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
shivering showers — August 24, 2022

shivering showers

/pickleheavenpress

When our son K.C. reached High School, he learned to appreciate a long, luxurious, hot shower. 

He would disappear into the steam for 30 minutes and eventually emerge with more wrinkles than a prune. 

We would knock and shout and coax and scold, but he was deaf to our pleas. 

His siblings were annoyed but the city water department was elated.  I was nominated for customer of the year. 

So…this is what I began to do.  After allowing him ten minutes to lather and rinse, I would slowly begin to close the valve on the hot water tank. 

Slow was the way to go, otherwise he would catch on.  Of course, the shower soon became cold, and he would hop out thinking that he had exhausted the hot water supply.

I shamefully admit that I did that several times – but – it was kinda fun – and with the money I saved I was able to help him go to college. 

___________

Could faith be like that?  We start off with a red-hot passion and eventually end up in a cold uncomfortable place – but we aren’t sure how we arrived.

There was a parable where Jesus compared the Word of God to seed and the various hearts that received it to soils. 

There was the seed that fell beside the road, which was snatched up and eaten by the birds, and then the seed that fell on the rocky soil which sprouted but died because it couldn’t develop roots. 

But the soil that concerns me is this one, “Other seed fell among the thorns, and they grew up with it and choked it.”  – Luke 8:7

The soil was close to being right and the seed sprouted and was doing well.  It was experiencing genuine growth.  But the plant had competition.

Jesus explained, “As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”  – Luke 8:14

Jesus suggested that the some of us are choked by worries.  About what?  I don’t know.  For what do you worry?  Is it the economy? Or perhaps you fret about your health.  Worry is the antithesis of faith.  Worry competes with faith and usually wins.

Then there are riches.  God and gold.  We want them both.  But it was Jesus who said, “You cannot serve God and money.” – Matthew 6:24

The third class of competitors are the pleasures of this life.  Like what?  Like sleeping in on Sunday and skipping church or like giving our worship and money to our hobbies and our leftovers to God.

So do these soils represent the saved or the unsaved?  The Lord really didn’t say, mostly because it is important for all of us to be receptive to the Word. 

But here’s the thing.  The condition of the soil of my backyard changes.  At this moment it has been hardened by a draught.   Then there are the fibrous roots of oak trees, that are making it impossible for the roots of my sod to penetrate and properly grow.  And of course, if I were to let my lawn go unmown for a few months it would become choked with weeds.

So if the soil in my yard can change over time, how much more so the soil of my heart?  

I, however, aspire to be the good soil.  Jesus said, “But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing the word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance.” –  Luke 8:15

…and Lord, if I am not there at this moment, please send me a cold shower! 

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

All Scripture references are from the NET Bible ®

filled — August 17, 2022

filled

/pickleheavenpress

It was another blistering Texas day, and yet the lawn still cried for attention.  I filled the mower with gas and began to pursue the endless loop.  Soon after, I noticed that I had failed to screw down the cap to the tank on the mower. 

I found that 90% of the fuel had sloshed out and I was running low.  Now I may have to cash in my IRA to buy more gas.

So, I queried, “Why Lord?” and He said, “Because thou art a dummy!’  That’s what He should have said, but He had a lesson for me instead.

He said, “Do you remember back to when you first surrendered to Me?  I in turn filled you with my Holy Spirit so that you were empowered to accomplish great things for Me.  But you have made a few choices since then that have loosened your spiritual cap, and like your mower, you have been leaking.”

Goofy story – but good theology.

The Holy Spirit is that third person of the Trinity that we cannot do without.  At salvation, we are baptized in, indwelt by, and sealed with the Holy Spirit.   This is God’s unconditional provision for every believer.

To be filled with the Spirit is to submit to His gentle control.  To be filled is to be fruitful.  We manifest in our character qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  (Galatians 5:22)  

When it comes to this filling, we determine to what degree we are filled by the measure of our willingness to submit.  In fact, Paul wrote as a command, “Be filled by the Spirit.”  – Ephesians 5:18

The verb “be filled” is a present imperative meaning, “be continually filled.”   It is something that should be repeated as frequently as needed. 

Why repeat it?  Because there really are circumstances that loosen our spiritual cap and result in leakage. 

In Ephesians 4:30 Paul said, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.”  The context of this passage relates to problems with sin.  Sin is rebellion which is the flip side of submission, and it grieves God.  The freedom of the Spirit to work in and through us is diminished by it.

Not hard to understand.  Tom prayed for patience with his boss. The Holy Spirit delivered when Tom held his tongue during staff meeting.  It was a wondrous spirit filled moment. 

Thirty minutes later his wife called and asked if he had taken out the trash.  He said, “I didn’t have time.”  But he lied.  He wronged his wife and grieved the Spirit.  

It is also possible to “quench” the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19) The context has to do with resistance to doing our service to the Lord.   God gave His Spirit, in part, to empower us to do ministry.  When we resist, we throw cold water on the promptings of the Spirit.

In both instances, choices were made that resisted the work of the Holy Spirit.  Once filled, then deflated. 

It’s ironic.  The Holy Spirt as God is omnipresent and fills everything, and yet we human beings make it so that we can be less than filled.  A mystery for sure.   


We are never commanded to pray for this filling.  It has already been provided.  To enjoy it we need to confess any sin and invite the Lord to reassume His gracious control.

I am glad that my cell phone indicates to what degree my phone battery is charged.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have that feature in our walk with God? – something to tell us, to what degree we are filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit. 

Maybe the next best thing, would be to start each day with the assumption we need to be filled again.  

We might reflect it in a prayer.   “Lord, my will is to do your will.  I empty myself of my personal ambitions and ego indulgences and I welcome You to guide me through this day.  Please tenderize my heart to the nudging of your Holy Spirit. 

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Scripture passages are from the NET Bible ®

backstage — August 10, 2022

backstage

/pickleheavenpress

A while back, I had a friend who was the pastor to the mother of Michael W. Smith.  Not only did he score me tickets to a concert – I was also given backstage passes. 

The passes were impressive!  They were embossed with the concert info and a VIP stamp in big letters.  It dangled from an official concert lanyard (neck cord)

My family was excited.  In fact, I even invited my daughter’s boyfriend to go with us.  (What was I thinking?) 

The outdoor concert was spectacular – but we were mostly thinking about our soon-to-come personal and private meeting with Smitty. May I call him Smitty?

He finally delivered his encore song.  The crowd surged toward the exits while we nudged our way forward.  Proudly waving our badges – we breezed passed a burly security guy.

We were ushered into the tent where Michael would be – only – we were not alone.  With us were a couple hundred people who were also marked with backstage passes.  We were squeezed into the very rear of the tent.  

Smith breezed past us on the way to the front – and that was as personal as it got for us.   So, we then turned back, hung our heads in disappointment and found the exit.

Forget being V.I.P.s – we felt like D.I.P.s.   Big Dips!

One of hundreds – that’s who I was that day.  No more important than a sardine in a tin of sardines. 

Can you relate?

Have you ever called about your electric bill, and the computer took you through 10 different layers of options?   After 20 minutes you longed to talk to a real person (even one with a foreign accent)   

Does it ever bother you that your identity has little to do with your face, or your name and everything to do with your social security number?

Does your boss even know your name?  

Oh, and at church they ask, “Is this your first Sunday with us?”   “Uh no, I have worshipped here for 8 years.” 

It makes me wonder at times, “Do we really matter?” 

Well – we do – to God!

Jesus assured His followers that God treasured each one of them.  He said, “In fact, even the hairs on your head are all numbered.”  – Luke 12:7. (NET Bible ®) What an astounding statement.  God cares so much for us and knows us so intimately that He monitors every hair on each of our heads.

No small feat.  The experts say that a person has between 80,000 to 120,000 hairs on their scalp.   My skeptical wife might like to sit me down and count them just to check.  Wouldn’t that be fun?  Probably impossible. 

In terms of hair density, we have between 800-1,290 hairs per square inch.  Some heads are less dense than others of course  

And keep in mind that our hair count is not stable.  The experts say that the average person loses between 50 and 100 hairs each day.  Some follicles are replaced by new hair while others are not.

There’s no possible way I could ever track my own hair count – but God does.  His personal interest in me is astounding.  And yet, He also tracks every follicle of every one of the other 8 billion people that inhabit this planet.  That’s a lotta hair.

But why the ado about one’s do?  This is just God’s way of saying to us – that we matter to Him, every health concern that we have, every problem that we face, every victory that we savor, every hair that we gain or lose.  We matter to God. 

So, when you shower tomorrow – do not despair that the drain is being clogged with your tresses.  It doesn’t matter.  What matters is that you matter to God.

A PRAYER: Lord when I comb my hair each day, I will remember your hair care.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

cell phone engagement — August 3, 2022

cell phone engagement

/pickleheavenpress

My friend was anticipating it – and seriously excited about it.  She loved the guy with all her heart.  The day finally came that he popped the question.  On bended knee, he presented a small box containing an expensive gift.   She opened it and found a brand-new sparkly cell phone.  He then asked her to marry him.  She said yes. 

The box contained an engagement ring of another kind.  But at least it came with unlimited data.  Hey, I bet it even helped with their communication skills.

Hmm?  At the wedding – after they did the vows – I wonder if they exchanged Otter Boxes!

Either way, I am happy to report that they have lived happily ever after. 

______________

On the topic of marriage.  A couple is not truly married until vows are exchanged.  A cell phone is not necessary or even a wedding ring – but vows are.  The vows spiritually and legally bind a man and a woman together.

These days a couple may look like they are married and act like they are married and even think like they are married – but are not. 

And it may not make a difference to them until there is a death.  In my work as a hospice chaplain, I have seen it demonstrated several times.  A couple chooses to live together, sometimes for decades.   Then he dies, but the house was in his name, it goes to his kids, and she ends up homeless. – losing husband and home at the same time. 

That is probably not your worry, but yours may be similar.

Some of us were raised in church.  We did Sunday School, VBS, sat in the pew every Sunday, laughed at the preacher’s corny jokes.  We memorized the verses and could beat most anyone when it came to the Bible drills. 

We had church in us, around us, beneath and over us – so we have assumed all along that we are true believers.

But it’s possible that we are not – if we haven’t given ourselves to Jesus at some point.  Like the marriage vows, there needs to be a point of commitment to Christ. 

The apostle John put it this way, “But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children.”  John 1:12 NET Bible ®

The word “receive” is a verb – an action word.  It is something that a person does.   When they do it, God reciprocates by making them His children. 

But what does it mean to “receive?”   It is a hardworking verb in the New Testament.  It was used to describe the taking and grasping of something with your hand.   With salvation we take and grasp the message with our hearts. 

Elsewhere it was used to describe John who invited Mary into his home. (John 19:27).  With salvation we invite Christ into our lives.  

It also carries the idea of recognizing and responding to the authority of another.   This is precisely what we do when we receive Christ. 

My first job was doing fast food.  I did not like the manager much.  Consequently, I quit that same job five times, and was fired another four.  I was young and stupid for sure.  I failed to properly respond to his authority. 

Jesus told us that He had the authority to forgive our sins.  (Matthew 9:6) This is because He died for those sins and was raised again.  To receive Him, is to submit ourselves to Him and His authority.

Have you done that?  Have you ever stopped and made a conscious decision to receive Christ and the gift of forgiveness He died to provide for you?

If you haven’t, please do it now!  The blessings and benefits of truly knowing and belonging to Christ are superb. 

A PRAYER: Jesus thank you for allowing me the opportunity to receive you.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

goat of God? — July 27, 2022

goat of God?

/pickleheavenpress

I was at the garden shop, lifting a bag of potting soil to place in my cart.  A couple in their fifties happened by.  She stopped and said with urgency, “Oh can I help you with that?”     

Well, I hope that kind lady didn’t see the outrage and humiliation on my face.   “Hey, I ain’t that old yet!   Maybe your husband and I should arm wrestle.  I’ll show you who needs help.” 

That was embarrassing!  Do you know what else would be embarrassing?  If Jesus had been known as the “goat of God.”

It was a possibility!

When John the Baptist first looked upon Jesus on the banks of the Jordan River, this is what he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”  – John 1:29

John spoke metaphorically of Christ and quite literally of what He would take away.

John knew the sacrificial system of Israel quite well.  He understood that it was designed to pre-shadow the actual work of redemption that Jesus would one day bring.  The sacrificial blood of a lamb was a type of the blood of Christ which would be shed for us on the cross.

But here’s the thing.  There were multiple kinds of animals that were perfectly suitable as a sacrifice for sin.  A young bull would work according to Leviticus 4:3. A male goat would also an acceptable option (Leviticus 4:25) and of course a lamb would also suffice.

So, was there a reason then, why Jesus was known as the Lamb of God and not the goat or bull of God?  I can think of at least one possibility. 

Obviously, a bull would be most costly, the goat less and the lamb the least.  The value of the animal that was offered had to do with a person’s social rank and economic standing.

The high priest was required to offer a bull.  A ruler had to offer a goat.  Those guys were well-to-do relatively speaking.

But suppose you were just a regular Joe – a paycheck-to-paycheck kind of person.   How could you ever be able to afford to buy a bull and then surrender him to the flames of the altar? 

God, in His goodness, thought of this guy in Leviticus 4:27-28.  There it says, “‘If an ordinary individual sins by straying unintentionally when he violates one of the Lord’s commandments which must not be violated, and he pleads guilty, or his sin that he committed is made known to him, he must bring a flawless female goat.”

An ordinary individual!  I can relate.  Other translations use synonymous phrases like commoner or common people.   

So, this everyday guy could offer a goat if he wished, but if that were not possible then the passage goes on to say, “‘But if he brings a sheep as his offering, for a sin offering…”  Leviticus 4:32   A sheep could be substituted.

So, because Jesus was the Lamb of God, and not the bull or the goat, the message to us is this: Jesus’ sacrifice is for all of us – including the commoner. 

You don’t have to be the cream of society to be saved.  The balance in your bank account does not matter to God.  Your social standing is irrelevant to God. 

Jesus’ blood is also for the common person – the truckdriver, the mother, the garbage collector, the accountant, the teacher and on it goes.

Hey, scour the Gospels and you will find that it was the common folk that most quickly responded to the ministry of Christ. 

I am the son of a truckdriver.  I worked in the warehouse and often loaded my dad’s truck.  My roots are not with the elite of this world.  So, I am thrilled that the grace of God reaches out to people like me – and you.   

A PRAYER: God you are so omnipotent, and I am so ordinary. Thank you for reaching out to me

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Scripture passages are from the NET Bible ®

a lover’s leap — July 20, 2022

a lover’s leap

/pickleheavenpress

When my future wife Sharie, first saw me, I was a musician with thick, kinky, red hair that went down to the middle of my back and a beard that made me look like I had the mange.  She was not interested. 

Months later I had been groomed.  Then she was interested, but I was not.  I thought she might be attracted to a musician instead of me.

In the meantime, I had vainly dated several girls and we clashed.

One day, I thought, “The ancient Jewish culture had an advantage. Parents assisted in match making and they were equipped with an objective perspective of their kids.”

God had blessed me with a Christian couple, Les and Jacquie Zartman, who had been like parents to me – and knew me well.  Through the years, they only had but one comment to make about my dating life.  They told me I should get to know Sharie Scott. 

Oh my!  Sharie?  We happened to work at the same place.  So even though I didn’t feel it at the time, by faith, I asked her out.

We had dinner, then played board games with friends.  I was pleased with evening.

That Monday, work was slow, so the boss happened to assign just Sharie and me to remodel the break trailer. 

I was done playing the dating game, so I gave her the third degree, while we worked.

By Friday, my former indifference had morphed into a passionate desire to make her my wife.  She was the one I knew that I needed to marry.

God taught me a lot about love through this experience.

– Love is a decision

It was the counsel of friends that caused me to do a 180 with Sharie.  Love begins with a decision.  That’s why Jesus could say “Love your enemies.”  (Luke 6:27) He treated love as if it were a function of the will.  

Love is sustained by choices as well.   Every day and through every season of life – we must choose again to love that person to whom we are pledged.

– Love is a verb

Past experiences taught me that what I got out of a relationship was proportionate to what I put into it.  I had been putting next to nothing in – so the relationships were lame.

With Sharie, I engaged.  I took her to dinner and shared her company with my friends.  We talked non-stop for a week (a big stretch for me) I bought her a crock pot. (seriously).  I found ways to serve her, though my heart had not yet caught up.  (That took a whole week!)

In Luke 6:27, Jesus continued, “Do good (even) to those who hate you.”  Whether we feel it or not – we need to do the work of love.

– Love is a skill that needs to be learned

Paul instructed older women to teach younger women how to love their husbands and children. (Titus 2:4)

Love is a skill that needs to be learned.  As a 20 something, I knew I was ignorant, so I read my Bible and I watched my mentors and learned. 

– The feelings of love are the fruit of the work of love. 

I had decided to pursue Sharie and actively invest in and love her.  The emotions followed.  The feelings of love became the fruit of the work of love.

We married 6 months after that first date.  And recently celebrated 45 years together.  She is my best friend and the love of my life and there is no one I would rather be with.

Love is a decision.  Is there someone that you need to choose to love today?   Or maybe rechoose to love?   Love is a verb:  No time for coasting – reengage and serve that one you love. Love is a skill that needs to be learned.  Read a book.  Find a mentor.  Through every era of life, new skills will need to be learned.

A PRAYER: Lord continue to teach us how to love as You love.

This has been Jim Johnson with pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 

Bible references from the NETBible ®

hearing loss — July 13, 2022

hearing loss

/pickleheavenpress

As we age, I am finding that my wife and I are wearing out the word, “What?”  (as in “what did you say?”)   We need either hearing aids or speaking aids.  Not sure where the fault lies.

This reminds me, however, of an event that took place recently.

A group was gathered near Zilker park at a Thai food truck.  It was a cool clear Austin evening – a great time to share a relaxing meal together after a grueling week of school.

The tranquility was shattered by an ear-splitting car collision in the intersection nearby.   The offending pick-up caused the sedan to careen off towards the food truck.   Some ran for safety -others did not.

Eleven diners were mowed down.  Two sustained life-threatening injuries.  But why didn’t they all react and move out of the path of the car?  

Sadly, it was because among them were students at the nearby school for the deaf.  They just didn’t hear it. 

———

Bad things can happen when we fail to hear!

Back in 30 AD or so, the nation of Israel was a mess.  Politically: it was enslaved and ruled by the iron fist of the Roman Empire.  Economically: Rome drained the wealth of the nation.   Spiritually it was a heartless, cheerless cesspool of legalism.  The nation desperately prayed for better days. 

God answered!   He sent them Jesus, who was to redeem them from their sin and then restore the nation and righteously rule the Kingdom from the throne that David once occupied.

He came preaching this message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!”  – Matthew 4:17

Everything the nation had ever hoped for – prayed for – hinged on their repentance.  They were exhorted to turn away from their self-indulgent sin and turn to Jesus the Messiah

But they had a hearing problem.  After a long season of preaching His message of repentance Jesus said, “For the heart of this people has become dull; they are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, so that they would not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.” –   Matthew 13:15

He would have healed the nation in every way but they were deliberately deaf to His message.

At a later time, Jesus was trudging downhill from the Mount of Olives, He was headed to Jerusalem which was sprawled out before Him. 

There on that dirt road, surrounded by a throng of followers – Jesus wept. 

Luke 19:41-44 reads, “Now when Jesus approached and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you had only known on this day, even you, the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and surround you and close in on you from every side. They will demolish you—you and your children within your walls—and they will not leave within you one stone on top of another because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”  

He wept because He knew that Rome would soon level the city and intensify the suffering of the Israeli people and their children.  This was because the nation had rejected Him and His offer to intervene and bring healing. 

Rome eventually leveled the land just as Jesus had predicted.  Was it His fault?  No, He tried to intervene.  He wanted better things for them.  It was the nation’s choice to make. 

I am thinking that decades ago, Jesus possibly looked upon the USA and wept once again.  Because the nation of which it was said, “God shed His grace on thee” – that nation had become deaf to His message.   

And every day the people and the children of our nation are suffering the terrible aftermath of it. 

Jesus, I weep with you

A PRAYER: Jesus I weep with You

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you and this nation as well.

Scripture references are from the NET Bible®

a teetering trust — July 6, 2022

a teetering trust

/pickleheavenpress

If I were Amish, I would be afraid to water ski.  My horse might drown! 

David, on the other hand, feared nothing.   He proved it in the Valley of Elah! 

This valley was the site in Israel where David defied Goliath.  It is a pleasant verdant vale when there wasn’t a war going on. 

Who doesn’t know and cherish the story of the boy with audacious courage?  He confronted the giant saying “You are coming against me with sword and spear and javelin. But I am coming against you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel’s armies, whom you have defied! This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand. I will strike you down and cut off your head.” – 1 Samuel 17:45-46

With a sling and stone, he succeeded.  This victory became the subject of song and celebration for many years to come in the nation of Israel.  Surely, he never forgot that day – and yet it seems that he did.

Fifteen years later David was being pursued by murderous King Saul.  David had attracted a band of discontents who were loyal to him.  They were a threat that Saul wanted to eliminate.   

But the band of fugitives, managed to keep one step ahead of Saul and his army.  They finally found refuge in a place known as the Cave of Adullam. 

This cave is essentially a big hill, towering about 500 feet over a very flat plain.  It is a limestone formation that was eroded over time so that it had become a honeycomb of caves – one of which could contain 300 people at one time.   A perfect hiding place for David’s band.

But why were they there? 

David was evidently afraid!  Saul had tried to use him as a pin cushion with a spear and had led his army on a seek-and-destroy mission against him (1 Samuel 19:1).  David had been on the run for some time. And so we read, “David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam.”  – 1 Samuel 22:1

But how ironic!

In the valley of Elah David ran to the battle – at Adullam he hid from it.  At Elah he removed the protective armor that the King had given him – at Adullam he covered himself with a rock fortress.  At Elah his only weapon was a sling, but at Adullam he was armed with the sword of defeat once wielded by Goliath. 

The valiant crusader had become a fearful fugitive.  It was a crisis of faith.

But, the story takes an even darker turn.  The cave of Adullam sat on the rim of the valley of Elah.   From that elevated perch David would have had an unobstructed view of the brook from where he took the 5 smooth stones. 

He could see the very place where he stood toe-to-toe against Goliath.  He could look upon the meadow where the ginormous Philistine lay dead. 

David could see all of this from the murky cave in which he hid from King Saul. 

Insanely courageous and full of faith at one moment and blinded by fear in the next.  A reminder to us that living by faith is a daily challenge.  Faith is not a one time proposition.  It will be repeatedly tested and must be renewed daily.

Hey these are fearful days.  Are they not?  Will we meet the challenge as did the fearless boy, or the feckless man? 

May David forgive me for using his own words to challenge him and us as well.  “Throw your burden upon the Lord,  and he will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be shaken….but as for me, I trust in You.”  – Psalm 55:22-23

A PRAYER: Lord my faith needs a daily infusion.  I will look to You to supply it? 

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Scriptures passages are from the NET Bible ®

Picture by David bena at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47491712

is God a bass or a tenor? — June 29, 2022

is God a bass or a tenor?

/pickleheavenpress

We were not expecting to be expecting, but God had other ideas.  I was still working on my husband skills having been married only 7 months.  But we were still very excited about being parents.

I could not wait to meet my little girl.  During the pregnancy, I would put my head close to my wife’s tummy and softly sing to my baby so that she could hear and even feel the vibrations.  I sang to her – I sang for her – I sang over her – because I loved her.

Ironically, long before she could talk, she would stand up in her crib in the morning and return the song – singing her baby syllables with all her heart.

________

I have learned that God is just as excited about His children.  He too sings over them.  (I know! Isn’t that a crazy thought?) 

The evidence is in Zephaniah 3:17. Now since you have probably never read the book of Zephaniah, let me give you a thumbnail sketch. 

God used Zephaniah as a messenger to the nation of Judah.  He prophesied that the nation would be judged because of their idolatry, immorality, and spiritual apathy.  

But, in the third and final chapter of the book, Zephaniah predicted that God would send His Messiah in the last days and all Israel would turn their hearts toward Him.  The distance between God and His people will be bridged. 

This is where we find Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” – KJV

On that day God will joyfully celebrate by singing love songs over His children.

It is not a misprint.  Most other translations of the Bible render it this way as well.

God joyfully sings over His people much as I sang over my little girl. 

I have so many questions?  Is God a tenor or a bass?   Would a female hear Him as an alto or a soprano?   Does this mean He has perfect pitch?  Do the angels snicker when He sings? Isn’t He embarrassed?

No way!  He is not ashamed to sing of His love for His children.  He is a Father who is hopelessly devoted to His little ones. 

I have a friend who feels the need to return the song.   When Steve Bradley sings during a church service, he is louder than my grandpa’s Sunday tie.

He out-sings us all including the crew on the platform with the microphones.  He belts out the hymns with gusto and the contemporary worship songs with just as much energy.  He loves to sing to his Redeemer, and the rest of us are inspired to hear him.   

It seems that a heart full of love just spills out in song. 

So, may I put us on the spot?  If our love for the Lord were gauged by the way we sing on Sunday morning, would we move the needle at all? 

Hey if we ain’t feelin’ it, I don’t think we ought to fake it.  But maybe we should be alarmed that we ain’t feelin’ it!

This next Sunday morning, grab a cup of coffee and your Bible, and mull over Romans 8:28-39 where Paul provides a thrilling description of God’s love for you.   

Then, with your heart warmed, head for church and stun the worship leader by enthusiastically singing of your love for the Lord.

A PRAYER: Lord singing is easy for me – but please help those who don’t find it as easy?

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

poured out — June 15, 2022

poured out

/pickleheavenpress

I recently saw a video clip on the news, that I wish I could forget.  It took place in Kingsland, Arkansas, population 300.   It so happens that the late country crooner, Johnny Cash was from that little town.  They honored him by putting his silhouette high up on town’s sole water tower.

But a sharpshooter, with a wry sense of humor, put a bullet right through Johnny’s groin area, which punctured the tank and produced a steady stream of water arcing to the ground.   

And now, poor Mr. Cash relieves himself of about 30,000 gallons a day.  Hmm – I know how he feels. 

Now I bet you are wondering what in the world kind of spiritual point is Jim Johnson gonna make with this story.   Well, I got one! 

_________

The apostle Paul had a leak of another kind!   

He was nearing the end of his ministry – soon to move on to glory.  But he shared these parting words with Timothy.  He said, “For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand.”  – 2 Timothy 4:6

The apostle referenced the sacrificial system of Israel.

The purpose of the Old Testament sacrifices was to bridge the distance between God and man.   There were several kinds of offerings, but they could be summed up by grouping them into 2 categories. 

There were those that addressed the sin of man (such as the burnt offering). These sacrifices foreshadowed the work of Christ who covered our sins at the cross. 

There were also those offerings that symbolized man’s grateful response to God (such as the drink offering). 

The burnt offering was the most frequent and important.  It was presented to atone for the unclean condition of humanity.  It was offered night and day – a perpetual cycle of sacrifice offered for God’s sinful people.  (Lev.6:13).  

It was the blood of this animal sacrifice that was sprinkled on the altar as a reminder that there is no remission for sin except by the shedding of blood. 

Jesus, of course, became the ultimate expression of a burnt offering – His blood sprinkled on the altar, night and day bridging the once impassable gulf between man and God.  Sin was and is covered by His sacrifice and an intimacy with God is enjoyed for those who have received His gift.

OK but what about Paul’s poured offering?

He was referencing the “drink offering” which involved a cup of good quality wine, ranging in volume from 1.5 to 3 quarts.   It was never offered alone but was given in tandem with the burnt offerings.  The priest would pour out the wine around the altar where the fire had consumed the lamb of sacrifice. 

Like the burnt offering, it was completely expended.  There was nothing left afterwards.  

So, Paul compared himself to a drink offering as if to say: “Jesus, the burnt offering for my sins, has given me peace with God.  I, therefore, become a drink offering to accompany His sacrifice.  Out of gratitude I sacrificially pour myself out, all of me, in service for God’s glory and for the good of others who need to be redeemed.”

Paul went on to tell Timothy, “I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! Finally, the crown of righteousness is reserved for me.”  – 2 Timothy 4:7-8

So powerful.  Paul told the young man that he had done it.  Paul had poured himself out – a living sacrifice throughout his years of ministry.  He had withheld nothing.  Jesus got it all. 

I am awed that Paul could say such things, and that it would be recorded in the eternal Word of God for us to read today. 

Makes me wonder what I may be withholding!

A PRAYER: Lord help me find the cork in my life that keeps me from being fully poured out.

This has been Jim Johnson with pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Scripture passages are from the NET Bible ®