God is good, all the time!

Now that the 25th has past I was reflecting on the annual conflict over removing Christ from Christmas. Removing the Christian or “religious” elements from Christmas is like removing the wetness from water. If water isn’t wet…..guess what?………it’s not water any more.  The reason why Christmas has been the most celebrated holiday in America is the message that an all loving, all knowing, all powerful transcendent God was making things right between Him and His creation….us. Not only that but He was doing all the heavy lifting Himself. He was giving us the greatest gift of all…Himself. Why?  Simply because He loves us.  Whether most actually believe in that message or not the sheer power of such a concept and the open display of such a message is enough to transform most of us for a least a few weeks.  The idea of peace on earth goodwill towards men touches a very deep and basic need that we all have. This God wasn’t demanding we become like Him. He was becoming like us so that we could freely receive an eternity of love, grace and blessing. His messengers came to shepherds to show us that His eye and heart are directed towards the outcasts, the forgotten and the lowly thereby bringing hope to all.  For years consumerism even added positively to the celebration.  With interesting parallels; Santa leaves his home at the north pole to bring material gifts to the “good” people of the world. Jesus left his home in heaven to bring forgiveness, reconciliation and eternal life to all the world. Santa had Rudolph to guide his sleigh on that foggy Christmas eve. The three wise men had the star to guide them to Bethlehem. Santa had his helpers, the elves. God had his helpers the angels. There was also Saint Nick, the story of the candy cane and the star or angel on top of the Christmas tree.  Nativity scenes were openly displayed every where for all to see. Christmas songs like Rudolph, Santa Clause Is Coming to town and I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas were sung along side of Silent Night, Away in a Manger and We Three Kings. It was a happy marriage between consumerism and Christian tradition. I’m not being sarcastic. The goodwill of heart, and hope that it brings spilled over into material generosity.  (Okay maybe we got duped a little but it was fun). We openly celebrated at church, school, work, home and Sears. I’m 56, so before Wal Mart there was the Sears and Roebuck Christmas Catalog! Now it looks like were in for a messy divorce. Outside of church and home we don’t want “Christ”-mas anymore. However we do want all the peace, hope, comfort and joy that it has brought countless generations………but it ain’t gonna work. I think the Church will be better off without the secular, the commercial hype and the politically correct boorishness. However, our culture will not be better off without the Christ of Christmas.  No one ever has been, no one ever will be.  So why all the effort to remove Christ and those “religious symbols” from Christmas?  Hey, Satan never bothers anyone or anything that doesn’t bother him. However, as the church celebrates it’s source of comfort and joy without the rampant consumerism, the cheap manipulation of political correctness and the restraints of secularism our culture, as it looks on, is going to see something it may not have seen in a few years……..the Christ of Christmas.

Pastor Joe

Food for thought about Christmas……… What advice do you think our culture would give to a poor, pregnant, unwed mother today?

1977 came calling not long ago and it was both a humbling and uplifting experience. First a word about 2008. I am not very patient at times. Especially when that time is spent waiting to pick up one my kids who is not on time.  Basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, scouts, school, youth group, friends etc.  On this occasion it was passed the pick time and I was waiting and preparing the latest version of  “Don’t waste my time…be on time”.  As I looked out at the parking lot I was suddenly reminded of another parking lot 31 years earlier.  It was a bright sunny day in P.G. County Maryland back in 1977. I was to meet a friend who, by the way, was not on time. So I decided to watch and pray. I prayed for my friends, my family, and my future wife (long fuse on that one). Still no friend. I watched people going in and out of stores and I began praying for them. I noticed cars and trucks going up and down the road and prayed for drivers and passengers. I prayed long prayers, short prayers, intercession, thanksgiving, petition, and blessing. I remember how close to the lord I felt that day and thanking Him for laying prayer on my heart. It was a great experience.  By the time my friend showed up I was prayed up.  It was like I was there again and in a few blinks it was gone.  The parking lot in 2008 was a different story.  I realized the only one wasting my time was me. I was humbled and yet uplifted. So I apologize to God for wasting His time. I apologize to my kids for accusing them of wasting my idle time. They don’t, I do. Waiting time is a bit different now. Yes, I will speak to my kids about being considerate of those waiting for them. And I will be considerate of the God who is waiting for me to continue a “parking lot” prayer ministry that began 31 years ago. I do hope that 2008 doesn’t have to come calling someday. However it is a comfort to know that if it ever has to it will because…..God is good all the time.

Pastor Joe

 A few months ago I heard that my counseling mentor Dr. Beverly Mullins had gone to be with the Lord. Several years ago I was pastoring in Port Arthur Texas and working on a masters in counseling. I had gotten to the practicum part of my studies. That meant being supervised by a licensed professional. Many of my classmates had to pay for their supervision. I had to pray for mine. The Lord led me to Dr. Mullins. She saw doing my supervision as the Lord’s work and as an opportunity to mentor. What a blessing. Beverly’s most familiar expression was “This Isn’t a dress rehearsal”. Referring to living life deliberately instead of by default. That is, taking responsibility for ourselves and what we do Instead of resorting to being a victim of circumstance. She also offered it as advice to me on occasion. She was always right when she did.  The life we get to live on earth isn’t a dress rehersal, this is all we get.  After that we as Christians go to be with the Lord. The simple lesson is that as Christians we have an opportunity and responsibility to affect time and eternity during our lifetime upon this earth. So the next time you’re tempted to allow your circumstances to influence your faith, remember, “This isn’t a dress rehearsal.” Then choose to use your faith to influence your circumstances and thereby the world around you.

Pastor Joe