Twelve Days of Christmas At an All-Time High

Were you one of those adventurous shoppers camping out overnight for lines at Best Buy, Walmart or Circuit City on Thanksgiving night trying to beat the Black Friday rush, or perhaps you got up before the paper boy delivered papers to hit the pavement in search of those Christmas treasures? Me I was sound asleep. Regardless when you started shopping, or if you have even started, it's doubtful any of us are trying to secure the gifts in the age old Christmas classic, "The Twelve Days of Christmas". In case you are, better pull out your wallet and credit cards.

According to the AP the price of the gifts listed in the famous Christmas carol have risen to over $78,000! In case you are wondering there are a total of 364 items in the song. 12 drummers drumming, etc., repeated for 12 days can get pricey. According to the annual PNC Christmas Price Index the cost is up 4% from last year's $75,122.

PNC calculates that buying each item in the song for just one day would cost $19,507. This year's minimum wage increase hiked the price of the "eight maids a milking" from $41 to $47, but according to Jim Dunigan of PNC Wealth Management the maids hadn't had a pay increase since 1997. The "five golden rings" still tops the list at $395.

Perhaps our quest for the "perfect" gift for someone special has neglected an even more costly and treasured gift-----the gift of self! The gift of presence (time) seems to be far more valuable and costly today than ever before. Yet, most of us spend a great deal of that time shopping to give things to people we dearly love, but spend less meaningful time with them once the gift has been opened. Perhaps we ought to consider giving fewer gifts and more of ourselves to those we love this Christmas. Call it cliche', trite, traditional, or old fashioned, but I really don't need another shirt, pair of slippers or an electronic gadget that has one more remote to add to the basket of them I'm still figuring out how to use. However, I would love to just spend an afternoon with my wife, kids, parents, siblings and other family who I rarely get to see. Now that is a most treasured gift!

Amazing that God gave first and all without Best Buy, Walmart, Circuit City, or any other retailer. And He gave the gift of presence. His presence! His Son, Jesus Christ! You can't top that with a Wii, or shiny new car. As we march through the stores this holiday season, may we all pause to reflect, remember, anticipate and look forward to God's gift of Advent, Jesus Christ! Okay, so where in the world do you go to find seven swans?

For more on this Christmas carol and others go to: http://www.carols.org.uk/the_twelve_days_of_christmas.htm

In ALL Things Give Thanks

Give Thanks
Eat
Be Merry
Celebrate God's incredible blessings and gifts
Give Thanks
Laugh
Play Board Games
Tickle the Children
Play a Family Football Game
Give Thanks
Take a Nap, heck take two
Remember Those Who are Working
Hug a child
Shop if you must
Give Thanks
Recall Old Family Stories
Put the latest crisis or pain on hold
Give Thanks
Help with the dishes
Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Call an old friend
Give Thanks
Pray for a soldier
Pray for the people of Bangladesh
Get up early with a family member for coffee
Give Thanks
Take a Walk
Put up Christmas decorations
Go Hunting
Give Thanks
Save Room for Pie
Watch some college football
Give Thanks
If you need background on the Puritans or that famous first feast go to:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/newsletter/2001/nov16.html

"Father, thank you for a life partner, children, family, friends and a church that have enriched my life beyond measure. Thank you for the hard or difficult times we've had this year and the reminder of your never-ending presence regardless of those circumstances. For those who've lost loved ones in war, tragedy or by illness this year bring your comfort and peace. Strengthen the hands and heart of your church for many are tired and weary from battling the pains and problems of life. Remind all of us that in this season of gratitude Advent dawns and therein lies our hope. In fact the hope of the world. Come Lord Jesus, come quickly!"

May you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving.

The Golden Compass Internet Buzz

The screen version of the much hyped children's book "The Golden Compass" hits theatres in early December. The book is the film version from atheist author Philip Pullman's children's book. If you haven't heard about the movie or received one of the endless mass email warnings about it you've either got great Spam protection, or you've been living in a cave on a remote island.

Last week alone, I got 7 forwarded email warnings about the movie promoting "atheism", etc. I haven't read the book but I have read several reviews from educators and critics. One thing to consider is the significant number of great literary classics that were written by people who were troubled and very confused personally. The list of great authors with serious personal issues or agendas is too great to recite, but we could name a few from Capote to Hemingway, to Edgar Allen Poe, to Tennesee Williams.

I'm not going to endorse the movie, or say stay away. I would simply counsel parents to read several critiques, pray about it, perhaps read the book and then make an informed decision on whether you and your children should invest the money to go see the movie.

Here's an excerpt from the Christianity Today movie corner.

"We haven't seen The Golden Compass, and won't for a few weeks. But, for now, we can at least say this: Yes, Pullman is an atheist. Yes, his trilogy features the death of God. And yes, he hates the Chronicles of Narnia "with a deep and bitter passion," he has said, "with their view of childhood as a golden age from which sexuality and adulthood are falling away." He's called Narnia "one of the most ugly and poisonous things" he's ever read.

We can also say this: Pullman's books are award-winning and well-written, and those who have read them—yes, even Christians—say he spins quite an entertaining, and page-turning, fantasy yarn. One can certainly recognize the quality of Pullman's work without agreeing with his worldview."

You can read the rest of the CT movie review at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/lyris/movies/archives/11-09-2007.html

Before you send forward me one of the mass email warnings on the movie verified by Snopes.com, etc, remember that Christianity Today's movie website's mission is to "help readers make discerning choices for themselves—not to advise one way or another about watching a particular movie. That's your call." I'm with them. I can't tell you what to see or what to avoid. That's the decision every potential movie goer and parent must make on their own. So do your homework.

If you need more go to these links for other reviews and comments on the movie starring Nicole Kidman:

http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=1098 or join the discussion forum on the movie and book at:
http://forums.crosswalk.com/The_Golden_Compass/m_2808727/mpage_1/tm.htm#1

As for me, I think I'll take a pass on the Golden Compass and catch the cable re-runs and DVD rentals of some great Christmas movies like:

It's a Wonderful Life
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
The Nativity Story (2006)
Polar Express
The Nutcracker
The Fourth Wise Man
How The Grinch Stole Christmas and
A Christmas Carol (1951)

Okay, where's the popcorn?

They Deserve Better

According to figures released today by the Alliance to End Homelessness, 1 in 4 homeless persons are war veterans! Veterans may only be 11% of the total U.S. population, but they comprise 25% of America's homeless. And a growing number of them are from the most recent wars.

According to a review last year of the nearly 39,000 vets who participated in the VA's homeless programs:

4.9% served before the Viet Nam War.
42.5% served during the Viet Nam War.
41.9% served after Vietnam and before the Persian Gulf War.
10.6% served after the Persian Gulf war began, including vets of the Iraq and Afghan wars.
(Source Dept. of Veteran Affairs)

Out of uniform and on the streets these brave men and women who served their country valiantly and voluntarily are in great need and the statistics seem to indicate it's only going to get worse. Pennsylvania's director of veterans affairs for Lancaster County, Daniel Tooth said in an AP interview: "We're going to be having a tsunami of them eventually because the mental health toll from this war is enormous."

Our veterans deserve better! They deserve better healthcare, greater mental or emotional health attention and a reasonable amount of time and assistance in returning to society upon their re-entry to the States. Not to mention affordable housing. My goodness, if we can close so many of our military facilities, surely we can designate a few of them as re-entry transition and support centers for those who return without family, mental health issues, or no specific job skill. We owe them a debt of gratitude that cannot be repaid, but we need to begin making a downpayment by insuring that not one single vet ends up sleeping on concrete. If we can slowly resurrect New Orleans, and provide reasonable housing through Habitat, surely we can house, feed and cloth those who insured our freedom to pursue a career, education, home ownership, family, etc.

Leave It to God!

Prescript: About eight years ago I shuttled a very popular professor and prophetic theologian (he's now retired from teaching, but is still publishing books and speaking around the country) from the Nashville airport to our annual state denominational meeting. He is still one of my heroes in ministry and life. The trip was long enough to allow me to pick his brain and ask him some tough questions. This was not our first time together. Most of my questions were couched in getting his opinion or thoughts on subjects that related directly to a major move we were praying through at the time. One of my questions: "Knowing what you know now at this point in your ministry and life, what would you do differently if you were starting over as a young pastor?" He didn't hesitate. He quickly said (paraphrased), "You know I've spent a lot of time criticizing the always positive message of _________________(he named a prominent pastor who had been on national television for years). But he's probably helped more people than I have. Many of us have criticized him and his approach, but I think I would probably preach more positive messages."

I was not prepared for this answer from one of America's most prophetic voices at the time. Here was a man who had said some really tough things in his books, speaking and preaching. I mean painful truths said in love. They were dangerously honest and penetrating too. They were usually hard to hear, or read. And yet he was looking back at age 60, and reconsidering the tone or nature of his message. While I didn't immediately resonate with his comments, it wasn't until I survived a tough place in ministry that I realized what he was trying to say. I'm still working on it too. Now fast forward to 2007.

I have resisted the temptation to use this blog to join the bandwagon of credible critics of best-selling author and popular mega-church pastor, Joel Osteen. He has plenty of critics whose theology and writings I respect. This blog is not going to be a "Joel Bashing" rant as some might expect or dare say even enjoy. If you need to read what some respected Christian thinkers (and even Osteen himself) are saying there are plenty of places online to go. Several links for those articles, interviews and commentary are provided below in no particular order or preference.

Back to my car ride with Tony Campolo. My church membership, ministry of presence, tithes, offerings and resources are not parked at Osteen's church. He is accountable to God and his church, elders and overseers. I am not his judge. I do have an opinion, but I'd really like to let scripture argue my position. Did he say scripture? In Acts 5 the Apostles are persecuted and brought before the Sanhedrin. Peter stood up firmly for Jesus and they were ready to put Peter and the others to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was highly respected by all of them asked for the apostles to be put outside while he addressed the group:

"Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

This side of that first century interrogation we now know the truth. Peter and the Apostles were from God and the real deal. The rest of the Bible tells their story. So in regard to Joel Osteen and other ministries (many of them called "Prosperity Gospel") I am going to leave it to God. Some feel the need to be the theological gatekeepers and determine who is right, who is wrong, who is authentic, etc. I'm not smart enough to be in that group. I do know that when I spend more time criticizing and analyzing someone else's ministry, I tend to spend less time questioning and examining my own ministry and motives. Theologian Michael Horton has even gone so far as to say Osteen is a biblical heretic. Go to this link for a list of Dr. Horton's essays on Osteen: http://www.wscal.edu/faculty/wscwritings/horton.osteen.php

Horton may be right, but I'm not sure it's his call. Horton is a brilliant, respected theologian with big time credentials. But did his public comments aired on CBS edify the body and exalt the Savior? Have my private conversations on this done so? Ouch! Many of these brilliant critics would say it is indeed their duty and responsibility to "guard" the flock and defend the Scriptures.

Me, I've got enough to keep me busy with my own flock, and my own shortcomings of which there are many. So with Acts 5:34-39, in mind, I leave Joel Osteen to God. I do have my own thoughts and opinions on his theology and approach but to publicly air them would not serve to edify the church and exalt our Savior. So Joel you have my prayers and I will treat you the way I want to be treated and the way Jesus counsels us to treat others, with unconditional love. I'm even going to pray that your passion for Christ and God's Word will increase and that the Gospel will pierce hardened and even apathetic hearts through your ministry.

Sites Related to Joel Osteen and His Critics:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/11/60minutes/main3358652.shtml
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di9-PebV634
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukcV-xtU3hc http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/reactions-to-the-60-minutes-joel-osteen-piece http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IuiUOapK1w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfwYU2pmWYQ

So Young, Gone Too Soon

Carolina campuses are a bit more somber and silent this week in light of the weekend tragedy that claimed the lives of seven college students (6 from USC, 1 from Clemson) who perished in a fire at a beach house in North Carolina. Investigators are still combing the ashes for clues and the cause. Mourners, parents and emergency personnel can take solace in the fact that it could've been much worse, were it not for the six students who survived.

We owe these families our prayers. Hail to both state universities for putting aside their athletic differences and holding prayer vigils and mourning each death regardless of team color or school. Yes, this goes way beyond a simple collegiate rivalry, but you wouldn't believe how deep that rivalry runs on an average day. How very cool that it doesn't run deeper than our appreciation for the sacredness of life, all lives, regardless of origin, skin color, religious beliefs and college preference! News reports earlier this week noted that students at USC placed an orange and white flower arrangement next to the six USC colored arrangements in a makeshift memorial. And Clemson students held a prayer vigil recognizing all seven victims on Halloween when the rest of America's campuses were no doubt filled with candy, parties and costumes.

God's grace, comfort and love to each and every family who suffered loss. And clarity, understanding and His presence to those who survived and can't make sense out of any of it. Soul poet Rich Mullins, who died way too young in a car wreck several years ago penned the words of my heart in this circumstance in a song entitled, "Be With You":

Chorus 1
And when my body lies in the ruins
Of the lies that nearly ruined me
Will You pick up the pieces
That were pure and true
And breathe Your life into them
And set them free
And when You start the world over again from scratch
Will You make me anew out of the stuff that lasts
Sutff that's purer than gold is
Clearer than glass could ever be
And can I be with You
Can I be with You

Verse 1
Ev'rybody each and all
We're gonna die eventually
It's no more or less our faults
Than it is our destiny
So now Lord I come to You
Asking only for Your grace
You know what I'm puttin' myself through
All those empty dreams I chased

Verse 2
And ev'rybody all and each
From the day that we are born
We have to learn to walk
Beneath those mercies
By which we're drawn
And now we wrestle in the dark
With these angels that we can't see
We will move on although the scars
O Lord move inside

Chorus 2
And when my body lies in the ruins
Of the lies that nearly ruined me
Will You pick up the pieces
That were pure and true
And breathe Your life into them
And set them free
And when You blast this cosmos to kingdom come
When those jagged-edged mountains I love are gone
When the sky is crossed with the tears
Of a thousand falling suns
As they crash into the sea
Can I be with You
Can I be with You

Authors Justin Peters, Rich Mullins
Copyright 1987 BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)|(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)
River Oaks Music Company (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Father, may they be with you! May those of us who are left behind be grateful for one more breath, one more smile, one more day of life in your creation. May their deaths remind us of how sacred and precious life is, and that it's all gift.