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
skip church — November 13, 2024

skip church

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Jesus had every reason to skip church!  

OK technically Jesus did not go to church, but He was actively involved in His local synagogue (Luke 4:16).  That was how Jews in the first century kept the Sabbath day holy. 

Each Saturday He would join the congregation to sing Psalms, read Scripture, listen to a message and pray (and maybe go out to eat at the Golden Corral afterwards).  In fact, He was often invited to speak Himself. 

During His ministry years, Jesus made His home in Capernaum (Matt 4:13).  The Biblical record finds Him in the local synagogue very often. 

But here’s what puzzles me. Jesus had lots of reasons not to go.

For instance:  The building there had no heat or AC and it was crowded and full of smelly people that rarely bathed (Mark 2:1-2) and there was a gaping big hole in the roof (Mark 2:4).  And the seating was horrendous.  The pews in every synagogue back then were flat blocks of cold stone (Oh my hemorrhoids). 

As for the people, well, there was a crazy guy in the congregation who was demon possessed and when he spoke, it sent icy shivers down one’s spine (Luke 4:33-34).  But then that guy got serious with God and became what you might call a holy roller (Luke 4:35).

And then there were also two long-time members in the congregation who were serious hotheads.  They were nicknamed the Sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17).  You didn’t want to sit next to one of them.    

The culture of the congregation was toxic.  It was all about do’s and dont’s – what you could eat and when you could work.  And – if you were a woman, you were required to sit in the back while all the men sat up front. 

The folks in general, were shameless takers.  The congregation drained Jesus for everything they could get out of Him (Mark 1:32-37) and then deserted Him when He needed them (John 6:59-66). 

As for the leaders – they were the worst.  They were all about the money (Matthew 17:24-27).  Most were hypocritical, heartless nitpickers that focused on the rules and neglected compassion (Mark 2:5-7).

And sadly, Jesus didn’t have a best friend in the congregation and in fact was personally disliked by many there and sometimes even laughed at (Mark 5:40). 

Now these issues feel familiar to us, don’t they?  Because we have experienced one or more of them at our local churches – and some of us are maybe wrestling with them now. 

So why didn’t Jesus quit going?  If I were Him, I might have stayed at home and watched a tele-rabbi on TV.  Or maybe I would gather others who were disenchanted and do a home synagogue (with padded stone benches).

But not Jesus!  He was ever faithful to be there.  He loved the Father and He demonstrated that through His obedience.  He was there for His Father, not the congregation.   He kept holy the Lord’s Day even at the famously flawed synagogue of Capernaum!  I bet he even dropped some cash in the basket.

This doesn’t mean He approved of everything that happened in that place.  He did not in fact.  Yet He was faithful to attend there, or when traveling, at some other synagogue.  

God expects His people today to be in relationship with a local church.  He expects us to be regularly involved. His word to us is Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near.” – NETBible®

We may have a thousand legitimate reasons to stay home, but we have one supreme reason to go – to honor the will of the one who saved us.

I’ll see you at church!

A PRAYER: Lord, help me keep my eyes on you and not on the congregation.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

the secret of Chick-fil-A — November 6, 2024

the secret of Chick-fil-A

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I passed by the Chick-fil-A today.  As usual the drive-through was jam-packed with fowl-hungry feeders. 

I sometimes wonder why the chain is so successful.  True, the food is tasty, and the employees are friendly. But I suspect the most important factor has to do with their practice of closing on Sundays.

Obviously, the Lord has blessed their commitment to honor the Lord’s Day, but I think there is more.  You see, when we drive by a Chick-fil-A store, we experience a subconscious urge – a thought that goes something like this: “I can’t always get this when I want it, so I’m gonna get me some right now.”

Let’s face it – we are chicken hoarders.

But seriously, the fear of going without, tends to fuel a stockpile syndrome within us.  That pallet of post-Covid toilet paper in your garage is proof enough.

The prices these days only seem to exaggerate this tendency.  The cost of the basics jump up every week. We want to buy 3 of an item at the current price because we know it will be more expensive the next time.  

I was shocked recently to find that my car insurance went down by a couple dollars.  .05% to be exact. I nearly cried tears of joy.

OK, but what if we had an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-caring, greater than life God, who would intervene and actively care for us?  Would that be enough to quiet that fear?

According to Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ and His disciples were well overdue for some R&R time.   So, they took a cruise on the sea of Galilee to a lonely place to be by themselves (6:31) But the ambitious mob that followed Him, took off on foot, and intercepted them on the other side.    

Jesus saw them and understood their desperate need.  Mark says, “He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (6:34).  Because of that compassion, He reengaged and began to feed them with His life-giving teaching.

It turned out to be an all-day session.  The sun began to dip beneath the sea and His disciples wanted to wrap things up because it was dinner time.  They were in a desolate place, and they told Jesus that the people were hungry. Or maybe it’s because the disciples were hungry. 

There wasn’t enough money to feed the multitude and even if there was, the nearest bodega was many miles away.  Of course, that’s when Jesus decided that He would literally take things into His own hands, by miraculously multiplying the 5 loaves and 2 fish.

But what I find curious is that the event started with some instructions, “Then He directed them all to sit down in groups on the green grass” Mark 6:39.

How peculiar!  Why specify that they needed to be seated on “green grass?”  Why was this minor detail so important to Jesus? 

Well maybe because green grass is not necessarily common there.   The land is brimming with rocks and dirt.  There is green for a short part of the year until the heat quickly turns the grass brown.   But evidently there was some green grass nearby, and Jesus insisted that they get off the rocks and dirt and sit upon the grass.

Why? Well, where else would you expect sheep to be when it was dinner time?  Those sheep without a shepherd were led to graze in green pastures by the Good Shepherd who deeply loved them and made sure they had what they needed.

I believe Jesus wanted them to connect their experience with Psalm 23 where David wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” (Psalm 23:1-2) KJV

What a wonderful picture of Jesus our Good Shepherd!

Hey, maybe it’s time for us to lose the hoarding mentality.  Let’s leave the rocks and dirt behind and trust Him to provide the green grass.

A PRAYER: Lord, we want to trust You and your provision.  Please strengthen our faith!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Scripture passages are from the NETBible ® unless otherwise noted.

what’s new? — October 30, 2024

what’s new?

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I have always driven used cars. I could probably afford a new one – but I won’t.  I would never buy a new car for several reasons, but the one that matters most to me is the angst that comes with it. 

You see, when I get something new, I want it to stay new, to smell and to look new and to run like it’s new.  But life just doesn’t work that way, especially when it comes to a car.  A week after you leave the dealer’s lot, there is a ding in the door and a chip in the windshield. 

It’s the second law of thermodynamics.  Things go from order to disorder.  I was running my defroster on one bitter cold day, when right before my eyes, my windshield began to self-destruct.   

The pointless work of trying to preserve the newness of a new car would give me a nervous breakdown.  And I am not the only one. 

I know of a well-to-do man in Arlington Texas who buys a new car every 2-3 years.  When he pulls the car into his garage, he grabs a hammer and puts a deliberate ding in the door.   

He does this with every new car.  Why?  To eliminate the stress of trying to stave off what is inevitable.  The car is going to get dinged sooner or later, so why not eliminate the anxiety up front and enjoy the car.

We relish the new!  We do!  Even with our bodies, we try to preserve what was once new – with creams and nips and tucks, and vitamins and workouts.  However, I still tend to look like my cracked windshield.   

But there is good news ahead.  One day God will wrap up His master plan for this universe.  The Lord revealed the future to John the apostle who recorded it in the book of the Revelation. 

In chapter 21 we find that Jesus had returned to the earth to establish His Kingdom.  He had already rendered judgment on those who had rejected Him.  The new heaven and earth had displaced the old, and divine tissues were wiping away the tears. 

Then we read this, “And the one seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new!” – Revelation 21:5. Jesus, from His throne will one day declare, “I am making all things new!” 

That’s amazing.  There is a time ahead for us when all things will be made new.  The old, worn out, compromised, degraded things of this world (including us) will be made new.  It’s the New Deal.

But that’s not all.  The newness is perpetual.   Let me share a grammar lesson that will make you grin instead of groan.

The verb, “make” is in the present tense.  It is not “have made” or “will make” but “I am in process of making all things new.” 

It is an ongoing endeavor.  So when will He be finished?  How long could it take an omnipotent God to make all things new?  Well, He could do it in the blink of an eye.  Any faster and He would catch up to yesterday. 

So, evidently Jesus promises that this newness, will be in a constant state of renewal.  His almighty creative energy will fuel and sustain it.  Never again will things or people be degraded.

Some of us are concerned that heaven will be boring.  I don’t think so – not if the one in charge promises to continually make all things new. 

This sounds too good to be true doesn’t it.  In fact, I think even John may have wondered, which is why Jesus immediately followed up with these words, He said, “Write it down, because these words are reliable and true.” – Revelation 21:6

He said, “Write it down John, in the book of Revelation.  I want everyone to know this and be encouraged by it.”

And that includes me and you too!

A PRAYER:  It seems that everything in this life is wasting away.  Come Lord, and make all things new. 

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 matter of the heart — October 23, 2024

a matter of the heart

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A week ago, they checked me into the ER and I had to answer a barrage of questions.  I found out later, when reading my chart, that they mistakenly listed my race as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.

Hmm!  The last time I looked in the mirror I was Caucasian.  I didn’t know that they could medically change your race – not that I wouldn’t mind being a Native Hawaiian with their beautiful bronzed skin and superb surfing skills

But there I was in the ER with telltale chest pain.  The cardiologist found that my enzymes were up, and they needed to quickly perform a heart cath. 

Two stents later I woke up to a nurse asking me, “What is your name?”  I groggily replied her, “James Johnson.”  She asked, “Do you know where you are at?”  I said, “Yeah – the Whitehouse?”    She looked at my wife Sharie with alarm who assured her I was kidding.

Yep, I had me a heart attack.  It was quite a surprise!   Each year I would get a physical exam and my numbers were always good.  Cholesterol was in check and blood pressure good. My primary doc told me “Whatever you are doing keep it up!”   I replied, “You mean not eating right or exercising?”  (I really said that.) 

As I lay in the ER room groaning with pain, I was glad to have my sweet wife by my side as well as my wonderful daughter.  They laid hands on me and prayed. 

I was also comforted knowing that my Jesus was with me.  I was not afraid – in pain yes, but not afraid.  In fact, that verse from Philippians kept skipping through my mind, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” – Phil 1:21. NIV

I have preached to others the significance of that verse.  I have quoted it and explained it at many funeral services.   I wanted folks to know that the most fearful thing is not death, but a prolonged life on this planet locked into a degrading body.  Death is God’s merciful way of releasing us of that burden and ushering us into a much sweeter and better existence with Him. 

Ah, but of course it is easy to talk about such a transition, another to travel it.  So, there I was, not sure where the next few hours would take me.  But, in looking back, I am pleased that my thoughts were on my Lord. 

And He sovereignly decided that I needed to stay on for a bit longer and experience the words, “to live is Christ.” 

Thanks to Jesus and my daily dose of baby aspirin my heart sustained no permanent damage.  This was truly welcome news. 

But the episode was certainly an inconvenience.  I am semi-retired, but I am busy with ministry.  I care for folks as Hospice chaplain; I still preach and teach some; Sharie, Brenda Waskowiak and I are busy singing the praises of Jesus 3-4 times a month.  So, I wondered why the Lord would put all that in jeopardy. 

He had His reasons.  I suppose it was something like this, “Jim I still have a good deal of work that I want you to do.  You need to take care of your body so that you’ll be around to do it.” 

I was released from the hospital the day after the stents – and the day after that, I went for a brisk 30-minute walk.   I may also have to reduce my intake of Bluebell. 

Thanks to those of you who found out through the grapevine of my heart attack and inquired and prayed.  Thanks also to the excellent team of health care professionals at Longview Regional Hospital.  

Oh, and by the way – if a week goes by, and I have not posted another installment of pickleheavenpress, either I had a senior moment or I have moved on to that place of gain – and you can be happy for me.

A PRAYER: God I am thankful for an extended opportunity to serve You.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord be with you always.

pinky toe — October 17, 2024

pinky toe

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I was in church one day and the pastor got to his feet and began preaching about his feet. He cited 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul compared the body of Christ to a human body. 

Paul argued that every part of the body is necessary.  He wrote, “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor in turn can the head say to the foot, “I do not need you.” On the contrary, those members that seem to be weaker are essential” – 1 Corinthians 12: 21-22.

Pastor said, “You may be a pinky toe, but even you are important” (I wonder why he looked at me when he said that?)

A pinky toe?  Well, the only time you ever notice a pinky toe is when you stub it on a table leg.  Is it really that important? 

Well, I found an article on the internet titled, “Surprise, Your Pinky Toe Does Serve a Purpose” by Alia Hoyt

She says the foot has a tripod of balance which consists of the heel, pinky toe knuckle and big toe knuckle. To lose any one of those elements would incline us to topple and inhibit our ability to skip, run or walk.

“The purpose of the pinky toe is to provide balance and propulsion,” says podiatrist Dr. Bruce Pinker (with a name like Pinker I guess he should know). As one takes a step, the foot rolls from the outside to inside. This motion helps us “push off” to the next step.  When the pinky is harmed, the gait is affected.  If it were missing, we could stumble and fall.

So those little pinkies are very important.  Sure, a person could lose one and learn to compensate, but God’s original design requires a pinky on each foot.

And God’s design for his body, the church, includes pinkies too. But you may be thinking that you are nothing but a stinky picky. 

But wait! Paul wrote, “those members that seem to be weaker are essential, and those members we consider less honorable we clothe with greater honor (23).

So who decided who got to be the face and the ears and the pinkies.  Paul said, “God has placed each of the members in the body just as He decided.” (18)  No part is more essential than another.   Without the pinky the face might fall on his face.

Pastors consider pinkies a plus in their congregations.  Like the toe, they are the kind of people that the rest of us tend to take for granted – those that clean the church, and care for the infants; and greet visitors at the door.  All are super necessary to the work of the church. 

Like the toe in my shoe, they are the kind of people who are usually hidden.  They make visits to the homes of the sick, and prepare the after meals for the funerals, and pray daily for the church.   Oh, how we need these people.

But listen!  Sometimes we are mean to our pinkies and jam them into pointy toed shoes.  Bursitis, bunions, hammertoes and corns can result.  The throbbing pain that is produced nearly cripples us.  A reminder that pinky toes and pinky people need TLC too.

The most important thing to note, however, is summed up in verse 27, “Now you are Christ’s body, and each of you is a member of it.” 

Each one of us is an essential member of the body of Christ, placed in a local congregation with a purpose to serve.  You may have a good idea how God has equipped you.  Great – plug in at church and do what God created you to do.    

Maybe you aren’t sure where you fit.  Pick a place of ministry and get on board.  Ask God to equip you for success.  He will, and you find a pleasure in serving that will surprise you.

I pinky swear it!

A PRAYER: Lord, I truly enjoy serving you in pinky capacities.  Thank you for inviting me in.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com   

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you

Scripture references are from the NET Bible.

horns… — October 9, 2024

horns…

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That’s one sure way to mess up a sacred hymn!

The congregation was singing, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”   I smugly congratulated myself because I knew the words by heart and didn’t need the hymnal. 

My soul welled up within me as we joined our voices for the powerful chorus.  “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.”  Only the words that escaped my mouth were, “All I have needed MY hand hath provided.”   

Now I know what you are thinking, “He didn’t really do that!”  Oh, but I did!  But hey at least my substitute word rhymed!  And you are right!  I should have used the hymnal. 

Now I didn’t do it deliberately, but I wonder if I did it subconsciously.  I mean, let’s face it, I am not the only person in this world who gives themselves more credit than they deserve.

Sure, God provides, but where would He be without me!   Such insolence.

It reminds of something I recently came across in my reading of Scripture.  The Lord was speaking when He said, “To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.  Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck'” Ps 75:4-5.  (New International Version)

God knows all things, so He certainly knows that people do not have horns – at least most of us. So, this is obviously a figure of speech.  He compared an arrogant person to a beast with a horn. 

He seems to have had in mind the ibex, wild mountain goats that have always inhabited the higher elevations of Israel.  The males happen to have enormously long horns that erupt from their skull and curve backward and down.  Their horns are clearly their most dominating and intimidating feature. 

These goats primarily use their horns to do battle.  They attack by lowering their heads and sweeping their horns upward in what is called a horn swipe.  This is done to strike and gore an opponent. They also frequently butt their heads together to establish a pecking order within the herd.  The best horn butter wins. 

I understand that a battle is typically preceded by each goat lifting his head on high as a taunt, as if to display the power and strength they bring to the battle. 

The ibex is admired in modern Israel.  It has become the logo of the National Nature and Parks Authority.  I have been to Israel and have seen the proud ibex standing erect on a distant cliff, with head lifted and horns on display. 

Of course, the horns of the ibex are it source of strength.  If the goat could boast, he would toot his horns.

So, the Lord spoke to His people as if they had something in common with the ibex.  He warned them against arrogance – to silence their boasting – to lower their horns and to cease using them as a threat.  He willed them to walk humbly with their God.

Our world today could use an infusion of that kind of humility.  In politics there is an awful lot of head butting going on.  The horns are polished and brazenly displayed on the campaign trail. 

Horns are often lifted in the church as well, as various folks battle for their personal agendas. 

Sometimes a married couple will lock horns – embroiled in a battle to have their own wills prevail. 

And there are times when children are gored by an egotistical dad that doesn’t have it in him to say, “I am sorry” when the occasion requires it. 

I am thinking that we ought to join Job the OT patriarch.  In his humility he declared, “I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and buried my horn in the dust.”  Job 16:15  NETBible ®

He was wrestling with the futility of butting heads with God.  He abandoned his pride – buried his horn in the dust.  

I wonder if there is still room in that hole for ours. 

A PRAYER: Lord, make us aware of the pride that hides within us. 

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Graphic from T. Voekler: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Capra_ibex_ibex.jpg

where to hide? — October 2, 2024

where to hide?

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After I had preached at church one Sunday, when a lady approached me and said, “I have been visiting here for several weeks, and I must tell you something! “ 

Of course I am ready to hear, “We just love this church.”  But that’s not what came out.  She said, “You are youngest looking old person I have ever seen.”  What?  I was about 50 at the time – at an age where I still thought I was 30. 

But things tend to balance out over time.  I have now passed the 70 thresh hold – definitely old!   And I was visiting a senior living facility recently where I learned that one of the residents there refers to me as, “the kid with the mustache.”   Wow!  That’s nice, unless she was commenting on my level of maturity. 

People perceive and sometimes misperceive us.   I wonder though, how we appear to God?   I suppose the answer depends on where we choose to hide.

My mind races back to the garden.  Adam and Eve were given a veritable Eden in which to dwell – blessings and privileges over which we salivate today.  They had the most open and honest relationship with God any two human beings have ever experienced.  They had but one rule by which to abide – but abide they did not. 

The text says, “…she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some of it to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.  Then the eyes of both of them opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves” – Genesis 3:6-7.

They blew it!  The innocence that once defined them was instantly and forever lost.  They were embarrassed by their fallen condition and thought they could hide it with a fig leaf frock.   

And then the Almighty approached them. “… the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” The man replied, “I heard you moving about in the orchard, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid” (3:9-10).

Their fig leaf fashions weren’t enough.  They hid themselves in the fig tree forest – but the piercing eyes of God saw them.  They were naked in more ways than one.  The righteousness that once clothed them had been shredded into rags. 

We know how that feels don’t we?  There are things that we have done that prompt us to run for cover – to hide from the glare of God.  We knew better but we did it anyway and the guilt of it still clings like a sweaty T-shirt.  

There is just nowhere to hide from God – but – we can hide – in God. 

Paul wrote to the Colossians about how to overcome sin.   The church had already pledged their faith to Jesus.  They belonged to Him. Which is why Paul could say to them, “You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” – Colossians 3:3.

They were dead but alive.  They spiritually died with Christ on the cross and were then raised in new life with Him (Galatians 2:20).   Therefore, it could be said that their lives were hidden with Christ in God.

The fig leaves could not mask the ugliness of Adam’s sin from the Almighty. But when He looks upon the one who has trusted in Christ, He sees them through the person of Christ.  They are hidden, enveloped by Christ’s righteousness. 

When my grandson facetimes me, he obsessively uses a feature that replaces his image with a cartoon image.  The image mimics his movement, but all I see of him is the image.

Likewise, when God looks at the believer, He sees us through the character and righteousness of Jesus – and He is delighted. It is the best hiding place ever!  Safe, secure and serene. 

So where is it that you are hiding? 

A Prayer:  Lord, I love the security of being “hidden in Christ.”  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 ®

lip prints — September 25, 2024

lip prints

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There is an oft repeated story about some middle school girls in Oregon who discovered lipstick. They would sneak it out of the house each morning and apply it in the bathroom at school.  They finished by pressing their adorned lips to the mirror leaving behind dozens of glossy lip prints.

Eventually the principal summoned them to the bathroom for a lecture.  She introduced the janitor and told them how tough it was for him to remove the mess each day.

He was asked to demonstrate.  So, he took out a long-handled brush, dipped it in the toilet, and scrubbed the mirror clean. 

So clever!  The principal stole the shine from their prank with a stark dose of reality.  Fortunately, God has done the same thing for us with the story of King David.  

David is one of the greats of the Bible.  He was visionary, a phenomenal political leader, a celebrated musician, a military genius, and certainly a spiritual giant.  But he was not perfect. 

God gave instructions for men like him who would rule Israel as King.  He said, “Furthermore, he must not marry many wives lest his affections turn aside” – Deuteronomy 17:17.

David the King was clearly a man who valued God’s Word, and yet he avoided this verse.   He came to possess at least 7 different wives to produce sons and many female concubines to provide sex (2 Samuel 5:13).

It was this craving for the sensuous that caused him to lock his eyes on Bathsheba as she bathed on the rooftop of her home.   This led to an adulterous liaison with her, a pregnancy, and then the cover up, including the manipulated death of her husband. 

He had an appetite that was consuming him. So, Nathan the prophet confronted duplicitous David outlining 3 dreadful consequences to his sin. 

1. Bloodshed would become David’s legacy.  2 Samuel 12:10-12

         Nathan said, “So now the sword will never depart from your house. For you have despised me by taking the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your own!”  (10)  David introduced bloodshed to eliminate Bathsheba’s husband.  His son Absalom would later come to slay his brother. 

2. David’s household would be violated  

Nathan said, “Right before your eyes I will take your wives and hand them over to your companion. He will go to bed with your wives in broad daylight!  (12:11) David brought his lusts into his home and those lusts would infect those in his home.  His son Amnon would rape his sister.  His son Absalom would lead a rebellion and take David’s throne and violate his concubines. 

3. The whole mess would be public. 

Nathan went on, “Although you have acted in secret, I will do this thing before all Israel, and in broad daylight” (12:12).  David conducted his sin in secret, but Absalom would violate David’s concubines in public on the same roof from where David ogled Bathsheba.

Welcome to the restroom!   The janitor has just washed the mirror with toilet water.  By honestly revealing the details of David’s story, we can see that sin brings devastating and disgusting consequences.  God intended this for us as a warning to avoid sin and to respond in obedience to every portion of His Word.  

But what about the past?  Is there still hope?  There is! “Then David exclaimed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord!” Nathan replied to David, “Yes, and the Lord has forgiven your sin” (12:13).   God is incredibly gracious and merciful to the one who is honest enough to face their sin. 

According to the apostle John, we can do the same thing today.  He wrote, “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing” – 1 John 1:9.

The mirrors in that middle school were never smudged again with lip prints. The girls learned their lesson.  May we be as wise.

A Prayer:  Lord, sin looks so good but leaves us feeling so bad.  Help us please!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

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

Scripture passages are from the NETBible®

the clueless coach — September 17, 2024

the clueless coach

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When I was a kid, soccer was something you did to your sister. 

I had never actually touched a soccer ball until the first day of practice, but I had a first grader who was an aspiring Pele.  The coach concluded that first session with a plea.  He needed parents to serve as assistant coaches.  I got volunteered! 

Three times a week I showed up and ran the kids through the drills that the coach assigned.  They learned to dribble, pass, juggle, trap and do something called headers.

And I did my best to coach them with insightful commands such as, “Run faster; quit picking your nose and pay attention” and, “you kicked the ball in the wrong goal!”

Well, we did not have a winning season.  But the parents and kids were all very appreciative.  They gave thoughtful gifts to each of the coaches. Mine was a book – “Soccer for Dummies” and I am not kidding either.

The end of the season was kind of late to discover that there was an instruction manual available to me.

Now most of us are busy with things that are far more complicated and consequential than soccer.  Some are working through the snags of marriage.  Others are piloting the waters of parenting.  Some are overwhelmed by the challenges of the workplace.  Many of us are trying to pay the bills with a paltry income and some are spiritually ambitious but stuck.

What we need to know, is that the God who individually crafted us, has given us a fantastic resource to help us succeed.   Psalm 119 is a song that magnifies the value of the Word of God for life. 

For instance, this is where we find written, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” – Psalm 119:105. 

But also written there is this very interesting thought, “And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts” – Ps 119:45.

How incredibly ironic!   The Psalmist tells us that he lived a liberated life- a life of success and freedom – because he fastidiously was focused on knowing and living the truths that are written in the Word of God. 

He understood that the training he got in his home was insufficient.  He knew that his schooling was sometimes skewed.  He listened to podcasts that were broadcast by people with their own set of problems.  He knew that. 

So, he wisely zeroed in on that one singular inspired resource that provides flawless wisdom.

So many today want freedom but they believe it comes by improvising on the truth or even ignoring it altogether.  The Psalmist tells us that an enjoyable and effective life comes from closely adhering to the Word of God.

And it’s all there.  Fulfilling Marriage?  We are told to love and respect one another and are given particulars on how to do it in Ephesians 4:25-32 and 5:25-33.  Pleasant Parenting?  There are answers in Ephesians 6:4.

What about work?  “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” – Colossians 3:23.

We even have a financial advisor in the Bible.  For instance it says, “The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered” – Proverbs 11:25 (NASU).

Of course, it all is funneled through our spiritual frame of reference which is why Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” – Matthew 6:33.

The Scripture portions that I cited are not magic bullets but prime samples of the vast storehouse of wisdom in the Word of God.

Here’s the thing.  When your season ends, you don’t want to be given a Bible that is subtitled, “Life for Dummies.”   Pick it up now and experience liberty in your life.

A PRAYER:  Lord, I was almost twenty when I finally discovered, “Life for Dummies.” Thank you for your patience and the gift.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you

Scripture references are from the New King James Bible unless otherwise noted.

my redneck tesla — September 11, 2024

my redneck tesla

/pickleheavenpress

I decided to convert an old Toyota Sienna into a camper van.  My kids thought I was crazy (and I guess I am).  I had fun doing the conversion myself.  Now folks who follow behind me on the road may be puzzled by the 3-prong household plug that pokes out of my van.   I tell people that’s where I connect my redneck Tesla to the charging station.

Power is necessary to redneck Teslas and to Christians in general.  Our gracious God understands this, and He provided the Holy Spirit to be our charging station.

So, what do we know about the Holy Spirit?   He is not an “it” or a “something,” nor is He the holy “influence” of the Father.  Seven times Jesus referred to Him as a “He” in John 16.  For instance, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13).  He is a full-fledged person possessing intellect, emotion, and a will.  

Granted, He is a different kind of person, existing as a spirit.   But He has the capacity to manifest Himself in a physical form such as He did at the Baptism of Jesus.  Then He appeared in a form that compared to a dove (Matthew 3:16).  

What’s more is that He is a “holy” Spirit – a member of our triune Godhead.  He possesses the same attributes as God.  He is all knowing (1 Corinthians 2:10-12); all powerful (Job 33:4); omnipresent (John 14:16); and eternal (Hebrews 9:14).

All three were present at the Baptism of Jesus.  The Father spoke from heaven, the Spirit descended from heaven, as the Son was dipped in the waters of the Jordan (Matthew 3:16-17)

And He plays an extremely important role in the life of the believer.  When Jesus ascended to heaven, He made sure that His replacement descended and took up residence in the life of a every born-again Christian.  The apostles and their brethren were gifted on the day of Pentecost.  Believers today receive Him the moment we come to faith (Ephesians 1:13).

His role is to teach us (John 16:14); to convict us of sin (John 16:8); to intercede for us (Romans 8:26) to guide us (John 16:13); to gift us (1 Corinthians 12:4-11); and especially to empower us.

Before Jesus left, He wanted His disciples to know that the Spirit would be sent to energize their efforts.  He told them to, “Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” – Luke 24:49. Like an American Express Card, they were not to leave home without it.

This Pentecostal power filled their prayers so that the supernatural became a reality (Acts 12:5-8). It bathed them in courage and conviction to be bold witnesses of the risen Christ (Acts 1:8).  It strengthened their battered hopes (Romans 15:13); and provided a means with which to resist the caustic influence of sin (Ephesians 3:14-21). He empowered them, and today empowers us to live victorious lives.

And this power is continuously supplied.  We don’t need to stop every 272 miles and plug into an EV charging station and sit there baking beneath the windshield for 10 hours. 

This power is always there for us, unless we should offend the Spirit.   Because this power comes through a person, we can sometimes disappoint and even grieve that person through spiritual insensitivity, disobedience or rejection (Ephesians 4:30).  When this happens, the power goes poof!

And there amid the 12- lane highway of life, during rush hour, with the draft of semis shaking our car – we helplessly sit – powerless.   

But because He is a gracious and forgiving God, He welcomes a contrite plea for forgiveness and will respond to a request to be filled again (Ephesians 5:18).  He is our recharging station, and how blessed we are that He resides within us. 

If your spiritual batteries are full, good for you!  If not, talk to the Holy Spirit about it.   

A Prayer: Lord, more power please!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you!

Scripture passages are from the NETBible®