"Here come Peter Cottontail..."

He has arrived at Target, Walmart, and Longs Drug Store here in Amador County with a bounce of color and candy. Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies and designer baskets are everywhere you look and somewhere--lurking in the shadows--Peter Cottontail, Inc. is smiling!

So how do we get that whole thing tangled up with the Easter season we are preparing to celebrate? It seems like such a disjointed stretch from decorated "Easter eggs" and new spring dresses to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet, that is why we come to this time of year with such anticipation and hope.

If this season is just about baby bunnies in a basket and eggs hidden in the high grass (not too carefully lest they be missed), then why is it that more people go to church on Easter Sunday than any other day of the year? And why is it that the cross and empty tomb are visual reminders of what lies beneath the superficial trappings of the season?

At Grace Fellowship we are endeavoring to put the season in proper focus with this four part series of messages (available at gracefellowshipamador.org).

Sunday, March 29
"The Life of Christ: Where Love and Truth Intersect"

Sunday, April 5
"The Cross: Where Life and Death Collide"

Friday, April 10
"The Last Supper" Where the New Supercedes the Old"

Sunday, April 12
"The Empty Tomb: Where Death is Swallowed up in Victory"

It is possible--in fact, highly probable--that there will be lots of new dresses and even some Easter candy at Grace Fellowship, but what we really will be focused on is presenting the truth about Christ's death and resurrection...which is why, I believe (with a hopeful heart), most people come to church this time of the year.

Peter Cottontail may have arrived in your house or at your favorite shopping center. But the best is yet to come!

Jonah's dilemma

Jonah's dilemma was not being swallowed by a "great fish", although that was traumatic enough. His real problem is revealed in the "forgotten" chapter of Jonah's story, chapter 4. Here Jonah, having delivered the message to Nineveh that they were going to be destroyed, and then, seeing God postpone judgment because of their repentant hearts. faces a crisis. It is such a catastrophe for him that he says, "I would rather die than live..."

What brought Jonah to such a state? Rescued from a fish's belly, utlimately obedient to a task that resulted in the salvation of a "great city" (even though they were Israel's enemies), Jonah now sulked, and literally, despaired--at which point God asked--not once, but twice, "What right do you have to be angry?" or, "What good reason do you have for your anger?"

Though Jonah ignored the question the first time, and moved outside the city to wait and see what God would do, God provided an object lesson via a vine that He grew grew and destroyed in front of Jonah's eyes. Jonah becomes angry...again...when the shade-providing vine was destroyed and he was subjected to a hot east wind that nearly caused him to have a sunstroke. When God asked a second time "Do you have a good reason for your anger?", Jonah answered, "yes".

What we discover here is that the God Jonah wanted to believe in--the God he acknowledged was merciful, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love--has had compassion on his mortal enemies, and has relented in the judgment He promised to Nineveh. Jonah confessed that this was the reason He did not want to go to Nineveh in the first place. When there is a gap between the God we want to to define, and the God that actually is, a crisis can emerge, and it did for Jonah. Jonah wanted God to exercise judgment on Nineveh--they surely deserved it--and when He acted in mercy instead, Jonah was irate. He would rather have died than live with a God like this.

God answered Jonah in the creation and destruction of the vine, acknowledging Jonah's concern for a vine he neither grew or tended, and then reminded him that He, as Creator, had 120,000 ignorant Ninevites who He cared for that He had chosen to spare. "Should I not have pity on Nineveh?", He asked.

What was God saying to Jonah? (1) I am sovereign. (2)I am righteous and just. (3) I am compassionate and forgiving. (4) I will give mercy to whom I choose to give mercy. (5)I have chosen to forgive Nineveh...just as I forgave you when you attempted to turn your back on me and flee to Tarshish.

It is interesting to me that Jonah was willing for God to disburse grace to him--but not to Nineveh--and when God acted in a way inconsistent with Jonah's expectation, all of a sudden his confidence in God was shattered.

God is bigger than the box we put Him in. God's ways are always consistent with His character. He sometimes move swiftly in the execution of judgment and other times, He waits patiently and lovingly, "not willing that any should perish." Can we accept God's mercy and and grace, and at the same time, remember He is a God who is holy and just. He alone has the divine prerogative to act as He does in addressing man's sin. Jonah's dilemma can be ours, and short-circuit our ability to trust God. Or, we can say, "I have no good reason to be angry with a God who is faithful to His character in all that He does". That is my choice today.

Is there help anywhere?

More layoffs in Amador County...Ace Hardware closed their store in Pine Grove this week, and adds to the burgeoning list of failed businesses and unemployed.

Where do we look for help? Banks are not making loans (unless you have perfect credit); houses, though available in large number, are not easily financed (unless you have perfect credit). And where do you look for work? Construction has ground to a halt and I heard recently that a local business had over 300 applications for an opening. Our growing number of homeless are living under the bridge because our options for low cost housing (now a five year waiting list?) are diminished and our Homeless Shelter is full.

Where do we look for help?

The Food Bank reports a record number of people soliciting assistance for food (more than they can adequately provide) and a local thrift store's business is thriving as a growing number of people look for discounted clothing and household articles.

Where do we look for help?

I believe the government is NOT the place to look. They are too busy anyway bailing out banks, automobile corporations and mortgage companies to have much less for the commom man---guys like you and me.

Ronald Reagan championed the cause of volunteerism and private contributions to legitimate need. George W. Bush talked about help for faith-based operations that would consider the plight of the poor. And apart from his verbalized commitment to government spending as the cure-all for social need, I have heard whispers of President Obama's call for individual involvement in and contribution to the plight of hurting Americans.

We have been asking the same question at the church I pastor; where do we look for help?

The easy answer is, "We look to God", and I would suggest there is an element of fundamental truth that is inescapable in the discovery of divine assistance. The Psalmist writes, "No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save...we wait in hope for the Lord", Psalm 33:16-20.

I am not an advocate of spiritual welfare. It is not a scriptural truth, either, that "God helps those who help themselves", because there are some who cannot help themselves, and at some point in life--some sooner than others--we all need help from others.

AT our church I have been challenging our people with the concept of "overflow ministry"--the idea that the difference between what we need and what we have is surplus, or, "overflow". I have challenged our church family top share with others out of their "overflow". Here are some things we are doing and preparing to do.

*Gift Card Sunday--before Christmas we collected over $1500 of gift cards from our people that are handed out as needs for groceries and gasoline arise

*Resource Handbook--we have developed a handbook that identifieds resources from within our church family that are available to people for free, or at a reduced cost

*"Body Life" board--a bulletin board where people can identify "Things I have", along with "Things I need", to pair resources with needs.

*"Victory" Garden--development of church property for raising of food for needy families (ground to be plowed)

*Perishable Pantry--a supplement to the provision of the Food Bank (which we support financially) for needy families in supplying milk, meat, etc. (in development)

*Grace Job Corps--a support group for those out of work needing encouragement, refinement of skills in writing resumes, brain-storming about work opportunities, etc. (still in process)

These are just a few ideas that we have implemented, or, are seeking to develop to answer the question, "Is there help anywhere?"

Just imagine what would happen if we all pondered the same question, and used our "overflow" in a creative way to meet the needs of hurting people?

can you find rest in a trailer?

Yes.

Bev and I spent six days hunkered down--mostly in the rain--in a little campground called Uvas Pines, nestled between Gilroy and Morgan Hill. The verdant green fueled by the recent rain, as well as the whispy white clouds parading across an occasional blue sky, provided a textured backdrop for a respite from work and responsibility.

What I noticed msot about a campground largely inhabited by long-term residents, was an almost eerie quiet. The birds chirping racously in the morning were not interrupted by the noise of traffic, people racing to work, or sirens glaring in the background. The monotonous silence was a welcome invitation to simply sit and reflect together upon God's goodness to us.

Our trailer is an inexpensive way of escaping the din and demand of life. It is a safe haven where we are able to connect with the one who "makes me to lie down in green pastures...leads besides quiet waters; He restores my soul", Psalm 23:2

You can find rest in a trailer...can't wait until we go again!

restless...or resting?

restless.

I am like that most of the time. Admittedly, as I have gotten older the restlessness is more about waking up too early. In the past--and even now--it is the drivenness of my nature that ahs caused me unrest, as well as my proclivity to worry about things.

David's comments in verse 3 of the 62nd Psalm are third person, but, I believe, reflect David's own questioning restless heart.
"How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down--this leaning wall, this tottering fence..."

Often we feel like we are teetering on the brink of inevitable collapse. The temptation is to increase the activity to fix whatever is bugging us, hoping that will bring rest. Someone observed that many of us are like a chicken running around with its head cut off--lots of activity but in the throes of death.

So where dow e find rest from all of it...the pressure, the worries and anxieties, the "assault" of the enemy that David alludes to his cry to God?

The 62nd Psalm, interestingly, bookends David's cry for help in verse 3 with similar promsies of help and "rest in God".

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shalen" (verses 1,2)

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge", verses 5-8.

Here are a few things for us to lay our heads on...

1. God alone is the true source of rest.
2. Such rest is to be sought in Him...and found.
3. Our security in Him helps us to "never be shaken".
4. He is our hope.
5. God is the one who will defend my honor.

Why would I then, not trust in Him and, at the very least, pour out my heart to Him? True rest is all about my relaitonship to God, and utilizing the resources He uniquely provides.

restless.

But learning to find "rest in God".

Hospice

I am doing some work with Hospice of Amador County as a spiritual counselor-chaplain. Today was my first opportunity to sit at a table with Hospice employees and volunteers and to be educated about how expansive their services are.

I have always been impressed with the hospice workers I have encountered over the years I have been in ministry. Their care and commitment in making someone comfortable as they approach the end of their life is noteworthy as well as the personal interest they take in the network of family members and close friends. For many of them, I sense, it is a special "calling", although they might characterize it differently.

It is a "high calling", from my perspective, because the message communicated through quality hospice care from my point of view as an observer is that one's quality of life should be preserved and protected as long as it is humanly possible. The dignity of life is emphasized and the value of each person--in spite of age and mental facility--is ennobled.

I look forward to providing the kind of spiritual care that our faith in God provides as we face death and eternity. That is the ultimate care we can provide for our loved ones. I'll keep you posted on what I learn along the way.

Information and Inspiration

At a recent staff meeting we discussed the relationship between information and inspiration. The observation was made that a lot of information is disbursed at Grace but transporting it from the head and the heart to the hands and the feet requires inspiration.

As I have reflected on that discussion, several questions came to my mind—not original, or even creative—but indigenous to this topic.

1. Is there a disconnect between information and action and is inspiration an appropriate catalyst?

2. Are there observable ways to determine whether information and inspiration are being linked together? If so, what are they?

3. Whose responsibility is it to inspire? We probably agree the teacher has the responsibility if imparting the truth and information of God’s Word. If we presume the teacher participates in inspiring us, what is the difference between facilitation and manipulation?

It may seem that these questions are philosophical at best, but in the world of reality and ministry the focal point comes down to this—if the teaching of the Word of God is taking place, why is it that believers seem so reluctant to respond in affirming action?

Let’s look at the questions for a minute. In the first case, the disconnect between receiving information and having it translate into observable action when it is required would seem to have an emotional component.
Philippians 2:13 reminds us “…it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose”. So at the very core is God who is impacting our desires and our ultimate choices to act in a way that reflects His purpose for us. So, perhaps the question is, how does God move and motivate us? The presumption may be that it is sensory, or that God touches our eyes, our ears, our hearts, but that surely He moves us.

The second question revolves around the principle of cause and effect. If God is at work inspiring us through all the means available to Him, can we observe the effects of that? Should our faith in Him be demonstrable? James 2:17 says that “…faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action is dead.” James goes on to expand this by saying, “…I will show you my faith by what I do...”, 2:18. If we are responding in faith to the Word of God which is impacting us and motivating us to follow after God, it will be observable in how we live out our lives.

The final question asks the question that was predominant in our staff discussion. Do we have a role and part at the inspirational level, or, is that work God’s alone? For example, if we are being given the information about giving and stewardship, should not the truth of God’s Word alone compel us to give? Or, is there another component of that disbursement process that includes our motivational skills?

Some of us might do that more naturally. Our personality and natural charisma might spill over into our presentation of information—surely into our proclamation of the truth. But the critical issue is whether we then become facilitators or manipulators. Someone recently observed that we brought them to a certain place at Grace but they were waiting for us to take them further. Is that my role, or, is that the role of the Holy Spirit? Do I present the truth of God’s Word and let it perform according to Hebrews 4:12, “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Or, does the Word of God flourish when it is accompanied by passion?

My concern is that we wait to be emotionally stirred and prodded before we act, and that we, as staff members, feel compelled to motivate through guilt or shame or emotional manipulation to achieve the results we desire. We cannot go there. We can, however, facilitate others arriving at the place God intends by sharing passionately about the impact of His truth upon our lives and demonstrating it, then, in how we live.

Paul said it this way to the church at Thessalonica. “You are witnesses and so is God of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed…when you received the Word of God which you heard from us you accepted it, not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God which is at work in you who believe.” I Thessalonians 2:10-13.

Preach it with passion! Proclaim it without caution! Live it (by God’s grace) without compromise! The results are up to God, who works in us. The ultimate response is ours. Informed and Inspired by the truth, will we choose to act…to obey?

Y2K...plus 10

The Y2K crowd proved to be wrong. They were harbingers of doom and posited their conclusions based on a combination of calendar tweaking, biblical "prophecy", conspiracy thinking and political uncertainty. All of these may have had some relative merit for consideration on their own but combining them together wreaked havoc in the mindset of some. So they stored food and water, bought extra flashilights and matches, and waited for the end.

Some close friends of mine were seriously concerned about what the new millennium would usher in, and it turns out, in my opinion, they were not that far off. Almost ten years later we seem closer to that place of Armageddon-like drama than ever before.

Interestingly, this kind of thinking seems totally out of sync with the dawning of a new age as heralded in Obama's ascent to power and an almost messianic Inaugurational tone. This is not to suggest that I think Obama is the proverbial antichrist, as some of my friends have suggested; nor does it mean that I think the new administration is ready to push us over the precarious edge of political change into national oblivion. I do believe, however, we are at the cynosure of perilous times and the whispers of global "warning" and financial holocaust should not be ignored.

In our own county the empty new and used car lots, the unoccupied commercial space, the frigthening stories of the unemployed and under-employed, the acceleration of local crime, the burgeoning number of homeless and bankrupt--all of these things are testimony to the fact, the times, "they are a changin'".


I pastor a local church and every Sunday there are new stories about lost jobs, new requests for prayer for more work, questions about ways to save a home, gripping stories of large amounts of money lost in the stock market, families wondering about escalating medical costs and a general inescapable sense of the financial cloud hanging over us.

The newspaper is a compilation of horror stories strecthing from the bloody fight for land in the Middle East, to the perilous countryside of Afghanistan, to the lurking re-emergence of Russia on the world scene, to the fragile "peace" of Iraq, and the list goes on. We cannot escape the images of the disgraced governor of Illinois protesting his innocence, Tom Daschle's recent exposure as a tax evader, Barry Bond's voice on tape contradicting what he has always protested, and State authorities defying our own governor's directives to cut spending. The voices and faces of failure are all around us.

What are we to do? Do we find solace in the potlical assurances that we will be okay because in America we have always found a way out...of the Great Depression, World War II and double-digit inflation?

Or, do we seek comfort from the knowledge that (1) We are a nation of plenty (2) We are a people of initiative and resource (3) We have always worked best together in crisis, whether in the hideous aftermath of 9-11 tyragedy or the humanitarian challenge of Hurricane Katrina's devastation.

On Sunday I will be speaking about the "body of Christ", a New Testament metaphor for the bond that exists between fellow believers and the care and concern we assume for one another. I have been challenging our congregation to the idea of "overflow" ministry--the concept of utilizing the difference between what we need and what we have--a surplus for most of us--to meet the needs of others.

On a larger scale in our community we should be actively looking for creative ways to help one another. In the Y2K days I heard stories of people identifying places they agreed to live in together to wait out the doom they anticipated.

It is almost ten years later--and the future is a lot more bleak in the eyes of this observer--and we need to be drawn together for the purpose of taking advantage of the opportunities before us--to rely on the strength of our faith in a sovereign God, and the good will of His people to work together.

prayer, as usual...not politics

On the morning after the inauguration I am jolted to the realization of how desperately we need to pray. A daunting challenge is before us as a nation and on a smaller, but no less poignant level, we are facing it in Amador County, and in the local church I pastor.

It would be easy to default to "politics as usual" but I am opting for something different. This morning I called a number of our local church to meet with me for prayer at noon to pray. I am hoping our modus operandi will become "prayer as usual".

Our new president has inspired hope in the hearts of a diverse population that is facing this next four years with unparalleled hopes. The arrival of an African American president in the White House is something to be applauded. The influx of new young voters and the awakening of those identified as the "economically-disadvantaged" and "politically disenfranchised" is heartening as well.

Political promises have often resonated from the partisan pulpits of the election process. Promises of change--though often generally articulated and generously-priced--are not new. There is no doubt that change is needed--our soldiers need to come home when they can safely, our economic policies need to be revisited, and our divided and fragmented country needs to be united.

At what cost? I think that is the question that lurks darkly in my heart. Already there is talk of redoubling the efforts to overturn the will of the people in California who voted to affirm traditional marriage. There is evidence work is already begun to remove the challenge to "abstinence" from the sexual education philosophy of our schools, as well as determined activity once again to make abortions easier. These issues, which reflect the moral heart of America, and which are really not political at the root, always reappear in the political arena when "change" is the order of the day.

And so, I feel called to pray. I pray that President Obama, a man of professed spiritual integrity and commitment, will govern well--not with politics as usual--but with an awareness of the presence of a Soveriegn God--a God whose presence was invoked throughout the multitudinous activies of a crowded Inauguration Day by a pluralistic group of men who all prayed for the same thing--wisdom and peace for our country.

post mortem

What will they say about me post mortem, after I die?

That question seems a bit egomaniacal, or, it may bear tinges of paranoia. In any case, everyone has asked it, or wondered about it silently.

Mabelle, my friend, lived 90 plus years. Her common lament was "God does not answer my prayers" to which I would respond, "How do you know that ?" Her answer? "Well, I am still here!" She had a heightened sense that she was just taking up space, when those of us aorund her reminded her what a true treasure she was. She never really caught on to how much she was loved.

Her memorial service was today and the testimonies praising her indomitable spirit, her sense of humor, her friendly dispostion,her "family first" mindset, and her resurgent faith resonated among us. She would have been so surprised...and so delighted.

These kinds of comments post mortem help us, but are of no value to the deceased.

So speak up now. Tell me now hom much you love me and how wonderful I am! Seriously, be sure someone you love knows how much you value them now. May the beauty of such words not be restricted to the post mortem memorial service.

"Mom, I love you very much and can't imagine myw orld without you!"

Love, Dale

Marley and Me

I came home from a long day at the office this week--pretty dazed by a day full of counseling--and my wife said, "Let's go se 'Marley and Me'" A quick dinner, and a short ride to the Jackson Cinema brought me to a place of rest and what could have been a sure nap...except for the movie.

I have not read the book but have heard several comments about the movie. "Be sure you take a kleenex" was the most common response when I asked someone how they liked the movie. Having seen the trailer several times of a dog "on the loose" and wreaking havoc, and knowing the bent of Owen Wilson towards comedic roles, I thought this would be a shallow and inane "tear-jerker" movie.

I confess. I wiped my esyes a few times with the napkin I had grabbed to clean the butter off my moustache from the cold pop corn and melting dibbies I bought to snack on.

But I did not fall asleep, as I am prone to do.

I watched the whole movie!

And although it was not a masterpiece of cinematography nor a moving examination of human character, it was a movie about real life. That's right. What caught my attention was the real life depiction of the stresses of falling in love, getting married, raising children (note the order), changing jobs and just learning how to live together--which were not anesthesized by affairs or narcotic binges.

And, yes, Marley got front and center billing, deservedly so. He was the proverbial glue that seemed to literally hold the family together through all its changes and challenges.

The real adhesive, however, was not the adorable canine. The undeniable commodity that helped this family weather the storms of life was...a new word for our "fair-weather" world--commitment.


You and me. She and me. Marley and me.

about colds...

Happy New Year ! Achoo!

That's how I began the new year--with a full-fledged cold courtesy of my wonderful grandchildren. I guess it was part of our holiday gift exchange!

Colds are an interesting phenomenon. They aren't really disabling--I mean, you can still function, sort of... But they are a drain--literally--and they sap you of the energy and ambition you ened to function at a level of normacy, whatever that is.

Beverly and I had lots of plans we laid aside and spent a significant part of the last two weeks together, sniffing and sneezing. As I look back, however, I think it was a good time. We got some extra sleep, sat together a lot more than we usually do, watched some HGTV (and a few football games), and generally just loafed without feeling guilty. I read and journalled and did necessary church work, but in the end, felt like I had some much-needed "down time" with Bev.

That's how it is with colds. They slow you down just enough to change your pace of life and in between sniffles and sneezes, you manage some extra time with your sweetheart.

Achoo!

that was the week that was...

Is this how you remember Christmas?

Let's see--special worship services, kid's rehearsals, banquets, parties, gift-shopping, gift exchanges, gift returns, travel, cooking, wrapping, relatives...???

None of those things in and of themselves are bad, but the cumulative effect can be overwhelming. A purposeful and intentional management of time and a careful refocusing of attnenion on what truly matters helps...but the incessant expectations of the season are hard to ignore.

We traveled to San Luis Obispo to visit Bev's two sons and eight of our eleven grandchildren. Unfortunately, three of the four adults were sick and several of the children were fighting bad colds. I think a little viral breeze was in the air as well.

We managed to work between the two households, loved the grandchildren, carried the baby around (I think that's where I caught my cold),and generally enjoyed our quick trip. Bev's son who is a pastor is just coming out of a busy season and Bev's other son who is a small business owner is trying to manage the challenges of a diminishing economy. All in all, it was fast and fun time to be with family. We went to bed the final night both nursing sore throats and several days later Bev is still sick in bed with whatever she caught for Christmas.

We sandwiched in a long day at Stockton with my family--dinner, gift exchange, movie and a meaningful tiem of sharing together. Both my sister (broken arm) and brother (diabetes) are nursing fairly serious injuries so there was a shadow of concern that enevloped our time together.

So it is two days after Christmas. I resisted the temptation to take down the tree and box up the decorations (I did pack away the Christmas cd's which we have recyclced too many times). I want to savor the seaosn for a few more days and not get lost in "the week that was".

After all, this season represents more than a day, more than a week--it points to a pivotal day in history that potentially affects every other day and week we live.

I think I'll return to my easy chair and look at the Christmas lights one more time.

family dysfunction

I saw a holiday movie yesterday that mirrored a family's dysfunction. Elongaged sibling rivalry, marital infidelity, parental favortism, racial slurring, gang violence, intercity economics, broken relationships, war's scarring--all of these themes, and more, were molded into a ghraphic of a family out of sync. In the end, the underlying commitment of family members to one another, and a father's love for all of his family, resonate loudly in extolling the virtues of family love triumphing over family dysfunction.

I suppose all of our families have their own nuances of what others might perceive to be veiled neuroticism. There are family favorites ("She's the one who got the most attention!"), family secrets ("My parents always yelled at each other...and later made up...it was disgusting!"), family phrases ("If I have told you once, I have told you a thousand times...", family traits ("We like our fried food salted") and even family fashions ("All the men like to go without socks"), etc.

The holidays tend to bring us all together, and if these special occasions are left unguarded, tend to expose all of our family dysfunctions in living color. So what can we do about that before Uncle Ted and his six "wild" children arirve for Christmas Eve dinner?

1. Be purposely thankful for family; though imperfect, they are the only family we have.


2. Be passively forgetful about past unresolved family issues; allow kindness and forgiveness to rule the day.

3. Be positively hopeful that the holidays will provide new opportunities for trulyenjoying your...dysfunctional family.

After all, you are part of that family.

The light of the world...?

2008 may have left many of us speechless. Faced with a hugely divisive national election, the virtual “collapse” of the stock market, the plundering of individual savings and retirement accounts, the burgeoning unemployment rates, the financial bailout of banks and automobile companies…is it any wonder we are out of breath? And what can we say that accurately reflects our sense of justifiable concern and even outrage?

In the midst of such turbulence and turmoil stands the church. That may sound a bit dramatic but I see it as significant. I think of the words of Jesus to His disciples when He informed them, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand and gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

People around us our floundering. Having placed their confidence in the stuff of this world, the foundation has literally been ripped away from under their fragile feet. The church, I believe, has an accelerated opportunity to be a voice for hope and a vehicle of help in these almost desperate times. It is a time to speak up—not a time to be speechless.

In the month of January we will be challenging you with this verse, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” Matthew 16:26 NIV
Our topic, “Christianity: Finding a Faith that Works-Living a Life that Matters”, will be covered with four specific challenging messages—“Radical Faith”, “Revolutionary Mindset”, “Resurgent Living” and “Reckless Abandon”. Coupled with these will be our annual Gifts Fair on January 21st and our annual Day of Celebration on Sunday, January 25th, concluding with a potluck fellowship following our morning worship together. You won’t want to miss any of these special services…mark your calendars today!

How will we respond to the opportunities of 2009? What do we as believers have to say? What light do we have to shed in a world darkened by unmet needs and failed expectations? We can turn inward and concentrate on the immediate needs of “keeping the lights on”—not an unimportant task—or, we can “turn the lights on” and carry that light into our community, our places of work, our families, our sphere of influence. And we do that, I believe, in part when we do “good deeds” or, things that lift up Christ-- pointing men to Him—and they are led to give praise to our “Father in heaven”.

These are days to look up and reach out. These are days to speak up and shout out the message of hope in Christ. The gospel is “good news”, something not found in the front pages of our newspapers nor heard from our television pundits who share the tragic stories each week of human failure. The “good news” helps us lift our eyes away from the deceitful promises and the disappointing products of our dependence upon ourselves. It forces us to turn to the light of the truth of God’s word and a life of fulfillment we can experience in Christ, even when our world is diminished and darkened by evil.

2009 is here. What shall we say? What shall we do? Let’s stand together, like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden or ignored. Let’s carry the light of His Word and the message of transformed lives into a world that is watching…and waiting for the church to speak up and live out its faith consistently.

The grid and grit of human relatrionships

"Why can't we just all get along?"

That thought has more than once echoed in the corridors of my heart as I have sought to mediate relational problems. In my own life, I have had to take a close look at the part of me that exacerbates conflict and I have had to ask myself, "What value is there in insisting on being right in this situation?" More often than not, therein lies the fertile ground of division--my need to be right, or my "rights"!

It seems in recent weeks I have observed a proliferation of relationship issues; perhaps it is the season. Families come together and long-term issues, often ignored, are reignited. It is also a time when people are inordinately stressed--shopping, spending, special events, etc. The combination of all of these factors--and the predictable unpredictability of human emotions coupled with pride--creates a distasteful recipe for conflict.

How do we move through the grid of difficult human relationships? How do we deal with the grit of hurt feelings and unresolved conflict? There are, obviously, no magical formulas that can catapult us to the instant euphoria of peace, but there are some things we can individually determine for ourselves to "as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone", Romans 12:19.

Here is a list of questions I have formulated for myself in assessing difficult relationships, or, as Joyce Landorf identifies them in her book, relationships with "irregular people".

What can I own that belongs to me that has contributed to the the tension? What have I done to deal with the part of my responsibility I have owned?

If I have not done that, am I willing to take the first step to acknowledge my part and to ask forgiveness of the one I may have offended?

If I have dealt with my responsibility appropriately, what part of what is unresolved can I relinquish? Can I release my feelings regarding this without ownership of responsibility on the other person's part?

If I am stuck here, can I set boundaries for myself that will redefine the relationship on terms that allow for my willingness to forgive and "move on" while at the same time protect me from further hurt from someone who "just doesn't get it"?

God's grace is the defining enabler in situations where resolution seems impossible. "Be kind and compassionate one to another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). This scriptural admonition includes the "each other", and implies reciprocity or mutual participation. Take the first step by obeying God, and, then, relinquish the rest of it to God. Do not make your healing dependent upon the "adversarial" party's response, and be held hostage there.

Rid of the grit of your own anger and hostility you are now free to move through the grid of relational difficulty and to find a place of personal peace--even if that "irregular person" has not responded as you hoped.

The Christmas season can be a time when you extend a gift that may not be returned, but you will be blessed, and others potentially as well, "because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" II Coriunthians 9:14.

glasses

I recently had my annual eye check--thirty months actually--and was relieved to find I had no glaucoma or signs of diabetes-related eye disease.

Close inspection revealed a cataract forming on my right eye, but my left eye was almost 20/20. Between the two eyes and the resultant correction--one sees better at a far distance and another up close..what's with that?)--I can merge the two and see pretty well. I have about 2-3 years before the cataract has to be dealt with, and I am more than willing to wait.

I have trouble in the morning focusing. Either the sleep in my eyes has sealed them, when I have slept well, or, the morning light is almost blinding, when I have tossed and turned all night. The eyes, I am discovering, are a sensitive commodity, and they deserve my care and attention.

The new glasses are bifocals and require a downward look when I read and an upward posture when I am looking ahead. Sometimes I get confused and the resultant fogginess and stumbling make me feel like I am in the advanced stages of "senioritis". When I steady my focus--as prescribed by my vision correction--I get around fine.

I think I need new glasses for the new year. All too often my perception of things up close gets "fogged" because I look through the lens of long distance and think, "It's never going to change". On the other hand, occasionally I take a look at the long-term through my up-close lens and I mutter to myself, "This process will be too painful".

Once in awhile I get it right. I take a look at the short-term through the right lens and I can see the value in the process in which I am engaged. Occasionally, as well, I peer anxiously at the long term and realize that meaningful change does not happen overnight, and I draw a deep breath and thinking about ebjoying the ride.

Christmas is coming; I'll take a new pair of glasses!

thanks-living

It's a big holiday celebrated with lots of good food, family and friends. It's a great time to reconnect with loved ones and to reminisce about past times. It's a sports fan's delight--this year there are three NFL games on Thursday! It is a time when we stop for a moment, hopefully, and express our thanks to God for His goodness and faithfulness.

It is Thanksgiving! And I can't wait to join our church family in serving the needy of our community and then rush home to eat a delicious home-cooked meal (Bev is a super cook!) with my wife, four of our children and eight grandchildren!

But then--all too soon--it will be over. That food that took hours to prepare will disappear in a matter of moments! yes, there may be some leftovers to munch on the next few days, but it will be gone with alarming quickness.

And we will wait another year to celebrate..and to be thankful...?

I hope not!

The easy transition from a day to a lifestyle is to think of "Thanks-living", not "Thanks-giving". That requires the dsicipline of reminding myself that every day truly is a day to be thankful and then determining to live my life as an expression of that thanks each day.

How can I do that?

1. Begin each week with an expression of thanks for something specific in your life, i.e. family, food, clothing, work, health, etc.

2. Think of someone who is needy in any or all of those areas.

3. Do something for them that week. Pray for them, call them, visit them, give to them.

As we live out our thanks by giving to others, "Thanks-giving" and "Thanks-living" are merged together.

And this holiday becomes more than a quickly-passing day.

It becomes a way of life. Thanks-living!

Deference

In the realm of human relationships deference is an unpracticed virtue. In the church--an arena in which I reside--the scriptural mandate is to "in honor prefer one another", a difficult assignment for any and all of us...especially when we know we are right!

The early church addressed this when Paul urged a local congregation to find a place of agreement "in the Lord" as theyw orked together, assigning them the responsibility of helping one another as an urgent task to be fulfilled as a high priority (see Philippians 4:2,3).

I shared recently with my staff a simple acrostic taht I will identify below, as a part of the actual process of derring to one another.

D-etermine to listen

E-xpect difference.

F-lex where possible.

E-nact a plan of action.

R-econcile without delay.

Listening is critical---without preparing a response in advance which is counter-productive to hearing what the other person is saying.

Expect differences--even diagreements. Our perspective are different--and even helpful--in dissecting a decision or formulating a plan.

Be flexible in a position you take, unelss it violates a principle of conscience. Sometimes we leave little "wiggle room" for matters of taste and preference.

Be prepared to act on what you share, resisting the temptation to simply leave things unaddressed while anger and bitterness accrue.

And, finally, do it quickly. Be reconciled to one another and don't allow your differences to be divisive.

We may have to defer to one another, not at the risk of coerced compromise, but through the investment of building and presevering our relationships.

good-bye

People move on...when they leave the church I serve--often for a variety of reasons--I always have to process how I feel about that.. Whatever the case, I always feel bad...and sad.

A close friend is joining a parachurch organization and will spend most of his time in Alabama. It is a good thing he is doing, but I will miss him.

A family in our church who have served well will be moving to Southern California and relocating for work. It is difficult to see them leave because they are such a viable part of our church family.

That's the whole thing in a nutshell, I guess. We are family. And we hate to lose those we have come to love.

They will be missed, but they will, hopefully, make a similar impact in another part of the family of God. Though we will be for the moment sad here...we will be glad for their new home.

Good-bye and God bless!