JESUS SAID; BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES. (Matt. 16:6)

(John 8:7 - 12) So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:7 – 12)

The Religious Pharisees of Jesus’ day wanted to stone sinners. But Jesus loved this woman and wanted to win her to forgiveness and salvation. May God help we as Christians and the Church get back to loving people into the Kingdom rather than trying to “get them to act” the way we think they should act. Striving to force Christian convictions on people who might not even claim to be believers, when we as church members often fail miserably to “act right” is the height of hypocrisy. People who fall in love with Jesus will want to behave in a way that pleases Him. And, it will come from their hearts.
Jim Burns, Sr. Pastor, Liberty Baptist Church, Van Wert, OH. This is something to think about.

HERE'S THE CHURCH, BUT WHERE'S THE PEOPLE?

That's Something to think about!   Jim C. Burns
Email:  jimmycburns@aol.com

JIM BURNS WENT SKIING TODAY

Florida fun and sun the first of this month, flu last week, great day in the Lord's House yesterday, and then I went skiing (alone) today at Mad River Mountain, OH.  Our church group went Saturday, but I was home recovering from the flu and needed the rest so I could preach Sunday.

Now, a two day blizzard just started!   How can life get any better than this?

I'm Jim C. Burns, and that's Something to Think About!

Email: jimmycburns@aol.com

THE TRANSFER OF THE POWERS OF BURNS!

(Jim, Aaron & Matt Burns, and Miley Burns)

This is the "After Christmas Transfer!"  Our son and daughter in law from Prospect, OH were with us for Christmas along with our other son, Aaron who was home from China.  Our granddaughter Miley spent a couple of days with us after Christmas to play at "Nanny's House."  I  had a blast watching her "bond" with "Uncle Aaron" as she is now three and was just one when she last saw him.  Uncle Aaron and I took Miley to Kenton, OH and met Matt for a wonderful Mexican supper, then we "transferred" little Miley back to her Daddy to be delivered safely back to Mommy Jenny!  What a blessing to have a family that loves one and other!   Thanks gang for making Christmas so special for Coletta and me!

I'm Jim Burns and this is "Something to Think About!"     Email:  jimmycburns@aol.com

SCOOPING SNOW IS BETTER THAN MOWING GRASS!

My wife, Coletta and I along with our youngest son home from China just returned from a New Year's vacation last night.  Monday, we left sunny Daytona Beach, Florida with 75 degrees, flew in one of the  "two" planes out of Daytona Beach Monday, changed planes at Charlotte, NC. After our second plane was "de-iced," we took off and landed at Nashville where our mini-van waited on us.  (All other Daytona Beach flights were canceled due to the ice and snow in Atlanta).

After battling the ice and snow driving from Nashville, TN to Ohio last night, we were welcomed by over 4 inches of snow!  I just got in from scooping snow for about an hour and loved it!  One of the blessings of colder temperatures and living in N. W. Ohio is the snow and cold temperatures keep the grass from growing.  I hate mowing grass (with a push mower) but love the snow!  The colder temperatures also kill the mosquitoes and bugs, plus as far north as we are, we really don't have hardly any snakes!  (No poisonous ones at all and none at all in winter)!

It's good to be home.  Can't wait to see everyone at church tonight!

That's Something to Think About!   Email:  jimmycburns@aol.com

A CHRISTMAS I HOPE TO REMEMBER, 2010

(Pictured above: Aaron, Jim, (Cabbie Dog), Miley, Jenny, Matt, Coletta)
"And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;  Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage."
(Deut. 6:11 - 12)

The picture above was taken yesterday just before our Sunday dinner on Dec. 26th.  I pray that I will not soon forget not just the picture, but the people and the event of this wonderful weekend.  It seems like the older I get the more worrisome I become about some things, and the more grateful I am for life and for my family.  The reason this picture is priceless to me is that this past week end, Coletta and I were able to celebrate our Christmas with both of our sons, our daughter in law and our granddaughter at our home and church. 

Aaron, our youngest son had not been back to U. S. for two years. Thus he had not seen his brother and family for two years.   His only "niece" Miley was one when he last saw her.  She is now three.  I'm the one that insisted on this picture because I know that with Aaron's time back in the states being only one month long, we might not be together again as we were yesterday for years to come.  It's likely that the next time Aaron sees Miley she will be in Kindergarten.  

The thing that makes me feel that God blessed me with such a great Christmas this year is the dark velvet back drop in this year's Christmas scene here in Van Wert, Ohio.  Within just the past two weeks, one young man in a nearby town lost his 50 year old mother, his 25 year old wife and his 3 year old son in a car wreck.  Another young father we know along with his 3 and 5 year old children lost his 34 year old wife to cancer, and several families here in Ohio lost their children in house fires.  I'm also thinking tonight of a little three year old girl who's mother was sent to prison a few days ago.  A pastor friend of mine in Kansas died on Christmas morning and another Pastor friend had to resign his church just a few Sundays before Christmas. 

So now you see why I say, "God has been so good to me, our family and our church this Christmas."  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everybody!   Thank you Lord for not giving me what I deserve but by showering me with such blessings in having a great family and church this Christmas Season!"

I'm Jim Burns and that's something to think about!    Email:  jimmycburns@aol.com

COLETTA'S B. D. YESTERDAY, BLIZZARD TOMORROW!

(Pictured:  My wife, Coletta with our granddaughter, Miley Burns)

In spite of My wife's horrible pain, I think she had a great birthday yesterday.  Her parents drove up from Marion, Ohio and surprised her for lunch and cake.  We sang the B. D. song, and she blew out her candles.  I won't say how many candles!  Since she has been pretty much bed fast due to her pinched sciatic nerve, some of the women from the church have been bringing over food for lunch each day this week.  What a blessing!  With my "lack of" cooking skills and almost daily trips to Wendy's and Balyeat's, the home cooked meals have hit the spot.  Other than my in-laws coming for the afternoon, Coletta's birthday was pretty low key this year since she was not able to leave the house. 

Today, Dave and Shelly Miller, a couple who attend our church got married at a nearby country church and their reception was at Liberty (our church).   As I type this,  we are getting    T. V. and Internet reports that a possible blizzard like snow will be starting in about 3 hours.  Temperatures will be dropping like crazy soon and it presently raining pretty hard.  So, Sunday morning church could be a little challenging.  We have several folks who drive as far as 25 and 30 miles in to fellowship and serve at our church, and I must accept the fact that with ice on the roads topped with drifting snow, many won't be able to come. As dangerous as it could be, I certainly don't want them to take a risk. These are "Sundays" Pastors never order, but get from the Lord to humble us (I guess).

So why don't you come and worship with us tomorrow?   If you can't, then send money.  HA!

This is Jim C. Burns, and that's something to think about!   Email:  jimmycburns@aol.com

PS.  Please pray for our son, Aaron Burns who is flying home from China Dec. 29th.  He has not been home for two years.