The scripture tells us in Matthew 6:34, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." One modern translation put it like this: "Why don't you let today's own trouble be enough for today?"
Worrying is one of the worst things we can do for our health. Worry can cause loss of sleep, weight loss, weight gain, overeating, heart attack, stroke, stomach ulcers, and just about every other physical ailment known to man. It is just not good for our health to worry. On the other hand, optimism can truly be the key to a healthy life. Those who spend less time worrying and more time enjoying life have much less stress and accomplish much more on a daily and long term basis.
I was discussing physical therapy recently with a registered nurse. She told me that medicine is 10% what the doctor says and 90% what the patient does. Time and time again doctors have been amazed at the incredible odds their patients have overcome. It seems that some people, when faced with a life-threatening or debilitating illness, will simply give up while others will be determined to defy the odds. It all has to do with attitude.
In the study of psychology I learned about different personality types. I have learned to recognize (if you put stock in such things) that I am a melancholy personality. Simply put, that means I am more inclined to see the glass half empty than half full. Melancholies are known to be dramatic, woeful, and consumed with their thoughts; we are also know to be easily depressed. We are also know to be creative, musically and artistically inclined, etc. We love deep and have fierce loyalty to something we deem to be a just cause.
Now I could dwell on the negative aspects of my personality if I wanted to but I am determined to prove the statistics wrong. I am determined to be all the good things that a melancholy is, and leave all the bad things for someone else to be. I can be thoughtful without being moody and temperamental. I can be loyal without being argumentative. I can be expressive without filling my life with drama. You get the picture; it all has to do with my attitude.
And if I don't succeed today, I'll just try again tomorrow. After all, there are a thousand tomorrows. I'll take them one day at a time and let God give me grace for each day as it comes. It's a great way to live - without all the ulcers, heart attacks and stress.
Don't worry, be happy.
Yours Truly,
Sullivan Jones
6/6/13
6/5/13
Spreading the Word of God
Last Friday I was in a thrift store in Ocean Springs, MS with some friends. As usual, I decided to glance through the section of used books. I happened to notice a copy of the French Bible. I do not speak much French but I like languages and, since it was only $1, I bought it.
As I held this little Bible in my hands I was once again overwhelmed with thankfulness for God's word. I am thankful that God has chosen to communicate with mankind in such a detailed, intimate way. I am thankful for the many copies of the Bible I have in my home in several different versions. And I'm thankful that the Bible is available to so many people in their own unique languages.
I think about the task of Bible translators. As someone who works with languages I understand how difficult the task can be. I work mainly with Spanish speakers and they have had the Bible in their own language since before the King James was translated into English. But what about those who work with Eskimos, Native Americans or Native African tribes? Isn't is just as important that they have the word of God available to them.
I am thankful that someone chose to translate the Bible into English so that I can understand it. But I don't want to be selfish. I want to support those who are working tirelessly to bring the precious, life-giving word of God to every man, woman, boy and girl around the world. If you are going to give a gift, why not give the word of God? The next time you are in the Christian book store buy one of those Bible that are being sent to a soldier or an orphanage. You won't miss the five dollars it will cost you and the rewards are eternal.
There is an organization called "Faith comes by hearing" that has put the Bible into audio format for many of the world's languages. The audio is available on a radio -like device called a proclaimer. The proclaimer can be charged by electricity, solar power, or crank. It is loud enough to be used in group Bible study for people who can't read which is common in poorer countries. A proclaimer can be bought for $100 and will bring the word of God to an entire village.
At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I am personally making a commitment to help bring the word of God to more people. For the price of a 20 oz Coke a day I can buy 6 proclaimers a year? Can we do our best to spread the word of God? Whether it be buying a cheap copy of the scripture and sending it to someone in jail or supporting a Bible translation society, the possibilities are endless. Will you join me? The effort may be small but the rewards are eternal.
In Christ's Service,
Sullivan Jones
As I held this little Bible in my hands I was once again overwhelmed with thankfulness for God's word. I am thankful that God has chosen to communicate with mankind in such a detailed, intimate way. I am thankful for the many copies of the Bible I have in my home in several different versions. And I'm thankful that the Bible is available to so many people in their own unique languages.
I think about the task of Bible translators. As someone who works with languages I understand how difficult the task can be. I work mainly with Spanish speakers and they have had the Bible in their own language since before the King James was translated into English. But what about those who work with Eskimos, Native Americans or Native African tribes? Isn't is just as important that they have the word of God available to them.
I am thankful that someone chose to translate the Bible into English so that I can understand it. But I don't want to be selfish. I want to support those who are working tirelessly to bring the precious, life-giving word of God to every man, woman, boy and girl around the world. If you are going to give a gift, why not give the word of God? The next time you are in the Christian book store buy one of those Bible that are being sent to a soldier or an orphanage. You won't miss the five dollars it will cost you and the rewards are eternal.
There is an organization called "Faith comes by hearing" that has put the Bible into audio format for many of the world's languages. The audio is available on a radio -like device called a proclaimer. The proclaimer can be charged by electricity, solar power, or crank. It is loud enough to be used in group Bible study for people who can't read which is common in poorer countries. A proclaimer can be bought for $100 and will bring the word of God to an entire village.
At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I am personally making a commitment to help bring the word of God to more people. For the price of a 20 oz Coke a day I can buy 6 proclaimers a year? Can we do our best to spread the word of God? Whether it be buying a cheap copy of the scripture and sending it to someone in jail or supporting a Bible translation society, the possibilities are endless. Will you join me? The effort may be small but the rewards are eternal.
In Christ's Service,
Sullivan Jones
6/4/13
The Broken Window
Romans 5:6 - For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Imagine with me that two boys are throwing a football in a parking lot crowded with cars. They have been told not to throw the ball around vehicles but boys will be boys. Then a dreaded thing happens. One of the boys hits the rear window of a brand new Lamborghini and the window shatters. The boys are frightened. They know they have been disobedient. What will they do now? Will they run, hide and pretend they don't know what happened to the window? Uh oh, it's too late. Someone has seen them and he is sure to tell Dad.
What does Dad do when he finds out? Does he disown his sons because they broke a window? Of course not. They are still his sons. He will have to pay for the window. He may make his sons work to pay him back, not because he needs the money, but to teach them responsibility. In the end they are still his sons. In time all will be forgiven and most likely forgotten.
Now think back with me to the beginning of human existence. God put two of his children in a garden. They were told not to eat from a certain tree. We know what happened; they ate from it anyway. God saw it. They were punished.
Banned from the garden.
Condemned to a life of weary, back-breaking labor.
But they were not disowned or forgotten ...
He covered their shame with skins. They were no longer in innocence but they were spared the humility and disgrace of forever going naked. They were punished but they were still God's children. And last, but not least, God sent them a promise. He would send a future savior to crush the head of the serpent. They had hope that they would not always be under the curse. (Genesis 3:15)
There are many who have a faulty misconception of God's anger. They don't understand how a loving God could punish anyone. Why would a God of compassion and mercy send anyone to hell? The answer is simple. God in his very essence is Holy. No sin can enter his presence. The existence of rebellion separates us from God, not by his choice, but of necessity. His holiness demands judgment on sin. If we were to stay in his unguarded presence with sin in our lives we would be destroyed. His mercy separates us from him.
But thankfully, like the boys and the broken window, we are not disowned because of sin. He has the means to fix our mistakes. This time it is more severe than a broken window. Adam and Eve broke the sacred law of God that says, if we sin we die. There is no going around it. It can not be undone. It is the law.
For this reason God robed himself in flesh, came to earth, and died for us. He was in effect paying for the broken window. The debt was so high we could not pay it. But he could. He paid the ultimate price with his life to cover our sins. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive them. He can and wants to fix the broken place in our lives. But we must stop making excuses. We must not blame others. We must admit, yes I did it. I played ball in the parking lot when I was told not to. But God, you are still my Dad and I know you can fix it. I trust you too. Please help.
And he will. This is the very meaning of salvation, that Dad can fix it. Just ask, He is always glad to help.
Thoughtfully Yours,
Sullivan Jones
Imagine with me that two boys are throwing a football in a parking lot crowded with cars. They have been told not to throw the ball around vehicles but boys will be boys. Then a dreaded thing happens. One of the boys hits the rear window of a brand new Lamborghini and the window shatters. The boys are frightened. They know they have been disobedient. What will they do now? Will they run, hide and pretend they don't know what happened to the window? Uh oh, it's too late. Someone has seen them and he is sure to tell Dad.
What does Dad do when he finds out? Does he disown his sons because they broke a window? Of course not. They are still his sons. He will have to pay for the window. He may make his sons work to pay him back, not because he needs the money, but to teach them responsibility. In the end they are still his sons. In time all will be forgiven and most likely forgotten.
Now think back with me to the beginning of human existence. God put two of his children in a garden. They were told not to eat from a certain tree. We know what happened; they ate from it anyway. God saw it. They were punished.
Banned from the garden.
Condemned to a life of weary, back-breaking labor.
But they were not disowned or forgotten ...
He covered their shame with skins. They were no longer in innocence but they were spared the humility and disgrace of forever going naked. They were punished but they were still God's children. And last, but not least, God sent them a promise. He would send a future savior to crush the head of the serpent. They had hope that they would not always be under the curse. (Genesis 3:15)
There are many who have a faulty misconception of God's anger. They don't understand how a loving God could punish anyone. Why would a God of compassion and mercy send anyone to hell? The answer is simple. God in his very essence is Holy. No sin can enter his presence. The existence of rebellion separates us from God, not by his choice, but of necessity. His holiness demands judgment on sin. If we were to stay in his unguarded presence with sin in our lives we would be destroyed. His mercy separates us from him.
But thankfully, like the boys and the broken window, we are not disowned because of sin. He has the means to fix our mistakes. This time it is more severe than a broken window. Adam and Eve broke the sacred law of God that says, if we sin we die. There is no going around it. It can not be undone. It is the law.
For this reason God robed himself in flesh, came to earth, and died for us. He was in effect paying for the broken window. The debt was so high we could not pay it. But he could. He paid the ultimate price with his life to cover our sins. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive them. He can and wants to fix the broken place in our lives. But we must stop making excuses. We must not blame others. We must admit, yes I did it. I played ball in the parking lot when I was told not to. But God, you are still my Dad and I know you can fix it. I trust you too. Please help.
And he will. This is the very meaning of salvation, that Dad can fix it. Just ask, He is always glad to help.
Thoughtfully Yours,
Sullivan Jones
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