James Collins's Blog: The Point Is..., page 4
October 31, 2020
Forgive Me, Father
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”1 John 1:7
The first thing Larry said to me was, “Forgive me, Padre, for I have sinned.” For this story to make sense, I need to back up and start at the beginning. I served for many years as a United States Army Chaplain. Military Chaplains can wear the symbol of their faith on their uniforms. For example, a Jewish Rabbi Chaplain wears the Star of David.
As a Christian who is Baptist, I wore the Cross. Roman Catholic Chaplains also wear the Cross. Because we both wore the Cross, there were times people wrongly assumed I was a Catholic Priest.
It happened once when I was serving in Iraq. I had been traveling for several hours in a convoy of up-armored vehicles. When I reached our base, I had to go to the bathroom. There were two portable toilets just inside the base. I am not sure what the proper name is for a portable toilet, but we called them Porta Potties. There were two Porta Potties sitting side by side just inside the base. As I made my way to one, I noticed a soldier, looking intently at me. I didn’t know it, but he was looking at the cross on my uniform. He thought I was a Catholic Priest.
I was inside one of the Porta Potties when I heard the door to the other one open. Someone stepped inside and yelled through the wall, “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.”
He was trying to use the Porta Potties as a confessional booth.
Another time, I was visiting a friend in the Veteran’s Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. The effects of very intense combat had left my friend a shell of a man. He was in the hospital being treated for PTSD.
To get to the VA Hospital Psychiatric Ward, you must go through several layers of security. As I was going through security, I noticed a patient staring at me through the glass. When I got inside, the man walked up and said, “Forgive me, Padre, for I have sinned.” I smiled and asked him his name. He answered, “Larry.” Then he said, “I really need to talk.” I wanted to tell him I was not a Catholic Priest, but he started telling me his story before I got the chance.
Larry was a Vietnam Veteran. He was carrying a ton of guilt. He felt guilty for things he did in the war. Most of all, he felt guilty for the choices he made in life after the war. He became an alcoholic and lived on the streets.
One day, Larry called home. His mom said, “Son, I am sick. Please come home.” Larry took a long time coming home. When he finally arrived, he was too late. His mom was dead.
Larry tried to pull his life together. He sobered up and got married. Soon he was a father to a beautiful baby girl. For a while, things were looking up. Life was good until he started drinking again.
Larry couldn’t keep a job. He missed too much work because he was constantly hungover. After a while, nobody would hire him. So, his wife worked, and he stayed home with their daughter.
One time, the baby wouldn’t stop crying. In a fit of rage, Larry violently shook his little girl. When he realized what he was doing, he put the baby down, and he walked out. He left his wife, his child, and his home. He went back to living on the streets. Eventually, he ended up in a prescription drug induced daze at the Shreveport, VA Hospital.
Larry talked for two hours, and as he told his story, both of us cried. Finally, he said to me again, “Forgive me Padre, for I have sinned.” I said, “I can’t forgive you, but Jesus Christ, Whom I serve, can and will forgive you.”
I put my hand on his shoulder and prayed for him. As I prayed, I could feel the tension leaving his body. When I finished his face looked brighter. There was a difference in him. He smiled at me and said, “It’s been a long time since I had something to smile about.”
We stood up. I hugged him and said, “I will be praying for you.”
Two weeks later, I went back to the VA Hospital. When I walked into the Psychiatric Ward, a nurse yelled at me, “You! The doctor wants to talk to you!” I thought, “Oh no. What did I do? Why would the doctor want to talk to me?”
The nurse ushered me into the doctor’s office. “We saw you talking with Larry the other day,” he said. “What did you do to him?”
“I didn’t do anything.” I innocently replied.
“Larry is completely off all medications.”
“That’s great!”
“Yes, it is. He is being discharged. He seems like a different person.”
“Wonderful!”
“He has contacted his daughter and they have reconciled.”
“That is incredible!”
“He has been going around the hospital with a Gideon Bible and he has been praying for the other patients.”
“Praise God!”
“What did you do to him?”
“Doctor, I didn’t do anything. You have just been out-physicianed by the Great Physician.”
The point is: Jesus Christ, the Great Physician, is still in the healing business. Are you carrying a load of guilt and shame? Do you need forgiveness? The Doctor is in the house.
Take your problems and your sins to Jesus. He is medicine for the weary soul.
James Collins is a pastor, author, teacher, and retired U.S. Army Chaplain. He can be reached through the website www.thepointis.net or by email at james@thepointis.net.
The first thing Larry said to me was, “Forgive me, Padre, for I have sinned.” For this story to make sense, I need to back up and start at the beginning. I served for many years as a United States Army Chaplain. Military Chaplains can wear the symbol of their faith on their uniforms. For example, a Jewish Rabbi Chaplain wears the Star of David.
As a Christian who is Baptist, I wore the Cross. Roman Catholic Chaplains also wear the Cross. Because we both wore the Cross, there were times people wrongly assumed I was a Catholic Priest.
It happened once when I was serving in Iraq. I had been traveling for several hours in a convoy of up-armored vehicles. When I reached our base, I had to go to the bathroom. There were two portable toilets just inside the base. I am not sure what the proper name is for a portable toilet, but we called them Porta Potties. There were two Porta Potties sitting side by side just inside the base. As I made my way to one, I noticed a soldier, looking intently at me. I didn’t know it, but he was looking at the cross on my uniform. He thought I was a Catholic Priest.
I was inside one of the Porta Potties when I heard the door to the other one open. Someone stepped inside and yelled through the wall, “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.”
He was trying to use the Porta Potties as a confessional booth.
Another time, I was visiting a friend in the Veteran’s Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. The effects of very intense combat had left my friend a shell of a man. He was in the hospital being treated for PTSD.
To get to the VA Hospital Psychiatric Ward, you must go through several layers of security. As I was going through security, I noticed a patient staring at me through the glass. When I got inside, the man walked up and said, “Forgive me, Padre, for I have sinned.” I smiled and asked him his name. He answered, “Larry.” Then he said, “I really need to talk.” I wanted to tell him I was not a Catholic Priest, but he started telling me his story before I got the chance.
Larry was a Vietnam Veteran. He was carrying a ton of guilt. He felt guilty for things he did in the war. Most of all, he felt guilty for the choices he made in life after the war. He became an alcoholic and lived on the streets.
One day, Larry called home. His mom said, “Son, I am sick. Please come home.” Larry took a long time coming home. When he finally arrived, he was too late. His mom was dead.
Larry tried to pull his life together. He sobered up and got married. Soon he was a father to a beautiful baby girl. For a while, things were looking up. Life was good until he started drinking again.
Larry couldn’t keep a job. He missed too much work because he was constantly hungover. After a while, nobody would hire him. So, his wife worked, and he stayed home with their daughter.
One time, the baby wouldn’t stop crying. In a fit of rage, Larry violently shook his little girl. When he realized what he was doing, he put the baby down, and he walked out. He left his wife, his child, and his home. He went back to living on the streets. Eventually, he ended up in a prescription drug induced daze at the Shreveport, VA Hospital.
Larry talked for two hours, and as he told his story, both of us cried. Finally, he said to me again, “Forgive me Padre, for I have sinned.” I said, “I can’t forgive you, but Jesus Christ, Whom I serve, can and will forgive you.”
I put my hand on his shoulder and prayed for him. As I prayed, I could feel the tension leaving his body. When I finished his face looked brighter. There was a difference in him. He smiled at me and said, “It’s been a long time since I had something to smile about.”
We stood up. I hugged him and said, “I will be praying for you.”
Two weeks later, I went back to the VA Hospital. When I walked into the Psychiatric Ward, a nurse yelled at me, “You! The doctor wants to talk to you!” I thought, “Oh no. What did I do? Why would the doctor want to talk to me?”
The nurse ushered me into the doctor’s office. “We saw you talking with Larry the other day,” he said. “What did you do to him?”
“I didn’t do anything.” I innocently replied.
“Larry is completely off all medications.”
“That’s great!”
“Yes, it is. He is being discharged. He seems like a different person.”
“Wonderful!”
“He has contacted his daughter and they have reconciled.”
“That is incredible!”
“He has been going around the hospital with a Gideon Bible and he has been praying for the other patients.”
“Praise God!”
“What did you do to him?”
“Doctor, I didn’t do anything. You have just been out-physicianed by the Great Physician.”
The point is: Jesus Christ, the Great Physician, is still in the healing business. Are you carrying a load of guilt and shame? Do you need forgiveness? The Doctor is in the house.
Take your problems and your sins to Jesus. He is medicine for the weary soul.
James Collins is a pastor, author, teacher, and retired U.S. Army Chaplain. He can be reached through the website www.thepointis.net or by email at james@thepointis.net.
October 24, 2020
Periodically
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
I understand people today don’t believe in spanking kids, but I was raised in a different time. Spanking was a daily occurrence for me.
Corporal punishment was still in the public-school system when I was growing up. I used to get spankings at school. At my school, they used the board of education. They used a wooden paddle.
When I was in the eighth-grade, we were studying the periodic table of elements in science. I struggled memorizing the periodic table. I was as lost as a goose in a snowstorm.
Who came up with those abbreviations anyway? Some of them made sense. For example, hydrogen is H. Oxygen is O. But some of them don’t make any sense. Take potassium for example. Potassium is K. There isn’t even a K in the word potassium. Sodium is NA. I thought NA meant “not applicable.” Silver is AG. Isn’t AG the abbreviation for agriculture?
In the eighth-grade, I could not remember the periodic table for the life of me. There was a big test over the periodic table coming up. So, I decided to cheat.
I took an ink pen that was made of clear plastic. I copied out the entire periodic table on a very small piece of paper. Then I rolled up the piece of paper and put it inside the pen. All I had to do was look at the pen for the test answers.
My plan would have worked if not for my cousin, Bubba. Bubba’s real name was Jimmy Joe Jeff Johnny Paul Ray Elmer Junior. But that was a mouthful. We called him Bubba.
Bubba was in Mr. Alford’s Science Class with me. He was sitting in the desk behind me on the day of the test.
When the test started, things were going great. I was filling in all the blanks on the test thanks to the periodic pen.
Suddenly, Bubba whispered, “What’s the abbreviation for Mercury?” I tried to ignore him because I didn’t want to get caught.
He was persistent. He asked again louder, “What’s the abbreviation for Mercury?” I still didn’t answer.
Finally, Bubba stood up and said, “Mr. Alford, my pen quit writing. Can I borrow James’ pen?”
Mr. Alford walked over, took the pen, and marched me out into the hall. Mr. Alford had my pen in one hand and the paddle in the other. It was a bad day after that.
I cheated, got caught, and had to pay the price.
The point is: There are consequences when we sin. When we disobey God, there are consequences. God is just and because He is just, He must punish sin.
The Bible says the wages of sin is death. For the lost, it means death in hell. For the Christian, it can mean physical death pre-maturely. Sometimes God will kill a Christian if that person loses his testimony and lives like a non-Christian. Sin brings physical death.
Sin can also bring death to your marriage, to joy in your life, and to your relationships. Sin destroys. Sin kills.
However, God has given us a gift. God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. Eternal life is waiting for those who call on Him in repentance for salvation. Get off the path that leads to death. Get on the highway to Heaven. Turn to Christ today.
I understand people today don’t believe in spanking kids, but I was raised in a different time. Spanking was a daily occurrence for me.
Corporal punishment was still in the public-school system when I was growing up. I used to get spankings at school. At my school, they used the board of education. They used a wooden paddle.
When I was in the eighth-grade, we were studying the periodic table of elements in science. I struggled memorizing the periodic table. I was as lost as a goose in a snowstorm.
Who came up with those abbreviations anyway? Some of them made sense. For example, hydrogen is H. Oxygen is O. But some of them don’t make any sense. Take potassium for example. Potassium is K. There isn’t even a K in the word potassium. Sodium is NA. I thought NA meant “not applicable.” Silver is AG. Isn’t AG the abbreviation for agriculture?
In the eighth-grade, I could not remember the periodic table for the life of me. There was a big test over the periodic table coming up. So, I decided to cheat.
I took an ink pen that was made of clear plastic. I copied out the entire periodic table on a very small piece of paper. Then I rolled up the piece of paper and put it inside the pen. All I had to do was look at the pen for the test answers.
My plan would have worked if not for my cousin, Bubba. Bubba’s real name was Jimmy Joe Jeff Johnny Paul Ray Elmer Junior. But that was a mouthful. We called him Bubba.
Bubba was in Mr. Alford’s Science Class with me. He was sitting in the desk behind me on the day of the test.
When the test started, things were going great. I was filling in all the blanks on the test thanks to the periodic pen.
Suddenly, Bubba whispered, “What’s the abbreviation for Mercury?” I tried to ignore him because I didn’t want to get caught.
He was persistent. He asked again louder, “What’s the abbreviation for Mercury?” I still didn’t answer.
Finally, Bubba stood up and said, “Mr. Alford, my pen quit writing. Can I borrow James’ pen?”
Mr. Alford walked over, took the pen, and marched me out into the hall. Mr. Alford had my pen in one hand and the paddle in the other. It was a bad day after that.
I cheated, got caught, and had to pay the price.
The point is: There are consequences when we sin. When we disobey God, there are consequences. God is just and because He is just, He must punish sin.
The Bible says the wages of sin is death. For the lost, it means death in hell. For the Christian, it can mean physical death pre-maturely. Sometimes God will kill a Christian if that person loses his testimony and lives like a non-Christian. Sin brings physical death.
Sin can also bring death to your marriage, to joy in your life, and to your relationships. Sin destroys. Sin kills.
However, God has given us a gift. God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. Eternal life is waiting for those who call on Him in repentance for salvation. Get off the path that leads to death. Get on the highway to Heaven. Turn to Christ today.
October 10, 2020
A Winning Team
“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22:3-5
One of my favorite writers is the great Louis L’amour. He wrote a book called Last of the Breed. In the book, the hero was in a lot of trouble. He was being chased by bad guys. He was in Alaska, freezing to death in the snow. He was starving. Things did not look like they were going to end well for the hero.
I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen. So, I looked at the back of the book. In the end, he defeated his enemies. He won.
I have also peeked at the last chapter of the last book in the Bible. Guess what? We win.
There are times you may feel defeated. There are times you may feel like a loser. However, if you’re a Christian, you’ve picked the winning team.
I always wanted to be on a winning team. The few times I played ball, we always lost. The school I went to was very small. We were not very competitive with the larger schools. Still, I wanted to play. Desperately, I wanted to be on a winning team. So, when I was in the seventh grade, I tried out for the middle school basketball team.
In my mind, I was Michael Jordan. In reality, I was the school nerd.
I was tall and skinny - 6’3” tall and 105 pounds. I would have been taller, but so much of me turned down for feet. I wore size thirteen sneakers, but my basketball shoes were too big even for my big feet. They were size fifteen second-hand rejects. I always tripped over my own big feet.
My tank top was also too big. I wore old baggy shorts that would hardly stay up. I was extremely clumsy and awkward.
Despite my lack of coordination, I made the middle school basketball team, and I sat on the bench game after game. I wanted to be a winner. I wanted to get in the game just one time.
I would sit on the bench and dream. I dreamed that the coach looked over at me and said, “Our best player has broken his leg. James, it’s all up to you.”
I ran out on the court. Someone passed me the ball. I took off down the court.
The crowd was screaming. They yelled, “There must be rockets in his shoes!”
Just as the last second ticked off the clock, I jumped up with the basketball and I slammed dunked it. We won the game!
All the cheerleaders ran out. All of them said, “James, would you be my boyfriend?”
That’s what I used to sit on the bench and dream.
One time, I actually got in a game. Someone passed the ball to me. I tucked it under my arm like it was a football. I didn’t dribble. I ran for a touchdown. It was back to the bench for me.
I always wanted to be on a winning team. Thank God, I have won the victory in Christ.
The point is: The day that I repented of my sin and trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior; I joined a winning team. I have looked at the last chapter of the Bible and we win.
If you are on Team Jesus, then you are a winner too.
James Collins is a pastor, author, teacher, and retired U.S. Army Chaplain. He can be reached through the website www.thepointis.net or by email at james@thepointis.net.
One of my favorite writers is the great Louis L’amour. He wrote a book called Last of the Breed. In the book, the hero was in a lot of trouble. He was being chased by bad guys. He was in Alaska, freezing to death in the snow. He was starving. Things did not look like they were going to end well for the hero.
I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen. So, I looked at the back of the book. In the end, he defeated his enemies. He won.
I have also peeked at the last chapter of the last book in the Bible. Guess what? We win.
There are times you may feel defeated. There are times you may feel like a loser. However, if you’re a Christian, you’ve picked the winning team.
I always wanted to be on a winning team. The few times I played ball, we always lost. The school I went to was very small. We were not very competitive with the larger schools. Still, I wanted to play. Desperately, I wanted to be on a winning team. So, when I was in the seventh grade, I tried out for the middle school basketball team.
In my mind, I was Michael Jordan. In reality, I was the school nerd.
I was tall and skinny - 6’3” tall and 105 pounds. I would have been taller, but so much of me turned down for feet. I wore size thirteen sneakers, but my basketball shoes were too big even for my big feet. They were size fifteen second-hand rejects. I always tripped over my own big feet.
My tank top was also too big. I wore old baggy shorts that would hardly stay up. I was extremely clumsy and awkward.
Despite my lack of coordination, I made the middle school basketball team, and I sat on the bench game after game. I wanted to be a winner. I wanted to get in the game just one time.
I would sit on the bench and dream. I dreamed that the coach looked over at me and said, “Our best player has broken his leg. James, it’s all up to you.”
I ran out on the court. Someone passed me the ball. I took off down the court.
The crowd was screaming. They yelled, “There must be rockets in his shoes!”
Just as the last second ticked off the clock, I jumped up with the basketball and I slammed dunked it. We won the game!
All the cheerleaders ran out. All of them said, “James, would you be my boyfriend?”
That’s what I used to sit on the bench and dream.
One time, I actually got in a game. Someone passed the ball to me. I tucked it under my arm like it was a football. I didn’t dribble. I ran for a touchdown. It was back to the bench for me.
I always wanted to be on a winning team. Thank God, I have won the victory in Christ.
The point is: The day that I repented of my sin and trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior; I joined a winning team. I have looked at the last chapter of the Bible and we win.
If you are on Team Jesus, then you are a winner too.
James Collins is a pastor, author, teacher, and retired U.S. Army Chaplain. He can be reached through the website www.thepointis.net or by email at james@thepointis.net.
October 3, 2020
The Best Day Ever
“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” Psalm 103:1
Very few ladies have been as blessed as my wife, Amanda.
Besides the obvious blessing of me rescuing her from being a sad unmarried spinster, there have been many other blessings which have come from our union together. Not the least of which has been the way that I have lavished her by spending money on her. Over the years, I have spared no expense for my sweetie.
For our honeymoon, I took her to the luxurious Jumping Toad Motel in beautiful Frogville, Oklahoma.
In the past two decades, we have dined at extravagant restaurants. We have delighted in the barbeque at Sam’s Pig Stand in Burt Corn, Alabama; fried chicken at the Pretty Foul in Belt Buckle, Tennessee; Mexican food at Nacho Problem in Ding Dong, Texas; and sirloin steaks at the Beef-O-Rama in Greasy Corner, Arkansas.
In our lives together, I have given Amanda many opulent gifts. Amanda’s jewelry box is full of the world’s finest cubic zirconia. The genuine aluminum plated engagement ring I gave her cost at least $17.00. Last year for our anniversary, I surprised her with a top-of-the-line vacuum cleaner from Walmart.
Over the years, I have spared no expense for my sweetie.
The other day, Amanda asked me to go shopping. She said, “It will be fun.” Shopping is not my idea of fun. But if it makes my sweetie happy, okay, I’ll do it. I was ready to indulge her shopping spree and spend a lot of money.
We left early in the morning and spent most of the day in the big city mall. It wasn’t until the stores were closing that we made our way back home. The shopping trip didn’t hurt me financially. She really didn’t spend that much. But it hurt me physically. Over ten hours of being on my feet, following my wife as she ran from store to store, wore two inches off my height.
On the way home, Amanda leaned over and said, “Today has been a great day – one of the best ever.” I thought, “One of the best ever? How could today be better than our wedding day? Or the days our three children were born? How could a day of shopping be better than any of those major life events?” Then it hit me – Amanda spells love T-I-M-E.
Amanda builds her life around me and our children. However, for one day, totally and completely, I built my life around her and what she wanted to do. My willingness and my company made the day special.
I spent time with God this morning… Most of the time I expect God to be with me and He is, but could it be that He appreciates my making time for Him?
The Bible often uses the phrase “bless the Lord.” The Hebrew word translated “bless” literally means “to kneel.” It is a word picture of someone kneeling in worship. To “bless the Lord” means to praise and exalt God. In other words, God is blessed when we spend time with Him – when we focus our complete attention on Him.
The point is: God wants your time. The Lord is glorified when you bless, praise, and acknowledge Him. When was the last time you spent time with the Lord?
Jesus Christ spared no expense when He paid the price to save you from your sins. Why not show Him how thankful you are by spending some time with Him today?
It might just be your best day ever…
James Collins is a pastor, author, teacher, and retired U.S. Army Chaplain. He can be reached through the website www.thepointis.net or by email at james@thepointis.net.
Very few ladies have been as blessed as my wife, Amanda.
Besides the obvious blessing of me rescuing her from being a sad unmarried spinster, there have been many other blessings which have come from our union together. Not the least of which has been the way that I have lavished her by spending money on her. Over the years, I have spared no expense for my sweetie.
For our honeymoon, I took her to the luxurious Jumping Toad Motel in beautiful Frogville, Oklahoma.
In the past two decades, we have dined at extravagant restaurants. We have delighted in the barbeque at Sam’s Pig Stand in Burt Corn, Alabama; fried chicken at the Pretty Foul in Belt Buckle, Tennessee; Mexican food at Nacho Problem in Ding Dong, Texas; and sirloin steaks at the Beef-O-Rama in Greasy Corner, Arkansas.
In our lives together, I have given Amanda many opulent gifts. Amanda’s jewelry box is full of the world’s finest cubic zirconia. The genuine aluminum plated engagement ring I gave her cost at least $17.00. Last year for our anniversary, I surprised her with a top-of-the-line vacuum cleaner from Walmart.
Over the years, I have spared no expense for my sweetie.
The other day, Amanda asked me to go shopping. She said, “It will be fun.” Shopping is not my idea of fun. But if it makes my sweetie happy, okay, I’ll do it. I was ready to indulge her shopping spree and spend a lot of money.
We left early in the morning and spent most of the day in the big city mall. It wasn’t until the stores were closing that we made our way back home. The shopping trip didn’t hurt me financially. She really didn’t spend that much. But it hurt me physically. Over ten hours of being on my feet, following my wife as she ran from store to store, wore two inches off my height.
On the way home, Amanda leaned over and said, “Today has been a great day – one of the best ever.” I thought, “One of the best ever? How could today be better than our wedding day? Or the days our three children were born? How could a day of shopping be better than any of those major life events?” Then it hit me – Amanda spells love T-I-M-E.
Amanda builds her life around me and our children. However, for one day, totally and completely, I built my life around her and what she wanted to do. My willingness and my company made the day special.
I spent time with God this morning… Most of the time I expect God to be with me and He is, but could it be that He appreciates my making time for Him?
The Bible often uses the phrase “bless the Lord.” The Hebrew word translated “bless” literally means “to kneel.” It is a word picture of someone kneeling in worship. To “bless the Lord” means to praise and exalt God. In other words, God is blessed when we spend time with Him – when we focus our complete attention on Him.
The point is: God wants your time. The Lord is glorified when you bless, praise, and acknowledge Him. When was the last time you spent time with the Lord?
Jesus Christ spared no expense when He paid the price to save you from your sins. Why not show Him how thankful you are by spending some time with Him today?
It might just be your best day ever…
James Collins is a pastor, author, teacher, and retired U.S. Army Chaplain. He can be reached through the website www.thepointis.net or by email at james@thepointis.net.
September 26, 2020
Worthless
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
"But I don’t want a dog,” I said. My wife persisted, “Well, I do. Besides, you are gone most of the time. A dog would be good company for me while you’re away.” Amanda reached down and picked up the little stray. As she hugged the dog she said, “He reminds me of Benji from TV.”
Benji was a famous, fluffy, black and tan mixed breed dog. He was marked like a Border Terrier and looked like he was a mix of Miniature Poodle, Cocker Spaniel, and Schnauzer. He first appeared on Television in the show Petticoat Junction. Amanda and I both watched him in a series of Benji movies that were popular when we were kids.
I looked at the dog that my wife was holding. He did look like Benji. I reached out and scratched his head. He wagged his tail and I swear he smiled at me. “Okay,” I said. “We will take the dog.” Amanda smiled and asked, “What do you want to call him?” I replied, “Let’s name him Scruffy.”
Scruffy was a stray. He showed up at Amanda’s parent’s house. They lived out in the country and it was not unusual for strays to show up. Growing up, Amanda took in many strays. She still has a heart for the wayward. Over the years, our home has taken in stray dogs, cats, chickens, and even an occasional homeless person.
I was a young man when Scruffy came to live with us. Amanda and I had only been married for a short time. It was in the years before our kids were born. My military career was taking off and I did travel often. It made me feel better knowing that Amanda had Scruffy to keep her company. Little did I know when Amanda picked Scruffy, he picked me.
Whenever I came home, Scruffy greeted me at the door. When I sat in my recliner, he sat in my lap. When I went to bed, he slept on the end by my feet. When I mowed, he rode on the mower with me. Everywhere I went, Scruffy followed.
Scruffy had absolutely no value, though he cost me $75.00 for his first visit to the veterinarian. He cost me more over the years for shots, licenses, food, treats, and toys.
Scruffy never earned a cent of income for our family…all he ever did was live with Amanda and I and share the early years of our married life.
My heart broke when Scruffy died. I felt like a fool for crying. Whoever heard of a grown man crying over the loss of a worthless stray?
Today, I was cleaning up and I found a picture of Scruffy. I cried again. I still miss him. I guess a little bit of our being in His image is revealed when we love something for no reason.
The point is: God loves you for no reason. There is nothing you can do that can make God love you. He just does.
God’s love for you is greater than all human understanding. God loves you so much that He broke into human history in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He loves you so much that Jesus shed His blood and died on an old rugged cross so that you could be saved.
Whoever heard of God dying for a worthless sinner? But that’s exactly how much God loves you.
Since God loves you for no reason, isn’t it about time you love Him too?
"But I don’t want a dog,” I said. My wife persisted, “Well, I do. Besides, you are gone most of the time. A dog would be good company for me while you’re away.” Amanda reached down and picked up the little stray. As she hugged the dog she said, “He reminds me of Benji from TV.”
Benji was a famous, fluffy, black and tan mixed breed dog. He was marked like a Border Terrier and looked like he was a mix of Miniature Poodle, Cocker Spaniel, and Schnauzer. He first appeared on Television in the show Petticoat Junction. Amanda and I both watched him in a series of Benji movies that were popular when we were kids.
I looked at the dog that my wife was holding. He did look like Benji. I reached out and scratched his head. He wagged his tail and I swear he smiled at me. “Okay,” I said. “We will take the dog.” Amanda smiled and asked, “What do you want to call him?” I replied, “Let’s name him Scruffy.”
Scruffy was a stray. He showed up at Amanda’s parent’s house. They lived out in the country and it was not unusual for strays to show up. Growing up, Amanda took in many strays. She still has a heart for the wayward. Over the years, our home has taken in stray dogs, cats, chickens, and even an occasional homeless person.
I was a young man when Scruffy came to live with us. Amanda and I had only been married for a short time. It was in the years before our kids were born. My military career was taking off and I did travel often. It made me feel better knowing that Amanda had Scruffy to keep her company. Little did I know when Amanda picked Scruffy, he picked me.
Whenever I came home, Scruffy greeted me at the door. When I sat in my recliner, he sat in my lap. When I went to bed, he slept on the end by my feet. When I mowed, he rode on the mower with me. Everywhere I went, Scruffy followed.
Scruffy had absolutely no value, though he cost me $75.00 for his first visit to the veterinarian. He cost me more over the years for shots, licenses, food, treats, and toys.
Scruffy never earned a cent of income for our family…all he ever did was live with Amanda and I and share the early years of our married life.
My heart broke when Scruffy died. I felt like a fool for crying. Whoever heard of a grown man crying over the loss of a worthless stray?
Today, I was cleaning up and I found a picture of Scruffy. I cried again. I still miss him. I guess a little bit of our being in His image is revealed when we love something for no reason.
The point is: God loves you for no reason. There is nothing you can do that can make God love you. He just does.
God’s love for you is greater than all human understanding. God loves you so much that He broke into human history in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He loves you so much that Jesus shed His blood and died on an old rugged cross so that you could be saved.
Whoever heard of God dying for a worthless sinner? But that’s exactly how much God loves you.
Since God loves you for no reason, isn’t it about time you love Him too?
September 12, 2020
I Once Was Blind
“He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see” John 9:25
Many years ago, a family moved to a little Southern town. There were three children in the family, two older daughters and a little boy. The two girls had the responsibility of taking care of their little baby brother.
One day, the girls wanted to go swimming. The town did not have a city pool. Instead, the town’s children swam in a little pond on the edge of town. Their momma said, “Okay, but you have got to watch your brother. You need to be careful with him. And you must always keep an eye on him.” The girls said, “Yes, ma’am,” and ran out the door dragging their little brother behind.
They arrived at the pond and jumped into the water. They had a good time. However, they were new to the community. They didn’t know any of the other kids. So, they were a little stand-offish. Most of the other boys and girls were gathered at one end of the swimming hole. The girls and their little brother were at the other end.
The girls saw some horses just over a little hill. One said to the other, “This pond is not very big. There are lots of kids here. The water is not very deep, and we will be right back. Let’s go pet those horses.” So, they left their little brother unattended. They left their little brother alone and ran over the hill to the horses.
They had only been gone a minute, when they heard their brother thrashing in the water. He screamed, “Somebody help me, I’m drowning! Somebody help me, I’m drowning! Somebody help me!”
They ran back to the pond as fast as they could, but they were too late. When they got there, they saw their brother floating face down in the water. Their little baby brother had drowned.
The sisters were hysterical. Hot tears rolled down their cheeks. They turned to the kids and said, “Why didn’t you save our brother? You could hear him screaming. You were right here in the water with him.”
“He was only a few inches from the bank.” the other kids said. “He could have reached out and grabbed it. We told him over and over to just reach out and grab the bank.”
The girls said through their tears, “Our little brother was blind. Our little brother was blind. He was blind. Every time you told him to reach, he reached the wrong way. He reached out in the wrong direction.”
The point is: All around us, there are people reaching. Some are reaching for alcohol. Some are reaching for drugs. Some are reaching for sexual sins. Some are reaching for immorality. Some are reaching for false religions. All around us, there are people reaching.
Over two-thousand years ago, Jesus healed a blind man. When he was questioned by the religious leaders, the man who had been blind said, “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” Jesus can still give sight to those who are blindly reaching.
Reach out and take a hand that is reaching the wrong way and pull that hand toward the Lord Jesus Christ.
James Collins is a pastor, teacher, chaplain, writer, and columnist. Follow him on Twitter @collins_point, Facebook James Collins “The Point Is,” or through the website thepointis.net.
Many years ago, a family moved to a little Southern town. There were three children in the family, two older daughters and a little boy. The two girls had the responsibility of taking care of their little baby brother.
One day, the girls wanted to go swimming. The town did not have a city pool. Instead, the town’s children swam in a little pond on the edge of town. Their momma said, “Okay, but you have got to watch your brother. You need to be careful with him. And you must always keep an eye on him.” The girls said, “Yes, ma’am,” and ran out the door dragging their little brother behind.
They arrived at the pond and jumped into the water. They had a good time. However, they were new to the community. They didn’t know any of the other kids. So, they were a little stand-offish. Most of the other boys and girls were gathered at one end of the swimming hole. The girls and their little brother were at the other end.
The girls saw some horses just over a little hill. One said to the other, “This pond is not very big. There are lots of kids here. The water is not very deep, and we will be right back. Let’s go pet those horses.” So, they left their little brother unattended. They left their little brother alone and ran over the hill to the horses.
They had only been gone a minute, when they heard their brother thrashing in the water. He screamed, “Somebody help me, I’m drowning! Somebody help me, I’m drowning! Somebody help me!”
They ran back to the pond as fast as they could, but they were too late. When they got there, they saw their brother floating face down in the water. Their little baby brother had drowned.
The sisters were hysterical. Hot tears rolled down their cheeks. They turned to the kids and said, “Why didn’t you save our brother? You could hear him screaming. You were right here in the water with him.”
“He was only a few inches from the bank.” the other kids said. “He could have reached out and grabbed it. We told him over and over to just reach out and grab the bank.”
The girls said through their tears, “Our little brother was blind. Our little brother was blind. He was blind. Every time you told him to reach, he reached the wrong way. He reached out in the wrong direction.”
The point is: All around us, there are people reaching. Some are reaching for alcohol. Some are reaching for drugs. Some are reaching for sexual sins. Some are reaching for immorality. Some are reaching for false religions. All around us, there are people reaching.
Over two-thousand years ago, Jesus healed a blind man. When he was questioned by the religious leaders, the man who had been blind said, “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” Jesus can still give sight to those who are blindly reaching.
Reach out and take a hand that is reaching the wrong way and pull that hand toward the Lord Jesus Christ.
James Collins is a pastor, teacher, chaplain, writer, and columnist. Follow him on Twitter @collins_point, Facebook James Collins “The Point Is,” or through the website thepointis.net.
September 5, 2020
Wow!
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.”Philippians 2:9
I grew up in the country. One of the funny things about country people is they often name their children multiple, crazy names. You can’t be country unless you have at least two or three names. Country folks have names like Billy Ray; or Bobby Joe; or Billy Bob; or Elvis Ray; or Cletus Bocephus; or my cousin Jimmy Joe Jeff Johnny Paul Ray Elmer Junior –we just called him Bubba.
I think the craziest name I ever heard was Wow. Many years ago, a couple lived not far from where I grew up. They were in their 60s. They thought they were past the age to have children. They were at an age when they were looking forward to grandchildren.
Unexpectedly and miraculously, grandma conceived, and she had another son, twenty years after she had her last one. The birth was such a miracle, that she named her little boy Wow. W-O-W. Wow. That was his name. You could spell it backwards. Wow. He grew up as Wow.
Wow hated his name with all his heart. However, out of respect for his momma, he never changed it. He was always known as Wow. He got married. He had a family. He lived a long life.
On his deathbed, Wow called for his wife. He said, “Honey, I’ve never shared this with you, but I hate my name. I’ve always hated the name, Wow. I don’t want people coming to my graveside and looking at a tombstone and saying, ‘Wow.’ So, here’s what I want you to do. On my tombstone put the date of my birth, the date of my death, and write any inscription that you want. But don’t put my name.”
Wow died, and his wife honored his last wish. She had his tombstone inscribed with the date of his birth, the date of his death, and toward the bottom of his tombstone she had the following inscription. It said:
He worshipped the ground his wife walked on.
He was a devoted husband.
He opened every door.
He pulled out every chair.
He ironed all his own clothes.
He never looked at another woman for 50 years.
He did everything his wife told him to do.
When people came to the graveside and looked at the tombstone, all they could say was, “Wow!”
Wow had a name that could not be forgotten. However, there is one name that will never be forgotten. It’s not the name of a hero or historian. It’s not the name of a soldier or a scholar. It’s not the name of an actor, author, or athlete. It’s not the name of a politician or a president. There is one name when the dust settles that will be spoken and shouted. There is one name that will be worded and worshiped. His name is Jesus Christ!
The Bible says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” The word “above” means “more than.” It comes from a Greek word that means “incomparable.” There is one name that cannot be compared to any other name. It’s greater than Gandhi. It’s mightier than Mohammad. It’s more exciting than Elvis. It’s more overwhelming than Oprah. The Bible says there is one name that can’t be compared to any other name. His name is Jesus Christ!
The point is: God has given the Lord Jesus Christ a name which is above all names. If you don’t know Him, you can call out His name in prayer today. You might pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust You as Savior and follow You as Lord in the fellowship of Your Church. In Jesus Name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer today, I encourage you to find a Bible believing church and start growing in Christ. Your life will never be the same.
James Collins is a pastor, teacher, chaplain, writer, and columnist. Follow him on Twitter @collins_point, Facebook James Collins “The Point Is,” or through the website thepointis.net.
I grew up in the country. One of the funny things about country people is they often name their children multiple, crazy names. You can’t be country unless you have at least two or three names. Country folks have names like Billy Ray; or Bobby Joe; or Billy Bob; or Elvis Ray; or Cletus Bocephus; or my cousin Jimmy Joe Jeff Johnny Paul Ray Elmer Junior –we just called him Bubba.
I think the craziest name I ever heard was Wow. Many years ago, a couple lived not far from where I grew up. They were in their 60s. They thought they were past the age to have children. They were at an age when they were looking forward to grandchildren.
Unexpectedly and miraculously, grandma conceived, and she had another son, twenty years after she had her last one. The birth was such a miracle, that she named her little boy Wow. W-O-W. Wow. That was his name. You could spell it backwards. Wow. He grew up as Wow.
Wow hated his name with all his heart. However, out of respect for his momma, he never changed it. He was always known as Wow. He got married. He had a family. He lived a long life.
On his deathbed, Wow called for his wife. He said, “Honey, I’ve never shared this with you, but I hate my name. I’ve always hated the name, Wow. I don’t want people coming to my graveside and looking at a tombstone and saying, ‘Wow.’ So, here’s what I want you to do. On my tombstone put the date of my birth, the date of my death, and write any inscription that you want. But don’t put my name.”
Wow died, and his wife honored his last wish. She had his tombstone inscribed with the date of his birth, the date of his death, and toward the bottom of his tombstone she had the following inscription. It said:
He worshipped the ground his wife walked on.
He was a devoted husband.
He opened every door.
He pulled out every chair.
He ironed all his own clothes.
He never looked at another woman for 50 years.
He did everything his wife told him to do.
When people came to the graveside and looked at the tombstone, all they could say was, “Wow!”
Wow had a name that could not be forgotten. However, there is one name that will never be forgotten. It’s not the name of a hero or historian. It’s not the name of a soldier or a scholar. It’s not the name of an actor, author, or athlete. It’s not the name of a politician or a president. There is one name when the dust settles that will be spoken and shouted. There is one name that will be worded and worshiped. His name is Jesus Christ!
The Bible says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” The word “above” means “more than.” It comes from a Greek word that means “incomparable.” There is one name that cannot be compared to any other name. It’s greater than Gandhi. It’s mightier than Mohammad. It’s more exciting than Elvis. It’s more overwhelming than Oprah. The Bible says there is one name that can’t be compared to any other name. His name is Jesus Christ!
The point is: God has given the Lord Jesus Christ a name which is above all names. If you don’t know Him, you can call out His name in prayer today. You might pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust You as Savior and follow You as Lord in the fellowship of Your Church. In Jesus Name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer today, I encourage you to find a Bible believing church and start growing in Christ. Your life will never be the same.
James Collins is a pastor, teacher, chaplain, writer, and columnist. Follow him on Twitter @collins_point, Facebook James Collins “The Point Is,” or through the website thepointis.net.
August 29, 2020
Nothing to Fear
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
My dog, Socks, is a Miniature Schnauzer. We named him Socks because he is black, but his feet are white. He is a little dog, but he thinks he is big.
Our neighbor has the biggest German Shepherd I’ve ever seen. I’m not going to lie and tell you the neighbor’s dog is as big as a horse, but he could pass for a pony. He is huge.
A while back, the kids left the gate open and Socks ran out. He ran right toward the giant German Shepherd. As he ran, Socks was barking and growling. He was acting as if he was going to kill the big dog.
The only way Socks could kill the big German Shepherd would be if the German Shepherd swallowed Socks and choked on him.
Socks weighs 10 pounds. The German Shepherd weighs 100 pounds.
When Socks ran out the gate, I ran out after him. I was trying to catch him to stop him from getting killed.
Socks beat me to the neighbor’s yard. The big German Shepherd growled. Socks tucked his tail between his legs and ran behind me! He stuck his head out from between my feet and continued to bark at the giant dog. Socks stood behind me barking and growling. It was almost like Socks was saying, “Bring it on, big boy! I’m behind my master. Give it your best shot. Bring it on.”
I scooped Socks up and got him back inside our fence. Then I talked to him. It is funny how we talk to dogs and we think they understand us. “Socks, you are stupid. Don’t you know I am no match for a giant German Shepherd. We are fortunate we were not chewed to pieces.”
Socks looked at me like I was an idiot. Then he ran off to chase a squirrel.
There’s something out there worse than a giant German Shepherd. We have a roaring lion that’s after us. Nevertheless, when we are behind our Master, the devil can’t touch us.
Are you living in fear? There are a billion and one things to be afraid of in this world. You are always going to have problems in this world. Be that as it may, Jesus says we can have peace because He has overcome the world.
The point is: When you are behind Jesus, you have nothing to fear. Take your fears, your burdens, and your problems and put them in the nail-scarred hands of Jesus Christ. Let Jesus be your strength.
What have you got to be afraid of?
James Collins is a pastor, teacher, chaplain, writer, and columnist. Follow him on Twitter @collins_point, Facebook James Collins “The Point Is,” or through the website thepointis.net.
My dog, Socks, is a Miniature Schnauzer. We named him Socks because he is black, but his feet are white. He is a little dog, but he thinks he is big.
Our neighbor has the biggest German Shepherd I’ve ever seen. I’m not going to lie and tell you the neighbor’s dog is as big as a horse, but he could pass for a pony. He is huge.
A while back, the kids left the gate open and Socks ran out. He ran right toward the giant German Shepherd. As he ran, Socks was barking and growling. He was acting as if he was going to kill the big dog.
The only way Socks could kill the big German Shepherd would be if the German Shepherd swallowed Socks and choked on him.
Socks weighs 10 pounds. The German Shepherd weighs 100 pounds.
When Socks ran out the gate, I ran out after him. I was trying to catch him to stop him from getting killed.
Socks beat me to the neighbor’s yard. The big German Shepherd growled. Socks tucked his tail between his legs and ran behind me! He stuck his head out from between my feet and continued to bark at the giant dog. Socks stood behind me barking and growling. It was almost like Socks was saying, “Bring it on, big boy! I’m behind my master. Give it your best shot. Bring it on.”
I scooped Socks up and got him back inside our fence. Then I talked to him. It is funny how we talk to dogs and we think they understand us. “Socks, you are stupid. Don’t you know I am no match for a giant German Shepherd. We are fortunate we were not chewed to pieces.”
Socks looked at me like I was an idiot. Then he ran off to chase a squirrel.
There’s something out there worse than a giant German Shepherd. We have a roaring lion that’s after us. Nevertheless, when we are behind our Master, the devil can’t touch us.
Are you living in fear? There are a billion and one things to be afraid of in this world. You are always going to have problems in this world. Be that as it may, Jesus says we can have peace because He has overcome the world.
The point is: When you are behind Jesus, you have nothing to fear. Take your fears, your burdens, and your problems and put them in the nail-scarred hands of Jesus Christ. Let Jesus be your strength.
What have you got to be afraid of?
James Collins is a pastor, teacher, chaplain, writer, and columnist. Follow him on Twitter @collins_point, Facebook James Collins “The Point Is,” or through the website thepointis.net.
August 22, 2020
Have You Lost Something?
“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9
I have discovered that one of the main reasons to stay married to is to help each other find stuff. Whenever I lose something, my wife, Amanda, always asks me, “Where did you have it last?”
“Where are my keys?”
“Where did you have them last?”
“Where’s my wallet?”
“Where did you have it last?”
“Where’s my phone?”
“Where did you have it last?”
“Where’s my nose hair trimmers?”
“Where did you have it last?”
A while back, I was cutting up a couple of old dead trees for firewood. I had my chainsaw, bar and chain oil, gas, saw file, and a scrench. What’s a scrench? A scrench is a tool that is a combination of a screwdriver and a wrench. It is used to adjust the tension on your chainsaw blade.
So, I was out cutting firewood. I noticed the chain on the chainsaw needed to be tightened. I looked down and saw the gas, oil, and file. However, I couldn’t find the scrench.
I started to look for the scrench. I looked under the gas can. I got down on my knees and crawled around looking for it in the grass. Then I thought, maybe I left it in the tool shed. I went to the shed and I looked and looked. I tore the shed apart. When I finished looking, it looked like a bomb had gone off in the shed. But I still couldn’t find it. I was getting frustrated.
Earlier, I had gone into the house to get a drink. Did I leave it in the house? I went inside. I looked in the laundry room. I looked in the living room. I looked in the kitchen. I even went in the bedroom and I tore the covers off the bed just in case the scrench was somehow in the covers.
After I looked for about an hour, I remembered my wife’s words, “Where did you have it last?” I thought, “I am pretty sure that I had it out by the old dead tree.” So, I went out to where I had been working earlier. I looked, and I looked, and I looked. I could not find the scrench. I was mad at this point.
Amanda came outside and said, “Are you still looking for that screwdriver thingee?” I said, “Yes, and it’s called a scrench.” She smiled at me and said, “It’s right there sticking out of your back pocket.”
The point is: If you have lost something, the best place to look is the last place you had it. Do you know where I found that scrench? Right where I left it?
Do you know where your joy is? Right where you left it? Do you know where your peace is? Right where you left it? Do you know where your passion is? Right where you left it? Do you know where your fire is for Jesus? Right where you left it?
Jesus is right where you left Him. Come back to Him today.
James Collins is a pastor, teacher, chaplain, writer, and columnist. Follow him on Twitter @collins_point, Facebook James Collins “The Point Is,” or through the website thepointis.net.
I have discovered that one of the main reasons to stay married to is to help each other find stuff. Whenever I lose something, my wife, Amanda, always asks me, “Where did you have it last?”
“Where are my keys?”
“Where did you have them last?”
“Where’s my wallet?”
“Where did you have it last?”
“Where’s my phone?”
“Where did you have it last?”
“Where’s my nose hair trimmers?”
“Where did you have it last?”
A while back, I was cutting up a couple of old dead trees for firewood. I had my chainsaw, bar and chain oil, gas, saw file, and a scrench. What’s a scrench? A scrench is a tool that is a combination of a screwdriver and a wrench. It is used to adjust the tension on your chainsaw blade.
So, I was out cutting firewood. I noticed the chain on the chainsaw needed to be tightened. I looked down and saw the gas, oil, and file. However, I couldn’t find the scrench.
I started to look for the scrench. I looked under the gas can. I got down on my knees and crawled around looking for it in the grass. Then I thought, maybe I left it in the tool shed. I went to the shed and I looked and looked. I tore the shed apart. When I finished looking, it looked like a bomb had gone off in the shed. But I still couldn’t find it. I was getting frustrated.
Earlier, I had gone into the house to get a drink. Did I leave it in the house? I went inside. I looked in the laundry room. I looked in the living room. I looked in the kitchen. I even went in the bedroom and I tore the covers off the bed just in case the scrench was somehow in the covers.
After I looked for about an hour, I remembered my wife’s words, “Where did you have it last?” I thought, “I am pretty sure that I had it out by the old dead tree.” So, I went out to where I had been working earlier. I looked, and I looked, and I looked. I could not find the scrench. I was mad at this point.
Amanda came outside and said, “Are you still looking for that screwdriver thingee?” I said, “Yes, and it’s called a scrench.” She smiled at me and said, “It’s right there sticking out of your back pocket.”
The point is: If you have lost something, the best place to look is the last place you had it. Do you know where I found that scrench? Right where I left it?
Do you know where your joy is? Right where you left it? Do you know where your peace is? Right where you left it? Do you know where your passion is? Right where you left it? Do you know where your fire is for Jesus? Right where you left it?
Jesus is right where you left Him. Come back to Him today.
James Collins is a pastor, teacher, chaplain, writer, and columnist. Follow him on Twitter @collins_point, Facebook James Collins “The Point Is,” or through the website thepointis.net.
August 15, 2020
Mowing Like A Madman
“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
Many years ago, my wife and I owned a home in Oklahoma that sat on ten acres of land. There is a drawback to having that much land. It must be mowed. Over the years, I tore up two or three riding lawnmowers trying to keep the grass and weeds cut back.
One day, I had an idea. I decided to put a belly mower on a tractor. I went to the John Deere Dealership and purchased a tractor. It was a 75-horsepower turbo diesel.
By itself, the tractor was powerful. Then I rigged up a 72-inch lawn mowing system with six cutting blades. It became even more powerful.
When I started the mower, it made a powerful noise. VROOM! All the cats in the neighborhood took off running. It was awesome!
One day, I was out on my souped-up tractor. My wife, Amanda, was out in the yard supervising me. She yelled over the noise of the tractor engine, “Be careful, that contraption has a lot of power.” I screamed back, “I’m a grown man. I know what I’m doing.”
The tractor was incredibly powerful. As I was mowing, it was cutting down everything. Pieces of grass and weeds were flying all over the place. A cloud of clippings, shavings, and dirt rolled out from behind the mower. It was powerful. I accidentally ran over several fruit trees. Branches, leaves, and smoke flew everywhere. It was intense!
We had a little concrete yard gnome. I wasn’t paying attention. I ran over the gnome. Chunks of concrete and dust flew all over the yard.
My wife and I had two different reactions. She said, “Oh no!” I said, “Oh yes! That was the coolest thing that I have ever seen! I can get her another yard gnome, but that was powerful!”
To this day, I still can’t explain all the workings of a John Deere 75-horsepower turbo diesel tractor with a 72-inch belly mower. I just know when I pushed the gas pedal, a wind blew that I can’t describe. I just know it was exciting.
The Spirit of God is powerful and exciting. Anything of eternal value comes through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. You can’t live the Christian life in your own power. You need the power of the Holy Spirit to get the job done.
The point is: Just like that tractor, I can’t describe the Wind of God. I just know when the Wind blows in, it sure is exciting. When the Holy Spirit blows in, God blows sluggish saints off their seats, God blows sleeping souls down the aisle, and God saves the lost. When the Holy Spirit blows in, God blows away self-centeredness, God blows away self-righteousness, God blows in revival.
It is my prayer for the Wind to blow.
Will you join me in praying for the Holy Spirit to blow revival into our world, into our nation, into our state, and into our community? Will you join me in praying for the Holy Spirit to blow revival into our hearts?
Lord, send a great revival, and let it begin in me.
James Collins is a pastor, teacher, chaplain, writer, and columnist. Follow him on Twitter @collins_point, Facebook James Collins “The Point Is,” or through the website thepointis.net.
Many years ago, my wife and I owned a home in Oklahoma that sat on ten acres of land. There is a drawback to having that much land. It must be mowed. Over the years, I tore up two or three riding lawnmowers trying to keep the grass and weeds cut back.
One day, I had an idea. I decided to put a belly mower on a tractor. I went to the John Deere Dealership and purchased a tractor. It was a 75-horsepower turbo diesel.
By itself, the tractor was powerful. Then I rigged up a 72-inch lawn mowing system with six cutting blades. It became even more powerful.
When I started the mower, it made a powerful noise. VROOM! All the cats in the neighborhood took off running. It was awesome!
One day, I was out on my souped-up tractor. My wife, Amanda, was out in the yard supervising me. She yelled over the noise of the tractor engine, “Be careful, that contraption has a lot of power.” I screamed back, “I’m a grown man. I know what I’m doing.”
The tractor was incredibly powerful. As I was mowing, it was cutting down everything. Pieces of grass and weeds were flying all over the place. A cloud of clippings, shavings, and dirt rolled out from behind the mower. It was powerful. I accidentally ran over several fruit trees. Branches, leaves, and smoke flew everywhere. It was intense!
We had a little concrete yard gnome. I wasn’t paying attention. I ran over the gnome. Chunks of concrete and dust flew all over the yard.
My wife and I had two different reactions. She said, “Oh no!” I said, “Oh yes! That was the coolest thing that I have ever seen! I can get her another yard gnome, but that was powerful!”
To this day, I still can’t explain all the workings of a John Deere 75-horsepower turbo diesel tractor with a 72-inch belly mower. I just know when I pushed the gas pedal, a wind blew that I can’t describe. I just know it was exciting.
The Spirit of God is powerful and exciting. Anything of eternal value comes through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. You can’t live the Christian life in your own power. You need the power of the Holy Spirit to get the job done.
The point is: Just like that tractor, I can’t describe the Wind of God. I just know when the Wind blows in, it sure is exciting. When the Holy Spirit blows in, God blows sluggish saints off their seats, God blows sleeping souls down the aisle, and God saves the lost. When the Holy Spirit blows in, God blows away self-centeredness, God blows away self-righteousness, God blows in revival.
It is my prayer for the Wind to blow.
Will you join me in praying for the Holy Spirit to blow revival into our world, into our nation, into our state, and into our community? Will you join me in praying for the Holy Spirit to blow revival into our hearts?
Lord, send a great revival, and let it begin in me.
James Collins is a pastor, teacher, chaplain, writer, and columnist. Follow him on Twitter @collins_point, Facebook James Collins “The Point Is,” or through the website thepointis.net.
