One More For JC

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  (Matthew 20:25-28) I’m sure many people will never forget the images of this past week in Baghdad, as three Iraqi citizens climbed up a monstrous statue of Saddam Hussein, and did everything in their human power to bring it down.  It took help from American soldiers to topple it, but when they finally did, a celebration ensued that was heard around the world.  It vividly summed up the type of leader that Hussein was – a brutal, prideful dictator who forced others to serve and worship him.  What a contrast to the king of kings, Jesus Christ.  Born i...

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1) A couple times a year my parents venture out for a weekend “polka” adventure filled with good friends, good music, and good food.  A few years back they met an older couple that would become dear friends of the family:  “Uncle” Joe and “Aunt” Lil.  We had some great outings together - one outing Uncle Joe told about 100 jokes over dinner - never missing a punch-line to boot.  My favorite memory was my wedding reception party in New Jersey, when the two of them dressed up in Hawaiian shirts (our theme), and danced the night away. Unfortunately, after my move to Minnesota, I lost touch with Uncle Joe and Aunt Lil, but I never forgot them and they never forgot me.  Although I wasn’t around to celebrate occasions like Uncle Joe’s 90 th birthday party, we did exchange a Christmas card or two.  This year, I received a quick but very special note from Uncle Joe r...

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12) “Do onto others as you would have others do onto you.”  The Golden Rule.  The first time I ever heard it was in the 5 th grade when my elementary school teacher put those words up on the chalkboard with big block letters.  He never mentioned the author of the ‘Rule’, but it clearly was the motto he lived by, and wanted all of us 5 th graders to live by. Little does he know it, but my teacher made a huge impact on me.  As the years went by, every time I heard the Golden Rule mentioned, I thought of him and the motto he wanted us all to live by.  I did my best to live up to it in my relations with others – when I was selfish and hurtful - these words were always the ones I fell back on to apologize and ask for forgiveness. It wasn’t until college that I found out who the author of the Golden Rule was.  I was working my wa...

For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again.  If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22) Throughout my life, I’ve always looked forward to Christmas and the feeling of love that fills the air like no other day in the calendar year.  In contrast, I’ve never looked forward to Halloween.  It’s the one time of year that I’ve always associated with evil.  However, after last year, I’ve come to associate another day with evil…9/11.  Like most people, I remember the events of that day like no other.  I remember seeing tears strolling down a co-worker’s face as I walked into work.  I remember surfing the internet for hours, hoping against hope that it was only a nightmare.  I remember worrying about family and friends on the east coast, and fearing for their safety.  Bu...

I am with you, declares the Lord.  (Haggai 1:13) I had an awesome experience this week in Houston.  I was preparing to head to the airport with a colleague, and faced the daunting task of carrying a heavy laptop bag and suitcase 10 blocks from the account to the hotel, waiting for the hotel valet to get our rental car, and then finally navigating our way to the airport.  To make matters worse, my colleague had to spend another two days in Houston, so it was a major inconvenience for him.  I said a quick prayer to the Lord asking for a better way to the airport, to make life easier for the both of us.  Five minutes later as we exited the building, a taxi stopped two feet in front of us and let out a passenger.  The cabbie noticed my suitcase, and was desperately hoping I needed a ride.  Without much hesitation, I bid my colleague adieu and hopped in the cab.  The cabbie was ecstatic.  He talked for 5 minutes about how slow things had ...

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  (Joshua 1:9) Nearly four years ago, I made one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made.  I made the decision to completely change my career path and become a computer software implementation consultant.  To make things more challenging, I was going to be leaving the friendly confines of New Jersey and traveling on a regular basis.  I’m sure to those who knew me, I was losing my mind.  My friends had long since nicknamed me “Mr. Conservative.”  If I found something I was comfortable with, I was going to go back to that well time and time again.  I can’t tell you how many times I ordered a Jim Dandy with 5 scoops of Cookies N’ Cream ice cream at Friendly’s or a fajita at Bennigan’s.  Although I was conservative with my food selections, I was tremendously more-so when it came to my career or travel c...

But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 3:13-14) Today I celebrate yet another birthday.  When I was a kid, I couldn’t wait for my birthday to arrive.  My mom would start the day off by burning my birthday candle, then cap the day off by making my favorite meal followed by her infamous yum-yum cake.  I was king for the day, and I loved every minute of it. As a 31-year-old man, I still look forward to my birthday.  Although the feelings of royalty are gone, I still enjoy all the e-mails and phone calls with greetings and birthday songs mixed in.  Perhaps it reminds me of the innocence of my youth when the trials and tribulations of this world had yet to find me.  So much has happened since my birthday candle worked its way down to the wick - far too many years ago.   I’ve...