The Visitor

Christmas time at our house, among other things, means "over the riverand through the woods". Long trips for cherished visits with family we rarely see, these have become part of our tradition.

This year's jaunt included a Sunday drive and worship at a church where we had never been before. "New place equals new perspective" was true again, but not before navigating the hazards of being "the visitor".

Where are the restrooms? We're early so where should we go? What should we do? Is it possible to be inconspicuous? All kinds of thoughts and feelings surfaced as we walked up to the door and entered the building. Judy wanted to be inconspicuous, finding a seat at the back of the church as quickly as possible. I wanted to avoid sitting in a regular attendee's seat, noticing how so many had already taken those prime aisle seats at the back of the sanctuary. Once seated, we found ourselves doing a quick check of attire, to see if we fit in.

Amazing, the mental mine field one has to negotiate on a first visit. And that wasn't all. As service began there were the distractions of people coming in late, the temptations of analyzing music, sound and lighting. I am glad to say our experience didn't end there.

Once worship began it took a conscious choice to push past the clutter, but when I did, God met me and I heard from Him in a fresh way. It became an invigorating, refreshing encounter with God, but not without a greater appreciation for the distractions faced by "the visitor".

Finding Joy In A Troubled World

“Joy-filled” is a good description for the New Testament epistle of Philippians. Here are a few devotional nuggets from my reading.

Philippians 1:6 – No matter what you are facing, God can finish what He begins in your life!

Philippians 1:12-18 – Paul looked at the donut, not the hole. So should we.

Philippians 2:1-18 – Humility leads to exaltation! Humble service reveals “Christ-likeness”. Humility is the key to shining like stars. Quite appropriate considering the Christmas message that Christ came humbly, lying in a manger.

Philippians 2:12-13 – God is at work in your life. Work out what He is working in your life.

Philippians 3:12-14 – We are in the race of a lifetime. Keep running; press on for the prize!

Philippians 3:15-21 – Who are your heroes? Who are your mentors? Who do you want to be like? Some good questions to ask as we enter a new year.

Philippians 4:1-4 – Praise, poise and prayer lead to perfect peace.

Philippians 4:8 – Think right thoughts.

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Have a joy-filled new year!

Merry Christmas!

Life Is A Gift From God

A friend's life is hanging by a thread. Actually many threads, if you count the wires and hoses connecting her to the machines doing what her body cannot. Standing and quietly praying by her bedside, I am reminded just how precious each moment is.

I wrote those thoughts late last week. This week I am preaching her funeral. It is true that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. We have today to act and live.

As Christmas nears, let me encourage you to make the most of time with family and loved ones. Avoid unnecessary strife over petty things that really don't matter. Take the time to express love and care for others. Don't miss the opportunity to love deeper, speak sweeter, to give and accept forgiveness, and to, as the song goes, "live like you were dyin'."

Ten Questions To Ask At Christmas Gatherings

I ran across this list of questions, originally penned by Don Whitney, a few years ago. They are designed to not only stir conversation in almost any Christmas situation, but to gradually take the dialogue to a deeper level. Why not try them at your next gathering. Ask God to give you some “divine appointments” where the gospel can be shared and Jesus glorified.

1. What's the best thing that's happened to you since last Christmas?
2. What was your best Christmas ever? Why?
3. What's the most meaningful Christmas gift you've ever received?
4. What was the most appreciated Christmas gift you've ever given?
5. What was your favorite Christmas tradition as a child?
6. What is your favorite Christmas tradition now?
7. What do you do to try to keep Christ in Christmas?
8. Why do you think people started celebrating the birth of Jesus?
9. Do you think the birth of Jesus deserves such a nearly worldwide celebration?
10. Why do you think Jesus came to earth?

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Have you heard the cost of the twelve days of Christmas? The following is an update for 2008. I hope you saved enough money!

Prices of items in the Christmas carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas," according to PNC Wealth Management:

1st Day of Christmas
A PARTRIDGE
COST: $20
(last year: $15)

Also on 1st Day of Christmas
A PEAR TREE
COST: $200
(last year: $150)

2nd Day of Christmas
TWO TURTLE DOVES
COST: $55
(last year: $40)

3rd Day of Christmas
THREE FRENCH HENS
$30
(last year: $45)

4th Day of Christmas
FOUR CALLING BIRDS
$60
(last year: same)

5th Day of Christmas
FIVE GOLDEN RINGS
$350
(last year: $395)

6th Day of Christmas
SIX GEESE A-LAYING
$240
(last year: $360)

7th Day of Christmas
SEVEN SWANS A-SWIMMING
$5,600
(last year: $4,200)

8th Day of Christmas
EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING
$52
(last year: $47)

9th Day of Christmas
NINE LADIES DANCING
$4,759
(last year: same)

10th Day of Christmas
TEN LORDS A-LEAPING
$4,414
(last year: $4,285)

11th Day of Christmas
ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING
$2,285
(last year: $2,213)

12th Day of Christmas
TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING
$2,475
(last year: $2,398)

Total Cost of 12 days of Christmas in 2008
$86,609
Up 10.9 percent from last year's cost of $78,100

Amazing Love

If we are honest, we would have to admit that we are all drawn to some people more than to others. It is easy to be friendly with those who are friendly. It is quite normal to like the likeable. Seems some people are just easy to love; they have a personality and characteristics that draw the attention and affection of others. The point is; human love is often a response to the positive qualities of another. God's love is not that way!

The closer we get to Christmas the more my heart has been drawn to the great truth in Romans 5 I read a while back. It is the very essence of Christmas. It tells us that God expressed his love for humanity (for you and me) while we were "without strength" (5:6), "ungodly"(5:6), "sinners" (5:8), "God's enemies" (5:10). In other words God loves you not because of, but in spite of who you are! It wasn't a reaction but a decision on his part to love us when we were unlovely. Romans 5:8 NIV tells us: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." What amazing love!

You Are My King
Words and Music by Billy James Foote

I'm forgiven because You were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again.

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it's true
It's my joy to honor You
In all I do, to honor You

You are my King
You are my King
Jesus, You are my King
You are my King
CCLI #2456623

Christmas Score Card - UPDATE

Since the last survey, I asked Pastor Billy Worland and some of our 3N1 youth group members to provide us with a larger sampling from Linton, IN. Here are the stats.

• Jesus 9
• Frosty 24 Winner!!!!
• Santa 15
• Pooh Bear 1
• Angels 3
• Charlie Brown and friends 1
• Mickey and Minnie Mouse 1
• Grinch 1
• Nutcracker 1

I am encouraged by the count for Jesus, but I still wonder how a "soon-to-be puddle of water" and a "fictious red suited elf" can have greater representation that the divine Son of God.

The Christmas Score Card

Riding back from a Christmas dinner with friends, we began to notice yard decorations. By the time we got home, Jesus had come in third out of the four characters we focused upon.

Santa, I can understand, but Frosty? It bugs me that Jesus, the Savior of the world, doesn’t have better exposure this time of year. Seems to me His exposure is waning. What do you think?

Motive Matters

Why do you do what you do? I mean really, go beyond the pat answer off the top of your head and think deeply about it. What is the motive behind your actions? Taking an honest look below the surface of our lives can be a good thing. Without that occasional examination, it's easy to drift into the place of doing right things
for wrong reasons.

One of the guys at our men's prayer meeting today shared a thought provoking Bible verse: "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God."

God's desire for the follower of Jesus is integrity of inner motive and outward action. He knows our hearts and that will be the basis of lasting reward. Motive matters!

Christmas: It's About The Cross

A few years ago I sang a song in a Christmas musical emphasizing that Jesus' goal in coming was not the manger, but the cross. This week I heard another song with a similar message. Thought I would share it with you.

With busy lives and hectic schedules it's easy to forget the deeper
meaning of Christmas, so here's a fresh reminder of why Jesus came.
I hope you enjoy it.

Black Friday Stampede

Did you hear about the Black Friday incident where a Wal Mart employee was trampled to death by a crowd of people trying to get inside the store? It was a mob scene when the doors opened at 5am, driven by what police describe as a mentality of “They’re not going to cut in front of me.” The end result: broken doors, bodily injuries and one man dead.

My first response: what a bunch of lunatics, materialism run amuck, sheer stupidity. But as I thought more about it this week, I have come to another unnerving conclusion: I see myself in them. You and I have the same “me first” mentality they exhibited. We may not run over people at Wal Mart in the wee hours of the morning, but at the core, we all share the same attitude driving those early bird shoppers.

Who among us hasn’t gotten upset when someone wildly cuts you off in traffic? Who doesn’t get a bit heated when a woman at the grocery, cart overflowing with enough food to feed an army for a month, rushes to get in front of you? Who doesn’t get steamed when cars keep zooming past you, only to cut into your slow moving line of traffic two cars in front of you, causing it to slow even more? All of those things are an affront to our self-importance, to the “Me First” dwelling in all of us.

The bottom line is, the Black Friday stampede is merely a symptom of a deeper problem we all share; a sinful, self-centered, selfish nature. If left unchecked, as seen last Friday, it will harm us and others.

It’s a reminder that we really do need Christmas; not the materialism but the manger. It demonstrates our need of a Savior, for Jesus who came so we can have forgiveness of sin and the power to change from the inside out.

One And Counting

Have you ever forgotten an important date, like your spouse’s birthday, or a meeting with a friend? Remember the feeling? That is exactly how I felt - for a split second.

I fumbled in my coat pocket, found my phone and quickly opened after the third ring. Immediately I heard the voice of a friend on the other end saying “Happy Anniversary”! Hmn, happy anniversary? Wait a minute, I thought, I know when our anniversary is, and it is not today. Actually it is over six months away, and you can’t miss it much farther than that. So what anniversary are we talking about anyway? The friend on the other end went on to remind me that it was the anniversary of the date Judy and I moved into Linton. What a nice gesture.

Today is the anniversary of our first Sunday at Linton Assembly of God. One year! God has been good. Judy and I are grateful for a good community to live in and a great church family with which to experience life. It is good to be one and counting!