Not long ago I went to dinner with one of my daughters. It was going to be a great evening! I don't often get to spend one on one time with the girls in this kind of atmosphere and I was very excited about it. As we were being seated in the restaurant we passed an old friend of mine. He does not attend FBC and for the purposes of this story I will just call him "Ted".
Now, Ted sees us and calls out to me with the usual "it's been a long time"
and "it's so nice to see you guys". We stood there and talked for few moments to catch up with each other. He is soon to be ordained and asked if I was seeking the same. Soon the discussion turned to Christmas. He asked if were traveling and I said no. It was at this moment that I made my "Big Mistake". I asked Ted, "So, are you guys all ready for Christmas?". What followed next seemed to be a bad mix of Scrooge, The Grinch, and Billy Graham. "What do you mean ready for Christmas?" Ted asked. This was followed by the exclamations "I am so tired of all the ridiculousness of this season.", " No one seems to understand what Christmas is all about anymore!"
Then to my amazement he told me "Someone asked me the other day if I had put my Christmas lights up and of course I said "NO", "Why would I?" The conversation continued and he eventually apologized for going on that way.
Please understand, I love ole Ted. He has been a good friend over the years and he was there when I accepted Christ, cheering me on but, ....what just happened?
Did that family sitting near us just decide if that's how Christians view Christmas then maybe we won't go to the Candlelit service this year? Could it be that our view of how commercialism has killed the meaning of Christmas only nails the lid to the coffin in place?
I agree that Commercialism has corrupted Christmas but let's look at why we, churched and non-churched families alike do what we do this time of year.
Yes, we buy each other gifts, decorate our homes, put up Christmas trees, sing carols and have a nice meal together. Why do we do these things? I think it's because we love one another that we give gifts to express that love. It's to spend time with those that we love and to cherish family tradition that we decorate, sing, and break bread together. It's "Love" that sent a child to save the humanity. It was "Love" that died on the cross. It was "Love" that broke bread, sympathized, cared for, healed, and enlightened those who didn't understand who "Love" is.
It is "Love" that compels us to take care, that our words and our lives invite and teach others the fullness of the Christmas story and what it means for us today.
Just my Thoughts.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
BIG FISH OR LITTLE FISH
It’s a cold winter morning and you awake to the annoying buzz of the alarm clock. It’s time for that age old decision. “Do I get up and leave to comfort of my warm, cozy, comfortable bed or………just roll over sleep away the day. It’s a tempting thought for many of us. Maybe for you the decision is whether to try a new opportunity or direction in some area of life or just stay where you are. Keep things the way they are. No surprises, just the comfort of knowing things will be the way they have always been.
I was out fishing one day not long ago. It was a nice warm day and I was just enjoying one of my favorite pastimes with my wife. As I sat there in the sun mulling over the sermon I had heard that morning it occurred to me that we are a lot like some of those fish. Certain species spend their youth in the shelter and comfort of the inland waters. They thrive there in that protection, safe from the storms and predators of the big water outside of the inlet. There comes a point though, if they are to reach their full potential of 50 or 60 pounds, that they take their chances in the “big water”.
I love the safety and comfort of my church. I like knowing that I know all the people. I can usually anticipate how the service will be. Most everyone there are Christians and will not challenge my faith. It’s safe, warm , and comfortable.
I strongly believe that it is inherently important to take full advantage of this safety zone to grow in the foundations of our faith. Wednesday night bible study to equip us with the scriptural basis of our beliefs. A strong traditional service to teach us the ancient practices of the faith and assemble together as the body united in prayer, worship, and study.
The question is, what if that’s all there is? What if we just stay the way we are, simply continue doing things the way we always do? What if we choose to be comfortable? Will we ever experience our full potential? Will we have the opportunity to put into practice what we learn in a way that changes the world around us? Will we decide today to be “big fish” or “little fish”?
Just my thoughts.
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
I was out fishing one day not long ago. It was a nice warm day and I was just enjoying one of my favorite pastimes with my wife. As I sat there in the sun mulling over the sermon I had heard that morning it occurred to me that we are a lot like some of those fish. Certain species spend their youth in the shelter and comfort of the inland waters. They thrive there in that protection, safe from the storms and predators of the big water outside of the inlet. There comes a point though, if they are to reach their full potential of 50 or 60 pounds, that they take their chances in the “big water”.
I love the safety and comfort of my church. I like knowing that I know all the people. I can usually anticipate how the service will be. Most everyone there are Christians and will not challenge my faith. It’s safe, warm , and comfortable.
I strongly believe that it is inherently important to take full advantage of this safety zone to grow in the foundations of our faith. Wednesday night bible study to equip us with the scriptural basis of our beliefs. A strong traditional service to teach us the ancient practices of the faith and assemble together as the body united in prayer, worship, and study.
The question is, what if that’s all there is? What if we just stay the way we are, simply continue doing things the way we always do? What if we choose to be comfortable? Will we ever experience our full potential? Will we have the opportunity to put into practice what we learn in a way that changes the world around us? Will we decide today to be “big fish” or “little fish”?
Just my thoughts.
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
WWJD
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
Every were you look you see it. It’s on little rubber wrist bands, book marks, T-shirts, bumper
stickers-little reminders that as Christians we are called to be little Christ’s to the world around us.
Maybe the better logo would be WDJD (WHAT DID JESUS DO). It’s great to wonder what
would Jesus do in each situation we find ourselves , but how well do you know the character of
your savior?
Just what did Jesus do? Jesus loved all, received all, sympathized and served. Jesus shared meals
with sinners and tax collectors. He forgave and shared his message of salvation with both the despised
prostitute and the innocent child. In his last moments he even prayed for the forgiveness of
those who were killing him. As we journey this life together enduring its trials and reveling in its
joys let us constantly strive to learn what Jesus did so that we may be able to answer the question,
“What would Jesus do?”.
Every were you look you see it. It’s on little rubber wrist bands, book marks, T-shirts, bumper
stickers-little reminders that as Christians we are called to be little Christ’s to the world around us.
Maybe the better logo would be WDJD (WHAT DID JESUS DO). It’s great to wonder what
would Jesus do in each situation we find ourselves , but how well do you know the character of
your savior?
Just what did Jesus do? Jesus loved all, received all, sympathized and served. Jesus shared meals
with sinners and tax collectors. He forgave and shared his message of salvation with both the despised
prostitute and the innocent child. In his last moments he even prayed for the forgiveness of
those who were killing him. As we journey this life together enduring its trials and reveling in its
joys let us constantly strive to learn what Jesus did so that we may be able to answer the question,
“What would Jesus do?”.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
schnauzer in training to be a retriever
This is our little schauzer "Abby" learning how to dive in the pool and retrieve her ball!!!
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