Pickle Heaven Press-James R. Johnson

something to help you laugh and think about life with Christ

Author: pickleheavenpress

I have served as a pastor in East Texas for 32 years and it is my delight to continue my ministry online
chasing the dream — September 6, 2023

chasing the dream

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As a kid, I didn’t have an alarm clock in my bedroom, but I was usually aware of the time regardless of the hour of night.  I just picked up my guitar and began to strum, which prompted my mom to yell from downstairs, “Do you know it’s 1 a.m.?”   “No, but thanks mom?”

I learned the guitar in sixth grade. As I taught myself the chords, I enjoyed putting a melody and words to them. 

My music became my voice.  I was able to sing things I was too shy to speak.  I shared my ditties and people enjoyed them.

So, I got serious about it.  When I got my driver’s license, one of the very first places I visited was a music publisher.  I tried to sell them a song.  They didn’t want it. 

This, however, became my obsession – to publish a song, have a bigtime artist sing it, to hear it aired on the radio and to reap the royalties.

Music was my god back then.  It monopolized my time, my money, and my heart.  But the path to publishing was always blocked and it was destroying me.  

When I finally came to Jesus, music was dethroned, and Christ reigned in my life.

I wanted others to experience Jesus, so I centered my songwriting efforts on Him.  People listened.  Many came to faith and others were encouraged in their faith journey. 

However, music still competed with the Lordship of Jesus in my life.  My evolved desire was to make a name for myself in Christian music. 

I put demo tapes of my songs in the hands of several uninterested artists. A studio in Nashville reviewed and rejected my stuff and I have a ream of rejection letters from publishers.  Like the donkey that stood in the path of Balaam, the Lord seemed to stand in my way.

I believed I would be content only when I had made it in the music biz.  But God deliberately withheld that success from me, that I might learn to be content with Him. 

I took to heart his words in Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord.”  He wanted me to find my joy and purpose and satisfaction in Him alone.

And over time, I learned. Jesus became all that mattered to me, and my music became a useful tool to serve His purposes – not mine.  I learned to be content using my songs with the youth group that I led.

But then a crazy thing happened.  One of my youth group kids went to college and became a worship leader.  He used some of the songs that I had written.  

One day a no-name Christian band came to his town and heard him sing one of my songs.  They wanted to use it.  He said, “Yes, Jim wouldn’t care.”

So, they did, they sang one of my songs for over two years to college students around the country, over 200,000 of them.

Eventually they were signed to a recording contract with the biggest outfit in Christian music   And, they wanted to include my song on their first album. 

It was recorded and released almost 30 years after my first attempt to sell a song. I remember the thrill of hearing it aired on our local radio station. 

It was then that I experienced the latter half of Psalm 37:4, The Psalmist wrote, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  Once I made the Lord and His will my delight, He then graciously delivered the desire of my heart without any effort on my part.

I bet you are curious as to the title of the song.  I called it “Kumbayah!”  Not really!  The title is “Have Your Way,” which was a perfect song for God to promote for it was not until I was content with His will for me, that I enjoyed such blessing. 

A PRAYER: Having You, Lord, is so much richer than having a song on the radio.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Scripture references are from the New International Version.

wrong turn — August 30, 2023

wrong turn

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I was driving in Tyler, Texas when I looked up and was stunned to see a Jeep with the Jurassic Park graphics on the door.  It was right out of the movie.  I said to myself “Oh Lord, Oh Lord – I must have taken me a wrong turn.”  

Turns out the manufacturer celebrated the 30th anniversary of the film by detailing the Jeep featured in the movie with the original Jurassic artwork.  

What a relief!  Traffic is bad enough without being rear-ended by a T-Rex or escaping a swooping Velociraptor.

But, in some ways, life for me kinda feels like I have accidentally wandered into the Park.  My world is filled with other kinds of ferocious beasts, that are salivating over me. 

They send me emails phishing for a chance to infect my world and give them power over me and my finances.  They use texts with iffy links that could wipe me clean if I click. 

I’m told to never mention the word, “yes” to an unsolicited caller, because it could be recorded and then edited so that my “yes” will be used to approve things of which I don’t approve.  I’ve got to be wary of fraudulent Facebook friend requests – designed to worm their way into my life. 

I can’t say the word “arthritis” without a dozen pop-up ads for cures flooding my phone.  And I must fiercely guard my phone number from phony marketplace callers who are simply trying to harvest it to sell.

When I was in junior high, I barely had an identity, but now I got to protect what little I have with insurance.

I am not a doom and gloom guy, but this is the way it is!  A foreboding forest of vicious people who are trying to claw their way into our lives and devour what we have. 

But what a blessing!  Yes, a blessing!   If I could adequately manage these risks, I would.  But I can’t.  These things are so beyond my control that I must entrust my welfare to the only one that can protect me.

Psalm 18 was penned by David.  It reminds us, of where our confidence needs to rest. 

He begins with, “I love you, O Lord, my strength.”  (18:1).  What a sweet affirmation of David’s devotion to the Lord.  What Father would fail to delight in such words and why would He refuse the request of the child that spoke them? 

In verses 2 and 3 he wrote, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Look at the many different words that David used to describe the safety and reliability of God. 

He called Him a rock.  When I am floundering about in rushing water, a rock in the middle of the river is a secure place on which to stand.   He used the word “fortress.”   A fortress has impenetrable walls to repel the arrows of an enemy above, before and behind.

God was his deliverer.  He got it done.  He was His refuge – a hidden but safe place away from heat of the battle.  He was his shield.  Spears were flying, but he was snugly tucked in behind it. 

The guilty one of Israel would run from an adversary to the temple and grab onto the horns of the altar to find asylum and mercy.   David found as much with the Lord.   

He followed up with verse 13, “I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.“   He cried for help and received it and was saved from his predators. 

It’s true.  We live in a Jurassic jungle, but we serve a God who controls the script.  Trust Him with your life and all the digital details of it and be saved from your enemies!

A PRAYER: Lord when the times cause us to tremble, turn our hearts to You!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you!

Scripture passages are from the New International Version

pizza in the passing lane — August 23, 2023

pizza in the passing lane

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I was on the road but so was the pizza. 

The customer picked up his pizza and then placed it on the roof of the car while he searched his pockets for his keys.

The keys were found, and the pizza forgotten.  He jumped in the car and took off and so did the pizza.  It went soaring through the air and landed in the middle of a four-lane highway.  A drone delivery without the drone.  

I was tempted to rescue it and have a bite, but I think it was anchovy.

Oh, stop laughing!  Most of us have done the same thing.

But listen, what if Jesus were as careless with our souls?  Would it be sacrilegious to wonder if some of us could end up like the pizza in the passing lane?

Let’s let Jesus speak for Himself on this matter.  In John 10, He described Himself as the Good Shepherd and those who follow Him as the sheep.  

When we get to verse 27, we find Jesus saying, “My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”   In those days shepherds would share a common sheep pen.   Each shepherd would entrust that stone fence each night with the safety of his sheep. 

In the morning the shepherd called for his flock.  This was a big ask for a sheep.  The flock was very secure in the pen and very vulnerable outside of its walls. 

But the sheep responded to that voice they had learned to trust.  They separated from the other flocks quartered there, to follow their shepherd out to pasture.  Most livestock must be driven from behind.  Sheep, however, happily follow the lead of the shepherd.

What a warm picture of our relationship with Christ. 

But then Jesus adds the truth of verse 28.  He said, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand.” 

Powerful and assertive words!   He said, “I give them eternal life.”  The tense of the verb is significant.  He did not say “I will give” but “I give” – present tense.   In John 5:24 Jesus spoke to those who had believed saying that they “have” eternal life – also present tense.

But what is eternal life? Life without end.  If Jesus were to ever repossess the eternal life that He gave us when we were saved, then it would have never been eternal to begin with, and we could accuse Him of deception.  Eternal means forever – and if we got it, we got it. 

Then He told us that, “we will never perish.”   This of course is in reference to hell.  To perish is to die, except that hell is a place where the suffering of death is an eternal experience.  But this cannot happen to us, says Jesus, because we have eternal life. 

And then my favorite phrase of this whole section.  He promised, “no one will snatch them from my hand.”  So cool.  The Greek word for snatch (harpadzo) was used to describe a wild animal that would snag and drag away its prey. 

The devil is our predator, but he poses no threat to us.  He won’t be able to seize one of Jesus’ flock and filet them.  Not while The Good Shepherd is on the job. 

Paul said as much in Romans 8:39. He told us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That pizza in the passing lane was purchased for less than ten bucks.  We, however, were purchased with the precious blood of Jesus. (1 Peter 1:19)  There just ain’t no way He’s gonna let us fly off the car.

So, rest easy my friends in the secure grace of God.  If you know Him – if you have trusted Him as your personal Savior – you are safe. 

A prayer: Lord it feels so good to know that we are secure with You.  Thank You.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you!

Scripture references are from the NETBible ®

transfer — August 16, 2023

transfer

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I lived near the state fairgrounds when I was a kid.  When the fair was on, my friends and I would go every day.  But money was scarce.

So, we would pool our cash and buy one ticket.  The first guy used it to enter the fair and then would exit. 

They stamped his hand so he could reenter later.  But he came out to the rest of us, and spit on the stamp to remoisten it, then transferred it to us by pressing it on our hands.

Then we would flash our stamps at the gate and get in.

How evil – and icky!  I know and I repent.  But it’s a great metaphor for the way many of us enter the faith – By transfer. 

Consider Israel.  God had helped them take possession of Canaan land. They were grateful.

Joshua 24:31 says, “And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the Lord….” 

The key word here is, “known.”   Their leader, General Joshua, was a man who knew the Lord and His works.  He had interacted personally with God several times and had a deep faith commitment to God.

His counterpart today might be a guy we’ll call Zach, who came to Christ at age 22 after a life of mistakes.  When he met Jesus, he was transformed.  He was all in and his faith was red hot.

This wasn’t true of the generation that followed Joshua.  Judges 2:7 says, “And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord…”

The key words here are, “had seen.” Absent is the word, “know.”   Joshua’s countrymen had seen God stop the flow of the Jordan River and cause the walls of Jericho to fall.  They were aware of God and what He did, but they didn’t know Him or have the intimate first-hand experience with God that Joshua had.   

They had a transfer faith.  It was pressed on them, so to speak, by Joshua.

Their counterpart today might be Zach’s kid Jason, who was raised in church.  He had learned the Christian way to think and act.  He was aware of some amazing answers to prayer.  But he lacked that first-hand transforming intimacy with God.  His daddy had been transformed.  Jason was conformed. His faith was lukewarm.

The transfer continued to the next generation.  Judges 2:10 describes it. “and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.”

This gang did not know the Lord at all, nor had they been alive to see His works as the land was subdued.  All they had of God were dusty old stories.

Their counterpart might be Zach’s grandson Asher who didn’t bother pretending to act like a Christian.  His dad was lukewarm and not a sterling example of a Christian.  So, he gave up on church and grabbed all the world he could get.  His grandpa had been transformed, his daddy conformed, but Asher was misformed.  His was an ice-cold faith.

The dynamic at work is much like what we discovered back at the fairgrounds.  Every time the stamp was transferred, it became a weaker version of the original. 

Every individual needs a firsthand encounter with the living God.  To try to live the Christian life without it is senseless.

How intense is the stamp of faith in your life?  Are you red-hot, lukewarm, or ice-cold?  It only takes a decision to move to that first-hand experience.

Jesus spoke to lukewarm, second-generation Christians in Revelation 3:20. He said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” 

A PRAYER: Lord the door is open, we welcome your presence!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you

Scripture references from the KJV

a graduation to remember — August 9, 2023

a graduation to remember

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We were seated in a humongous football stadium, ready to watch the graduating seniors parade onto the field.  Graduation day turned out to be more entertaining than we had expected. 

Commencement commenced and the students began to move from the track to the turf.  One lovely young lady stepped forward, then stumbled and plowed into the person in front of her. 

It probably wasn’t the best idea to wear spiked heels that night.  The heels pierced the soft earth like a knife.

Then another elevated lovely entered.  She stumbled and recovered, stumbled and recovered, then stumbled and fell.  It was getting difficult to stifle a laugh.

Spiked heels were evidently popular that year because a good number of girls hit the dirt.   I believe one guy even placed a bet that the valedictorian would fall at least twice.

Sad it was! Their moment to shine was tarnished.

The Christian will also have his/her moment to shine – a graduation day of sorts.  Paul mentioned it in 2 Timothy 4:8, “Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day—and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.” 

That sounds nice!  Those of us who eagerly anticipate the return of the Lord Jesus will be given a graduation gift – the crown of righteousness.   A crown typically represents rulership.  The faithful will have the privilege of ruling alongside Jesus someday.  (2 Timothy 2:12)    That will be our time to shine.

But there may be a little tarnish to it. 

Revelation 21:4 takes us to the hallowed halls of heaven.  It says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes…”  Wait a minute!  Why would there be tears in heaven that God would need to wipe away? 

That may have to do with the “judgment seat of Christ.”  Prior to receiving a crown, we will undergo an examination.  Paul discusses it in 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.”

Careful with those conclusions!  This has nothing to do with our salvation status.  The Christian is saved by God’s grace through our faith in Jesus.  Once we have belonged to Him, nothing can separate us from Him.

This examination is reserved only for believers.  It is a time to celebrate a Christian life that has been well lived, and maybe to grieve a little, the life that wasn’t.   

In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-28) we learn that the Lord expects us to live well and to make the most of the resources that He has given us such as our natural talents, and spiritual gifts, our financial blessings and the various opportunities for ministry we might have and of course the grace and power to do these things which He makes available to us through His Spirit. 

Some of us will take those resources and create a legacy that compares to gold, silver, and precious stones.  Others will produce results that compare to wood, hay, and stubble.  (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

Only the good stuff will be celebrated and rewarded.

But don’t get the idea that we all fit into one category or the other.  I was a pastor for 32 years.  That ought to be worth an ingot or two. 

And yet during those same 32 years, I figure I accumulated enough hay and stubble to feed the cattle on a thousand hills for a thousand years.

None of us do life perfectly but we can do it purposefully.  We can purpose down deep in our hearts to serve our amazing Savior.

We want to do this first because we love Him.  Secondly – because graduation day is coming, and we don’t want to stumble on the way. 

A prayer:  Lord – help us to live well and to serve willingly

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you

Scripture references are from the NETBible®

later — July 25, 2023

later

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I heard about a guy who sat on his cell phone and accidentally bought a house in San Diego. That was a big mistake, but it was nowhere, near as serious as the mistake of Moses.

The Hebrew people were wearing him down. There was constant mumbling and grumbling – or so it seemed.

They were thirsty again. The Lord responded by instructing Moses to speak to a rock which God would cause to issue forth with water. Irate Moses struck the rock instead. Oops – not good.

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to show me as holy before the Israelites, therefore you will not bring this community into the land I have given them.” – Numbers 20:12.

What a catastrophic consequence! Moses weathered the wilderness and endured the childishness of the Jews all for the hope of ushering them into the promised land. But because he ignored the Lord’s instruction, his ticket to Canaan land was canceled.

He forever felt the pain of it! He revealed it in the book of Deuteronomy. The Hebrews were ready to enter Canaan. Deuteronomy contains Moses’ last-minute instructions to prepare his people. He prepped them knowing that he would be left behind.

So, Moses prayed a pitiful prayer. He said to the Lord, “Let me please cross over to see the good land on the other side of the Jordan River—this good hill country and the Lebanon!”

And what did God say? “…the Lord was angry at me because of you and would not listen to me. Instead, he said to me, “Enough of that! Do not speak to me anymore about this matter….you will not be allowed to cross the Jordan.” – Deuteronomy 3:25-27

God said, “No Moses, I told you nearly 40 years ago that you will not be entering the promised land and I meant it, so don’t bring it up again.” It’s almost comical that Moses blamed it on the people. “Because of you,” he said.

Throughout the rest of the book, Moses doesn’t ask again, but he continued to assail his people.

In chapter 4 he said, “…the Lord became angry with me because of you and vowed that I would never cross the Jordan nor enter the good land that he is about to give you. So I must die here in this land; I will not cross the Jordan.” Deuteronomy 4:21-22

And in chapter 31 he complains again, “and the Lord has said to me, ‘You will not cross the Jordan.” -Deuteronomy 31:2

The man was not going to let it go! He was clearly bitter for having been denied the honor of entering the promised land.

If there is a lesson here, it is this. God is a just God and therefore sin always has its consequences.

Moses’ epitaph was written in Deuteronomy 34:5, “So, Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab as the Lord had said.”

What a profoundly sad way to conclude his story – and yet this was not quite the end – for you see God is just but He is also full of mercy.

Fast forward to the first century. The Savior was headed to Jerusalem to die, but the Father arranged a meeting for Him on the top of a very high mountain (Matthew 17:1)

There is only one mountain in that region that would fit this bill. This would be Mount Hermon where the peaks provided a panoramic view of Israel. On Hermon, the transfiguration of Jesus took place. Present with Him were 3 disciples, and 2 esteemed visitors from heaven – Elijah and Moses.

So where was this mountain? Check a Bible atlas and you’ll find it is the northeastern part of Israel. Moses’ feet were firmly planted on the land of promise. He finally made it to the land of promise thanks to the mercy of God.

He has plenty of mercy for you as well.

A PRAYER: Lord we are awed by the way You work justice together with mercy.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

Scripture references are from the NETBible

work it out — July 19, 2023

work it out

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I’d like to share a little advice about work, which is somewhat ironic because during my High School years, I labored at a fast-food place.  I quit that same job 5 times and was fired 4 times.  So, what do I know about work?  

Well I eventually transitioned from a rotten teen to a respected employee with a much-improved work ethic – which brings me to my concern. 

Some among us have come to believe, that no one ever loses.  Everyone gets a trophy so don’t break a sweat trying.  It’s pointless when in the end, we all win!

The problem is this – we eventually grow up to face the harsh reality of a world that rewards the one who works hard and overlooks the one who doesn’t.   It is a system where the motivated prevail over the mediocre.

In this life, hard work is almost always necessary to success. 

There are countless proverbs in the Bible that advocate diligent hard work.  Now a proverb from any source is a proposition which is generally true.  But there are occasional exceptions.  

For instance, an heir to a fortune didn’t work hard to get it.   But it is usually true that diligent, hard work leads to success at any time in and in any culture.  

So, what does the book of Proverbs say about work?    

Proverbs 12:24, “The diligent person will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.”   This is a reminder that some of us grow up to become managers, while others to be managed.  The difference has to do with how diligently we work.       

Proverbs 14:23 says, “In all hard work there is profit, but merely talking about it only brings poverty.”  According to Solomon the author, every job has its own reward.   Therefore, every job is worth doing well.  Some refuse a job they regard as beneath their dignity.  According to this proverb, such a mindset leads to poverty.

Another one!  Proverbs 22:29 “You have seen a person skilled in his work—he will take his position before kings; he will not take his position before obscure people.”   The proverb tells us that the person who works hard to hone their skills will be noticed.   They will employ their services in the upper crust of society. 

Joseph of the Old Testament had a work ethic worthy of consideration.

As a young boy he was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery.  After licking his wounds, he chose to apply himself, work hard and become the best slave he could be.   

He had every reason to be angry and bitter but chose instead to do his very best for the master who bought him.  His initiative was recognized, and he advanced through the ranks of servitude until his master put him completely in charge of his entire estate.  (Genesis 39:3-6)

Unfortunately, the boss’ wife done him in, and Joseph found himself in a worse spot – an Egyptian prison cell.  But even there, he chose to apply himself and work hard as an enterprising inmate. 

His diligence was noticed, and he was promoted through the penal system and put in charge of the whole joint. (Genesis 39:22) A prisoner in charge of the prison.  How crazy is that? 

Then his prison record was reviewed by the Pharaoh of Egypt.  Joseph impressed him with his wisdom and skill.  The king, therefore, freed Joseph and made him second in command of the Empire.  (Genesis 41:38-40)

By God’s grace and Joseph’s hard work ethic he rose to the very top!  

Maybe you have a job.  If so… 1) Give it your best effort and attitude.  2) Gather some pointers from someone who is already good at it.  3) and keep at it even when you are ready to quit.  (In other words, please ignore my previous fast-food fiasco.)

A PRAYER: Lord help us tackle even the goofy jobs with a Joseph attitude.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Scripture references are from the NETBible ®

a hairy situation — July 12, 2023

a hairy situation

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I recently learned a disturbing secret about females.  I overheard 6 women comparing notes about the hair that was growing in their ears and on their noses and in all other kinds of crazy places.   I thought that was just a guy thing!  

Time fills in the empty spaces on our heads with hair.  If I didn’t keep mine trimmed, I would look like an albino chimpanzee.  Maybe this was God’s plan, a measure of mercy to hide my gnarly face.

But I wonder about Seth the third son of Adam and Eve.  He was 912 years old when he died.  Nose hair trimmers and such did not exist back in his day.   So, at almost 1,000 years old, poor Seth much have been a gigantic furball.

There is a silver lining, however, to the hair that comes with aging. Though some of us want to wash away the gray. The Scripture tells us it is a badge of honor.   

Proverbs 16:31 says, “Gray hair is like a crown of glory; it is attained in the path of righteousness.” 

Gray hair is a crown, a reward of sorts and according to Solomon it can be attained.  Really?  How does one obtain gray hair – I mean besides L’Oréal Paris?

Well, we need to understand the nature of the book of Proverbs to understand this specific one. “A proverb, is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity.” (Wikipedia on Proverbs) 

Cervantes defined a proverb as “a short sentence based on long experience.”  Proverbs are generally true, although there certainly are occasional exceptions.

But what does this have to do with gray hair? 

Solomon frequently argued that wise choices generally result in a long life with gray hair as the proof, whereas foolish, sinful choices typically shave years from a person’s life expectancy.  They may not see their gray day.   

For instance, “The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding.  For because of me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.” – Proverbs 9:10-11

He tells us that those who observe and follow biblical truth will most often live longer, more healthy lives.  But is this true? 

Well, I think of my own experience.  I spent the first 19 years of my life ignoring the truth of God and making dumb choices. 

I drank to excess, possibly setting myself up for severe health consequences for later in life.  While under the influence I did all kinds of stupid things including frequently drinking and driving.  That could certainly have reduced my life expectancy.

Then there was that time I broke into a house and could have been rightfully gunned down once I crossed the threshold. 

I could have been arrested for any number of other offenses.  Jail time would probably have affected my health and life span.

Pursuing my selfish agenda was very unfulfilling and depressing.  I seriously planned on taking my own life at one point.

But then Jesus stepped in and saved me from hell and myself at age 19.  From that day to the present, I have set my heart on serving Jesus and trying to wisely govern my life by the truth in His Word. 

The choices I have made since, have contributed to a long, healthy satisfying life. 

And guess what?  Today my gray hair, even the ones in my ears, they make up my crown of glory; attained by God’s grace and by pursuing the path of righteousness. 

There are so many rewards when we live a life of obedience to the Lord.  A mop of gray hair is just one of them.

A PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the practical, life-giving wisdom in your Word.  Help us to put it to work each day.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Scripture refences are from the NETBible®

with you — July 6, 2023

with you

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I have sported a horseshoe mustache for a while now.  My wife isn’t excited about it, but she isn’t the only one.  One of my cognitively impaired hospice friends looked at my face, and in her loudest, most incredulous voice, asked, “Why is your mustache melting off of your face?”

Recently I experienced some fiery trials that may have accelerated the melting process.

My wife, two grandsons and I were headed to Florida on a road trip in our Toyota Mini-Van.  We were motoring along when a warning light flashed. 

We cried out to Siri who told us that a Toyota dealer was only 7 miles ahead.  Wait?  We were in rural Mississippi, how was this possible?  Sure enough, we found the dealer, and shortly after, the car died.  The alternator bit the dust.

They promised to tackle it first thing in the morning.  My grandsons were inconsolable, so I tried to help them see the Lord in the midst of it.

I said look, “We discovered the problem not 50 miles from a dealer but 7.  The car could have died in Podunk, MS, but we were able to drive it in. 

But it is an older car and parts can be hard to come by.  So that night we prayed.  In the morning they found an alternator, installed it, and bid us farewell.  We felt like the Lord was looking out for us.

Two hours down the road, another pesky warning light.  We lost our coolant!  We were hot in more ways than one. 

At a truck stop we found a stream flowing from the radiator.  Oh no!   It was about 2:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon.   Repair shops would be closing soon for the weekend. 

So, I sought the Lord and a sympathetic mechanic.  The first 2 or 3 calls were all business.  “Call me Monday!”  But even then, it would be midweek before they could tackle it.

Then I spoke with Shawn of Shawn’s Auto Shack.  He also was closing, and yet he traveled 20 miles to check on our car.   He called a tow truck, and then ferried our family to Niceville, FL where we spent the night. 

Saturday, he drove 60 miles to pick up the only proper radiator in the region.  He then opened his shop, which was otherwise closed on Saturday and replaced it. We thanked him, paid him, and hit the road.   It was an extraordinary experience.

That night in Niceville, I spoke to my fretting grandsons.  I read to them the words that God spoke through Isaiah the prophet.  He said, “Don’t be afraid, for I will protect you. I call you by name, you are mine.   When you pass through the waters, I am with you; when you pass through the streams, they will not overwhelm you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you. For I am the Lord your God.”  – Isaiah 43:1-3

The Lord told His people to fear not.  He pledged His protection because we belong to Him.  So sweet the words, “You are mine!”    

God knew trouble would come.  It always does.  But with that trouble He would be with us.  He would not let it overwhelm or defeat us.   The waters would not drown us or the fire scorch us for He is the Lord our God. 

On that trip we experienced those promises!

We often pray for our grandchildren.  As they are educated about God, we also want them to experience Him.  The whole saga allowed them to personally encounter the Lord as He provided for us.  It truly was awesome.

However, our grandsons are now unwilling to do any more road trips with us.  Hey but the Lord will.

For you who are presently enveloped in flood or flame, know that your God is with you.  Savor the journey and praise Him throughout.

A PRAYER: Lord your presence with us makes even the difficult times desirable.  Thank You!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you!

Scripture references are from the NETBible.com

communion chaos — July 5, 2023

communion chaos

/pickleheavenpress

If I were you, I would not trust me – at least, in matters of communion.  You see I have been doing ministry for a long time, and in the course of my work I have been privileged to lead many communion services. 

Unfortunately, I have the sad reputation for messing them up. 

I had shared a brief devotional with my congregation, called the servers up, prayed and then handed them the communion trays.  And as they walked away from me, I realized, “Oh no, I just handed them the juice trays, but the biblical order is bread first.”

My smile hid the panic I felt inside.  What should I do?  “Hey guys I need a do over.  Get those trays back here please!”

Well, I decided to let it ride and continued with the service, following up the juice tray with the bread.  But I braced myself for some post service criticism.

Sure enough, a woman made a beeline for me after we dismissed.  She said, “What a wonderful communion service.  It was so meaningful.”  I said, “Uh, well, uh thank you.”

I vowed to never make that mistake again, and yet several months later using a cheat sheet – I got the order wrong again.

Recently I was asked to fill the pulpit for a pastor friend.  His secretary sent me the order of service and it had me down for doing the welcome, and several prayers and – oh no – leading communion. 

When I arrived, I found that someone had thoughtfully provided the communion elements for me.  They sat on the outside ledge of the pulpit.   Two minutes later I clumsily knocked them over.  Fortunately, all this was before the service.

A servant hearted man cleaned up the sticky mess and replaced the elements.  Once the service began, I greeted the visitors and as I did, my hand accidentally grazed the second cup.  The communion service became a baptismal service as the congregation was sprinkled. 

After that I sat on the platform with my eyes closed while a trio did a special number.  I think it had something to do with, “a wretch like me.” 

But then I sensed someone near, so I opened my eyes to see a man holding more replacement elements just inches from my face.  He scared me and I jerked in surprise nearly sending the elements to the moon. The congregation laughed.

Wow – I sure know how to mess up a communion service.  But then the Holy Spirit felt sorry for me and reminded me that spilling the juice actually captured the spirit of communion quite well.

When Jesus gave us the rite, He took a cup of wine and said, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”  –  Luke 22:20

The blood of Christ was unique.  Peter described it as being “precious” and “unblemished.” – 1 Peter 1:19.  But its practical value to us is that it was “poured out.”  It was shed for us.

Hebrews 9:22 says, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”  The animal sacrifices were given to Moses and his people, to help them understand that sin is detestable to God, deserving of death.   The blood of a lamb was poured out on the altar as a token of the life given. 

In the same way, our perfect Savior stepped up and absorbed the wrath of God by surrendering His life on the cross.  The crimson flow that came from His side was the evidence. 

The word “pour” that Jesus used at that first communion service, is elsewhere translated as, “spilled.”  (Luke 5:37). Christ’s blood was spilled as was the juice on the pulpit, to remove the stain of sin.

I shared this insight with the congregation prior to taking communion.  As they left that day, they were probably thinking, “What a wonderful communion service.  It was so meaningful.”

A PRAYER: Lord I am so glad that you redeemed that communion service, and grateful that you redeemed us.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Jesus be with you.

Scripture references are from the NETBible®