Christmas Lights

I recently read an article about the origins of different Christmas traditions. The decorations and activities come from a variety of different backgrounds and cultures, all adapted through the years to symbolize parts of the Christmas story: evergreen trees and decorations to remind us of the everlasting life the Savior came to bring; lights to remind us that Christ is the light of the world; gifts to remind us of the gifts brought to the Savior by the wise men and that Christ is the greatest Gift of all. Some people object to “pagan” traditions being adapted to Christian meanings, but I'm not sure I follow that line of reasoning. I think it's a good idea to use everything in our life to remind us about Jesus. If there are things in our life that don't remind us of the Savior, those things probably don't need to be there in the first place. This year, give yourself a present: watch for ways you can see and show others the Savior in everything you do.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Merry Christmas!

Early Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving comes early this year. In fact, it comes as early as it can. November 1 fell on a Thursday, which means that Thanksgiving will the the earliest (November 22) that it can be on the calendar. I suppose that means I need to start thawing my turkey now.

It brings to mind the need for thanksgiving throughout the year. Not just the turkey and homemade rolls (though I wouldn't mind) but the need to give thanks. It's never too early for that, no matter how the calendar falls. The Bible puts it in terms we can all understand.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
¹⁶ Be joyful always; ¹⁷ pray continually; ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Give thanks (and it's okay to have some turkey, too)!

Stormy Weather

Friday, September 7, was an amazing day in Springfield, meteorologically speaking. It was beautiful sunshine, followed by tornado sirens and hurricane force winds, followed by sunshine, all in the space of about forty-five minutes. To forecast the weather, you needed stopwatch.

That's the nature of weather, though. It changes. Predicting shifts in the weather is still as much art as it is science. A 40% chance of rain means there is a 60% chance of sunshine, so I leave my umbrella in the car 100% of the time, just in case.

It's good to know that the love of God is not like that.

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

That's a truth you can know, and live, 100% of the time.

School Days

School starts this week in several districts throughout our area. That means teachers have been working for several weeks getting ready to welcome their new class. I remember August weeks with my mother, an elementary teacher, stapling bulletin boards, arranging desks and sharpening pencils. This year, I got to help my daughter get ready for her first class of third graders. Pretty special!

As school begins, remember in prayer teachers, administrators, parents, and families as they begin their journey of learning. It's a difficult task, but important, and one that needs our support and prayers. Thank you, teachers, for all you do!

Camp!

The month of July is filled with camps and mission trips in our Youth and Children's ministries. I remember my first camp. I was in the third grade and it was my first overnight trip away from my parents. When I arrived at camp, I realized I had left my bedroll at home. An empty mattress on a bunk stared at me from our camp dorm room. Fortunately, my mother had pity on me, and brought my sleeping bag along with a box of cookies for me and the rest of the guys in my dorm. I slept better knowing my Mom was there to make sure I had what I needed. The cookies weren't so bad, either.

We often find ourselves in life lacking what we need. We arrive at points along the way - the birth of a child, the death of a parent, an unexpected illness – and find ourselves without the items necessary to move forward. It is in those times we can more fully realize the promise of God's word:

Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

As you face your inabilities, realize the God who supplies all your need.

Rain Gauge

This morning was the first day of Vacation Bible School. It rained. Inside.

We had a leak in one of our classrooms. Water is not a bad thing, but it doesn't help the VBS music rotation. Immediately, our VBS team of volunteers sprang into action. Within moments, we had the class relocated, the leak stopped, the water cleaned up and the source of the leak fixed, all before any of the VBS children even knew anything had happened.

It was a wonderful example of 1 Corinthians 12, Paul's description of the body of Christ. As I watched, teachers taught, moppers mopped, movers moved, and children learned about the awesome power of our amazing God.

That is the church! Thank you NHBC for providing a living example of biblical service in action.

Upside Down Tomatoes

I attempted to grow an upside down tomato plant. I had seen a news report about a way to grow tomato plants in a plastic bucket with a hole cut in the bottom. So far, it doesn't appear to be working very well. The tomato plants we planted normally are flourishing. The plant I put in the bucket is about to die. As best I can tell, the bucket is not draining properly, literally drowning the tomato vine before it has a chance to grow. It reminds me of what sometimes happens to us as believers. We come to church and soak up all the scripture and worship, but we don't absorb it, and we don't let it spread to our neighborhoods and communities. Pretty soon, we wind up looking like my tomato plant, withered with nary a tomato in sight. We have it upside down. Church isn't designed to serve us. We, as the church, are designed to serve, to bear fruit. Jesus put it this way:

John 15:5 (NIV) I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.