Fear of Birds?  

   When you think of Florida, what comes to mind?

   Alligators? Seagulls? Pythons? Flamingos? Eagles?

   Residents of Westchase, a zip code of 21,000 people between Clearwater and Tampa, think of buzzards. And they ain't happy.

   Turkey vultures have taken over the neighborhood. And because these scavengers are federally protected, people can't fight back.

   One woman told a TV reporter, "We could have 20 to 25 vultures on our roof. They land on our screens, their under-feathers are all over the roof, their droppings are all over the place." 

   These nuisances with a 6-foot wingspan are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They arrived about three years ago. 

   The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture has promised to help, but bureaucrats have given no timetable. 

   We live about an hour north of Westchase. It could be us. Yikes! 

Fear of Man 

   When someone learns that you vote differently, they can become unfriendly. Dislike comes with rejection on their face. 

   God knows about the fear of rejection: Fear them not, nor be dismayed at their looks. Ezekiel 3:9

   Columnist Andree Seu Peterson asks, "If I faint now, what will I do when real persecution comes?"    

   For all things are yours, whether ... the world or life or death or the present or the future - all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.  1 Corinthians 3:21-23

            Jimmy

 Dear Mr. President,      

   So, we wasted 60 minutes writing a letter the president will never see. Even if they give it to him, he may not be in office much longer. Cognitive something-or-other...you know? 

   We did get a response from Bill Clinton - or a staff member? - in the 1990s. But this White House doesn't want my vote to matter, ever again. Why would they humor me? 

   God allowed you to become our president, I wrote. To what end, I'm not sure. As a fellow Christian, I'm concerned about your salvation. 

   Readers, we know that God is not partial to the mighty, the greedy or the liars. Not everyone who says Lord, Lord is saved. I mentioned people God chose for leadership assignments: 

Joseph - sold into slavery by his 10 older brothers.

Moses - an old shepherd, slow of speech. He begged, Send someone else. 

Gideon - I am the least in my family. 

David - any of his older brothers might have been Samuel's preference. 

Daniel - taken captive. Interpreted king's dream. Prophesied end times. 

Joseph and Mary - Were they from Scranton too? (Couldn't help it 😊 ) 

John the Baptist - sackcloth. Greatest of men? Stepped aside for Jesus.

Widow - gave all she had, more than all the others. Two copper coins. 

Solomon - the exception. But, his efforts were just chasing after the wind. 

   We concluded with Jesus: Let the little children come to me. For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

             Jimmy

  

You might enjoy 

             some hate mail we received from readers here on our anti-social media: 

   I will never foregive you for your hard line about forgiveness.

   I was shocked at your blog on power lines. Nobody never saw a electron. The power companys make that up so they can rip us off. 

   You call yourself a sailor? Nobody in their right mind woud take a boat out in 25-not winds.

   I agree with politishun who say we can't legislate hate out of people's harts and minds. But we can sure beat it out of them! 

   About all the debt. Look. Businesses make 50 purcent profit. Tax them good and we'll all be free of debt by 4th of July. 

   Jimmy, you think you so smart. But you white, a man and Christian. We're coming after you oppressor! 

   If China take over world do you think they give every one free rice? Like Obama give blacks everything free? 

   Your pen name. Do you mean Jimmy Donut is your name in the pen? 

Did you believe all that fakery?

 And this agreeable person in South America:

   Gringo. Chulo. Tehablo. No ebrado. Poss teologia es verdad. Jesus es librar de muerte.  

Tomorrow, our letter to the president. For real.

Jimmy

             

Someone's prayer

God, sometimes when I look at the world around me, I feel overwhelmed by anxiety, and my thoughts start to spiral. I need you to change the way I think.

Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and your ways are better than mine. You give hope to the hopeless, and strength to the weak. You alone can renew my mind and remind me of my purpose.

Help me to take every thought captive as I give you my concerns. Remind me that you are with me, and that you will continue to instruct and guide me.

Counsel me as I reflect on your Word, and help me to apply your truths to my life. Give me strength to do right, and help me to pursue you above all else—always.

In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. 

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

Psalm 139:1-7

One More Thing

   When we collect most of the scriptures on one topic, we better appreciate its message, its truth, its power. 

   Take forgiveness.

   Is there anyone who ever lived who didn’t offend someone? 

   Is there anyone who ever lived who didn’t suffer offense from others?

   Is there anyone who ever lived who didn’t often sin or displease God?

   We can “put on love.” But what is love without forgiveness…in a family, or community? 

   Our heavenly Father loves … and forgives those who humble themselves and pray. He knows our inclinations. Love and forgiveness is the glue that binds us under his protective wing. 

      Jimmy

PS. Without love AND forgiveness, we see families, organizations, communities and nations coming apart, or never uniting.

 

 Must We Forgive?

   A parable -    ...his master turned him over to the jailers... 

   This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart. Matt. 18:34-35.            No fake forgiveness.   

   Our forgiving Lord is that serious about our attitude. 

   Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37.             Simple as that.

   Paul urged forgiveness … in order that Satan might not outwit us. 2 Cor. 2:10-11

   He added: Therefore, as God’s chosen people… Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love…  Col. 3:12-13

   We met. Aware of my imperfections, I asked her to forgive me. She nodded yes, and asked for forgiveness. I nodded yes.

   That didn’t solve any problems. There was no way to restore that special relationship unless both of us submitted to Christ. 

But, forgiveness slew bitterness.

   And you (baby John) will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation, through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God…               - his father, Zechariah, Luke 1:76-78

             Jimmy