Jonathan's Thoughts

What's on my mind…on virtual paper.

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    Happy Thanksgiving!

    November 24, 2011 No comments

    Ah, the smell of turkey, dressing, pecan pie, sweet potatoes, gravy and all sorts of other side dishes filling the air… Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, football, time with family and friends, football, eating until we can’t possibly eat any more, football, black Friday shopping, football, leftovers for days, and more football. That must be what Thanksgiving Day is all about!

    Not so fast… America as a whole has forgotten what the word Thanksgiving itself means. To give thanks. To be grateful. To show gratitude. But this day was set aside for even more than that.

    In America, a day of thanksgiving was commonly observed to give thanks to God. Yes, there was a lot of food. There wasn’t always football. Friends and family often gathered together. Their main purpose, however, was to give thanks to God. Yes, to God.

    You see, without God, none of us would even be here today. He is the Creator. Without God, I wouldn’t be able to provide for my family. He gave me the abilities and talents that I have to be able to perform my job’s duties. Without God, I wouldn’t have the promise of eternal life. Without God, I wouldn’t have a nice place to live. Without God, I wouldn’t have been raised in a good family. Without Him, I would be nothing. Yes, I am truly blessed, all because God saw fit to bless my life.

    Our forefathers knew this. They depended on God. Today, we call on Him either when we need something from Him or when it’s convenient. Personally, I’m reminded more and more that I’m totally dependent on God. Nothing I have, or nothing I can do has anything to do with what I could take care of on my own. God provided and allowed it all.

    So today, and always, I want to be thankful to God. I want to show Him my gratitude and, consequently, live a life for Him. It’s the least that I can do in return for all He has done for me.

    Religion none

    Great And Marvelous

    November 3, 2011 No comments

    From Revelation chapter 15:

    3: And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

    4: Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

    Ron Hamilton wrote a song based on these verses. It is quickly becoming one of my favorites. For the last few weeks our church has been practicing for the Christmas program, and this song is a part of it. The more I hear the song, it gives me more of an understanding of how great God truly is.

    His ways are so much higher than ours. His thoughts are incomprehensible to us.

    When we’re overwhelmed by all that’s going on around us, or when the task God has given us seems unachievable, God knows. Not only does He know, but He understands. The great thing is, it doesn’t stop there. He provides strength, mercy and grace for us to keep going.

    Another thing that’s great about how God works is that when things seem to be just falling apart for us, He’s still in control of it all, and is working it for our good.

    And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28

    Just remember, God’s ways are just and true. His works are great and marvelous. When He has His way, He will shine. It’s up to us whether or not we’ll allow Him to shine through us. His ways are so much higher than ours. Will we let Him work through us? Will we let Him work in us?

    Religion none

    Biblical Conspiracies

    April 19, 2011 No comments

    No, no, not the kind you’re thinking. Not the kind where people say the Bible is just a bunch of stories that man came up with and put together to fool all of us ‘poor’ Christians into believing something that isn’t true. Most all of you that know me know where I stand on the Bible – it is Holy, infallible, inerrant and perfect.

    The kind of conspiracy I’m talking about is the kind we find recorded in Matthew 27:62-66, and 28:11-15. In the first passage, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and asked him if they could set up soldiers at the sepulchre to prevent the disciples from stealing Jesus’ body and claiming He had risen. They called Jesus a ‘deceiver’, and didn’t want His final, most important claim to appear to be true, so they guarded the sepulchre to keep the disciples away.

    What’s astounding to me is that they were so blinded by their disbelief that they didn’t even stop to consider the possibility of His actual resurrection. Of course, there is nothing they could have done to stop it, but they were so concerned about a possible conspiracy about His resurrection that they didn’t even consider it.

    We know how the story goes – Jesus rose! There was a great earthquake, and an angel descended from Heaven and moved the stone away from the door of the sepulchre, and sat on it. The guards were scared out of their skin and fainted. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the sepulchre and found the angel there, sitting on the stone. He told them Jesus wasn’t there because He had risen as He had said.

    In the second passage I mentioned earlier, Matthew 28:11-15, the guards went to the chief priests and told them what all had happened. Knowing that Jesus’ promise of His resurrection had been fulfilled, they were bribed to tell anyone who asked that the disciples had come and stolen away His body while they slept.

    Rather than accept Jesus’ resurrection, and believe on Him as their Savior, they did everything they could to cover up His resurrection. Why? Really, we can only speculate, but I’d imagine it involves pride, power and control, among other things no doubt.

    How many people do you know who haven’t received Christ as their Savior? Sure, their pride, their own self-attained power and their supposed control seem to get in the way a lot of times. But how many have possibly never heard a real, clear presentation of the Gospel? We may be surprised to find out how many haven’t heard the good news! How about we share it with someone?

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    It’s Just a Game!

    March 21, 2011 1 comment

    There is a lot of commotion today about the firing of UT Men’s Basketball Head Coach Bruce Pearl. 95-99% of the comments I’m reading back Pearl, and want Athletic Director Mike Hamilton fired for firing Pearl.

    Pearl

    Pearl committed NCAA violations, then lied about them. He lied to the NCAA of all people. He called all of the parties involved and asked them to lie as well. After he was caught in it, he apologized in a tearful press conference. Days later, he committed yet another violation. He left UT no choice.

    Some say he did nothing that all the other coaches don’t do – he just got caught. What a lame excuse. That is no different than Clinton being caught with Lewinsky and lying about it. I heard many say the same thing: “All the presidents have had mistresses. Clinton just got caught.” So that makes adultery ok? Hardly. Pearl should go. UT needs better morals than that.

    To those who stand behind Pearl, I question your ethics. If I cheated on my timesheet at work, then lied about it when I was caught, I’d be fired on the spot. I wouldn’t even have a chance to commit a second violation. No one would stand up for me, as they shouldn’t. Why should a basketball coach be treated any differently? It’s just a game.

    Hamilton

    Hamilton has shown a lack of oversight in the athletic department. Kiffin committed violations and then skipped town, now Pearl is committing violations. Hamilton doesn’t seem to have a handle on things.

    Should he be fired for getting rid of Pearl? Not in the least. Again, Pearl should go. Should he be fired for his lack of control? Maybe. The people that can make that decision are likely taking a look at that very thing.

    What I Think…

    It’s just a game. There is way too much money spent on a game. There is way too much emphasis placed on a mere game.

    I’ll be one of the first to agree that important life principals can be learned from team sports. The problem is, way too many people, especially young people, are getting caught up in the sport itself rather than those lessons. Their lives have begun to revolve around that game. The game takes away from other things that should have a higher priority in a person’s life.

    Shun responsibilities at home for a game? Many don’t give it a second thought. Skip church to go to a game? Many see it as a no-brainer on the side of the game.

    In the end, the game itself is completely useless and unimportant. Fire Bruce Pearl? Fire Mike Hamilton? Who cares? There are more important things in life than who coaches a basketball team or who heads up a game department.

    Come on people..It’s just a game. Get your head straight.

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    Happy New Year!

    January 1, 2011 No comments

    Philippians 3:13-14:

    Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

    Ever since the attacks on our country on September 11, 2001, I always consider these verses at the turn of the year. One reason was to sort of try to ‘purge’ my mind of it all – I had gotten so tired of hearing about it every single day. Another reason was that I simply wanted to move past it. I wanted to put it behind me and move on. It was an awful thing, but life had to go on.

    The New Year always seems like a great time to stop and reflect on the past year, and look ahead to what the next year will bring. That’s another reason I love these verses. I haven’t arrived yet – my life’s purpose isn’t yet fulfilled. The past is done, good or bad I can’t change it. I can focus on the things that are coming, and by God’s grace and with His help I want to glorify Him in it. May God help me to keep my life’s focus on Him, and on His purpose for my life rather than my own wishes and desires.

    What is my New Year’s Resolution you might ask? I don’t have a ‘resolution’ per se, but I do have a couple of goals. One is to actually slow down and enjoy life rather than run through it so busy I don’t have time to stop and breathe. I feel like lately my wife and I have kinda had to say ‘hello’ in passing rather than being able to spend some time with each other. That will change. Any time someone asks me how things are going or how I’m doing, I always have the word ‘busy’ as part of my response. That will change. This doesn’t mean I’m going to turn lazy this year. But it does mean that for the sake of spending time in God’s Word studying or just reading, or spending time with family, what can wait until tomorrow will wait.

    A goal I had last year that I failed miserably at was posting a daily verse, and occasionally some thoughts on it. I’m rededicating myself to that goal. Somebody out there help keep me accountable – if I miss one, let me hear about it. I need more discipline in this area, and intend to improve on that in a big way.

    I hope everyone’s New Year is one that is filled with God’s blessings! Let’s make the most of it for Him!

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    Do EVERYTHING As To the Lord

    December 29, 2010 1 comment

    Colossians 3:23 is pretty clear:

    And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

    It tells us that whatsoever we do, we should do it as to the Lord. Whatsoever? Everything? Yes!

    So, Becky and I are going to pick up a few groceries today, along with a few other things. I detest grocery shopping. It is probably my least favorite thing to do that doesn’t involve some sort of physical pain. But the Bible tells me to do it like I’m doing it for the Lord.

    This verse in its context is talking about a servant’s attitude toward his master, or an employee to an employer. But the principle applies to everything we do, whether it’s for our job, for our family, or whether anybody sees us or not. Because our lives are to be lived for the Lord.

    If I go grocery shopping, I should do it like I’m doing it for the Lord. I should keep a right attitude and let others around me see that I have a Higher Purpose than just putting food on my table. My life, everywhere I go, should be a reflection of Jesus Christ.

    The Bible doesn’t tell us much about what Jesus may have disliked doing (Except when He prayed that the cup might pass from Him). But I guarantee He kept the right attitude in it (“nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”).

    Everything we do, should be done as to the Lord. Let’s work hard to live our lives to simply please God!

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    It’s Christmas!

    December 25, 2010 No comments

    Everybody is waking up this morning excited about the gifts they’ll give, and the ones they’ll receive. I want to remind everyone once again to remember the ultimate gift in Jesus Christ!

    Without Him, nothing in this life would have any meaning. Eternal life would be only a myth. We would have nothing to live for. Because of His birth, perfect life, death and resurrection, we have the opportunity to have eternal life, if we’ll only accept Him. I pray you have, and I pray you have a truly great Christmas this year!

    Religion none

    2010 Christmas Program

    December 20, 2010 2 comments

    Last night Fellowship Baptist Church had its annual Christmas Program. We got a bit of a late start, but we had a great group of young people and adults as well who worked hard to make sure it was a success.

    The Lord’s working was evident throughout. There were times during practices it seemed like there was no way it would be ready in time for last night, but in the end, He brought it all together.

    I can’t leave out the recital at the beginning of the program. We had 3 young ladies that played either a piano piece or a guitar piece, and  they all did a great job. I could listen to that kind of music all day long.

    After the program, there were many positive comments. One person in particular said it was the best one they’d ever seen!

    Most of all, I’m thankful to be a part of a church that has a desire to get the entire Gospel message out to unbelievers. Our annual Christmas Program is just one of the ways we do that. We work hard to make sure the Gospel is presented clearly during this time. One of the big reasons for this is because there are people that will come to a Christmas play at church when they will not come at any other time.

    I’m glad people enjoyed the program, and we all had a lot of fun presenting it, but my ultimate desire is that someone who needs the Lord will allow Him to work in their hearts the message they were exposed to. We’re thankful for the Lord’s blessing on it. Seeds were planted. Now we’re praying for the Lord to bring the increase.

    Religion none

    Remember Christmas

    December 3, 2010 1 comment

    It’s December, and everything Christmas is in full swing. Shopping, dinners, programs, decorations and so much more, it seems like we’ll never make it through the holiday.

    But wait. What IS Christmas? It has nothing to do with gifts, dinners, sales or any of that stuff. This world has so commercialized Christmas, and it’s hard for us to avoid being sucked into it all.

    Before you think I’m getting self-righteous, I enjoy giving gifts as much as the next guy. I enjoy receiving some, too. The thing is, more and more, gifts are what Christmas is made into. “What’s Santa bringing you this year?” I hear all over the place. Or, “Did you get your shopping all done?”

    The thing is, we get so involved in all this stuff that ‘surrounds’ Christmas, that we forget what it actually is, and forget to enjoy and actually celebrate it. It’s the time we celebrate the birth of our Saviour! (I know, Jesus was likely not born on December 25, two thousand years ago, but it’s the time we celebrate it.) It is a most holy time (By the way, holy is the root form of the first part of holiday…) that we should dedicate to Jesus Christ.

    So you see, Christmas is not about decorations, trees, shopping, lights, dinners…or even family. It’s all about Him. I challenge you this Christmas season to take some time each day out of your busy schedules to just stop and meditate on the meaning of Christmas. It was the beginning of the plan God set in motion to allow us a way to spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

    Religion none

    The Christian Battle

    October 7, 2010 2 comments

    It seems that most of my posts thus far on this blog have had something to do with church or Christianity in one way or another. I’m finding more and more that as I get older, that is my life. My job is a necessity to provide an income and thus take care of our needs like food and clothes. We get a lot of our wants that way, too. It’s becoming abundantly clear, however, that without God it wouldn’t be possible. So, yes, my job is a necessity, but it isn’t my life. My life is my God, my family and my church.

    What is always present, although not always evident, in every Christian’s life is a constant battle between the flesh and the new nature and desire that God gives us. A confession – I struggle to remember that. It’s easy for me to see sin in someone’s life, and even easier for me to decide what they should do about it. It’s usually a thought such as, “Just stop listening to that music,” or, “Just stop hanging around that person!” What I fail to recognize many times, however, is that it is extremely likely just as easy for someone to look at me and see sin in my life. Oh, I like to think I have the ‘big’ and ‘easy’ ones covered, but if I’m honest with myself and allow God to search my heart, it becomes quickly evident that I’m not perfect either.

    Temptation is real, sin is real, and God still hates it. The problem comes in where our two natures go against each other in how to deal with a temptation. Our old man faces that temptation and longs to partake in whatever sin is presented before him. Our new man wants to please God, forsaking the temptation and that sin.

    What makes the problem worse is when we give in to something ‘small’, it gives the devil a foothold. We progress in sin. That ‘small’ thing turns into something just a little bigger, just a little more risky. Before we know it, we don’t give that sin a second thought. We become so entranced by it, that our conscience becomes seared and we simply don’t see anything wrong with it.

    So there’s the initial battle – the one where we first deal with a temptation. The man we feed (the old or the new – carnal things or Spiritual things) will determine the one that wins in that temptation face-off. From there, a large portion of our path forward is already decided. If the old man wins that battle and we drift into sin, another battle comes when we finally realize that what we’re doing is in fact sin. We struggle with how we got there, seemingly forgetting those ‘small’ things we gave in to. We then struggle with how to get rid of that sin. Sometimes it’s not so hard – stop listening to worldly music (I always come back to that one, don’t I?). Other times, however, it’s not so cut and dry. What about someone who’s in adultery? How about a gripping drug addiction?

    The easiest answer is to never have let that happen in the first place. The real answer (albeit admittedly simplified as well) is that it will take a while, but with God’s strength, grace and leadership, that sin can be overcome.

    The point of this post? Let’s make sure the ‘small’ things matter to us. When we start giving ground there, we open the door for bigger things to take control of our lives. It’s always a battle. But if we fight the smaller battles in God’s name, not all, but many of the larger ones can be avoided altogether.

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