Archive: A Pastor Ponders - January to April 2006

Follow through

by Pastor William Jenkins

April 28, 2006

In the Bible Jesus told about a man who started building and failed to finish because he ran out of money. The lesson is to plan well before you invest your resources.

More difficult to understand is where we, as humans, fail to go all the way in achieving our goals. There are many people who have been inspired by a great idea. The idea became a dream and the dream became a goal. It caught and held the attention and energies of their lives long enough for them to begin working towards the realization of it. Somewhere along the way they lost something vital to the quest. They lost momentum and never followed through; they “settled”.

The question is: how many, having failed to follow through, can figure out exactly why and how to get started again. It is never too late to start over again and go after your hearts desire.

Religion - Follow Through

The price of happiness

by Pastor William Jenkins

April 22, 2006

In I Timothy 6, the apostle Paul reminds us that money can never bring happiness. If anything, the drive to succeed financially may have just the opposite effect. People striving for wealth and prestige often lose their sense of right and wrong.

Relationships suffer with co-workers, friends, relatives, even close family members; they may even lose respect for themselves by their actions to succeed. For some, financial success is the first step toward ruin.

Religion - The price of happiness

Easter

By Pastor William Jenkins

April 14, 2006

Scholars of all stripes and persuasions can debate the particulars of Easter, its origin and significance in Christian belief, but they can never reverse what happened on that original Easter Sunday morning. A resurrection happened and there is more evidence for it than there is for ninety percent of all other historical events.

I invite you to ponder the evidence in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 15, verses 3-8. It reminds me that the person with an experience is never at the mercy of the person with an argument.

Have a hope-filled Easter.

Religion - Easter

Cracker Jack Surprises

By Pastor William Jenkins

April 7, 2006

Mrs. Danheim was a wonderful older lady we knew in deep East Texas. She spoke to a group once about Cracker Jack prizes. As a child Cracker Jacks were her favorite snack food because she liked being surprised by the prize inside. She had heard about a nine-year-old girl whose father encouraged her to sue the makers of Cracker Jack because she bought a box of their product that did not have the anticipated surprise inside. The suit was settled when the company offered the little girl a free box of Cracker Jack with the guarantee of a prize inside. They also threw in some peanut mix for good measure.

Mrs. Danheim reported that the little girl was happy for the moment but that she would need to learn at some point that not all the boxes we get in life have prizes inside. She reminded us that we are not promised a prize in every box. As a matter of fact some of our Cracker Jack boxes in life will contain trouble and disappointments. She asked us, “Why can’t the prizeless occasions in life be a process of strengthening our character, purifying our nature and growing our soul. The prizeless occasions separate the wheat from the chaff, the impurities from the gold.”

Religion - Cracker Jack Surprises

Strength and Courage

By Pastor William Jenkins

March 31, 2006

It was June of ’75 and I was in Midland, Texas, serving my first church after seminary. My Superintendent informed me that I was being moved to Houston to re-locate a church there. I told him that I did not know the first thing about re-locating a church. His reply was, “You will, this time next year.” He handed me a book titled “Move Ahead With Possibility Thinking.”

That little book changed my way of looking at my life and career, but the real value to me was what he wrote inside the cover, “Be strong and very courageous.” I knew it was from a verse in the Bible so I set out to find it. It is in the Old Testament where God is encouraging Joshua after the death of Moses. (Talk about some BIG shoes to fill!) God says to Joshua, “Be strong and very courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Religion - Strength and Courage

Child's play

By Pastor William Jenkins

March 24, 2006

I tend to become too serious about things and have to work hard at not growing up. Like a lot of people I had to “grow up” prematurely. My goal in life has become to die young and to do it as late as I possibly can. I have discovered that life is a lot more fun whenever we allow our “inner child” to come out and play. Grandchildren make it much easier to keep the “little child” attitude. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.

Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall compiled a book of children’s letters to God which contain these examples:

• Dear God, I bet it’s hard for you to love the whole world. There are only four people in our family and I can never do it. – Nancy

• Dear God, In Sunday School they tell us what all you do. Who does it when you are on vacation? – Jane

• Dear God, Is it true that my daddy won’t get to go to heaven if he uses his golfing words around the house? –Norman

Religion - Child's Play

More than others

By Pastor William Jenkins

March 17, 2006

“Old Tom” was hired to sweep the streets in a small town in the hills of Kentucky. Once a week this street sweeper came down every street with his broom. Tom was a friendly old fellow but didn’t have much to say. Miss Gidding on the corner got into the habit of taking him a glass of lemonade and a slice of cake. He thanked her shyly and that was all.

Then one evening there came a knock at the back door of Miss Giddings home. Tom was there with a sack of peaches in one hand and a handful of “roasting ears” in the other. He seemed embarrassed as he said, “I brought you these, Ma’am, for your kindness.” “Oh, you shouldn’t have,” exclaimed Miss Gidding. “It was nothing.” Then Tom the street sweeper said, “Well, maybe it wasn’t much, Ma’am; but it was more than anyone else.”

Religion - More Than Others

Persistence

By Pastor William Jenkins

March 10, 2006

A computer was programmed to notify magazine subscribers by mail when it was time to renew their subscriptions. One day it went “on the blink”, and before anyone noticed the malfunction it sent 11,834 letters to a farmer in Montana telling him his subscription had expired.

The local postmaster had to hire a special truck to deliver all the letters. After the farmer had read 200 or more of the letters, he sat down and wrote out a check to renew his subscription. He attached the following note to his check: “I give up! Enclosed is my check for a renewed subscription.” The persistence of the magazine company overcame the subscriber’s will to resist.

Religion - More - Persistence

Maintaining momentum

By Pastor William Jenkins

March 3, 2006

A man lived by the side of the road and sold hot dogs. He was hard of hearing, so he had no radio. He had trouble with his eyes, so he did not read the newspaper. But how he could sell hot dogs!

He put up a sign on the highway telling how good they were. He stood by the side of the road and cried, “Get Your Delicious Hot Dog Here!” Sales increased, so he increased his meat and bun order. He bought a bigger stove to take care of his trade. Business was really good!

His son came home from college to help him…and then it happened. His son said, “Dad, haven’t you been listening to the radio or reading the newspaper? There is a recession on, the international situation is in terrible shape, and the financial picture is even worse...”

Religion - More on Maintaining Momentum

An ordinary life

By Pastor William Jenkins

February 24, 2006

While driving in East Texas one day I sped past a historical marker. Though I am sure they are interesting, I usually do not take the time to stop and read these markers. Curiosity got the best of me on this occasion and I turned back to check out this bit of history. The marker told about

MESHACK ROBERTS

“A faithful slave; came to Gilmer with his master O.E. Roberts before 1850. While Mr. Roberts was away in the Civil War, Meshack ran the farm and looked after the family. To get some money to finance farm costs he shod horses for solders and others, baked and sold ginger cakes. Was an example of sincere loyalty found over the South. At wars end Master gave him freedom, land, and material to build a home. Later moved to Marshall where he served in the Texas legislature. In 1882 he helped establish Wiley College for Negros.”

Religion - More on Ordinary Life

Reaching for the ring

By Pastor William Jenkins

February 17, 2006

William Henry Harrison, the ninth President of the United States, was born on February 9th, 1773. His father Benjamin Harrison was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. One of his grandsons, also Benjamin, was the 23rd U.S. President. William Harrison is the undisputed holder of the record for the shortest time in office of any U.S. President.

He was inaugurated on March 4, 1841, contracted pneumonia and died exactly one month later on April 4. Such an unfortunate demise is tempered by the active life President Harrison lived. Instead of allowing death to cheat him, he cheated death by not allowing it to swallow his ambitions. He was one to reach for the brass ring.

Religion - Reaching for the Ring

An honest man

By Pastor William Jenkins

February 10, 2006

George Washington once said, “I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”

A friend shared with me recently an experience he had in a local parking lot. It happened that he spotted a wallet on the lot. He picked it up and noticed that it was stuffed with forty 100 dollar bills. It was so full that it would not fold over. He looked for some kind of identification but at first did not see any. He took the bills out of the wallet and discovered a Social Security card.

Religion - More Honest Man

It’s no secret

By Pastor William Jenkins

February 4, 2006

Back in the 50’s there was a well known radio host/comedian/song writer in Hollywood named Stuart Hamblin. Stuart was noted for his drinking, womanizing, partying, etc.

One day along came a young preacher holding a tent revival. Stuart decided to invite the preacher on his radio show, with the intent of having some fun at his expense.

Religion: More It's No Secret

An exercise in self-assessment

By Pastor William Jenkins

January 27, 2006

He was a successful lawyer, big money, big name, big reputation. Everything was going his way - then came the emotional breakdown. He began to examine his life. His assessment was remarkably honest:

“Something’s been missing all these years. I’ve been aiming at the wrong goals, living by the wrong standards, making the wrong judgments. I was determined to be the best, fanatically, obsessively determined - doing whatever it takes, even if it means using people to get what you want and fighting them off when you feel they’re threatening what you have.

Religion: More Self-Assessment

Just something to ponder.

Churches Unite for National Day of Prayer

April 7, 2006

Churches, schools and civic organizations across the nation are getting ready for the National Day of Prayer, scheduled for Thursday May 4th. Locally, League City United Methodist Church has created a new way to provide a unique opportunity for prayer for its congregation and the general public.

For twelve consecutive hours on Thursday May 4th, the Sanctuary at League City United Methodist Church will be open for prayer. Citizens are welcome to come anytime between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to pray at their convenience. Printed prayer guides will be available, and there will be individuals to pray with visitors if they desire. “Plans are already underway for a prayer vigil throughout that day,” states LCUMC’s Prayer Ministry Leader Meredith Mannon. “We are thrilled to be able to provide a safe place for anyone to come to and talk with God.”

While history books tell us that the first day of prayer was declared by the Continental Congress in 1775, President Ronald Reagan signed the current National Day of Prayer Proclamation in 1987. The dedication prayer he read was translated from a Russian prayer found on a young soldier, who was killed in action in 1944.

League City United Methodist Church is located at 1411 Main Street (FM 518), one block east of Interstate 45. For information, call the church offices at 281-332-1557 or visit the website at www.lcumc.org.

Church youth hosts pancake supper

By League City Methodist Church

February 17, 2006

It’s Mardi Gras time again, and tradition often centers around food and fun. League City United Methodist Church will join in the season with its annual “Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper” on Tuesday, February 28th, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. “Everyone is invited to come enjoy pancakes with all the fixin’s” says LCUMC Youth Director Heather Gates. Proceeds from the supper will go towards activities geared toward church youth in the 6th through 12th grades.

The Pancake Supper will be held in the Family Life Center. League City United Methodist Church is located at 1411 Main Street (FM 518), one block east of Interstate 45. For information and ticket prices, call the church office at 281-332-1557 or visit the website at www.lcumc.org.

League City Methodist hosts women’s celebration

By League City Methodist Church

January 28, 2005

What does it take to follow Christ? Answering that question, and the questions that follow will be the topic on Saturday, February 4th at League City United Methodist Church. LCUMC will serve as the host for Celebration, a woman-to-woman ministry of sharing, encouraging, discipling and mentoring in the faith. “Its focus is presenting the message of salvation, healing, renewal and restoration that reaches the inner woman” says LCUMC Adult Programs Coordinator Dell Tamblyn.

Religion: More Women's Celebration

League City United Methodist Church is located at 1411 Main Street (FM 518), one block east of Interstate 45. For information, call the church offices at 281-332-1557 or visit the website at

HYPERLINK - http://www.lcumc.org

Interfaith Caring Ministries receives grant from Jewish Federation of Greater Houston for Rita and Katrina Hurricane Relief

By Interfaith Caring Ministries

January 28, 2006

On January 10, in a very prestigious ceremony, attended by Former Texas Governor Mark White, and Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, Interfaith Caring Ministries (ICM) was presented a check for $13,651 from the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. The amount received by ICM was a portion of the $2.2 million in hurricane relief grants that was awarded to nearly 3 dozen community agencies located in and around the Harris County area.

Religion: More Interfaith Caring Ministries Receives Grant for Rita and Katrina Hurricane Relief