The Wolverines at Northwestern

Saturday morning, Pat and our youngest daughter Mary, travel to Evanston, Illinois to watch the Michigan Wolverines play the Wildcats of Northwestern. It's one of our life time goals to see the Michigan football team play in every Big Ten stadium. It's a thrill to watch Big Ten football no matter what stadium you are at. The effort and enthusiasm football players exert to play the game is incredible. I enjoy football immensely and love coaching the sport for the past 21 years. One of the life lessons I get from football is to relate to Jesus Christ with the same effort and enthusiasm I give to the game. Football can lead to earthly praise, but for the follower of Jesus, we seek "a well done faithful servant" from a heavenly chorus. So, at your next sporting event, be enthusiastic and yell your head off. But remember to give your relationship with Jesus the same or even more effort and enthusiasm!
These are the days my friend,
Jim "Train"

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I have to admit I'm not much of a gardener. Pat takes care of the flowers around our home and I must say, the flowers are really nice right now. How soon will the frost come and start to wither the plants? On the other hand, I'm a gardener in the sense that I have the privilege (and don't we all?) of sharing Jesus with young people. As a Youth For Christ team, we plant the seeds of the Gospel, water with love, and sometimes see new growth when kids are challenged to follow Jesus. Still others grow, thrive, and blossom. Some have withered with the frost. In just the past 7 days we have seen nine young people come to know Jesus! Now the responsibility of the gardener is to see these "plants" grow. We'll try and match up an adult or student helper to encourage their growth. We'll cover them in prayer to keep the frost off their tender leaves. To know and grow in Jesus is a daily task we all face. What do you think? What do you do to help your own "garden" to grow? What helps you in your experience with Christ?
What tends to "frost" your garden? Don't you experience times of drought and times of refreshing rain? Share with all who read, that they may be encouraged.
These are the days my friend,
Love to you - Jim "Train"

Going to the Chapel

This weekend I get the privilege to marry Brandon and Charlene. This summer we met to go through marriage counseling and had a great time. Marriage is such an awesome gift God gives to us. It can be so fulfilling when it's done the Lord's way. Pat and I have such a great time being married together. Not like we are perfect or anything. In fact, you need to go into marriage knowing you're not perfect people. "Love is blind, but marriage is an eye opener!" What better place in marriage than to apply Jesus stories. "The Good Samaritan," tells us to love our neighbor, and in marriage your spouse is the closest neighbor. So love your spouse no matter what! Then the story about the "Prodigal Son." In marriage we get to apply forgiveness and mercy when our spouse messes up. The Lord knows how often I mess up. I"m grateful Pat loves me with mercy and grace. So if you're married apply plenty of love, mercy, and grace to your relationship. If you're not married, practice love, mercy, and grace in the relationships you find yourself in. That will be good practice leading up going to the chapel to get married.
These are the days my friends,
Jim "Train"

Death Stinketh

Death Stinketh! The "stinketh" is old King James Bible translation found in John 11:39. It refers to dead man Lazarus who must have been stinking while lying in his grave in the hot climate of Israel. Of course, friend Jesus comes along and with His power over death, raises Lazarus from his smelly condition. It's only been a few weeks since the death of Mike Hieronimus, a husband and father of three chidren, all in school. It's a painful reminder of how death "stinketh." Someone so young, vibrant, active in Christian ministry, and devoted to Jesus points to how death just isn't natural. It "stinketh." Death wasn't a part of our original design, but sin entered in the human race and now we live with its painful existence.
So what can we do with this smelly situation? First and foremost is to be reminded that "no man knows his time." (Ecclesiastes 9:12) It is importantt for all us to examine our lives before Jesus and have a dynamic relationship with Him. This way we live eternally in the present and are ready when we are called home to be with the Lord. The first thing they did with Larazus upon his resurrection was to remove the grave clothes. In Christ, we must remove the grave clothes that would prevent us from living for Jesus. Live for Him always!
Then we must help those who have experienced loss. Pray and pray some more. Then be present in the lives of those who need our comfort and encouragement. May you be a blessing to those who need you.
Present with Him and others,
Jim "Train"