Christmas Displays

Here we are again.  It’s that time of year where the decorations come out.  It seems to get earlier every year.  Lisa and I actually decorated the week before Thanksgiving this year because we would be out of town at relatives over the weekend.  It’s also that time when the “War on Christmas” stuff hits the news again.  Town halls pulling down nativity scenes.  Schools outlawing the use of the word Christmas.  And the religious community, some of it at least, goes nuts over it.

There is a war on Christmas.  However, I want to submit that it is one that is internal in the believer.  It is not one in city hall or the school board meeting room.  I think one of the biggest problems in the church is that we don’t make a display of Christmas in our personal lives year round.  We fight with people about putting up our decorations and we feel holy because of it, but then we’ll go out to eat and be rude to the waitress, ignore the hungry people next door, and harbor unforgiveness towards family and neighbors.

We need to fight the real fight.  We need to recognize that this is a spiritual fight against darkness.  It is a fight against sin that “so easily besets” us.  It’s a fight against the desires of our sinful nature that lead us to live lives that don’t look like Jesus.

Let’s start making a real display of Christmas.  Year round in the way that we live our lives.  Let’s decorate this tree, it’s Biblical, “clothe yourselves with Christ”.  That’s the kind of Christmas display that really makes a difference.  If we want to celebrate what the birth of Christ is about.  Then let’s live out and carry out the mission that he gave us.  Love God and Love People.

Complaining

Here are three links to some posts by Pastor Steven Furtick about how to deal with that complaining mess and perspective problem we all struggle with.  READ THEM!

http://www.stevenfurtick.com/uncategorized/convert-your-complaint/

http://www.stevenfurtick.com/uncategorized/the-100-year-grid/

http://www.stevenfurtick.com/uncategorized/the-grace-perspective/

Leverage Technology

I just linked my blog to my Twitter which was already linked to my Reverbnation page which also posts on Facebook.  It’s nice that we’re finally getting to where we can consolidate these tools so that the things that are supposed to save us time don’t consume so much of it.

The truth is these things are inert, no power or bias of their own.  It’s all in how we leverage it.  A few thousand years ago, the gospel flourished with sheer conviction of heart and commitment of will under the direction of the Holy Spirit.  No big buildings, no projectors, no amplifiers, no hymnals, and certainly no Twitter.  Some churches are shunning technology and they are losing out on the language of modern American culture.  Some churches are in the midst of technology orgy and are being led by the promises of ease and speed.  I’m crying out for the middle ground!  We must be lead by the Holy Spirit, driven by a love for God and a love for people, and leverage technology for the Kingdom.  Remember, technology isn’t needed (God doesn’t need anything, not me, not you, and not a smart phone), but it can be useful.

Just remember nothing can replace time with God, without faith it is impossible to please Him.  Be careful that what is good doesn’t consume so much of your time that it robs you of the best – time with God, face to face time with people, and a sheer commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Be creative this week with your “technologies” and see how you can use them for the Kingdom in ways that allow more time with God, Family, Friends, and the Mission Field you find yourself in.

Funny Church Stuff

This is sad and hilarious at the same time. Click the link and read:
http://jeremypickwell.wordpress.com/2008/11/24/deep-theology/

A Block Party not a Restaurant

After the birth of Olivia, the week off, and major sound equipment devastation at church, I’ve got a number of things to write about in the coming days.  However, I’m going to start with something of a thought from a couple of weeks ago.

I was listening to someone’s tale of another church drama, politic, angry people thing, you know they all seem to be the same story after a while.  You’ve got one too if you’ve been in church for any length of time.  The main reason is that the church has people in it, they are the Church.  People have problems, oddities, imaturities, and the like.  I happen to be a card carrying member.  So, the issue is not that we have problems, it is how we handle them.

I had this thought in the midst of that conversation.  The church should be like a block party not a restaurant.  At a block party,  everyone contributes in some fashion either by attending, bringing food, haning out.  No pretense here, just come because you are my neighbor.  We invite the new folks from down the street and make sure we carry plates to the old folks one street over.  I share my baked beans, you smile and eat even though they are a little cold.  I grin and share stories with you and we all clean up at the end of the day.

At a restaurant, people pick thier favorite place to eat because it has what they like.  If they been there a few times they tend to like the same seat.  When they order they expect it to be the same or better than last time and prepared to thier exact specifications, no room for error here.  If it’s not to taste or takes to long, then they’re angry and my refuse to spend thier money.  They might complain or make a scene and leave, never to return, but tell all of thier friends how bad a place it is. (I purposely used “thier and they” because it would never be me or you would it?)

Seriously, it’s a pretty good analogy isn’t it?  Just food for fun but serious thought.

Don’t Waste It

GO SEE IRON MAN!  It’s Great! (Those of you who get upset by a little (OK, a lot of) action, bad guys getting it, and tiny bit of innuendo, might not like it)  It is definitely my favorite Super Hero Movie.  There is a scene in the first quarter of the movie that is worth the price of spiritual admission

****** SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT ********

Tony Stark has been injured in an attack and is being held captive by some terrorist types.  Taking the brunt of a blast embedded some high tech shrapnel into his chest and was killing him.  Another captive, a local scientist, saves Tony’s life by protecting his heart with a device.  Later, when Tony goes to make his escape (in the Mark 1 armor no less, for us nerds) his fellow captive sacrifices his life so Tony can escape and be free.  In an exchange just before the fellow captive dies, Tony says, “Thank you for saving my life”.  To which the man that saved Tony’s life says, “Don’t waste it, don’t waste it”.  What’s awesome about this is that Tony is a purpose-less jerk before the incident, he becomes a heroic man on a mission afterwards.

Jesus saved my life, I don’t want to waste it.  He gave me purpose, I out on a mission.

Don’t waste it.

(BTW, Lisa is still having contractions and if we haven’t had Oliva before Wednesday, they’re gonna induce!  It’s be in the next few days for sure!  Keep Praying!)