NCYM

From Ohio, I will be heading to Nashville, TN for NCYM (The National Conference on Youth Ministries). I know several of you c o c guys will be there, and I am looking forward to getting to meet you.

In the meantime, Happy New Year!

Home Sweet Home

I am sitting at my parent’s computer. Jen, the girls and I made it safely to Ohio. Our two little ones did really good on the road. We covered some 740 miles and they really did well for being so little. I know they were really glad to be out of the car.

 

We did Christmas last night at my parent’s house. It was nice. Rachel and Kenzie had three Christmases again. I am afraid that they will learn that Santa will make three stops every year.

 

Today, is a lazy day. I do have some reading to do, and a sermon to write, but I am really enjoying being home.

 

Go Buckeyes! Go Bengals!

Jingle Bells

Jen, the girls and I are in Owasso at her parents house and this morning, like many families we went to church. The church in Collinsville had a different service this morning. A celebration of the gift of Christ. It was well done.

During communion, my oldest daughter broke out in a spontaneous solo of Jingle Bells. She was singing to our youngest daughter. If you know anything about communion, usually it is a serious affair, but this morning as my two year old belted out the words to Jingle Bells, I couldn’t help but laugh. I shook violently tyring to contain myself. I needed that!

Whever you are today, do enjoy the season. Eat some fudge, steal a kiss from your wife!

Merry Christmas ya’ll!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas,

 

We will be out of town for the Holidays, but I will update as often as I can.

 

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogosphere!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

 

A word from the Word: Read Luke 1:1-2:40

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11)

 

Food for Thought: Merry Christmas

I have read the birth narratives many times in Luke and Matthew. They are among my favorite stories in the New Testament. For this is an important story to tell. Luke and Matthew must have thought so too, for they let us into a world of expectation and surprise and we see but a glimpse of the majesty that surrounds the Christ child.

 

I want to draw your attention to a couple of things specific to Luke’s birth narrative:

1. At the time of the census, Joseph and his very pregnant girl traveled to Bethlehem. I am not sure what went through thier minds as they traveled, but some time in the town of David, Mary’s water broke. I have to imagine that there was a look of fear, joy and nervousness that covered both of their faces. First time parents don’t have a clue.

 

The text reads that there was no room for them in the inn. I don’t want to get lost in the debate over what exactly this inn was, but know this, a manger is not what you would typically expect a king to be born, let alone the one they would “Immanuel.” It seems fitting to me, however, that Jesus would choose an out of the way manger, on what appears to be a rather ordinary night to be born. But the question looms in my mind, and all of should grapple with this question as well. Do we have room for Jesus in our lives? Will we make the preparations necessary to accomodate a king?

 

2. The annoucement of the birth of the Christ child was given first to shepherds working out in the field. Isn’t it a little ironic that the Lamb of God, the Chief and Great Shepherd would have his birth announced to lowly shepherds? Shepherds in these days weren’t thought of to highly. They were unclean and un-important. They weren’t the first to receive news of anything. They smelled like sheep, were probably unkempt, and uneducated. Just the sort of the people who needed to hear the Good News first. These sort of socially unacceptable fellows are the type of people that an adult Jesus was often found with, eating, loving, healing and hugging. The down and out needed to hear that the newborn King would be accessible to all.

 

3. How did the angels describe the baby?

i. That he was a Savior — It is certainly worth paying attention to that this baby that was born was a Savior. His own mission while here would be to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk. 19:10).

ii. He is the Christ — In other words, Jesus is the long awaited Messiah, or anointed one. The arrival of Jesus is the fulfillment of hundreds of years of prophecy of a coming King that would redeem Israel. It is also important to know that Christ is a title and not Jesus’ last name. Jesus is not son of Mary and Jospeh Christ.

iii. He is the Lord — A king indeed. I must point out that as Lord, Jesus is sovereign. He has all power and reigns supreme over all. We need to be reminded that in addition to Jesus being our Savior, He is also our Sovereign and we need to allow Him to have the throne of our hearts and lives.

iv. He is Jesus — Isn’t is interesting that at the core of Jesus name is his mission? Salvation. Notice that Jesus was a common name. If he had come today, his name might be a Bob, or a Jim. While His name reveals his mission; a common name such as Jesus also reveals that he is approachable, touchable and available.

v. While not mentioned in chapter two of Luke, it is alluded to in Luke 1:26-35, and specifically mentioned in John 1:1-5, 14. God became a man. Unless our eyes are to familiar with that notion, let us see it again, “God became a man.” It is a frightening, amazing and a most welcome declaration. God will enter the human condition in the person of Jesus. It is absurd for the mind to comprehend the size and scope of this indeed, but God planted a seed in the womb of a Jewish teenager. Later on in Scripture, Hebrews 4:14-16, the writer notes how our high priest was a man just like us. In other words, the way we enter the world, is also how God in the flesh in Jesus would enter the world. God became a man, and because he did he was subject to all the things that befall humanity. It is almost to wonderful for words. God has wooed, delivered, protected, taught, loved and pursued humanity since the dawn of creation. His aim has always been to live with humanity. You see this in the Garden when God and man for a short time live together. But sin changed the landscape of creation and forever strained the relationship between God and man. In the incarnation, God restores the balance and enters once again into a relationship of proximity with humanity. While we marvel at the doctrine of the Incarnation, we must remember that entry into our condition is certainly lovely and mysterious the culmination of God’s arrival is Calvary, to forever redeem the souls of mankind. While we pause to gaze upon the Christ child wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger, we musn’t forget the bloody, bruised, beaten, naked Jesus nailed to a Roman cross. The Incarnation sets the stage for the cross. And in God’s greatest act, He does the unthinkable once again. He dies. It should be apparant by now, that God is not in the buisness of making sense.

 

Just as the death of the Messiah Jesus brings us to a most dangerous place. A place of decision, do you trust what you see with your eyes or what you see with faith and trust what you know through faith. The death of the Messiah Jesus also brings us to a place of great expectation and hope. For in dying, we are brought to a tomb outside of the hustle and bustle of the Passover celebration. Three days pass and once again the most beautiful thing happens. The beloved followers of Jesus are met that morning with alarming news. He is alive. Jesus is alive. Yes Jesus did die, he was buried and now He has risen to deliver humanity from the sting of sin and death. All of this would be the destiny of the baby lying in the manger. The Incarnation prepares us for the Cross and the Resurrection.

 

4. It is story worth telling. Notice that once they shepherds make their way to see the sight the heavenly host told them about. They make a decision to go to Bethelem to see the Christ child. What they saw there, leads them to share this news with others. The story of Jesus is a story worth telling. As you are reacquainted with this story this Christmas, won’t you tell someone else? It has the power to change lives. I know it has for you, and it has for me.

The Gospel in John 3:16

I found this through a good friend of mine. He found it from another, in the sermon archives of Rubel Shelly.

 

The Gospel in John 3:16:

God – the Greatest Lover

So loved – the greatest degree

The world – the greatest rebels

That he gave – the greatest generosity

His only Son – the greatest gift

So that everyone – the greatest invitation

Who believes – the greatest simplicity

In him – the greatest attraction

May not perish – the greatest rescue

But – the greatest contrast

May have – the greatest certainty

Eternal life – the greatest possession

It is really about Him…

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)

 

A word from the Word: Read Matthew 1

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 1:18)

 

I love Christmas time. Growing up, I am sure I loved Christmas time for all the wrong reasons. How so? Well, as a youngster, Christmas was all about presents, mom’s cooking and playing with my new stuff. As I got older, I bought gifts for others. I confess, this was the hardest part of Christmas for me. I know, it is selfish, and a great deal of our holiday celebration in this country is selfish too, I might add. 

 

I now know there is more to the Christmas story than Santa and his eight tiny reindeer, plus one, Rudolf. There is more to Christmas than getting presents and selfishly indulding myself in my new stuff. A little older now, awestruck by the babe in the manger, I know enjoy watching others open their gifts. Being a father myself, I must say it does the heart quite well, to see the twinkle in their eyes and the joy on their face.

 

I have learned that because of the gift given to humanity in the arrival of the Christ child, that giving of gifts is where the spirit of Christmas is. Can you imagine the scene when Joseph first learned that his bride to be was pregnant. Good Jewish girls just don’t do that sort of thing. What was he to do? Jospeh could have caused quite a ruckus over this, and had Mary publicly shamed and possibly executed over the news of her pregnancy. An un-wed Jewish girl with child is absurd. I can understand Joseph’s desire to divorce her. But notice, he didn’t want to publicly humiliate her. No, I believe that Jospeh loved Mary and was heartbroken and wanted to do what seemed best for the both of them. Oh, but how heaven had another plan. Instead of divorce, an angel encourages Jospeh, by sharing a little of the plan of God and tells Joseph, he is take Mary home to be his wife. Imagine the moment, when the angel tells Joseph that the baby that has caused all of this mess in the first place is from the Holy Spirit, and that His name is to be Jesus, because he wil lsave his people from thier sins. And then the most astonishing words, the child Mary had in her baby was Immanuel – God with us.

 

I bet Joseph’s heart was pounding heavy with fear and joy. One on hand, the long awaited arrival of the promised One was now soon to happen. It was yet a reminder that God had not forgotten his people. On the other hand, Jospeh was take Mary home, love her and raise a child that was out of this world. We aren’t told much more of Jospeh’s life, other than at key points in Jesus’ young life did he obey God and helped to protect the Christ child. In addition to loving Mary, I believe that Joseph loved Jesus. But there is a dilema for both Mary and Jospeh, for how do you parent the Prince of Peace? How do you provide for the Provider? What gift do you give your child who is the giver of life? Did the toddler, and young child Jesus ever have a bruise, a runny nose, a scrape on his knee? I am sure that Mary and Joseph tried the best they could to raise Jesus in a normal Jewish home. The Gospel narratives don’t tell us much about the early life of Jesus. But they do mention his birth. Certainly His arrival is worth noting, and celebrating (Luke 2:8-20).

 

Merry Christmas. Do remember, that while we may not know exactly when Jesus was born, the Scripture does tell us a little bit about this event. His birth changed the world. And if we get close enough to Him, He will change us for the better. Will you let Him in this Christmas?

Christmas and family

“Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35)

 

A word from the Word: Read Matthew 1

“A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1)

 

 

Matthew goes into great detail to show us Jesus’ earthly lineage. By so doing, Matthew also reveals the foreknowledge of God. God would use the likes of Abraham, Jacob, David, Bathsheba, and Jospeh to bring about his plan to enter the world wrapped in human flesh. If you notice from Jesus’ genalogy there are some doosies. You see the likes of an Abraham, and a Jacob who both deceived others for self preservation. You see the name Ruth, a foreigner. David is mentioned. You remember David don’t you? The one who had after God’s own heart. This same David committed adultery, murder and tried to cover it all up. David’s son Solomon, the wisest man to have ever lived. Solomon too has quite a sortied past. Thousands of wives, many of which were foreigners, causing Israel to be entangled in all kinds of foreign alliances (which just happened to be strictly forbidden by God). Don’t forget Rahab the Prostitute. How would you like to have that come up at family gatherings? How is your aunt the Prostitute?

 

Jesus family tree certainly would make any one blush. But I think there is a bigger issue here. Notice, God uses the ordinary, the awful, the socially unacceptable to bring about his promises. If Jesus’ family tree is full of colorful characters, we can embrace our own families with all thier warts as well. Be blessed this Christmas by who is in your family. Maybe you have a several few relatives who are tough to be around, rejoice at what you share in common with Jesus. Be encouraged that through Christ, God embraces all of humanity, even those of us with the biggest warts and worst track records. Family is, well … family.

Finally

It has happened. My little town has a coffee shop. This has been a desire ever since we moved to Duncan. I went today to the Java Jar Trading Company. It is legitmate. Formerly all our town had was a coffee trailer. I know this doesn’t sound right either. I heard the coffee was okay. But I couldn’t get myself to buy coffee from a trailer. So, today my tastebuds were given a gift. Thank you Java Jar for coming into existence!

It’s Christmas time in the city…

I know Christmas isn’t until Sunday, but we celebrated early at my house. See, I have two little girls. The oldest of which hasn’t quite figured out time or days of the week yet. So, celebrating anything early doesn’t bother her. Anyway, it snowed yesterday, which made our celebration all the more sweeter. Especially since we live in Southwest Oklahoma, where we aren’t known for our snow. So, technically we had a white Christmas.

You have to love watching little children open gifts. Rachel, our two year old, was fun to watch. She was so excited and it did my heart good to watch her tear into her gifts. She got to help our little sister, Kenzie with her gifts. Four month olds haven’t quite figured out how to manipulate their hands to well. So, big sister offered her help willingly. Rachel also helped her daddy and mommy open her gifts as well. It was a good morning at our house.

I have to be honest though. I am horrible at buying gifts for my wife. Last year, I bought her a bigger diamond. How do you top that? But seriously, this year I have had a hard time trying to figure out what to get my family. Why do we go to all the trouble year after year? I like giving gifts, don’t get me wrong, I am just a little bit frustrated with the whole retail scene. Elbow to elbow through a store, where are people’s manners? If Christmas is about peace on earth and good will towards mankind, someone needs to remind the people who shop at Walmart and other places what Christmas is about. Look, you know as well as I do that the retail stores are going to be busy. Don’t be a jerk. You don’t have to hurry, and bump people and gripe about the long lines or the crowded aisles. I was the cause of such an instance yesterday. What was I to do, I was holding the baby and keeping an eye on Rachel in the cart, I was out of the way, but the aisle behind me was crowded and some happy Christmas shopper complained loudly about how certain people block aisles. I didn’t hog the aisle on purpose, there was no where to go.

So, if you have to be out and about the next couple of days, remember what the season is for. Don’t let scrooge or the grinch steal your Christams joy.

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First let me say this, if we aren’t loving our neighbors we really
aren’t loving God. A lack of love for others spills over into other
areas of our lives. Paul doesn’t suggest we love others, he tells us
it is a heavenly mandate. He even compares it to a debt that never
gets completly paid off (Rom. 13:8).

It is as if Paul was peering through a window into our century. The
things he says here hit right at the heart of the problems we see
daily in our culture (Rom. 13:11-14). If these things were a problem
in Paul’s day, then it should be no surprise that humanity is still
tempted to fall into the same old sins. It may come in different
packaging, but it’s the same old stuff.