming soon!
Let's RIDE! PJim

What do you do when you don't know what to do?

I'm sitting here thinking about the moments that come along when it's easy to feel like things are out of control. You know? You just can't seem to wrap your hand around the circumstances of your life and drive them where you want them to go. It is frustrating to say the least!
I went snow skiing once. Took the beginner training class like a smart person should. I hit the bunny slope a few times and did pretty well. I'm somewhat athletic in middle age, so I thought I could handle the next level. It was great going up the ski lift. You get a wide view of people having a blast, kind of makes you smile in anticipation. Then I hit the slope. For some reason the skiis didn't work like they did on the smaller slope. I don't mind eating snow, but getting it in my ears and eyes, well that is not so fun when I'm in your 40's.
Life can be like that, the next slope up. You feel like it is a downhill run with bumps and curves, then come the trees that want to reach out and smack you. It can be easy to get down, disgusted, or even discouraged. But, there is a truth that will never bend, break, or bury you in a snow drift. Yah, it's from the Bible. Whether you really believe it or not, it is true! It goes something like this: "And one thing we know, for those who love God everything works together for the good...." That is Romans 8:28. God makes it all pan out for good in our lives no matter if we think whatever is happening is good, bad, fun, or rotten.
These are moments when it simply boils down to becoming like a trusting little kid who just reaches his hand out to his dad and says, "let's go skiing down this little hill." Don't give up, don't quit, don't let your discouragement go too deep. It will work out! He Promises!