Off We Go!!

In some ways I feel like the Apostle Paul when he took off with Silas on the Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36ff.) They wanted to visit the brothers to see how they were doing in the Lord. Pat and I are leaving this afternoon to visit Eli Leader (just got engaged!) at Saranac Lake New York on Thursday. Then on Friday and Saturday, we'll be at West Point to visit Aaron Schmutz (BHS grad) and Brain Karhoff (PGHS grad.) Both cadets graduate in May. We look forward to our time together and catching up on what's happening in our lives. Please pray for us. It will be a quick journey with our return drive back home on Sunday. May you have a great weekend. These are the days my friend!
Jim "Train"

What was your high school cafeteria experience like? It's not so much the food I want to deal with. I always thought cafeteria chili was pretty good. Other then that...??? But where did you sit at in the cafeteria? Did you always eat at the same table? Did you always sit with the same people? I can walk across the street and visit the BHS cafeteria. Whenever I go to the cafeteria, I can almost guarantee who will be sitting at what table. Tables can create or divide societies. An example of this is found in the Gospel of Luke 7:36-50. Simon the Pharisee invites Jesus over for dinner. While at the table, a sinful woman (prostitute) comes over to Jesus and begins crying. Then she pours expensive perfume on Him. Simon is aghast that this woman would come to his table. Simon expects and requires purity before coming to his table. Jesus welcomes the woman to the table. Jesus creates purity. In today's culture it is so important to make people feel welcome. People have an incredible need to belong. We have the privilege of being Jesus to people. Will you invite them to your table? You just might be able to share the grace and mercy of Jesus. Always welcome others to your "table."
Our worship at Connections this Sunday evening will center around this Gospel story. Come and join us around the tables as we worship together.

No Tip at the End of the Spear

Last week I was able to view the movie "The End of the Spear." While I certainly liked the story, I felt like the "tip" of the spear, the most important part of the spear for it to function, was missing. You have a true story of five missionaries giving their lives to reach out to a tribal people group in Ecuador. What motivated these five men to die trying to make contact with a spear killing group of people? Not once did I hear the name of Jesus mentioned in the movie! We missed out on Jesus mandate to take the Gospel to all people groups (Matthew 28:19,20) This is what motivated and drove the missionaries to seek out and make contact with people unlike them. Jesus was missing from the movie. How sad that He is the reason, the "tip," of the spear. Without Jesus you don't have the story. Check the movie out for yourself. See what you think. We have a great responsibility to be Christ's ambassadors to all people groups - 2 Corinthians 4:11-21. He is the reason for the story "The End of the Spear" and the reason to share our stories with others. As you go through your day, make sure the "tip" is on your story. These are the days my friend!
Jim "Train'

Can't Wait To Work??

In the movie "Walk the Line," Johnny Cash gets out of the Air Force, gets married, and starts a job. Johnny's work involves going door to door trying to sell a product. But his heart really isn't into being a salesman. He's frustrated and can't even make enough money to pay rent. Johnny's heart really is into singing music. After auditioning with the song "Folsum Prison," Johhny gets a record deal and goes on tour. This is where his heart is. Music is his passion. Work is ordained of God and when we labor, we reflect what He did in creation. What is work for you? Do you get up everyday with an attitude of "I can't wait to work?" When it comes to work, it helps me when I remember that God has a purpose for my life. I have something to contribute to make this world a better place. I also have passion for the work I do. The paycheck or the staus of work is secondary to the want to, the passion, I have for the work.
Then I realize that the work I do is ultimately for Jesus, not my employer or anyone else. "Whatever you do (work) do it with all your heart (passion), as for the Lord rather than men." -Colossians 3:17. So the quality of my work should bring praise to Him. Whether I mow the yard or clean a toilet. I do it to the best of my ability to bring praise not to me, but to Jesus.
So, how do you approach your work? Can't wait to work? These are the days my friend!
Jim "Train"

Arms on a MP3 Player

The American International Toy Fair was held the week of February 12th in Manhattan. The newest digital electronics has invaded Toy Land. Fisher-Price will introduce a digital music player and camera for children age 3 and older. Baby Einstein will introduce a baby rocker with an MP3 adapter and speakers. All this in time for the 2006 Christmas Season. Now I'm not against technology. We just received through a generous gift three new computers for the Bluffton Campus Life Room. The computers rock!! However, technological gadgetry has its limitations. I have yet to see a MP3 players with arms. We are wired by God for relationships. This is why our culture is sometimes refered to as the "high tech, low touch" world. We have all this great technology, but lack in human interaction. This is why it's so important that those who follow Jesus realize we are placed in a "family" that is designed to do what biological families are to do. Just like the early church in Acts, when people gathered together on a daily basis. It was this sense of belonging that captured the hearts of people and more and more became Jesus followers. Our culture today is similar to the culture the early church found itself in. It's important for us to realize that many people want to belong before they believe. So enjoy your high tech world, but remember only you can give a hug. These are the days my friend!
Jim "Train"