The First Christmas, Part 2

Time in Bethlehem was growing long.

The first moments after the baby's birth were like magic, only deeper. Like drinking fresh water...only a new kind of water, as if there was an entirely different kind of water more pure and refreshing than any water that had ever been before.

Some time later three men appeared. Foreigners. Mary and Joseph were so overcome that they could hardly be frightened. Nothing could be as wonderfully foreign as the child whose gaze must be more wonderful than that experienced by any other new parent before or since. And yet, these three men and their small but impressive entourage were from lands Mary and Joseph knew little about. And these three men, men of such obvious wealth and wisdom, had come to see their son. This baby too young to speak already brought such joy and wonder to the eyes of shepherds and kings.

But now the days grew long.

Seeing an angel in a dream felt almost normal by comparison, and as Joseph and Mary soberly absorbed his warning to flee to Egypt, reality began to set in. Such a responsibility--to care for the son of God. And already Herod wanted to kill him.

Joseph felt old, not for the first time, but in a new way. He saw a hard road ahead, paved with years of hard work and not a small amount of worry and difficulty. And he felt purpose like never before. He saw an unclear future guided by the crystal-clear wisdom of the Most High--a wisdom he would have to trust through faith. He didn't even know if there were trees for carpentry in Egypt, much less how he would work or feed his family. But after the arrival of this baby boy whom he could barely dare to call his own...now, to Joseph of Nazareth, nothing seemed impossible with God.

Imagining the first Christmas, Part 1

For a moment, just imagine the first Christmas.

It's a chilly night in an arid climate. A teenage mom-to-be is going into labor in an unfamiliar, crowded, inhospitable town, with only her new husband to help her. Though he has proven loyal so far, she still feels like she barely knows him.

She feels the baby pushing, ready to come soon.

He has to push livestock out of the way to make room for them in what is essentially a small, smelly barn. He doesn't know what he is stepping in as he looks for a place for his wife to give birth to a baby who isn't even his.

If abortion was an option back then, doubtless it would have crossed both of their minds in the months leading up to this scary, exhausting night. Even the glimmer of unexplainable hope and joy they felt must have often been all but drowned out by the overwhelming difficulties of their situation.

To be continued...

DCB and Third Day at the BJC

David Crowder Band and Third Day at the BJC

What good is a day without play?

Heard a really important message at church a few weeks ago.

The basic idea was:

God created recess.

This is another one of those things that I feel like I've been aware of for a long time, but I've never put enough into practice.

It's so easy to see God as a judge, harsh parent, enforcer. It's easy to forget how much God loves to have fun. Pastor Dan reminded me this morning that God doesn't just want to correct us; he doesn't just want to tell us what we're doing wrong and where we need to improve. Sometimes he just wants us to enjoy being together, like our best memories with our families on vacation growing up.

Check out the message here. It's not short, but it's worth the time.

A few weeks ago, I heard another great message with some similar ideas from Pastor Tom Wolff at our previous home church. Both Pastor Dan and Pastor Tom remind us how much (especially in our culture), it's easy to be rushed, easy to busy. As Pastor Dan put it this morning, it's easy to have our lives be full of appointments, not people. What a shame to miss the moments that might seem like a waste of time, but are actually the ones God wants us to remember. Things like a simple fishing trip, a moment of musical inspiration that's isn't what we're supposed to be practicing, a kiss from a loved one.

How many times have I forgotten to take time just play, or just enjoy what God was giving me?

Too many times.

And then this Sunday I heard another crazy wonderful idea, based on the writings of John Piper. The basic idea was this: God is best worshipped when we enjoy him most.

Of course life isn't going to be all good times; there is so much to learn from the pain. But like any loving parent, God really wants us to have times of happiness and pleasure as well as times of more difficult growth and learning. I'm actually supposed to enjoy being with God. Life with God means not just being forgiven, but living forgiven--not ruled by guilt. It's exciting and wonderful to explore this way to live.

Giving money

Today, I was considering whether or not to give money to a ministry which has been there for me many times. This ministry was obviously in some desperate need. I asked my wife what she thought, and she suggested we pray about it. I agreed. As I was walking back into the kitchen, I was thinking to myself that the ministry has some flaws.

And then God responded with the kicker:

"And your ministry is perfect?"

Ouch.

Of course, there are times when legitimate objections should keep us from giving to a ministry. But, I have to seriously ask myself, is this one of those times? Am I objecting partly because of some personal taste issues? Am I asking for a standard of perfection that I would never want someone to apply to me?

Of course no ministry is perfect. We all have flaws, and we all imperfectly follow God, no matter how hard we try. We all need a little grace from each other, and a lot of grace from God.

And I need to give as I hope someone would give to me.

Vacation

For anyone who doesn't know, I have a wonderful, beautiful wife.

I had the privelege last week of rediscovering anew our love while on vacation together.

There are times when I feel that vacation and other such luxuries can be wasteful, especially in a world where so many starve daily. However, I also know that God sometimes has called his followers to rest. In the second chapter of Genesis, God set the example for resting from the daily routine, and in the New Testament, Jesus set the example of making getting away a part of life's routine.

For the past three years, a generous person has helped make it financially possible for Melissa and I to take time off and get away. This has been valuable to our marriage, and indeed our sanity.

This person (who shall remane nameless) deserves our thanks. God deserves our thanks most of all. He has faithfully provided the opportunities for us to rest, recharge, and rediscover each other. As I've mentioned before in these pages, this summer has had its share of challenges. We were perhaps a bit overdue for some time away.

If you're married, or if you're not, don't let life go too long without stepping back. Spend some time with God and with the people you love without the daily whirlwind around you. The rat race will still be there when you get back, but--and I can tell you this from experience--you will be better equipped to decide just how important the various parts of that rat race really are. Any motivated man can earn a lot of money. A wise man makes it more important to give a lot of love.

And by the way, a cruise can make a great vacation!

The vastness of the sea, the color of it, the beauty of it...these things are awe-inspiring. God has designed us such a beautiful world. The sea also gives ample reminder of just how vast and amazing this universe is. We are barely specks compared with the ocean, and if the ocean is hardly even a cosmic speck, how vast a universe this must be! And God designed it all, made it beautiful. How deserving of our worship he is.

I've heard it said that everyone will worship something.

What will you worship?

Money?

Fame?

Another person?

A philosophy?

Goals?

Accolades?

Titles?

Objects?

After seeing so much of such a small corner of the world's oceans, I am reminded again that there is only one true God who deserves our life's passion.

Getting Fired for the Glory of God

The late Mike Yaconelli, a youth ministry veteran, has some piercingly wise
insights in this article called Getting Fired for the Glory of God.