Christians and Happiness

Can one be Christian and not happy, or is one a synonym of the other? And further if we profess to be Christians and are not happy where is the breakdown?

Could You

So we talk about the joy of giving, but what if you went the entire season without buying anything for yourself and all gift-giving going one way – toward others. Not a single experience of exchange or even a negotiated quid pro quo. Could you do it? And would it be a great Christmas, or lame one? Weigh in! Be honest!

The Unspoken

Perhaps less so now than at one time, but there was a time when the topic of the Holy Spirit received little press for many. So, here is what I am wondering, does avoiding the topic of the Spirit hurt the identity or mission of the church? Perhaps it doesn't given that the Trinity works in concert. On the other hand could it be we cannot be fully who we are designed to be if we neglect a full engagement of the Spirit? Topics on the table! What do you think?

Honest with the Season

If we need a holiday to remember to say "Thank You" and carve out time for family how deep does our appreciation go? Shouldn't gratitude be a routine part of life? And let's face it, it seems like Thanksgiving is becoming more of a pause between us and "Black Friday!" The point is on the table. Weigh in!

The Season - roundtable

As Christian if we want to maximize this time of year for preaching the Gospel two thoughts come to mind: first, are we currently doing it; and two what would it require for us to raise the banner for Christ as this year draws to a close. Are we missing the opportunity by not taking up more bells to ring and offering more Christmas plays to attend? Or, if we invest our efforts in those activities do we miss more important opportunities?

Reminisce about the season. What are your thoughts?

Jesus: Republican, or Democrat

Riding to the office this morning the news indicated today was going to be busy on Capitol Hill. Having moved beyond the political season we now watch the politicians positioning themselves for power. This leaves me wondering if Jesus were to walk the political streets today which party would He be affiliated with? Would He make the Republican events, or the democratic? Would He long for an Obama re-election, or two years out, a defeat? All this of course presumes He cares about political parties and strategy formatting positions, speeches, and campaigns.

We turn on the news, or more likely catch a quick story when we start up our computer, and fidget nervously, or smile uncontrollably. Yet, I wonder which party would Jesus carry the banner for, or would he be passing out tea?

Wondering

OK so here is a thought for reflection. Feel free to wade into the water of thought. What does it mean to "speak where the bible speaks and be silent where it is silent?" Does this mean the same for thing for everyone? Do we define the phrase in a way which keeps us comfortable? Is there anything wrong with that?

Into the Water

I'm in the midst of preaching a series on baptism which I have described as an anecdotal look. Why anecdotal? Because it seems we approach the doctrine as a point of contention and I wanted to lead a rediscovery of the beauty of the experience. So, we are integrating stories from Scripture on baptism, doctrinal teachings from Scripture on baptism, and video stories of church members telling the story of their own baptism. In the final analysis perhaps it is more of an emotional journey through an experience historically at the heart of church life.

I wonder how many of us remember our baptism. Who were the people present? Who influenced us to make the decision? And to what extent does our baptism story continue to shape us? Perhaps it is in periodically recounting our own story which may not only influence others for Christ, but keep us faithful. Have you told your story lately?

Rich Faith/Rich Church

Ok, so here is a question for reflection – What makes for a rich faith? Is it doing the right things? Knowing the right things? Being in the right places? Having the right associations? Is it possible "right," while serving as the sum for religious living, still fails to fill the emptiness in the soul? To put it yet another way – Can we walk the walk and talk the talk expected of Christian conduct, but be a shell of faith with no real heart?

I know, I know we look at our society much less world and see humanity growing less God-centered (as in Christ centered) and say the problem is out there with too little Christlike conduct and lifestyle. But when do we look within at those openly professing a Christian connection and ask about the depth and sincerity of our faith. I remember one of those popular bible tracts (short pieces of writing, just a few pages, in booklet form and hanging in church foyer tract racks) when I was a kid whose premise was sincerity was not enough. I get it, pursuing right understanding is very important. Agreed! But sincerity is important, and too often it is relegated to the sphere of secondary concerns. But, check the prophet Isaiah, note the demonstrations in Amos, and listen to the Christological march through 1^st century geography, and sincerity finds elevation to a primary spot.

And the richness is not simply about personal faith, but also about church. What makes a church a rich place to be? Rich faith and rich church? How do you define someone with a rich faith? What does a church which is a rich place to be look like? What do you think?????

Left Me Behind

Sitting on the couch wondering when the dinner would cook itself Carolon and I finally decided to let a local restaurant do the honors. As we went through the outside doors into the lobby a lady who obviously had trouble with her feet, from the fact she was walking slowly and wearing house shoes out to dinner, passed in front of us to catch up with the rest of the family. Actually we stepped back to let her pass and as she did she jokingly remarked they left me behind. What she said in jest may reveal a bit of truth. If not for her at that moment it certainly does for many of us. I know Left Behind has been the rage for many in pop-eschatological theology in recent years. (Now there is a word worth coining, "pop-eschatology.") The point is not sudden departure out of the world, but the feeling of lagging behind people in this world.

Do you ever feel left behind? Ask a recent college graduate how it feels to be in no serious relationship and asked to join one wedding party after another of college roommates. Ask a draftsman who has spent a lifetime using tried and true techniques and suddenly finds them self competing for jobs with younger draftsmen who know the latest software. Ask a competitive heart who in their mid-twenties following a knee injury is no longer able to play competitive ball. Where is the fun in being left behind? And yet where is the advantage in letting it depress us?

I am competitive. I don't like to lose at basketball, or scrabble. My DNA says winning may not be everything, but it certainly has advantages over losing. That being said, when we do find our self pulling up the rear with little we can do to change it, why let it stress us out. The truth is the lady lagging behind was probably the one paying the bill so there is no way the rest of the family is going to move too far ahead.

New Roads

Two weeks ago our grandson Ty was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes as many of our family and friends know. And this weekend Jeff, Ty's dad, brought the kids to the grandparents to give Ty's mom a well-deserved weekend break. Frankly April deserved a break and the grandparents deserved a weekend with the grandkids, at least that is our story. This weekend brought changes to our typical routine when family comes in town. Every meal was planned, great attentiveness was placed on every activity we did, and the essence of life frankly took on an immediacy we tend to take for granted. Success for me came when I took Ty to the church FLC to play and after an hour and a half Ty checked his blood sugar (yes at the age of 5 he checked his own blood-sugar) and it was well-with the safe range.

As church ended this morning I was asked how Ty was doing and I responded "he is adjusting well." But, I also made a confession which I have thought about repeatedly over the past two weeks. I think at one point I even mentioned it to Carolon. In the past when I heard someone was diabetic I always felt sympathy for what they had to deal with, but really didn't appreciate the challenge. How could I? Now I see the blood sugar testing up close. Now I think about insulin shots and the necessity of eating within 15 minutes. Now afternoon and bed time snacks are more than the cravings of a spoiled appetite. Never have I felt a greater investment in finding a cure for diabetes. I feel guilty over the cavalier spirit of the past. And am in need of forgiveness from those who never knew my compassion failed to reach the feigned depths. And as I stand among your ranks I do so feeling unworthy, but nevertheless vociferously desirous of each every life receiving the freedom of a day when once again the pancreas independently performs the function of life.

All that being said, a word of thanks to Westhill friends who as we finished a meal at Chili's stopped by our table to tell Ty they had both been diagnosed with type 1 when they were children. Thanks friends! I know it made Ty feel good just to receive the attention, but speaking for the grandparents we needed to hear your story.

Let it Snow

What a scene! Flakes of snow competing for air space as the warm earth began to lose ground to accumulating snow. I suppose for those who live in areas of the country where snow is a seasonal obstacle observing such grace becomes so common as to be unimpressive. For those of us who experience it infrequently, we are almost spell bound by the phenomena. A new record for a day of snow they tell us, and now the snow fall becomes more than spellbinding to observers, it becomes a stat for the books.

I suppose a preacher is expected to come up with a great spiritual illustration for the snow fall, but all I have is appreciation for the change of pace to my life and the beauty of a snow fall I rarely see. In fact in the years we lived in Houston the only real coating of white occurred the first Christmas our grandson was born. Strange isn't it, now the snow fall takes on the life of memories of a little boy I love, and then there are the memories of childhood growing up along the Red River when mom and dad would listen to the weather to see if the coming moisture would be more in the form of snow, or halting ice. And how could we ever forget the icy, snowy December in eastern Oklahoma; when I walked to a neighbor's house and borrowed a four wheel drive truck so we could make our way to the hospital, across the Arkansas River, in advance of our little girl's arrival. Spending all night anticipating labor seemed a better option than in-transit delivery. And then there was the January our son was born in the midst of a snow fall.

I sit and watch the grace of a snow flake fall and remember the grace of memories lived.