A Less Crazy Christmas:

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT Lots of folk complain about Christmas.  It's still a bit early--the dog hasn't knocked over the Christmas tree, yet, and the rush at the mall is still a few weeks off--but just wait.  The problem is never have so many done so little to solve a problem that is so great.  The fact is, we are the cause of the  holiday hassle.   Having said that, a case could be made that the last thing we need is another place to go.  Hear me out, though.   (This next section is mostly for people who live within driving range of Covington VA, but the general idea can be applied, wherever.) CBC is privileged to once again put on the Live Nativity.  The LN is a fun way to spend a family evening.  You can read more about ithere. Why not make an appointment with yourself for you and your family to attend the Live Nativity, or if you are too far away identify some other way of emphasizing the true meaning of Christmas?   Here at CBC, all month long we are emphasizing the glorious Christmas message.  Whether it is with us, or with some other fellowship of believers that shares the message of God's word, I encourage you to make the most of the Christmas Season.  Let us know if we can help you.   It's STTA.   Find lot's of information about how God stepped into our world to meet needs we cannot meet on our own, here.

Merry? Christmas:

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT It has begun.  I speak of course of the annual--at least in recent memory--fight over whether store-clerks and such should say "Merry Christmas," or "Happy Holidays."  And, "Is that evergreen in the park, the one with all the lights on it, a Holiday Tree or a Christmas Tree?"  There are some inconvenient facts that line up on each side of the argument.   On the side of Merry Christmas: It is the name of the Holiday in question. There is our undeniable heritage as a nation--"Christian" or at the least strongly influenced by Christian thought. Most Christians don't seem to get bent out of shape when Jewish merchants recognize Hanukkah, or Muslims observe the fast of Ramadan.  "Why," we ask, "all the fuss over Christmas?" On the other side: Though not a majority, a significant element of our population belongs to a non-christian religious group.   A minority of Christians find the 21st Century Christmas celebration offensive and want no part of it.  (I'll leave aside the fact there is a significant group of Christ-followers who observe Christmas in January.) It is the task of the church, not Walmart or the US government to proclaim Christ.   Business people should be free to observe, or not observe, religious based holidays, and we should be free to steer our business to those businesses we choose to patronize. The middle ground is strewn with, "Yeah, but!"s and ugly accusations.   For the record: I have already started wishing folk "Merry Christmas."  I am seeking to use the holiday as an opportunity for spreading the name of Christ.  I appreciate it when businesses enter into that spirit.  You'll notice, I even donned a Santa hat for the season. I am, however, going to avoid any Yuletide arm-twisting, and I encourage my Christian brothers and sisters to do the same.  Rather than demanding that Merry Christmasbe on store clerks lips, let's put our energy into living and witnessing so that the Christ of Christmas is more likely to enter their heart and make them truly Merry.      It's STTA.   Find lot's of information about how God stepped into our world to meet needs we cannot meet on our own, here.

A Longing that Nothing Else Can Satisfy

Something To Think About

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT One of my favorite Christmas songs cause a pain in the core of being.  I'm not a masochist, but it is a good feeling. Longing is a concept that is foreign to our instant-this-instant-that, WIFI-enabled, globe-at-our-fingertips world.  Yet all of that Get-R-Done immediacy is far too often a covering--one with holes, I might add--for deep needs within. Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel   I imagine Anna and Simeon--representative of the Old O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Choir of Clare College, Cambridge Testament faithful--singing those words, no, not singing, groaning them in heart-rending words of prayer.  Israel needs to be ransomed spiritually far more than politically.  They longed to see the fulfillment of Isaiah, and the other prophets words, "Unto us a child is born . . . a son is given . . . His government and its peace will never end."  Nothing else will do.  We long, with unimaginable longing for the fulfillment of the promise.   The song goes on though and speaks of the longings that are in the hearts of all Adam's children.  We all need to be freed from Satan's tyranny.  Amusement, and Jingle-bell  happiness abounds; what the hymn describes as "cheer" for our hearts, and the Bible describes as joy, is in short supply. Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel  by The Franz Family We are very open to the coming of the softly lit babe in the manger who warms our hearts like a cup of chocolate with a marshmallow, but the song speaks of a "Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height, In ancient times did'st give the Law, In cloud, and majesty and awe."  No smiling child can meet the need of humanity, or the longing that achingly resides in the heart of every woman and man.  The "Rejoice, Rejoice," refrain of the hymn does not speak of merely an infant.  God did not send a baby to make us feel better.  He gave His Son to meet our deepest need, and change us so we could become what we were made to be--worshippers of the God of the Universe.  That, and that alone, satisfies our longings.  (Cue the choir in your mind, Hallelujah Chorus.)    It's STTA.   Find lot's of information about how God stepped into our world to meet needs we cannot meet on our own, here.

Twinkies in Heaven?

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT It will likely break my sweet wife's heart, but I have to tell her.  It is better that she hear it from me, than from a stranger.  Hostess Brand--the folk that make Twinkies--is going out of business.  I just heard that an ongoing labor dispute caused management to turn off the ovens. There are two reasons the news will hit Kathy hard.  When she was a little girl, she used to bring a lunch to school.  Because of her mom's health-consciousness and frugality, Kathy's lunch never included Hostess Cupcakes or Twinkies with their little girl lust inducing cream filling.  She probably hasn't eaten half-a-dozen in her life, but she still has a fondness for them, and . . .   Ever since she heard that such a thing is done, she has wanted to sink her teeth into a deep-fried Twinkie.     Now it looks like her fat-laden, cream-filled dream will have to wait for heavenly fulfillment.  Some of you will say, that surely something that bad for us won't be in heaven.  Me?  I figure that if God can make a burning bush that doesn't burn up, He can make a calorie, and cholesterol free grease-dipped pastry.   OK, from the tragic and comic, I go to the utterly serious and sublime.  The old Negro spirituals have it absolutely right.   "When I get to heaven gonna put on my robe/crown/shoes.  Gonna shout all over God's heaven." Maybe one of the changes that come to God's people when we move to our eternal abode will be that will lose our taste for things like deep-fried Twinkies.  I have no doubt that there will be delights that will put such gastronomical wonders in perspective.       But it is a place where the great longings and needs of the hearts of women and men will be filled with the blessings of God in the same way that the light of His presence will fill the New Jerusalem. It makes sense to live these few years here in such a way that we can spend eternity there. In the mean time, pray for Kathy. It's STTA. Find lot's of information about how God stepped into our world to meet needs we cannot meet on our own, here.

Who is coming to Thanksgiving . . . ?

Something To Think About

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT All over this land settled by the Pilgrims moms are concerned about Thanksgiving Dinner.  Not,"What they will have," but, "Who will come?"  Clearly, not all the turkeys and hams will be on Thanksgiving tables; some will be sitting around them. People make thanksgiving hard.  I know of no group of people who made gratitude more difficult than the saints who made up the Church at Corinth.  Can you imagine planning a Church-wide Thanksgiving feast for First Church in Corinth? Don't seat Charlie near Pete. Pete's suing Charlie over that land deal that went bad.  (SEE HERE) What are we going to with Bob?  He's the guy having an affair with his step-mom.  Just don't put any women near him. (SEE HERE) The rich in the church had no problem in chowing down on delicacies, and bounty while their poor brethren had none. (SEE HERE)  And there is more.  Survey 1 Corinthians to find out. Yet, in spite of all of this, the Apostle Paul begins his letter to the Corinthian Christians with thanksgiving.  If we are dealing with anyone else we might conclude that this was just one of those polite conventions.  "I'm not really thankful, but I'm supposed to offer thanks at this point in the letter, so. . . ."  The great Apostle, though, is a man of impeccable integrity.  He really was thankful.  He was thankful "concerning."  You notice in 1 Corinthians 1:4-9that Paul's thanksgiving list is made up of what God has done, not what they were doing with God's gifts. Even if I look around the table at turkeys, readyto consume turkey (Please don't quote me if you decide to confront the gobblers while consuming the gobbler.), I can offer thanks. God is good,even to those who don't deserve it.  Hey, that includes me.   Here is recipe for a better, healthier Thanksgiving.  Cut back on the "They don't deserve God's bounty" accusations, and substitute some, "God is so gracious that He pours out his goodness even on sinners"praise.   It's STTA. Find lot's of information about how God stepped into our world to meet needs we cannot meet on our own, here.

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT I'm struggling with the concept of thanksgiving. I don't think I'm an ingrate.  I'm sure that there are times when others do things for me, and I don't show appropriate gratitude, but I really think I do pretty well in that regard.  I have my mom, dad, and other's who had input in my life during my formative years to thank for that.  What I struggle with is a concept I'm working through for my sermon this Sunday.  It is clear that I ought to be giving thanks for some things, and in some circumstances, that I don't find thank-worthy.   You can do the research but I find words like "all," "always," and "every," in regard to thanksgiving.  Here is one example:  "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)  I'll not preach the message here--to be honest, I'm not ready to preach it, yet--but this much is clear.  When it comes to offering thanks, I'm too dumb to be ungrateful.   I only see the right now.  God sees what is coming. I am often so blinded by "I want," that I can't see what I need. I am enamored with appearance and perception.  God deals in substance.   At the base of thanksgiving is God's sovereignty.  He does cause "all things to work together for good to those who love God."  (Romans 8:28)   As a boy, before I sat down for Thanksgiving dinner, mom would tell me to wash up and put on some nicer clothes.  In the same way, if I am to offer thanks I need to get ready.  The preparation for thanksgiving is trust.  If I trust God, I will have little trouble giving thanks in everything.   It's STTA. Find lot's of information about how God stepped into our world to meet needs we cannot meet on our own, here.

The Morning After the Election

Something To Think About

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT On this morning after the election I just finished my breakfast, yet already:   I rejoiced with a friend who will be united with his wife--complicated immigration matter.  The solution has nothing to do with who won the election.  The right bureaucrat finally did the right thing.  I believe it is an answer to prayer.   I participated in an email conversation last night and this morning.  I'm privileged to help get some people who can help together with some people who need help.  Other than the tax on the gas we will burn, no government funds are involved.  It's the church being the church.   That issue above involves children.  I'm glad to say those children are, and will be, cared for.  Family and church family are pulling together to accomplish what an army of bureaucrats can't.   I've already touched base with three or four of God's choice servants this morning.  None of them were elected.  They were equipped by God and appointed by the church.     In spite of the best intentions of both major political parties and all the third, fourth, and fifth party candidates there is still another storm brewing up north.   I've been troubled this morning by the need for God's people to seek reconciliation wherever possible.  I'm fairly sure there is no government program for that.    My knees are still sore and my coffee still tastes good.   I'm not saying nothing has changed, but not everything has changed.  Lots of things, maybe most things, probably the most important things haven't changed.   Whether your side won or lost, I hope you will join me in saying, "My hope is in the Lord." It's STTA. Find lot's of information about how God stepped into our world to meet needs we cannot meet on our own here.

The Most Important Thing I'll Do On Election Day:

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT I have no doubt, that right now, some enterprising business people are gearing up the machinery for a new batch of "Don't blame me" stuff.  You know, bumper-stickers, T-shirts, etc. that say "DON'T BLAME ME.  I VOTED FOR  xxxxx.  Over the past months we have seen incredible examples of blame dodging.  If one is going to be a successful candidate in our modern political world she or he needs to suit up in Teflon.  Every accusation needs to be dodged or parried with "Not my fault," or a "There is the blame!" I just read a prayer by an incredibly Godly, very effective government operative.  What a contrast! If ever one could claim, "It's not my fault!" it was Daniel.  He was just a kid when a conquering force took him and made him a servant to the victorious king.  Everything we read about him indicates that he was a man of sterling character, yet when he prayed (Daniel 9): He confessed the sin of his people.  He saw that the state they were in was because they had not heeded God's warnings. Rather than whine, he acknowledged that what had happened and was happening to his people was just and right. His conclusion was that God keeping His word was much more important than the difficulties in which his people found themselves. (Pretty much the whole prayer) After his confession, Daniel went on to humbly ask the Lord for relief.  He stepped up and did the most effective thing he could do--he prayed.  There was no "You owe me!"  Rather Daniel made this plea:  " . . incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion." (Daniel 9:18) I've heard a number of campaigners and talking news-heads tell me that voting is the most important thing I can do today.  Well, I do plan to vote, but that is far from the most important activity I'll be involved in.  Daniel and I are going to pray.  I encourage you to join us. It's STTA. Find lot's of information about how God stepped into our world to meet needs we cannot meet on our own here.

The Election, Questions About Character:

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT One of the falsehoods floated in recent decades is that character doesn't matter.  Let me be blunt.  It does!  How can you stand in the Lincoln memorial, read those immortal words and think otherwise. Read the record of the Old Testament Kings.  Their accounts make plain that the ethical direction a leader gives has a profound effect on his nation.  A leader's moral compass will guide a nation to either ruin, or what the Old Testament calls Shalom.   It's complicated.  Political candidates are made up and packaged to look good.  At one time politicians kept skeletons in closets.  With today's armies of researchers it is hard to keep secrets, so candidates have spin doctors to make their faults look OK, and their opponents verbal gaffs sound absolutely toxic.  It is hard.  Let's just not buy into the cynical view that all of them are crooks, so it doesn't matter who we choose, or that technical skill always trumps moral uprightness.   Character matters.     Lord, I have the privilege and responsibility of voting.  I want to cast my vote in a way that is honoring to You and best for my country.  Help me to honestly, and fearlessly look at the issues before me.  Lord, I pray that truth will come to the fore, and that Your will will be done.  Amen    It's STTA.     Find lot's of information about what God stepping into our world means to us here.

Election questions:

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT Who can be counted on to make the right choices?   One of the difficulties of modern politics is we have somehow come to believe that we deserve specifics. Mr./Mrs Candidate, If there is an invasion by air and sea on both coasts, in the midst of a hurricane in the East and massive grass fires in the West, how would you respond?  Oh, and I forgot to tell you, Solar flares have shut down all  communications.  Please be specific.   Is the candidate who can best memorize lists the best choice, or do we want someone who has the kind of "gut" we can trust? Be careful.  One extreme is a wonk, who might have all the facts with no ability to use them, while on the other pole you find a cowboy whoshoots from the hip, with the resultant carnage.   It seems to me, though, that since we don't know what the specific scenarios of the future look like, having a leader who has specific solutions to problems that may not come to reality isn't worth much.  In the Old Testament the king was to "write for himself a copy of this law . . . It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes,"  (Deuteronomy 17:18-19)      It was important that the king have a right heart, so that when important decisions came up he would make a right choice.  Character does count.   Lord, I have the privilege and responsibility of voting in just a few days.  I want to cast my vote in a way that is honoring to You and best for my country.  Help me to honestly, and fearlessly look at the issues before us.  Lord, I pray that truth will come to the fore, and that Your will will be done.  Amen    It's STTA.     Find out about a decision even more important than next Tuesday's here.

Election Questions, #1

Something To Think About

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT As we approach Election Day, we need to remind ourselves that our vote--and I sincerely hope you will vote--actually means something.  We are not merely deciding who the next American Idol will be, or registering our opinionin a cola taste-test; we are choosing leaders who will affect our lives, and the lives of millions of others.  We cannot, and should not attempt to, avoid the question of what our choice has to do with the issue of life itself.   With the harsh contrast that is the result of decades of debate, and rancor that is beyond debate, the two polarized positions are called "pro-life," and "pro-choice."  If the pro-life side is passing out the labels they are apt to brand the other side as "pro-abortion."  If the pro-choicers are choosing the descriptions they are likely to call the other side "anti-abortion" or "anti-choice." The fact is most pro-choice folk don't want their daughter to have an abortion.  In general they are in favor of protecting life.  While the pro-life position is dealing with an absolute--dead or alive--they certainly are, by and large, not guilty of the heartlessness assigned to them by their political enemies.  They have a great deal of compassion for women facing tough choices. In politics everything has to be reduced to what can be expressed on a bumper sticker.  Life is more complicated than that.  One complication has to do with the perception that some voters have that some pro-lifers are more interested in protecting the life of the unborn than they are in caring for the already born.  It is a valid consideration.  Still . . .   When we touch the screen this coming Tuesday, the choice we make will say something about what we really believe about human life, and our responsibility toward it.  The vote we cast will, in part, influence our society, and determine the guiding principles by which it is ordered.   Is freedom of choice so important that it must be maintained even if it involves the taking of a life?   or, Is human life a sacred trust, such that its preservation requires the limiting of choice in certain situations? I'm not saying the choices are easy, or always clear, but God has placed us in a country where we have responsibilty to vote, this Tuesday.  Let's do it carefully, and prayerfully.    Lord, I have the privilege and responsibility of voting in just a few days.  I want to cast my vote in a way that is honoring to You and best for my country.  Help me to honestly, and fearlessly look at the issues before us.  Lord, I pray that truth will come to the fore, and that Your will will be done.  Amen    It's STTA.    * I say, "most" because some Americans have already voted, and some you are citizens of other nations.  If you are in either group, I certainly encourage you to join us in prayer.   Find lot's of information about what God stepping into our world means to us here.