What a true fable! There's this duck and a frog both
sharing the same pond. But the pond dries up so neither can survive without water. No problem for the duck as he can just fly to the next pond. The frog bites onto the duck's tail and both are on the way
when a fellow traveler comments; what a grand idea, who thought of that? The frog immediately opens his mouth to take credit and plunges to his death. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, Take heed
that you do not do your charitable deeds before men to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. I often remember Isabel's comment; It's amazing what can be
accomplished when you don't care who gets the credit. Try it this week just once. It's a great feeling… Oh, I won't sign my name to this one!August 17, 2008
Jesus was very specific to
Nicodemus that entering the Kingdom of God is conditional. He said unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God . He said whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
He said he who does not believe is condemned. He said unless one is born of water and of the Spirit he cannot see the Kingdom of God . Born Again? At my invitation He enters my heart and gives His divine
life to me and my spirit is made alive in Him. He concludes his discourse with Nicodemus in John 3: 21 by saying "he who does the truth comes to the light that his deeds may be clearly seen that they
have been done in God". A born again Christian can and will be identified by his behavior. It takes more than just speaking the magic words. Jim Mullett
August 10, 2008
Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks!! Luke 6:45. This week the eyes of the whole world are on Beijing . The athlete will never win the gold unless his entire heart is in his chosen
performance. The musician will not excel unless the music springs from the heart and spills over the piano keys or whatever instrument he chooses... He must love it first before the audience can appreciate
and applaud. And we can never exhibit the compassion and love of Jesus unless He is first in our heart; Oh but wait! It's not that easy. Before one can receive the Olympic gold there must first be years of
grueling sacrifice and self denial. The first time Tyler blew the trombone it drove me crazy! The disciples when first they met the Lord still wanted to call fire down on their enemies. To love as Jesus
loved is to big an order to learn in a day or a year. It my even take a lifetime before we even get near that goal but the process starts now with a decision of the heart. Jesus said when you open your
mouth you reveal your heart… Jim Mullett
August 3, 2008
I've been watching this nasty little hummingbird that seems to have picked up some bad attitudes. There is more then
enough nectar in the feeder provided by his Heavenly Father and me for all the birds in the forest. Yet this greedy little guy spends so much of his energy and time driving others away he himself hardly has
time to eat. Might this be a lesson for us as we grapple with the immigration problem and spend millions building a fence around ourselves? I would remind that little bird of the words of Jesus in Matthew
6: Do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear? For after all these things the Gentiles seek. Your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But
seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. Next time the subject comes up ask yourself if you really want to be like that little hummer…Jim Mullett
July 27, 2008
OK I confess! I was getting a bit disillusioned with the Christian Faith. It seemed more and more a Christian was only identified as being anti abortion, anti gay, pro
Israel , politically aligned and on the bandwagon for legalizing morality. Last evening after paying for a motel room what do I find therein but a copy of the Book of Mormon. My attitude was; well what the
heck anyhow. Today I went to the funeral of my dear and longtime friend. He was a very quiet and humble man who simply went about the business of caring for and loving his wife and family and he made no
distinction in his community of whom he served and loved. I was amazed not only by the number of people who packed the church but also how many gave testimony of being touched by God through the quiet
witness of this faithful servant. His Motto: the words of Jesus "Let your light so shine before men that they may glorify your Father in Heaven". My faith was restored. This guy was for real! …
Jim Mullett
July 20, 2008
I had a ringside seat working the ice cream booth for the Rotarians at the fair this week. We were set up just behind the main arena where the 4-H kids
proudly showed off their animals to the judges. These young folks have been learning responsibility
all summer as they pampered and fed their charges under the watchful eye of 4-H leaders and parents. This is what family and community is all about for in a few short years they themselves will be the leaders in Jackson County . Far too many men in our county have abandoned their families leaving responsibility for the kids to wives and community. There's something about the farm; it don't pay much but it builds character. Our Creator God was very wise when He instituted the family. Not Adam and Steve but Adam and Eve was His design. In Noah's ark it was a male and his female. His instruction after the flood was "
Be fruitful and multiply". God knows the strength of the Nation is rooted in the family. 4-H is a training opportunity that should not be taken lightly. Oh! the scene of the week was a small
goat, sparkling clean and dancing down the fairway slipping away from all who were trying to catch him….What a happy time! Jim Mullett
July 13, 2008
One cup of sugar, three cups
warm water, a drop of red food coloring and the hummingbirds just love it. And I love just sitting and watching them swarm around the feeder. And there is the little chipmunk running to his hole with his
cheeks bulging with bird seed swiped from the cardinal's supply. Mom and Pop bluebird have just completed raising their second family of the season. Even the crows come for a daily ration. All are God's
little creatures and welcome in our yard but the deer get my divided affection. I love to see them roaming around but I wish they wouldn't eat my little green apples and certainly not the tender buds
from Isabel's flowers! God however has a way of making things right for He said in Genesis 9:3 every moving thing that lives (deer for example) shall be food for you! Oh the
wisdom of the Creator; without the hunter those lovely deer would become a real nuisance. Jim Mullett
July 6, 2008
It must have been some celebration the day Jesus
turned six kegs of water into wine! At twenty to thirty gallons each that was a minimum of 120 gallons; one quart each for 480 guests. It doesn't tell us who the bride and groom were but families make
memories on special occasions. This one is remembered in John chapter two. Last evening I stood at our door as Fourth of July Fireworks boomed and flashed over several miles away. I'll never forget 22
years ago on the Fourth our first grandchild was born. Three years ago all, well fifty or more of Isabel's Canadian relatives were on our front yard. The fireworks cost much more then the food but family
memories and relationships created that evening are priceless and will last throughout all of our lives. Last Sunday I wrote of the poor and hungry among us. Today remember that joyous and extravagant
celebrations are just as important. Both were experienced by Jesus and both are necessary for Christian people….Jim Mullett
