By Gobel Brockman
As some of you know, my wife and I spent the last week in Waikiki on the island of O'ahu. It was, in a word, incredible. A very relaxing, enjoyable vacation. The sights were beautiful, the weather was great, and we ate well (bet you're surprised at that one). A sunset dinner cruise provided an unbelievable view, and we attended a beach luau that was a lot of fun. I've heard people talk of it as an 'island paradise', and I can understand why.
But I need to mention that there were a few things in 'paradise' that weren't so grand. A morning walk on the beach led us to a man passed out drunk on the sand. Breakfast at McDonald's provided us with a view of a homeless man wearing clothes that probably hadn't been washed in weeks, pushing a grocery cart full of basically trash. (My wife gave him some food.) Some of the neighborhoods we went through were obviously not enjoying all the benefits of the 'paradise' they resided in. Also, a trip through Pearl Harbor reminded us of the horror of that fateful day in 1941 when a portion of 'paradise' went up in flames, over 2,400 people lost their lives, and the world forever changed. What I'm saying is that on this earth, our idea of 'paradise' will always have its drawbacks. Perfection in this world is not possible, and the sooner we stop expecting it, the sooner we can face reality.
It reminds me of Jesus and the thief on the cross who said to Him, "Lord, remember me when you come into Your kingdom." What was Jesus's response? "This day you will be with me in paradise." I can only imagine the thief's thoughts at that moment. "Paradise? What will that be like?" I do know this - God's version of 'paradise' is beyond anything we can even begin to dream. But for me, it's not because of golden streets or beautiful mansions or breathtaking scenery, it's because Jesus will be there. That's paradise enough for me.
I close by saying this: If you ever get the chance to vacation in Hawaii, I can't recommend it highly enough. I hope to go back someday. But even more, I recommend that you join the thief on the cross in saying to Jesus, in essence, "Lord, please invite me into YOUR paradise." I've never seen it, but I can tell you it's better than Hawaii.
Until next week, Aloha and Mahalo.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Any Last Words?
By Gobel Brockman
I recently read some 'last words' of famous people. I found some interesting:
"How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?"
-P.T. Barnum
"I'm bored with it all."
-Winston Churchill
"Go on, get out - last words are for fools who haven't said enough."(To his housekeeper, who urged him to tell her his last words so she could write them down for posterity.)
-Karl Marx
"Hey fellas, I gotta good headline for you - 'French Fries'."
-James French (Convicted murderer, to the press corps who were there to witness his execution by electric chair.)
As I read these, I was reminded of the last words of Jesus - "It is finished." I say this loudly - NO GREATER 'LAST WORDS' HAVE EVER BEEN SPOKEN. When He said 'it is finished', what was He referring to?
*The work that His Father had sent Him to do.
*The plan of redemption that would save all mankind who would believe.
*Satan's legal rights that he had gained in the fall in the Garden of Eden.
What an incredible feeling it must have been to lay down your life knowing that you had fulfilled the Father's mission for you. When you and I reach the 'it is finished' point of our lives, will we be able to say the same? A sobering thought, I know. I know I can do more. Much more. I know there have been times I have fallen short of God's glory. I know there have been times that I have not availed myself to all of the power that was there for me. I'm sure you can say the same. May God help us to fulfill our callings and bring Him glory.
One last thought. Have you ever wondered what your last words would be if you were put in that situation? I'm not trying to be morbid, and I have no foreboding of my demise, but if I simply had the opportunity of knowing that my next words would be my last, I believe it would be this:
"The Bible says that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I'm thankful that God's grace allowed me to do it this side of the grave. May He forgive every sin, and receive the glory for any good in my life. Jesus, You are Lord."
-Gobel Brockman (Overweight Mailman)
I recently read some 'last words' of famous people. I found some interesting:
"How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?"
-P.T. Barnum
"I'm bored with it all."
-Winston Churchill
"Go on, get out - last words are for fools who haven't said enough."(To his housekeeper, who urged him to tell her his last words so she could write them down for posterity.)
-Karl Marx
"Hey fellas, I gotta good headline for you - 'French Fries'."
-James French (Convicted murderer, to the press corps who were there to witness his execution by electric chair.)
As I read these, I was reminded of the last words of Jesus - "It is finished." I say this loudly - NO GREATER 'LAST WORDS' HAVE EVER BEEN SPOKEN. When He said 'it is finished', what was He referring to?
*The work that His Father had sent Him to do.
*The plan of redemption that would save all mankind who would believe.
*Satan's legal rights that he had gained in the fall in the Garden of Eden.
What an incredible feeling it must have been to lay down your life knowing that you had fulfilled the Father's mission for you. When you and I reach the 'it is finished' point of our lives, will we be able to say the same? A sobering thought, I know. I know I can do more. Much more. I know there have been times I have fallen short of God's glory. I know there have been times that I have not availed myself to all of the power that was there for me. I'm sure you can say the same. May God help us to fulfill our callings and bring Him glory.
One last thought. Have you ever wondered what your last words would be if you were put in that situation? I'm not trying to be morbid, and I have no foreboding of my demise, but if I simply had the opportunity of knowing that my next words would be my last, I believe it would be this:
"The Bible says that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I'm thankful that God's grace allowed me to do it this side of the grave. May He forgive every sin, and receive the glory for any good in my life. Jesus, You are Lord."
-Gobel Brockman (Overweight Mailman)
Sunday, May 6, 2012
"God Resists the Proud..."
By Gobel Brockman
Have you ever heard the saying, "I'd like to buy him for what I thinks he's worth, then sell him for what HE thinks he's worth?" Have you ever MET someone you could say that about? Pride is an ugly thing. Mostly because it's a sin that's completely undeserved. I dedicate the following thought to those who may have an elevated opinion of themselves:
One of these days, you're going to die. Then they're going to dress you up and put you in a fancy box. Then a minister is going to stand up and give a speech about what a great person you were. Then people are going to walk by you in that fancy box and say all kinds of nice things to you that they won't say to you while you're alive. Then, they're going to take you to the cemetery and bury you. When they're done with all that, they're going back to the fellowship hall to eat fried chicken and potato salad.
Harsh? Perhaps. True? You know it is. But it illustrates my point. We have no room for pride in our lives. We have no right to walk around on legs that God gave us, work with hands that God created, eat food that God has planted, then act like it's all our doing. If we have wisdom, it means we once were fools. If we are saved, it means we once were lost. Do you have abilities? Can you play a musical instrument, work well with your hands, paint a beautiful picture? You have that ability for only one reason: God GAVE you that ability. And He didn't give it to you to bring glory to yourself, He gave it to you to bring glory to HIM.
My thought this week is simply this: when all is said and done, there's only one name that's going to be praised, and it's not mine. Or yours. It's the name of Jesus. He said those that humble themselves would be honored, and those that honor themselves would be humbled. I want to choose to give the glory to the only One that deserves it.
That leaves me out. Sorry, leaves you out too....
Have you ever heard the saying, "I'd like to buy him for what I thinks he's worth, then sell him for what HE thinks he's worth?" Have you ever MET someone you could say that about? Pride is an ugly thing. Mostly because it's a sin that's completely undeserved. I dedicate the following thought to those who may have an elevated opinion of themselves:
One of these days, you're going to die. Then they're going to dress you up and put you in a fancy box. Then a minister is going to stand up and give a speech about what a great person you were. Then people are going to walk by you in that fancy box and say all kinds of nice things to you that they won't say to you while you're alive. Then, they're going to take you to the cemetery and bury you. When they're done with all that, they're going back to the fellowship hall to eat fried chicken and potato salad.
Harsh? Perhaps. True? You know it is. But it illustrates my point. We have no room for pride in our lives. We have no right to walk around on legs that God gave us, work with hands that God created, eat food that God has planted, then act like it's all our doing. If we have wisdom, it means we once were fools. If we are saved, it means we once were lost. Do you have abilities? Can you play a musical instrument, work well with your hands, paint a beautiful picture? You have that ability for only one reason: God GAVE you that ability. And He didn't give it to you to bring glory to yourself, He gave it to you to bring glory to HIM.
My thought this week is simply this: when all is said and done, there's only one name that's going to be praised, and it's not mine. Or yours. It's the name of Jesus. He said those that humble themselves would be honored, and those that honor themselves would be humbled. I want to choose to give the glory to the only One that deserves it.
That leaves me out. Sorry, leaves you out too....
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