The Christmas Spirit

A Greensboro NC family recently took a tough situation and used it to share the Christmas spirit.  The family had reserved a local ballroom and meals for 90 people for their son's wedding.  However, the wedding was called off leaving the family with a giant room and a meal for 90 people.  The father of the would be groom called the Salvation Army Center of Hope and offered to donate the room and meal to the homeless for a Christmas party.  The center provides emergency and transitional housing for families in need.

The Center of Hope normally holds Christmas parties in its cafeteria, but last weekend 84 residents and six staffers sat down to a first class meal in a swanky ballroom thanks to the anonymous donor who took a disappointing situation and used it for good.  However that's not the end of the story.  When the father met the center's director to tour the ballroom he was prompted to do even more.  His family took donation barrels to their church and collected toiletries, supplies and toys for the center's residents!

This family may have lost $5,000 on the reservations, but they were the recipients of something even greater because of their generosity.  Grace filled that ballroom and the joy of Christmas became a reality.  And somewhere in Greensboro a family smiled knowing they were God's instruments of grace!

How can God use us this season to help others?

Religion or Relationship?

In his book, The Divine Mentor, author Wayne Cordeiro offers some interesting facts involving the use of our time:

By the time you graduate from high school, statistics say you will have watched more than sixteen thousand hours of television.  You will have spent fourteen thousand hours in an educational institution.  And if you go to church for just two hours a week you will have spent under two thousand hours getting spiritual help. 

Cordeiro's point is about the foundation of decision making.  He basically says we can't expect a mere 2,000 hours of corporate worship to take precedent over 16,000 hours of television.  There has to be more to supplement our faith than a mere 2,000 hours of worship in 18 years.  The answer according to Pastor Cordeiro is that we need daily time alone with God.  He is spot on, but I would like to go a little different direction using the same information.

After 23+ years of pastoral ministry and a life spent in the church I would say it is safe to bet that 80% of those that attend Sunday worship services are content to let that one hour a week (2 hours if you count attendance in a small group/Sunday School) account for their total faith development, or relationship with Christ.  Okay so let's say I'm way off (if anything I'm low!), what if it's 50%?  So 50% of the people come with totally different expectations/motivations.  Let's call the Sunday-only folks Group A.   And those who spend intentional time with God in addition to church services, small groups and ministry Group B.

Group A needs to be filled, picked up, entertained, and informed.  Worship always "has" to be relevant and interesting for them.  But Group B comes with a totally different set of expectations/motivation.  For them, worship is the culmination of a week already spent with God.  There hasn't been a 6-day lag in their time with God.  Imagine not speaking to your spouse for 6 days?  Okay, so maybe that's not a good metaphor for some, ha.  You get the point.

When Group B comes to church they have already spent the rest of the week with God so  they are worshipping before they even arrive for corporate worship.  The corporate experience comes at the peak of their daily relationship with Christ.  Worship is always relevant and interesting for them because even if the worship leaders are off, or have a bad day, they are able to worship because their spiritual development and worship expectations aren't dependent upon anyone else.  For example, let's say a musician or vocalist is off on a particular song.  Their worship won't be derailed, less than desirable, or flat because of one person.  They don't "need" the praise band, or worship slides to be perfect in order to have meaningful worship because the foundation of their worship isn't rooted in an event, experience or feeling.  It is built on a relationship forged through quiet time of devotions, prayer and praise that takes place the other six days of the week.   God's word is going to speak to them regardless of human leadership because they are already listening to Him.  The Holy Spirit doesn't have to provide a highly emotional experience for them because He has already been at work in their life during the week.  I didn't say their worship is without emotion!

Now you are a pastor, worship leader, elder or deacon.  Which group would you rather lead in worship, teach and serve?  It's a no-brainer.  What coach wants to lead players that never practice? Group A unknowingly puts enormous pressure on worship leaders to perform, or provide a manufactured weekly high.  It takes the emphasis off God and puts the responsibility upon flawed and fallible humans.  This group nourishes/feeds the all too dangerous and ever tempting monster of pride that can make human leaders think they are bigger than they are.  You are never "good" enough for this group.  You can't be.  And it's because they are looking to humans to provide for them what can only be provided by God through Christ in an intimate relationship that involves Mondays as well as Sundays.

The Group A make up in every church changes a lot because they tend to hop from one church to another.  When your spiritual maturity/nourishment relies solely on a weekly worship service, or experience at some point you are going to be disappointed and you will have to find another, better and bigger show, ur uh worship service to meet "your" needs.  However, worship isn't about meeting our needs.  It's about God's glory.  The focus is on God not my needs.  Think Psalm 37:4! Focus on God and He will change your perspective.  This hard for the members of Group A who grew up in Baptist, Catholic, or denominational churches that intentionally/unintentionally place a lot of emphasis on spiritual activity, programs and attendance at church functions, or events instead of their relationship with Christ.  Even though it's not the agenda what happens is that people often make the assumption that being a "good" Baptist, Methodist, or Catholic, etc., (in their attendance and activity)  is what makes you a devoted Christ-follower.  A devoted Christ-follower is what makes a good Baptist, Methodist, etc., not the other way around.

Group B challenges those of us in ministry and helps us grow more than we help them.  Their spiritual depth challenges you, to study more and prepare deeper.  You dig deeper because they do.  They inspire, encourage and nurture leaders without even knowing it.  They come with sleeves rolled up. You know they aren't going to be impressed with "smoke and mirrors,"  or anything but the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Their worship experience and fulfillment isn't dependent upon the leaders, it's dependent upon their offering of worship to God.  There's another important role Group B plays in the life and witness of the local church.

When you have a strong Group B you are able to reach people in Group C.  Group C are the people who are not Christ-followers.  They can be attenders, seekers, or people who do not attend church.  They are the people we are called to reach.  How will you effectively reach them if your church is filled with more people of Group A than Group B?  If Group A reaches them they will grow up thinking that attendance, ritual and spiritual activity constitutes a biblical relationship with God through Christ.  But it won't.  It may grow churches, but they will have no depth.  We are called to grow souls and we have to pay attention to our personal soul growth before we can ever help someone else with theirs.

Group A is easier to be sure.  Group B is harder and requires a lot more work.  But the rewards are far apart.  We get what we aim for.  Which one are you aiming for?

Caroling Through Advent

When Love Was Born by Mark Schultz

I Was Wrong!

Today I acted with anger and frustration toward someone who was just doing their job and had very little control over the situation.   It was wrong, petty and immature.  I'm a better person than how I behaved today.  No, I didn't cuss, but I was too strong and impatient with a service writer over a simple car repair.  The picture is a self-portrait of how I must have looked today!

My wife picked up a piece of steel in her rear tire during lunch.  Since she has limited time for lunch she took it to the major retailer where we bought the tires and asked for it to be repaired. I was in a study/writing mode when she called and nowhere near the retailer.   I drove across town (about 30 minutes) to give her my car so she could return to work and I would wait on her car.  Before leaving with my car at 1pm she said they told her the repair would be done by 2 o'clock and 2:30 pm at the latest.

I waited and waited and waited. Other customers waited and waited and waited.  I even heard one of the tech's tell a customer who was upset over his wait time that they were down to one guy to do all "these cars".  I reasoned to myself:  This is not a customer problem,  we should've been told this when we checked our cars in for service so we could make other arrangements, leave and return later, or be prepared for a longer wait.

By 2:55 p.m., our car was not finished.  It was already a half hour beyond the time they promised it and no one had even started the work!  Now keep in mind that Sunday's worship was on the spiritual fruit of "gentleness".  Paul's words in Philippians 4, "let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is at hand," was part of the main focal texts for the teaching message.  I totally blew the application of this passage.  I was very frustrated and in my self-importance raised my voice (without yelling) but with the kind of tone and inflection you know will get someone's attention, but stop just short of getting you arrested.  They called the manager and I expressed my concern to him a simple tire patch would take over two hours.  Voila, the car was done by 3:25 p.m., almost 1 1/2 hours beyond the promised time of completion.

I met the service writer in the parking lot as he drove the car from the garage.  "Let your gentleness be evident to all," kept running through my mind.  Surely that doesn't apply to circumstances like this? I reasoned.  BUSTED!  Within seconds the same Spirit that imparted the gift of gentleness to me and every Christ follower convicted me of my attitude and behavior.  Mind you, I was mild compared to some folks I've seen, but I am not responsible for them, only me.  I thought to myself.  Was I gentle?  Nope!  Was it evident?  Nope!

As he climbed out of my car, I extended my hand to his.  As we shook hands, I said, "I apologize for my behavior today and my words.  You have a tough job, you don't do the actual repairs and I am a better person than how I behaved.  I am sorry."  He was shocked and quickly said, "No sir.  You were frustrated and it was a frustrating situation.  You waited a long time, but thank you."  Then we wished each other a good evening.

I'm not proud of my behavior, but self-awareness is an important step to correcting wrongs.  Okay, so I blew Sunday's lesson, but maybe not.  My self-awareness occurred before I left the premises and that is a start.  The next time I will remember and hopefully catch myself before I open my mouth.

We wrap up this Sunday with the spiritual fruit of self-control.  Oh man am I ever glad this didn't happen next week!  Be patient with me Lord, this fellow struggler is still a work in progress!

Serving God by Helping Others

Christ-followers don't get a pass on serving.  We have a calling and mandate from Christ to follow His steps with "skin-on" and minister to others.  He not only taught, but modeled service for us in the Gospels.  In His inaugural sermon in Luke (Luke 4:16ff), Jesus reads from Isaiah and sets the tone for his ministry, mission and purpose.  His would be an earthly life of sacrifice for others that climaxed when He gave His life on the Cross for the likes of you and me.

So how are we doing?  How are we following?  Gut check your life.  Let's look in the mirror.  What will I find when I walk back through the calendar on my Smart Phone?  Do my days reflect time spent serving others?  If we grab our most recent bank statement would we find funds spent trying to honor Christ and help others?  I believe what we do with our time and money is a direct reflection of our priorities in life.  Would those closest to us (co-workers, family, and friends) say we are givers or takers?  Do we demand more attention from people than we are willing to give to others?

I have a hunch that most Western Christ-followers are satisfied to let their church affiliation, or weekly attendance satisfy the call to serve.  Church membership is commendable, but are we really willing to say that attendance and contributing to the offering is the same as actually serving, helping and caring for others?  Isn't their more to it than mere obedience to ritual and practice?  If we aren't careful we can become modern-day Pharisees emphasizing adherence to tradition and ritual while ignoring our responsibility to practically live out the very gospel we profess.  Weekly worship and small group participation are necessary and wonderful.  However, if they are not prompting us to serve, grow closer to God and live out our faith in tangible ways they can become mere Christian social gatherings.

In Romans 12, the Apostle Paul said our daily living (24/7) is supposed to be our spiritual act of worship.  We're to offer our lives in service to Christ every day, not just the days we feel like it.  Henry Blackaby comments on this passage:

Every day, you are to offer your life to Him in your spare time or with your leftover resources.  The way you live your life for God is your offering to Him. 

If your life offering is characterized by church attendance or membership, but you want more from it don't get discouraged.  Let me encourage you to start small.  Don't beat yourself up with guilt!  Start serving by offering a small, but consistent chunk of your time in service to others.  Start by delivering for meals on wheels; give one hour to an adult literacy program; take a shift ringing the Salvation Army bell at Christmas; volunteer one night at a local soup kitchen, or a clothing closet; bake something and deliver it to your neighbors and just ask them how you can pray for them; offer to serve at a local shelter.  The opportunities are endless.  See what your church is doing to help others and ask how you can do more.  I guarantee there are ministry leaders and pastoral staff who are just waiting for someone like yourself to get involved in an area of ministry.  Start small, stay consistent and look out because great things always come from small beginnings.  Like a baby born in a small town called Bethlehem!  

 

Longing for Advent

Orange, reds, and yellows gleam in the trees

Rainy, cold and wet

The blessings of autumn fall to the ground

Barren trees stand to face another winter

Darkness comes quicker

Depression and death seem near

But something is lurking

Lurking in the shadows

The hope and promise of a birth

One like no other

Foretold by men of old

A single star on a dark cold night

Lights the way for you and me.

Fall is fading and winter is nearer

But so is the Messiah and the songs of angels

All heaven will move at the groans and pains

the labor of love, God’s gift to us.

So smile as the trees empty their leaves

amid a chill in the air,

because you know that Advent is not far away.

Come Advent of God and show us the way

Light our world as we wait, watch and pray.

Vote!

A vote is a powerful thing!  Think about it.  Regardless of our socioeconomic standing, gender, race, or religious affiliation we are all equal when it comes to voting.  Your vote and my vote count equally.  It is an incredible amount of power entrusted to the masses.

Tuesday, November 6,  exercise your right to vote.  It does make a difference.  So many sacrifices have been made throughout the years to preserve and protect this profound but simple expression of freedom.  When we vote, we not only express our belief, opinion, or view, but we honor those who sacrificed to insure we can.  Vote!